Upcoming Toronto Japanese Film Festival 2019

I know, I’ve been so remiss in writing lately. I have so many reviews in my head but I’ve just not processed any; however, I did want to mention the upcoming Toronto Japanese Film Festival this year that I would kill to go to again; however, life isn’t kind this year for me so I’ll just have to live vicariously from those lucky to attend

Summer Jaunts – Toronto Japanese Film Festival 2018

Attended from June 21-23, 2018

I know I’m LOOONNG overdue in writing this! Yes, I’ll get better….NEXT year!

Not many things brings an old woman getting closer to retirement joy than to attend a film festival that is highlighting one of her favorite Japanese actors! Nothing brings more joy than being so close but unlike some of her friends on Facebook and Twitter, too chicken to take that quick selfie with said actor; however, I still feel my drama and movie life is complete having been in the same room and breathing the same air with Takumi Saito!! Yes, yes! Without even flying across the waters, this encounter was a dream come true! Saito is definitely on the short list of Japanese male and even female actors combined that I would aspire to meet one day. It was a joy and an extreme pleasure to have done so. But it was a great trip from the beginning to end!! Here’s why….

Four Japanese Dramas That You May Not Know About (2017-2018)

Shorter Japanese Dramas from
Fall 2017 & Winter 2018

The joy of watching Japanese dramas is the fact that they tend to cover and explore subject matters that are not the typical; the norm. The Japanese writers are particularly good at this and it shows with the the dramas that I have a pleasure to watch. As a drama watcher who doesn’t usually gravitate to the rom-com genre, I’m particularly excited to talk about these four dramas that came out during the Fall 2017 and Winter 2018 season.

Drama Weekend with Gomen Aishiteru (2017)

Gomen Aishiteru
aka
I’m Sorry, I Love You

I love remakes when they honor the original story and is done well. No surprise here that the screenwriter, Taeko Asano (Love Generation, Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake, Last Friends) and Director, Ishii Yasuharu (Byakuyako, Kurosagi, Ouroboros) would put together a great rendition of one of my favorite super melodramas, the Korean drama, Sorry, I Love You.

Movie Monday – Let’s Go JETS! (2017)

Starring: Hirose Suzu as Tomonaga Hikari, Nakajou Ayami as Tamaki Ayano, Amami Yuki as Saotome Kaoruko, Mackenyu as Yamashita Kosuke, Kentaro as Yashiro Hiroshi, and Yanagi Yurina as Reika Murakam

Rating: PG

Running Time: 121 min

Twinkies: 3 1/2 stars

Japanese Winter Drama Season Review (2017)

Rakuen (2017)
Tokyo Tarareba Musume (2017)
Quartet (2017)
Seirei no Moribito II: Kanashiki Hakaishin (2017)

Sadly, I’m STILL watching Winter season dramas. Talk about biting off more than you can chew! I think I started a total of 20 dramas from this season and finished around 12 so far. Of the 12, I can safely say these four easily bubble to the top of my list. Let’s get started.

Movie Monday – High and Low: The Red Rain (2016)

Starring: TAKAHIRO as Amamiya Masaki, Tosaka Hiroomi as Amamiya Hiroto, Saito Takumi as Amamiya Takeru, Yoshimoto Miyu as Aika Naruse, Iwata Takanori as Cobra, and Suzuki Nobuyuki as Yamato

Rating: R, subject matter and some violence

Running Time: 110 min

Twinkies: 4 1/2 stars

Drama Marathon – Bewitched in Tokyo (2004)

Inane, silly, fun? Just think about all the goofy adjectives that comes to mind and it pretty much describes this drama. I would definitely classify this as an ‘easy watch’. No drama tropes, no love triangle, and truly a remake of one of my favorite shows from the distant past, Bewitched with the late Elizabeth Montgomery.

Spring 2017 J-Drama Wish List

Spring 2017
Japanese Dramas

I’ve pretty much have done a post for what I want to watch since last winter season, 2016. It never fails that I’m always disappointed at the number of dramas on my list I DON’T get to watch. I think this season will be full of disappointments also. There are some I would be surprised if they aren’t subbed (Crisis and Boku, Unmei no Hito desu) and some that I kind of want to watch even more (Hokuto and Bouncer); however, here is my official wish list for Spring 2017. Not that long as there really isn’t a lot I want to watch but these definitely bubble to the top of my must-see list.

Movie Monday – Battle of the Remakes ~ Haunters vs Monsterz (2010/2014)

Starring: Haunters (See cast list here and Monsterz (See cast list here)

Rating: R, subject matter and some violence

Running Time: 114 min

Twinkies: 4 1/2 hypnotic stars