Mon, April 9, 2007 (10:31pm EDT)
22-year-old actress NorA has landed a part in a Hollywood movie.
NorA will barely make her acting debut in Ryuhei Kitamura's "LOVEDEATH" (opens May 12), in which she co-stars with Shinji Takeda. But after that, she will appear in the movie adaptation of Clive Barker's "Midnight Meat Train." Kitamura is also taking the helm for that film, which is his first American project.
"Midnight Meat Train" stars Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones, Brooke Shields, and Leslie Bibb. The story deals with a photographer (Cooper) trying to track down a serial killer (Jones). NorA makes an appearance as one of the killer's victims at the start of the film.
Filming begins on the 18th. The movie is currently scheduled for release in 2008.
NorA will barely make her acting debut in Ryuhei Kitamura's "LOVEDEATH" (opens May 12), in which she co-stars with Shinji Takeda. But after that, she will appear in the movie adaptation of Clive Barker's "Midnight Meat Train." Kitamura is also taking the helm for that film, which is his first American project.
"Midnight Meat Train" stars Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones, Brooke Shields, and Leslie Bibb. The story deals with a photographer (Cooper) trying to track down a serial killer (Jones). NorA makes an appearance as one of the killer's victims at the start of the film.
Filming begins on the 18th. The movie is currently scheduled for release in 2008.
Mon, April 9, 2007 (10:06pm EDT)
On Monday, a press conference was held for the NTV drama series, "Kuitan 2." At the event, it was announced that cast members Noriyuki Higashiyama, Go Morita, and Kenta Suga have formed a temporary unit called "Trio the Shakin." The group sings the show's theme song, titled "Itoshi no Napolitan." The single will be released on May 30.
Mon, April 9, 2007 (9:36pm EDT)
Talento Megumi Yasu has been given her first lead role in a movie.
The work, titled "Kowai Douyou: Ura no Sho," is a horror film directed by Osamu Fukutani. The story revolves around a girls' high school that was abandoned after 12 chorus members were killed. When nearby residents report a voice singing a children's song late at night within the school, a TV program decides to investigate, accompanied by a sound analyst named Kyoko (Yasu).
The movie hits theaters on July 28.
The work, titled "Kowai Douyou: Ura no Sho," is a horror film directed by Osamu Fukutani. The story revolves around a girls' high school that was abandoned after 12 chorus members were killed. When nearby residents report a voice singing a children's song late at night within the school, a TV program decides to investigate, accompanied by a sound analyst named Kyoko (Yasu).
The movie hits theaters on July 28.
Mon, April 9, 2007 (7:43pm EDT)
Last week, singer-songwriter YUI released her second album, "Can't Buy My Love." It took the #1 spot for the week, outselling the next closest artist by more than 160,000 copies. This is her first release to reach the top, though two of her singles have appeared at #2 on the charts.
With this achievement, YUI has become the third youngest female singer-songwriter to sell a #1 album in Japan, at the age of 20 years and 1 month. Hikaru Utada holds the current record at 16 years and 2 months, followed by Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne (19 years and 8 months).
On Monday, it was also announced that YUI is singing the theme song for the TV Asahi drama series, "Seito Shokun!" The song is titled "My Generation" and is scheduled for release in June. It will be coupled with the song "Understand," which is being used as the theme song for the movie, "Sidecar ni Inu."
With this achievement, YUI has become the third youngest female singer-songwriter to sell a #1 album in Japan, at the age of 20 years and 1 month. Hikaru Utada holds the current record at 16 years and 2 months, followed by Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne (19 years and 8 months).
On Monday, it was also announced that YUI is singing the theme song for the TV Asahi drama series, "Seito Shokun!" The song is titled "My Generation" and is scheduled for release in June. It will be coupled with the song "Understand," which is being used as the theme song for the movie, "Sidecar ni Inu."
Mon, April 9, 2007 (7:01pm EDT)
Singer Miki Imai, who celebrated the 20th anniversary of her debut last year, has been cast in the movie "Zou no Senaka" (directed by Satoshi Isaka). Her last acting role was in the 2001 drama special "Atataka na Osara," though her last movie was in 1987.
"Zou no Senaka" is based on a popular serial by author Yasushi Akimoto. Koji Yakusho stars as a man who is told he only has half a year left to live, and Imai plays the role of his wife.
The movie opens in theaters this fall.
"Zou no Senaka" is based on a popular serial by author Yasushi Akimoto. Koji Yakusho stars as a man who is told he only has half a year left to live, and Imai plays the role of his wife.
The movie opens in theaters this fall.
Mon, April 9, 2007 (5:38pm EDT)
The newest issue of Josei Jishin reports that kabuki actor Ebizo Ichikawa XI and actress Saki Takaoka may be dating. On April 5, the two were seen walking at night along Meguro River, which is known for its cherry blossoms. They went shopping together, and were reportedly walking closely and holding hands. They later left together in a taxi.
The two of them have been in the news several times for their past relationships. Ichikawa was recently dating talento Eriko Sato, but they broke up at the end of February. It was later rumored that he was restarting with his former girlfriend, actress Ryoko Yonekura, after she was seen at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, attending a performance by Ichikawa's troupe last month. They both denied the rumor, however.
Takaoka was previously married to actor Naoki Hosaka from 1996 to 2004. Right before their divorce, it was reported that she and guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei were having an affair together (Hotei is married to actress Miki Imai). Then last October, Takaoka was seen at a restaurant late at night with kabuki actor Shido Nakamura, the husband of actress Yuko Takeuchi.
Takaoka's agency said that the two are just friends, while Ichikawa's manager was unavailable for comment.
The two of them have been in the news several times for their past relationships. Ichikawa was recently dating talento Eriko Sato, but they broke up at the end of February. It was later rumored that he was restarting with his former girlfriend, actress Ryoko Yonekura, after she was seen at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, attending a performance by Ichikawa's troupe last month. They both denied the rumor, however.
Takaoka was previously married to actor Naoki Hosaka from 1996 to 2004. Right before their divorce, it was reported that she and guitarist Tomoyasu Hotei were having an affair together (Hotei is married to actress Miki Imai). Then last October, Takaoka was seen at a restaurant late at night with kabuki actor Shido Nakamura, the husband of actress Yuko Takeuchi.
Takaoka's agency said that the two are just friends, while Ichikawa's manager was unavailable for comment.
Mon, April 9, 2007 (4:33am EDT)
Talent agency Amuse and Bandai recently held their 2nd Star Kids Audition, in search of the next big child stars. There were 20 finalists, ranging from ages 4 to 11. In the end, the Grand Prix was awarded to 9-year-old Yuria Okayama, a Fukuoka resident.
Okayama, along with the four other award winners, will become members of Amuse, and all of them are planned to debut as models for a new Bandai project.
Okayama, along with the four other award winners, will become members of Amuse, and all of them are planned to debut as models for a new Bandai project.
