karened - Livejournal

Had actually arranged to meet 2 fans on lj today...but one didn't turn up (strange enough, she emailed later saying that she was waiting for hours but we didn't turn up...what exactly happened??) so I went ahead with the other to the JE shop. My first time with someone at the JE shop since Rika a few years back! We met at 9, waited till slightly after 930 before giving up and heading to the JE shop. Surprisingly (since I've been reaching the shop at around 10 each time and never had to queue) there was already a queue. But we were quite front and managed to enter the shop at around 1005.

Good for us. Or rather, for me since she (let's cal her K-chan) didn't buy much. It soon got crowded but as the crowd started building up at the Arashi corner, I was already near the end of the ordeal. Photos for myself, Angel, Yen and other fan friends amounted to a 3-digit number, but I had already controlled myself a lot! Still, Jun in Hatenai Sora was too irresistable! I bought almost all of his individuals. A few great Juntoshi and Ohmiya ones too, of course.

Then it was a bit of shopping at the unofficial shops where I became a happy fangirl.

I finally found the In A Rush photobook, completing my photobook collection!



Also bought a lot of live photos with precious moments. K-chan was amazing, remembering which costume came from what performance and what incident happened at which performance, such as the Jun-randomly-eating-banana-during-MC photos below.

( Live photos under a cut because I regreted looking at them and spoiling my concert surprise. Don't want to spoil yours! )

It was quite inconvenient today because of the rain...and really cold since I didn't bring my gloves along. Hopefully it won'train on Friday!

I just watched Kaiji!

It's one of the best movie I've watched in recent years. In fact, I like it better than Sherlock Holmes.

Plot-wise, taking the ridiculous premises (of a corporation's cult-like employees following their president's instructions to build an underground empire by tricking hopeful, follish people into great debts and then enslaving them underground) for granted, is excellent. There was not a single point during the 2hr 5 min movie that was slow moving. Everything was fast, but well explored. And this is one of the very very very few movies which made me go "Oh no, don't end so soon. More more more" as I watched.

There were times when my heart went doki-doki, and it really felt so nerve wrecking that I was clenching my chest! Especially the scene at the bridge, just before the people started to get onto the bridge. It was sooooo tensed! I felt so afraid for the people! And just a while later, I started crying, because the middle age man for whom Kaiji went to the underground site with decided to give up. He decided to commit suicide. But before doing that, he cheered Kaiji on, saying that Kaiji would definitely be able to cross over safely. He trusted him, and even gave Kaiji his coupon, entrusting him to pass the money to his daughter. He's not just trusting that Kaiji will be able to make it out of that hell, but also that Kaiji will not covet the money. And then...Kaiji, after deciding that it was futile trying to persuade the man, turned away and started inching forward. But he continued to tell the man that the man's life isn't nothing. It isn't....and then...he turns back, only to see nothing behind.

That was also wthe part where I loveeeeee the cinematography. Beautifully done! When Kaiji turned around and starting talking to the man, the camera was filming from his back. But when he turned back to look at the man, the camera switched angles and filmed from his front, slowly drawing into a wide angle to include the area behind Kaiji, where the man was supposed to be standing. Yet...he was gone, without a word. So beautiful. There were many other scenes that be really beautifully shot, but I can't really remember.

Characters were not exaggerated either. The bad guy isn't pure evil. He's just very elitist and full of himself. But he's not the crazy pyscopath kind of villian. He is fallable too.

And of course, Kaiji. He's a simple guy, a loser maybe. But he's not the male version of mary jane. He falls to temptations too. He trusts others too easily sometimes. But when he wants to, he can cheat others without caring about the consequences his actions have on them (well, they deserved it anyway). In the end, he's just another person trying to live. And when he survives, he indulges in good food, feeding his humna desires. No big talk about what he has learnt from the ordeal. Just...enjoying his freedom. 

A great movie, and I'm going to get the dvd. Loved it!

The only waste was that Kenichi-kun didn't appear much, and he had to die so suddenly. But...I'm really glad for him, and his acting. Yappari an experienced actor! Tatsuya-kun is pretty good, though not as polished as Kenichi. Still, he totally owned the character and will most likely be my favourite character this year. =)

[EDIT] I was browsing the Kaiji wiki and saw this---> 編の製作が決定し、2011年に公開が予定されている。

YATTA! I hope it's the same people, coz Kaiji has escaped already right? =/ Don't give me some other random people....but if it's called Kaiji, it should still have him ne.

Btw, I just finished Bloody Monday, due to the recommendation by my dear Korean class friend, who doesn't really watch alot of jdoramas. It was good, and I won't attempt to convince you. I brought this up here because I wanted to say how much I loved Narimiya-kun in there. Ok, I love Narimiya-kun almost everywhere he appears, but in there...there was the depth. The scene I love most would be the one in the last episode, where he was in the minivan with Otoya.

"Falcon flew to your rescue.
I think he's a good friend.
What a huge difference huh.
Other than having the same mother, we don't share anything in common.
I...am different from you.
Well then, take care, little brother.
Till we meet again.
Send him back carefully...to Grandfather's place."

It hinted at J's purpose in becoming part of the terrorist group, which was also introduced earlier in the drama and throughout the whole drama: Him saying that he was there for one sole purpose, which was to take back something of his, and his grandfather's act of removing his existence in the world. Coupled with Narimiya's great acting there, it conveyed a few messages:

1. He's envious of Otoya, that although they share the same mother, they have been leading different lives and meeting different worth/worthless acquaintances.
2. He still sees himself as part of the family, although he might hate his grandfather, because he still address the old man as 'grandfather'.

The other scene I liked was right at the start of the drama, in the shopping mall where the fake virus was released. I It was the look on Miura's face when he released that he had made that mass infection possible by going along with the terrorists' threats. The guilt, worry, anger that mixed together and formed the tears in his eyes. Great acting!

Of course, there were quite a few loose ends. But if you watched without thinking too much, it's a good drama. One thing I hope would be explained further was J's willingness to help/serve K, at least at the start. I mean, compared to K, he's so much brightier, emotionally stronger, and he's older. Or was it due to his loyalty towards his dad that he helped K, who was 'chosen' (I assume) by his dad to inherit the cause? So when K killed his dad, he decided to stop helping her. I don't know. One thing I admire about J though, was that he's very honest. Everything he says is true, except that sometimes they are half-truths, or misleading. For example, he told Fujimaru that he was blood brothers with Otoya (Which helped Maya make her lie more convincing), he told Fujimaru that he wanted to stop K from setting off the bomb (But it was because he wanted to do it himself).

I'm looking forward to the 2nd season. Instead of more of Miura, I want more of Nariyama! I had expected his part to be quite small as it was written "Special/guest appearance" beside his name at the credits of the episode. But....oh well, it's great news!

Finally watched it!

I was quite surprised to see it appearing on GV's site because it's not really a mainstream movie and usually GV only airs mainstreams or blockbusters, while Cathay airs the lesser-known Japanese and indies. But surprise surprise! Cathay didn't air it this time. GV did! I can't remember which aired the first movie.

I'm so glad I caught it. Although it's just a gruesome/bloody, I totally enjoyed the fight scenes. The only part I didn't like was the implied sexuality by one of the Shizuran guy, Makio (or sth..can't remember the actual name). As usual, dear dear Takayuki was outstanding, and Oguri kept changing image in that he was crazy and rough in one scene yet blur and green in another. I can't remember why but I think during the first movie I was hoping he would get together with that girl from the band. Yet this time, I was happy that she didn't get to appear much. XP

I was wondering why Haruma appeared in the film because his part seems to be so insignificant! Afterall, I remember reading that this is the last CROWS for both Oguri and Yamada. But I guess that's not the last we'll hear from CROWS. Haruma will take the place as lead I guess, in his bid to win Shizuran. I think he can't replace the feelings I get from watching Oguri and Yamada fight. It's so adrenaline driving, I think they own CROWS.

Both are such versatile actors (Oguri in Hanakimi and HYD, Yamada in Taiyou no Uta and the other classics like Densha Otoko and Crying Out Love In The Center Of The World)!

Oh, another guy I noticed since movie 1 was the one acting Izaki Shun (the blonde head). I did a bit of googling on him. He's called Takaoka Sosuke. Married to Miyazaki Aoi since 2007, after dating for 7 years! They started dating when she was 15 and him 18! OMG! So unbelievable!

I finally got onto my ass to watch it...I've had quite high expectations for it because of the rave reviews and recommendations all around...

It wasn't as good as I've expected (in terms of being a tear-jerker) but it was really good nonetheless. It has the aura very typical of Jap romance movies...very pure, sweet, touching yet not too exaggerated, slow yet not draggy, unexpected twists, great lighting and scenery, lines with depth, good acting...

I loved it.

Cried quite a bit.

(○^∇^)_/''

And Hiroshi is so good looking, better than him in Nodame, I feel.

Plus, the theme of the movie revolves around photography, my fav activity, so it was an extra treat to see those beautiful photos of sceneries and people in the movie.

Jun leaked it, right? One Love...I listened to it but I wasn't impressed on first hearing. As compared to Wish and Love So Sweet, One Love is less catchy...

But I was rushing to do some final edits to my Korean eassy this morning and I put the song on repeat mode. Then, after half an hour, I grew to like it!!! Does anyone feel that the song, especially the chorus part, sounds like it can be put into a Chinese period movie? That chorus part which starts with 「百年先も愛を誓うよ」/「どんな君も　どんな僕でも」, shut your eyes and listen to it!! Slow it down just a little and it will be a perfect fit for a period melodrama or something.　Aniwaes, I can totally imagine how the song can be insert into the HYDF movie...The lyrics fit the plot as well!!

Oh, talking about the Korean essay, I finally handed it in during class today and it had about 30 lines. THEN, during class, my teacher gave us more details about the presentation we're supposed to do next week. We have to memorise the essay (which introduces ourselves and our family to the class) and present it in class. The presentation isn't new: the memorisation part was. How am I to memorise it???? There were so many new words I searched and used in the essay and many were tongue twisters. I'm so dead!! And there's a project we need to do - research on and write about 5 places to visit in Seoul, in both English and Korean. *dies*. It's due next Friday, our last lesson, which is always the day we have our oral test and listening test. A week after that, we'll have our Korean exam. Everything's sweeping in like a wave!!! I don't know how I'll do in the exam. =S

One consolation is that we've just learnt the days of the week today and fortunately, the Korean words for the days are very similar to the Japanese ones. Unfortunately, that means I may just mix them up. =X

Oh, I'm almost finishing my Koizora novel. I had put it down for a while before and during the exam period but picked it up again when Special Term started. Hiro has just passed away in the chapter I was reading...and this particular sms he sent out to his buddy Nozomu just 4 days before he died really felt so sad...

＜ノゾムへ。俺はそろそろ死ぬかもしれねぇ。

なんとなくわかる。俺が死んだら美嘉が一人になる。

本当は美嘉を一人にしたくねぇし俺も死にたくない。

だけどこれはしょうがねぇんだ。

俺が死んだら寂しがりやの美嘉はきっとすげー泣くだろうしすげー落ち込むと思う。

だからもし俺が死んだらノゾム、おまえが美嘉を支えてやってほしい。美嘉に現実を教えてやってくれ。

そしてもしいつかほかに美嘉を守ってくれる男が現れたら、そいつに美嘉をよろしくって言ってやってほしい。

俺が美嘉を守ってやれないのがすげー悔しいけど、俺のせいで美嘉が一人で寂しがっている姿を見るのが何よりつらいから。

最後にノゾムおまえは最高のダチだった。

幸せになれよ！　いろいろありがとな”＞

< To Nozomu. I'll probably die soon. Somehow I know it. If I died, Mika will become alone. Actually, I don't want to let her become all by herself and I don't want to die. If I died, Mika, who easily becomes lonely, will definitely cry her heart out and feel really sad. So if I died, Nozomu, I want you to give Mika support. Tell Mika about the reality for me. And if a guy who will protect Mika appears one day, I want you to tell that guy to take care of Mika. Although I'm extremely regretful that I cannot protect Mika, it is most heartbreaking to see Mika lonesome and all alone because of me. Lastly, Nozomu, you were the best friend. Be happy! Thanks for everything. >

Although I've heard people saying the movie was more touching and sad than the novel, I found it the same..both are really sad. I cried during the movie because of the music, the expressions on the cast's face, the dialogues...and I cried while reaing the novel because of the words which made quite an impact. Now I'm waiting for the dorama! I wonder who will take up the roles? Oh, I saw the koizora dvd in stores here in S'pore so fellow S'poreans, go grab a copy! Angeline, help me buy at Japan k? XP
 

I watched the DN spinoff L Change The World yesterday. =D

It was good! Not as fabulous as DN, but definitely worth my 8 bucks (safra member dakara). In place of the suspenseful interaction between L and Light, we have the cute and straightforward interaction between L and "Boy" + "Maki". It showed us a side of L we didn't really see before. He was soooo cute, just like a big brother when he's with the two young ones. I teared once during the show, and it was when Maki's father sacrificed himself. I didn't expect it to happen; for him to kill himself to protect his daugther and the rest of the world. I didn't tear during the end of the show, but I felt very sad. It was the type of feeling I felt when I watched DN 2 last year. Poor L! Yes, I'd love to have you live longer to because you're such a wonderful person. ahhhhhh...

I think I'm too used to watching him hunchback, I felt a bit weird when he tried to walk/stand upright. XP

It was a good one at the end, for L to name Boy "Near". Although this goes against the plot in the manga, it was something to see "Near" in the live action. Demo, Near wasn't so tanned right? HAHA. And that toy robot L gave him. my gosh....remember Near loves robots in the manga?? =D

I like Near/Boy. His hair is chooooh cute. And of course Kenichi. =D

It's quite amazing and I'm very proud of DN because it is one of the very few Asian films that ended as a trilogy. We usually see trilogies from the West but seldom from the East. *three cheers for DN*!!!!!!

I just bought myself the DN spinoff book and the movie guide!! HAHA I'm gonna read it (although I guess it'll take me like 3 days to finish)

It's the one week recess week for me, demo there're plenty of hw, quizes and projects to do. =/

And lastly, congrats arashi for the wonderful sales record for Step and Go!!!!!!!!!!!