Movie: Ballad: Namonaki Koi no Uta

SMAP member Tsuyoshi Kusanagi is starring in a period film titled “Ballad: Namonaki Koi no Uta.” The movie revolves around a love story between a Sengoku-era general (Kusanagi) and a princess (Yui Aragaki), directed by Takashi Yamazaki of “Always: Sanchome no Yuhi” fame.

The story is actually based on the plot of the 2002 animated movie “Crayon Shin-chan: Arashi wo Yobu Appare! Sengoku Daikassen.” That film won many awards, including the grand prize in the animation division of the Japan Media Arts Festival.

In “Ballad,” Kusanagi plays a general of a small state. The princess, played by Aragaki, is offered a political marriage with a daimyo of a neighboring state, and war ensues when she turns down the offer. A key character in the plot is a young boy named Shinichi (originally Shin-chan), who comes from the future. 11-year-old Akashi Takei plays the role of Shinichi.

The film, which will heavily use CG for its battle scenes, is apparently budgeted at 2 billion yen. The supporting cast includes Michitaka Tsutsui, Yui Natsukawa, Atsuo Nakamura, and Takao Osawa. Filming started late last month and is expected to finish in January. The movie’s tentative release date is in September 2009.

 Official Site

Via Nippon Cinema / Tokyograph / ANN / Crunchyroll

One Piece Film: Strong World (Full Trailer)

The full trailer is now out for the tenth One Piece animated film. This time around Eiichiro Oda, the guy behind the manga and anime series since creating it in 1997, has personally taken over the film’s production with an eye toward making this one different from the 9 previous installments. Oda came up with the film’s story and about 120 rough drawings for director Munehisa Sakai to work from. Sakai has previously worked as one of the directors of the animated TV series.

One Piece Film: Strong World will be released in Japan on December 12, 2009.

Source: Official website via ANN / Nippon Cinema

Movie: Hottarake no Shima: Haruka to Maho no Kagami (Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror)

The Production I.G anime studio had launched the official website for its Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror (Hottarake no Shima - Haruka to Mahō no Kagami) fantasy film with a streaming teaser trailer. The computer-animated feature will follow a girl named Haruka as she discovers where all of our childhood keepsakes and memorabilia go. Creatures from a different dimension gather these trinkets and forgotten treasures as their owners grow up. With their booty, the creatures have built their own city called Oblivion Island.

Hirotaka Adachi, the author better known under the pen name Otsuichi for writing the novel inspirations of the Goth live-action film and the Calling you manga, is co-writing the screenplay with director Shinsuke Sato (The Princess Blade). Production I.G is producing this project with Fuji Television Network to mark Fuji’s 50th anniversary. The distribution company TOHO will release the film in Japan on August 22.

The story, penned by tween-friendly novelist Otsuichi, involves a girl named Haruka (voiced by Haruka Ayase) who discovers a portal to a world of creatures who gather up all the childhood trinkets humans tend to abandon as they grow up. These creatures have horded these items and created their own city called Oblivion Island. With the help of a fox companion named Teo that she meets along the way, Haruka goes on an adventure to reclaim a very special mirror.

 Official Website.

 Download HD Trailers here.

Original Post by Nipponcinema.com / ANN

Eiga Sai 2009

In celebration of Philippines–Japan Friendship Month, the Japan Foundation, Manila, in cooperation with the Embassy of Japan, the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, and the UP Film Institute proudly presents a Japanese Contemporary Film Festival, titled “Eigasai ‘09” (literally means ‘film festival’ in Japanese) that will serve as its kick-off activity on July 2, 2009 at Shang Cineplex Cinema 3 for the month-long celebration.

Eiga Sai official article

Movie Lineup and schedule

Here are some of the movies:

Sunset on Third Street (Always San-chome no yuhi)

Memories of Matsuko (Kiraware Matsuko no issho)

Kamome Diner (Kamome shokudo)

Memories of Tomorrow (Ashita no kioku)

 Tony Takitani (Toni Takitani)

 Mind Game

Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends - The Movie

Here’s the first teaser for Koichi Sakamoto’s Mega Monster Battle: Ultra Galaxy Legends - The Movie ( Daikaiju Battle: Ultra Ginga Densetsu - the movie), the 38th production in the 43-year-old Ultraman franchise.

Plot: The evil Ultraman Belial was imprisoned by the Ultraman King tens of thousands of years ago. When he finally escapes, he attempts to use the Giga-Battlenizer to control 100 giant monsters and conquer the galaxy. On the Ultraman homeworld, where there is no 3-minute time restriction, a team of 50 Ultramen including Ultraman, Ultra Seven, and Ultraman Mebius among many others mobilize to put a stop to Ultraman Belial’s plans and face off against his monsters.

Warner Bros. will be releasing the film in Japan on December 12, 2009.  -nippocinema.com

Background info: Sci-Fi Japan

Official website

Stop Motion Video using Post-it Notes

Cool!

This is a senior project from a student at Savannah College of Art and Design. 3 months planning, 4 days shooting & 6,000+ Post-it Notes used! They also documented the making of this video.

Original Post by teampilipinas.info.

Do As Infinity new single!

After reuniting last year Do As Infinity released their twenty-first single,  “∞1“ (infinity 1) Last June 17,2009; it includes four new songs. (click song titles for preview)

1. Umareyuku Monotachi e 2. Mera Mera 3. Timeless 4. Let’s get together at A-Nation

 A brief history about  Do As Inifinity.

Do As Infinity new single PV - Umareyuku Monotachi e

 Do As Infinity OFFICIAL SITE

Documentary: The Cove

very interesting movie.

The Cove tells the amazing true story of how Louie Psihoyos, Richard O’Barry and an elite team of activists, filmmakers and freedivers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate a hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The mysteries they uncovered were only the tip of the iceberg.

The Cove is directed by first-time filmmaker Louie Psihoyos. The voice-over dialogue was written byMark Monroe, who directed the Disney doc Morning Light and has written for other docs. This premiered at the Sundance this year where it won the Audience Award. The Cove will arrive in limited theaters onJuly 31st.

-firstshowing.net

Probe - Mga Pinoy sa Japan

Interview of the probe team to my brother and his friend in japan.

my brother (in white) with his friends, ms. cheche lazaro and her staff.

video credit: www.probetv.com 

Blood: The last vampire (behind the scenes)

behind the scenes look at the upcoming live action adaptation of the anime blood the last vampire.