Wed, July 9, 2008 (2:43am EDT)
Takako Matsu has been given her first starring role in a feature-length film, tentatively titled "Viyon no Tsuma" ("Villon's Wife"). Based on the story of the same name by Osamu Dazai, the movie will open in theaters during the fall of 2009, a hundred years after Dazai's birth.
The story is set in the postwar era of Japan. Matsu plays Sachi, the wife of a writer (Tadanobu Asano). Despite her husband's unfaithfulness, abuse, and debt from drinking too much alcohol, Sachi displays a strong will to live and is determined to find meaning in her life.
Screenwriter Yozo Tanaka is said to have worked on the script for five years. Director Kichitaro Negishi and producer Chihiro Kameyama will be in charge of the project, which is set to start filming in September.
The story is set in the postwar era of Japan. Matsu plays Sachi, the wife of a writer (Tadanobu Asano). Despite her husband's unfaithfulness, abuse, and debt from drinking too much alcohol, Sachi displays a strong will to live and is determined to find meaning in her life.
Screenwriter Yozo Tanaka is said to have worked on the script for five years. Director Kichitaro Negishi and producer Chihiro Kameyama will be in charge of the project, which is set to start filming in September.
Wed, July 9, 2008 (2:16am EDT)
After topping the albums chart last week, the popular group GReeeeN did a repeat performance, selling 122,000 copies of their second album to keep the #1 spot. They sold about 10,000 more units than ELLEGARDEN's best-of album, which is scheduled to be the band's last release before they formally go on hiatus.
Ringo Shiina ranked #4 with her own new collection, "Watashi to Houden" (85,000 copies). Also in the top ten were Sukima Switch's Takuya Ohashi with his first solo album (at #8) and w-inds. (at #10).
Meanwhile, YUI led the singles chart with 83,000 copies of "SUMMER SONG." At #2 was the debut single "LOVE ADDICT" from VAMPS, the new project formed by hyde of L'Arc~en~Ciel and KAZ of Oblivion Dust. It sold 65,000 copies.
A collaboration between mihimaru GT and SOFFet entered the charts at #7, and the latest single by RSP came in right behind it at #8.
Ringo Shiina ranked #4 with her own new collection, "Watashi to Houden" (85,000 copies). Also in the top ten were Sukima Switch's Takuya Ohashi with his first solo album (at #8) and w-inds. (at #10).
Meanwhile, YUI led the singles chart with 83,000 copies of "SUMMER SONG." At #2 was the debut single "LOVE ADDICT" from VAMPS, the new project formed by hyde of L'Arc~en~Ciel and KAZ of Oblivion Dust. It sold 65,000 copies.
A collaboration between mihimaru GT and SOFFet entered the charts at #7, and the latest single by RSP came in right behind it at #8.
Wed, July 9, 2008 (1:58am EDT)
Maki Goto's first full performances since transferring to Avex will be at this year's a-nation festival tour. Goto is one of several artists that have been added to the lineup, along with Ataru Nakamura, Hatsune Okumura, and others.
Many popular artists were previously announced for the tour, including Kumi Koda, Ai Otsuka, EXILE, Ami Suzuki, AAA, TVXQ, Namie Amuro, and Ayumi Hamasaki.
This will be Goto's first time at a-nation, as she was signed to Avex's Rhythm Zone label just last month. Currently, she is scheduled for two of the tour dates, Osaka on August 24 and Tokyo on August 31.
Goto already debuted with Avex when she participated in the company's shareholders' meeting on June 22, singing a cover of Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You."
Many popular artists were previously announced for the tour, including Kumi Koda, Ai Otsuka, EXILE, Ami Suzuki, AAA, TVXQ, Namie Amuro, and Ayumi Hamasaki.
This will be Goto's first time at a-nation, as she was signed to Avex's Rhythm Zone label just last month. Currently, she is scheduled for two of the tour dates, Osaka on August 24 and Tokyo on August 31.
Goto already debuted with Avex when she participated in the company's shareholders' meeting on June 22, singing a cover of Whitney Houston's "Saving All My Love for You."
Wed, July 9, 2008 (1:38am EDT)
Actor Hideaki Ito has been cast as a movie villain for the first time in his career. He was chosen to appear in the film version of Sanpei Shirato's manga "The Legend of Kamui," which recently resumed filming after a series of setbacks.
The action film, starring Kenichi Matsuyama and directed by Yoichi Sai, was delayed for a few months after lead actress Rinko Kikuchi was injured. At one point, the movie was almost dropped completely, but it eventually got back on track with actress Koyuki replacing Kikuchi.
In the film, Ito plays the head of a group of shark exterminators that arrive in the fishing village where the swordsman Kamui (Matsuyama) has ended up. Ito and his gang offer to help Kamui and the villagers to get rid of a shark infestation, but he also sets a trap for Kamui, leading to a violent showdown.
Other cast members have been revealed: Koichi Sato, Kaoru Kobayashi, Suzuka Ohgo, Sei Ashina, Anna Tsuchiya, and Hong Kong actor Ekin Cheng. Filming had originally been scheduled to wrap up in February, but is now projected to finish in September. Release is planned for summer 2009.
The action film, starring Kenichi Matsuyama and directed by Yoichi Sai, was delayed for a few months after lead actress Rinko Kikuchi was injured. At one point, the movie was almost dropped completely, but it eventually got back on track with actress Koyuki replacing Kikuchi.
In the film, Ito plays the head of a group of shark exterminators that arrive in the fishing village where the swordsman Kamui (Matsuyama) has ended up. Ito and his gang offer to help Kamui and the villagers to get rid of a shark infestation, but he also sets a trap for Kamui, leading to a violent showdown.
Other cast members have been revealed: Koichi Sato, Kaoru Kobayashi, Suzuka Ohgo, Sei Ashina, Anna Tsuchiya, and Hong Kong actor Ekin Cheng. Filming had originally been scheduled to wrap up in February, but is now projected to finish in September. Release is planned for summer 2009.
Wed, July 9, 2008 (1:13am EDT)
Arashi member Jun Matsumoto will star in a drama special that is being broadcast as part of NTV's charity program "24 Hour Television." Titled "Myu no Anyo, Papa ni Ageru," the drama will air on August 30.
The drama is based on a true story about a young man (played by Matsumoto) who learns he has a rare illness known as CIDP, which affects the nervous system. He begins to lose the functioning of his limbs, but he is determined to fight the illness with the support of his wife (Karina) and his 2-year-old daughter, Myu-chan.
Matsumoto, along with the rest of Arashi and actress Yukie Nakama, has already been announced as a host for "24 Hour Television," scheduled for August 30-31.
The drama is based on a true story about a young man (played by Matsumoto) who learns he has a rare illness known as CIDP, which affects the nervous system. He begins to lose the functioning of his limbs, but he is determined to fight the illness with the support of his wife (Karina) and his 2-year-old daughter, Myu-chan.
Matsumoto, along with the rest of Arashi and actress Yukie Nakama, has already been announced as a host for "24 Hour Television," scheduled for August 30-31.
