Recommended J-Movies (Ask for suggestions here)
Movies I like are artsy or social comentaries so here are my recommendations:
All About Lilly Chou
This film depicts the problems Japanese teenagers are facing in contemporary Japan. The plot is very loose and you can easily get lost but the main points are still conveyed successfully. One of the root cause of this tradegy is the lack of authoritative figures in the lives of the youth which may also lead to bullying. Between the teachers and the parents, neither wants to take responsibility. It's a complicated issue that is common in several Japanese movies. The pacing of this movie is very slow that consists of snap shots in Yuichi's life, similar to a home made video. It would be difficult to enjoy this film if your sole purpose of watching is for entertainment. I find it more educational than anything mainstream. The scenes are beautiful as well as the musical scores. There is not much to say about the acting since all conversations are raw and somber.
Nobody Knows
One of the more thought provoking movies I have seen of late. I wonder, does this really happen? How aweful it would be to live in a society that abandons our children. This movie touched my soul and made me reflect on my own life. Am I doing enough?
This movie has an amazing storyline, but I'm afraid it did not translate to well in the film. It is not the most exciting movie out there. In fact, the pacing is very slow not to mention it's quite lengthy. However, I still enjoyed it. What carried the movie are the actors, hands down, Akira, the main character in particular who nabbed The Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. As good as the acting was in this film I was a bit disappointed and mystified as to why none of the children shed a single tear throughout the movie. I would have loved to have seen atleast one crying scene. These kids are so damn cute.
Laundry
This movie is about two people living a life of hell. One physical (mentally handicapped) the other emotional (suicidal), and they only have each other for salvation. You are in for an emotional ride and this movie will touch your heart. First thing you'll notice about this film are the dialogues. They are raw, looks and feels like a rough draft. The script needs refining, yet at the same time, it's what makes this film unique and refreshing.
Suicide Club
This is an over the top movie that critiques the Japanese culture surrounding a disconnected society. I would love to write an essay about this topic but not here. To fully understand and appreciate this film you have to have background knowledge of the Japanese culture. Suicide is a very serious topic which I think this film has dealt with very well. This is a gory film that I, myself could not help but look away at times. Not for the squeamish.
One Missed Call
This film I had a bit of trouble with. At first glance it looks like another Japanese horror flick. However, if you think it has some hidden message like I do, it quickly becomes ingenious because of the irony of the cell phone as the vehicle of death. In a digital world where anybody can reach anybody with a press of a button, we are yet unable to really communicate with each.
Tokyo Tower
This a great atypical love story. Atypical? That's right. It's down right weird and maybe even gross. Nevertheless, it was very romantic and touching. Anyway, what stands out about this movie are the two leads. The guy is early 20s and the woman is early 40s. To make things worse, she's married and she's a friend of the guy's mother. I know it sounds wrong. However, I feel for her. This leads me to the underlying theme of the movie. In summary, the problem arises from the lack of male companion (husband working too much and infidelity). Anyway, that's why I sympathize and cheered on their relationship.
Hana and Alice
This is an excellent coming of age movie. Between the two main characters, Alice intrigued me the most. Her complicated relationship with her parents makes her situation more interesting as she struggles to find her place in the world. One of the most poignant scenes in the film would have to be with Alice and her father on a father-daughter trip. The music and scenery are superb. The pacing is moderately slow and the dialogues are placid but far from boring.
I may post more once I finished the others I have.
All About Lilly Chou
This film depicts the problems Japanese teenagers are facing in contemporary Japan. The plot is very loose and you can easily get lost but the main points are still conveyed successfully. One of the root cause of this tradegy is the lack of authoritative figures in the lives of the youth which may also lead to bullying. Between the teachers and the parents, neither wants to take responsibility. It's a complicated issue that is common in several Japanese movies. The pacing of this movie is very slow that consists of snap shots in Yuichi's life, similar to a home made video. It would be difficult to enjoy this film if your sole purpose of watching is for entertainment. I find it more educational than anything mainstream. The scenes are beautiful as well as the musical scores. There is not much to say about the acting since all conversations are raw and somber.
Nobody Knows
One of the more thought provoking movies I have seen of late. I wonder, does this really happen? How aweful it would be to live in a society that abandons our children. This movie touched my soul and made me reflect on my own life. Am I doing enough?
This movie has an amazing storyline, but I'm afraid it did not translate to well in the film. It is not the most exciting movie out there. In fact, the pacing is very slow not to mention it's quite lengthy. However, I still enjoyed it. What carried the movie are the actors, hands down, Akira, the main character in particular who nabbed The Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival. As good as the acting was in this film I was a bit disappointed and mystified as to why none of the children shed a single tear throughout the movie. I would have loved to have seen atleast one crying scene. These kids are so damn cute.
Laundry
This movie is about two people living a life of hell. One physical (mentally handicapped) the other emotional (suicidal), and they only have each other for salvation. You are in for an emotional ride and this movie will touch your heart. First thing you'll notice about this film are the dialogues. They are raw, looks and feels like a rough draft. The script needs refining, yet at the same time, it's what makes this film unique and refreshing.
Suicide Club
This is an over the top movie that critiques the Japanese culture surrounding a disconnected society. I would love to write an essay about this topic but not here. To fully understand and appreciate this film you have to have background knowledge of the Japanese culture. Suicide is a very serious topic which I think this film has dealt with very well. This is a gory film that I, myself could not help but look away at times. Not for the squeamish.
One Missed Call
This film I had a bit of trouble with. At first glance it looks like another Japanese horror flick. However, if you think it has some hidden message like I do, it quickly becomes ingenious because of the irony of the cell phone as the vehicle of death. In a digital world where anybody can reach anybody with a press of a button, we are yet unable to really communicate with each.
Tokyo Tower
This a great atypical love story. Atypical? That's right. It's down right weird and maybe even gross. Nevertheless, it was very romantic and touching. Anyway, what stands out about this movie are the two leads. The guy is early 20s and the woman is early 40s. To make things worse, she's married and she's a friend of the guy's mother. I know it sounds wrong. However, I feel for her. This leads me to the underlying theme of the movie. In summary, the problem arises from the lack of male companion (husband working too much and infidelity). Anyway, that's why I sympathize and cheered on their relationship.
Hana and Alice
This is an excellent coming of age movie. Between the two main characters, Alice intrigued me the most. Her complicated relationship with her parents makes her situation more interesting as she struggles to find her place in the world. One of the most poignant scenes in the film would have to be with Alice and her father on a father-daughter trip. The music and scenery are superb. The pacing is moderately slow and the dialogues are placid but far from boring.
I may post more once I finished the others I have.
I've only seen a couple of jap movies but from those, the one I recommend is G@me. The main actors are Fujiki Naohito (Antique) and Nakama Yukie (Gokusen).
This is a very good thriller, I was gonna write a mini synopsis but I'm afraid I might put a spoiler by mistake so just check out http://jdorama.com/drama.918.htm The actors do a really good job and the plot was pretty interesting as it develops more and more.
This is a very good thriller, I was gonna write a mini synopsis but I'm afraid I might put a spoiler by mistake so just check out http://jdorama.com/drama.918.htm The actors do a really good job and the plot was pretty interesting as it develops more and more.
I did this the other day but forgot to post it..
I was going to post my list after I watched Wandafuru Raifu but it (the file) broke after an hour in so..
I'll try to link to reviews and give a little summary
KFCC - Kung Fu Cult Cinema (you should know of them already)
OpusZine - another movie review site
SayoNatchi - Padmé's review site
Note: some of these sites may contain spoilers
All About Lily Chou-Chou [SayoNatchi] - Lily Chou-Chou no subete / Riri Shushu no subete
The movie follows the lives of a boy called Yuichi and his friends from 13 to 15, Yuichi is a huge fan of the pop idol Lily Chou-Chou and has his own website dedicated to her which he visits and talks to other fans under the alias Philia, you're shown how Yuichi and his friends change (in some cases drastically) in those years and how their lives are effected.
First thing to note is that this movie doesn't go from 13-15 it starts off somewhere in the middle then goes back and forth with no warning so it can be hard to follow at times. The movie is based on a novel also by Shunji Iwai I believe, the movie itself is very well done, it can be very emotional (think 'Nobody Knows'). You follow how Yuichi starts off as a nice normal kid then gets his life turned around and ends up a recluse (and maybe a bit of an internet freak ;p) It is an very very beautifully shot film, not one you should miss.
Written and directed by Shunji Iwai (Hana & Alice)
Staring: Ichihara Hayato [Waterboys 2/Aikurushii] Oshinari Shûgo [Taiyo no Kisetsu/Shiawase ni Naritai] Ito Ayumi [Swallowtail/Wedding Planner] Aoi Yû [Hana and Alice/Kou Kou Kyoushi 2003]
Audition - Ôdishon
Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) is simple widower living a lonely life with his son, Shigehiko (Tetsu Sawaki). Going off an idea from his producer friend, Yasuhisa Yoshikawa (Jun Kinimura), Aoyama decides to participate in a fake audition in order to find a suitable woman to remarry. Though innocent in execution, Aoyama is successful in the mock audition and finds a beautiful girl by the name of Asami Yamazaki (Eihi Shiina), who seems more than what she portrays herself to be. Filmed with unbridled ferocity and unrestrained intensity, Takashi Miike presents his horror magnum opus, "Audition." - KFCC
This is one scary assed and quite freaky movie, complete classic which you must watch.
Directed by Takashi Miike (if you don't know him then you be a fooo, go and learn!) - he did Ichi the killer
Staring: Ishibashi Ryo [Haru to Natsu/G@me] Shiina Eihi [Kaidan Hyaku Monogatari/Kyou no Dekigoto] Kunimura Jun [Nurseman/Yasashii Jikan]
Azumi - 1&2
A warrior, who's son was slain during a pointless battle, is assigned a private mission by a high priest. It is up to him to try and stop the madness of wars that wreak havoc upon feudal Japan.
Pretty good movies quite typical japanese samurai movies where not everything (well quite a lot) is believable. - KFCC
Ryuhei Kitamura directed #1 he also did the movie Versus
Staring: Aya Ueto [Ace wo nerae!/Attack No.1] Shun Oguri [Gokusen/Stand Up!!] Hiroki Narimiya [Gokusen/Stand Up!!] Ishigaki Yuma [Gokusen/Waterboys]
Battle Royale [KFCC] - Batoru rowaiaru
The Japanese nation is in turmoil and on the verge of a collapse, the government must act to stop the violence from the nation's youth. They introduce a new measure 'Battle Royale' in which the pupils in a class from a randomly chosen school are taken to a deserted island and forced to fight each other to the death...
This movie is also considered a quite a classic one of my (if not my) favourite movie, it's very original and has won many awards including Best Film, Most Popular Film, Best Editing and Newcomer awards for the cast. It also stars Kuriyama Chiaki <3
Staring: Fujiwara Tatsuya [Shinsengumi/Sabu] Maeda Aki [The Cat Returns/Mokuyou no kaidan] Yamamoto Taro [Shinsengumi] Shibasaki Kou [Go/Orange Days] Kuriyama Chiaki [Kill Bill/Azumi 2] (Beat) Takeshi Kitano [Zatoichi/Izo]
Blue Spring - Aoi Haru
Graduation looms overhead as a group of seniors at Asa High live out the dangerous yakuza-style life on a miniature high school scale. Kujo leads the pack, but the playing field gets distorted when his authority is questioned and duly challenged by his closest friend Aoki. - KFCC
One of the first Japanese movies I watched, it gives you quite a different insight into japanese school life, the movie starts off (if I remember correctly) with a gang of pupils chasing their teacher out of the school which pretty much sets the whole feel of the movie up for you. You could think of this as what happened in school before the battle royale program was introduced. Gangs run the school, (or really 1 gang) the leader is decided by a game where the 'contestants' stand on the outside of the guard rail on the roof and have to clap an incremental amount of times, the one who quits first or falls off the roof loses.
Directed by Toshiaki Toyoda (who also did 9 Souls)
Staring: Matsuda Ryuhei [Nana/9 Souls] Arai Hirofumi [Go/Taiyo no Kisetsu] Takaoka Sousuke [Taiyo no Kisetsu] Yamazaki Yuta [GTO/Neverland] Oshinari Shûgo [All About Lily Chou Chou/Battle Royale II]
Casshern [KFCC]
Fifty years of war between the Great Eastern Federation and Europa have taken their toll on planet Earth. As a result of the use of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, much of Earth has become uninhabitable and people have become prey to new diseases. Professor Azuma's neo-cell project, which is supposed to be the answer to mankinds hardships, becomes a nightmare come true when mutants spawned from the experiment escape and declare war on the human race. Azuma's son Tetsuya, who was killed during the previous war, is reborn into the cyborg Casshern as mankind's last hope against the new mutant threat.
This movie was mostly (I believe) shot in front of a blue(or green) screen. If you've seen the trailers or the movie itself then you'll know it's action packed - obviously with it being shot in front of a blue screen it's pretty much jam packed with special effects and action. The movie itself is somewhat based on the 1973/1993 animes Casshern: Robot Hunter. The sound track to this movie is simply awesome - my favourite from any movie, with artists ranging from Hyde and The Back Horn to Utada Hikaru and Chihiro Onitsuka.
This is Kazuaki Kiriya's first movie he wrote/directed/edited and provided the Cinematography
Staring: Yusuke Iseya [Wandafuru raifu/Yoomigaeri] Kumiko Aso [Shinsengumi] Kohinata Fumiyo [Ganbatte Ikimasshoi/Ai no Uta] Terao Akira
Go [KFCC]
About a Korean-Japanese boy who moves to a Japenese school (which since he's Korean means prejudice) and meets a girl called Sakurai they get close and things are going well, but he hides the fact that he's part Korean fearing how she might react.
Very good and thoughtful film based on an award winning novel by Kazuki Kaneshiro. Yôsuke Kubozuka won best actor for his performance.
Staring: Yôsuke Kubozuka [GTO/Ping Pong] and Kou Shibasaki [Battle Royale/Orange Days]
Hana & Alice - Hana to Arisu
Walking home from school one day a boy called Miyamoto falls and hits his head, a girl, who was secretly following him comes rushing to his aid, when he awakes she tells him that she is his girlfriend, since he can't remember this she says his must have amnesia, to convince him what she says is true Hana must make up more elaborate lies one which involves her best friend, Alice.
Latest movie from Shunji Iwai who also did All About Lily Chou-Chou.
Staring: Suzuki Anne [Stand Up!!/Gambatte Ikimasshoi] Yû Aoi [All About Lily Chou-Chou/Shining Boy & Little Randy] & Tomohiro Kaku [All About Lily Chou-Chou/Seija no koushin]
Ichi The Killer - Koroshiya 1
The boss of a gang disappears with a small fortune. His loyal gang members start to search for him but their methods are both gory and aggressive. One of the members of a rival gang is Ichi, a psychopathic killer with a mysterious past...
Another Takashi Miike classic! probably the most well known in the west. Since it's Miike you should expect Gore and Insanity (well the main character is insane :p) The only thing that lets this movie down is the CGI it's quite poor and laughable (though I guess it might depend on what version you get.) I remember seeing this movie's front cover in shops and assuming that the guy on the front was Ichi which completely confused me when I actually watched the movie months later. There are 2 Ichi movies altogether and 1 short anime special #2 and the anime aren't really that good.. the anime provides an inside into Ichi's past and so does the second movie (it's a prequel) though both Anime and Prequel (#2) contradict each other a bit. - Watch out for the girl who speaks english for absolutely no reason at all :p
Staring: Oomori Nao [Haru to Natsu/Gaichu] Tadanobu Asano [Zatôichi/Survive Style 5+] Shinya Tsukamoto
Nobody Knows - Dare Mo Shiranai
Four children live together with their mother in a small apartment, only one of them however is known about to the landlord, this means only he and his mother can leave the house of they risk being kicked out and forced to find a new home again. one day the mother leaves a note saying she'll be gone for a while forcing the children to take care of themselves.
Quite an amazing and heartbreaking movie. Yuuya Yagira (the main character) became to youngest person to win the Best Actor award at Cannes for his performance in this movie (I think he was 14 at the time). Based on a true story which took place in 1988.
Written and Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda who also did Wandafuru raifu
Staring: Yûya Yagira [Shining Boy & Little Randy/Denchi ga kireru made], Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura, Momoko Shimizu, Hanae Kan and You as the mother
Ringu 1&2
A mysterious video kills whomever views it, unless that viewer can solve its mystery.
Not much need to explain this it's the originals to the american Ring movies, so ofcourse since hollywood doesn't tend to get it right, it well worth watching - especially Ringu 2 which has a completely different storyline to the american version.
Staring: Matsushima Nanako [GTO/Forbidden Love] Nakatani Miki [Otousan/Densha Otoko(movie)] Sanada Hiroyuki [Hikon Kazoku/Last Samurai] Takeuchi Yuko [Mukodono!/Pride]
Versus [Opuszine]
Prisoner KSG-301 along with his cell mate escape while being transferred which has been set up by a Yakuza influence. They meet up with their so called saviors only to receive orders which include keeping a girl hostage for the boss. KSG-301 does not agree with them and tells them to let the girl go. After a brief gun fight everyone realizes something is terribly wrong and the dead are coming back to life. - KFCC
Considered a cult classic.. quite a popular movie among japanese movie fans. Versus 2 is out in 2006.
Written and Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura
I was going to post my list after I watched Wandafuru Raifu but it (the file) broke after an hour in so..
I'll try to link to reviews and give a little summary
KFCC - Kung Fu Cult Cinema (you should know of them already)
OpusZine - another movie review site
SayoNatchi - Padmé's review site
Note: some of these sites may contain spoilers
All About Lily Chou-Chou [SayoNatchi] - Lily Chou-Chou no subete / Riri Shushu no subete
The movie follows the lives of a boy called Yuichi and his friends from 13 to 15, Yuichi is a huge fan of the pop idol Lily Chou-Chou and has his own website dedicated to her which he visits and talks to other fans under the alias Philia, you're shown how Yuichi and his friends change (in some cases drastically) in those years and how their lives are effected.
First thing to note is that this movie doesn't go from 13-15 it starts off somewhere in the middle then goes back and forth with no warning so it can be hard to follow at times. The movie is based on a novel also by Shunji Iwai I believe, the movie itself is very well done, it can be very emotional (think 'Nobody Knows'). You follow how Yuichi starts off as a nice normal kid then gets his life turned around and ends up a recluse (and maybe a bit of an internet freak ;p) It is an very very beautifully shot film, not one you should miss.
Written and directed by Shunji Iwai (Hana & Alice)
Staring: Ichihara Hayato [Waterboys 2/Aikurushii] Oshinari Shûgo [Taiyo no Kisetsu/Shiawase ni Naritai] Ito Ayumi [Swallowtail/Wedding Planner] Aoi Yû [Hana and Alice/Kou Kou Kyoushi 2003]
Audition - Ôdishon
Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) is simple widower living a lonely life with his son, Shigehiko (Tetsu Sawaki). Going off an idea from his producer friend, Yasuhisa Yoshikawa (Jun Kinimura), Aoyama decides to participate in a fake audition in order to find a suitable woman to remarry. Though innocent in execution, Aoyama is successful in the mock audition and finds a beautiful girl by the name of Asami Yamazaki (Eihi Shiina), who seems more than what she portrays herself to be. Filmed with unbridled ferocity and unrestrained intensity, Takashi Miike presents his horror magnum opus, "Audition." - KFCC
This is one scary assed and quite freaky movie, complete classic which you must watch.
Directed by Takashi Miike (if you don't know him then you be a fooo, go and learn!) - he did Ichi the killer
Staring: Ishibashi Ryo [Haru to Natsu/G@me] Shiina Eihi [Kaidan Hyaku Monogatari/Kyou no Dekigoto] Kunimura Jun [Nurseman/Yasashii Jikan]
Azumi - 1&2
A warrior, who's son was slain during a pointless battle, is assigned a private mission by a high priest. It is up to him to try and stop the madness of wars that wreak havoc upon feudal Japan.
Pretty good movies quite typical japanese samurai movies where not everything (well quite a lot) is believable. - KFCC
Ryuhei Kitamura directed #1 he also did the movie Versus
Staring: Aya Ueto [Ace wo nerae!/Attack No.1] Shun Oguri [Gokusen/Stand Up!!] Hiroki Narimiya [Gokusen/Stand Up!!] Ishigaki Yuma [Gokusen/Waterboys]
Battle Royale [KFCC] - Batoru rowaiaru
The Japanese nation is in turmoil and on the verge of a collapse, the government must act to stop the violence from the nation's youth. They introduce a new measure 'Battle Royale' in which the pupils in a class from a randomly chosen school are taken to a deserted island and forced to fight each other to the death...
This movie is also considered a quite a classic one of my (if not my) favourite movie, it's very original and has won many awards including Best Film, Most Popular Film, Best Editing and Newcomer awards for the cast. It also stars Kuriyama Chiaki <3
Staring: Fujiwara Tatsuya [Shinsengumi/Sabu] Maeda Aki [The Cat Returns/Mokuyou no kaidan] Yamamoto Taro [Shinsengumi] Shibasaki Kou [Go/Orange Days] Kuriyama Chiaki [Kill Bill/Azumi 2] (Beat) Takeshi Kitano [Zatoichi/Izo]
Blue Spring - Aoi Haru
Graduation looms overhead as a group of seniors at Asa High live out the dangerous yakuza-style life on a miniature high school scale. Kujo leads the pack, but the playing field gets distorted when his authority is questioned and duly challenged by his closest friend Aoki. - KFCC
One of the first Japanese movies I watched, it gives you quite a different insight into japanese school life, the movie starts off (if I remember correctly) with a gang of pupils chasing their teacher out of the school which pretty much sets the whole feel of the movie up for you. You could think of this as what happened in school before the battle royale program was introduced. Gangs run the school, (or really 1 gang) the leader is decided by a game where the 'contestants' stand on the outside of the guard rail on the roof and have to clap an incremental amount of times, the one who quits first or falls off the roof loses.
Directed by Toshiaki Toyoda (who also did 9 Souls)
Staring: Matsuda Ryuhei [Nana/9 Souls] Arai Hirofumi [Go/Taiyo no Kisetsu] Takaoka Sousuke [Taiyo no Kisetsu] Yamazaki Yuta [GTO/Neverland] Oshinari Shûgo [All About Lily Chou Chou/Battle Royale II]
Casshern [KFCC]
Fifty years of war between the Great Eastern Federation and Europa have taken their toll on planet Earth. As a result of the use of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, much of Earth has become uninhabitable and people have become prey to new diseases. Professor Azuma's neo-cell project, which is supposed to be the answer to mankinds hardships, becomes a nightmare come true when mutants spawned from the experiment escape and declare war on the human race. Azuma's son Tetsuya, who was killed during the previous war, is reborn into the cyborg Casshern as mankind's last hope against the new mutant threat.
This movie was mostly (I believe) shot in front of a blue(or green) screen. If you've seen the trailers or the movie itself then you'll know it's action packed - obviously with it being shot in front of a blue screen it's pretty much jam packed with special effects and action. The movie itself is somewhat based on the 1973/1993 animes Casshern: Robot Hunter. The sound track to this movie is simply awesome - my favourite from any movie, with artists ranging from Hyde and The Back Horn to Utada Hikaru and Chihiro Onitsuka.
This is Kazuaki Kiriya's first movie he wrote/directed/edited and provided the Cinematography
Staring: Yusuke Iseya [Wandafuru raifu/Yoomigaeri] Kumiko Aso [Shinsengumi] Kohinata Fumiyo [Ganbatte Ikimasshoi/Ai no Uta] Terao Akira
Go [KFCC]
About a Korean-Japanese boy who moves to a Japenese school (which since he's Korean means prejudice) and meets a girl called Sakurai they get close and things are going well, but he hides the fact that he's part Korean fearing how she might react.
Very good and thoughtful film based on an award winning novel by Kazuki Kaneshiro. Yôsuke Kubozuka won best actor for his performance.
Staring: Yôsuke Kubozuka [GTO/Ping Pong] and Kou Shibasaki [Battle Royale/Orange Days]
Hana & Alice - Hana to Arisu
Walking home from school one day a boy called Miyamoto falls and hits his head, a girl, who was secretly following him comes rushing to his aid, when he awakes she tells him that she is his girlfriend, since he can't remember this she says his must have amnesia, to convince him what she says is true Hana must make up more elaborate lies one which involves her best friend, Alice.
Latest movie from Shunji Iwai who also did All About Lily Chou-Chou.
Staring: Suzuki Anne [Stand Up!!/Gambatte Ikimasshoi] Yû Aoi [All About Lily Chou-Chou/Shining Boy & Little Randy] & Tomohiro Kaku [All About Lily Chou-Chou/Seija no koushin]
Ichi The Killer - Koroshiya 1
The boss of a gang disappears with a small fortune. His loyal gang members start to search for him but their methods are both gory and aggressive. One of the members of a rival gang is Ichi, a psychopathic killer with a mysterious past...
Another Takashi Miike classic! probably the most well known in the west. Since it's Miike you should expect Gore and Insanity (well the main character is insane :p) The only thing that lets this movie down is the CGI it's quite poor and laughable (though I guess it might depend on what version you get.) I remember seeing this movie's front cover in shops and assuming that the guy on the front was Ichi which completely confused me when I actually watched the movie months later. There are 2 Ichi movies altogether and 1 short anime special #2 and the anime aren't really that good.. the anime provides an inside into Ichi's past and so does the second movie (it's a prequel) though both Anime and Prequel (#2) contradict each other a bit. - Watch out for the girl who speaks english for absolutely no reason at all :p
Staring: Oomori Nao [Haru to Natsu/Gaichu] Tadanobu Asano [Zatôichi/Survive Style 5+] Shinya Tsukamoto
Nobody Knows - Dare Mo Shiranai
Four children live together with their mother in a small apartment, only one of them however is known about to the landlord, this means only he and his mother can leave the house of they risk being kicked out and forced to find a new home again. one day the mother leaves a note saying she'll be gone for a while forcing the children to take care of themselves.
Quite an amazing and heartbreaking movie. Yuuya Yagira (the main character) became to youngest person to win the Best Actor award at Cannes for his performance in this movie (I think he was 14 at the time). Based on a true story which took place in 1988.
Written and Directed by Hirokazu Koreeda who also did Wandafuru raifu
Staring: Yûya Yagira [Shining Boy & Little Randy/Denchi ga kireru made], Ayu Kitaura, Hiei Kimura, Momoko Shimizu, Hanae Kan and You as the mother
Ringu 1&2
A mysterious video kills whomever views it, unless that viewer can solve its mystery.
Not much need to explain this it's the originals to the american Ring movies, so ofcourse since hollywood doesn't tend to get it right, it well worth watching - especially Ringu 2 which has a completely different storyline to the american version.
Staring: Matsushima Nanako [GTO/Forbidden Love] Nakatani Miki [Otousan/Densha Otoko(movie)] Sanada Hiroyuki [Hikon Kazoku/Last Samurai] Takeuchi Yuko [Mukodono!/Pride]
Versus [Opuszine]
Prisoner KSG-301 along with his cell mate escape while being transferred which has been set up by a Yakuza influence. They meet up with their so called saviors only to receive orders which include keeping a girl hostage for the boss. KSG-301 does not agree with them and tells them to let the girl go. After a brief gun fight everyone realizes something is terribly wrong and the dead are coming back to life. - KFCC
Considered a cult classic.. quite a popular movie among japanese movie fans. Versus 2 is out in 2006.
Written and Directed by Ryuhei Kitamura
Last edited by Lowest on Oct 26th, '05, 01:46, edited 1 time in total.
i just saw "josee, the tiger and the fish" and you have to watch it too! its a simple movie about a normal guy that falls for a handicapped woman. im not much of a reviewer, but ive seen this movie 3 times in the past week so give it a shot.
http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/josee.shtml
http://www.midnighteye.com/reviews/josee.shtml
For those of you in the UK, Channel4 is showing Audition this Sunday (30 Oct) at 12:05am.Lowest wrote:Audition - Ôdishon
Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) is simple widower living a lonely life with his son, Shigehiko (Tetsu Sawaki). Going off an idea from his producer friend, Yasuhisa Yoshikawa (Jun Kinimura), Aoyama decides to participate in a fake audition in order to find a suitable woman to remarry. Though innocent in execution, Aoyama is successful in the mock audition and finds a beautiful girl by the name of Asami Yamazaki (Eihi Shiina), who seems more than what she portrays herself to be. Filmed with unbridled ferocity and unrestrained intensity, Takashi Miike presents his horror magnum opus, "Audition." - KFCC
This is one scary assed and quite freaky movie, complete classic which you must watch.
Directed by Takashi Miike (if you don't know him then you be a fooo, go and learn!) - he did Ichi the killer
Staring: Ishibashi Ryo [Haru to Natsu/G@me] Shiina Eihi [Kaidan Hyaku Monogatari/Kyou no Dekigoto] Kunimura Jun [Nurseman/Yasashii Jikan]
Again, maybe it's just me but I failed to understand why many people are so crazy about Takashi Miike's movie. I admit that audition is a good movie but most of his other movies are just plain sick. For example, in Dead or Alive How come no other directors in the whole world never tought of it, that's totoally genius and creative!
To be fair, he didn't write DOA he just directed it, afaik he's only written 1 movie, the reason people are fans of miike is because of his directing ability (although if the movie is good then the director gets the credit anyway).Rice wrote:Again, maybe it's just me but I failed to understand why many people are so crazy about Takashi Miike's movie. I admit that audition is a good movie but most of his other movies are just plain sick. For example, in Dead or AliveHow come no other directors in the whole world never tought of it, that's totoally genius and creative!
Anyway I'm not exactly a big Miike fan, I've only seen a few of his movies which happened to be good.
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jubeichanxoxo
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looking for a good japanese horror movie
Can anyone suggest a really good horror movie for me? I heard the some of the best scary movies come from japan. Thanks ^_^Y
Miike is a strange man. His works are not mean to be taking serious, not everything he does is a masterpiece, but it's definitely something you don't see normally. The man makes like 5 movies in a year at least, some are good, others can be crap. Either way, he's a great director & his works are perverted, disgusted and disturbing, but that's his thing.Rice wrote:Again, maybe it's just me but I failed to understand why many people are so crazy about Takashi Miike's movie. I admit that audition is a good movie but most of his other movies are just plain sick. For example, in Dead or AliveHow come no other directors in the whole world never tought of it, that's totoally genius and creative!
Uzumaki was really messed up. I think it was meant to give out seizures... Juon 2 is awesome.. so much better than the first. Dark waters, the locker, and Bushinsaba (korean) are really good ones too.
Twitchfilms.net has a lot of info on new and upcoming horror movies. The new horror, A.P.T., looks good too.
Twitchfilms.net has a lot of info on new and upcoming horror movies. The new horror, A.P.T., looks good too.
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jubeichanxoxo
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scary movie
THANKS. I have most of these movies in my streamload. now I can scare the people who are going to my halloween party. 
Not sure why Audition is on the list, to me, that's not really horror, but i guess it's somewhat freaky.
btw, director Takashi Shimizu of The Grudge has a new movie out called, Marebito. i don't think it's very new, but it's only out for download now. not sure about how good it is, but i like his work, so i'm watching it anyway. btw, it was film in just 8 days.
wonder how The Grudge 3 will do, honestly, i just don't like the sequel.
about Marebito, http://imdb.com/title/tt0434179/
btw, director Takashi Shimizu of The Grudge has a new movie out called, Marebito. i don't think it's very new, but it's only out for download now. not sure about how good it is, but i like his work, so i'm watching it anyway. btw, it was film in just 8 days.
wonder how The Grudge 3 will do, honestly, i just don't like the sequel.
about Marebito, http://imdb.com/title/tt0434179/
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jubeichanxoxo
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^^
Audition was a creepy! I spent the last 30 mins repeating WTF!...
Last edited by jubeichanxoxo on Nov 2nd, '05, 17:28, edited 1 time in total.
Just a reminder: Please do not request torrents for movies on the forum. Even though it isn't being uploaded to our tracker, we don't want to inadvertantly post something that could get us in trouble with the MPAA.fayewolf wrote:Anyone know where i can find the torrent for Audition? i would love to see that!
Thanks for understanding!
(dang... where'd jholic's handy li'l message go?...)
Gaichu (Harmful insect), Akihiko Shiota's movie (watched for the first time at Venice film festival) is very good. And really sad.
All Takeshi Kitano's movies: Hanabi, Kikujiro no Natsu, Dolls are my favorite.
But also Sonatine and Brother are good.
And, even if they're not japanese, Wong kar-Wai's movies, as 2046 or In the mood for love, are really the best!! I highly recommend them all!!
All Takeshi Kitano's movies: Hanabi, Kikujiro no Natsu, Dolls are my favorite.
But also Sonatine and Brother are good.
And, even if they're not japanese, Wong kar-Wai's movies, as 2046 or In the mood for love, are really the best!! I highly recommend them all!!
Here's a list of my fave J-Movies off the top of my head listed by director:
Miike Takashi -
Young Thugs: Nostolgia
Bird People In China
Dead or Alive II: Birds
Kitano Takeshi -
Any and All
Sogo Ishii -
Electric Dragon 80,000 Volt
Gojoe
Ishii Katsuhito -
Party 7
Shark Skin Man And Peach Hip Girl
Cha no aji (The Taste Of Tea)
Shimizu Takashi -
Ju-On I & II
The Grudge: I & II
Marebito
Shunji Iwai -
All About Lilly Chou Chou
Ghost Soup
Gen Sekiguchi -
Survive Style 5+
Junichi Mori -
Laundry (Note: This is possibly one of the best movies ever made IMO)
Tetsuro Takeuchi -
Wild Zero
Yamada Yoji -
Twilight Samurai
The Hidden Blade
Kenji Sonoda -
Kyouki no Sakura (Madness in Bloom)
Plenty more where that came from, at least 100, but just wanted to toss out a short list for sake of conversation!
Miike Takashi -
Young Thugs: Nostolgia
Bird People In China
Dead or Alive II: Birds
Kitano Takeshi -
Any and All
Sogo Ishii -
Electric Dragon 80,000 Volt
Gojoe
Ishii Katsuhito -
Party 7
Shark Skin Man And Peach Hip Girl
Cha no aji (The Taste Of Tea)
Shimizu Takashi -
Ju-On I & II
The Grudge: I & II
Marebito
Shunji Iwai -
All About Lilly Chou Chou
Ghost Soup
Gen Sekiguchi -
Survive Style 5+
Junichi Mori -
Laundry (Note: This is possibly one of the best movies ever made IMO)
Tetsuro Takeuchi -
Wild Zero
Yamada Yoji -
Twilight Samurai
The Hidden Blade
Kenji Sonoda -
Kyouki no Sakura (Madness in Bloom)
Plenty more where that came from, at least 100, but just wanted to toss out a short list for sake of conversation!
Really? You liked that movie? I just watched it and the sequel and thought they were TERRIBLE. The acting in it was beyond bad, and it wasn't even scary at all. The creepiest part of the movie is the dvd cover. x_x It was the first Asian horror movie I was thoroughly disappointed with.crossvii wrote:the locker
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ussoptheliar
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Kaji-shonen
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Shimotsuma monogatari (2004)
aka "Kamikaze Girls" - (English title)
http://www.kamikazegirls.net/news.html (fan site)
http://www.shimotsuma-movie.jp/trailer/index.html (official ,trailer)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416220/
Fukada Kyoko, Tsuchiya Anna
aka "Kamikaze Girls" - (English title)
http://www.kamikazegirls.net/news.html (fan site)
http://www.shimotsuma-movie.jp/trailer/index.html (official ,trailer)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0416220/
Fukada Kyoko, Tsuchiya Anna
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sweetxvanilla
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Kamikaze Girls is an awesome movie! My sis seen it in the theatre when it came out in the U.S., but I already seen it way before, but she really enjoyed it!
The japanese movie "Dragonhead" is a great post-apocalyptic movie dealing with a group of japanese students who survive through a world-shattering disaster. Great movie, should definitely check out, I believe it is released in the U.S. now under the same movie title so it shouldn't be hard to find!
The japanese movie "Dragonhead" is a great post-apocalyptic movie dealing with a group of japanese students who survive through a world-shattering disaster. Great movie, should definitely check out, I believe it is released in the U.S. now under the same movie title so it shouldn't be hard to find!
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jaycee05
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I've been consulting this thread for a while now whenever I want to watch some Japanese movies. I saw Ima, Ai Ni Yukimasu(Be With You) came up a lot with the recommendations. I read the synopsis, and it sounded like there is some magic related to the story. I usually stay away from fantasy except if it's anime.
So I kept putting it behind on my list. Yesterday, I thought at last I'll give it a try.
After watching it, I thought to myself: You dummy! That was probably one of the most romantic movies ever created and you almost missed it, baka. baka, baka
I better learn to trust the majority, lol...and as usual, I shouldnt judge the book by it's cover.
So if you havent seen it yet, watch it now!!!!
So I kept putting it behind on my list. Yesterday, I thought at last I'll give it a try.
After watching it, I thought to myself: You dummy! That was probably one of the most romantic movies ever created and you almost missed it, baka. baka, baka
I better learn to trust the majority, lol...and as usual, I shouldnt judge the book by it's cover.
So if you havent seen it yet, watch it now!!!!
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starlitedr3amer
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XoRENEWDLIFEoX
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OvertheRainbow
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Hayashi_kun
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wow everyone recommended really good movies.
then i shall recommend some that i just watched, which i think are not that fantastic but worth a watch.
Hinokio: a traumatized boy after an accident using a robot to have contact with the outside world.
Negotiator Mashita Masayoshi: a role from the popular Odoru Daisosassen. I thought this was rather good too, and expecting a sequel.
Dog movie: short stories about dogs, and has itoh misaki.
then i shall recommend some that i just watched, which i think are not that fantastic but worth a watch.
Hinokio: a traumatized boy after an accident using a robot to have contact with the outside world.
Negotiator Mashita Masayoshi: a role from the popular Odoru Daisosassen. I thought this was rather good too, and expecting a sequel.
Dog movie: short stories about dogs, and has itoh misaki.
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DougFunnieee
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I liked 'Deep Love: Ayu no monogatari' (http://www.zavn.net/index_p.php)
Theres a drama too, but I haven't had to chance to see it. Both are about a teen prostitute who learns to cherish her life (as well as body) through a series of life-altering events including real love.
'Satorare- Tribute to a sad genius' also with a drama based on it
This was the story of a man who had the strange affliction of everyone being able to hear his thoughts. Known as 'transparents' people with this affliction are monitored by a government group and are usually geniouses. Its difficult to explain, but its a touching story of love, science fiction and even conspiricy
and 'Saigo no koi, hajimete no koi' or 'First love, last love' which is an interesting story of a depressed salaryman who lost his wife in an accident and goes to Shanghai on business where he falls in love with a Chinese girl. Its like most Japanese dramas, where someone learns to appreciate life, which I always love, and what I found the most interesting is they both have to converse in English to understand each other
Anyway, I didn't see these ones listed and I saw them all when I lived in Japan two years ago. Most of them are on yesasia with English subs, but Deep Love hasn't been translated as far as I know. Hope this helps, I really liked these movies alot!
Theres a drama too, but I haven't had to chance to see it. Both are about a teen prostitute who learns to cherish her life (as well as body) through a series of life-altering events including real love.
'Satorare- Tribute to a sad genius' also with a drama based on it
This was the story of a man who had the strange affliction of everyone being able to hear his thoughts. Known as 'transparents' people with this affliction are monitored by a government group and are usually geniouses. Its difficult to explain, but its a touching story of love, science fiction and even conspiricyand 'Saigo no koi, hajimete no koi' or 'First love, last love' which is an interesting story of a depressed salaryman who lost his wife in an accident and goes to Shanghai on business where he falls in love with a Chinese girl. Its like most Japanese dramas, where someone learns to appreciate life, which I always love, and what I found the most interesting is they both have to converse in English to understand each other
Anyway, I didn't see these ones listed and I saw them all when I lived in Japan two years ago. Most of them are on yesasia with English subs, but Deep Love hasn't been translated as far as I know. Hope this helps, I really liked these movies alot!
Available on US DVD, picked it up a couple weeks ago. Pretty good movie, had a bunch of us laughing, esp in earlier parts. It kind of looses some of its loopy steam near the end.
I'm a bit dissapointed in the quality of the US DVD though. Subtitles are hardcoded onto the video, translation is different from what said in a couple places, video quality doesn't look all that stunning.
I'm a bit dissapointed in the quality of the US DVD though. Subtitles are hardcoded onto the video, translation is different from what said in a couple places, video quality doesn't look all that stunning.
yunwun2k1 wrote:Kamikaze Girls is an awesome movie! My sis seen it in the theatre when it came out in the U.S., but I already seen it way before, but she really enjoyed it!
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nihonjunkie
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WELCOME BACK MR MACDONALD
Hi, i read this thread about japanese movies..
was wondering if anybody has watched this movie? it stars toshiaki karasawa.. and i've read ONE review about it.. it's touted to be really good.
but i can't seem to find it anywhere, and there is a dvd version.. but i don't see it anywhere in singapore yet.....
has anyone seen it online? it's quite old.. a 1998 film.
was wondering if anybody has watched this movie? it stars toshiaki karasawa.. and i've read ONE review about it.. it's touted to be really good.
but i can't seem to find it anywhere, and there is a dvd version.. but i don't see it anywhere in singapore yet.....
has anyone seen it online? it's quite old.. a 1998 film.
I like the Samurai classics like "Yojimbo", "Sanjuro", and "Seven Samurai." Toshiro Mifune is definately a god in japanese cinema and Akira Kurosawa's pretty good too (j/k.)
Beat Takeshi's films are great but can be a bit too graphic for some. He is definately Japans version of Torentino which I hate to say because he's (Beat) been in the business of film making alot longer.
Also "After Life." It's kinda sad but it does have a nice ending to it and the story is one of the most original I've seen in a long while. They should have made an adapted version of that instead of "Shall we dance."
Also Miyazaki's 'Nausicca", and "Totoro" anime are great family films with good action and a decent story. I think I like them better then some of his more recent movies.
Beat Takeshi's films are great but can be a bit too graphic for some. He is definately Japans version of Torentino which I hate to say because he's (Beat) been in the business of film making alot longer.
Also "After Life." It's kinda sad but it does have a nice ending to it and the story is one of the most original I've seen in a long while. They should have made an adapted version of that instead of "Shall we dance."
Also Miyazaki's 'Nausicca", and "Totoro" anime are great family films with good action and a decent story. I think I like them better then some of his more recent movies.
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DougFunnieee
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OvertheRainbow
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OvertheRainbow
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DougFunnieee
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I don't think so.OvertheRainbow wrote:DougFunnieee-The girl in your sig looks really familiar...did she play Xiang Qin's friend that is like interested in music in "It started with a kiss"?
Her name is Fumiko Mizuta and she's fairly new to the business. If there's a girl that looks like her in another show, I'll have to check that out, haha.-
Shonen Bat
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OvertheRainbow
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Ooo..Well I was right that she was a small part in a drama but i was wrong about which drama it wasDougFunnieee wrote:I don't think so.OvertheRainbow wrote:DougFunnieee-The girl in your sig looks really familiar...did she play Xiang Qin's friend that is like interested in music in "It started with a kiss"?
She plays Bando in Nobuta Wo Produce
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Rinoa Heartilly
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Kagen no Tsuki: Starring JRocker Takarai Hideto
Summary: Touching romance with the moon cycle of 19 years. 19-year old Mitsuki meets mysterious Adam. She looses her memory by an accident, and she is trapped in an old mansion. Hotaru and Mitsuki's boyfriend Tomomi visit her, and they find out the event that happened 19 years ago. It is a miracle only occurs every 19 years. Based on Ai Yazawa's novel.
Moon Child: Starring JRockers Camui Gackt and Takarai Hideto
Plot Synopsis: In the year 2014, Japan has collapsed economically and thus its people emigrated in large numbers and settled in other parts of the world. In a corner in Asia, there is a little street called Mallepa, a big melting pot where Asians such as Hongkongers, Taiwanese and Japanese live together. It was a place where people fought for order, food and freedom. It was there where Shou (Gackt), raised as an orphan and Kei (Hyde), who could live forever, met and became the best of friends. However, they were unable to escape from the fight for power involving gangs of different ethnicity on the street of Malepa...
[Source]
Kagen no Tsuki is a pretty deep film, I cried through most of it. The storyline is absolutely beautiful and touching, I highly recommend it.
Moon Child's a great film as well, lots of action, and at times can be quite depressing.
Summary: Touching romance with the moon cycle of 19 years. 19-year old Mitsuki meets mysterious Adam. She looses her memory by an accident, and she is trapped in an old mansion. Hotaru and Mitsuki's boyfriend Tomomi visit her, and they find out the event that happened 19 years ago. It is a miracle only occurs every 19 years. Based on Ai Yazawa's novel.
Moon Child: Starring JRockers Camui Gackt and Takarai Hideto
Plot Synopsis: In the year 2014, Japan has collapsed economically and thus its people emigrated in large numbers and settled in other parts of the world. In a corner in Asia, there is a little street called Mallepa, a big melting pot where Asians such as Hongkongers, Taiwanese and Japanese live together. It was a place where people fought for order, food and freedom. It was there where Shou (Gackt), raised as an orphan and Kei (Hyde), who could live forever, met and became the best of friends. However, they were unable to escape from the fight for power involving gangs of different ethnicity on the street of Malepa...
[Source]
Kagen no Tsuki is a pretty deep film, I cried through most of it. The storyline is absolutely beautiful and touching, I highly recommend it.
Moon Child's a great film as well, lots of action, and at times can be quite depressing.-
AngelGurl6
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babycurious
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marienella_m
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i highly recommend Ima Ai ni Yukimasu!! its a very touching and unforgettable movie!! the leads are so good, Takeuchi Yuko and Nakamura Shindo!! they must have been overwhelmed by the story, that they continued the romance in real life. coincidentally, thay have a son in the movie and in real life, Takeuchi just gave birth to their son last september. 
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smartasien
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'OvertheRainbow wrote:Ooo..Well I was right that she was a small part in a drama but i was wrong about which drama it wasDougFunnieee wrote:I don't think so.OvertheRainbow wrote:DougFunnieee-The girl in your sig looks really familiar...did she play Xiang Qin's friend that is like interested in music in "It started with a kiss"?
She plays Bando in Nobuta Wo Produce
Just finished watching Swing Girls. Pretty upbeat movie, i liked it a lot. But this Fumiko Mizuta!
Good GAWD she is freaking blazing. MELTING!!!!
Hope she'll b in more movies or dramas the whole punk look is just 
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slain_naru
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