I guess I could translate Daisuki Sweets to Sweets that I Love (the best).
There’s a new special issue by Magazine House that has just been released. My understanding is that it’s got write-ups on Yu’s favorite pastries, and stuff like that. I even read something about her grandma’s banana bread?
Obviously, this is to promote her upcoming film Yogashiten Coin de Rue, which opens on February 11th.
Please, I finally have found out about this photoshoot. I didn’t really recognized Ayumi Ito on this, since I wasn’t really THAT familiar with her work when I found the pictures, and I was probably too embarrassed to ask anyone about this shoot… because, the photos actually make me feel kind of uncomfortable LOL
And you know I wouldn’t post photos just for posting. I wanted to know, and I finally figured it out.
Whenever I see Yu-chan sharing a photoshoot with a co-star — usually male — it’s weird, like really awkward. I always thought it was a Japanese thing… have no chemistry, or barely touching your co-star. It’s something that worked with Ninomiya in that Tekkon photoshoot, because it’s him… and he’s pretty much sexless to me. LOL
I have no idea if it’s because Ayumi Ito is really REALLY awesome, and that Yu Aoi really gets along with her, but this photoshoot made me re-think my whole “it’s a Japanese thing” theory. Maybe it’s because Yu-chan feels more comfortable doing this stuff with girls — because there’s no sexual tension… or if she doesn’t get along with most her male co-stars. Or maybe it is a cultural thing, and it’s wrong in Japan to see her getting cozy with her male co-star for a shoot~~~
Anyone can explain? Enlighten us~~~
Amazing~ I thought this was a good graphic to close the year with~ a graphic of the world!
I love how China and Russia are pretty much dark on this graphic. Also how the East coast in the US is all lit up… like everyone there has a FB account. LOL [check details + bigger resolution here]
Anyway, guys~ 2010 is OVER. It’s gone! We’re getting older! This is so depressing xD with the opening of YAM Magazine, I’ve stopped blogging quite a bit here… which I didn’t expect. I really wanted to keep both active, but it’s impossible. I have decided to keep this for fandom blogging.
So don’t worry, Yu Aoi fans~ I’m still going to be talking about her. I’m due a few posts on her already. Also, I tweeted someone who plans to attend Yu Aoi’s play with Satoshi Tsumabuki, asking them if they would review the show for us xD At the moment, they said yes – EXCITING! This is the first time we’re getting a review of any of her stage performances.
Then… I have decided – Bibi Zhou fans. I’m gonna Bibify the world! I’ll try to post everything Bibi and become the Bibi hub online for English… or non-Chinese speakers/readers xD I’m starting 2011 with a Bibi post, and with a mission. LOL
Without further ado,
Happy 2011, everyone!
Not together, because that would be too much awesomeness for one cover.
And because Juri’s is the latest one — promoting her upcoming Taiga drama… CAN’T WAIT O_O — it goes before the break~
Surprise!
I can’t keep up with two blogs hahahaha.
So… I’m thinking.
1. Is there a way – plugin? – that would let me post by writing once? xD
2. or I could just post fan stuff xD
The other day I got an email thanking me for introducing them to Bibi. That her voice is very moving, and it just made me feel so SO proud. I know it sucks that I can’t find almost anything on her. And it sucks that I don’t speak Mandarin, to translate the lyrics for you… or read Chinese to hunt for news.
But I do it for Yu-chan.
Shall I do it for Bibi?
I, at least, want to get Bibi’s pinyin lyrics out. I’ll work on that.
Please, in the meantime~ visit YAM Magazine, and add us to your Yahoo or Google feeds.
First, let me get this out of the way: All the foreign nominations are American films, which includes Avatar, Toy Story 3, Hurt Locker, Inception and Invictus. Those along are a mixed bag for me xD Invictus was rather insipid, wouldn’t you say? And to include Avatar in the same list as Toy Story 3 is… hmm, rather a pity xD
The 34th Japan Academy Prize is led by Sang-il Lee’s Akunin (Villain) with 15 nods in 13 categories. Followed by Yoji Yamada’s Otouto (Yougner Brother/About her Brother) and Takashi Miike’s 13 Assassins with 11 nods. Rounding up the best pictures is Izuru Narushima’s Kokou no Mesu (A Lone Scalpel) with 5 nods.
And forgive the bias, but Yu Aoi got a nod for Supporting Actress xD
Film
Akunin
Otouto
Kokuhaku
Kokou no Mesu
13 Assassins
You know what this means right? I finally saw a new Yu Aoi film, so I can move the queue just a little bit. We’re discussing Honokaa Boy first, then Ikechan to Boku… instead of One Million Yen Girl because of the length of roles that Yu had in the films… and we’re leaving Hyakuman-en up on the feature spot for a while… ;P
First a little about the film~
Honokaa Boy tells the story of a boy – Okay, a young man – who ends up living in the small Hawaiian city of Honokaa, after he mysteriously falls in love with the place during a failed trip with his girlfriend. In there, he meets a bunch of quirky people that are very likable, who end up having an impact on his life.
Genre: Dramedy with a bit of Romance
Starring: Masaki Okada, Chieko Baisho, Keiko Matsuzaka, Jun Hasegawa
Duration: almost 2hrs
If you remember, there was a negative (and the only) review for FLOWERS that I ran into. I didn’t look for more… because I was lazy, and I forgot. However, I ran into this info:
The 14th Sydney Japanese Film Festival is showing FLOWERS and Otouto.
As I rant that every film festival gets more up-to-date stuff than my local festivals… I also read a sweet quite glowing positive FLOWERS review, which resembles uzaigaijin‘s thoughts on FLOWERS.
But the single biggest thing that makes “Flowers” so remarkable is the authenticity of its feel from a cinematic viewpoint. It is an experience tailored to the psychology of moviegoers as a class. As such, it functions as a tribute not only to the growth of Japan as a society, but to the development of movie-making in general.
And I love that they mention that Yu-chan is one of the most talented and bankable actresses. (see Why Raiou Needs to Reach #1, which it didn’t)
Koizumi-san, at least, shares his vision of the 1930s in gorgeous antiquated tones as he beautifully captures Yu Aoi, one of Japan’s most talented and bankable actresses, in crisp black and white. Aoi-san comes across delightfully in vintage; the part well suits her subtle and subdued acting style. She flawlessly looks the part of the Yamato Nadeshiko, resplendent in various kimonos and decked out in traditional bridal regalia. One of the most memorable scenes in the film sees Aoi-san running through a sakura (cherry tree) grove in full bloom with mountains visible in the distance, a wide shot reminiscent of some old time silver screen epic.
You can read the full review over at the Japanese Film Festival blog.
Thanks to Acerk for the find, as well as user gp0patt0jp for the upload~~~
Now time to slap myself for not understanding Japanese. Major fail, Amy. Major~
It’s interesting to see that Yu Aoi’s interviews this year have been… more relaxed than before. It’s really really great to see her smiling and giggling during an interview.
From what I got, they talked about her piano playing… and her piano practicing habits before? They also talked a bit about something about English.
And of course she talks about food. I can’t be mistaken about that one xD
[iframe src=”https://www.tudou.com/v/W7EsjPNV5Sk/v.swf” width=”480″ height=”400″]
someone cares to explain the video to us? xD
— EDIT w/ on-the-go translation by Nina —
Not really the best of captures, but we’ll take what we can with YouTube removing stuff. Once again, YouTube users~~~ contact me in order to figure out how to keep the videos online. Your upload credits will be kept.
Thanks hirokisakurajima for the upload~
OMG, Yu-chan plays the piano!!!
I had read about that, but never actually believed it… you know, it is the internet.
I think it might be time for a Wikipedia update, right?
By the way, her last Ongaku appearance… which was uploaded by rocking user aoinohoho is gone because YouTube deleted the account – understandable. Aoinohoho, if you still visit the site would love to get hold of those videos.
Which leads me to a rant. Seriously Japan broadcasters, REALLY? As if you’re going to release interviews for sale. Even the likes of Letterman, and all those night shows have clips online. What’s up with that!?
Fuji TV, you fail at worldwide distribution.
