- たまたま (Tamatama/By Chance, 2011) – Opened in Japan last month. It’s hard to tell what this film is about, but there is a magical-whimsical feel to the trailer. No wonder perhaps – the film is set in Ireland. Soundtrack is performed by the Icelandic band Sigur Rós.
- アントキノイノチ (Antoki no Inochi/Life Back Then, 2011) – Opens in Japan on November 19. Antoki no Inochi has been screened at a several international film festivals already and won the “Innovation Award” at the Montreal World Film Festival. I will keep my fingers crossed for Raindance or the Terracotta Far East Festival to pick it up in the near future. One of the film’s leads is Okada Masaki, whom I keep noticing. He has only been in the profession since 2006 (Masaki-kun is just 22), but has done quite few projects with interesting themes. Although he has been stuck in some not-so-great productions [the dorama オトメン(乙男) (Otomen) lacked punch; ハルフウェイ (Harufuwei/Halfway) was a could-have-been-good film if only it had had a better script] in the past, I’m going to keep watching out for him because somehow I feel there’s potential there.
- Wuthering Heights (2011) – A new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s gothic novel. Opened in UK cinemas on November 11. Brooding and dark trailer – looking very good.
- 星空 (Starry Starry Nights, 2011) - After 九降风 (Winds of September, 2008), this is the second film by Chinese director Tom Lin and was set to be released on November 3, 2011. It is based on the illustrated novel by Jimmy Liao.* There is a version of this film floating around the internet, but after watching five minutes of it, I want a) a quality DVD of the real thing and b) the soundtrack, because just those few minutes are fabulously scored!
N.B. Not to be confused with 2003 drama of same (English) title.
Trailer (not subtitled) – On the website, scroll down for the trailer.
*I just realised I own a copy of Jimmy Liao’s 向左走 向右走/A Chance of Sunshine (the fully Mandarin version!), because my (non-Mandarin speaking) parents picked up a copy during some visit to Taiwan a few years ago. Although I could never read a word of it, it’s a wonderfully enchanting book – Liao’s lovely illustrations are enough to understand the sweet love story he tells in it in its pages. Apparently, that book also inspired a film: 向左走·向右走/Turn Left, Turn Right. I’m now wondering whether the makers of Medianeras were aware of this story?
(illustrations from 向左走 向右走/A Chance of Sunshine)
Japanese movies are usually interesting to watch. They always have elements that touch you or surprise you. As for the other movies you’ve mentioned, I’ll check them out.
Last week, I had the surprise to hear that “Colorful” will be released in French theaters. Did you see this movie? Looks mighty interesting…
I really feel like watching アントキノイノチ, but after watching the trailer, I’m kind of wary of Eikura’s skills.
Okada Masaki looks real fine, and I feel like he blended with his character, but Eikura Nana feels…bland. More like, the character’s heavy story was too hard to handle?
Ok, that’s pretty stupid to judge so much from a 2min trailer so I’ll reserve my judgement for now, until I see the movie!
I hadn’t even heard of カラフル (Colorful) – but it looks very interesting (I like animated films!). I’m going to look out for it in London cinemas. I’m hopeful – if they release it in Paris, chances are it’ll come out in London too.
I’m not too sure about Eikura Nana. I checked – and I did see something she acted in previously: 僕は妹に恋をする (Boku wa Imouto ni Koi o Suru/I Love My Younger Sister, in which she starred alongside Matsujun). Honestly, I can’t remember her acting. Generally the live-action film was alright, but not amazing. That wasn’t necessarily because of the acting – the script itself was rather average (the manga it is based on is so-so as well).
I’ll let you know what I think when I manage to watch アントキノイノチ!
Spirited Away is my favorite animated film. If you know any films that can top this one let me know.
Depends on what you have seen! I like Miyazaki’s Spirited Away, but isn’t my favourite one (though it is near the top). Mononoke Hime and Howl’s Moving Castle I probably like just a little bit more, and I also love Hosoda’s Toki o Kakeru Shoujo (The Girl Who Leapt through Time). And have you watched any Shinkai Makoto? Well, he’s still refining his craft, but is worth watching too (and worth watching his progression as an anime film maker).
Nope haven’t seen those. Thanks for the recommendations. What about animes? Do you have any favorite animes you watch? One of my favorites is Skip Beat!
Try anything Studio Ghibli if you haven’t yet worked your way through their films yet (I still have to see about half their productions). Kon Satoshi (Paprika, Perfect Blue, Millennium Princess) is supposed to be excellent as well, but haven’t watched anything by him yet.
I have seen very few anime series, no more than a handful really. Only 東のエデン (Higashi no Eden/Eden of the East), parts of Kimi ni Todoke and parts of Hourou Musuko. I will probably stick to animated films for now.
I have got reviews for Toki o Kakeru Shoujo, Hoshi o Ou Kodomo (Shinkai Makoto’s most recent work) and Karigurashi no Arrietty (a recent Studio Ghibli production) on this blog by the way.
I searched a bit and found out that カラフル (Colorful) screened at the Leeds International Film Festival TODAY! And that it recently screened at Edinburgh’s Scotland Loves Anime too (wasn’t aware of this festival – I’ll remember it for next year, because it’s always good to have an excuse to go up to Scotland). Still hoping it will be shown in London at some point – there is an animation festival (LIAF) here in August, so that might be my best bet. We’ll see.
Is the anime going on general release across French cinemas?
I saw the poster on the Publicis theater (Champs-Elysées), so it’s released in Paris, and after a quick search on the distributor website (Kazé), I can confirm it’s released nationwide.
Aww!!!!! That’s too bad..
I feel guilty since I wanted to drop the info as soon as I heard about the release…you could have made it…But no use crying over spill milk, I’m sure it’ll be shown in London as well!
Well, I doubt I would have ventured to Leeds… a bit far to go for a film. Although for Edinburgh – which is farther away – I might have been tempted… but that’s because I’ll never say no to visiting Edinburgh, which holds a special place in my heart. But you’re right, no use crying over spilt milk!
Thanks a lot alua. I will definitely look into those animes, but I have seen Kimi ni Todoke. Have you seen the live adaptation movie of Kimi ni Todoke? I loved it.
I’ll look into the reviews you mentioned as well. There are so many things to watch and so little time.
I very hastily watched the live-action adaptation long time ago. Have to rewatch it at some point – I remember thinking that the actress didn’t quite fit my idea of Sawako (she’s so tiny and child-like in the manga, which I think is an important aspect of her character, and the actress only had that partially. Plus I really wanted her to have that super-long hair and the dark look she has in the manga. Being picky, I know.)
You might enjoy 東のエデン (Higashi no Eden/Eden of the East), it’s kind of ‘out there’ and I didn’t like the heroine all that much (too empty headed), but the hero, Takizawa Akira, as much as he was a jerk at times, was a character I could appreciate. There is an anime series, plus two movies that chronologically come after the series.
Hourou Musuko, meanwhile, is based on a gender-bender manga. But it’s a quite interesting example of it: not just someone-pretending-to-be-the-opposite-gender, but there are two characters that actually want to be the opposite gender. So in the end it tackles the issue of crossdressing/ transgender, which is quite intriguing, given that these are often taboo topics. I guess the manga/anime gets away with it by simply placing itself into that established gender-bender genre, but if I knew any teens struggling with their gender-identity in that way, that would be the first manga/anime I would point them to.