So sorry I went AWOL for almost two weeks, but I caught a cold. In June. After I went through winter without even sneezing *sigh* I just CAN'T do things the way normal people do, it seems. It was pretty nasty and for all I know, it might have been Swine flu. If it was though, it doesn't seem I've passed it on to anyone. I have a good idea when I caught whatever I got, and after that I've only been with colleagues and a few friends, and haven't been in close quarters with other people until I was really ill, and the couple of people I know who also got ill actually became so before me. Anyway, whatever it was, I must have had a touch of hay fever thrown in the mix, because I would feel worse at my workplace (my eyes start to sting, my nose runs constantly, etc.) and I know from experience there must be something growing there that I'm more sensitive to, as I've had hay fever symptoms at work around this time of the year since I've been there. And of course, the whole thing would block my sinuses which led to heachache after headache.....


Anyway, I'm better now. I've managed to scan the whole of Madame Figaro Japan February issue which is in answer to a few requests made over at jmagazinescans - I just need to photoshop the lot and upload it, so the matter of a couple of days, normally *fingers crossed* Started also taking screencaps from Red Cliff part 1 which I have now seen two times; I must say I've come to really love Nakamura Shidou (Japanese kabuki and movie actor) in this: he just has these great facial expressions that had me laugh and want to hug him simultaneously. Generally speaking, I found the generals more entertaining than the leads (I think John Woo seriously overindulged in his "men coming together" fetish to the point that it becomes distracting in the middle section of the movie) with the exception of Chang Chen who has a more complex character and plays the nuances well


I've also seen Female Prisoner #701 - Jailhouse 41 again which I'll probably review right after Red Cliff part 1. And I've seen the last part of North and South over on BBC Four and must say it was one great episode! I know I owe salimbol to write at least some details about it but it will come in another post - it's already getting pretty late :p

Another thing that I'll owe her and quite a few other people are more Masaya Kato pics - I WILL get to it, in fact I *am* getting to it *hint hint* especially since I have more dvds coming in over the next couple of weeks AND he'll be in a new tv show starting next week already (in a guise we haven't been used to see him in so far, as he warned in his blog. Unfortunately I don't have any good quality picture to show, but let's just say that when I saw a tiny illustration of what he meant by that, I spit my tea all over the keyboard :p). Now let's hope that KeyHole TV does its job this time around and that I actually get to see it when it is broadcasted on TV Tokyo *shake fist*


( Because I'm such a tease and it's just too funny not to share )

Ok, finally managed to post that review of Female Prisoner #701 - Scorpion, which you can find here. It is both more detailed than planned yet very frustrating because the more I was writing, the more I was thinking "Oh yeah, there was that too....". It's such a rich movie, both visually and thematically, that from the moment you start detailing some aspects, it becomes very hard to know where to stop. At any rate, I hope curious minds will give it a go, because that's definitely an experience like few others....

Oh, and I am currently uploading pictures to add - hopefully they will already be available when you get there - if not, please give it a try a little later on ^-^

I have received, among others, the Goemon OST and am being completely hooked. I won't be seeing the movie before a while yet (I will have to wait for it to come out on DVD in Japan), so I really can't comment there except that reviews are, once again, very mixed. Still, I can't wait to see music and images brought together now *g*

And, because I know some people would probably get very upset at me if I didn't post it now, here is another Masaya Kato photoshoot, this one from Uomo of December 2008, which is pretty much a promotional shooting for a Swiss luxury watch brand (they were holding an event at their new shop the following month and Masaya Kato was their main guest, so I guess this explains that).....yeah, yeah, I know, Swiss have great taste like that *cough cough*

( Warning: highly handsome man under the cut )

Already posted the screencaps of Female Prisoner #701 - Scorpion here. It is however for members only: if people are interested, I might post them somewhere where everyone could have access though

I am currently writing the movie review which I'll probably have up by tomorrow; I'm also looking forward to watch the following movie in the series, Female Prisoner #701 - Jailhouse 41, which is the movie that got me started on the series in the first place. And of course there's also Red Cliff part 1, now that I've got it with English subtitles (as well as the Japanese guide book, he!)

As for other news, I was sad to learn that David Carradine had passed away; I've never actively followed his carrier but I've certainly enjoyed everything I've seen of him....also giving me pause of course is the anniversary of Tiananmen Square, or rather the way the Chinese government is trying its hardest to supress the memory. Not that it is surprising in any way, but it is a sad reminder that, while a growing part of the population has access to the "capitalist" way of life, some things will not change as easily. More than the issue of democratization though, what pains me the most is the way parents and family of those who've died must suffer in silence, and that's just not right

And because I want to end this post on a lighter note:

Hugh "Wolverine" Jackman and James Bond together on Broadway - this time it's confirmed!

I am slowly getting over my deception at not getting to watch [二重裁判] - btw, thanks to everyone who's expressed their sympathy at LJ or elsewhere - yes, I know, it's not as if it was even remotely important in the greater scheme of things, but I was really, really looking forward to it

Did manage to finish all the stuff that I wanted to do for other people, that is a) the first article (covering Neolithic to Shang Dynasty) in a series introducing Chinese History to beginners (it's very academic though - it's not that I don't want to make them fun, I am just not good enough of a writer to know how. I am planning to post it on my own site a little jazzed up with map and pictures though) and b) scanned Shel'tter and uploaded it. It was a real battle with my scanner but we made it through, whoohoo! Now to scan Marie-Claire Japan's February issue (although I'll probably start with the scanning of another Kato photoshoot, due to....popular demand! Who would have guessed? Now if only the people who are running his website would take their cue and alter the sign up process to allow people living outside Japan to join)

On the other hand I'm late on everything else I wanted to do since last week (although I have watched part 3 of North and South....and can't WAIT to see part 4 now *bite nails*). I thought I could start making up for lost time yesterday but a headache made sure I wouldn't - just managed to upload Shel'tter before crawling to bed. At least I'm feeling better now so there's hope I can get at least a glimpse of all the DVDs I received last Saturday, especially since my last Amazon order has apparently arrived in Geneva as well, meaning I'll probably get that by tomorrow on top of everything else

PS: am now home for lunch and discovered I had already received the Yakuza Papers box set which I think I've ordered from the US about ten days ago!!!!! I can hardly believe they've been so fast, but definitely good news there *g* Now, to finish watching all six movies in the Sasori series before watching all five movies (plus one dvd full of extras) included in this box.....well, at least I won't get bored anytime soon, that's for sure!

PS2 (EDIT): Congratulations are in order for Masaya Kato as it has just been announced that he's landed the lead in the Japanese movie "Sakura Sakura" which, if I got that correctly, will be a biopic on Japanese chemist (who spent a good part of his life in America) Jokichi Takamine. Original article is here

I seriously could scream. I've been looking forward to watch [二重裁判] ("Two-sided judgement"), a one-off drama featuring Masaya Kato which premiers today on TBS. Now, I usually can watch this channel through the KeyHoleTV software, which allows you to receive most analogic Japanese tv channels, as well as quite a few Japanese radio stations (and it's all perfectly legal!). Only I've just opened the program to find out that TBS is NOT on the list of channels right now. NHK has been on and off, but it's the first time I can remember TBS disappearing as well. Of all the days....

I seriously feel like crying right now. I have been looking forward to this for WEEKS (I think the announcement of [二重裁判] being shown on TBS dates at least back to the middle of April)....now my only hope is that some good soul will put it on the internet, but seeing as it isn't a serial jdorama, I'm not holding my breath....

At least I've finished scanning Shel'tter - just need a bit of photoshoping before I can put it up though

First a word of apologize to everyone who's asked me to scan the Shel'tter Spring 2009 issue. I am sorry but my scanner gave up on me, and it took a month before I could have it more or less fixed. I have now re-started scanning this mag but can only spare about two hours a day for it, which means 20 pages scanned, and this one has more than 240, so you do the maths :s Anyhoo, I'm now past halfway so with a little bit of luck, I may get around to upload the whole thing sometime this weekend *fingers crossed*

Still, I HATE promising something and not being able to deliver, and I did say I would have it up last month *hang head in shame*

I've finally gotten around to watching the first in the Sasori series, Female Prisoner #701 - Scorpion, a couple of times now (they've released the complete boxed series in French which I bought....last year :p). Maybe it was because I was expecting it not to be as good as the one that made me discover this series (Female Convict Scorpion: Jailhouse 41) that I was so pleasantly surprised. Now, I don't think it quite as good as "Jailhouse 41", but it is nonetheless very much cult material, and for mostly good reasons. Yes, it is a Pinky eiga, (S)exploitation, WIP movie, which means you'll see plenty of naked women and blood spilling, but it is done in a way that's hardly shocking. Instead, Shunya Ito, the director, has chosen to be disturbing (the early rape scene, which is filmed in a way that shows you little more than heads and arms, yet will be burned in your brain for years to come, especially if you're a woman) which, coupled with stunning visuals and clever camera work (only topped by "Jailhouse 41") allow the movie to elevate itself way above your average exploitation fare

And then of course there's Meiko Kaji. She's in almost every scene, and close-ups on her face abound, but who can blame Ito? She's the stuff legends are made of

I hope to have screencaps (plenty of interesting stuff to show with this one *g*) and a full review up around the weekend as well. Especially since I have the first two parts of 実録・広島四代目 (実録 - meaning "Authentic Accounts" - are a series of Japanese Yakuza V-movie, and this one, made in 2004, stars Masaya Kato) as well as the Samurai 7 stage adaptation DVD and photobook (and Goemon promotional material) in the post and on their way from Japan (hopefully soon to be joined by 激動の1750日 - "The 1750 Terrible Days" - another V-movie for which I've only found positive reviews so far). Between that and the special drama airing on TBS next Monday, which also guest-stars Kato, I'll probably be too busy drooling and squeeing to be much use at anything else really *whistle*

Posted the review of the 2CD+DVD re-release of Radiohead's OK Computer over there

Things decidedly went against me last night. First, hot on the trail of salimbol's recommendation, I was looking into getting the North and South BBC mini-series. Only, I found out they had just started showing it on BBC Four.....five minutes before the first part ended!!!!!!! That was enough to make me want to pull a few hair

Then, I was planning to watch Red Cliff part I (at last!): now, I've bought that absolutely magnificent box they did in Japan, but it doesn't have English subtitles (only Chinese and Japanese - unlike some of the other Chinese blockbusters which also included English subs). So I ordered a dirty cheap version off Ebay which included English subs to watch once in order to get familiar with the story, then to pass over to friends. Only it turns out they've sent part II instead of part I (although the cover pictures are different, it only says it's "Red Cliff", not which part it is), so my whole "let's drool over enjoy having Tony Leung, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Chen Chang together on my screen" plan went down the drain the minute I popped the DVD into my computer player :-( Which I guess will teach me about the consequences of not caring whether or not what I order is a bootleg....

So no Red Cliff for probably another 10 days or so. Oh well, I guess I'll focus on The Wolves, which I've just received, as well as the Seven Samurai Criterion Special Edition instead, at least for the time being. So not that bad all things considered :p

On the other hand, what totally made my day was this report over at Outcast Cinema of an annoucement from Criterion Collection who are goning to publish not one but a box set of five Nikkatsu Action/Noir movies (and all that for an extremely reasonable price!). And they are gonna release it the month of my birthday to boot!!!!!

Got around to write my first entry for my review journal here; it's a review of the short animation movie Tsumiki no Ie which I've mentioned in my previous post

Also managed to move my *ss and actually got around to scan the Wolverine coverage from Studio Magazine and post it at jackman_daily. Now I only have the ton (ok, maybe not, but certainly a dozen or more) Japanese fashion mags to scan. I don't know when I'm ever gonna find the time to do it, but I WILL eventually....hopefully :p

Ok, I SWEAR I hadn't planned to watch it before the gazillion other dvds I had received before that one. It was an accident, as I was only trying to locate one scene in order to take a cap.....and ended up watching the whole first part of The Man in White, the other yakuza flick by Miike which also stars Masaya Kato. To be honest, I wasn't that impressed with it when I fast forwarded through it the first time around, which was rather disappointing considering how Agitator had blown me away pretty much from the word go. However, really watching it, I found it strangely compelling. I can't really explain why: Kenzuki and Higuchi in Agitator are characters which are immensly likeable from the very beginning, the nature of their occupation nonewithstanding. On the other hand, characters in Man in White are more difficult to connect with, but it's still riveting stuff. Maybe I'll be able to elaborate more when I have seen part 2, we'll see.....

Oh yeah, and it was THAT scene I was looking for. I just love the composition of the first, and the overall impact of the second. And you can guess why it's called "The Man in White" in English (even though the title in Japanese really translates as "The Unforgiven"). Sorry for the quality, but the DVD transfer is not that great.....then again, it's so difficult to get with subs that I am not really complaining there :p

( images under the cut )

Just posted screencaps from "Tsumiki no Ie" (also refered to as "La Maison en Petits Cubes"), by Katô Kunio here: the posts are open to members only, so you'll have to join if you haven't already (and if you love all things cinema, you should have already anyway :p). OR you can wait until I post my review (this weekend, I'd think) online as I'll include at least some of the caps anyway (and that one will be open to all)

Btw, "Tsumiki no Ie" was the winner in the short animation category at this year's Oscars and Katô Kunio is responsible for the best Oscars' Winner's speech. EVER.

I'm beginning to have a problem in that with all the notes I'm taking on movies and stuff ), creating a review library of some sort would start to make sense. Does anyone have suggestion on how to do that? I have my own internet domain, so maybe I could open a subdomain....or should I create a blog here featuring reviews exclusively (which means I wouldn't have to bother with hard coding, at least for a while)?

Received the long version of Miike's Agitator alongside the first half of The Man in White (the whole movie is sold on two seperate dvds). Did a lot of fast-forward through Agitator last night to catch the differences. It turns out some scenes were actually dispensable, while others were crucial to better understand some plot points and the relationship between Kunihiko (Kato) and several people around him. One particularly grey area to me after watching the international cut was his relationship to "Uncle" Torii: the Japanese cut includes several scenes that do a good job at clarifying that (in fact, I found a lot of scenes cut from the international print centered on the character of Torii). Also, the subs on the version I've received are far better than that of the one currently available for download around the web

Overall the international version makes sense as it stands, but most of the extra scenes in the Japanese cut are valuable, and make you aware of some (minor) plot holes (mainly direct or indirect reference to events which you have not witnessed) or some cuts that feel a bit awkward in the international print

Haven't had the time to watch "The Man in White" yet

This morning I also got my new dispatch from Amazon Japan. FF VII ACC was in it (Yeah!), as well as Love & Honor (double Yeah!), the last entry in Yoji Yamada's Samurai trilogy and the one I haven't seen yet. Oh, and the Japanese limited box looks exquisite! There were also more Japanese history books and....several magazines with interviews and/or photoshoots with Masaya Kato. I don't think there's actually one single mag still available at amazon.co.jp featuring him which I have not bought - and I don't even feel the slightest bit ashamed by that :p

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I still have the whole batch of DVDs to watch/books to read/magazines to scan from my TWO previous Amazon Japan shopping sprees (including Red Cliff part 1, dammit!). Not to mention that watching Agitator got me to buy The Wolves and Le Samourai (the last one in particular is repeatedly mentioned as reference for Agitator and The Man in White both and I've never seen the whole thing)

Mind you, I wish those would be the worst problems in life in general :p