Mon, October 22, 2007 (9:36pm EDT)
Actress Chiaki Kuriyama will star in a movie titled "GS Wonderland," about the Group Sounds genre of rock music that was popular during the 1960s.
The story follows a fictitious short-lived band called The Tightsmen. Kuriyama portrays organ player Miku, who is ordered by her management agency to pretend to be a man as part of the band. Her co-star is Takuya Ishida.
To recreate the feel of the Group Sounds era, the film's soundtrack will include 10 new songs (including one titled "Kaigaisen no Hotel") composed by Kyohei Tsutsumi and written by Jun Hashimoto. The two are known as the "golden combination" of GS, having handled such hits as OX's "Girlfriend." Also appearing in the film is Ittoku Kishibe, once a member of popular GS band The Tigers.
Ryuichi Honda is directing. Filming ends this month, with a target release date of next summer.
The story follows a fictitious short-lived band called The Tightsmen. Kuriyama portrays organ player Miku, who is ordered by her management agency to pretend to be a man as part of the band. Her co-star is Takuya Ishida.
To recreate the feel of the Group Sounds era, the film's soundtrack will include 10 new songs (including one titled "Kaigaisen no Hotel") composed by Kyohei Tsutsumi and written by Jun Hashimoto. The two are known as the "golden combination" of GS, having handled such hits as OX's "Girlfriend." Also appearing in the film is Ittoku Kishibe, once a member of popular GS band The Tigers.
Ryuichi Honda is directing. Filming ends this month, with a target release date of next summer.
Mon, October 22, 2007 (7:39pm EDT)
Actor Hiroshi Tamaki and singer Hitomi Shimatani are reportedly dating, according to Josei Jishin. The magazine says they became acquainted about a year ago and sometimes went out for meals with a group of friends. They apparently became closer after the end of July, when Tamaki and actress Rosa Kato are said to have broken up.
Shimatani's agency said that the two are just good friends. Tamaki's management gave no comment, saying that it is a private matter.
Shimatani's agency said that the two are just good friends. Tamaki's management gave no comment, saying that it is a private matter.
Mon, October 22, 2007 (6:27pm EDT)
Satoshi Tsumabuki will be starring in a semi-documentary film, currently titled "Buta ga Ita Kyoushitsu." This is his first role as a teacher.
The movie is based on the true story of a class of sixth graders at an elementary school in Osaka. A rookie teacher suggested an educational project that involved the class raising a pig so that they could later eat it. The project naturally led to differences of opinions among the students.
The story was turned into an award-winning TV documentary in 1993. The film version will also be shot in the style of a documentary. A class of 28 children, chosen by audition, will actually live with and raise a pig. While the general plot will follow the real-life story, there is no detailed script - producer Toshiaki Suzuki hopes to capture the true reactions of the children.
The movie is scheduled for theatrical release next fall.
The movie is based on the true story of a class of sixth graders at an elementary school in Osaka. A rookie teacher suggested an educational project that involved the class raising a pig so that they could later eat it. The project naturally led to differences of opinions among the students.
The story was turned into an award-winning TV documentary in 1993. The film version will also be shot in the style of a documentary. A class of 28 children, chosen by audition, will actually live with and raise a pig. While the general plot will follow the real-life story, there is no detailed script - producer Toshiaki Suzuki hopes to capture the true reactions of the children.
The movie is scheduled for theatrical release next fall.
Mon, October 22, 2007 (4:49pm EDT)
Legendary rock band X JAPAN publicly reunited for the first time in ten years on Monday. They gathered on the rooftop of Odaiba's Aqua City to film the video for their new song, "I.V.," which is being used in the horror movie "Saw IV."
About 42 million yen was spent for the shoot, which included aerial shots from a helicopter and the use of about 6 tons of "rain" from a sprinkler truck. A large monitor was set up in a parking lot, where (according to promoters) more than 10,000 fans gathered to cheer on the band.
The band had planned to hold an information session inside a nearby hall, but because of the size of the crowd, they decided to use the monitor instead. Yoshiki announced that the band has plans for a single concert in Tokyo next spring.
About 42 million yen was spent for the shoot, which included aerial shots from a helicopter and the use of about 6 tons of "rain" from a sprinkler truck. A large monitor was set up in a parking lot, where (according to promoters) more than 10,000 fans gathered to cheer on the band.
The band had planned to hold an information session inside a nearby hall, but because of the size of the crowd, they decided to use the monitor instead. Yoshiki announced that the band has plans for a single concert in Tokyo next spring.
Mon, October 22, 2007 (4:29pm EDT)
34-year-old talento Sayaka Aoki is getting married, it was revealed on Monday. Her partner is a dancer three years younger than her. According to her management, the two met through a friend just half a year ago, and they are planning to submit their marriage registration within the next few days.
During the past several years, part of Aoki's image has been that of a member of the "makegumi," a term referring to older women with no prospect of marriage. She was last reported having a brief relationship about two years ago.
Aoki will personally talk about the marriage on the October 25 broadcast of "Waratte Iitomo." On the same day, her first shishosetsu, titled "34," is being released by Kobunsha.
During the past several years, part of Aoki's image has been that of a member of the "makegumi," a term referring to older women with no prospect of marriage. She was last reported having a brief relationship about two years ago.
Aoki will personally talk about the marriage on the October 25 broadcast of "Waratte Iitomo." On the same day, her first shishosetsu, titled "34," is being released by Kobunsha.
Mon, October 22, 2007 (3:22pm EDT)
"Tengoku wa Mada Tooku," a best-selling novel by author Maiko Seo ("Koufuku na Shokutaku"), is being made into a movie, starring Rosa Kato.
Kato plays Chizuru, an office lady tired of the city life. She decides to try committing suicide at a minshuku in a remote village, but she fails in her attempt. The minshuku's proprietor (played by Tutorial's Yoshimi Tokui in his first feature-length movie role) and the other villagers show her kindness, gradually restoring her will to live.
Masahiko Nagasawa ("Yoru no Picnic") is directing. Shooting takes place in Miyazu, Kyoto from October 31 to the end of November. The movie will be released sometime in 2008.
Kato plays Chizuru, an office lady tired of the city life. She decides to try committing suicide at a minshuku in a remote village, but she fails in her attempt. The minshuku's proprietor (played by Tutorial's Yoshimi Tokui in his first feature-length movie role) and the other villagers show her kindness, gradually restoring her will to live.
Masahiko Nagasawa ("Yoru no Picnic") is directing. Shooting takes place in Miyazu, Kyoto from October 31 to the end of November. The movie will be released sometime in 2008.
