Mon, September 22, 2008 (2:44am EDT)
NTV is working on a new drama project in collaboration with Southern All Stars and management agency Amuse. 33 songs by Southern All Stars are being used as the motifs for a series of short dramas, each lasting approximately 10 minutes. Actor Yo Oizumi, said to be a big fan of the group, has been given the starring role.
This year, Southern All Stars and Amuse are celebrating their 30th anniversaries, and NTV is celebrating the 55th anniversary of its opening. As a result, the project is titled "Southern 30th x NTV 55th x Amuse 30th the Naminori Restaurant." Penned by screenwriter Ellie Omiya, the drama depicts Oizumi as the manager of an unopened restaurant in Chigasaki, Kanagawa.
The specific songs being used have not yet been decided. However, it has been announced that the episodes will not follow a regular schedule. The first of the 33 shorts will air during "Zoom In!! Saturday" on November 1, while the rest will be broadcast between then and November 9, at various times unknown by the viewers.
This year, Southern All Stars and Amuse are celebrating their 30th anniversaries, and NTV is celebrating the 55th anniversary of its opening. As a result, the project is titled "Southern 30th x NTV 55th x Amuse 30th the Naminori Restaurant." Penned by screenwriter Ellie Omiya, the drama depicts Oizumi as the manager of an unopened restaurant in Chigasaki, Kanagawa.
The specific songs being used have not yet been decided. However, it has been announced that the episodes will not follow a regular schedule. The first of the 33 shorts will air during "Zoom In!! Saturday" on November 1, while the rest will be broadcast between then and November 9, at various times unknown by the viewers.
Mon, September 22, 2008 (2:04am EDT)
It was announced in July that Koji Matsumoto's horror manga "Higanjima" has a live-action film in the works, being directed by Korean filmmaker Kim Tae-gyun. Now, part of the cast has been revealed, including the main character Akira Miyamoto.
19-year-old Hideo Ishiguro, who had his first lead role in the drama series "Elite Yankee Saburo," will be playing Akira. In the story, he and his friends head to an island in search of his missing brother (played by Dai Watanabe), only to discover that the island is full of vampires and other deadly creatures.
"Higanjima" is expected to hit theaters in fall 2009.
19-year-old Hideo Ishiguro, who had his first lead role in the drama series "Elite Yankee Saburo," will be playing Akira. In the story, he and his friends head to an island in search of his missing brother (played by Dai Watanabe), only to discover that the island is full of vampires and other deadly creatures.
"Higanjima" is expected to hit theaters in fall 2009.
Mon, September 22, 2008 (1:27am EDT)
Teen actor Kanata Hongo has been cast in the lead role of "GOTH," a live-action film adaptation of a novel by popular author Otsuichi. The story, about two high school students who have a strange fascination with murder, won a Honkaku Mystery Prize in 2003. Last October, it was announced that the American movie studio Fox Atomic was planning its own adaptation of the book.
Hongo's co-star is new actress Rin Takanashi. Gen Takahashi is directing, and filming has already been completed. Theatrical release is scheduled for late December.
Hongo's co-star is new actress Rin Takanashi. Gen Takahashi is directing, and filming has already been completed. Theatrical release is scheduled for late December.
