Tag: yu aoi

  • FLOWERS Review at the 14th Sydney Japanese Film Fest

    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.

  • Bokura no Ongaku – Our Music – Yu Aoi x Chatmonchy Interview

    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 —

    (more…)

  • Bokura no Ongaku – Our Music – Yu Aoi x Chatmonchy – Bus Romance

    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.

  • Shunji Iwai Fake Criterion Collection

    I was re-watching the DVD for Swallowtail Butterfly that I bought after watching the film on YouTube xD – and Because I’m cheap, I bought the Hong Kong version, when the Japanese version comes with English subtitles. I don’t think it’s the DVD per se, but the way it was shot. I don’t really know what it is, it’s scratchy, and it could certainly be because the film is kinda old. However, I would like to see a clean better release by Criterion… of all of Shunji Iwai written and directed films~

    Fake Criterion Collection: Shunji Iwai Collection - Love Letter

    (more…)

  • Yu Aoi + Satoshi Tsumabuki for New Hideki Noda Play

    Yu Aoi and Satoshi Tsumabuki are set to star in Hideki Noda’s new play, Minami he (To South), at the Metropolitan Art Space from February 10 to March 31, 2011. Tickets will be on sale beginning January 8th.

    via Nikkan Sports + Tokyo Stages

    So Yu will be busy with the opening of Coin de Rue — opening the 11th — and this.

    It’s like she knows is my birthday x’D

    I could be wrong on this one, but this is the third time she does theater, right? First, Shakespeare playing Desdemona. Then Gakuya, and now this? Well, it’s not like I can attend the theater, since I won’t be understanding anything said xD

  • Japanese Cinema Blogathon 2010 – Day3

    It’s day 3 of the Wildgrounds Japanese Film Blogathon! And seriously, I am running out of okay topics to write about, but some of you guys are writing more than one post a day! You guys are non-stop!

    First, with the sponsoring~~~

    Toma-Uno joined the blogathon with their post on Satoshi Kon — sorry, only in Spanish atm. And since we’re discussing Satoshi Kon, the guys at V Cinema contributed with their podcast on him, plus! A look at Twenty-Four Eyes (aka. Nijuushi no Hitomi), as well as various film reviews… including One Million Yen Girl!

    Which reminds me… I haven’t done any Yu Aoi Film Discussion posts in a very long while — just checked, it’s been nearly a year, and it’s been because I wanted to hold-off until I had seen any of her films released this year… or any non-sub film with new subtitles…

    But moving on, today’s topic is~~~

    (more…)

  • Japanese Cinema Blogathon 2010 – Day1

    First day of Wildground’s 2010 Japanese Film Blogathon for everything about J-Cinema. Check out everyone participating around the world!

    I had a bit of a problem picking my topic for today, because I mainly talk about idols that act. However, I thought I would dedicate my first post to the first ever director I saw since my craze for J-Films began.

    (more…)

  • Random Web Polls: In which role did Aoi Yuu shine the most?

    via Kawaii Joyuu

    I guess the poll was for the release of Raiou… which was a bust. The film opened at #8, and has since then dropped out of the Top10. Where are the Masaki Okada fans when you truly need them?

    From the Top10, 5 are dramas (Osen, Dr. Koto, Ryomaden, Tiger & Dragon, Unubore Deka) and two of those are recent. Considering her Ryomaden guest star has officially ended this Sunday, it boosted it to the Top5.

    *goes rabid fan* Seriously, people! Honey & Clover over Hana & Alice??? O_O

    This question should be, “which is the most popular Yu Aoi role?” For a “more proper” rank or a better guide on what you should be checking out — in case you’re a new fan — Check this Yu Aoi Ranked.

    Also, Poll time!

    (more…)

  • Screen Daily – Raiou Review

    I think this is the first time I post more than one review not of mine of a Yu Aoi film, maybe I’m getting better at finding info… or maybe more people are writing in English. Anyway, this second review of Raiou isn’t so kind either.

    I haven’t been able to find Box Office info on whether Raiou opened at #1, or a had weak opening — being a Period Romance, it should open at #1 for various reasons. Anyway~ here’s an excerpt:

    Although the charismatic Aoi Yu brings some sorely-needed life to the film with her portrayal of Rai/Yu, her counterpart Okada Masaki is never truly convincing as a man whose inner demons threaten to tear him apart.

    Via Screendaily.com

    I don’t think those comments will hurt the Okada Masaki fans, but let’s wait for those Box Office numbers~

    *EDIT*

    Got numbers~ They’re not that good. Raiou opened at #8 ~

    via Japan Now + Cinema Navi

  • Mia Wasikowska… kind of a Mori Girl

    OMG, pretty haircut~

    Continuing with my thing of mixing the East with the West~~~ I was watching That Evening Sun because I had been inclined to watch anything that I saw had Wasikowska’s name in the credits – except for In Treatment because that’s just way too many hours…

    We spotted her when we saw I Love Sarah Jane last year — though we haven’t spotted anyone in a long time — we’ve followed her career closely. Unlike many people, I did like her a lot as Alice… as a girly girl that I can be, I got giddy watching Alice… and Wasikowska has struck me as a Mori Girl.

    The general definition would be a “a girl who seems to be/live in a forest”, describing a girl who would fit more into a forest rather than into a city.

    “She has to like fashion that’s natural, but also a bit quirky” or “She wears a lot of dresses that have a loose or comfortable feeling to them”, to name a few of the opinions. The difficulty is that the girl should like “natural clothes”

    And Wasikowska, each time I see her on screen and/or carpets… she strikes me as this dreamy soft-spoken girl. I can imagine her living as a fairy in the forest. LOL I was going to prepare a whole speech on how she’s a Mori Girl, but then I go on research and find ass-kicker photoshoots, which I’ll be posting later on. However, despite those high fashion chic photos… she’s still kind of a Mori Girl, right?

    Picspam after the break!

    (more…)