Kabei Our Mother [J-drama] (Sayuri Yoshinaga, Tadanobu Asano, Mirai Shida)
Movie: Kabei - Our Mother | Kaabee | 母べえ
Release Date : January 28, 2008
Country : Japan
Director : Yoji Yamada
Starring : Sayuri Yoshinaga, Tadanobu Asano
Runtime : 133 min.
Competing at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival and one of the more highly anticipated films from Japan this year is Yoji Yamada’s “Kabei - Our Mother”. Yoji Yamada’s prolific career (even landing in the Guinness World Records for his Tora-san series) has seen a particular uptick in international recognition with his trilogy of Samurai films “Love and Honor,” “The Hidden Blade,” and “The Twilight Samurai.”
With his new film “Kabei - Our Mother” the movie is a distinct period piece set in the 1940s. Japan has seen a rebirth of sorts for period pieces set in the 40’s-60’s, thanks in large part to the popularity of the “Always - Sunset on Third Street” films. While “Always - Sunsent on Third Street” wallows in nostalgia and feel good moments from that era, “Kabei - Our Mother” will focus on the darker times of Tokyo during the 1940s. Yoji Yamada said this about his new film “You can say this film is a period drama, but in a sense, this is more so a historical investigation. The staff has been studying very hard. I would like to make this film with homage to all of the tender mothers who held her family tight in her thin but strong arms and lived through the hard times.”
The film’s distributor Shochiku describes the film as “Set in Tokyo in 1940, the peaceful life of the Nogami Family suddenly changes when the father, Shigeru, is arrested and accused of being a Communist. His wife Kayo works frantically from morning to night to maintain the household and bring up her two daughters with the support of Shigeru’s sister Hisako and Shigeru’s ex-student Yamazaki, but her husband does not return. WWII breaks out and casts dark shadows on the entire country, but Kayo still tries to keep her cheerful determination, and sustain the family with her love. This is an emotional drama of a mother and an eternal message for peace.”
The film stars Sayuri Yoshinaga and features a supporting cast of Tadanobu Asano, Miku Sato, Keiko Toda, and Shofukutei Tsurubei. “Kabei - Our Mother” will premiere in Japan on January 28 and play at the Berlin Film Festival (Feb. 7th - 17th).
Official Film Website: http://www.kaabee.jp/
Cast:
Sayuri Yoshinaga - Kayo Nogami
Tadanobu Asano - Yamazaki Toru
Miku Sato - Teruyo Nogami
Keiko Toda - Teruyo Nogami - adult
Mirai Shida - Hatsuko Nogami
Shofukutei Tsurubei - Senkichi Fujioka
Mitsugoro Bando
Rei Dan
Denden
Mitsuru Fukikoshi
Tokie Hidari
Koen Kondo
Umenosuke Nakamura
Hideji Otaki
Takashi Sasano
Mizuho Suzuki
The Blue Wolf [ J-Movie] (2007)
The Blue Wolf (Genghis Khan) 2007
Aoki Ôkami: chi hate umi tsukiru made
When “The Blue Wolf: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea” finished production the movie was lauded as the most expensive Japanese movie ever made. The film cost a reported $30 million dollars to make, while filming occurred on location in Mongolia for four months.
A look at Genghis Khan’s life, from his birth to conquests in Asia.
Also Known As:
Genghis Khan: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea (USA) (new title)
The Blue Wolf: To the Ends of the Earth and Sea (International: English title)
Plot Synopsis : “….Genghis Khan… Assailed himself by doubts over the secret of his birth, facing conflict and betrayal by his sworn friend, and his mixed feeling of love and hatred for the son who bears the same burden…. Together with the scenes such as an intense battle in which 5,000 Mongolian Army soldiers appear, and over 27,000 people mounted as extras to film this entertainment epic, the hero now emerges from the history that has concealed him for so long.”
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The story itself starts off with the future mother of Genghis Khan named Hoelan being taken from her tribe by Genghis Khan’s future father Yesugei. Shortly afterwards Genghis Khan is born and the movie then fast forwards in time to when Genghis Khan is fourteen years old. Two people that would play an important part in Genghis Khan’s adult life are introduced here : Bolte (his future wife) and Jamuqa (his lifelong “devoted” friend). The movie then jumps seven more years – to when Genghis starts his career as a global conqueror.
Cast
Takashi Sorimachi Genghis Khan
Rei Kikukawa … Bolte
Mayumi Wakamura … Hoelun
Ken’ichi Matsuyama Jochi
Yoshihiko Hakamada Khasar
Eugene Nomura … Borchu
Release Date : March 3, 2007
Country : Japan
Director : Shinichiro Sawai
Starring : Takashi Sorimachi (Genghis Khan), Mayumi Wakamura (Hoelan), Rei Kikukawa (Bolte)
Runtime : 136 Minutes
REF:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770722/
Yunagi no Machi: Sakura no Kuni [J-Movie]
Yunagi no Machi, Sakura no Kuni = Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms
Director : Sasabe Kiyoshi
Cast
Rena Tanaka … Nanami Ishikawa
Kumiko Aso … Minami Hirano
Yû Yoshizawa … Yutaka Uchikoshi - young
Noriko Nakagoshi … Toko Tone
Mitsunori Isaki … Asahi Ishikawa - young
Yuta Kanai … Nagio Ishikawa
Ryosei Tayama … Yutaka Uchikoshi - adult
Urara Awata … Kyoka Ota
Shiho Fujimura … Fujimi Hirano
Masaaki Sakai … Asahi Ishikawa - adult
Adapted from Kono Fumiyo’s award-winning manga, Yunagi no Machi Sakura no Kuni (a.k.a. Yunagi City, Sakura Country) is the story of two young women living in different times, and the unforgettable historical memory that connects them. Director Sasabe Kiyoshi follows up his WWII drama Sea Without Exit with a sensitive portrayal of postwar life under the shadow of the war experience and the atomic bomb. Divided into two sections - “Town of Evening Calm” and “Country of Cherry Blossom” - the film alternates between 1955 Hiroshima and the present-day with Tanaka Rena (Waiting in the Dark) and Hochi Film Award Best Actress Aso Kumiko (Kairo) in the leading roles.
Atomic bomb survivor Hirano Minami (Aso Kumiko) knows all too well life’s bitter brevity. She lost her father and sisters to the bomb and radiation poisoning, and has not seen her brother since he was evacuated years ago. She takes hesitant steps toward first love with her coworker (Yoshizawa Yu, Night of the Shooting Stars), but happiness and normalcy are elusive in the atmosphere of postwar Hiroshima. Decades later, Ishikawa Nanami (Tanaka Rena) travels to Hiroshima to find out the reason by her father’s frequent mysterious trips to the city. There she slowly retraces the story of a young woman whose life has affected hers in more ways than she realized.
The Princess Blade [J Movie](2002)
The Princess Blade
HKFlix Says: 
This film is beautifully shot, and features a haunting score by Kenji Kawai (”Avalon”) and solid performances all around. The stand-out feature of this film, however, is the incredible sword fight choreography by Donnie Yen. Must-see material.
Plot:
Yuki is an orphan raised by a clan of assassins. When she discovers that her mother was murdered by her leader, Byakurai, she tries to kill him but fails. Forced to escape, she teams up with a member of the rebel forces to get her revenge.
Overview:
In an unknown country closed off from the outside world for well over 500 years, the ruling dictatorship enlists the help of the Takemikazuchi family, a clan of skilled assassins who sought asylum from their nation years ago. The most highly trained member of the family is Princess Yuki, killing dissidents and rebels who attempt to thwart the ruling body.
One day Yuki discovers a dark secret that changes her life forever: her mother may have been killed by her own leader, a member of her adopted nation’s ruling class. Soon, Yuki is fighting for her life, enlisting help from the most unlikely of allies–a rebel named Takashi–while her own family attempts to hunt her down.
A wild ride into a dark, apocalyptic future, where law is upheld with the power of the samurai sword, “Princess Blade” is a stylish and spectacular ride featuring some of the most mind-blowing fighting and special effects sequences ever seen.
Cast:
Hideaki Ito, Yumiko Shaku, Shiro Sano, Yoichi Numata, Kyusaku Shimada, Yoko Maki
Action/Choreograph Director: Donnie Yen
Ref.:
http://www.hkflix.com/xq/asp/filmID….qx/details.htm
Format: Rmvb w/English Subs
Sabu [ J-Movie] (Tatsuya Fujiwara, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Tomoko Tabata)
Sabu [ J-Movie ]
Synopsis:
This evocative action/drama film from director Takashi Miike (FULL METAL YAKUZA) follows the life of Eiji (Tatsuya Fujiwara), an inmate of Ishikawa Island prison camp. Having been incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit, Eiji relies on his faithful friend in the outside world, Sabu (Satoshi Tsumabuki), to prove his innocence. Fans of Miike’s inimitable style will find much to love here, with the director pulling off some spectacular set pieces, alongside some moving performances from his leads. Based on a popular Japanese novel by Shugoro Yamamoto, SABU is an absorbing tale, executed with panache and flair by the cast and crew.
The film stars Satoshi Tsumabuki (”Dragonhead”) as the titular Sabu, a passive, ineffectual young man who lives in a small town with his friend Eiji (Tatsuya Fujiwara), who is the exact opposite of Sabu personality-wise. Aggressive and stubborn, Eiji has looked out for Sabu ever since they were kids. They are also friends with Osue (Kazue Fukiishi), but it’s obvious both have feelings for her, although neither knows it. One day Eiji is accused of theft and sentenced to an island prison, even though he claims to be innocent.
“Sabu” is a period film, taking place in the time of the Samurai, not that it matters because the film is about everyday people in small towns. Eiji’s incarceration is quick — we don’t see a trial and the film immediately jumps to Eiji being transported to the island as soon as the opening credits dissolve away. We don’t even see, or know, what Eiji has been convicted off until later on. This leaves Sabu and other friends of Eiji, including a working girl, looking for answers. They are simply told Eiji was “fired” from his job.
There are a lot of things to like about “Sabu”. It is visually pleasing to the eye, with a number of moody, atmospheric scenes that look like landscape paintings. Our first image of the film is a woman hanging from a tree, but the frame composition is so haunting you almost forget you’re looking at a dead woman. As Eiji struggles to adjust to life in prison, Sabu stumbles about their small town trying to find answers. The stark difference between the two friends come through — Eiji in prison, going about life perfectly fine using his fists, while Sabu can barely defend himself in the free world.
Release: (2002)
Genre: Action/Drama
Director: Takashi Miike
ScreenPlay: Hiroshi Takeyama
Novel: Shugoro Yamamoto
CAST:
Tatsuya Fujiwara …. Eiji
Satoshi Tsumabuki …. Sabu
Tomoko Tabata …. Onobu
Runtime: 2 hrs 2 mins
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