Sun, September 14, 2008 (2:32am EDT)
Actor Atsuro Watabe is sitting in the director's chair for the first time, heading up a movie titled "Kotoba no Nai Fuyu." Watabe also came up with the original proposal for the film, and is appearing in it along with starring actress Saki Takaoka.
Set during a winter in Hokkaido, the story depicts a painful love between a man unable to speak since birth (Watabe) and a woman who suddenly loses her memory in a horse-riding accident (Takaoka). Leona Hirota and Kazuma Suzuki are among the supporting cast.
Watabe commented that it has long been his dream to direct a movie. He said the scenes were close to being improvisational, so he offered the role to Takaoka, whom he felt would be flexible enough to handle it. The pair have worked together multiple times in the past, such as in the 1992 film "Hashi no Nai Kawa."
The film has already been given a spot in the competition category of the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival, taking place October 18-26. No theatrical release date has been announced so far.
Set during a winter in Hokkaido, the story depicts a painful love between a man unable to speak since birth (Watabe) and a woman who suddenly loses her memory in a horse-riding accident (Takaoka). Leona Hirota and Kazuma Suzuki are among the supporting cast.
Watabe commented that it has long been his dream to direct a movie. He said the scenes were close to being improvisational, so he offered the role to Takaoka, whom he felt would be flexible enough to handle it. The pair have worked together multiple times in the past, such as in the 1992 film "Hashi no Nai Kawa."
The film has already been given a spot in the competition category of the upcoming Tokyo International Film Festival, taking place October 18-26. No theatrical release date has been announced so far.
Sun, September 14, 2008 (2:06am EDT)
Ayumi Tachihara's comedy manga "Gokudo no Shokutaku" is being turned into a live-action film, it has been announced.
Veteran actor Ken Matsudaira was chosen to star in the picture, which revolves around a middle-aged, divorced yakuza boss who attends classes at night to further his passion as a gourmet. Filming is reportedly close to wrapping up, and producers are aiming to release the movie in February 2009.
Veteran actor Ken Matsudaira was chosen to star in the picture, which revolves around a middle-aged, divorced yakuza boss who attends classes at night to further his passion as a gourmet. Filming is reportedly close to wrapping up, and producers are aiming to release the movie in February 2009.
Sun, September 14, 2008 (1:52am EDT)
Teen actor Junpei Mizobata will be serving as the main host of a new NTV talk/variety show called "Dare Datte Haran Bakusho." The show, which will air on Sunday mornings at 9:30am, is a replacement for the long-running "Itsu Mitemo Haran Banjo."
Since debuting in 2006 after winning the JUNON Superboy Contest, Mizobata has been quickly gaining popularity. Earlier this year, he got his first starring role in the drama series "Hachi-One Diver" and a co-starring role in the movie "DIVE!!" This winter, he will play the male lead in the drama and film adaptations of "Akai Ito."
Mizobata's co-hosts on the new show are talento Mari Sekine and announcer Masaaki Horio. The first episode is scheduled for October 5.
Since debuting in 2006 after winning the JUNON Superboy Contest, Mizobata has been quickly gaining popularity. Earlier this year, he got his first starring role in the drama series "Hachi-One Diver" and a co-starring role in the movie "DIVE!!" This winter, he will play the male lead in the drama and film adaptations of "Akai Ito."
Mizobata's co-hosts on the new show are talento Mari Sekine and announcer Masaaki Horio. The first episode is scheduled for October 5.
Sun, September 14, 2008 (1:27am EDT)
Talento Miho Yoshioka, 28, is expecting her second child, it was learned on Saturday. Yoshioka, who married SHAZNA vocalist Izam in November 2006, gave birth to a son the following April. The second child is due this November.
Sun, September 14, 2008 (1:02am EDT)
As reported in August, visual-kei band Versailles has decided to change their name due to a conflict with a U.S. artist. Their new name has finally been revealed as "Versailles -Philharmonic Quintet-." However, the name is expected to only be used for the band's U.S. activities.
The band accepted suggestions from fans last month, receiving tens of thousands of messages. For privacy reasons, the band did not reveal the identity of the person who submitted the chosen name.
In October, Versailles will be appearing at Anime USA in Arlington, Virginia, followed by a show in New York. As a gesture of thanks to their fans, the band has also made their new song "PRINCE" available for free online.
The band accepted suggestions from fans last month, receiving tens of thousands of messages. For privacy reasons, the band did not reveal the identity of the person who submitted the chosen name.
In October, Versailles will be appearing at Anime USA in Arlington, Virginia, followed by a show in New York. As a gesture of thanks to their fans, the band has also made their new song "PRINCE" available for free online.
