A total of 8350 votes  were gathered during the 1st 10 days of the month, and Monday night series "CHANGE" swept two awards, Best Drama and actor Takuya Kimura won Best Actor with a wide margin.

Best Actress was clinched by Yuki Amami, and Ryo Nishikido and Juri Ueno from "Last Friends" swept the Best Supporting Actor and Actress respectively.

sorry guys if this update is pathetically short. i wish i had 40 hours a day. rawr.

Nanako Matsushima still loyal with Sumito Life Insurance as the endorser. actually i love the jingles (theme song for Sumito CMs).. it'll make me wanna sing with my cute nephews (their name are Aiman and Anwar). emm, talking about children rhyme.. i love Tulip song from "Ryokiteki na Kanojo" dorama. Oh, back to Nanako and Sumito CM.. the campaign theme is still about Eggs. You could watch her latest CM here: Mirai

I'm still searching Nanako's latest 2006 movie "Inugamike no Ichizoku [The Inugami Clan]". But if I couldn't find it at store shelves.. I might buy online instead. From what i read, the movie is based on Yokomizo Seishi's epic work about the slow-burning family murder mystery. Directed by a legendary Japanese director Ichikawa Kon in year 1976 . Thirty years later.. he did the re-make of his own work, updating the classic movie for contemporary audiences. FYI, "The Inugami Clan" holds a very special place in Japan's long tradition of supernatural suspense. What's the story is all about..? Some fitting follow-up to the original film. The unsettling Murder of the Inugami Clan delves into a tangled web of murderous lies and deceptions that is tearing apart a wealthy multi-generation family. When tycoon Inugami Sahei (Nakadai Tatsuya) passes away, he unexpectedly leaves the family fortune to outsider Tamayo (Matsushima Nanako) on the condition that she marry one of the Inugami grandsons. Among Inugami grandsons.. Tamayo needs to choose between - Sukekiyo (Onoe Kikunosuke), Suketake (Katsurayama Shingo) or Suketomo (Ikeuchi Mansaku). Somehow pitting blood against blood.. Next, members of the family begin to show up dead, one by one. Because of this Detective Kindaichi Kosuke (Ishizaka Koji) is called in to investigate the murders. Slowly, the truth is revealed as Mr. Detective happens upon years of hidden skeletons and a shocking family secret. Emm.. Ishizaka Koji (leads the all-star cast) actually is an original cast from 1976 movie. Don't you think it's good to have his return here.

I just wanna flashback another 2006 movie "Meishan-BIZAN" acted by Nanako, Takao Osawa and Nobuko Miyamoto. It was transformed from the best-selling novel wrote by Sada Shino Masa.

Besides Sorimachi, i could say that Nanako and Takao are the best on-screen combi.. in doramas, SP and movies. once, i watched Nanako-Takao in "Midnight Express".. it was the man's journey from Delhi (Asia) to London (Europe) by bus. This SP dorama was based on Sawaki Koutarou's non-fiction book.

Takao Osawa worked with KimuTaku in Stay Gold, with Takeno in The Last Song & Heaven's coins ~ Die Sterntaler and also with Rena in "The Taste of Fish" movie. This Takao-Rena's movie was just released last June 2008.

i've watch the trailers.. not bad.. it's gonna be fish world!
Rena's role as Asuka. Takao as Shuntaro Akagi needs to help out Asuka's family business in the Tsukiji Fish Market; the well-known middle trader shop called "Uotatsu". Somehow, the competition is fiercely fought within the long-established conventions held by the expert traders. Without much experience in this kind of business, Shuntaro only depends on his ability to distinguish good taste of fish with his tongue.

i love the movie theme song. This movie would be turned into a series, also this year.. but i'm still not sure in which TV station. Anyway, here is the "Tsukiji uogashi sandaime @ The Taste of Fish" movie trailers file (in flv file)

The latest news from Sorimachi Takashi is he got a role as a businessman in TV Asahi dorama "Lot 6, 300 million man won 20 million yen @ Lotto Man". Other casts would be Nakajima Tomoko, Naomi Matsushima etc. and Ito Masaki is the guest for first episode. Short news HERE. Talking about Nakajima, i love Nakajima Tomoko.. she is 36 years old now.. but she's cute and funny.. i know her because of SmaSma Roulette Bowling 2005 where Nakajima was with Blue Team (Tsuyoshi and Goro) and Matsu was with Red Team (Takuya and Shingo). one thing i just realized that Nakajima Tomoko was acting in "Ice World" (Nanako-Takeno's dorama). i think i should find her back.. i can't remember Nakajima's role there.. uwaa, gomen!

Next, Takeno with Kanno Miho in TBS dorama "Tomorrow" .. i still didn't watch yet. never mind it's still on-air now. But so far, the first episode was well-received. and viewers commenting the scenery shot was beautiful and the plot was realistic.. FYI, one of the directors is Yamamuro Daisuke.
Yutaka Takenouchi working many times with Yamamuro which are "Dropout Teacher Returns to School, Rondo and Tomorrow" dorama {wooohhhh...!^^}. Yamamuro also the one who directed (just to name.. )
- Say Hello BlackJack (act by Tsumabuki Satoshi, also a medical dorama) - Suna no Utsuwa (Vessel of Sands, act by Nakai & Ken Watanabe) - Tobosha (act by Eguchi Yosuke & Abe Hiroshi, a thriller dorama) - M no Hegeki (act by Goro) - Hana Yori Dango - Karei naru Ichizoku (act by Kimura) - The story of Yamada Taro. {wooooohhh sugoii sugoii... can i love Yamamuro now? ^^} .

i'm already finished watching "Ryokiteki na Kanojo".. only now i got time to do that. Miss them sooo much! See... i just know my TsuRena will be a great combi. Wish to see them again together in future.. like I always said to people.. Riko and Sabu are just perfectly fit for Tsuyoshi and Rena. Nobody could do better than them. Looking TsuRena really reminds me of KimuraMatsu.. :). Oh, I never care about bad comments or bullshits reviews from some people. They should watch from Beginning to End of story, A to Z.. and that's the protocol when making reviews, right.
As the light-warm comedy romance dorama, i really enjoying this. Especially when the production team making great surprise. They brought Somegoro to TV screen. The last time Somegoro was in Pride dorama as co-star with KimuTaku. Even with short scenes.. I still couldn't forget Somegoro's words and expression. I guess it's the aura from "Kabuki Prince", na. Somegoro's role as a hair stylist (named Nonomura Shunsuke) who love poetry, reading literatures and could wrote difficult kanjis in such beautiful hand writing. I think it's rare to find a character like this.. But that sounds so Somegoro and Nonomura's character fits well with him. I wanna add some latest news about Ichikawa Somegoro aka Matsu Takako's brother. At last, we could see Somegoro more in non-kabuki jobs.. Next August 2008, he would be in a contemporary stage play "Jyokyoushi wa 2-do Dakareta/Held by A Female Teacher for The Second Time". Starring together with Ohtake Shinobu. Seems like a love story with a much older woman.. hihi. Look at him.. kakkoi, na!! And Somegoro already finished filming "On Next Sunday" movie which will be screen year 2009 Spring. He'll star with a 19-years old Korean actress named Yoon Ha. From Sponichi which translated by my good friend Yanie.. {i wanna paste full report.. coz it's sooo interesting!} Somegoro now is 35 years old man but play a role as an ordinary man in nearly 40's.. Oh, we're not simply calling Matsumoto Koshiro-san's family members as royal family without reason.. The FACT is, they're really well-known in Japan as Kabuki King, Prince and Princess of Rein (kabuki society). Obviously we know why. Believe me.. they're really amazing, humble and funny.

Prince Somegoro as A Worn-out Ojisan (= men around 40s)
(Sponichi article on 18 March 2008 )

Kabuki actor, Ichikawa Somegoro (35) will play the role as an ojisan working as a university cleaning service, a newspaper delivery man, and a pizza delivery man, in a movie titled "Kondo no Nichiyoubi ni @ On Next Sunday". He's a 39 years old divorcee who works hard to pay his son's education fee. Somegoro has always been playing kakkoii and youth roles, "This is a role I had never play before, so it intrigued me....", he said. The movie will premiere in next year's spring.

At one time, he's a university cleaning service, at another time he's a newspaper delivery man, at another time he's a pizza delivery man. Somegoro changes roles just like the fast changes in kabuki. Somegoro said, "When I put on the uniform, somehow I feel I'm ready to get to work already,", seem like he's having fun with the filming. He himself often order pizza, so he said, "My favorite is the pizza delivery uniform," while laughing.

This movie is a human drama story about a man who has to pay his friend's debt, and left behind by his wife and child, who experience a heart interchange when he meet a female foreign college student from Korea. As he's always worn-out with all the jobs, he's always in a sleepy state.

Somegoro is the kabuki actor, Matsumoto Koshiro's eldest son, the kabuki world's prince. He usually gets kakkoii roles in movies, like Ashurajo no Hitomi and Semishigure. The director said, "A kakkoii actor who plays a worn-out ojisan will be very interesting to see. To experience the world one never experience before, to play a role one never play before, is always interesting,".

The filming takes place in Nagano prefecture, Matsumoto city. Somegoro feels a bit worried about playing a role who is 4 years older than himself. But on the set, Yoon Ha (19), the Korean actress who play the role as the foreign student teased him, "Somegoro-san tte, ojisan desu ne...", and Somegoro denied, "No, I'm not!!".

In the movie, he will show alot of his comical side, so we'd be able to see the other side of Somegoro. Seem like it's going to be a movie that'll become a turning point in an actor's life.

Tsuyoshi Kusanagi was acting in "Mabuta no Haha" (In Search of Mother) stage play last May. So i do some searching on the topic.. i just realized that the title was originally from a play written by Hasegawa Shin which then turned into a jidai-geki movie in year 1931. The story was combination of swordplay action-style with family-type melodrama. In short, it's about a lonely wandering Yakuza who longing to find back and reunion with the mother who abandoned him.

To those who didn't know.. among SMAP members, Kusanagi and Goro are still active in stage play world. From what i read and i saw, i believe both are great actors with their own style. Kohei Tsuka (a famous writer) once said that Tsuyoshi was a genius in his "Kamata Koshin Kyoku" play. And he got Haruko Sugimura Award (a prestigious prize) for his performance in "Chici Kaeru @ Father's Returning". Tsuyoshi now considered to be one of the most remarkable actors in Japanese theater industry.. not as idol star but as one of the best actors.
To imagine how Inagaki Goro in his stage play.. you should see him in "Warai no Dagaku / University of Laugh" movie which based on Koki Mitani's stage play.

Last year 2007, Yanie managed watching Goro in "The Magic Fountain Pen" from 3rd row seat. So close, na ~ I just wanna share by quoting part of her own words as she's really star-strucked with the play.. haha. Despite to that, she still could wrote full, long and detailed review.. ya'know XD.

"The set was at New York, in the 1920s. It's a COMEDY stageplay. Each character named after popular pen brands. Goro's character is PARKER. He's just a rookie, not-too-successful novelist. He has a pal, named WATERMAN. But he's also like a sidekick x) Parker is an arrogant, a jerk. Pause first on the story... I want to comment, that Goro's acting was EXCELLEEENNTT, SO SUPERB here!!! He was really ALL OUT!! I was kinda disappointed with his acting in BusuKoi. But here, he was really ALL OUT like in Warai no Daigaku!!! Sugooooiii~~!!! In Warai, he was this goody-goody writer, right? This time, Parker is the opposite kind of writer... he likes to do everything his way, and everyone has to follow him. I sooo love Goro's ignorant expression. Parker is also a hyper, talkative kinda guy".

Oh, when we talked about Nanako's movie.. i think i should talk about Rena's Dec 2007 movie "Moryo na Hako/The Shadow Spirit" .. i really wanna watch this.. why.. because the returning of the team. Abe Hiroshi (a detective who has the special power to see into people’s memories), Shinichi Tsutsumi (a used book seller and "onmyouji"/specialists in magic and divination), Rena Tanaka (a reporter), Shiina Keppei (a writer), Hiroyuki Miyasako (police officer), Kuroki Hitomi (a famous actress)!!

From the trailer, I could say "Moryou" (directed by Masato Harada) is much better than the previous "Ubume no Natsu" (directed by Akio Jissoji).. i hope so.. coz I was blur and disappointed with Ubume movie. FYI, Moryou is the second book of Natsuhiko Kyogoku's series (a famous novelist) which received Mystery Writers Association of Japan Award in year 1995. You could watch Moryou trailer HERE

After non-stop RenaRena "monthly movies", in this month of July 2008; the screen plays would have "Gegege no Kitaro" sequel movie. i'm so sure Matsu Takako would watching this.. as i could considered that she is a hardcore fan of Gegege... hehehe! On Gegege premiere day, Rena Tanaka still with her long hair.. wearing dress in her usual pink. Gegege no Kitaro movie was in year 2007 and because of its well-received we've got another sequel in year 2008. Rena is famous with Gegege Dance. You could watch her HERE. She's so cute, don't you think... the ghost dance is cute.. fun like MJ Thriller.
Btw, back to Tsuyoshi's play of "Mabuta no Haha".. fans said Rena went watching Tsuyoshi's stage play.. Hope one day, she'll come down to that world.. because i know Rena Tanaka is a great actress. If not acting with Matsu... i wish with Tsuyoshi.. KUDASAI **

20th Anniversary of B'z - again Tak and Koshi gave us #1 record again in Oricon chart!
emm, i should explaining this from beginning.. For their 20th Anniversary, B'z released their album "Ultra Pleasure" on 18th June (4 days after my birthday).. at the end of that same day, 116,582 copies already sold. Why? because those who're pre-orders could grab at store shelves one day before the actual released. Guys from "Off The Lock" site were so kind to translate Tak and Koshi's messages regarding this album. You could read those HERE. BTW, B'z Live-Gym Pleasure 2008 ~ Glory Days ~ tour will be started next September and the sale of tickets will be starting end of this month. Special website for special celebration.. for having special treasure. You could DIG Here!^^

Talking about 20th Anniversary, SMAP also already 20 years.. coz they were formed in year 1988.

Bistro SMAP recently having lots foreigner guests.. emm, i just watched few only. Dunno why I didn't enjoy much this year guests.. Let's see, when the last time i really love to watch the guests.. ah, Matt Damon during his Bourne movie promo - also Cameron Diaz & Jude Law. Frankly, I'm more excited to watch Japanese Guests.. coz that will brought me to know more about the people and their achievement (especially if the guests are historical persons). Talking about the Guests... let's back to year 2002 SmaBistro SP.. many favorite guests here.. Nanako Matsushima, Kao Shibasaki, Ayumi Hamasaki, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Osugi and Piko, Yuko Takeuchi, Nakajima Tomoko, Tsurube, Matsushima Nahomi, Yosuke Eguchi, Miyasako Hiroyuki. Watch them HERE: part 1- part 2 - part 3

SMAP as usual busy with their solo and group jobs - SmaSma, variety shows, doramas, movies, radio programs, CMs etc. But here i REALLY wanna highlighted their perfomance with Yoshida Brothers last 23rd June 2008. Watch Yoshida SMAP Brothers of Dynamite clip HERE. Kakkoii~ that was first time i knew Yoshida Brothers. They played Shamisen (Japanese traditional music instrument) which usually accompanied KABUKI or other Japanese traditional dance performances. Yoshida Brothers is accompanying a contemporary dance by SMAP, well-fit with SMAP's Dynamite song. Hemm, this really remind me of Omatsu first appearance in SmaSma in year 1997.. LOL, i wonder if Somegoro or Matsu could join them.. must be really fun. Matsu first dancing was in SmaSma October 2001 singing SMAP's Shake song.

Matsumoto Koshiro-san and his son Ichikawa Somegoro were doing Kirin beer's CM together.. love to see them both HERE. The idea of this CM was to let them having a casual conversation whatever they like while drinking beer. There were 3 versions. Two of them were "Parent-Child Relationship" and "Musume no Kekkon" (Daughter's Marriage) versions. Haha.. i couldn't even believe.. Koshiro-san really talked about this. When Matsu's Papa started to complain about his daughter's marriage, seems like Somegoro burst out laughing for real :) Anyhow I always love to see the bonds of this great family...

.....

hold on! i'll updating takuya and takako stuff.. am just taking a break for awhile..

]]> http://jaycee05.wordpress.com/?p=598 Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:22:34 +0000 jaycee05 http://jaycee05.wordpress.com/?p=598

Change went into a filler dive right after I professed my love for it, and when I was so sure that it will continue to a downhill direction, Episode 7 pulled it back to the surface and Episode 8 delivered a high dose of humor and some good ol' fluffy but feel-good moments.

What I Love about Change is that the writer knows how balance the silly moments with the highly-intense dramatic scenes. In the last few minutes of episode 7, Asakura Keita (Kimura Takuya) breaks down under an unexpected event. This episode has left me breathless, wanting for more. The mood in this scene is very different from the previous episodes. I would even go as far and say this is one of the most powerful scenes in this drama.

So savor it as much as you can, because episode 8 starts off in an entirely different beat:

Don't you just love the Abe-Kimura pairing? This is Abe Hiroshi pulling off an Asakura. (Did Lupin ever wear an afro? Oh, maybe not Lupin...but this shot definitely reminds of an anime character. If anyone could think of someone, please leave it in the comment coz this will prickle my brain until I know who it is.)

Episode 8 is also a treat for the romance-lovers. I really like Fukatsu Eri in this drama. She was a tad annoying in Slow Dance with Tsumabuki Satoshi, but with Kimura Takuya, she feels like a different actress altogether. Very classy. Asakura and his secretary remind of the kind of couples you find in old American black-and-white romance movies.

Well, two more episodes left. The Asakura team is complete once again. So better catch up if you haven't started it yet. I know this might be overly idealistic and too romanticized compare to the "real world" but there's no reason to criticize it just because we live in such an imperfect world. Who doesn't need an Asakura Keita from time to time?

Related Posts:

• “I am not a Puppet Prince!”

• Kimutaku for President!

Tapi ada yang unik dari dorama ini ketika dihubungkan dengan relevansi beberapa fenomena politik yang terjadi di beberapa negara termasuk negara kita tercinta-Indonesia-. Bahwa sesungguhnya, kemerdekaan itu ialah hak segala bangsa.. hahahaha.. bukan, bahwa nampaknya sekarang banyak generasi muda yang mulai berpolitik. Di dorama ini, seorang Asakura Keita merupakan orang muda berumur 35 tahun pertama yang menjadi perdana menteri di Jepang (tentunya versi cerita ini loh, kalo masalah kenyataan aku juga ngga tau). Lalu bagaimana di dunia nyata??? kita lihat bahwa Dede Yusuf kemaren baru saja memenangkan pilkada Jawa Barat, dan di Amerika Barrack Obama menjadi kandidat calon presiden di usianya yang tergolong muda.

Apakah itu artinya bahwa kita kaum - kaum muda ini (saya masih 21 tahun :)) mulai dipandang sepenuh mata oleh para orang - orang tua dari segala sisi??? nampaknya kita kaum muda boleh merasa senang dengan keberhasilan beberapa orang yang tentunya mampu menjawab bahwa kaum muda juga punya potensi, bahwa kaum muda itu kerjanya ngga cuma ke mall, ngenet gratis pake laptop, atawa nonton dorama (lho!?!?! kalo yang ini ngga termasuk soalnya aku juga hobi nonton dorama). Semoga saja lewat dorama ini, kita sebagai kaum muda bisa unjuk gigi dalam segala hal untuk memenangkan pertarungan hidup ini. Oshh!!!

But this product's targeting young men. I know women like to look at other beautiful women (can't blame 'em). But I thought that even in Japan, half naked Kimutaku would attract women more than men, but somewhere in Tokyo a Mandom (the maker of Gatsby products) advertising exec must've thought differently. Is it just my North American trained mind playing tricks on what I see in Japan?

A través de una reciente encuesta de Oricon se han escogido a los actores y cantantes más sexys, los que más atraen a hombres y mujeres en Japón (y la mayoría de ellos, se pintan los labios ¬¬)

Jin Akanishi de KAT-TUN ha conseguido el número 1. Tras él han quedado el cantante y actor Masaharu Fukuyama (Galileo) y Takuya Kimura (Pride). Mokomichi Hayami es el número 4, gracias a su papel en "Zettai Kareshi".

Hiro Mizushima (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, Zettai kareshi), Hiroshi Tamaki (Nodame Cantabile), Gackt, Jun Matsumoto (Hana yori dango) y Yu Shirota (Hanazakari no Kimitachi e) son el resto del Top10.

Adores Eri Fukatsu since her role as makino isaki in Slow Dance. Followed up with Saiyuki, Bayside Shakedown the movie , million stars falling from the sky & Odoru Daissousasen. Very convincing and great acting chops, although she's kinda been typecasted, more often than not, as a workaholic supporting role. In the shows that i watched her in, they're more focused in the work rather than romance. Not the kind to act in dramas that centers on love triangles.

In ep2, this part was pretty funny

Takuya & Eri's chemistry are super:) comedic and fun to watch

And how could i not screenshot this?

Before you correct me and say that Japan has no President but instead a Prime Minister, I know, I know. It just sounds better compare to "Kimutaku for Prime Minister!" Anyway, I have to break my Theme Song pimping in this post. No matter how Madonna's "Miles Away" seem so fitting with the drama, I just don't think it is a catchy song. I am not a Madonna fan, to be blunt. It also looked like a big deal for a Japanese drama to use a foreign/Madonna song, because they even featured a short clip of Madonna watching the first episode of Change. I wonder if it subbed in English when they showed it to her? Mostly likely. I feel a bit annoyed watching her forced interest during the clip. She could have tried harder! Grrr...

If there is one thing I don't like about this drama, it is the way the synopsis sounded. If this ain't a Kimutaku drama, I would have cleared far far away from this show. It sounds like a super boring drama about politics. But it is not. Heck, just look at Kimutaku's hair. It says it all. I thought it was an afro for goddsakes!

In this drama, Kimutaku will be the youngest person to be the Prime Minister of Japan. I thought they will extend the election throughout the end, but it is actually done by the third episode and I guess it will show us how he tackles and handles the conflicts and issues during his ruling period. The episodes are very action-packed and will hold your interest throughout. It also consist of A-list supporting actors: Abe Hiroshi and Fukatsu Eri. Fukatsu Eri is like the Japanese counterpart of On Air's Song Yoon Ah. Both are "screechy" fast talkers, and it can get a while for one to like them. Well, if you've seen Slow Dance, Saiyuuki and and the very dark Million Falling Stars, then this will be like a nice reunion with Eri-san. As for Abe Hiroshi, who doesn't love this guy? To have Kimutaku and Abe Hiroshi in one drama (e.g. Hero) is like a guarantee for a solid storyline. Why? Because, I think Abe Hiroshi is now front-man material and it very rare to see him acting the supporting role. To get these actors to act in your drama, then it is only a given that your script should be as stellar. I'm not saying Kimutaku is that great of an actor, but his popularity is undeniable. That's why when I heard about the plot, I mentally laughed. It's just so comical and parody-ish to have the most popular and iconic actor in the Japanese entertainment to act the role of a Prime Minister. I mean, if Japan has a presidency set-up, he could easily run like some of the actors in USA. When I saw the citizens in drama starting to call him the "Parliamentary Prince" it is like a farce unfolding into reality. I am not watching Asakura Keita running for Prime Minister. I am watching Kimura Takuya running for Prime Minister. Whoever did the casting is a very smart woman/man.

This is my favorite drama this season along with ROOKIES. I can't decide which I like more. Here's to hoping it will become better and better and better.

Other posts on Spring J-dramas 2008:

• ROOKIES (ルーキーズ): Oh nooo, another one!?
• Around 40 (アラウンド40) - “We are not pitiful”
• Puzzle (パズル): A series of bad English lessons.
• Spring Jdramas 2008 - Last Friends
• The beautiful Aoi Yu in Osen (おせん)
• Ayaka’s “Okaeri” - The only good thing in Zettai Kareshi

I've just finished watching the first episode (and on the process of dl-ing the second one but it's so big, 700 mb). I don't know if I should do the summary of this series, but if ever I get requests/comments that you would want it (what are you waiting for, it's just a comment away) I would do it. haha

I'm at a little lost at episode 1 since it mostly talks about politics, prime minister, diet, election, etc. It's full of technical terms but somehow the gist of it is still understandable. And if I would base my rating of this on the first episode, I guess this is good, no boring parts as of the moment. And I just adore the tandem between KimuTaku and Fukatsu Eri, liked them best in A Million Stars Falling from the Sky.

Anyway, here's some screencaps I've made, nothing much, but you get to see KimuTaku's curly hair. (mojakura. ^^)

Me parece que él entendería la política japonesa de una perspectiva global.

Una de las encuestadas.

.

La política del Japón de la posguerra ha hecho que la gente tenga una visión arcaica, pesada y aburrida de los asuntos de estado, por eso no sorprende que entre los diez primeros hubiera nombres de cómicos como George Tokoro, Tamori o Akiko Wada.

Man, there's something about a KimuTaku series that I can't resist.

Synopsis

The story opens after a young female student kills herself by jumping off a balcony. It's soon discovered that she was in fact stabbed, and the room arranged to make it look like a suicide. And so we begin. A few minor details lead Detective Kanzo (Akashiya Sanma) to suspect that Ryo (Kimura Takuya), an enigmatic chef's assistant, knows more about her death.The two have run into each other by chance a few times, and each time left Kanzo with an uncomfortable feeling. Every clue that is revealed seems to lead to more questions about Ryo, his obsessive girlfriend, his callous and manipulative relations with several women, and about a painful memory from Kanzo's past. Things get more complicated when a powerful love/hate relationship develops between Ryo and Kanza's little sister, the beautiful Yuko (Fukatsu Eri). What exactly is their connection? As the evidence (and body count) rises, Kanza tries desperately to save his sister from Ryo's influence. He's no saint, but is he the Devil Kanza thinks he is? And why? The answers will floor you, even when you think you've got them figured out already. (credits: Drama Wiki)

My Review

This is better than Hero - in my opinion.

The first few episodes of AMSFFTS were quite uneventful. HMM, slow paced, and somehow boring. If not for TK, I would have considered putting this behind and start another series.

However, though boring it maybe there's still this curiosity that surrounds the early episodes. Curiosity that will lead you to move on another notch. For each episodes leave you hanging, it yearns someone to dwell deeper into the mystery that lies ahead. And yeah mystery it is, by the end of it you'll earn twist that changes your view of things, it even surpass the early events that happened.

Though I've only watched three TK dramas, I would say that this is a new dimension for him, TK as Ryo is totally different from your average ideal man. His personality is so myterious that you could actually think that he's plotting something dark. You can't tell if he's good or bad, that's maybe one of the things that has drawn me to watch this. I want to see Ryo change. Too bad that it was only at the end.

The plot has gotten interesting halfway, there are so many things to look forward to and are wanting to be discovered. I wouldn't elaborate much, don't wanna spoil you. hehe

Lastly, the ending's so sad. :(

Next on my list:
Pride

[Editor's Note]

After watching five Kimutaku dramas straight, I think this is my most favorite series of him, next would be Pride.

Not your usual dashing style, Kimura acts as an elementary school teacher, who became the PM of Japan due to various circumstances. Kimura with a bunch of kids? Or him leading a nation? Pretty unthinkable i guess, but with his acting skills, we are bound for a good show. Not to mention that the script is handled by Yasushi Fukuda who had written past great dramas like "HERO" and "Galileo".

Change is the name. and Kimura probably will present a changed self in front of the TV set this time round for his fans. (: I'm looking forward to it, are you?

Takuya Kimura reprised his role in HERO SP as the unconventional District Attorney who still has a weird hobby of buying weird things from TV shopping channel. Great to see him and Takako Matsu in the same movie again. It's beeen sooo long as mentioned by Takako's character...

I wonder whether there are plans for Long Vacation SP, Love Generation SP or any other earlier J-Dramas.... Wishful thinking ne.. I miss both of them. Good chemistry.

Ratings: (DVD Extras is a letdown. Merely trailers of this movie)

thnx to people who leave few comments here and there.. arigatou.
just now, i checked my mail.. Youtube removed my Kimumatsu Charm video due to reporting from someone.. when i translated the kanji.. it's a Art Bank Ltd (?). Huh, any idea what's happened around? :P
i love Charm.. Frankly, it's my labor of love to KimuMatsu...that's why my video-making quite smooth (even with laptop's limited space and simple basic Window Movie Maker software). btw, now my account already suspended. i don't like Youtube actually.. but i upload those clips coz a small group of my friends are there. weird ne.. how come Charm is reported as illegal... i was expecting SmaSma clips or any TV shows.. haha. hemm, never mind... let it be.

Last night, i made omatsu video Minna Hitori for my little sis.. she celebrated her birthday this month.

kimumatsu - needing you (63.09MB) http://www.mediafire.com/?xqmdfjmeamp

And today, i'm nearly banging my head to the wall... due to exhausted and tiredness completing my task. Thanx to B'z .. listening to Koshi singing and Tak's guitar.. make me fresh, alive.. Too good to think, to feel that.. i'm still alive!

[googlevideo=http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docId=9150987551061088798]

there're several smappies asked me if i got sexual attraction towards SMAP.. emm, no. SMAP is like my childhood friends.. thinking of them is like thinking of my old Japanese pen-pal (year 1993) who introduced me to this group. {except last month, i've got silly craziness with Tsuyoshi :P }
KimuTaku? nai.. nai.. He is for oMatsu only!
........... maybe i could say my dream man is someone like Takeno (Yutaka Takenouchi) or Koshi.. Actually i also think, Tak is a romantic guy. I'm not good in describing.. just watch the above clip.. HONTOU ni, Koshi is triple HOT than oTaku (Kimura)! Plus, Koshi is high educated especially in Maths. As my dad is Professor in Maths and Fuzzy.. i'm sure my dad would invite someone like him to be his son-in-law.. muahaha.

B'Z - HAKANAI DIAMOND
All Words by Koshi Inaba | All Songs by Tak Matsumoto
Album: Big Machine (2003) - NBA Japan 2003 theme song - credit to Keen

Even if I cry or struggle, the answer won't come back
The key to open this heart, seems like I have forgotten it somewhere

One way or another, I had a premonition that everything will break down
Not understanding where my level is, I've started giving praises to myself
Riding on a conceited illustration with not even a rope to cling to

I have become the type of person I hate the most
Let's laugh at my ignorance self and situation

Where ever I go, with the speed increased
Not recalling forgotten things, my boots are getting worn out
Whatever the outcome is fine, nothing scares me anymore
Don't have time to care about other people's pain either
Such empty diamond

Running with accessories on the outside and immediate good feeling in the heart
Getting drunk in the midst of people who handle well their skillful conversation
Words to restore me back to reality are rather curt

For certain, someday we will have the same dream
We believed and understood each other to a frightening extent

Having done bad things, the penalties are coming back right at me
My heart turned pale, inside it I'm concealing a useless smile

Where ever I go, with the speed increased
Not recalling forgotten things, my boots are getting worn out
Whatever the outcome is fine, nothing scares me anymore
I can't do anything, I can't give no answer, keep running swiftly on this character

Everyone has disappeared, for the first time it soaks into my mind
The thing I'm running after without even a sideway glance is actually
Such empty diamond
I can't help it
An illusioned life

]]> http://totallyclueless.wordpress.com/?p=56 Tue, 08 Apr 2008 04:36:43 +0000 totallyclueless http://totallyclueless.wordpress.com/?p=56 Liveblogging.

14 Sai no Haha: Finished four episodes it never failed to make me cry on each episode. Waaaah. Stop it already. My eyes hurt. Haha. Father-daughter relationships ALWAYS make me cry.

Galileo: No plans of watching it today. Hmm. I might change my mind. Also, I might watch Good Luck! because of Shibasaki Kou. And there's Takuya Kimura too. Airplanes!! :D

My Lucky Star: Episode 3. Not interested as of this moment.

PRIDE. OMYGOD. Now I understand what the Takuya Kimura fuss is about. I'm hooked! More about it later.

Nyt mukana on kuitenkin ensimmäistä kertaa poptähden pitkällä uralla myös televisio-ohjelman tunnuskappale. Supertähti on nimittäin suostunut luovuttamaan levyllä kuultavan Miles Away -kappaleen japanilaisen Change -televisio-ohjelman tunnukseksi, Hollywood Reporter uutisoi.

Ohjelmasarja alkaa Japanissa huhtikuussa. Sarja kertoo nuoresta opettajasta, josta tulee yllättäen Japanin pääministeri. Madonna tapasi pääroolissa nähtävän Takuya Kimuran vieraillessaan nousevan auringon maassa SMAPxSMAP -ohjelman kuvauksissa vuonna 2005.

www.stara.fi

First video features one of my favorite South Korean actress, Choi Ji Woo, and Japanese actor/singer, Takuya Kimura, doing a skit for a Japanese show. The title of the video is Old Maid. On the video, both superstars are each trying to outwit the other over a card game to get the ultimate "prize". You need to watch it to know what the prize is since I'm not gonna tell.

While the second video is a trailer for the movie, Iron Man, which was shown during the Super Bowl game last February 3rd. The movie stars Robert Downey Jr. I know Robert Downey Jr in a Marvel comics movie. Better watch it to believe it. This looks like another must-see movie for me.

If you are interested to see more Super Bowl Ads, check the AOL website.

I'm not doing a recap of each episode : it takes way too long for me, and it would just make you want to read them and that would suck all the fun out of it (trust me, I can't help but read Dramabeans' recaps of Hong Gil Dong and it just isn't fun after when you watch it b/c you know what's gonna happen).

I'm just going to say it was a great drama (loved it, it changes so much of the k-dramas I was relieved there was a different storyline) . The end made me dance out of contempt and I went nuts everytime Takuya Kimura appeared on the screen (fangirl, and proud of it).

If you are wondering whether not you're going to watch it, well, read the above, go fangirl (even if you're a guy, you can enjoy one's awesomeness,right?) and watch the 11 episodes.

If you don't like hockey or one of the actors, then don't. You'll miss out your life and die a painful death. Cheers.

The Extra? Links to watch it english subbed and streaming (no download nor registration required). Click on "Continue Reading" to see them.

Episode 1 :  Part 1   Part 2  Part 3

Episode 2 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 3 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 4 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 5 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 6 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 7 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 8 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 9 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 10 : Part 1  Part 2

Episode 11 : Part 1  Part 2  Part 3

1. Takuya Kimura - 1999 4.30pm or so, while watching that magnificent Levi's Engineered Jeans TVC. I commented to Milo, that model is so cute. And he said, isn't that the guy in "Beautiful Life"? (wathing the video again right now on youtube, omg he is so cute!!!! I just want to lock him up in a glass case and keep him in my room as a pet).
2. Mr Children - 2000, 9.30pm while writing an email to PZ who was in Kuching at that time. Mistakenly thought it was Glay (ignoramus!) until I checked the cover of the 6-CD compilation. Didn't know who they were, didn't know what the song was all about but in the next blink of the eye I was madly in love. One of my best obsessions yet.
3. Richard P Feynman - 1989, in the midnight train to Penang. Took a random book from my brother's table to read for the journey. Cried uncontrollably when I found out that the man passed away 3 years prior. I wish I had known him.
4. Sue Townsend - 1993, Rebuilding Coventry, Alan's house in Alam Megah. Again, took a random book from his library and laughed out loud. A fan ever since. The Adrian Mole series is hilarious.
5. Mike Royko - can't remember the year, Reader's Digest. Read a reprinted article; about a house by the lake that he bought for his wife. Wry wit. Very sharp tongue. He will be missed.
6. Haruki Murakami - 2005, cold cold Frankfurt at sunset. I was looking for a reading material to have dinner with, by extreme good luck "Kafka on the Shore" was the only English book in the store. Lucky, lucky, lucky me.
7. Nick Hornby - late 2000, High Fidelity the movie. Watched it with Shah. He said, my friend told me that he didn't get the movie, until he read the book. I, on the other hand, have always thought the movie is fantastic. So, went out and bought the book. It IS good. All love stories should be told this way - short, concise and peppered with pop references.
8. Guitar - 1992, self taught, Alan's house in Shah Alam. Tired of not being able to, I decided to force myself to learn. Having a good guitar helped.
9. Glay - they were just about everywhere but I only listened to them, for the first time, in 2002 despite having several of their CDs in my possession. Just one of my weird thing about not wanting to listen to anything that's considered "in". Was I wrong. Glay is very, very cool.
10. Maman Teacher's Pet - a long drive back home in late 1997. Bought the soundtrack to "Layar Lara" coz I was tired of listening to Jewel. These days he calls himself "not an angel". I wonder what my life would be without him.
11. Songwriting -1992. But the first song that I wrote in its entirety was in mid-1997 called "Fool". "Stupid Reasons" was second and Wishlist was third. Fool and Stupid Reasons are based on real persons, Wishlist purely fictional. I don't fall madly in love. I'm not that kind of person.

2) Yuna Ito covers Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You @ Happy Xmas Show 2007
This is my FAVOURITE christmas song, and possibly my favourite song from Mariah (alongside Always Be My Baby). I think Yuna did a decent job..but I'm posting this because she looks so gorgeous. I want her dress!!!

3) Ayumi Hamasaki - No Way To Say + Together When... @ Happy Xmas Show 2007
How can I leave her out? Not when she has such a gorgeous, plaited Santa outfit on!

*****

(-___________________-)

I used to tick them off one by one in the initial weeks..but it gradually got so out of control that I can't be bothered anymore. Luckily Facebook does a invitation clearance once in awhile.

*****

He has endorsed every single product in life..from female cosmetics, cameras, hair styling products, internet start-ups, laptops, cars, drinks, food, F1 Japan, handphones, to newspapers. I love his hair in the Sankei EXpress commercial.

This is the PV for the newest single (Dangan Fighter) by SMAP. I had a fun time looking at the Japanese going, "WTF ISN'T THAT TAKUYA KIMURA" on the streets. I think I would have dashed right up and hugged him instead of standing like a log. See it more clearly here.

I've always been a big hater of Nikon*, but now I'm kind of okay with it. Darn these advertising tactics.

*My Nikon camera actually CRASHED on me while I was on a snow mountain a few years back due to the high altitude. I couldn't take any photos for the rest of my trip as a result. I was very angry since I had 4-5 more days to go. KNN. Hated Nikon ever since. To rub salt into my wound, the tour headed off to a gorgeous waterfall after the snow mountain stop. I stayed in the bus and grumbled while everyone went to the waterfall. I'm stubborn like that. Quite silly I know..but I was only 14 then.