Sun, December 14, 2008 (6:16pm EST)
37-year-old talento and former yokozuna Masaru Hanada (also known as Wakanohana) revealed on Saturday that he has remarried. During a television taping in Osaka, he mentioned that he just registered his marriage on Friday to a 28-year-old former kindergarten teacher said to resemble actress Ryoko Kuninaka. The couple met about a year ago through a friend.
Hanada previously married an ex-model named Mieko in 1994, but they divorced last year after living separately for five years. They had four children between them.
Hanada previously married an ex-model named Mieko in 1994, but they divorced last year after living separately for five years. They had four children between them.
Sun, December 14, 2008 (5:47pm EST)
The action-horror film "Higanjima" has found its female lead in an unknown actress. 17-year-old Miori Takimoto, who has just signed with Stardust Promotion, will be making her acting debut as the heroine of the story.
The movie is a Japan-Korea collaboration directed by Kim Tae-gyun that was announced this past summer. Based on a manga by Koji Matsumoto, it stars Hideo Ishiguro ("Elite Yankee Saburo") as a high schooler searching for his brother on a mysterious island full of vampires and other creatures. Takimoto will play the romantic interest of Ishiguro's character.
Although Takimoto has not done acting before, she is not completely new to show business. She was once a member of the Avex-signed idol group SweetS, which was active between 2003 and 2006. After being scouted by an agent earlier this year and joining Stardust in August, she passed the "Higanjima" audition to take the role. Her style is being compared to actress Yuko Takeuchi, and Takimoto herself said that she has adored Takeuchi ever since she watched the drama series "Lunch Queen."
"Higanjima" is planned for release in fall 2009.
The movie is a Japan-Korea collaboration directed by Kim Tae-gyun that was announced this past summer. Based on a manga by Koji Matsumoto, it stars Hideo Ishiguro ("Elite Yankee Saburo") as a high schooler searching for his brother on a mysterious island full of vampires and other creatures. Takimoto will play the romantic interest of Ishiguro's character.
Although Takimoto has not done acting before, she is not completely new to show business. She was once a member of the Avex-signed idol group SweetS, which was active between 2003 and 2006. After being scouted by an agent earlier this year and joining Stardust in August, she passed the "Higanjima" audition to take the role. Her style is being compared to actress Yuko Takeuchi, and Takimoto herself said that she has adored Takeuchi ever since she watched the drama series "Lunch Queen."
"Higanjima" is planned for release in fall 2009.
Sun, December 14, 2008 (5:29pm EST)
The individual winners of the 30th Yokohama Film Festival have been announced. Yojiro Takita's "Okuribito" continued its award-winning streak with two prizes, taking Best Picture and Best Director.
Kaoru Kobayashi took Best Actor for his starring roles in "Kyuuka" and "Kanki no Uta." Eiko Koike was named Best Actress for "Seppun."
Best Supporting Actor was given to Hidetoshi Nishijima for several roles, while Kimiko Yo and Ryoko Hirosue both received Best Supporting Actress. The Best Newcomer prizes went to Sarara Tsukifune, Riisa Naka, and Anna Ishibashi. Yoshitaka Mori was named Best New Director for "Hyakuhachi."
A list of the "best ten" Japanese films was also announced:
The presentation ceremony for the awards will take place on February 1.
Kaoru Kobayashi took Best Actor for his starring roles in "Kyuuka" and "Kanki no Uta." Eiko Koike was named Best Actress for "Seppun."
Best Supporting Actor was given to Hidetoshi Nishijima for several roles, while Kimiko Yo and Ryoko Hirosue both received Best Supporting Actress. The Best Newcomer prizes went to Sarara Tsukifune, Riisa Naka, and Anna Ishibashi. Yoshitaka Mori was named Best New Director for "Hyakuhachi."
A list of the "best ten" Japanese films was also announced:
- Okuribito (Yojiro Takita)
- Gururi no Koto (Ryosuke Hashiguchi)
- Aruitemo Aruitemo (Hirokazu Koreeda)
- Yami no Kodomotachi (Junji Sakamoto)
- United Red Army (Koji Wakamatsu)
- Seppun (Kunitoshi Manda)
- Tokyo Sonata (Kiyoshi Kurosawa)
- Climber's High (Masato Harada)
- Kimi no Tomodachi (Ryuichi Hiroki)
- Kyuuka (Hajime Kadoi)
The presentation ceremony for the awards will take place on February 1.
Sun, December 14, 2008 (12:13am EST)
Film studio Toho has announced that as of November, the movies it has distributed this year have amassed a total of roughly 70 billion yen in revenue. The studio anticipates that it will end the year at about 74 to 75 billion yen.
This sets a new record for Toho. Last year was the company's previous best, at 59.5 billion yen. One of the biggest contributors to the studio's success this year is Hayao Miyazaki's "Gake no Ue no Ponyo," which took in more than 15 billion yen alone. Toho also released multiple successful drama-to-film adaptations, including "Hana Yori Dango Final" and "Yougisha x no Kenshin."
This sets a new record for Toho. Last year was the company's previous best, at 59.5 billion yen. One of the biggest contributors to the studio's success this year is Hayao Miyazaki's "Gake no Ue no Ponyo," which took in more than 15 billion yen alone. Toho also released multiple successful drama-to-film adaptations, including "Hana Yori Dango Final" and "Yougisha x no Kenshin."
