sunako_yue: (Default)
Yamaneko (Kazuya Kamenashi) is a mysterious thief. He steals money from people and corporations doing evil. In the process, he also exposes their evil deeds.

The_Mysterious_Thief_Yamaneko-p2

I'll have to admit that Ep. 1 and Ep. 8 were the best. First, with the introduction of Yamaneko. And the latter, because of the twist. Sure, that twist wasn't unexpected at all... I had a hunch after reading comments of people saying that "wth with ep. 8!" and the only possible thing was THAT happening, but there was also another thing happening that I certainly did not expect (like, deaths), so yeah, I watched those 2 episodes kinda glued to the screen.

The other episodes... MEH, to be honest. Sure, I was happy when I've read and saw the pictures of Horikita Maki and Kame meeting again, but the magic was kinda lost when I watched it.

Kame as Yamaneko... oh boy, ever since "One Pound Gospel" I was dying for another role like that one, where Kame is cute and silly and not the idol he is. Yes, Yamaneko is kind of silly, but Kame was still Kame. Not only his looks (his hairstyle in this dorama was THE WORST!! Specially when he was wearing that cap... only acceptable when he had his bags OUT of his forehead), he also wears that silly ring in the pinky finger that he ALWAYS wears, his earring, his mannerisms... everything yelled "I am Kame!". Which is one of the things I don't like about him.... he is like Kimura Takuya Nr. 2. Both of them, when you watch them on screen, are still them... they are NOT the character (most of the times, anyway).

Narimiya... what an awful hairstyle. But he was good, and he certainly looked like a cat! He could have been a fantastic Yamaneko, although he was also great as.... ehem, the character he portrayed.

It is true when they say that once you have seen a bunch of doramas, you have met all actors. Everyone was familiar! From Inui-san (my, his big eyes!) to Sekimoto-san... there were a couple of HERO's too...

The story was good, but sometimes it was all over the place. I think it would have been better if it was a movie instead of a dorama... there was no need for a couple of things. And I really wished we were shown more of Kame's skills as a thief.. more breaking locks, more fights, etc.

Not a bad dorama, but I wasn't hooked in at least half of the episodes, meaning it wasn't as good as I was hoping.

**My rating: 6.5/10**
sunako_yue: (Default)
Set along a backdrop of a fictitious second world war at an international city in Asia.

In Japan, Lieutenant Colonel Yuki (Yusuke Iseya) recommends the creation of spy training school "D Kikan". Meanwhile, Kato (Kazuya Kamenashi) is facing capital punishment for his refusal to follow a superior's order. Kato is then scouted by "D Kikan". He goes through a harsh training regiment and faces his first mission as a spy.

In order to seize American ambassador Graham's confidential documents "Black Note." Kato infiltrates into an international city. A battle to gain possession of the "Black Note" ensues between Kato, a mysterious woman named Rin (Kyoko Fukada), the British Spy Agency, the Soviet Spy Agency and the radical army in Japan.


Joker_Game_(Japanese_Movie)-p02

This was a great movie, lots of action and spy things. I haven't seen this kind of thing since... well, I don't remember. I liked how Kato was so good in his training (disguising and picking locks). I feel like the movie did not make so much use of his abilities. I can't believe that Koide Keisuke plays at first a bully. He has such a nice face. But he was awesome (as always). The guy who played Colonel Yuki was so good. First time I see this man. He has a strong presence. Reminded me a little of Cillian Murphy.

As for Kame, I am so proud to say he did an incredible job as a spy. Generally speaking, I prefer to see him in goofy roles (like in "One Pound of Gospel") but he was very good and credible in his spy role, getting into fights and running. He looked so tiny here. His face, his body.... I love his hair in this movie. It suits him so well. He has to speak English several times in the movie... I admit I did not understand him a couple of times, but overall he did a good job. So cute! Kame speaking English <3

To be honest, I don't like Kyoko so much as an actress. She is so wooden, like she is some kind of doll. All stiff and beautiful. No idea if she did any surgery to her face (she was pretty even back then), but surprisingly, she did a good job here. I guess you don't need to have acting skills to be in an action movie (sorry Kame! I am talking about her only). And again, I feel like the female role was a bit MEH. At the beginning, it was very MEH. Again a guy, who is supposed to be cold and composed, gets involved with a problematic, yet beautiful woman. An insta-love (on Kato's side), which is always bothersome for me.

Not sure if the Japanese people who choose the casting are happy to have anyone who is foreign and who can speak English, but to me the English speaking actors were bad. Not the first time I think this. It is like they overreact in their speech or something.

It ends in a way that make the audience want to have more (so please director, make a sequel!).

Excellent soundtrack (I looooove "Dead or Alive").

My rating: 8.5/10
sunako_yue: (Default)
Since I am without internet conection at home, I thought I was not going to make it to post a HB to my dear Kame-chan. But I am still on time...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAZU-CHAN! OMEDETOU GOSSAIMAISSU! FELIZ CUMPLE, TORTUGUITA!
sunako_yue: (Default)
Kiritani Shuji is the popular guy who gets along with everyone, from the jerks to the nerds to the just plain weird. The one person Shuji cannot stand is Kusano Akira. To Shuji, Akira is just plain annoying. He laughs, talks and acts funny. Things heat up when a new student comes to school. Her name is Kotani Nobuko, a girl who has no self confidence at all and is content at being made fun of and bullied in school. Shuji and Akira come to an accord that in order to make use of their youth they will produce Nobuko as the next popular girl. One of the conditions, however, is that nobody should find out that they are working together as a team to make this concept possible. Unveiled here is the story of true friendship between three unlikely candidates who would not have been friends if not given the special circumstances.

Episodes: 10
***************************************************************************************************

I re-watched and finished it yesterday; first time I liked it and certain scenes made me teary-eyed; second time I was not so emotional but I liked it even more (maybe because I downloaded the HQ resolution, and the colors were more vivid). I remember that I was reluctant at first to watch it: Kame was too skinny, almost a skeleton, I am not a fan of Horikita Maki and I don't like Yamapi. But seems like people who are fan of Kame but don't like Yamapi, like him in this dorama; and vice-versa; people fan of Yamapi that don't like Kame like him here.

Why is that? It is impossible to deny their chemistry together. Of course, not only between them two, but Maki included as well. It is one of the greatest things in the dorama; their camaraderie.

Nobuta-wo-Produce[1]

The Positive:

-  The story is about friendship, more than anything. It is also about bullying, but only a tiny bit. The bullying is what leads to friendship. At first it resembles to Kimi Ni Todoke a little bit (and some parts to Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge). Nobuta is a gloomy girl (new at school) and everyone thinks she is weird. That scene where Bando and her friends attacked her in the bathroom is the same as in KnT, only that instead of Chizu and Ayane going to defend her; Akira is the only one to help her.

- The characters: no doubt the best one is Akira (shock!). Like I mentioned before, I don't like Yamapi. He is too stiff when he acts, when he performs, when he just is. I watched Kurosagi and it was a pain. But here he was adorable, and he is never dramatic and he is the best friend Nobuta and Shuuji could have. Mariko (Toda Erika) was the sweetest and best girl, I could not understand how Shuuji could not fall for her. And she looked beautiful in this dorama. Even the bully girls redeem eventually, and even though they were mean without a valid reason, it was impossible to hate them at the end.

- The soundtrack: "Seishun Amigo" is one of my favorite JE songs; it has been a while since the first time I listened to it but I got never bored or tired of it. No wonder it was a hit in its time. But it is not only this song the highlight in the soundtrack. I absolutely adore "Green Willow" and "Gakkou no Okudou de..". The melodies are so sweet and they suited perfectly each touching moment.

- The camera angles; the director is a genius. The background was impressive; or the angles where every character was filmed; the light, everything.

- KamePi: I still wonder how on Earth they were not paired anymore since this dorama. Obviously together they are a synonym of success. I know that in real life they are not friends (although they "supposedly" are, but I don't buy it). I think that Kame does not have any problem with Yamapi, but Yamapi did not like him at all years ago, and I don't think he changed his mind (more like, he tolerates Kame now). But they had an incredible chemistry in the show (and while they were promoting too), and it was so sweet that final scene were they are at the beach <3

The Negative:

- Being a drama show, it has it cheesiness moments. Like the two supernatural scenes: one with the ghosts and the other with the image of the bully girl on the grass. Or Nobuta and her characteristic saying "Nobura Power.. Activate!" (but I admit I liked "Bye-bycicle" and "Kon-kon" -+ the sign with the hand- and "Akira Shock"). And Delphine and the Vice-principal are like the Virtue characters but they are also cheesy and cartoonish (although I ended up liking them).

- At the beginning I wanted to shake Nobuta, because she doesn't try to stop her bullies or at least try to say anything. Maybe because I was comparing her to Sawako. Nobuta was with her head down all the time, it was unnerving. Eventually I got used to it, but it was a bit painful at the start.

Overall, it was a beautiful school drama, and very recommended, even to people who don't like KamePi (or Kame alone or Pi alone). And it is worth to have the whole soundtrack of the dorama; I am currently listening to it and it is ... awwww... lovely.

My rating: 9/10
sunako_yue: (Default)
I have no idea why I have never heard/read anything about this story. Seems like it is a very popular manga (which I intend to read eventually). And how come I have never read that Kame made a movie with Ueno Juri!!? Who happens to be one of my favorite actresses. I am happy with all the costars Kame had so far: Horikita Maki, Ayase Haruka, Tabe Mikako, Kuroki Meisa, Anne and Ueno Juri. Not only beautiful girls of the same generation, but they also can act.

The beginning of this movie is excellent for any hyphen: starts with Ueno Juri (Nodame-chan!) in school with Koki, Maru and Kame. That's right, 3 members of KAT-TUN! I was pleasantly surprised about this fact, I had no idea about this.

The movie is a mystery with a touch of scariness. It is actually similar to "And then there were none" but with a bit of paranormal elements. A group of people is spending time in a far-away hotel, Hajime (Kame) and his childhood friend Miyuki (Ueno Juri), among others. Hajime is kind of a womanizer and also the grandson of a famous detective. One night Miyuki is attacked by the vampire, along with another guest, who then is murdered. Eventually, other people get killed and Hajime, in order to help his friend (who is a suspect), uses his skills to catch the murderer.

I liked the movie because I love mysteries. The whole time there was a fog surrounding the hotel, which help to make it more eerie. Kame was great as Hajime; I prefer him in roles that are not the kakkoi type; Hajime was cool but also more relaxed and kind of baka when it came to girls.

kin
My rating is: 9/10
sunako_yue: (Default)
WOW, I am surprised at how much I loved this movie! It was sweet and well-narrated and with a touching and believable story. One of the flaws I usually find in Japanese dramas is that they are or corny, or over the top. But this one wasn't. Being a tourist in a foreign country makes the bond with new friends stronger, so it was believable that Yuuki liked his new friends so much, and vice-versa. Or course, once back in Japan, everyone goes to his/her own way and loses touch.

But Yuuki, once he finds out he is sick, gets all his friends back together. I got to say that this may be Kame's best acting. I love when he plays a normal, smiley guy, over a kakkoi one. Yuuki was nice, and positive, and energetic. When he smiled, although he was there, lying sick in a hospital bed, moved me to tears. And it was not only the fault Kame's beautiful smile. And the fact that it was around that time when he was so skinny...
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I loved all characters. The one playing Junji was excellent, specially that scene when Yuuki tells him he wants to work in his travel agency, and Junji cannot avoid the tears. I even liked Oguri Shun's character, who is the usual cool, silence guy Oguri can play so well.

The line Yuuki says to his friend Youchie, the one "to comprehend a year/week/day/" etc, it was super sad :( The soundtrack was also super sad, it matched some parts of the movie so well. It definitely helped to shed some tears.

Highly recommended, and not only because of Kame.

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My rating: 10/10
sunako_yue: (Default)
As I am writing this post, Kame may be either 1)partying (which I doubt) or, 2)in bed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAME-CHAN!

I wish you all the happiness in the world, and plenty of success in your career, and that you find someone who loves you as you are and makes you happy!

My beautiful Kame, even in his awful days he looks beautiful, even when he looks like hell he looks like an angel.

I know he is not perfect. In fact, there are several things I do not like about him:

- When he is slutty on stage. Specially when he does that thing with his chubby fingers. He doesn't need to.
- Sometimes, when in interviews he talks so much he does not give the other members an opportunity to talk.
- When is is too self-aware about his looks (OK, I get he is an idol, but your hair does not need to be in the same place all the time??).

I do not remember what else....

But the things I absolutely love about him:

- When he is all smiles and a bit shy and awkward around his sempais (in Ousama Brunch with Kimura Takuya, in VS Arashi, in TOKIO Takeru, in Domoto Kyodai.)
- I love that he gets along with the Grand Sempais, like Kimura and Matchy.
- How happy he is when playing baseball. It is so cute it hurts.
- When he is promoting his movie/doramas: he looks so happy and proud (promoting Gokusen he was all smiles; Yokai, he was so proud of his fellow members)
- When he cannot hide his feelings: in Cartoon Season 3, it was so obvious he hated Akanishi's guts. He could not disguised his feeling at all.
- His solos: Kizuna and Someday for Somebody. They move me to tears.
- That he is more an "ojisan" than a party-boy. Sometimes it makes me sad to think he is so loner, but as I am a loner too, I can understand him.
- How much he changed: he used to be so "look at me, I am the best", but he is more relaxed now, more humble.
- How proud he is of being a KAT-TUN, so proud he hates when someone is not (ehem, we all know who was not loyal). I like that he mentions KAT-TUN in every opportunity he has, and that when all the others are mean, let's say, to Junno, he is not.

In summary, I love him when he is happy =)
sunako_yue: (Default)
Who is she? Well, she is the mangaka of one of my favorite mangas, Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge. Where and what I would be without this manga, I shiver to think of. This manga is silly most of the times, but as funny as hell. It has several amazing character, but my favorite one will always be Nakahara Sunako.

She is a very original character, if we talk about shojos, where most of the times the girl is "nice, cute, energetic, optimistic", blah, blah, blah. Sunako is, in contrast to these girls, dark, kind of crazy, weird, introvert. I enjoy reading every single volumen of the manga. Then, I started watching the anime, and I loved it! Sunako's voice suits her perfectly. I love this seiyu, she is Nakahara Sunako. And while I was getting a bit tired of Sunako-chibi all the time in the manga, the anime made me realize that her chibi is the best and certainly, adorable.
Isn't she the cutest chibi?

Then I found out there was a dorama. I was skeptical to watch it. Why? Because I have never watched a Japanese TV series in my life. The only TV shows I watched were, or Latins, or from USA or British. And when I looked at the poster, I was convinced I would not like it.

Everything was wrong, I thought the first time I looked at this picture. Kyohei is not blond. Takenaga is not black-haired. There was a boy! Who the hell was that little boy? And all the bishies did not look handsome to me. But then I read the comments of people who watched it, and all of them were positives, I decided to watch it.

And I am soooo glad I did. I loved the dorama. I laughed a lot, I even liked the little boy. All actors were amazing. Sometimes it bothered me that Sunako was such a secondary character, but that was my only complain. I fell in love with the 4 boys, who were, after all, bishounen. It took me a couple of episodes to realize that. I was captivated by Kyohei's perfect eyebrows. Then I was captivated by Kyohei's perfect lips. And perfect smile.

Once I finished watching the dorama, I started to read about these boys. I found out 3 of them were from the same agency, Johnny's Entertainment. But because I was over heels for Kyohei, Kamenashi Kazuya, I started to watch several videos in Youtube and came to know the TV show of his band, KAT-TUN.

The rest is history. From KAT-TUN, to News and Kanjani8 (because of Tego and Uchi), and then Arashi and SMAP. I love these boys. So thank you, Tomoko Hayakawa, because if it wasn't for your wonderful manga, I would not have known the existence of the Johnnys.

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