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.

Favorite Movies Watched for 2017…..so far

Movies and More Movies!

Movies are truly my passion! It was Asian movies that are responsible for grabbing my interest in drama watching.I was SOOOOO many movies each year. I wish I had the time to review all of them. Instead, let me give you a quick list of movies from 2017 hat I would recommend. MDL refers to MyDramalist website.

Movie Monday – Battle of the Remakes ~ Golden Slumber (2010/2018)

Starring:
Japanese stars: Sakai Masato as Masaharu Aoyagi,Takeuchi Yuko as Haruko Higuchi, Aibu Saki as Koume Inoue, Ito Shiro as Hirakazu Aoyaki, Kagawa Teruyuki as Ichitaro Sasaki, Bengal as Shizuo Todoroki, and Hamada Gaku as Kill-O

Korean stars: Kang Dong Won as Gun Woo, Han Hyo Joo as Sun Yeong, Kim Sung Kyun as Geum Chul, Kim Eui Sung as Mr Min, Kim Dae Myung as Dong Gyu, and Jung Jae Sung as Jo Se Hyun

Rating: PG-13, subject matter and some violence

Running Time: 139 min (2010)/109 min (2018)

Twinkies: 3 1/2 (2010)/4 (2018) stars

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

Asian Drama Tag!

Asian Drama Tag!

Hi! I’m taking the Drama tag challenge. Why? Because I’ve been too lazy to write my movie reviews, I’m so far behind but with the staycation coming up this week, I will play catch up! Any bloggers out there, feel free to take up the challenge. I’m following Hayleigh’s challenge. Though I will not just stick with Korean dramas, my focus will be what truly fits.

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