Fri, November 30, 2007 (6:35pm EST)
Kenta Fukasaku's horror flick "XX" ("Ekusu Kurosu") is reportedly getting a Hollywood remake. The offer was brought to the table by producer Tim Kwok, who has worked on films such as "Fight Club" and "L.A. Confidential" (though he is apparently uncredited for both of them).
The original film, which stars Nao Matsushita and Ami Suzuki, opens in Japan on December 1. No cast details or production dates have been announced for the remake.
The original film, which stars Nao Matsushita and Ami Suzuki, opens in Japan on December 1. No cast details or production dates have been announced for the remake.
Fri, November 30, 2007 (6:09pm EST)
EMI Music Japan is opening its own talent management agency, it was announced on Thursday. The new EMI Entertainment will be headed by Junya Nakasone, who first started a management team within EMI Music in 2005.
The first three artists on the agency's roster are Mio Isayama, Shione Yukawa, and new singer KUMAMI, who makes his major-label debut with EMI in January.
The company plans to expand its roster to include TV stars, athletes, and other celebrities.
The first three artists on the agency's roster are Mio Isayama, Shione Yukawa, and new singer KUMAMI, who makes his major-label debut with EMI in January.
The company plans to expand its roster to include TV stars, athletes, and other celebrities.
Fri, November 30, 2007 (5:32pm EST)
Public broadcaster NHK has decided to reduce airtime for its jidaigeki dramas. The network currently has a 45-minute jidaigeki time slot on Thursdays at 8:00pm, but starting in April, that block will be moved to Saturdays and shortened to only 30 minutes.
The popularity of such dramas has been decreasing in recent years, and according to the ratings, the shows appear to only attract much older viewers. In September, TV Asahi also decided to end its Tuesday jidaigeki time slot.
In its bid for viewership, NHK plans to use the free time slot as a new drama block, targeted at families and younger audiences.
The popularity of such dramas has been decreasing in recent years, and according to the ratings, the shows appear to only attract much older viewers. In September, TV Asahi also decided to end its Tuesday jidaigeki time slot.
In its bid for viewership, NHK plans to use the free time slot as a new drama block, targeted at families and younger audiences.
Fri, November 30, 2007 (4:33pm EST)
The ceremony for the 31st Fumiko Yamaji Awards was held on Friday. Director Masayuki Suo won the Film Award for "Soredemo Boku wa Yattenai." Yuko Takeuchi earned the Actress Award for her performance in "Sidecar ni Inu," and Riko Narumi earned the New Actress Award for her roles in several films this year, including "Shindo" and "Kimi ni Shika Kikoenai."
Screenwriter and director Shinobu Hashimoto received an award honoring him for his many years of contributions to film, while director Akio Kondo earned the Social Welfare Award for his movie "Fumiko no Umi." Writer Hideo Osabe was given the Culture Award.
Screenwriter and director Shinobu Hashimoto received an award honoring him for his many years of contributions to film, while director Akio Kondo earned the Social Welfare Award for his movie "Fumiko no Umi." Writer Hideo Osabe was given the Culture Award.
Fri, November 30, 2007 (4:23pm EST)
On Friday, Takako Matsu's agency finally commented on the recent news report that she is getting married to guitarist and producer Yoshiyuki Sahashi. According to her management, the couple is indeed involved romantically, but there are no plans for marriage.
Sports Hochi had reported that Matsu's schedule was clear until April, suggesting preparation for marriage, but the agency also denied this. Matsu's schedule is said to be full with projects that have not yet been announced. Currently, she is reportedly working on a new album and filming for a television drama.
Sports Hochi had reported that Matsu's schedule was clear until April, suggesting preparation for marriage, but the agency also denied this. Matsu's schedule is said to be full with projects that have not yet been announced. Currently, she is reportedly working on a new album and filming for a television drama.
Fri, November 30, 2007 (4:18am EST)
Sports Hochi has revealed more details about the upcoming marriage between 30-year-old actress/singer Takako Matsu and 46-year-old guitarist/producer Yoshiyuki Sahashi.
Sahashi is well-known in the music industry, having worked with many major artists, such as Masaharu Fukuyama, Kazumasa Oda, Fumiya Fujii, and Keisuke Kuwata. He met Matsu in 2001, and began working with her that year as her producer and touring bandmaster.
The pair's professional relationship turned romantic in 2004, and they were revealed as a couple by a women's magazine in March of that year. However, they broke up not long after that, and Matsu was later rumored to be dating actor Yo Oizumi.
Last year, Matsu and Sahashi rekindled their romance, and they began working together again after Matsu switched from Universal Music to BMG Japan. Matsu reportedly began seriously considering marriage this past June, when she turned 30.
The actress has currently cleared her work schedule up until April, when she co-stars with her father, kabuki actor Koshiro Matsumoto IX, in a production of "Man of La Mancha." It is expected that Matsu and Sahashi will get married in early spring, before the play opens.
Sahashi is well-known in the music industry, having worked with many major artists, such as Masaharu Fukuyama, Kazumasa Oda, Fumiya Fujii, and Keisuke Kuwata. He met Matsu in 2001, and began working with her that year as her producer and touring bandmaster.
The pair's professional relationship turned romantic in 2004, and they were revealed as a couple by a women's magazine in March of that year. However, they broke up not long after that, and Matsu was later rumored to be dating actor Yo Oizumi.
Last year, Matsu and Sahashi rekindled their romance, and they began working together again after Matsu switched from Universal Music to BMG Japan. Matsu reportedly began seriously considering marriage this past June, when she turned 30.
The actress has currently cleared her work schedule up until April, when she co-stars with her father, kabuki actor Koshiro Matsumoto IX, in a production of "Man of La Mancha." It is expected that Matsu and Sahashi will get married in early spring, before the play opens.
Fri, November 30, 2007 (1:28am EST)
Composer Go Misawa died on the morning of November 20 in a hospital near Palm Springs, California. He was 79. According to his wishes, no funeral service was held.
Originally from Fukuoka, Misawa composed music for several anime series, including "Devilman" and "Ace wo Nerae!" in the early 1970s. He also composed for television dramas, such as "Sign wa V" in 1973.
In 1976, Misawa permanently moved to the United States, where he continued his music career.
Originally from Fukuoka, Misawa composed music for several anime series, including "Devilman" and "Ace wo Nerae!" in the early 1970s. He also composed for television dramas, such as "Sign wa V" in 1973.
In 1976, Misawa permanently moved to the United States, where he continued his music career.
