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OMG!
That detective needs to have his own film.
( Takeshi Kaneshiro and his doppelganger waved you in. )
That detective needs to have his own film.
( Takeshi Kaneshiro and his doppelganger waved you in. )
28 Days Later
Feb. 27th, 2011 12:53 pmWhile I was in the process of making The Armchair Murderer, I realised I never post any thoughts on 28 Days Later, the movie where the awesome soundtracks came from. I have to remedy that, so here it is.
I hate horror movie. Between the sickeningly sweet rom-com or horror, I usually choose the former. I haven't watch Battle Royale yet, because the thoughts of those students kill one another filled me with horror (pun not intended). I hate it. I was easily scared. In fact, I actually closed my eyes when Indiana Jones gets slightly violence. Yea, that includes the part where he and his son went investigating the Mayan cave (or something).
But I love 28 Days Later. I was prepared to leave my friend's house a few years back, when we changed the channel and we saw deserted London and this man walking with his plastic bag. I ended up staying instead and two hours later, we were looking at each other and went: That's pretty good
( What makes it good? (spoiler inside) )
I guess what makes it good is that, you care for these people. After all they've been through, you just wish for a happy ending. Your heart breaks if they don't get it. That's what I love about it.
I hate horror movie. Between the sickeningly sweet rom-com or horror, I usually choose the former. I haven't watch Battle Royale yet, because the thoughts of those students kill one another filled me with horror (pun not intended). I hate it. I was easily scared. In fact, I actually closed my eyes when Indiana Jones gets slightly violence. Yea, that includes the part where he and his son went investigating the Mayan cave (or something).
But I love 28 Days Later. I was prepared to leave my friend's house a few years back, when we changed the channel and we saw deserted London and this man walking with his plastic bag. I ended up staying instead and two hours later, we were looking at each other and went: That's pretty good
( What makes it good? (spoiler inside) )
I guess what makes it good is that, you care for these people. After all they've been through, you just wish for a happy ending. Your heart breaks if they don't get it. That's what I love about it.
The King's Speech
Feb. 19th, 2011 07:20 pmWell, first of all, George VI is my favourite British monarch. Yea, I say that. There's something romantic about a reluctant king, who ascended the throne because his brother abdicated. And he came with a weakness of his own. He's a guy you wanted to root for. So, when I first heard about this film, I'm definitely excited.
Here comes the problem. I watched this a week after I watched The Wind the Shakes the Barley. And it pales in comparison.
( I have a voice! )
On other news, SWITCH magazines! Pretty pretty Ryoma photos. Thought my friend comments: Why is it so dark? And why is he so serious? Dude, Masha has loosen up since Ryoma. Before that, he only has one type of expression in every photoshoot. :D Kiddin', love you ol' man.
Here comes the problem. I watched this a week after I watched The Wind the Shakes the Barley. And it pales in comparison.
( I have a voice! )
On other news, SWITCH magazines! Pretty pretty Ryoma photos. Thought my friend comments: Why is it so dark? And why is he so serious? Dude, Masha has loosen up since Ryoma. Before that, he only has one type of expression in every photoshoot. :D Kiddin', love you ol' man.
The Wind that Shakes the Barley
Feb. 13th, 2011 09:38 pmI don't know why, but I found myself almost obsessed with this films. I've been putting it on repeats, checking out the scenes I want to see for the past couple of days now. Does it affect me emotionally? Does it make me cry? I don't know. But I do know I can't stop thinking about it.
( And I think I might be a socialist at heart- ack! )
Watch it~ It made me think and now I can't stop thinking.
( And I think I might be a socialist at heart- ack! )
Watch it~ It made me think and now I can't stop thinking.
Shinya Shokudo
Feb. 3rd, 2011 07:46 pmThere are some j-dramas out there who did not blow you away in the first episode, however, it's enough to make you continues and lulled you that by the end of the series, you found out you love them, and you feel sad to part with all the characters you have known. It's difficult to find these type of dramas now, the type where you have got to see what happen next, thus, making you spent your holidays marathoning them.
Shinya Shokudo is one of them.
( This is how I spent my holiday )
Truly a slice offood life.
Shinya Shokudo is one of them.
( This is how I spent my holiday )
Truly a slice of
Swallowtail Butterfly: Yentown
Jul. 3rd, 2010 01:27 pmThis is the story of Yentowns in Yentown
In the beginning, I wanted to combine this review with Welcome back, Mr Mcdonald. But it's such a fantastic film, the type that lingers long after it ends, that it demanded not to be shared. So here it is, a review of its own.
However, there's a few ground rules before you start it (aka, why no one warned me about all these???!!):-
( Today is not your day, is it? )
I think I will attempt Dosokai next, just because Hiroshi Mikami is in it. But not before going through the conclusion of Team Batista 2, just because another favourite Arafo of mine, Nakamura Toru is in there.
In the beginning, I wanted to combine this review with Welcome back, Mr Mcdonald. But it's such a fantastic film, the type that lingers long after it ends, that it demanded not to be shared. So here it is, a review of its own.
However, there's a few ground rules before you start it (aka, why no one warned me about all these???!!):-
( Today is not your day, is it? )
I think I will attempt Dosokai next, just because Hiroshi Mikami is in it. But not before going through the conclusion of Team Batista 2, just because another favourite Arafo of mine, Nakamura Toru is in there.
If you want to write a great mystery drama, you need to have a memorable detective. Galileo has Yukawa- all-logical, good-looking, eccentric physicist. Sherlock Holmes has Sherlock Holmes- smart, observant, opium addict. Sometimes it wasn't the case that brought the viewers to you. No, it's your characters. Thankfully, Keizoku doesn't have one, but two.
( Shibata and Mayama want you to have seizure. Spoiler )
( Then, the movie comes )
( Shibata and Mayama want you to have seizure. Spoiler )
( Then, the movie comes )
More Gaiji Keisatsu
Jun. 15th, 2010 11:32 pmI'm happy to say that Gaiji Keisatsu managed to maintain its high-level of production. Episode 3 and 4 are both fantastic. We have betrayal and revelation. We found out what makes Sumimoto thick, and why he's probably the best thing Japan has on counter-terrorism.
( I think I'm becoming a Watabe Atsuro fan. And also Team Bastita 2. )
Off to watch Keizoku now, I heard it was quite good. I'm in Watabe Atsuro kick. ^^ And he's teaming up with Nakatani Miki, who he's currently dating (according to rumour). awww...
( I think I'm becoming a Watabe Atsuro fan. And also Team Bastita 2. )
Off to watch Keizoku now, I heard it was quite good. I'm in Watabe Atsuro kick. ^^ And he's teaming up with Nakatani Miki, who he's currently dating (according to rumour). awww...
The Changing Time: A Look Into the Individual Style in Ryomaden.
I don't expect much when I first started watching Ryomaden. I mean, I know how those people dress, I watched enough old films to familiarise myself with the way they dress, the way they put up their hair and the way they act. However, I'm surprise to find out that the production staff of Ryomaden went all the way to make each character unique- their quirk, their personal use of language and even in the way they dressed. It helps me to identify the character and their role much more easily, even though I may not remember their name much.
The person responsible for Ryomaden's character design is Isao Tsuge. You can read his interview here and here . I say, he did a fantastic job with the design.
Disclaimer: I'm not a fashion fanatic nor a design student. I also have an almost zero knowledge in Japanese traditional clothing. What follow is a picspam disguised as a .... research literature? LOL. Enjoy!
( Featuring: Sakamoto Ryoma, Chiba Sana, Yoshida Toyo, Yamauchi Yodo, Okada Izo, John Manjiro, Katsu Rintaro, Kondo Isami )
So, what would you expect from the next coming season? We will see the appearance of Saigo Takamori (probably be different than other Saigo you see before) and also Shinsaku Takasugi. Not to mention Thomas Glover, this one should be interesting to look at. The story also moves to Nagasaki, with its melting pot of cultures as the only place where the bakumatsu allows international trading, one should expect more great styles from these people. And oh, Ryoma will get a gun. And boots. Nice!
I don't expect much when I first started watching Ryomaden. I mean, I know how those people dress, I watched enough old films to familiarise myself with the way they dress, the way they put up their hair and the way they act. However, I'm surprise to find out that the production staff of Ryomaden went all the way to make each character unique- their quirk, their personal use of language and even in the way they dressed. It helps me to identify the character and their role much more easily, even though I may not remember their name much.
The person responsible for Ryomaden's character design is Isao Tsuge. You can read his interview here and here . I say, he did a fantastic job with the design.
Disclaimer: I'm not a fashion fanatic nor a design student. I also have an almost zero knowledge in Japanese traditional clothing. What follow is a picspam disguised as a .... research literature? LOL. Enjoy!
( Featuring: Sakamoto Ryoma, Chiba Sana, Yoshida Toyo, Yamauchi Yodo, Okada Izo, John Manjiro, Katsu Rintaro, Kondo Isami )
So, what would you expect from the next coming season? We will see the appearance of Saigo Takamori (probably be different than other Saigo you see before) and also Shinsaku Takasugi. Not to mention Thomas Glover, this one should be interesting to look at. The story also moves to Nagasaki, with its melting pot of cultures as the only place where the bakumatsu allows international trading, one should expect more great styles from these people. And oh, Ryoma will get a gun. And boots. Nice!
NHK has always been a step-child for me in terms of their J-Drama. In fact, I mostly ignored their drama production. The only thing that I can confidently said I watched is Oshin. Which is a lifetime ago. So imagine my surprise when Gaiji Keisatsu floored me with their production. Following that, I decided to tackle Hagetaka- made by the same team who's currently doing Ryomaden.
( Maybe I should pay more attention to NHK's Saturday Drama )
Now I wish the movie has English sub. Anyone?
( Maybe I should pay more attention to NHK's Saturday Drama )
Now I wish the movie has English sub. Anyone?
Gaiji Keisatsu
May. 16th, 2010 03:28 pmIf dokodemodoa can get obsessed with Cinderella's Sisters, then, I can get obsessed with Gaiji Keisatsu. I'm sorry JIN, but this is the best drama that comes out in 2009 (though Soratobu Taiya might gives it a go). And it's a strong contender to push Ryomaden as the best drama I watched in 2010. Yes, it was that good.
The atmosphere of this drama reminds me of Ultraviolet, another fantastic Channel 4 UK series starring Jack Davenport. Both dramas know Hollywood might have done it better (vampire and terrorism), so both dramas decided to strip all those flashy shmacky and just concentrate on the story. And it's the characters that moved the story, and what an amazing characters we have here.
( When have I lead you astray? )
Since I was so obsessed with it, I even upload the ending theme. I have to say, the soundtrack is another fantastic achievement. Love this ending theme.
Now, I'm nervous to see if the end of episode six will be as good. Please let it be so.
The atmosphere of this drama reminds me of Ultraviolet, another fantastic Channel 4 UK series starring Jack Davenport. Both dramas know Hollywood might have done it better (vampire and terrorism), so both dramas decided to strip all those flashy shmacky and just concentrate on the story. And it's the characters that moved the story, and what an amazing characters we have here.
( When have I lead you astray? )
Since I was so obsessed with it, I even upload the ending theme. I have to say, the soundtrack is another fantastic achievement. Love this ending theme.
Now, I'm nervous to see if the end of episode six will be as good. Please let it be so.
Ryomaden 14
Apr. 5th, 2010 08:13 pmSeason two has started.
Damm, what a start!
( At the end of the 45th min, you went huh? what? that's it??!! Everything moves so fast )
Damm, what a start!
( At the end of the 45th min, you went huh? what? that's it??!! Everything moves so fast )
is probably one of the most depressing song ever. The first time I heard, I cried. All that without even understanding the lyrics fully! The second time I heard, tears is welling in my eyes. Then, I have to stopped. And I listen to it in better quality, yup, I cried.
I think there's a work of genius behind this song. It's the way it was arranged so beautifully that it played with your emotion. The way the note tilted that you can't help but soar and then, you have to go down back to Earth because the lyrics are so depressing. Dark and depressing.
And it really helps that you have someone like Fukuyama Masaharu singing it. This man is singing from experience, singing about his first true love at the age of fourty, where, according to society's expectation, he should be raising a family by now. He's singing about forbidden love, about the lost time and about his own dark desire. All this can be heard in this voice. I can't imagine anyone else singing it.
I finally realise why people said each singer has its own interpretation. Why each song only works for that particular singer. Why it was every songwriter's dream to have the right person to sing their song. And I think he's just made for this. If someone else were to sing this song, it won't sound as dark. Browsing through the Japanese blog, it seems I'm not the only one who thinks so. More than one person called this Ballad of the Century and more than one person also decided they're not gonna get this single because it's too sad.
This is a special song for me. Not due to the lyrics content. It was more due to the intense emotion it raised in me. And looking back, I believe I will always remember it, remember the first time you hears in your speaker, in a bad quality radio transmission and in a way you feel so unsettled about it that you don't know how to feel. I was so unsettled that I can't sleep that night. It was that intense.
And I'll be lying if I say I will play this song everyday. Nope. This is not the song that you should play everyday. This is the song that you play as a reminder on what could have been. And do not make the same mistake again.
I think there's a work of genius behind this song. It's the way it was arranged so beautifully that it played with your emotion. The way the note tilted that you can't help but soar and then, you have to go down back to Earth because the lyrics are so depressing. Dark and depressing.
And it really helps that you have someone like Fukuyama Masaharu singing it. This man is singing from experience, singing about his first true love at the age of fourty, where, according to society's expectation, he should be raising a family by now. He's singing about forbidden love, about the lost time and about his own dark desire. All this can be heard in this voice. I can't imagine anyone else singing it.
I finally realise why people said each singer has its own interpretation. Why each song only works for that particular singer. Why it was every songwriter's dream to have the right person to sing their song. And I think he's just made for this. If someone else were to sing this song, it won't sound as dark. Browsing through the Japanese blog, it seems I'm not the only one who thinks so. More than one person called this Ballad of the Century and more than one person also decided they're not gonna get this single because it's too sad.
This is a special song for me. Not due to the lyrics content. It was more due to the intense emotion it raised in me. And looking back, I believe I will always remember it, remember the first time you hears in your speaker, in a bad quality radio transmission and in a way you feel so unsettled about it that you don't know how to feel. I was so unsettled that I can't sleep that night. It was that intense.
And I'll be lying if I say I will play this song everyday. Nope. This is not the song that you should play everyday. This is the song that you play as a reminder on what could have been. And do not make the same mistake again.
Good morning again
Aug. 23rd, 2009 11:28 amMan, I wish I can extend my off days, three days off, I feel properly rested and productive (haircut, subbing, reading, watching- all this while I'm fasting) , I don't want to go back to work tomorrow. I don't know if I can survive it.
Subbing status: Episode 2 of Perfect Love has finished! *throw confetti* Now, I will have to edit the sub file, re-checked my grammar, spelling, translation and corrected the names based on the kanji provided by izumisano. Good one.
Yea, I know I expect to finished by yesterday's afternoon instead of last night, but I got distracted while reading Ms Bandit excellent Hiroshima concert review here: http://ellipsesbandit.livejournal.com/210997.html. I'm weak, I have to take a break and watched my 17th and 15th Ann Concert all over again. *sigh* I wish I can see him live.
Subbing status: Episode 2 of Perfect Love has finished! *throw confetti* Now, I will have to edit the sub file, re-checked my grammar, spelling, translation and corrected the names based on the kanji provided by izumisano. Good one.
Yea, I know I expect to finished by yesterday's afternoon instead of last night, but I got distracted while reading Ms Bandit excellent Hiroshima concert review here: http://ellipsesbandit.livejournal.com/210997.html. I'm weak, I have to take a break and watched my 17th and 15th Ann Concert all over again. *sigh* I wish I can see him live.
Zankyo Reviewed
Jul. 18th, 2009 08:22 pmFinally, review! I am not a professional and I don't have a musical background. This album was being reviewed in Sony Ericsson W610i with Megabass 2.0 equaliser in mp3 format and my car CD Player using the CD format. So, here it is.
( O! Oyaji my dear Oyaji! )
( O! Oyaji my dear Oyaji! )
Even Kimutaku is unable to save Kame from the curse of bad ratings. 16.3%? Ouch.
( here be rant )
I probably watch next week's episode four. Because Sato Takeru is my ikemen weakness.
( here be rant )
I probably watch next week's episode four. Because Sato Takeru is my ikemen weakness.
