Ink And Paper Addicts

Hiatus

2011-05-28T22:52:00.001+05:00

Because we all know that the internet is for wasting time and nothing even remotely productive.

[アニメ] デュラララ!!

2011-01-23T20:47:00.003+05:00

DURARARA!!!

Genre: Fantasy, Superstition, Urban Legends, Heroes, Society, High-school, Anime

Episodes: 24

Summary: In Ikebukuro, rumors flit through the air and urban legends walk the streets.

Stelty Sturlson, the ‘Black Biker’ who is actually a Dullahan who has traveled all the way from Ireland in search of her head which was stolen 20 years ago; Dollars, the infamous color gang which is colorless; Saika, the sword that cuts people because it loves; Orihara Izaya, the informant with more ulterior motives than even his connections; Heiwajima Shizuo, who dislikes violence but cannot control his strength or anger and is known as the strongest man in Ikebukuro; Simon an African American who advertises and works for a Russian Sushi restaurant; Kishitani Shinra, an underground doctor; A girl with a suspiciously strange scar around her neck; Dotachin and his gang, which includes manga fanatics who provide commentary on everything amusingly and an idol maniac; and three high school students who seemingly have nothing to do with them : Sonahara Anri, Kida Masaomi and Ryuugamine Mikaido.

Their stories and lives intertwine, but it’s a significantly insignificant occurrence. Everyday, run of the mill, nothing uncommon: their extraordinary ordinary.

Review: This is possibly the first time, in any format, that I’ve seen any story with this many characters, done so well. All the characters are incredibly developed and fleshed out amazingly.

It displays, incredibly perfectly, how there is no such thing as a main character in actuality. Everyone has the starring role in their own personal lives, and they are awed by others whose lives they think are more important than theirs. While they are incredibly significant to those who are effected by their actions, they are incredibly insignificant to those who aren’t. Such is the way the world works.

The narration, the alternative perspectives, the different stories meshing into one, makes this incredibly gripping. There’s just the right blend of superstition and reality, making this one of my new favorites.

Honestly, this deserves so much more flailing over. However, I’ve been up to my usual pattern of procrastination and have been putting off writing the review for well over a week ago, so, ...I fail. Definitely recommended, though.

Music:
裏切りの夕焼け ~ Theatre Brook
Trust Me ~ 松下優也
コンプリケイション ~ ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D
Butterfly ~ On/Off

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

~ song-stories ~

Note: Maybe it's about time I watch IWGP too.

[本] The Alchemist

2011-01-05T20:53:00.002+05:00

Author: Paulo Coelho

Genre: Fantasy, Love, Religion, Journeys, Life, Fable

Summary: A young Andalusian shepherd sets out on a quest to fulfill his own personal legend after having recurring dreams of finding treasure. On his journey he meets various people who help him out on his journey, both spiritually and physically, and discover things much more valuable than what he first set out to seek.

Review: I started reading this sometime last year, a couple of months ago, vaguely forgot about it, read other books, and picked it up again and finished it just now. I took rather longer to read this, with intervals in between besides, and yet, I do not really feel the ~gap~. This is probably because The Alchemist is one of those books, that are warm and comfortable and simple, that you couldn't get lost in even if you tried.

This is also the third work Paulo Coelho I've read, and I've come to the conclusion that I adore his books, and care very little for his essays/reflections - which just seem to me like psycho-spiritual mambo jumbo. Good psycho-spiritual mambo jumbo, mind you, but not really my cup of tea. His stories, however, (I've only read two so far - this one and The Witch of Portebello) are amazing.

What I liked the most was how the characters - except for the boy whose journey the book is about (despite the title referring to someone else entirely) - seem to possess a sort of ephemeral quality, like mirages in the desert, because what is actually important is the boy, and what he chooses to do to fulfill his own personal legend. It is, simply put, a fable, and it is very well done.

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

⑇At Song-Stories ⑇

Note: Because JE owns my soul, and this starts out in Andalusia, it spurs up fantastically superb images of mystery and romance from the very start. <3

Jeux d'enfants

2010-11-22T13:17:00.002+05:00

[Children's Games]
Love Me If You Dare (English Title)

Cast:
Guillaume Canet as Julien Janvier
Marion Cotillard as Sophie Kowalsky
Thibault Verhaeghe as 8 year old Julien
Joséphine Lebas-Joly as 8 year old Sophie

Genre: Romance, Movie

Summary: It starts easily enough - not simply, never simply - with a pretty box, and a pretty girl and a dare the boy has to complete in order to prove to the girl, how important the box is to him.

The game continues, each daring the other for the possession of the box, and the dares only escalate in intensity as they grow older, and the childish refusal to lose, the glee at completing each dare, becomes complicated with feelings which are impossible to ignore.

Review: An utterly gorgeous, completely destructive romance. More beautiful than a train wreck. It's impossibly sweet, from the very beginning, and the entire movie is tinged with a sense of surreality and childishness throughout. What really struck me was how the utter intensity of what they had seemed to transcend all conventional standards of logic and reason. ~~Why else would I accept the way the film ended as a matter of fact without so much as batting an eyelid?~~

I heard of this through fic. The plot was interesting and I thought I'd like to watch the movie it was based on, eventually. Yesterday, I re-read that fic, looked up the movie on wiki, and I had to watch it. Basically, the ending, what happens, did not come as a surprise to me because I've read it all on wiki before I watched it. All the same, I am glad I watched it because it's a whole different experience to see the story fold out before your eyes and it was ...enchanting.

Upon hindsight, it's probably a very wtf movie, but, while watching it, it was all somehow very natural. No matter how cruel the dares started becoming, to the point of being life-threatening, even, it was still a game. They were still very much just like children.

The ending, despite being mind-fuckery of the highest degree, fit. The sepia-toned what-might-have-been somehow became what is, maybe just in another life time - it was achieved in the only way it could have been in this lifetime, with all that had happened.

...urgh, this is me failing at the words thing again. -_-' Anyway, point is, definitely worth watching.

Music: La Vie en Rose is gorgeous.

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

~ At Song-Stories ~

Note: So, it's pretty obvious that I'm failing majorly at the whole Fictional Memories 2010 reviewing thing. Because I'm a slacker. /fact. Just thought I'd attempt to at least try reviewing this one since it's my first French film.

涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱 [Season 1]

2010-08-31T18:04:00.000+05:00

The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi [Season 1]

Genre: School-life, Supernatural, Aliens, Semi-romance, Anime

Episodes: Season 1 - 14

Summary: Contrary to popular belief, the world does revolve around Suzumiya Haruhi. Only a few people are aware of this fact, however, and she herself feels utterly insignificant in this earth - yearns to meet ‘aliens, espers or time travellers’ to be different and break away from the humdrum of the everyday world. This is disadvantageous to everyone else in the world because she has the power to shift and re-create the universe according to her wishes if she is bored or unhappy.

Fortunately, she just goes on to create a high-school club, named the SOS Brigade, which has a mission statement of finding the unusual things in the world and having a lot of fun. Because of whoe she is - while she herself is unaware of it - she selfishly bullies/drags along/takes in people who exist because she wishes them to: time traveler Asahina Miruku (lolita cute with lots of moe), alien Nagato Yuki (bookworm of few words), esper Koizumi Itsuki (agenda hidden behind an ever-present smile) and Kyon – a completely normal human.

Kyon, whom the story is presented through, wonders over how he got himself caught up in the mess that seems to come with Suzumiya Haruhi, and is aware of her importance – at least the fact that the other less-usual members consider her important to a level that is equivilant of a ‘God’ – and consequently, his responsibility to the world because ‘he is the one Suzumiya Haruhi had chosen’.

Review: Weird slightly messed-up plot? Check. Weird non-linear episode sequence? Check. Awesome mood-manipulating techniques? Also check. This is pretty good. Kind of awesome, in fact.

It was a topsy-turvy rollercoaster ride of high-school fun, kacchoi fights and things just plain weird. The ending, if a bit cliché, fit and was sweet. Loved this.

I feel slightly sorry for Kyon, since he seems to have had no choice, but well, bittersweet flavors in everything are my guilty pleasure. (^_^)V

Music:
恋のミクル伝説 ~ 後藤邑子 [Opening Theme]
冒険でしょでしょ ~ 平野綾 [Opening Theme]
ハレ晴レユカイ ~ 平野綾 [Ending Theme]

Rating: 9/10

Quotes:

~ Here at Song-Stories ~

Note: Unlike Haruhi, like Kyon, I find the significance of my insignificance pretty comforting.

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer

2010-08-31T17:06:00.000+05:00

Author: Patrick Süskind

Genre: Historical, Alienation, Murder, Novel

Summary: Grenouille is born in a city overwhelming with stench, with no odor of his own – an unremarkable young man with a remarkable nose. He depends on that sense alone, and it, to him, represents the world. His sense of right and wrong is blinded by his involvement in the sense of smell, and he decides he needs to create the most remarkable scent ever; that he knows will make everyone worship him.

Review: The premise was intriguing and the book cover wins majorly. I suppose I even liked the story, in general, but I found the narrative becoming too dry in parts. Didn’t like the pacing much, especially in the middle, even if it did get better towards the end. Still, it was a bit too (purposelessly) erratic for my tastes.

An interesting enough read if you have the time, but not the sort of book I’d order you to go read right now.

Rating: 6/10

Quotes:

~ At Song-Stories ~

Note: I suppose I might have been a bit unfair on this book, as I normally adore books - generally all books - for their writing styles and the charm of this might have been lost in translation? I also just might have not been in the mood to appreciate it at the time. *shrug*

The Graveyard Book

2010-08-03T23:45:00.002+05:00

Author: Neil Gaiman

Genre: Fantasy, Ghosts, Novel

Summary: Nobody Owens was raised in a graveyard since he was two, when his living family was killed. His adoptive parents are ghosts, and his guardian is undead. The graveyard is his home, his sanctuary, because the man named Jack is still looking for him - to finish what he started and kill him too.

Review: Why is Neil Gaiman so amazing. This is the first book of his I've read all year and it's just. Really. I don't even know. Let's just say he gives DWJ plenty of competition as my favorite author everwhichwhen.

What I found so amazing about this book was the detail. The little things. Things that Gaiman doesn't tell you out right, no that would be too easy, but leaves in plain site for the reader to 'discover' and ~~flail~~ wonder over. Even then, you end up missing bits and pieces in your hurry to find out what happens next because the narrative is just that engaging - I adored how the story was presented in terms of fragmented 'slices' of Bod growing up - and you just know there is a greater plot waiting to unveil itself.

Honestly, I loved how the story folded out. Since it's Bod's story we get his parts in detail, but there were more things going on, in the story, that we were just offered mere glimpses of, with Silas and Miss Lupescu. For me it made the whole thing more fleshed out, and real. The way Gaiman merges fiction with reality, so that it meshes so well together, is amazing too.

Granted, the plot might follow a rather generic formula, but I've always been of the opinion that all the stories have been told, many times over, and what really matters is how they are told. The idea of a child being raised by ghosts, is charmingly presented. I grew to adore all the characters, and empathize with them, and the story had the power to draw me in completely and it was emotionally touching. Gaiman has such a wonderful way with words. *_*

Rating: 9/10

Quotes:

~ At Song-Stories ~

Note: So I view the world through shippery-tinted glasses.

Le Petit Prince

2010-08-01T01:10:00.004+05:00

Author :　Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Genre : Children, Grown-ups, Fantasy, Life, Symbolism, Story

Summary : While trying to fix his airplane which crashed in the middle of a desert, an airman encounters a little boy - a little prince from another planet.

Review : Profound, beautifully simple, charmingly sweet and sad. Wonderful like a quiet, long-lasting heartache. One of those books you need to read at least once in your life. I'm going to have to get my own copy of this.

Rating : 10/10 [Paltry statistics are in no way sufficient, but it will have to do.]

Quotes :

The entire book, really, but have some lines at ~ song-stories ~ ?

Note : Recommended listening for the aftermath:- 月の詩 and 星の砂 by GACKT, silence.

RESCUE

2010-07-31T01:38:00.001+05:00

Tagline : Pride of the Orange

Cast :
Nakamaru Yuichi as Kitajima Daichi
Masuda Takahisa as Tetsuka Yutaka
Yamamoto Yusuke as Fudo Masashi
Shoei as Kano Shinsuke
Kaname Jun as Katsuragi Kosuke
Ichikawa Yui as Maezono Aoi

Genre : Firefighters, Saving Lives, Heroes, Manly Men (in Uniform), JDrama

Episodes : 9

Summary : This is a tale about heroes and the legacies they leave. The sacrifices and the choices they make.

Kitajima Daichi, as a young boy, is saved by Miyazaki, a member of the SR squad. Miyazaki loses his own life in the mission, and Kitajima grows up with one and only aim; to use his life, which was saved, to save as many lives as possible.

Even as a firefighter, he is unable to ignore the call for help, with a blatant disregard for his own life, which makes his superiors reluctant to nominate him for the SR recruitment session. However, he is able to get in, with the help of his best friend Tezuka pleading on his behalf as well. That, though, is just the beginning.

The real battle, though, is not even the harsh training they will have to face in order to make it into the actual squad. It’s the missions they will have to take when, if, they become SRs, each and every day. The situations they will have to face, the circumstances they will have to accept, and the things they will have to learn.

Review : I actually liked this quite a lot. Even leaving those superficial flaily-fangirl reasons (NakaMassu! Bath scenes! Yamamoto Yusuke! NakaMassu! Men in uniform! NakaMassu!) aside, this is quite an awesome drama. Based on the work that members of the SR actually do, this is a tribute to those heroes in uniform. It’s hard work, with considerable risk to their own lives, which they put at stake in order to rescue those who need it. They work needs to be acknowledged and appreciated, and I think this does a good job of bringing those feelings across.

While we will probably never be fully able to comprehend what goes on during those rescue missions, this drama helps us to understand, somewhat, the difficulty of the decisions they have to make, and how there is never a ‘correct’ answer. It all depends on judgment and even then, there is always the probability of ‘what if’. Psychologically too, it’s demanding work, and they do the best job they can, to the best of their abilities. It’s respectable to an awe-inspiring degree.

*cough* Pretties! They cast the most adorable, baby-faced, members of two of my favorite Johnny’s groups together. What more can I ask for? And it’s NakaMassu, the most adorable thing everwhichwhen, especially as they are friends in real life, and best-friends in the drama. Major props to whoever did the casting, because, well, I first thought that they would make the most unlikely rangers ever, but that’s exactly it! The rangers who put their lives on the line in real life too, are just young men, very much human. The point is brought across excellently.

ANYWAY! Did I mention that NakaMassu’s characters call each other by their given names? They do. I squeed each and every time, just because. They have bath scenes~ And a habit of suddenly stripping and engaging in chin-ups competitions shirtless. Incidentally, why is Yamamoto Yuusuke so awesome? Also, adorable. Oh oh, and Kazuya (the host from RnK, not the turtle) is in this too! Except he is called Taguchi ... XDDDDDDD

It’s touching! There is NakaMassu! A hot-blooded drama about men who are men enough to cry! Worth watching.

Music : RESCUE by KAT-TUN [My favorite KAT-TUN PV to date. *_*]

Rating : 7/10

Quotes :

~ Song-stories ~

Note : Kame-chan was right. First of all, it’s impossible to imagine Maru with a girl. Guess it became more so when the girl was that annoying person from Kurosagi. *headdesks*

NakaMassu~ <3 You were exactly what my shippery-adoring heart needed, and the answer to my inter-group relations craving.

I'm still not giving up on my RyoDa drama, though. @_@

ROMES

2010-07-31T01:24:00.002+05:00

Tagline : 空港防御システム [Airport Security System]

Cast :
Okura Tadayoshi as Narushima Yuya
Yasuda Shota as Sunamura Taku
Kuninaka Ryoko as Yasaka Aoi
Sugiura Taiyo as Egawa Hiroshi

Genre : Crime, Airports, Security, Technology, JDrama

Episodes : 9

Summary : Tokyo Bay International Airport, home to ROMES, one of the most sophisticated security systems in existence. After receiving a threat from a world-wide criminal organization, the airport staff decides to call in Narushima, the mastermind who created the system.

Review : Anything that involves Tacchon declaring (well, almost) that he wants Yasu on a leash wins, majorly, in my book.

That aside, I do not know quite what to do except flail about how adorable the both of them were. The security system mumbo jumbo didn’t really hold my attention for long, personally, especially because of the two pretties wandering around. AND KAZUYA~ XD I do not remember his character name, or his real name, because he will forever and eternally be Kazuya to me, I cannot help it. ~~Why thank you, RnK~~ Speaking of amusing names, I spent a long time giggling over the fact that in the first episode, there was a girl called Ryo *cough*canhazmaturity*

Yasu is a walking ~~sailing?~~ failboat, tripping over his own feet on multiple occasions, but so adorably straightforward. I missed the golden haired guitar-playing angel, but he looks adorable, even with a proper haircut! When he wandered around the airport in the cap though, I couldn’t help but think that he makes such a pretty girl. [Even if the seven okan skits didn’t provide more than enough proof.]

Ohkura is supposed to be a cold and calculating person who doesn’t believe in people, and puts his trust only in machines, but how can you not adore someone who carries a dolphin plushie around? Even his horrible, horrible atrocity of a perm (Never again, Tacchon. >_>) didn’t prevent me from squealing a whole lot, every time he was on screen (which basically means nearly the entire duration of the drama.)

The entire plot at some point seemed to revolve around the fact that Tacchon was some British professor’s favorite ~~boytoy~~ disciple and it wasn’t particularly well developed or satisfactorily resolved, but hey, who needs plot when you can have OhYassu, I always say. Kyun~ Seriously, whai are they so adorable? <3 Conclusively, worth watching for the pretty and the shipping and not much else.

Music :また朝が来る by TOKIO [*___* ~ ❤]

Rating : 6/10

Quotes :

~ Song-stories ~

Note : Speaking of shippery dramas, come on universe, where’s my RyoDa drama? It NEEDS TO BE DONE, mkay? For the sake of inter-group relations? Pleaaaase?

Lie to me*

2010-07-31T00:55:00.000+05:00

Cast :
Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman
Kelli Williams as Dr. Gillian Foster
Brendan Hines as Eli Loker
Monica Raymund as Ria Torres
Hayley McFarland as Emily Lightman
Mekhi Phifer as Ben Reynolds

Genre : Crime, Liars, Psychology, Science, Sitcom

Episodes : Season 1: 13, Season 2:-

Summary : Facial expressions are universal. Happiness, sadness, fear, disgust, they all show on your face, your gestures, the things you say, how you say it. No matter how good a liar you are, there are things that give you away, and there are people who can catch every one of those things.

Review: O Hello thar things Actually in English. It’s been a while. However, this is made of pure awesome and so much win that I finished watching it in less than two days. I realize that this is fiction and highly improbable, but it’s definitely possible, which is why it’s so awesome. This also makes you ~~highly cynical~~ rethink a lot of things; think more on what you normally would have paid no attention to. Educational, almost, I would say.

The characters were interestingly developed, and strongly projected. Interesting. Lightman is weird and random and basically the walking definition of organized chaos. Although that might just as easily be how he wants it to be perceived as (for reasons known only to him), because he is just so good with lies: spotting and spouting them. He also has absolute loyalties, where he ‘doesn’t let the facts get in the way of the truth’ meaning he feels no obligation to go along with the system. All that makes him intriguingly volatile at times, but he’s still a gentleman.

The rest of the characters were also awesome, actually had depth, all of them. They also had awesome dynamics. I had a ~~minor~~ major shipping spree of glee. All in all, awesome. I cannot expand on all of the awesome because I’m lazy like that, but this is definitely worth checking out.

Rating : 9/10

Quotes :

~ Songstories ~

Note : I need to hunt down the insert songs in this. They seem to be of the stark and pretty variety.

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

2010-07-08T23:46:00.021+05:00

Cast :
Mia Wasikowska as Alice
Johnny Depp as Mad Hatter
Helena Bonham Carter as Red Queen
Anne Hathaway as White Queen

Genre : Fantasy, Gorgeousness, Movie

Summary : Alice is proposed to by a smug brat, the son of the business associate of her late father, whom everybody expects her to accept, since it's the proper, expected thing of her for her expected, proper levels of happiness. She excuses herself for a moment, and finds herself falling down the rabbit hole, into wonderland.

(Debatably) Alice, has something that she must do, not because she must, but because. But first she needs to find her muchness of old.

Review : Beautiful, whimsical, mystical and deliciously creepy.

My favorite’s still the Cheshire Cat, although it admittedly had competition in this version.

As I don't watch movies often, not in English, anyway, and I kinda fail at getting on any hype trains. Enjoyed this immensely, though.

I don't feel very wordy today. Of late. So here endeth this attempt at a review.

Music : I also like the Almost Alice album.

Rating : 9/10

Quotes :

~ Song-Stories ~

Note : What is the difference between a raven and a writing desk?

Equus

2010-03-31T08:03:00.000+05:00

Playwright: Peter Shaffer

Genre: Individual in Society, Psychology, Religion, Play

Summary: For no apparent reason, 17 year old Alan Strang blinds six horses, and is taken to court. The nature of the crime is so horrifying that at first, it seems like he would be sent to prison. However, a magistrate, Hesther Salomon intervenes, and sends him to seek psychiatric help instead, calling in a favor from an old friend.

Martin Dysart is overworked, overwrought, and not sure about whether he is doing the right thing. He has nightmares of cutting up children, sacrificing them at the altar and scooping out their insides, all the while making sure to disguise his real feelings, his fear, because if his mask slips and his sheer terror or doubt is found out, it would be him who is being sacrificed at the altar.

While he tries to find out the reason, the motive for Alan blinding the horses, the doctor is forced to face his own demons, is forced to make the decision whether to 'fix' him, make him normal, is the right thing to do.

Review: Apparently when this play was first put on, the first, and main reaction to this was how utterly shocking it was. The crime itself, was shocking, probably even more so to the English audience whose love for horses is ingrained in tradition. Still, the act of blinding animals that cruelly, without any real reason, is considered a hideous crime in any society, and rightfully so. However, reading this, I felt that Alan's crime, while it could not be made right or justified, at the very least, it could be understood.

This is something that makes you question your moral values, and the socially acceptable standards, society's acceptable common sense. Like Dysart says, maybe it is true that the boy he is suffering, and he is in pain. But the pain is rightfully, completely, his. What right does anyone have to take it away from him? Specially in this world where most of the people go through life, everything, with a sort of detachment; a lack of emotion, shouldn't the passion he feels, the passion he is the embodiment of, be envied instead? In this monochromatic world we live, in he is different, unique like a brilliant flash of color. Is it really the right thing to do, to mute it down, make it normal, the same as everything else?

In a way, this raises more questions than it gives answers, but at the same time, it provides a sense of understanding. Acceptance.

Rating: 9/10

Quotes:

~ At songstories ~

Note: Dear Google, when I was searching for Equus, I wanted the book cover, not to see Daniel Radcliffe naked. -__-' [Now, if it was Pi/Ryo/Jin or heck, even Tego-in-drag, I would be more than happy, naked images would've been more than welcome, but that dude is just nowhere near my list of ogglable pretties, okay? For further reference.]

As it often happens, fiction has a way of telling me, reminding me things [Barry Bague-ly, but I like reading into things? ^^'], at the most appropriate times. I read this, focusing mainly on the theme 'Individual in Society' on the 25th. The very day Johnny announced the KT-TUN in Asia/Jin in L.A tours thing. I know, I know. I get it, okay.

Loabi

2010-03-29T19:35:00.005+05:00

ލޯބި

Love

Author: Aminath Ibrahim

Language: Dhivehi

Genre: Growing up, Juvenile delinquents, Love, Family, Novel

Summary: Barely 18 years old, Firushaan is in prison, and most people who know him aren't surprised. They would've said that he had it coming; he was bound to end up there sooner or later. However, as the young man tries to stomach prison food for the first time (it seems pointless to protest anymore when there isn't anyone to witness his tantrums or non co-operation), he also stops resisting the past and recollects a series of events which simply explains, unassumingly and without demands, that in life, things are never quite that simple.

Review: Hmm. This went against a lot of (admittedly baseless) expectations, things I've been holding against Dhivehi literature. Contrary to the title (love) which had me expecting dramatic mushy fluff reminiscent of Hindi movies I watched when I was a kid, this is about adolescence, growing up, and family. The more important, less noticeable kind of love.

This paints a pretty accurate picture of the contemporary Maldivian society. [Okay, not quite as contemporary as that. Let me correct myself. What would have been contemporary around 5-10 years ago, before politics and religious perspective became as significant in our lives as it has forced it's way into being now.]

It's a slice of life novel, as it explores the mindset of a child, newly transported into the capital city Mal'e for the sake of education (as has been, is the case with so many others) with only his mother, depending on the kindness of relatives and family ties to get by, while making sure not to depend, impose on too much, because Maldivians are a hospitable, prickly bunch.

It shows how easily a sensitive child's psyche is influenced by the single person he considers the most important in his life; his mother. How he, being neglected emotionally for the sake of his physical and material welfare, starts a series of acts, mainly to get attention, that gradually builds up and gains momentum to become larger and uncontrollable, until he knows no other way and is excluded from society.

One of the more significant scenes in the book was at the very climax, where he, having sunk the lowest he can, develops a sort of detached delusionalism, visualizes himself being broken down and mixed into concrete, becoming invincible, letting him ride on a high that makes him commit the crime which imprisons him in the end. It's sad and strangely moving. Specially when, at the police station, he sees a can of coke being opened and compares himself bitterly, more realistically to that; fizzing forth and frothing on because that was all he could do then, all he could do to sustain himself on false bravado, which only evaporated into nothing later like bubbles do.

What I liked the most about the book is it forgoes the horrible flowery language that most Dhivei writers (well, in the grand total of two books I've read for Dhivehi class) seem to favor, and uses plain, simple words, less false modesty, no mi nikamethi alhaa and more of the power of the words themselves creating wonderful imagery, painting scenes and speaking for themselves.

This also raises the question which intrigued me back when I was reading Equus. Just how much is the society, and the individual to blame for an individual's mistakes and crimes? Granted, of course, its the society, the surrounding that shapes young minds, that sets them on their respective paths. But if we are to blame society, should we keep on sending the blame backwards, where nothing would ever be anyone's fault, and we'd have no one to shoulder the blame in an effort to make it right. We might as well give up and resign ourselves to the eventual destruction of mankind at it's own hands because it's not our fault. Where do we draw the line? How do we weigh and allocate the blame? Can we?

Rating: 8/10 [I'm impressed over the sheer amount of blabbing a Dhivehi book made me do. ^^']

Quotes: Um, hmm, translations, ne... Maybe someday?

Note: Gwaaaah. I should install Dhivehi on this computer. I have Japanese installed, but forgot to install Dhivehi after the last formatting and was forced to randomly scrounge in freaking newspaper articles for the thaana title. >_>

This is the first Dhivehi book I've read of my own free will. Honestly, I decided to read this only because my Dhivehi sucks royally, and I have my last Dhivehi school exam next Sunday, and my (hopefully) last ever Dhivehi exam in May. My plan is to try to at least pick up some level of proficiency by sheer exposure to the language. Hey, it seems to work for English/Japanese, it should be easier since I'm Maldivian and I am surely being exposed to it all the freaking time, right?

Should be, of course, being the operative word. Fact of the matter is, while I can easily devour English books, obsess over song lyrics and enjoy the occasional movie/series/cartoon, and basically adore all forms of Japanese entertainment, Dhivehi is quite another matter entirely. I would rather claw my eyes out than watch a Dhivehi movie (This is actually with valid reason) and most of the Dhivehi music I've heard on tv/elsewhere makes me slightly nauseous (This probably is biased. I'm sure there are good Dhivehi songs around. I've heard tales of such songs, I just don't know any. Who wants to enlighten me? ^___^ I still hold firm to the belief that songs = best way to pick up any language, after all ドラゴン桜 said so!)

It took me around a week to read this, and I actually liked the book too. T_T

I've been using Dhivehi for over 18 years, all my life, and still, even my mother laughs at the way I use it. T_T

まぁ、頑張るしかないんですね。

Twenties Girl

2010-03-09T15:49:00.002+05:00

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Genre: Chick Lit, Supernatural, Friendship, Romance, Novel

Summary: Lara Lington's life is not going well. While she is the niece of the charismatic millionaire tycoon of Lington coffee fame, her own business is not going well at all. Her boyfriend broke up with her even though they are totally perfect for each other, and he still loves her (although he has mistakenly changed his number because of a few ~~borderline obsessive~~ texts, which outlined her feelings for him so that he will realize it.) so that would eventually work out.

However, she is left trying to wrestle with a new job- running her own firm after her business partner/best friend runs off to Goa after some beach comber, and she doesn't understand why she has to attend the funeral of her great aunt Sadie whom she doesn't remember ever visiting, nor know anything about other than the fact she died at a hundred and five years old.

Now, she has always been overly romantic and imaginative, but it had never before resulted in her encountering a real ghost. Of her grand aunt. Although the ghost Sadie is still in her twenties, and is a feisty young woman, a true child of the 1920s, and she demands Lara find her a necklace that was her favorite, which she had owned from the time she was 20 years old and cannot rest without.

Review: The two main characters in this book both irked me at some point. Sadie with her shrieking and Lara with her obsessive~~painfullyembarrasingohfortheloveofgodstopwoman~~ness. Despite it all, I ended up liking the book, and the very two characters mentioned above too.

What I liked most about the book was that instead of focusing on the romance bit like I expected of a chick lit novel, this focused more on the friendship between the girl and her grand aunt's ghost. Although the love-story-ish bits were ridiculously, if a bit embarrassingly, cute too.

While this is quirky and makes a hilarious read, it also manages to be sweet and moving and inside-mushifying near the end, and ties up a beautiful story superbly.

Rating: 6/10

Quotes:

~ At songstories ~

Note: The necklace sounds gorgeous. The dressing up bit sounds fun. The roaring twenties sounds like it would have been both.

Hana Yori Dango (2008 Movie)

2010-03-07T15:54:00.021+05:00

Cast:
Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi
Matsumoto Jun as Domyouji Tsukasa
Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui
Matsuda Shota as Soujiro Nishikado
Abe Tsuyoshi as Mimasaka Akira
Fujiki Naohito as Kaburagi Kazu

Genre: Shoujo, Romance, Comedy, Friendship, JMovie

Summary: After all they've been through in the Drama series ~~which I didn't watch entirely *cough* Forgive me MatsuJun, I was distracted by AkiraPi and didn't... just find time to later on ^^'~~, it looks like Domyouji and Makino can finally get married. They have the approval of Domyouji's mother, even, and she gives Makino a tiara, known as The Smile of Venus which legend states will protect eternal love, as a wedding present.

Unfortunately, it gets stolen.

Review: I read the manga (quite a while back O_o) and I remember that I found Domyouji sweeter and more adorkable in the live action, and Makino more annoying. This hasn't changed in the movie. If anything, it has enforced the image even more.

Matsujun is freakin' adorable, and is such a brat, but he clearly loves Makino, while Makino is all wishy-washy and generally annoying. It's entirely possible I'm biased *cough*

The movie has no real point, and the story line is kinda erm-yeah-okaaayish, but it has it's sweet (if cheesy) moments, and F4 (Matsuda Shotaaaaaa *______* ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥) makes for awesome eye candy? ^^;

Music:
One Love by Arashi
Kisshug by Aiko

Rating: 5/10

Quotes:

~ At SongStories ~

Note: This might have rated better here if I had reviewed it as soon as I watched it, while still on the OOH SPARKLES! high. Pity I am lazy and waited around three days before forcing myself to write this (in accordance to the #FictionalMemories2010 program.)

Tada-san, erm, Buchou, um, *checks* yes, Fujiki Naohito is also in it! And looks awesome. *__* I found it interesting that apparently he played Rui in the 1995 version. I need to hunt that down sometime, definitely. Domyouji was played by the Yoroshiqueeeen guy!
[Hmm, they managed a movie about pretty boys with out any Jyannies back in those days. Imagine that!]

Also, yes, MatsuJun, babe: ENGRISH (he can speak it!). XD

Sweet Home Alabama

2010-02-25T23:06:00.002+05:00

Cast:
Reese Witherspoon as Melanie Smooter
Josh Lucas as Jake Perry
Patrick Dempsey as Andrew Hennings

Genre: Romance, Chick Flick, Sappy sap, Movie

Summary: After getting enaged to the tall, dark and handsome mayor's son, successful new york fashion designer Melanie returns to her home town Alabama after seven years to divorce her first love.

Review: ~~What do you know, so I'm a girl.~~ Complete chick flick. Loved every bit of it. Sweet, mindless, predictable fluff. Melts insides to goo.

Rating: 6/10 [I figure the fact this is one of the very few English movies I've actually watched, more than once even, has to count. Though admittedly, my first impression of this must have been formed when I was eleven or something. -_-']

Quotes:

~ At SongStories ~

Note: Le gasp! Could this possibly be notJapanese? O_o

I know this doesn't really count as a review, but I decided I would take note of all my fictional-world-exploring this year (including books/movies/series/etc), and besides, my other ramble-y blab posts can hardly be called reviews anyway. *shrug*

[Also, it appears I am unable to grasp the concept of rating. I really have no idea. It entirely depends on my state of mind/random guessing at the moment, since there are very few things I don't like/enjoy watching. I mean, if I didn't like it, I wouldn't be watching it in the first place, would I?]

Gokusen The Movie

2010-02-23T17:46:00.001+05:00

Cast:
Nakama Yukie as Yamaguchi Kumiko
Namase Katsuhisa as Sawatari Goro
Kamenashi Kazuya as Odagiri Ryu
Takaki Yuya as Ogata Yamato
Miura Haruma as Kazama Ren
Ishiguro Hideo as Honjo Kengo
Nakama Junta as Ichimura Rikiya
Kiriyama Akito as Kuraki Satoru
Miura Shohei as Kamiya Shunsuke
Waki Tomohiro as Kumai Teruo
Hayami Mokomichi as Tsuchiya Hikaru
Koike Teppei as Takeda Keita
Koide Keisuke as Hyuuga Kosuke
Oguri Shun as Uchiyama Haruhiko
Ishigaki Yuma as Minami Yoichi
Narimiya Hiroki as Noda Takeshi
Tamamori Yuta as Takasugi Reita

Genre: School Life, Teaching, Juvenile Delinquents, JMovie

Summary: The Gokusen story continues. Yankumi is still teaching at Akadou, although the last batch we saw her with has graduated, and she is in charge of a new class, led by Takasugi Reita. While she is still working on getting the class to warm up to her, she is also supposed to take along the new student teacher and show him the ropes.

To Yankumi's surprise, (and to the fulfillment of her passionate dream which has her even more passionate than usual) the student teacher turns out to be Odagiri Ryu (the pretteh), one of Yankumi's students from Kurogin (back in Season 2).

Yankumi keeps on believing in her students, as always, and they seem to be gradually accepting her, and all seems to be going well. However, one of Yankumi's students from the past year, Kazama Ren, suddenly gets caught up in a drug operation, led by someone who could possibly be Yankumi's biggest opponent yet. Through it all, she remains the same Yankumi that they all love and believe in, and teaches what is most important, once again.

Review: Ahhh, Gokusen, the things you do to me. This is quite possibly the most plot-less, pointless thing ever, and I still love it. I loved the movie to bits too, despite the utter ridiculousness of the timing/situations. After all, like I have stated on previous occasions, you don't watch Gokusen for the plot.

No, it's not for the pretty either, although admittedly, the pretties are very pre-teh. Tama-chan is so ridiculously cute. He was also, surprisingly, quite convincing as a delinquent, at first, but then he ran and I know I used to call Kame all skin and bones before, but seriously, Tamamori, boy needs to eat. Though he is still ridiculously pretty. Also, Takaki still runs like girl. XD Miura Haruma was as pretty as always. It was such a squealy flaily affair to see so many of them looking so ridiculously pretty one after the other.

Ryu gets his own paragraph of me harping on his prettiness because I say so. Damn it, Kamenashi is amazing. While I was waiting for the movie, I watched bits and pieces of season 2 because HayaRyuu are so bloody damn pretty and therefore so much win, and flailed a whole lot and was a general embarrassment to myself. I don't even care about either, because it was all worth it, and kwaaaa~ words fail. Anyway, the point is, Kame, in the movie, was so deliciously Ryu. Now, I do realize this is more foolishness on my behalf, because obviously, he is playing the role Odagiri Ryu, who else would he be, BUT! I didn't think of it, okay? Imagine my utter flail-squeal-melt-dying, when there is suddenly Ryu, Odagiri Ryu on the screen, all grown up, but very much himself. I remember hearing about Kame talking in concerts about Odagiri being this sorta character, where he has incredibly little reactions to things, and its so true. Ryu is indeed a rock. However, unlike the stupid diamond in twilight, he is the very epitome of a rock. The Epic Rock Who Pawns All. <3

It's so brilliant, though. The movie is so movie-like. (Yet another wonderful observation by yours truly.) It's more exaggerated than the drama series(es), Yankumi is freaking awesome, breaking walls and kicking cans through buildings and using Yakuza-ish words and delivering randomly passionate speeches without any regard to her surroundings. All the past pupils showing up had me flailing like mad and tearing up like anything because it's... it's touching, mkay? T__T When Oguri Shun's character Uchi showed up and patted Yankumi's shoulder and then poked her cheek with his finger like she used to do to them way back, I flailed a whole lot (although I was thinking all the while it should be Shin doing that, damn it, whaaaaai. T__T) The entire movie makes you swim in cheese and I will eternally begrudge this for not even mentioning Hayato and Shin. I was just WAITING for them to make some reference to Hayato in someway, although I knew they wouldn't, and they didn't. *pouts* Though I'll be lying if I said I didn't ~~flail around a whole lot~~ enjoy watching this.

*cough* So I got side tracked for three paragraphs. Like I was saying, you don't watch Gokusen for plot. You watch Gokusen, because it's Gokusen. That's enough.

Music: Plumeria ~Hana Uta ~ by Aqua Timez

Rating: 6/10 [Although purely in terms of enjoyment, the rating could be higher, I will be petty for them not even mentioning Hayato. >3>]

Quotes:

~ Gokusen Quotes at SongStories ~

Note: I am plotting a behind-the-scenes/minor sequel to this. Titled HayaShin's Revenge. Where Hayato and Shin show up, complain about them being completely erased from existence in the movie, and steal their respective leading ladies (Obviously, Yankumi for Shin and Ryuu for Hayato) and run off into the sunset. That, and all is said and done. ^___^

[Ah, I just realized I didn't watch the Season 3 special. ~_~]

AND, call me slow, but it was only after publishing, and seeing the date that I realized I watched this on Kame's birthday. Fitting, don't you think? ^_~

The Unicorn Sonata

2010-02-21T13:35:00.002+05:00

Author: Peter S.Beagle

Genre: Fantasy, Belonging, Novel

Summary: Joey, out of place even among her own family except for her beloved Abuelita, spends most of her time after school at Papa's Music, a dusty old shop that sells musical instruments.

One of the days she is alone minding the store, Indigo, a boy with gorgeous blue eyes and features too beautiful to be human, turns up and offers to sell a horn which sounds like nothing of this world for gold from the Greek owner. From then on, she keeps hearing that music calling to her, a music she can never name.

One night soon after, unable to sleep, she follows the music and ends up crossing into Shei'rah, a land of countless mystical creatures and wonders, and the music is home.

Review: This is such a beautiful story, magical and full of wonder. It makes you feel that magic is everywhere, and can be found by anyone, should you open your heart to it.

Shei'rah is breath-takingly beautiful. The friendships Joey forms there, the unicorns with their wisdom and playfulness, the innocent childishness of the brook-jalla; they are all so amazing, and it is sad, because you know that the book is only letting you catch a glimpse of something which is si much more.

However, this shows the beauty present in the things that we take for granted too, that Indigo understands all too well and yearns for. Choice. Deciding who you are and doing things you want because you want to, not because of what you are. They are also truly wonderful things, even if we forget sometimes.

I loved all the characters. They were all stately selves, beings. They feel real, and I feel the sort of appreciation for them, and this book, that you have for something you love which breaks your heart, although it doesn't mean to.

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

~ At SongStories ~

Note: NEIRO by KAT-TUN goes with the book so perfectly it hurts.

Ryuusei no Kizuna

2010-02-20T03:19:00.008+05:00

流星の絆

Cast:
Ninomiya Kazunari as Ariake Koichi
Nishikido Ryo as Ariake Taisuke
Toda Erika as Ariake Shizuna
Kaname Jun as Togami Yukinari

Genre: Suspense, Family, Love, Swindlers, Comedy, JDrama

Episodes: 10

Summary: "No one ever died from not seeing shooting stars," is what their father tells them when Koichi and Taisuke's plan to sneak out to at midnight to see the Leonid meteor shower is found out by their parents. They sneak out anyway, despite the heavy rain and their baby sister waking up and making a fuss until they agree to take her along too. None of their elementary school classmates show up, but the rain lets down miraculously so that Koichi and Taisuke are able to see the shooting stars, even though Shizuna had long fallen asleep. They return home, sneaking in through the front door of their family's western-food restaurant, only to discover that their parent's have been murdered, making their father's previous statement almost cruelly ironic.

Taisuke had managed to catch a glimpse of the culprit's face, and that's the only evidence they have other than a vinyl umbrella, that the culprit had seemingly forgotten, though that too had been wiped clean. All three children are put in foster care at Saint George Academy (run by George-san the self-appointed Pierrot of the drama). However, before they leave their home in Yokosaka, they resolve together that once they grow up they will find the criminal, and kill him themselves.

The actual events of the drama takes place 14 years afterwards when even Shizuna, the youngest, is 21. The two brothers and their little sister are supporting each other and trying to live on, although they still haven't forgotten what they had promised at the time of their parent's murder. Koichi who now works at a western-food restaurant in Tokyo, also run by George-san, is still obsessed enough to have the police portrait of the man Taisuke saw coming out of their house as his computer wallpaper. Taisuke and Shizuna share an apartment, with Taisuke doing various part time jobs (one of them being at an adult video shop. Also run by George-san). Shizuna, who was working at a well known firm, had to quit because she was being harassed in a rather juvenile manner by ~~a Post-it~~ her superior. While she is still fuming over the incident, she runs into a lady who claims that she is just perfect for a job that sounds certainly dream-like and sells her materials that would allow her to qualify for the job, at quite a high price. They later find out it's a fraud, and that she has been swindled out of a large sum that she certainly can't afford, and that there is no evidence to take the case to the police.

Koichi, Taisuke and Shizuna are forced to try to use their strength to swindle the money back, indirectly. Having succeeded once, they get a taste for it and more or less become swindlers. In what was to be their last fraud, two events too unbelievable to be coincidences overlap. After 14 years, a chance of finding out who the criminal is and pining him down becomes viable to them and they carry on with the plan, exchanging only the target who was the son of a well known western-food chain, to his father; the man who possibly killed their parents to steal their father's legendary Hayashi Rice. There seems to be only one problem though, and it concerns their little sister.

Review: I love this so much, it's not even funny, in fact it's a bit scary. It's up there topping my list with Nobuta wo Produce, and trust me, to do that is no easy feat.

This is perfect, somehow beautiful, and the epitome of Japanese drama for me, no matter how many dramas it's compared to. It's the epitome of a good story, combined with beautiful settings and people, genuinely good actors and wonderful camera-work and scenery and all that. I have no idea about direction, but even then I appreciated how this was all done.

The story, to begin with, is wonderful. It's quite a serious, heavy tale to swallow; about murders and orphans and shooting stars. However, it is all woven together so beautifully, an intricate myriad of colors including love, laughter, friendship, trust, family. Including sadness, hurt and betrayal. Confusion. Everything, it's here. It's about diamonds, lies and a kind restaurant. It's about Post-its, a delusional section chief and Ohagi-san. It's about letters from Canada. It is truly made of awesome and I fail at describing. This makes you laugh. This just as easily makes you cry.

I love all characters in this. Genuinely love all of them. Except for he-who-shall-not-be-named-because-I-can't-make-the-spoiler-thing-work. I first watched this as it was being aired in late 2008, one episode a week, and I truly was surprised to discover who the criminal was. This time around, when I watched it for the second time, a year later, I knew who the criminal was from the start, and my heartbeat was still racing until the end. I blame this on the wonderful actors.

Nino is probably my favorite out of Arashi, Jun-baited or no. I liked him first when I watched Kiiroi Namida, and this makes me applaud his acting skills once again. He is awesome. So is Nishikido Ryo. Ryo is another whose acting I adore, his dramas are always, always amazing. With Nishikido Ryo and Ninomiya Kazunari being in the same drama, I remember expecting it to be awesome. This however, was even better than I expected. I also liked Toda Erika, and Kaname Jun, and basically everyone else in this. It had a very well executed, very well carried-out feel, and the drama is convincing, and gripping and it is hilarious. I adored all the characters, although my favorite was Tai-nii, with his random stupidity and blabbing. <3

I am still way too amused when I hear anything about Canada or post-its.

Definitely something I will watch over and over and over again. There are no words to describe how awesome this is [despite the sheer amount of blabbing I managed up there at 3:00 am. -__-']. I'm not going to even try attempting to describe my favorite scenes/bits/dialogues because there are way too many and I have [still] way too much to say about them. I will shut up now, yes. This was awesome. A must to watch.

Music:
Beautiful Days by Arashi
ORION by Nakashima Mika

Rating: 10/10 [I would give it a hundred it I could. Ten somehow seems not enough, even if it's out of ten.]

Quotes:

~ At SongStories ~

Note: Nishikido Ryo is a beautiful, beautiful man.

This is another book I will try to get my hands on, and attempt to read in the original Japanese. If I ever get around to finish reading Nobuta wo Produce, that is.

Voice

2010-02-07T14:41:00.001+05:00

ヴォイス

Cast:
Eita as Kaji Daiki
Ikuta Toma as Ishimatsu Ryosuke
Ishihara Satomi as Kuboaki Kanako
Endo Yuya as Kirihata Teppei
Sato Tomohito as Hanei Akira
Izumiya Shigeru as Kaburagi Makoto
Yada Akiko as Natsuigawa Reiko
Tokito Saburo as Sagawa Fumihiko

Genre: Medical, Mystery, JDrama

Episodes: 11

Summary: Only five students take part in the forensic science seminar. One of them, Kaji Daiki being strong-handed into it by the professor because he is 'suited' to it, although he originally applied for the Heart Sugary Seminar (apparently because it's popular).

The drama starts with him staring inquisitively at where his name is pasted over with another's on the notice board for the heart sugary seminar, asking why? and that's a question that is repeated throughout the drama, from things as silly as to why a certain person has to look at the sun to sneeze, to why a certain person died in a certain way.

All five of them have different personal reasons for joining, but for the course of the seminar, all five of them together explore a branch of medicine as doctors for the dead, and throughout cases, encounter things that make them realize the importance of such a thing, in finding the truth, in allowing the families to accept death and pass on, regardless of whether they decide to pursue the field in the future or not.

Review: I really really liked this. I decided to watch it a while back when I realized I haven't watched a single thing with Toma in it since HanaKimi (Oh wait, I forgot about Maou. But then again, I didn't watch it entirely upon finding out how it ended. Meh, must get around to it sometime..) ANYWAY, yes, I started watching this a while back for Toma. However, I think the reason I was able to stick to watching it, was because of my recent medical drama kick (Uwaa~ Code Blue 2 is made of awesome, btw. Not only because of Pi-face the gorgeous either. *cough*), and this is one awesome medical drama. About medicine for the dead. I don't see how you can get any more awesome. Kanarazu.

Each case is interesting, and while I have no clue about the credibility of all they say, it sounds incredibly believable and awesome. That saying "Dead men tell no tales" is clearly a lie. Even the dead have voices, and it's the job of modern forensic scientists to listen to those voices. Their voices have the ability to clear innocent men of guilt, to unveil the truth, and to help those that are left behind, move on.

Now, the only bone to pick (lame joke is lame), is about how this Daiki is so damn presumptions in the drama. More so because he does it mainly by using his ~imagination~ outside of the laboratory. How a little clue left behind can make you assume so and so makes my inner cynic scoff like it's been swimming in dust clouds. But then again, I suppose it is, like the proffessor said, only because they are learning, they are supposed to experience things like that, and learn, and understand properly. When they do, later, they will be able to understand, even within the confines of the lab, without prancing off to the crime scene.

Okay, so regarding the non-medical aspects, I kinda adored the relationships between the characters. They were all so damn sweet, and adorable, making the drama incredibly fun. Daiki was such a pain in the ass with all his why? WHY? WWHAAAAAI?~ ing, but they were so indulgent (while calling him a pain in the ass, but that's a fact, so it doesn't count as being not indulgent), and Ryosuke's parts were made of awesome, I love Toma to bits, and his character is kinda awesome too, in the sense that he is purely human. (Which reminds me, I want to see Toma's Ningen Shikkaku so bad. T___T). Hannei-kun is the awesomest gangster-turned-med-student ever. Teppei is sweet, and Aki is hilarious. Combined, all their interactions were made of win. [I'm a sucker for these nakama things. ^^']

Verdict: Good Drama~

Music: Setsuna by GReeeeN

Rating: 8/10

Quotes:

~ Might show up in songstories in the possible future? ~

Note: I didn't like Ishihara Satomi much in Hanayome to Papa (which I watched purely for Junno <3) OH WAIT. I just realized it. That's why I loved the professor dude so much. HE WAS THE PAPA~ XDD Damn it, I can't believe it took me that long to realize that. *Ahem* But I am rethinking my opinion and thinking of adding her to the list of actresses I'm fangirling. [Currently Kitagawa Keiko, Kuroki Meisa and Toda Erika, I think.] After all, she was the one whom Chibi-basahaa-Ryo-face-in-a-white-suit-with-wings sang Love Me Tender to. *snickers* I really really want to get my hands on that drama. Teru Teru Kazoku it was called, I think?

Also, pleased with my not-counter-productive-to-school-work restraint. I took quite a while to watch this, as I put in a considerable effort to limit to around an episode a day, instead of watching it all in one go like I normally do.

A Thousand Splendid Suns

2010-02-06T14:45:00.011+05:00

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Genre: Human experience, War, Women, Novel

Summary: Here is another tale about how people try to live, just live amidst all the destruction and chaos occurring around them, to them. Although it can never be written off as just another tale.

Mariam lived in a kholba with her mother for the first fifteen years of her life. Being illegitimate, she was always called a harami by her mother, although she didn't really understand the implications if it until she goes to find him in town, after her father fails to turn up to take her to her promised birthday treat. There she finds out that he is actually ashamed of her, despite his weekly visits with promises and sweet words, when he refuses to meet her, and lets her sleep on the street waiting for him. When she returns, she finds her mother has committed suicide, hanging herself off a tree. To preserve honor for his household, her father plays the role of comforting her in public, although he cowardly marries her off to a man who is thirty years her senior, who lives far away. She first imagines a real life, a family with children, contentment, but after she miscarries their first child, he becomes more and more abusive towards her.

Born a generation afterward, Laila is born to a open, warm family, and she is brought up as an educated young woman. Although her mother is in a sorry state, mourning her elder brothers who left to join the war, she has a happy childhood where she is allowed to grow, and develop properly, with her best friend Tariq at her side. Her life turns upside down however, because of the war. Tariq's family decide to leave, and they have an emotional farewell which leads to her carrying his child. Her family is killed in a bomb attack, and she is rescued by Rasheed and Mariam.

Mariam knows what Rasheed intends, and doesn't approve of it because she is so young, and is surprised when the girl accepts the proposal so soon, although she does it for the baby. Mariam doesn't know, and is at first, hostile towards her. However, their combined circumstances gradually make them confide in each other, forming and unlikely alliance, with real affection for each other.

Thoughts: The utter strength a human is capable of in trying circumstances amazes me. What struck me most about this story, was the strength of character of both the women. Surely, the way they displayed it was different as night and day, but it was still strength, how they managed to exist, to live, to love in those circumstances, enduring what they had to. It is heart-wrenching, what they have to go through, day by day, but at least you see the next day, and maybe that is enough; that is a chance to live on. I realized that education also makes all the difference. How lucky we are to be able to learn, because it is a wonderful thing. There is genuine love and affection even within the book, moments of beauty that shined through all that was ugly, and it yanks at the heartstrings, forget tugging. Children, specially, in all their innocence and purity, are true saviors. This also had a story of true love, which was just T______T (okay, speech deteriorating now, clearly, so I'll stop blabbing.)

This is a definitely a book you should read at least once.

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

~At songstories~

Note: Part of #ReadingList2010. Read this a while back, but I'm trying to keep to the resolution.

The Kite Runner

2010-01-26T21:18:00.001+05:00

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Genre: Human Experience, War, Novel

Summary: A man, living a brand new life in America, receives a phone call from his past, offering him the chance to "be good again". He recollects a childhood lush with innocence and stained with guilt, and goes on a task that will help him seek redemption, perhaps, finally, the correct way.

~~Review~~ Thoughts: I finished reading this minutes ago, and I am awestruck, and can barely string two sentences together. To begin with, this is one of those books you just have to read, at least once. Calling this a review seems pretentious.

I envy Hassan's faith. I suppose that is one of the reasons the book resounds so deeply, tugs at something deep within, in so many of us. I remember a conversation me and Fably had just a couple of days back, about how, no matter what, we cannot purely, single-mindedly think or even feel honestly, straight forwardly. I called it a social disease, dismissively saying we didn't stand a chance anyway, being born in the times where we have all these tools for communication and connection which just makes as retreat further into our own selves despite us having no idea who we are to begin with. That doesn't make me yearn for it any less, though. I think that is why Amir envies the most in Hassan too. Faith. The unquestionable faith and unconditional love for him. That scares him.

It occurs to me that not only is life is in no way either black or white, it isn't all shades of gray either. What struck me the most when reading it, was how we as people, especially the characters are all painted with their own colors throughout. We are who we are, and maybe we as people don't change, despite what changes we go through and endure. Even if people change, they are still who they are, and yet, they do change, and significantly, because that is life. It's something that's unquestionably going to happen. The way life goes on and we change with it, and we live, seeking our own redemption from our own failings through out our lives.

Another thing that struck a chord was how it was so similar and yet so different from all the things I knew, grew up believing, lived in. The descriptions of the actual Afghan culture and the people, makes you fall in love with it, mourn for how it, how they themselves have been shattered and broken and reduced to rubble like the streets. Their society is different from where I grew up in, but there are similarities, food that I've heard of and eaten, customs that even we follow or at least know of, words I can pick out from Hindi, words used even in Dhivehi, that makes me all too aware of the proximity, and honestly, it makes me very very afraid.

That's the thing with the book. It is horrifying and my heart weeps for all they have to go through, at the hands of the dirty, ugly side of human nature. But it still shows the beauty and the pureness of the human heart, how there are second chances, and third chances after that and how there is life, and there is hope.

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

We took our first steps on the same lawn in the same yard. And, under the same roof, we spoke our first words.

Mine was Baba.

His was Amir. My name.

Looking back on it now, I think the foundation for what happened in the winter of 1975 - and all that followed - was already laid in those first words.

~ Amir

***

~ songstories ~

***

Note: This is part of my extended reading for lit before I pick a theme for my final coursework (it's already way too late, I know), so I will think of and sort out major themes and issues presented, and the linguistic techniques used by the author, and other whatnots of importance. Later.

The Big Bang Theory

2010-01-12T12:15:00.002+05:00

Cast:
Johnny Galecki as Leonard Hofstadter
Jim Parsonsas as Sheldon Cooper
Kaley Cuoco as Penny
Simon Helberg as Howard Wolowitz
Kunal Nayyar as Rajesh Koothrappali
[Wiki here]

Genre: Comedy, Science, Friendship

Episodes: Season 1: 17, Season 2: 23

Summary: Leonard and Sheldon share an apartment. They are both physicists, possessing Ph.Ds and a definite lack of proper social skills. Sheldon, who has the highest IQ (a fact which he is all too aware of), is by far the worst, failing at understanding even sarcasm, but they are pretty much all in the same boat, along with their two friends Raj and Howard. Penny, a pretty, blond, aspiring actress (who is in the meanwhile working at the cheesecake factory) moves across the hall from Leonard and Sheldon. The fun begins.

Review: I find it amusing that the post right below this about Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge, where the situation is pretty much the reverse.

In this sitcom, unlike the anime/manga, the four guys are the ones who lack social skills, and it's the girl who is pretty, popular and normal, with the guys striving to attain a score of normalcy. Or you know, just, score.

I personally loved all of Sheldon's interactions with... anyone really, the most, because he just doesn't understand how the 'inferior' (according to him, since he himself is apparently a mutation, a new, improved version, a new evolutionary species) mind works at all, and all his social observations are hilarious. His life is incredibly routine, organized, and everything, to the tiniest detail, has to be Sheldon approved. Poor everyone else who has to put up with him. XD

It's incredibly amusing how they all (especially Sheldon) describe stuff, and basically do anything, because their perspective is certainly different, and even the simplest things are cause for extensive debate. With unnecessarily non-common words. Also, hyperbole is much win. And superheroes and Spock are srs biznss.

All in all, fun. Worth watching. I'll make sure to get the third season from my cousin too~

Rating: 8/10

Quotes:

***

~ Here at songstories ~

***

Note: Short review is short, I know. However, it is part of my new year's plans to review everything I watch/read this year, so I am making an attempt. Yes, this is the first thing I've watched or read so far this year (Not counting keeping-up-with-Manga-reading). Will attempt to do so in the future too. Now I gotta go study for my Economics A'Level unit 1, which is tomorrow. [Yes, I do realize that this is not the best time to go around watching sitcoms all in one go. -_-']

Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge

2009-12-12T13:51:00.008+05:00

Drama Review Here

ヤマトナデシコ七変化
Wallflower/Perfect Girl Evolution

Mangaka: Hayakawa Tomoko

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Semi-Romance, Anime, Manga

Episodes: 25 (Anime)
Serialization: Ongoing (Manga)

Summary: Four (VERY pretty) high school boys accept the task of turning their landlady's niece into a proper 'Lady' for the sake of free rent. They figure it can't be that hard, until they meet the niece in question.

Nakahara Sunako, is a deliciously creepy heroine, who has well and truly gone over to the dark side. Apparently she was normal enough, until she confessed to her crush in middle school, only to be rejected with the words 'I don't like ugly girls'. As a consequence, she has thrown away the need to be a woman, and instead, spends time with her beloved anatomical models and skeletons and horror movies.

The boys in charge of turning her into a lady are Takano Kyouhei [Kyouhei; a hot headed gorgeous gorgeous Creature of the Light], Mori Ranmaru [Ranmaru; a self-declared lady killer], Oda Takenaga [Takenaga; a smart, silent traditional-type prince] and Yukinojoh Tohyama [Yuki; adorable enough to be mistaken for a girl countless times]. Incredibly popular even on their own, together, they are able to draw incredible crowds of girls and attract various other circumstances (which gradually become even more outrageous and amusing as Sunako contributes to it).

However, can even they, the dazzling creatures, turn Sunako into a lady? Or will they end up having to pay double the rent as per agreement?

Review: For those of you out there looking for an unconventional shojo anime (or manga), you've hit the jackpot. (Ahahaha. That reminds me of the manager dude in You're Beautiful! *ahem*) Granted, it's shojo, but it's fun shojo, without all the unnecessary drama and possible angst. At the same time, it's not (entirely) shallow either, and it's just (more than) a little bit shameless. Which in my book is a huge plus. XD

There are cracks made at various things, battles of epic proportions over the simplest of matters, and the most unusual heroine ever. She remains chibi for the most part of the anime, and is blood thirsty and utterly in love with horror movies and gory things, and spends a great amount of time plotting ways to kill the Dazzling Creature Kyohei, because he is too bright and causes her spurts of nose-bleeding if she looks at him (or any other shinnies, but he is the worst) too much. She can also hold her own in fights, is an awesome cook, and loves house-wife-ey tasks, and her best friend is an anatomical model who doesn't have his innards.

All the characters are awesome and adorable, and fun. All four boys, in addition to being awesome eye-candy (the anime understands the concept of fan-servicing very well) are genuinely well developed characters, with their own interesting personalities. They are in no way, 'perfect' no matter how dazzling they are, and are endearing (and ridiculously hilarious) most of the time.

Another noticeable fact about this, is that this is in no-way the reverse harem situation that a lot of mangakas seem to favor. All the guys do NOT fall in love with Sunako eventually. Both Takenaga and Ranmaru have their own love interests. I applaud this a whole lot. Takenaga's girlfriend Noi-chan is another dazzling creature, but she is adorkable and adores Sunako to bits, even if Sunako finds her too dazzling at times. Which helps in letting Sunako care for people other than her anatomical models and skeletons and grow as a character too. Ranmaru's Ojou-sama is also much win, and becomes Sunako's second female friend. Ojou-sama's butler is made of awesome too. XD

Basically, this anime is sparkly and shinny and made of awesome, consists of shameless fan servicing, cross dressing and implications to all sorts of things which makes my not so inner delusional lunatic go *fhu fhu fhuuuu~*. Watch it. ^___^

Music:
slow by Kiyoharu [Opening theme]
Carnation by Kiyoharu [First ending theme]
∞Changing∞ by BON-BON BLANCO [Second ending theme]

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

If you don't look into mirrors you cant see your face.

If you don't see your face you wont need to compare it with others.

It is a happy life indeed~

~Nakahara Sunako

***

~ More Quotes? ~

***

Note: I adored the manga to bits when I read it, quite a while ago, and I've been planning on watching this for quite a while. However, being the procrastinator I am, I didn't actually get around to it until it was announced they were making a live action of this, and Kame, Tego and Uchi were going to be in it. Naturally that served as incentive for me to download it and watch it as soon as possible. Now I regret all the time I spent not watching it, coz this, is made of awesome. Can't wait for the live action~ ^____^

Orthros no Inu

2009-11-10T15:20:00.002+05:00

オルトロスの犬

Cast:
Takizawa Hideaki as Ryuzaki Shinji
Nishikido Ryo as Aoi Ryosuke
Mizukawa Asami as Hasebe Nagisa
Yaotome Hikaru as Kumakiri Masaru

Genre: Suspense, Detective, Action, Supernatural, JDrama

Episodes: 9

Summary: An Angel possessing the hands of the Devil. A Demon possessing the hands of God. Aoi Ryosuke is a teacher at a girls high school. Mild mannered and liked by all, he has the ability to kill a person, with just a touch. Ryuuzaki Shinji is a death row convict, in prison for 10 years, charged with the murder of three men. Enigmatic and seemingly cold-hearted, he has the ability to heal, with just a touch, whichever wounds or illnesses.

Detective Hasabe Nagisawa, while breaking up a juvenile drug set-up, encounters Aoi's powers. Aoi's involvement had stemmed from a student of his being targeted by Kumakiri Masaru, the leader, and this is the first time he had used his power, killing Kumakiri's right hand man, and incurring his resentment as well. Over-ridden by guilt and due to strong, straight-forward morals, he turns himself over to the police, asking them to arrest him for murder. The lack of evidence and the ridiculousness of the situation makes it seem incredulous and consequently impossible for the police to put any charges against him and he is forced to leave. Hasabe, who saw his power with her own eyes, however, cannot let it go and her investigation leads to another man, rumored to possess the hands of the Devil (or the hands of God). Unwittingly she brings them both together and this results in Ryuuzaki using Aoi, manipulating him with false promises playing into his sense of justice, to kill the warden, allowing him to escape.

At large, truly seeming to possess god like powers, he pays the detective and Aoi frequent visits, and it is not clear what his motives are or exactly what he wants. The web gets more intricate and them more entangled, as more people, including those who wants to control their powers for their own selfish purposes, are drawn into it. Aoi is forced to choose a course of action regarding his own abilities; how he will use them in order not to be used by others. Ryuuzaki, while seemingly the primary instigator, or the main catalyst for the entire situation, seems to be much in the same boat. Just what are his true motives, and what is the relationship between the ex-convict and the teacher?

Review: This drama draws you in from the start. Aoi Ryouske walks alone in the rain to a police station, asking them to arrest him for murder, while Ryuuzaki Shinji watches the streets below from a rooftop, looking down on humanity. [This of course, has nothing to do with how good the two of them looks soaked in the rain. XD Although admittedly, it is very kachoii and hot. And I've noticed that Ryo walks Ore-Cho-Kamenashi, even when he is supposed to be dejected and miserable. <3] The plot, like Takki kept repeating in all the promos, is fast paced. There are a lot of things happening, and none of them irrelevant or insignificant. This I liked because they didn't actually ruin a Good Thing, by dragging it on and on and on, to milk it for all its worth even when the cow is dead. *coughcoughgokusencough* It had me hooked from the begging to the end and while the pretty was REALLY pretty, [Takizawa and Nishikido both contribute to my kalhuthila fetish], it wasn't only that.

I liked the story and how it was presented. Although the concept of good and evil and right and wrong is age old and has been done billions of times before, this is a thought provoker, and insinuates a lot of things throughout the episodes, mainly in what Ryuuzaiki says to Aoi, and that makes you truly think. About good and evil and life and death and destruction and salvation. What it really means. While it seems as different as heaven and hell at first impression, are heaven and hell all that different to begin with? This shakes your beliefs of right and wrong as black and white is shattered and settles down slowly into grey, grey dust.

[Spoilers]

One of the most significant scenes for me in the drama was when, after Ryuuzaki demonstrated his powers on national television, and the hospital was threatened to be blown up unless he healed every single patient in the building, Ryuuzaki, showing up with just an hour left, tells them to choose the order they will be healed because he cannot heal them all, and they can decide who will be left to die. He passes on the responsibility so that they effectively have to decide their own worth, make impossible choices adn sacrifices that human nature just doesn't allow. When Aoi confronts him about this, Ryuuzaki tells him to pay close attention. Contrary to what Ryosuke might think, this is not only Ryuuzaki's forte. Both of them are equally significant here.

Later on, when Aoi asks Ryuuzaki whether he would have healed them had they been able to decide on an order, Ryuuzaki replies with a simple question. Could Aoi kill them, then, had they decided on an order, in reverse?

It made an incredibly impact on me. Like Ryuuzaki states later, maybe it's Aoi, who can kill with his touch, who truly possesses the Hands of God.

Okay, I've been [reasonably] serious enough, let’s talk of the eye-candy. I've come to the conclusion, that Takkizawa Hideaki, is God’s Gift to Women. Forget his powers in the drama, his hands are just gorgeous. [Now would be a good time, I suppose to remind you, that I have a major thing for hands, and dammit, his hands are hot.] So are Ryo-face's for that matter. In the opening credits, there is this bit where both of them, their arms only visible on the screen, reach for each apther, until they finally clasp each others hands, and I swear, I melted into a gooey boneless puddle, every single time I saw it, in all nine episodes (not counting rewinding it and watching it again and again. And again)

[Spoiler]

Also, like Sai-chan aptly put it, just what is it with Ryo playing roles where you just want to ship him with his siblings?

There is a whole lot of collar grabbing and my poor demented yaoi obsessed mind is going snickersnickerohwaitohmythatishot *_*. That scene where Aoi moves from Ryuuzaki's collar to his neck, I nearly exploded with glee/imagination overload. *sigh* I suppose I cannot help being demented, and in my defense, JE has eaten my brain and I didn't have much of it sane to begin with, anyway.

Hmmm... I seem to have forgotten to blab about the supporting characters like I normally do. Truth to be told, they too were very well developed and all that. The only reason I forgot to blab about them is because, basically, Takizawa Hideaki steals the show. The man has charisma and can act, and looks utterly gorgeous to top it off. Hence, all my blabbing being about him. AND! There is Ryo-chan. There is Ryo-chan. I was recently miffed over why Ryo gets no leading roles, but damn, his supporting roles are GOOD. Three of my all time favorite dramas (RnK, 1 Liter, and now this) have him in it and he is wonderful. At the risk of sounding extremely sappy and corny (not to mention possibly patronizing) he makes me proud. As a person, I am proud of him for being so hardworking and dedicated and using his talents properly (because he IS talented.)

Oh yes, I get side tracked. Supporting characters. They might have been a bit one dimensional, but I think they proved to serve their purposes perfectly. The characters were strong, solid presences, and helped to shape the story into one very awesome drama.

Of course, there were some areas which could have used more work, things which could have developed further or weren't really properly explained. But in terms of entertainment it is pure win and awesome and definitely worth watching! Now. No, really, I mean it. Now.

Music: Hikari Hitotsu by Takizawa Hideaki [And the man can sing too. ♥_♥]

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

Tell me. How can you people, so easily, betray those dearest to you?

~Ryuuzaki Shinji

***

~ More Quotes? ~

***

Note: I over thunk a lot of things in this, and this review ended up being really long, with me blabbing for miles at end, without being able to talk of half the things I thunk over. One of them, is how Ryuuzaki, would be emotionally younger than Aoi Ryosuke. Although Ryosuke is three years younger than Ryuuzaki, Ryuuzaki spent ten years in jail, secluded from people, which is possibly why he understands more. Like children, who seem to find it so simple to be selfless and forgiving. Maybe, growing up, we forget a lot of important things.

W-Juliet

2009-10-23T06:17:00.002+05:00

Mangaka: Emura

Genre: Gender-bender, Comedy, Romance, Manga

Serialization: 14 Volumes

Summary: Miura Ito is the president of the drama club, adored by all the girls, tough, strong, and a girl. Always dressing up in boys clothes much to the dismay of her school teachers, she indulges in a boyish nature and claims that being a girl doesn't suit her much anyway.

Amano Makoto, the new transfer student to join the drama club, is delicate, beautiful, and the complete opposite of Miura. Despite the amazing contrast, from personalities to appearance, they become fast friends, and Miura thinks that it's possible that she might finally be able to have a close female friend.

Until she discovers that Amano Makoto is actually a boy.

Amano Makoto, actually Narita Makoto, wants to be an actor. However, being the only son of a traditional kendo family, his father does not approve of it. The only way, his father had stated, would be if he had acted out his high school life as a role of a girl, and managed to graduate without being discovered. Rising up to the challenge, Makoto had accepted for the sake of his dream, and Ito, recognizing his strong conviction, decides to help him.

Review: So, its a gender bender. Nothing new since its a shojo manga. What I liked however, is that its not the typical girl-in-a-boys-high-school-for-whatever-reason drama/manga, but it works BOTH WAYS. Although yeah, everyone knows Ito IS a girl, while no one knows Makoto is a boy. But still both ways! And I have a weakness for bishies in these things *_*.

So since it is a typical shojo manga, it's not really the plot we are going for, right? ^_~
What is it for then? The ~FUWA FUWA~ ofcourse. And this has fuwa fuwa aplenty. There are cheesy lines (which are actually kinda sweet if you kick half of your brain out) and adorable adorable poses, and other random cutenesses! This also has a coupla supernatural-y chapters involving ghosts and mermaid legends and time traveling into the past.

One of the reasons I loved this manga so much was the supporting character stories. They are all awesomely well developed and fully formed. Basically I adore both Mako's and Ito's families to pieces. Ito has a family of three brothers, and they are super protective of her, and all ridiculously strong (their family also has a martial arts doujo) and continue to threaten "Ito's boyfriend" right in front of poor Makoto whom they still think is a girl. [And her elder twin brothers are awesome eye-candy *__*] Mako's has three elder sisters, and they are all awesome and amusing too. My favourite side story was how Mako's sister Akane and Ito's brother Yuuto meet and its all so adorable and-*gushes and turns into melted puddle on the floor* The side story between Ryuuya and Chris was awesome too. XD The Tou-sans from both the families, while being all strict and stuff at times, were kinda awesome too. Specially Ito's. XD

The main relationship in the story, between Mako and Ito, is just MADE of win, btw. Sure, its impossibly cheesy, but the two have a good dynamic, while on stage/with people/while they are alone, and the cheesiness doesn't get entirely out of hand, its cute, and doesn't have Annoyingly Ridiculous Self-Sacrificing, or Incredible Stupidity, found commonly in Shojo manga, which was refreshing.

Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the contrast between Mako's girly facade and his true self which is all hot and kachoii like WHOA. *____*

I liked how the story turned out towards the end, there was pretty good development throughout and the artwork while not being utterly distinctive (at least not to me), is still really pretty, and worth checking out.

Rating: 7/10

Quotes: Hah. Manga needs artwork and paneling and character positioning and poses for quotes to be effective. Even I am not stupid enough to quote manga! [I lie. I am.] Um, at least, not this time? ^^' excusesismymiddlename

Note: Who wants to see a drama adaptation of this? XD And whom do you want to play Makoto? I'm thinking Junno now. He would fit the descriptions pretty well. Gorgeously pretty face (he looks girlier than UEDA, facewise!), looks good blond, tall, ability to deliver utterly cheesy lines with a straight face, good at acting all dramatic and flair-y (Bidou~), normally all sweet and adorable but has a good convincing B-gata-side which could be his manly Mako. What do you think? ^_~

Skip Beat!

2009-10-11T05:53:00.004+05:00

Genre: Shoujo, Romance, Show Biz, Love n War, Shinnies, Anime

Episodes: 25

Summary: Mogami Kyoko is a pure, kind-hearted traditionally raised Japanese girl. She has been in love with her childhood friend Fuwa Sho forever, even skipping high school to go with him to Tokyo to help him chase his dream of being a rock star/super idol/something shinny. She is the most selfless and self-sacrificing, supporting Sho by working two jobs and doing nothing for herself, everything for his sake .

Until she happens to overhear Sho flirting with his manager and talking about her saying she is just like his maid, that he brought her along just because he needed someone to do stuff for him, no other reason. Because she is plain and boring with no sex appeal.

Something inside her snaps, unleashing a hoard of demons, who attempts to choke Sho until security throws her out. But not before she confronts him and he rather cruelly dumps her, saying he intended to 'throw her away' anyway. She struggles, saying that she will make him pay for this, and he mockingly tells her that he's somewhere she can't reach now. If she wants revenge, she is going to have to beat him after entering the show business, and over taking him; an impossible task for someone as plain as her.

Kyoko, determined and spurred on by her desire for revenge, manages to get into the agency rival to Sho's : LME, through her persistence and willpower (and bugging the managers continuously) How ever she is put in the newly created 'Love Me' section. Because the president says she is missing the most important thing for an entertainer. The desire to make people love her (which she had in access before but lost when she snapped after Sho's betrayal.)

Although it's literally the bottom of the food chain, it's a start, and she starts discovering that maybe she can do something for herself, that she has talents. She also meets various interesting people which help her change herself, from the one who lives for revenge, to something better, including the top idol Tsuruga Ren. (*fhu fhu fhuu~*)

Review: I ADORE this to bits. I seem to have a weakness for any things concerning Japanese idols, even if it's an anime. Of course I loved this long ago too, when I read the manga while knowing nothing of the Japanese Shinnies world. Now, watching it, it's double the fun somehow.

This series is light-hearted and charming and funny. First off, I like the concept of this, it's definitely something I haven't seen before, especially a take on it like this. The characters are also completely and utterly awesome.

Kyoko is not your typical shojo manga heroine. She isn't the perfectly-pretty type, neither is she the always-overlooked-until-transformation type. She is just herself, possessing a variety of housekeeping oriented talents (Sho's fault, since his parents owned an inn and Kyoko learned to do all these to earn his parents approval), to the point that she exhibits her ability to make a rose out of a radish as her 'special talent' in her audition into the agency. She is also particularly mood-swingy, emitting a malicious aura when ever she thinks of Sho, but turning all sparkly sparkly when she sees pretty things, which she adores and yearns for (never having indulged herself with it before), like make up. I love love love her inner Kyoko demons which make their appearance whenever she is feeling particularly murderous (mostly in reaction to Sho), capable of turning the air cold and affect the atmosphere. Her reactions inside her head are so adorably amusing too.

Tsuruga Ren is just *________* [No words *INSTANT DEATH~* Be still, my heart (♥/////♥) ] He is utterly perfectly awesome, and kacchoii sugiru, to the point I didn't even compare and match characteristics of his to various JE Idols like I normally do. He is utterly shinny in his own right. He is mature and charming and professional. [and childish and adorable occasionally, specially in interacting with Kyoko, where he bullies her because he found out about her not-so-pure reasons for entering the business. And he (typically) totally has a crush on her, although he doesn't realize it. XD]

Even Sho is not hatable. He is likable as he is a bit of a brat, used to getting his way, and there is something about him that just makes him not hatable. Just amusing. And he does love her in some [in-denial-deeep-down-ridiculously-possessive-to-the-extent-he-considers-her-his-plaything-because-he-is-childish] level.

Ren's manager Yashiro-san, the Shachou of LME, Maria-chan, they all just add to the awesomeness of the series. I particularly adore how Yashiro-san always goes sparkly-eyed trying to get Ren to admit his feelings, and then scoffs later when he realizes how much of an idiot Ren is/possible ways that it might not work out due to Ren and Kyoko's stupidity. I can totally sympathize with how he is somehow totally hated by technology that he has to wear gloves when he touches anything electronic, because if he touches anything for ten seconds, it is destined to break. It doesn't happen to me, but I sure come close to it. -___-' The Shachou is all kinds of amusing, forever dressing up in some out-landish costume and doing outrageous random things. XD

Basically I love this to bits and given the chance, I'll happily randomly ramble about it forever, so I'll shut up now. ^__^

If I had to pick something I didn't like about this, I would say it's too short. But it's understandable since its not something super popular (and profitable) among the masses like One Piece or Inu Yasha which stretches on for hundreds of episodes (sometimes quite pointlessly -_-'). Since it's short, it skipped over quite a bit of the manga, but that's to be expected as you cannot fit all that happened into only 25 episodes. Needless to say, definitely worth watching! ^__~

Music:

Dream Star by the generous (1st Opening)

Namida by 2BACKKA (1st Ending)

Renaissance by the generous (2nd Opening)

Eien by Yūsaku Kiyama (2nd Ending)

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

*blank* There are quite a few amusing ones, but I failed at noting down any. T___T

I'll add em later, if I can. Have to go to school now.

***

~ More Quotes? ~

***

Note: I am definitely reading the manga again. I think quite a bit more has been scanlated from where I left off too~ *goes to hunt down and download*

Come to think of it, I liked another manga, Tokyo Crazy Paradise, by the same mangaka muchly too.
This is also possibly (that I remember) the first anime I've watched after starting Japanese. Therefore I spent a whole lot of time being idiotically happy over the fact I could read titles and the sfx-like things scrolling all over the screen. XD

The Children of Men

2009-10-01T17:28:00.005+05:00

Author: P. D. James

Genre: Dystopia, Apocalypse

Summary: Human kind is going extinct. The last human born, in 1995, dies in a pub brawl in 2021, which is when the book starts, as Theo, the protagonist of the story starts keeping a diary.

Mankind has either given up, preparing themselves for the eventual end, or cling to delusions, welcoming evangelists and various cults and practices for salvation. More and more women adopt kittens or dolls, carry them around as they would children. Children's playgrounds have been long converted into golf courses for the aging populace, as people seek pleasure and comfort before the eventual end. The eldest either give up, or are ceremoniously killed in mass suicides organized by the state.

Society seems to be falling apart, and it becomes more and more difficult to care, as people just want to have a comfortable life until the inevitable end.

Review: This book was kinda disappointing. It was all beautifully hopeless, gorgeously dystopic in the first volume. The emptiness, the not caring, was conveyed wonderfully. Theo's past was shocking and somehow understandable, pitiful. The way society is described, is realistic, and makes you think, what if such a thing happened, how would our present society cope with it? It's all so distant, and real, yet possible.

I liked how the apocalypse was coming, but its nothing loud with pomp and grandeur like a meteorite hitting the earth, or aliens invading or an atomic explosion or whatever, which hits mankind suddenly without warning. Granted, it does hit without warning, but then it doesn't wipe away the race at one blow. The population is unable to recreate and thus destined to dwindle and die out. It's much more simple, much more plausible.

Then it somehow became all trivialized by becoming a love story. And then in the second volume they had to bring in hope, and ruin it all. Trust me, I am not against hope or anything. But this was totally UNEXPLAINED hope, with which I have an issue. There was no reasonable explanation, or any explanation at all, given as to why [Spoilers]

Julian suddenly happened to expect a child. It just wasn't explained. No one even thought about it, everyone just accepted it. I know that she was a 'disabled' and hence not subject to the test like all others so they had her undiscovered. But still, why? There was also no explanation, as to why mankind became infertile in the first place either.

This causes the book to lose it's impact somewhat, because in this age of facts and scientific progress, somehow, the known threat seems more real, more frightening, compared to the unknown.

This book was good for how it brings across society though. It becomes more significant because it's not exactly a story about the society or the situation. it's clearly a story about Theo, and how he sees things, the society he lives in. It's his story. It has his past relationships, and childhood. It shows a society about to cease to exist, through his eyes. And it makes you think.

Rating: 6/10

Quotes:

Pleasure need not be less keen because there will be centuries of springs to come, their blossom unseen by human eyes, the walls will crumble, the trees die and rot, the gardens revert to weeds and grass because all beauty will outlive the human intelligence, which records, enjoys and celebrates it.
I tell myself this, but do I believe it when pleasure comes so rarely and, when it does, is so indistinguishable from pain?

***

~ More at song-stories ~

***

The Shadow of the Sun

2009-10-01T15:50:00.007+05:00

Author: A.S.Byatt

Genre: Identity, Melancholia

Summary: Anna is eighteen, and she has no idea what she is supposed to do with her life. Her father Henry is a literary genius, and being impossibly aware of how she can never be as great as he is, she is afraid to even try, forever in his shadow, her life being organized around his by her mother, Caroline, for as long as she can remember.

The story starts one summer, where Anna is home, after being expelled from school because she ran away. She is not doing anything, just being, while her mother doesn't understand her, and minds her too much, while her father, being a literary genius, doesn't mine her at all. (As Oliver tells Henry later, "struggling under Caroline's care and [Henry's] lack of it.")

Caroline invites one of Henry's most prominent critics, Oliver and his wife Marget to spend the summer with them, and that results in a catalyst of events, not directly, but it's a beginning for them, in which Anna struggles with her self and society to try to attain an identity for herself, find something to do, a purpose, something to channel herself into.

Review: This book, has an amazing impact. It's about growing up in fits of depression and melancholy and the need to find something that you're good at, while you have no idea how to, and you're scared that maybe there is a possibility you might not be good at anything. The feeling isn't a good feeling, and the way it's written here, brings it to focus, sharpens it, and shows the pain, the suffering, with such clarity it is almost frightening. But it's also a way of confronting your inner demons, I think, staring them in the face, and was quite an eye opener for me.

The language in the book is quite gorgeous. The descriptions are vivid and fanciful, a wonderful exercise for the imagination, it's such a strangely familiar perspective of the world. The way Henry sees things, which he uses later to shape into his novels, is awe-inspiring, a man in relation to his surroundings in such a way that you see it all and you imagine it all, and think that this is what the inside of a mind of a genius looks like. Anna also has her father's genius, but she also has some of her mothers practicality, and her own awkwardness, and other characteristics which somehow convey themselves, in words that she speaks and paragraphs of what she sees.

Although this book was published in 1964, it somehow fits with the current society, the current problems (perhaps they are age-old problems), and still manages to have enough impact, enough material, to make it very real.

To me, what actually happens in this book is less important, in relation to how it happens and how the characters see it. All the characters, are somehow very real and vivid, and important, yet significantly insignificant compared to all that's happening around them and the bigger picture, and Anne, whom the story centers on, although I suppose she herself can't tell why, which is exactly the issue the story brings across. I can't rate it a full ten, coz I disagree with some of the things that happen in the book, it seems a bit too.. I don't know, I don't want to agree with it, although I suppose they were indeed very relevant. And I cannot declare that I love the book, because it seems to understand things a little too well, and... I really don't know quite how to put this. The book, is just amazing.

Rating: 8/10

Quotes:

If I went away and lived my own life, she thought, I might manage to be everything I am, or have to be - and then I might see and not only remember having seen.

***

~ More Quotes? ~

***

Note: I've been dying to read her Possession: A Romance, for ages now, but I only managed to get my hands on an ebook. Considering my aversion to ebooks, it's been left unread on my hard drive for a long time. Recently I stumbled across this in the school library, and knew I had to read it, specially since it's apparently A.S.Byatt's first book. Now that I've read some of her work, it seems I am going to have choice but tackle the ebook sometime soon. ^_~

Bloody Monday

2009-09-25T20:41:00.022+05:00

ブラッディ・マンデイ

Cast:
Miura Haruma as Takagi Fujimaru/Falcon
Kawashima Umika as Takagi Haruka
Sato Takeru as Kujo Otoya
Tokunaga Eri as Anzai Mako
Hisano Masahiro as Tachikawa Hide
Tanaka Tetsushi as Takagi Ryonosuke
Matsushige Yutaka as Kano Ikuma
Katase Nana as Hosho Sayuri
Ashina Sei as Minami Kaoru
Yoshizawa Hisashi as Kirishima Goro
Narimiya Hiroki as J (Kanzaki Jun)
Kichise Michiko as Orihara Maya

[Full list here at Dramawiki]

Genre: Action, Suspense, Terrorism, JDrama

Episodes: 11

Summary: People are discontent, society is restless and with the security, and consequently the confidence that anonymity provides, messages continue to surface on internet message boards and forums. 'Isn't this country the worst?', 'Some people are so annoying they deserve to die.' 'This rotten country should be destroyed.' And the horrible words whispered like a prayer, a ray of hope; 'Bloody Monday'.

In what is later known as the Christmas Massacre, what is suspected to be a virus weapon, completely kills off all the inhabitants in an entire Russian town, and there is evidence that terrorists are planning on using the same virus, Bloody X, in Tokyo.

Two years ago, the unrivaled hacker Falcon, exposed a terrorist plan and became known to the anti-terrorist organization, THIRD-i. 'Falcon' also happens to be Takagi Fujimaru, a high school student, whose father works at that organization. Takagi finds himself drawn into the THIRD-i's investigation be cause he has the talent and the ability that they need, and because the terrorists express an intrest in him.

When his father disappears, and becomes branded a traitor, only to be found at the terrorist's side later on, Takagi (and his friends and little sister) find themselves caught between the terrorists and THIRD-i, where they don't know whom they can trust.

Review: This was a nice refreshing change from the utterly brainless shoujo manga type drama that is Buzzer Beat (Which I LOOOVE and adore to bits, but really, there's no accounting for my taste. ^_~)

I rather liked this, and no, it was not only to ogle Miura Haruma and Sato Takeru (also known as Boy!Kame). Speaking of Miura Haruma and Sato Takeru, I know this is Japanese and well, implications are everything (hello, CLAMP), but I seriously wonder what the point of that girl from the newspaper club was. She could have been a possible love interest, yes, but with Sato Takeru and Miura Haruma making eyes at each other, with lotsa ~~unresolved sexual tension~~ questionable chemistry practically overflowing from the screen... yeah. Don't really think so. XD Or I just might be in my lets-ship-everyone-together-everywhichway-shiny-yaoi mindset. -__-'

But yes, drama-wise this was very cool. Pretty unpredictable, had me actually peering fearfully from behind my pillow (why, noo, this is NOT a horror movie. I just have issues; can't face things properly.) during the tenth episode.

Can't wait for the next season! It starts...hmm... I can't seem to find anything about Season 2 of Bloody Monday on DramaWiki, but I recall reading about it somewhere... ~_~ Ah well, I look forward to it~

Music: Over the rain ~Hikari no Hashi~ by flumpool

Rating: 7/10

Quotes:

~ Head over here, my pretties *cackle* ~

Note: Melon Soda. I must admit I am curious as to what it tastes like. XD

Whisper of the Heart

2009-07-16T16:41:00.007+05:00

Genre: Romance, School, Anime

Summary: This is a very cute romantic story. The protagonist of the story Tsukishima Shizuku loves reading and spends a lot of time in the library. She keeps noticing that a guy named Amasawa Seiji has been taking out the same books as her, before her in the library, from his name always being stamped above hers in the book's card.

She begins to wonder what kind of person he is and kinda develops a crush on the fictional Seiji Amasawa she has created in her head. A quiet, dignified, kind person.

She translates the song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (John Denver. Help me for I kinda adore that song. >_>) for her best friend who is in the choir. While doing so she makes up a parody version "Concrete Roads" based on her own neighborhood. By mistake she leaves the lyrics behind in a library book on a bench in school. When she returns to get it she finds a strange boy reading it. The boy makes what she takes for an insulting comment on her "Concrete Roads' causing her to prance off in a huff.

Now a lot of stuff happens including Shizuku following Moon (a chubby cat) to a strange shop where a kind old man lives, and meeting Baron (a cat figurine with a tragic past). Then the kind old man turns out to be the strange boy's grandfather.

And guess who the strange boy turns out to be? Yup. Non other than Amasawa Seiji.

Review: I adore this to bits. It's calm, quiet, childish and dreamy. It's also quite old being released, apparently when I was four. It's kinda ridiculous, the story line, and makes my inner cynic cringe and scoff at it like anything, but what I love about this is it makes me believe that stuff this ridiculously cheesy is possible and makes me actually want it to happen.

SPOILERS

{Fablyyyy tasuketekureeeeyyy~ Can you put this part under the spoiler alert thing? I lost the tutorial notepad thing. Again. T_T *looks pleadingly*}

I like the way the entire story folds out.

Shizuku realizes that it’s him waaay after she meets him. So she suddenly blurts out that he can’t be the silent, kind Seiji (in her head), but the actual Seiji is pretty cool too. He wants to become a violin maker. And he happens to be totally in love with her tooo. He wants to Europe and to learn how to make violins. Shizuku realizes that she has no aspirations like he has and feels ashamed, and wants to discover her own dream.

So in the two month apprenticeship that Seiji goes on to see whether he has what it takes to be a violin maker Shizuku tests herself by writing a story with the ‘Baron’ as the hero, titled 'Whisper of the Heart' [Although the Japanese term more literally it means ‘If You Listen Closely’] Seiji's grandfather encourages her and her parents are really supportive too although her grades dropped during the writing.

Anyway she discovers that she does indeed have a talent too. Although at the moment it is still raw and unpolished, she resolves to work harder towards the future now that she has tested herself.

When Seiji comes back from Italy they go together to see the sunrise. One of the coolest things is that in this movie, when they are going up a hill, she is riding on the back of his bike. He says that he had promised himself that he would carry her up the hill. Then she jumps off and says that she’s not going to be any mans burden, and helps him push the bike up the hill, so that they are both working together. Yay feminism in old Animes! Anyway they get to the place they are going to and he asks her to marry him. (When they are like, twelve -__-‘) Which makes me roll my eyes like anything now, and yes it sounds lame but when you are watching the movie it’s not that bad because the entire movie is so damn sweet.

This is one of my sweet-mushy-feeling animes. Particularly good to watch at dawn when you're feeling pfftish. Works every time!

Rating: 7/10

Quotes:
*blank* because I need to watch this again, clearly.

Note: This is me practicing my editing on a review/rant that's around 3 years old. I left the text more or less the same as it was then, but Oh the Butchery-of-Grammar,-Spelling-and-Punctuation. I didn't think I could be worse, but apparently I have been. -__-'
The omitting of vowels and letters in anything other than text messages is just plain annoying.　自分　が　イラって　する。＞＿＜

And yes, I am on a mission to clear out all the draft posts here/feel accomplished about something. ~~Or am I just procrastinating to avoid homework?~~ And the tagging system here's getting on my nerves again, so am thinking of going on a Great Purge and fixing stuff and making it the same as song-stories here too. Fably, a tag cloud please?

Sapuri

2009-07-15T22:41:00.009+05:00

サプリ

Cast:
Ito Misaki as Fuji Minami
Kamenashi Kazuya as Ishida Yuya
Eita as Ogiwara Satoshi
Shiraishi Miho as Yugi Yoko
Aijima Kazuyuki as Sakuragi Kunio
Asami Reina as Watanabe Yuri
Haraguchi Akimasa as Matsui Yoshihide
Sato Shigeyuki as Mita Keisuke
Shida Mirai as Konno Natsuki
Ryo as Tanaka Mizuho
Sato Koichi as Imaoka Kyotaro

Genre: Office, Romance, JDrama

Episodes: 11

Summary: Fuji Minami works at an advertising agency. She sees everything in her life in four screens, the same technique she uses to visualize an advertisement to make the most use of the limited time.

One day, she happens to pick up a stranger's telephone on the train (ie: fated encounter). It happens to belong to someone around ten years her junior, who rants about having to go to a job interview, although he thinks there has to be something better for him on days like this, etc, which makes her snap at him about her opinion of a life plan, and then hand the phone over to the train station for Ishida to pick it up himself.

They have yet another encounter on a pedestrian-crossing non the less, although obviously they don't notice each other. Then Ishida's part time job just happens to be at the company that Fujii-san works at.

Review: It should come as no surprise that I watch these things purely for the pretties. I mean yes, an actual plot or a lovely awesome drama is always nice, but let's be honest here, I'll probably watch anything on earth, just to oggle these people. (Why yes, I am utterly shallow in this regard. Like a puddle. Of melted mush. Which their adorkableness reduces me into.) Part of the obsession you see, it's an inescapable fact of the illness.

And just who can be prettier than Kamenashi Kazuya, with hair like that. Damn the boy is gorgeous. (Whose going to vote that that's gonna be the most over-abused word in this blog pretty soon? ^_~) I am wholeheartedly glad I got over my absurd anti-Kame phase. Think of all the pretty I would have missed!

Speaking of the Drama itself... Did I mention that Kamenashi is adorable and utterly made of cute? Coz he is. Really. <3 Drama. Itself. This I actually LIKED. I expected another Anego, but this has a decided minimum of Stupid Adults, specially in comparison to Anego. Good Thing. Very. No one I wanted to chain to a rock and set eagles on, really. Even the two possible candidates kinda redeemed themselves in the end. Although wait. Watanabe. *evil thoughts* That woman was seriously annoying. You just don't ask people to hand persons over to you coz you have nothing and she has everything, okay? Think of poor Kamenashi standing in the rain! [erm, rant, yes.]

I learned quite a bit about commercials which I thought was cool. Got some tips about handling the creative process. It was fun. Maybe I am a boring person who actually likes office dramas? (And everything else basically? Since upon reflection there are very few things I dislike ~~specially if they have shinny pretties in them~~.)

I liked Fujii Minami. The entire drama was kinda cute, despite being an otona no office drama. The confessions were cute. There were other cute-things which I am not talking about, NOT, ofcourse, because I am lazy and stuff like that, but because I don't remember how to do the spoiler hide thing again. So moving on.

The Enjoy-Oyaji was funny. Natsuki-chan was adorable. Ishida playing mommy/nanny/housekeeper to them (while leaching off them and living there) was beyond awesomely adorable.

Altogether good drama.

Music:
YOU by KAT-TUN [Theme]
Blue Days by ayaka [Insert song]
Real voice by ayaka [Ending]

I adore the first two songs quite a whole lot <3

Rating: 6/10

Quotes:

Fuji Minami: Well, wouldn't it be great if we could work together even ten years from now?
In ten years, you'll become some kind of a hot shot, and we'll work overtime together.
Then we'll laugh and talk about how hopeless you were when you first came here.
Wouldn't that be awesomely fun?
Ishida Yuya: There's a huge difference...
Fuji Minami: Eh?
Ishida Yuya: Actually, I cannot even think of ten minutes from now,
let alone ten years into the future.
Me in ten years, something that much in the future,
there's only one single person in the entire world who is thinking of such a thing.
Just one.
Only you, Fujii-san.

***
~ More Quotes ~
***

Note: I wonder why I try reviewing these things now, since I clearly fail at being objective, and just randomly flail/flounder anyway. >_>

Also, Ishida's cellphone ringtone sounds familar, but I cannot place my finger on it. Does anyone know what it is?

Wildwood Dancing

2009-06-21T15:08:00.010+05:00

Author: Juliet Marillier

Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Romance, Historical

Summary: Jenica and her sisters discover a mysterious portal in their family's Romanian estate, Piscul Dracului which leads to the Dancing Glade of the Other Kingdom during the time of the Full Moon when they were little. The five sisters and Jena's frog friend had slipped in and out of the Other Kingdom in secret ever since. They had all lived a sweet and happy life with their unconventional father until he had to travel to the warmer Constanta in the winter due to his illness. During his absence Jena was supposed to mange the estate but their bullying, power-hungry cousin starts to take over their castle little by little.

Their privacy, peace and even the safety of the Other Kingdom at stake, will Jena be able to put everything to right? And what about her sister Tati, who had fallen in love with one of the Night People?

Review: Let me first say something about the cover: Isn't it absolutely gorgeous?! I spent a huge amount of time guessing who those dancing people could be! Pictures can be fun too~ The summary at the back was pretty good too, it went like this:

Five adventurous sisters...

Four dark creatures...

Three magical gifts...

Two forbidden lovers...

One enchanted frog...

Cross the threshold into the Wildwood, and enter a land of magic, daring, betrayal and true love.

As for the story, it was completely fantastically magical and inscrutable and thrilling! To be honest the first few chapters had me going at a very indifferent state, but as the story progressed on, more and more interesting characters showed up and the story started to spin knots and twists and new patterns and stuff and I found myself raring to turn the next page!

The most quirkiest character that I found to be was Draguta. She was one wicked little pot brewer! (I adore her!) And Cezar their cousin would make even the most apathetic reader grind his teeth with pure annoyance and/or hatred. Then there's the sisters. I liked Jena, she was someone who I can relate to on some aspects so I had no trouble rooting for her throughout the story. Paula was an interesting character too, being all scholarly and smart. The rest of the sisters were pretty normal.

The best part was of course about Gogu and Sorrow. Their love for the two sisters were just so intense and believable that it made my heart ache. Think the kind of love between Lyra and Will, or Polly and Tom, or Sophie and Howl, or Hiroto and Nao. Think the kind of un-shallow love that I can bear to read about!

So, anyone who misses this wonderful book full of mythical creatures, dark secrets, tests of courage and true love is a pitiable person. (No, I am not poking you with my Persuasion Poker.)

Quotes: Er, sorry, I didn't stop to note down any...

Rating: 10/10

Note: Paula has her own book, Cybele's Secret! Its a companion to Wildwood Dancing. I can't wait to go back to the Library!

Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbou: Kyuuketsuki Densetsu Satsujin Jiken

2009-04-07T20:45:00.008+05:00

金田一少年の事件簿: 吸血鬼伝説殺人事件
(The Investigations of the Young Kindaichi: Vampire Legend Murder Case)

Cast:

Kamenashi Kazuya [KAT-TUN] as Kindaichi Hajime
Ueno Juri as Nanase Miyuki
Kato Masaya as Kenmochi Isamu
Hoshino Mari Minato Aoko
Nakamura Shunsuke as Hiro Keisuke
Tanaka Koki [KAT-TUN] as a classmate
Nakamaru Yuichi [KAT-TUN] as a classmate

Genre: Detective, Horror, Vampires, JDrama Special, ~~Kame-chan being adorable.~~

Episodes: SP

Summary: Hajime is the grandson of a famous detective and it appears he has inherited his grandfather's powers of deduction. Although he was eager to use them to solve problems as a child, he soon became tired of people comparing him to his grandfather, and stopped trying. ~~He tries to be normal instead, and acts so damn adorably stupid.~~

His childhood friend ~~[why is there always a childhood friend? I find it endearing but it also kinda annoyes me now >_<]~~ invites him to go along with her club to a 'training camp', to an old abandoned village where her friend works. Hajime agrees to go along, so that he can hit on her friend, unaware that her friend is in fact a boy. Their teammates ditch them, so she goes there alone, and Hajime shows up late, having missed the bus and cycled there.

There is general scaring and creepiness and talk of the vampire legend in the village. Then people start seeing vampires, and things become a whole lot more serious when Miyuki witnesses the vampire killing a fellow guest, and they are not able to leave the village. Although Hajime at first wants nothing to do with it, he decides that he will definitely solve the case after Miyuki is accused of being the killer and has a near fatal accident.

Review: It maybe because I haven't had time to watch anything in a while, but I liked this a lot.

Sure, it was so predictable I kinda figured out who the culprit really soon [its always the least suspicious person whom the detective might have a blind spot for. ~~Or the butler, but in this the butler was pretty suspicious so I figured it wasn't him.~~]

This also made the whole vampire legend into something plausible, and explainable (if you ignore the fact that nearly every person in the drama had 'Bombay Type Blood' despite the blood supposedly being very rare, and the rareness being the cause for the killings in the first place. -__-')

But the whole awesomeness of a detective case was there. There was a suspense filled mysterious atmosphere, and the explanations, although very unlikely were detailed and interesting.

It was also infinity creepy. The vampires, might possibly give me nightmares tonight. I started watching it with the lights off, but put them back on after I saw the vampire. >_>

Also, Kame-chan is adorable. And the Detective Ossan was HOT. *_*

Music: Tsuki no Michi by Kamenashi Kazuya [I ADORE this song]

Rating: 6/10

Quotes:

You know, this has nothing, to do with my grandfather.
Nothing, to do with my grandfather.

~ Hajime

***
~ More Quotes? ~
***

Note: It seems Kame-chan played this following Tsuyoshi, and Matsujun. Must say I'm impressed.

Also, it makes me gleefully happy now that I know enough 日本語 to tell that the subs are not literal translations and what the characters are actually saying is different.

Also, Kame-chan is cute, okay. I do not mind admitting that, at all. XD [which is why fandom is great. Even when you lose, you win. ^_~]

Tiger and Dragon

2009-02-19T18:28:00.007+05:00

タイガー＆ドラゴン

Cast:
Nagase Tomoya [TOKIO] as Yamazaki Kotora
Okada Junichi [V6] as Hayashiyatei Kotatsu
Ito Misaki as Megumi
Nishida Toshiyuki as Hayashiatei Donbei
Shoufukutei Tsurube as Nakatani Ken
Tsukamoto Takashi as Nakatani Ginjiro
Aoi Yu as Risa
Kiritani Kenta as Chibi-T

[Full List at Dramawiki]

Genre: Comedy, Story-telling, Yakuza, JDrama

Episodes: Special + 11

Summary: Once, there was a man called Yamazaki Toraji. He was a Yakuza, and although it is not really required for a Yakuza to make people laugh, he was specially scary and boring. His parents died when he was really little, being a Yakuza was the only path for him, and he hadn't laughed from that time. Until he goes to collect debts from a certain Hayashitei Donbei, and finds himself laughing uncontrollably in a Rakugo theater.

He stubbornly pursues Don-chan afterwards, and finally convinces him to work out an agreement. Yamazaki, who is named Kotora in his apprenticeship, will pay his Shishou (Rakugo master) for tuition fees, and the tuition fees will be used by the Shishou to pay his debts. His Oyaji (Yakuza master) agrees, and says that he is free to pursue Rakugo, provided he collects the debts from Shishou first before he leaves the clan.

Kotora also meets Ryuji, the second son of his master, who was previously known as a genius in Rakugo, before he was disowned after he quit to become the designer of an utterly lame and failing brand called Dragon Soda. He also happens to be the reason for Shishou's debt. With a little help from Ryuji and a multitude of other characters, Kotora finds himself slowly being able to make people laugh with his own type of Rakugo.

Review: Loved this from the very beginning to the end. Each episode has a classic Rakugo tale converted to fit with the modern times, and the stories themselves draw you completely into it.

The fact that Nagase and Okada and the rest of the cast constantly have to act out their story counterparts in the past makes it funnier.

All the characters are very vivid, and exaggerated but still realistic, making them unforgettable.

Spoiler ^_^

The only thing I didn't like was how Ryuuji decided to go back to Rakugo, it was totally sudden and didn't have a proper reason/explanation but I suppose that little a thing can be forgiven in a drama this enjoyable.

How utterly lame Dragon Soda was, and Ryuji's infatuation with mesh was very amusing. I also loved how Nagase shifted from Apprentice Kotora mode to Yakuza debt collector Yamazaki mode. XD

Any review I write cannot do it justice, so I suggest you watch it yourself. Totally worth it.

Music:
Tiger & Dragon by Crazy Ken Band [Opening theme]
UTAO-UTAO by V6 [Ending theme]

Rating: 9/10

Quotes:

Don't make it sound so easy.
Although am not proud of it,
I'm the most boring man in Shinjiku!

~Tamazaki Toraji

***
~More Quotes?~
***

Note: I have a humoungous crush on Okada because of this. I first liked him for ユメニアイニ but this makes me kinda adore him so much more.
Nagase as always, was awesome. ちょ　かっちょいい～
Sorry for the lame review, to tell the truth I haven't felt like reviewing lately and schools being really annoying, but I noticed that this hasn't been updated for two months so I thought I should update at least. ~~Since seeing the Anego banner for so long is annoying specially because there is no pretty Jin in it.~~

Anego

2008-12-17T11:54:00.009+05:00

Cast:
Akanishi Jin as Kurosawa Akihiko
Shinohara Ryoko as Noda Naoko
Tomosaka Rie as Sawaki Eriko
Toda Naho as Kato Hiromi
Ichikawa Miwako as Hasegawa Manami
Yamaguchi Sayaka as Saotome Kana
Yamaguchi Makiya as Tachibana Wataru

Genre: Office, Romance, Being an adult is a pain, People are stupid, Jin is sparkly, Jdrama

Episodes: 10 + Special

Summary: There is a 32 year old OL or office lady who wants to get married because apparently that's the only way you can be happy, despite the drama having a gazillion situations of a) people being stupid and b) married people being terrifically unhappy AND stupid.

Anyway, said office lady also happens to run a free counselling/noseing around buisness and help all her juniors and bail them out of trouble so she is a big sister-type figure in the office so the new (and very very hot) worker who joins the company, Kurosawa Akihiko, calls her "Anego" as a nickname and it sticks. Also, the adorable sexy Kurosawa happens to like her despite her being over ten years older then he is [but he is too young and sexy to get married].

Review: Let's admit it. The only reason people actually watch this drama is for Jin. There cannot be any other reason to watch it for. This happens to be the stupidest, most annoying drama EVER. The only thing I liked in this drama was how their thoughts were written on the screen, and they had entire mind reading battle things, and I suspect even that was mainly because of the cute expressions Jin made while thinking XD.

More importantly, for most of this drama, we get to see Jin in a SUIT. *dies* And then, we also get to see Jin with bed hair and amazingly broad shoulders *is reincarnated only to die again*. I fail to see how anyone can look soo utterly adorable one second and so damn sexy the next. We also get to see him hopping around trying to get dressed. *dies again*

[clearly I'm having trouble with coherancy or rather, staying alive, so I shall not even try to write paragraphs upon paragraphs about how utterly gorgeous Jin is in this, although I am VERY tempted to, because he is utterly and completely adorakable and so damn HOT.]

I shall just end it by saying that Jin has gorgeous collarbones [I recently developed a collarbone fetish because of him], and the most awesome beaty spot ever beside his right eye [which I worship on sight *_*], and also his hands are to die for. He also has the most adorable smile, and him sleeping all curled up on the couch is just TOO adorable. *floats away to fangirl nirvana*

It was also most amusing when Anego tries to hide Jin under a blanket on the floor, and Jin actually goes along with it. ^_^ Ah. And they send Jin to MONGOLIA. That was beyond awesome. Specially when he goes running around in the middle of a desert looking for a power outlet XD. He does the same thing later in the special too but in snow instead, while clutching a laptop to his chest. XD

Music:
We Will Rock You by Queen [Insert song]
KISS or KISS by Kitade Nana [Ending theme]

Rating: 1/10 [and even that is for Jin's prettiness, nothing else. I know his prettiness deserves MUCH more then a one, but this drama was SO DAMN ANNOYING. The only reason I'm even reviewing it is because I want to fangirl Jin's beauty spot and collarbones... *oh ho ho ho*]

Quotes:

Kurosawa Akihiko: Let me have sometime to think...
Noda Naoko: Around how long?
Kurosawa Akihiko: Umm... around... five... years?
***
The idiot who goes around calling everyone idiots is the idiot who doesn't know how idiotic he is.

~Kurosawa Akihiko

***
~More Quotes?~
***

Note: SPARKLY jin *_*

Gokusen 2

2008-12-01T01:30:00.011+05:00

Cast:
Nakama Yukie as Yamaguchi Kumiko
Akanishi Jin as Yabuki Hayato
Kamenashi Kazuya as Odagiri Ryu
Hayami Mokomichi as Tsuchiya Hikaru
Koike Teppei as Takeda Keita
Koide Keisuke as Hyuuga Kosuke
Namase Katsuhisa as Sawatari Goro
Kaneko Ken as Asakura Tetsu
Uchiyama Shinji as Tatsukawa Minoru
Waki Tomohiro as Kuma

Genre: School Life, Teaching, Juvenile Delinquents, JDrama

Episodes: 10

Summary: Teacher with unconventional methods of teaching believes in students who happen to be juvenile delinquents and don't trust teachers. Teacher protects them and gains their trust and teach them stuff and get them to graduate. Oh, and the teacher happens to be the fourth generation of a mafia family and if they find out about her family she'll be fired. [Basically you refer to the plot of Gokusen, and then take in a different batch of high school delinquents with two ~~pretty johnnys as~~ ring leaders instead of one.]

Review: Jin is SPARKLY *_*

I COULD just have ended the review with that, coz basically, his sparkliness is worthy of carrying the weight of the entire review. He was DAZZLING. *goes around going 'mabushiii~' like Pi in the making of SUMMARY*

Ahem. I get distracted. Anyway.

As you can tell from the summary, Gokusen lacks a proper plot, or story, or utter AWESOMENESS, which the likes of Liar Game or Nobuta or even Hotaru no Hikari have. The plot is repetitive every episode, there is no REAL story line, and you don't particularly need to watch the episodes in order coz they are most of the time not even that much related to each other. Nothing much happens either, but come on, this is a freakin classic, for REASON. And no, I don't mean the pretties, although they really ARE pretty, and DO play a pretty huge role in me loving this. But it's funny, coz Yankumi is awesome in her own self-contradictory and slightly cringe-worthy yet still funny way.

Also, her suddenly falling in love upon sight with random people and then giving them names like Mr. Burbury is funny too. And the scenarios taking place in her head making her act all dorky And this season had the poor Baba sensei in love with her as well. eh heh.

[Although I will admit that the next time I hear that music and Yankumi going "Me? I'm their/his homeroom teacher" as she takes off her glasses and rubber bands, to beat up the villains/whatever, I fear I will be sick. Hearing it in every single episode for three seasons has that effect on you. -_-']

Now lets go back to talking about the pretties. I DID mention how sparkly Jin was did I not? Coz I cannot stress enough on this point. And he was not ONLY sparkly, but also SO DAMN ADORABLE (I cannot lay off the caps sorry, but it NEEDS to be upper-cased) I love how Jin does his own bunny-peace-sign thing, even in the Hayato character, and all the adorable ways he ended his sentences when he was speaking and stuff. I practically DIED in the episode where he helps out Kuma in his Ramen shop and wears his hair clipped up. I practically DIED again during the interviewing practice episode where they decided to interview Yankumi and Jin wears the OMGHOTT white shirt, with glasses and goes "Dozo~" gesturing with his hand. Jin is certainly hazardous for health, if only from the many times he makes you forget to breathe from his GORGEOUSNESS, and then the times you laugh so much that you hurt from his stupid bakanishiness, and the times he makes your heart break with his adorable songs like Care and Hesitate and Murasaki, or- Ermmm I think I'm going out of topic here, so I shall cut off the Jin fangirling as of now. Let's speak of the other pretties.

I didn't like Kame-chan's character that much here. I mean I do LOVE his Kenshin-ish hair, and he makes the very boring character that is Odagiri Ryu (I'm sorry, but I totally prefer baka-Hayato-ish types over the cool types like Ryu) kinda adorable and cute at times like when he picks on Yankumi or goes along with his friends stupid plans. Or points out flaws in their brilliant ideas bringing them down to earth. And he IS ~~such a pretty girl~~ gorgeous, even when or perhaps specially when he gets beaten up, with Hayato, which kinda happens in nearly every episode. [I also fear that I might be slightly sadistic, because them being SO DAMN GORGEOUS when they are beaten up had me actually looking forward to seeing them all beaten up -__-']

I also love how they have the whole Akame, eternal-rival-bestfriends thing here. I especially adored the scene where they tried to ridiculously out do each other in who recieved more chocolates for Valentines. (until Yankumi popped out of nowhere and interrupted) XD

Now, then there was Tsuchi, who was again, gorgeous. And he was tall! (poor Akame standing next to him *snickers fondly*) And he had this fan which he carried everywhere which was very cool. And who can forget the VERY adorable Teppei. ^_^ And also the guy who played Hyuuga. (since he has already imprinted himself into my brain in Nodame)

This is worth a watch if you can get it from a friend or something. I don't think its worth downloading to watch (although am being really hypocritical here coz I even burned it onto a dvd after I got it from yuae coz I wanted to ogle at Jin's prettiness whenever I want to, and often), and you probably wouldn't have the patience to stream it and watch it either, since it IS pretty repetitive. Although if you can summon patience for the sake of pretty Akame, and adorkableness, douzo~ ^_~

Music:

No More Cry by D-51 [Ending theme]
Kizuna by Kamenashi Kazuya [Insert song] (this is REALLY pretty. Words fail at HOW pretty. Although I think I love Takaki's song in the next season just as much too.)

Rating: 5/10 [For sparkly Jin and the funniness of it all. Kyun~]

Quotes:

As long as you have strength to protect those important to you, that's all you need.

~Yankumi to Hayato

***
Hayato: How many chocolates did you get last year?
Ryu: Donno... About 20
Hayato: Ahh.. I got around 22
Ryu: I see, I think that I got 30
Hayato: Oh I remember, I got 45
Ryu: Thinking about it mine was probably 67
Hayato: I had around 84
Yankumi: Eh, you guys are pretty popular, aren't you?
Or maybe, isn't your level a bit too low?
Hayato & Ryu: ... -___-'
Hayato: Why are you here?
***
More Quotes?
***

Note: Why is Jin so sparkly?

And I will admit I did get a little emotionally touched at the end of this. It was due to Jin and Teppei crying. Pfft. I can't belive I got emotional over Gokusen... -__-' (well I can considering I did, but I shall pretend I cannot believe it anyway coz I like to act that way.)

At this point, it should be pretty obvious that I ADORE Jin's character Hayato and his utter sparkliness, no? Well just in case there IS any doubt, I shall clear it up by stating that he is SPARKLY, and ADORKABLY LOVABLE. ^_^

The Princess Bride

2008-11-29T15:51:00.011+05:00

Author: William Goldman

Genre: Comedy, Adventure, Romance, Fairy tale

Summary: In a land called Florin (which doesn't exist) there's this perfectly beautiful girl called Buttercup. She lives in a diary farm with her parents who are perfectly not beautiful. And there's the farm boy, Westley who lives in a hovel out near the animals.

Buttercup just loves to order him about, making him do ridiculous chores. And Westley's only response would be "As you wish." which obviously shows how affectionate he is of Buttercup (don't ask me why, this is a fairy tale so its 'cause she's beautiful methinks)

So anyway one day she quite suddenly realizes that she loves Westley to the extent of infinity. Well, more precisely she goes on about how twenty five minutes ago her love was nothing compared to how she felt now and how her love has increased just the previous second. (Or something like that. Its pretty stupid and cute). And then then the adventure begins... (alright, so it was a bit later but this summary is getting kinda long)

Review: Ok so here's a book written by William Goldman, he actually made up this fictional dude Simon Morgenstern, who he said was a Florin writer (I hate to admit this but only until three minutes ago, I was completely convinced that there really was a S.Morgenstern and that the book was an abridged version of his work... I wikied it and boy was a fooled. And there's no land called Florin it seems and no Guilder either; they're just coins. God I was duped! But in my defense, Mr.Goldman was damn convincing in his writing!) And you might have noticed that the cover here says something about the sequel Buttercup's Baby. I think its as fictional as S.Morgenstern.

First of all I loved the commentary given by Mr.Goldman throughout the story. It really gave off the feeling of it being an abridged version of S.Morgenstern. There were all these reasons for cutting up some pages of a chapter because it had Princess Noreena changing hats for too often a times for too many a pages or because there were some umpity upmp pages which only had Princess lessons in it and etcetera etcetera. (Can you blame me for getting tricked?)

And there were the characters! Everyone in this brilliant book had a unique personality and atmosphere about them. They were all so vibrant and alive! I dunno who I love the most: Westley 'cause of his wry humor and manliness and determination or Fezzik 'cause of his cuteness and giganticness and love for rhymes or Inigo for his admirable feelings for his Dad and his skills and revenge-obsessiveness or Buttercup for her stupidness.

I loved the Buttercup and Westley scenes. They were just too cute! All the melodramatic lines and stuff♥ Waah~ You can't actually call this deep but it was entertaining and I'll probably remember most of the mushy dialogues and the witty comebacks in this book for a long time to come. I kinda felt like I was watching a movie while I was reading this (note that I haven't yet watched the movie version).

Aside from the fluff, there is 'High Adventure', everything that is related with adventure is here I would say. Giants, Spanish fencers, MIB, pirates, poison, life sucking machines, kidnapping, evil princes, evil plots of evil princes, evil henchmen of evil princes, a miracle dude, sharks, spitting snakes, flesh eating eagles, Insane Cliffs (ha), fire swamps, R.O.U.S (Rodents Of Unusual Size), Snow Sand, Zoo of Death- *pants* (ok I think that's enough, you get the idea.) Definitely very exciting. How could it not be?!

Even though its a fairy tale and even if you know its gotta have a happy ending, I was in danger of bursting into tears 'cause I got a bit uncertain at some parts. And by then I was dangerously attached to the characters. (Um, I haven't finished the book yet, so I dunno if its really a happy-happy ending or not. But I was extremely excited about the book and wanted to write down all the awesome highlights before my excitement wore off. If it did, I would not be ranting on and on like how I am doing so now at the moment.)

Quotes:

People don't remember me. Really. It's not a paranoid thing; I just have this habit of slipping through memories. It doesn't bother me all that much, except I guess that's a lie; it does. For some reason, I test very high on forgettability.
~Goldman
***

*Buttercup with a knife pointing at her chest*
Westley: There are always too few perfect breasts in this world; leave yours alone.
***

More Quotes
***

Rating: 9/10 (not gonna get a ten 'cause you tricked me you naughty you! Ok so actually it's 'cause Buttercup didn't try to help herself. She shouldn't have always waited for people to rescue her. Other than that, fantastico~!)

Note: *looks at the impressive length of review and feels quite smug with self* Yay, for good adventure books!

Budou no Ki

2008-11-19T13:59:00.012+05:00

Grapevine

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Shindou Yousuke
And three other people I do not know the name of (sorry)
*Edit* (got the names!)
Katagiri Kyoko as Matsushita Yuki
Katagiri Naoki as Nakamura Tooru
Sachi as Suenaga Haruka
Shindo Yosuke as a little kid - Nakajo Yui
Sachi as a little kid - Tsuchida Saaya
Toda Yasushi as Shofukutei Tsurubei

Genre: Family, Tragedy, Jdrama,

Summary: Naoki and Kyoko Katagiri is a married couple wanting to have children. They tried but failed and finally decided to adopt a child. But they ended up becoming foster parents instead. This movie tells the heartwarming story of the love between the foster parents and their foster children.

Review: Die hard fans of Yamapi should stay away from this, 'cause I honestly think you'll faint or do something equally pathetic. That is because he cries here. And yamapi crying... now that is the saddest thing ever. Hai.

But aside form Yamapi crying, there were all those touching moments between Yousuke and Kyoko. The soccer game they played together was just soo sweet. (though there were moments when I thought Kyoko was gonna accidentally step on the tiny kid ^-^)

Huge Spoiler!

Though really, why did he have to die???!!! Why Yousuke?! And the letter from him to his Mom was heart wrenching. Made me cry buckets! T_T And the barrette! The barrette incident was hugely touching too. *sighs* I just love this movie.

You guys should definitely watch this. I mean, I bet no one regretted watching 1 litre of tears. Well, this movie is similar to it to some extent. So yea, watch it. You'll learn something about love, trust, and all those other mushy stuff that makes the world a nice place for all of us.

Rating: 9½/10

Quotes:

All children have the right to be happy. No adult has the right to take away the light of hope in a child's eyes.

All humans have the power to love others. All humans have the power to be loved by others.

Yousuke: Um, hey mom...
Kyoko: What is it?
Yousuke: I'm sorry for breaking your hair clip, mom.
When I get big, I'll work hard and buy you a new one.
Kyoko: Yousuke...
Yousuke: I promise I'll buy you a new one, so wait for me to do so!

Note: Keep some tissues with you while watching this. I regretted not keeping some by my side since I was oh so confident in my ability not to cry. ¬_¬ So I had to make do with sleeves. And using sleeves is not hygienic.
Annd, Yamapi is choo kawaii in here~ ^o^

Hotaru no Hikari

2008-11-05T17:11:00.001+05:00

Glow of the Firefly
ホタルノヒカリ

Cast:
Ayase Haruka as Amemiya Hotaru
Fujiki Naohito as Takano Seiichi
Kuninaka Ryoko as Saegusa Yuuka
Kato Kazuki as Teshima Makoto
Takeda Shinji as Jinguuji Kaname
Itaya Yuka as Yamada Sachiko
Yasuda Ken as Futatsugi Shouji

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Office

Episodes: 10

Summary: Amemiya Hotaru is a Himono-onna (Dried fish-woman). This means that although she puts up a presentable face of a put-together mature woman at work, as soon as she gets home, she goes into complete relax mode, wearing track suits, chomping on snacks, gulping down beer straight from the can and lying around the house with her humongous dolphin shaped pillow, using newspapers as blankets.

Even her (extremely messy) house happens to be one she got at a bar, the so-called "contract" for it scribbled on the back of a napkin.

Following a separation from his wife, Hotaru's section chief at work, who also happens to be the son of the man who gave his house to Hotaru, decides to move back to his parents house, although his father is supposed to be traveling. Little does he know of his father's contract in the bar and the Himono-onna now occupying the place.

As both of them want to stay in the house, (Ahomiya because the house and it's porch is her favorite place is in the entire world and Buchou since it's his parents house) and since Buchou (Section chief) comes to the conclusion that as the Himono-onna cannot be truly considered as a woman and thus it wouldn't matter, they decided to live together.

Meanwhile, the Himono-onna falls in love with the young, gorgeous and smart designer who came back from London, Teshima Makoto. But it has been ages since she has even thought of such things, so what's a himono-onna, who is "finished as a woman" to do? Ask her Buchou for help of course.

Review: I LOVED this. It has been quite a while since something made me laugh this much. It's hillarious. Specially all the interactions between the Himono-onna and Buchou. They way Buchou called Ammemiya "Ahomiya" (Aho means idiot) and how she called herself that when she talked to him was also so adorable. And them calling eachother and themselves stuff like "Hotaru-who-is-trying-a-little-bit" and "Can-do-anything-without-even-trying-buchou" and stuff were so damn ADORABLE.

I also loved all the various stuff that Buchou called Ammemiya. Like Hebi-onna (snake woman, on the occasion she came slithering around the house coz she was panicking) or Kame-onna (turtle woman, when she crawled around the house with her phone on her back coz she didn't dare read the message she got from Teshima) or Tire-onna (apparently rolling around is the best thing to do when you feel complex emotions. XD)

Ayase Haruka was beyond awesome in this. Perfectly Himono-onnaish. *nods* So was Tada-sensei-ermm I mean the guy who played the part of Buchou. He was so annoyingly arragont and awesome while being actually kinda nice, made me totally fall in love with him too. Total redemption from his annoying NICE-ness in Prodai. ^_^

I don't know what to say about Teshima Makoto. He was certainly gorgeous, and also so damn awesome, that for the first nine episodes of the series I was all like "I want one of those~" but in the very last episode he managed to make himself so unlikable by being all tragic heroic good guy-ey. Seriously dude, I liked you, I respected you and then you have to go all tragic story book character on me. Pffft.
Ah well, I suppose it's a good thing you made me hate you, Teshima Makoto, so there is no Nakatsuism. *nods*

This was an amazing drama. Granted, there were occasional slightly boring bits, when they did office work and stuff, but the Himono-onna and Buchou made the entire thing worth watching. And the office stuff had some rather sweet side stories too. Loved this. It's a MUST watch. *nods like Kero-chan with folded arms*

Music: Yokogao by Aiko

Rating: 9/10

Quotes:

At work they put on the face of a lively office lady, but as soon as they go home, they change into a jersey as soon as possible. Hair too, like this *piles her hair up on the head* Samurai-style topknot, and they might even scratch their butts. A snack in one hand, gulping down canned beer with the other. On weekends, they don't even go on dates to try and meet people, but go straight home. When they don't have work, all they do is eat and sleep, eat and sleep... Not a SINGLE guy around her.

~Yamada nee-san explaining what a Himono-onna is

***
Amemiya: Manager...
Is it really okay?
You said you couldn't face your wife... if you had to live together with a woman...
Manager: Well... You're not a woman after all..
Amemiya: Eh?
Manager: Your clothes, your life style, not a SINGLE bit of elegance. You're like a dried up Himono.
Yes, You're a Himono-onna.
Amemiya: Himono... onna?
Manager: You are no longer a woman. You are already dried up. You're finished as a woman. Hence, I came to the conclusion that there will be no problem living with you.
Isn't it great?
***
More Quotes?
***

Note: I have finally discoverd what species I belong to... *oh ho ho ho*
Also, this may possibly be the only drama I watched without a Johnny in it and I LOVED it. Who would have thunk?
And despite the lack of johnnys when I hear Teshima's name I think of Teshi. I seriously need help.

My Boss My Hero

2008-11-05T12:35:00.002+05:00

マイ★ボス
マイ★ヒーロー

Cast:
Nagase Tomoya (TOKIO) as Sakaki Makio
Tegoshi Yuya (NEWS) as Sakurakoji Jun
Tanaka Koki (KAT-TUN) as Manabe Kazuya
Aragaki Yui as Umemura Hikari

Genre: High School, Comedy, Yakuza, JDrama

Episodes: 10

Summary: Sakaki Makio is the Waka(Young Master) of the Kanto Eigakai clan. He has been expected to take over the clan, so he has lived his life entirely for that purpose, leading a reckless, violent (yakuza-like) life style, befitting his position.

Unfortunatly, he also happens to be rather stupid. After messing up a very important deal with the Hong Kong mafia, because he didn't know how to add properly, his father announces that Makio cannot take over as the next boss, unless he manages to graduate from high school(he obviously didn't the first time as he was too busy being yakuza-ey). If he doesn't graduate, the clan succession will pass over to his younger brother Mikio.

There is just the little problem of him being 27 years old now, but his father manages to get him into a school through a 'back door'. For him to become the next boss, he has to graduate, and for him to do that, he has to control his temper, and yakuza-yness, because being found out would mean him being kicked out of school, and in doing so, he comes to realize and experience a lot of different things.

Review: First of all, the expressions Makio (Nagase) makes are to DIE for, Koki makes an awesome gangster, and Tegoshi is a girl. No, not really. But he sure ACTS like a total and utter and complete one. (and with his pretty face who can tell the difference?)

Next, the whole plot and concept of the drama is very cool and the whole thing is AWESOMELY funny. My personal favorite moment in the drama is when Teshi and Nagase stand in the middle of the school grounds their arms spread wide open looking up at the sky, shouting WATEERR. Surely no scene can compare to that one. Although the various "purin" (pudding) scenes come QUITE close.

This had quite a few emotionally touching scenes too and I liked the way everything worked out in the end. All in all I loved this, TOTALLY worth watching.

Music: Sorafune by TOKIO

Rating: 8/10

Quotes:

Hanya? (Kinda like huh?)

~Makio

***
WAAATERRRR~~

~Makio and Sakura Nantoka

***
More Quotes?
***

Note: Tesshi is a total girl. But we love him anyway don't we? *pink sparkles* ^_^

[The only reason there isn't much rambling here is coz I watched this somewhere around last May but never got around to writing the review, and only wrote it now. Just in case you were wondering ^_~]

~Ppoi

2008-09-16T02:00:00.006+05:00

っぽい

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Amano Taira (Hei)
Aiba Masaki as Kusaka Banri
Fukiishi Kazue as Sagami Makoto
Maeda Aki as Ichinose Hinaki
Furuya Yoichi as Hanashimada Eitatsu
Takahashi Yuzuru as Takaoka Torao
Hasegawa Jun as Mishima
Uesato Ryota as Baba
Nakamaru Yuichi as Kasuga
Akanishi Jin as Kimura Hisashi

Genre: Romantic Comedy, Growing up, JDrama

Episodes: 8

Summary: Hei is a boy, who is as cute as a girl. He has his own team of ADMIRERS. Who are MALE. He is even chosen as the third most "prettiest" in the whole school. His best friend Banri, is the elementary school heart throb who has around 17 girls confessing to him on his 'slow' days. What happens is, Hei falls in love with Hina, who also happens to like him, but as neither confesses neither knows. And then Hina's best friend Makoto, who is a "perfect" type girl, who is the prettiest girl in school and also an expert at kendo who is stronger than all the boys, also falls in love with Hei despite calling him a shrimp and clashing with him all the time. And it's also possible that Hei's best friend, lady killer, school idol and slightly narcistic Banri fell in love with Hina too. This is not mentioning Hanashimada who is in love with Makoto, Takaoka who is in love with Hei (whom he first thought was a girl) and half the school in love with Banri. It's an intricate love ~~triangle~~ ~~quadrilataral~~ ~~pentagon~~ ~~hexagon~~ . . . . situation.

Review: The Joana-uh~ bits killed me. XD It was hillarious. The entire drama makes you go "Eh~?" for the most part, but you get a lot of amusement, like Takki fangirling Yamapi and wondering what it would be like to kiss him, and Aiba actually trying to hold Yamapi down and kiss him. *snicker* Basically a lot of people chase Yamapi, and he is stuffed into female dresses upon occasion too. *snickers more*. Oh and yeah, in the beginning of the drama he gets groped in the train coz the pervert thinks he is a cute girl. And goes. "WHAT part of me looks like a girl!?" in a VERY adorable way ^_^

[Sorry for the lame review, but this minidrama and certain scans have eaten my brain. -_-' Might edit later if I get it back. My brain that is. Oh and Fably, you cannot say am not allowed to do this coz you haven't even posted a single thing in ages so there! >_<]

Music: Don't know yet, but the song is quite catchy~

Ratings: I won't rate this coz it's not technically a drama, but ~~Takki fangirling Yamapi~~ a mini one, but its worth a watch definitely :P Specially since the episodes are quite short and their are only 8 episodes. Also, its hillarious.

Quote:

What part of me looks like a girl?

~Amano Hei

***
Banri: GO!
Hei: What about the game?
Banri: We don't need guys who can't even confess to the girl he likes in this game.
***
More Quotes?
***

Note: Even CHIBI Yamapi runs awesomely, I swear, is it even possible for anyone to run hotter then he can?
Joanna~ah
XD

Byakkotai

2008-07-27T17:05:00.012+05:00

白虎隊（びゃっこたい）

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Sakai Mineji and Sakai Shintaro
Tanaka Koki as Shinoda Gisaburo and Shinoda Yusuke
Fujigaya Taisuke as Itou Matahachi
Yakushimaru Hiroko as Sakai Shige (Mineji's mother)
Nogiwa Yoko as Sakai Mon (Mineji's grandmother)
Takashima Masanobu as Sakai Yasuemon (Mineji's father)

(Complete List of the Cast at Dramawiki ^_^)

Genre: Historical, JDrama

Episodes: 2

Summary: Sakai Shintarou leads a life where he is allowed to do whatever he pleases and is utterly irresponsible and ungrateful. His paternal grandmothers who lives in Aizu spots him hanging out on a street with his girlfriend, smoking, and having no respect or regard for other people when she comes to visit. So after she arraives at his house, she tells him off for not having the spirit that was there in their ancestors, who had the pure spirits of warriors of Aizu, despite being a direct descendant of the Sakai family. She informs that she be staying with them for three days to teach them how live properly and to rekindle the Byakkotai of the Aizu's spirit in them. Shinoda Yusuke, a friend of Shintarou who gets caught in the crossfire, and Shintarou decide to "escape" while they can.

They run away to Shintarou's grandparents house, since it would be the last place his grandmother would come to look for them. His grandfather takes them in and promises not to tell his grandmother who is at his house at the moment. Since they are in Aizu, he insists that Shintarou and Yusuke visit the Byakkotai Memorial, and they reluctantly go. In the museum they encounter portraits which uncannily resemble themselves, which makes them really aware that they are descendants of the Aizu and witnesses history through the eyes of their ancestors.

Review: This is based on a true story and the story of the Byakkotai is an extremely tragic one. It is a pretty awesome tale of very awesome times. I mean, there is something infinitely cool about the Code of the Bushido and everything. Although, I reaaaally don't understand the way they think that committing ritual suicide is honorable or dignified. I really don't.

As always, Yamapi was totally adorable in this (as if there ever was a doubt. o^_^o). I feel that his portrayal of this character was totally on the dot too. He was an honorable yet confused adolescent who was also SUCH a momma's boy, to perfection. It also needs to be stated how totally hot he looked in his modern version hairstyle in which you can see his forehead. *_* How he and Tanaka Koki coment on his characters grandmother much like she was a natural disaster and plan how to escape is soo adorable as well.

I really did like this drama. It was very interesting, in addition to being moving and funny at times and inspiring and touching and sad. (And sad it was. Very. T_T)

~Spoilers~

Specially when all the members of the squad Gisaburou was in committed suicide, it was soo sad, and I couldn't help thinking what a total and utter WASTE of life it was. I mean they were so youthful and full of life and so YOUNG. and it was entirely based on a misconception too since the castle itself was not burning, the roads around the castle was and they only thought that all was lost and their families had committed suicide too only in their desperate and distraught state. Although I really feel sorry for their commander too, coz he had to live with the guilt that it was possible that they might have lived had he not gotten separated from them when he went to find food.

I also like how the drama raises the issue of whether it was more honorable to live on like Mineji or to commit the ritual suicide like they are supposed to like the Byakkotai who did so on Iomoriyama. Because, depending on the times, and how their were raised, it was certainly admirable and maybe even honorable (although I still cannot agree with it), and it shows a certain strength of will and extreme dedication to their code of honour and what they were taught.

But I think, that Mineji, was much more braver, to choose NOT to die (although he was about to commit ritual suicide once, which had me holding my breath going 'nooooo' ~_~). Because due to the situation, there was a possibility that people would call him dishonorable and things, but he chose to live on because he felt that it was the right thing to do. And like the girl whom Koki's character had a crush on's mother said, Mineji would have to work much harder in living then the ones who died.

It was also soo sad when Mineji's mother died. At least she was able to stop being cold to him and Mineji was able to discover how much his mother really did love him in the end.

It had it's funny moments too, this drama. Like when they went for artillery lessons and didn't speak to any of the women coz they had been taught not to, and how when the woman spoke they went all awkward, and the women kept repeating "You don't have to reply."

It was also so cute how Mineji and Matahachi observed how Gisaburou and Sayako interacted. Specially when Gisaburou mistakenly answered her they automatically turned their heads and went "You spoke to a woman!" And how they commented that they too, can shoot perfectly but weren't complimented like Gisaburou was by Sayako-san.

Mineji confessing that he was actually envious of Gisaburou for speaking to a woman was so adorable too.

It was also so sweet and funny how Shintarou returned home and was so polite and stuff, and when people kept commenting on it he kept repeating that he "wasn't sure how long it would last". Heh. ^_^

Music: You Raise Me Up by Celtic Woman (I actually like this song and thought it kinda went well with some of the situations, but I found it extremely inappropriate in this drama, considering its a Japanese HISTORICAL drama and this is an English song.)

Rating: 8/10

Quotes:

One day, when people can live according to their wishes...

Mineji, at that time... I'll always support you no matter what.

Mineji, please be born as mother's child again in another life in the future... okay?

~Mineji's Mother

***
No matter how painful it is, if we live on,
the rain will definitely stop, and we'll see a beautiful sky.

~Sakai Mineji

***
I won't give it up. I'm only giving up the appearance.
If I don't cast off my Samurai clothes, I won't make it back to the castle alive, right?
Every living person should have pride.
In order to keep the pride of a Samurai, I can't die.

~Sakai Mineji

***
More Quotes?
***

Note: Apparently there is a poem by Matsudaira Katamori on the site where the Byakkotai are buried.

幾人の　涙は石にそそぐとも　その名は世々に　朽じとぞ思う
Ikutari no namida wa ishi ni sosogu tomo sono na wa yoyo ni kuji to zo omou
"No matter how many people wash the stones with their tears,
these names will never vanish from the world."

1 Litre of Tears

2008-06-30T09:20:00.009+05:00

1 Liitoru no Namida

Cast:
Sawajiri Erika as Ikeuchi Aya
Yakushimaru Hiroko as Ikeuchi Shioka
Nishikido Ryo as Asou Haruto
Jinnai Takanori as Ikeuchi Mizuo
Narumi Riko as Ikeuchi Ako
Fujiki Naohito as Mizuno Hiroshi

Genre: Illness, Life, Romance, Family, Not giving up, JDrama

Episodes: 11 + 1 Litre of Tears Special

Summary: This is based on a true story, and the diary kept by the girl. Aya is a cheerful 15 year old, she is the eldest daughter of a family with four children, and is loved by everyone. She is good at studies, and in the basketball team, and is pretty and has a lot of friends. Her perfectly happy life is disrupted when it is discovered that she has spinocerebellar ataxia which is an incurable disease, which slowly deteriorates the amount of activity the body can do, one by one, until the patient has to depend entirely on others.

This drama shows how brave she is, despite being so scared and it also shows how the people around her, specially her family and Asou Haruto, deals with it all and supports her.

Review: I can't write much about this, since even thinking about it is making me extremely sad. (Although I waited nearly a day without writing this, and dosed myself with happy songs) This IS incredibly sad, but I would say its also very inspiring. She is so brave, despite everything, despite not being able to do all the things she wants to do so much, she is still brave and so sweet and so positive about everything. She tries her best, really, and this drama makes you really think about living and appreciating all the little things we can do, because I don't think that we fully appreciate the simplest of things. Like being able to walk, or write, or talk even.

Spoilers

I LOVED Ryo-chan's character in this. He was so supportive and loving and stubborn and awkward and protective of her. And he didn't treat her any differently when she got sick either. It didn't matter to him because he still loved her. *goes teary eyed again* Every single time he cried, it didn't simply break my heart, it teared it apart, painfully. Specially when Aya wrote him the letter saying she couldn't be with him anymore, because it was too painful... *starts crying again*

This was sad from the beginning, very sad, words fail me. It was more heart wrenching towards the end, when she cant do anything, and when she cried after she wrote the letter, it was just too much. Even tears felt like they weren't enough. (I don't know if that makes much sense ~_~)

Mmm... I'll focus more on the happy things now. Try to.

Aya's father was so funny with Asou-kun. Heheh it was so cute when Asou was invited to her house for dinner and he was hesitant and the reason was her dad would be there. Her dad was really funny with Aya's sister too. They fought really adorably. And it was so admirable that the entire family worked together and tried to be positive through it all. Even Rika, the littlest sister, who was utterly glompably adorable.

All the interactions between Aya and Asou-kun were so adorable too. Specially the part where he confesses to her, and the parts where he teases her like to cheer her up like the time she broke up with her sempai. And the time they spent in the biology lab.

Their interactions were incredibly touching too, like the part where he defended her in the class, and then realized that she had come back and had heard everything the class had said as well, and then he runs after her and carries her downstairs, and how he says he is pathetic for not being able to help, and Aya says that he does help her, and then they cry... *starts getting teary eyed again*

I think I'll stop talking about it now. This review will probably not do the Drama justice, because, frankly, I am too sad for my brain to work properly when I think about this drama. So, I suggest you watch it yourself.
You won't regret it.
I think instead of avoiding this drama since you know its going to be sad (it IS), you should watch it, because it really is inspirational. Although, there are a lot of sad and crying scenes in it, and you end up crying more then the entire cast of the drama put together.

Music:
Only Human by K (Ending theme)
Konayuki by Remioromen
Sangatsu Kokonoka by Remioromen
(love these songs... T_T)

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

Although I'm seeing the same view as yesterday,
although I am walking the same path as yesterday,
my world has changed.

~Ikeuchi Aya

***
Why did this disease choose me? I cannot accept it if its just "fate."

~Ikeuchi Aya

***
I no longer say that I want to go back to those days.
I will acknowledge who I am now and live on.

~Ikeuchi Aya

***
Can I say what I feel now?
I don't know what will happen in the future...
but I can say, with 100 percent certainty, that what I am feeling now is not a lie.

I..
If your speaking, no matter how slow... I will listen to you.
If you are unable to talk on the phone... I will come directly to see you.
I'm not a dolphin, and your not a dolphin either.
If your walking, no matter how slow... I will walk with you.

I may not be useful now...
but one day I want to be of help to you.
Even though it wont be like old times, our feelings are connected,
so I don't think we live in different worlds.

I... towards you... love.
Maybe.
*gives her an embarrassed smile and then looks away*
I may be in love.
Probably.

~Asou Haruto to Ikeuchi Aya

***
More Quotes?

***

Note: Ryo is sooo hot. ^///^
And apparently the guy who plays the Kawamoto-sempai whom Aya first has a crush on is L from Deathnote.

You can watch this HERE (crunchyroll ^_^)

Tatta Hitotsu no Koi

2008-06-19T23:15:00.015+05:00

One and Only Love

Cast:
Kamenashi Kazuya as Kanzaki Hiroto
Ayase Haruka as Tsukioka Nao
Tanaka Koki as Kusano Kou
Hiraoka Yuta as Ayuta
Toda Erika as Motomiya Yuuko
Kaname Jun as Tsukioka Tatsuya
Tanaka Yoshiko as Tsukioka Mitsuko
Zaitsu Kazuo as Tsukioka Yasuhiko
Yo Kimiko as Kanzaki Akiko
Saito Ryusei as Kanzaki Ren

Genre: Romance, Romance, Class differences, Life, Romance, JDrama

Episodes: 10

Summary: Kanzaki Hiroto is a factory worker. He didn't go to college and instead took over the factory his father committed suicide to save from bankruptcy. He works hard to support his little brother who is sick, his mother who, for the lack of a better word is insane, and the factory, which his father took his life for. Tsukioka Nao is the daughter of the famous Star Jewellary co-operation. They are both twenty when they first meet, when Nao knocks over the bucket of fish Hiroto was carrying and gets it all over her new dress.

Review: This drama is about young love, and how painful it is to be in love, because no matter what, you are two different people, who want different things in life and who have other people depending on you, whom you depend on. And maybe, there are a lot of chasms that love cannot bridge over. Specially when you are young and inexperienced and naive. No matter how much you wish it to be so, maybe it just cannot be.

This screams shojo manga from the very beginning. And proceeds to scream shojo manga till the end. Enough said. It was sickningly lovey dovey, and sweet, and painful and unrealistically realistic.

Yet, for some reason, I kinda liked it. I blame it on the soundtrack, which was very emotionally evoking.

I also think that this drama, somehow seems to suit Kame. I will grudgingly admit that he can act. A little bit. Also, the annoyingly sickningly lovey dovey stuff was sweet at times. And this was really sad too. Drove me to near tears.

Spoilers

Specially the part where Nao ran away from home, near the very end, and said that she would give up everything for him, and asked him to give up something for her too, and he said that he cannot. That he cannot give up anything, and that even if they ran away to the country and made a life, after three days, she would miss her mom and her dad and her brother and she would cry. She would cry and he would not be able to do anything for her...

Kame's character was dislikable and likable at the same time. I loved how he had no idea how to use a cellphone.It was sooo cute.

The little 'whales communicate over great distances' idea was very sweet too. And the orange thing. They acted like little kiddies about it too. heheh

Tanaka Koki was adorable in this. The expressions he made, were priceless. And he was totally cute and adorably sweet in regard to Yuuko, whom he loved, and when she and him went on the 'date' too, he was so adorable, saying he wasnt a "flower character" (as in he wasnt really the type that could easily give flowers), when she asked him when he was giving her the flowers he had put in the back seat of the car, for her, making her fall for him. Although it was pretty sad, yet realistic that they did not end up together after all in the end. Although it was sweet how they were still friends. And Kou said that he was nervous meeting her even after he was married. -_-'

I loved how Hiroto pretended he forgot about when he got her the orange thing and the festival where they first held hands and how Nao got mad because of that, and told him to give her back her precious memories and he got mad too and told her that she had no right to say that since SHE was the one who was getting married.

Although of course the ending was so cliche happy. I really didn't like how it ended since the guy that Nao was going to marry very nicely just gave up, conveniently making the way for everything.

Although Hiroto and Nao at the ending was kinda adorable. So was Hiroto running after the bus Nao was in shouting "Bus! Bus!" ^_~ And then everyone running after the bus, when Nao realizes she had forgotten her bag.

Oh yeah, and he says, that when he is with Nao, it seems like he is always searching for something. Which IS kinda true I suppose, since Nao fell for him when he fell into the pool WITH HER, and then looked for her contacts when she said they were lost, and her purse before that, and then the orange thing, and then one thing or another. Sweet ^_^

Sweet story, sad too, and occasionally a little funny. Good if your looking for a sappy love story. Which, I agree, we do need, sometimes.

Music:
Bokura no Machi de by KAT-TUN
Cool Whispers by Ike Yoshihiro

Rating: 7/10

Quotes:

I'm a "nice person"
Just a nice person.
Open 24 hours (for advice)
We are the same, Mr. Convenience store, lets work hard!

~Ayuta

***
I want to know...
How old do I have to be...
So that I don't get hurt?

~Kanzaki Hiroto

***
~More Quotes?~
***

Note: I am definitely staying away from Kame drama's for a while. I mean, I NEARLY caught the damn virus this time T_T It was bad enough, watching him all adorable in One Pound Gospel and then all sad and pfftish in this. I REFUSE to be caught by it. Neh-vuh!

Gokusen

2008-06-16T21:36:00.006+05:00

Cast:
Nakama Yukie as Yamaguchi Kumiko
Matsumoto Jun as Sawada Shin
Namase Katsuhisa as Sawatari Goro
Utsui Ken as Kuroda Ryuichiro
Anan Kenji as Wakamatsu Hiro
Kaneko Ken as Asakura Tetsu
Uchiyama Shinji as Tatsukawa Minoru
Ryogoku Hiroshi as Sugawara Makoto
Oguri Shun as Uchiyama Haruhiko
Waki Tomohiro as Kumai Teruo
Narimiya Hiroki as Noda Takeshi
Ishigaki Yuma as Minami Youichi
Ito Misaki as Fujiyama Shizuka
Nakazawa Yuko as Kawashima Kikuno

Genre: School Life, Teaching, Juvenile Delinquents, JDrama

Episodes: 12 + Gokusen Special

Summary: Yamuguchi Kumiko is the heir to a Yakuza family, but her dream is to become a teacher. However, if she is to become a teacher, she cannot afford anyone to find out about her family's business. She starts her life as a teacher in Shiroken high school, filled with hopes and anticipation.

She is stuck in class 3D, which is basically the class full of rejects and troublemakers, the utterly hopeless ones. And of course there is Sawada Shin (MatsuJun! Yay~), the "ring leader" who is extremely un-figure-out-able. However, she does not judge them based on there appearances, but truely accepts them and promises to see them all to their graduation through all kinds of troubles.

Review: Yankumi's character was perfect. It was utterly dorky and strange at times, then all cool when she switched to her fighting mode, ditching her rubber bands and her glasses.

I absolutely LOVED Yankumi's knack for appearing suddenly out of nowhere when the students are discussing stuff. And her little trick of tapping the shoulder and poking peoples cheeks was so cute too. And her theatrics, and all the sound effects while she moved and was talking and stuff.
The rest of the teachers were quite a bunch of characters as well.

But more importantly, Why is Oguri Shun so damn adorable? ~_~ And also, Matsumoto Jun is HOT in this one. I had to knock myself on the head a coupla times to actually REMIND myself that I am a Yamapi fangirl.

This is a drama with cheesy lines, useless actions, and totally contradictory lessons being taught in it. BUT it sure is funny, so who cares really? AND there is the added bonus of a very pretty Matsumoto Jun AND Oguri Shun, and that guy who looks like a cat.

Yankumi's character is also pretty lovable, and all the 3D guys end up being really good kids AT HEART so you like them, and the cheesiness kinda moves you too. Occasionally. So it's a pretty good drama, and it is kinda a classic in JDramas I think, so definitely worth a watch.

Music: "Feel Your Breeze" by V6 (A song which starts undoubtedly strangely. -__-')

Rating: 6/10

Quotes/Taglines:

Yankumi: Me? I am those guys homeroom teacher.
(mostly in response to being asked who she is after she beats people up)

~Quotes here~

Note: Speaking of "Teachers with unconventional teaching methods" drama's, I personally liked Great Teacher Onizuka better, even if there is more of an abundance of adorable guys here. Although I hear Dragon Zakura is pretty good too, and intend on checking it out. I have high hopes for it, since Fably says it's great AND there is Yamapi and other pretties in it ^_^ *oh ho ho ho ho*

One Pound Gospel

2008-06-15T01:38:00.005+05:00

Cast:
Kamenashi Kazuya as Hatanaka Kosaku
Kuroki Meisa as Sister Angela
Kobayashi Satomi as Mukoda Seiko
Okada Yoshinori as Ueda
Yamada Ryosuke as Mukoda Katsumi
Minamisawa Nao as Noriko
Takahashi Issei as Ishizaka
Mitsuishi Ken as Mitaka Hideo
Motai Masako as Osamu Incho
Ishiguro Hideo as Horiguchi
Namioka Kazuki as Kojima

Genre: Romance, Comedy, Boxing, JDrama

Episodes: 9

Summary: This is based on a manga by Rumiko Takehashi. In Mukoda Gym, there is one boxer with exceptional talent and a strong right straight punch, who has the potential to be as strong as Oshiro, who was a 'Champion'. Unfortunately, he has a huge appetite, and absolutely no self restraint, so he always loses matches due to being forced into a weight class which he is not suitable for. He finally gets an amazing match, and has to make a desperate attempt to lose weight. The Kaichou forbids him from drinking even water, and on a run, he collapses (with much theatrics)

A nun, Sister Angela 'rescues' him and he falls in love with her. With all the enthusiasm of a elementary school kid, he declares his love for her and asks her to go out with him. If he wins a match, non the less. -__-'

Maybe the sister has feelings for him too? And CAN the 'Gutless Glutton' become a 'Champion'?

Review: What was reaaaally strange that the so called "Gutless Glutton" who continuously had to lose weight was played by Kame. I mean we ARE talking about Kame here. The guy who is so skinny he looks like might possibly collapse due to the weight of the clothes on his back ('Don't you ever stop' parody ...*snicker*) I mean, all of his opponents looked like they weighed less then he ever would. Ah well, what do I know about boxing anyway?

Although I have an Anti-Kame stand, I have to admit, he became more tolerable to me in this one. I mean there IS something very adorable about how he acts like an overgrown bratty little kid. Not annoyingly bratty. Just cutely bratty. (urgh I cannot have used cute and Kame in referance to each other. -__-') He is so childish, although he has cool moments as well, although I guess, they are mainly ruined (funnily) by him bringing up food suddenly.

This was very funny. From how the other boxers in Kousaku's gym acted, to the Mother Superiors wonderful plans and hints, and how Kaichou used Sister Angela as a "carrot in front of a horse" for Kousaku. I spent a great amount of time muttering 'Bakayarou' at Kousaku. He was just so adorably stupid. He seemed to get huge spurts of energy every single time he saw Sister Angela and got a word of encouragement from her. And he was specially talented at hiding and eating food, and managing to find ways to pig out.

Spoilers

I liked the fact, that in this drama, unlike other sports themed stories, it didn't end with an "everything is alright" note as the last match was over and he became the Japanese Champion. Even after he became the Champion with the power of his love (-__-'), he went all gloomy and depressed because their were still a lot of issues unresolved and yeah, there was the little issue that Sister Angela was missing.

I also liked how, in Kasumi-kun's situation, he didn't resort to boxing no matter how many people around him was doing it, and telling him to do so. He stood up to the bullying his own way (with a little help from the Kaichou). Although I guess he did take up boxing later at the very end, which would have kinda irked me, if not for how adorable Yamada Ryosuke looked with his hair pinned up while he was practicing. ^_^

All in all, it's a pretty good funny drama, and Kame fans are sure to love it, and even those of us immune to the Kame virus will no doubt get a good laugh from it.

Music: LIPS by KAT-TUN

Rating: 7/10

Quotes:

Kousaku : Sister Angela! My next match has been decided!
If I win, please go steady with me! (He is saying this to a NUN -__-')
*Everyone present just sorta stares at him dumbstruck*
Kousaku: *smiles brightly* That's all I wanted to say!
So then, please excuse me.
*runs away happily*
Sister Millie: Insolent!
Mother Superior: Eh?
Sister Angela: *shocked*
Kousaku: *Runs back again enthusiastically* Sister!
It's a promise! A Promise!

~More Quotes?~

Note: Yamada Ryosuke is SO adorable. He is totally and utterly glompable! Makes me want to turn him into a plushie! I also suspect he might be the next Yamapi. ^^;

Pumpkin~ ^__^

Kurosagi (Movie)

2008-06-01T03:20:00.008+05:00

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Kurosaki (Kurosagi)
Horikita Maki as Yoshikawa Tsurara
Ichikawa Yui as Mishima Yukari
Kato Koji as Shiraishi Yoichi
Yamazaki Tsutomu as Katsuragi Toshio
Okunuki Kaoru as Hayasa
...

Genre: Action, Crime investigation, Crooks, JDrama

Summary: I LOVE the drama, so I was practically stalking crunchyroll, waiting for this to appear. Luckily enough, I was able to catch it two hours after it was uploaded (Reaaaly bad quality though T_T) and thus, was able to watch it before they took it off again, since am pretty sure it was licensed.

This is rather like just another, extra long episode of Kurosagi, the drama. There is another Shirosagi, one who uses promissory notes and declaring bankruptcy to swindle people. On one such case he swindled money from a woman, who has a young daughter who needs money for her heart surgery. Kurosaki contacts her and promises to swindle the money back. But this time there is a deadline suddenly as the money for the transplant has to be paid before a certain time.

The Shirosagi's name is Ishigaki, and he was behind some huge operation which greatly effected the Japanese economy some years back. And he was also connected with making Kurosaki's father bankrupt (therefore destroying his life) So yes, I suppose he is a larger scale Shirosagi then the others, a bigger fish, so to speak.

And there are other trials and realities Kurosaki must face of being a Kurosagi as well, but, more importantly...

Review: WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY HAPPILY EVER AFTER FOR KUROSAKI???

There were basically, NO Tsurara/Kurosaki scenes. She could just have been a freakin extra! Well there was one, halfway good opportunity, but WITH NO MERITS. Damn, is it too much to hope for that the characters I adore live happily ever after? IS IT??? *calms down when she realizes she is sounding a bit too deranged*

The movie seems to center on Shakespearean tragedies. Macbeth, Othello and Julius Caesar seem to play a pretty dominant theme in this movie. So I can't help but wonder, is this perhaps some sort of premonition? That Kurosagi is also going to fall like Macbeth? Is he also going to be a once a hero, doomed to a tragic fate? It is very troubling. ~_~
Or maybe I'm just thinking too much.

For the first half of the movie I couldn't decide whether the movie was good or not. It did not make sense much, but it was really successful in bringing out moods, if in a bit of a haphazard way. But as it progressed, it made more and more sense and I was drawn completely into it and then at the perfect moment, everything fell into place. (Brilliantly ^_^)

Spoilers!

Although there was one thing which did not make sense however, that was how the atmosphere and everything was so damn convenient. {When shall we meet again? in thunder lightning or in rain? -__-'} And why were the sets and props for Julius Caesar left out in the rain? And HOW on earth did Katsuragi conveniently find himself in a coffin so Kurosaki could get a chance at threatening him with a katana in the rain (which was SO kool and made my heart pound. I mean, Yamapi, in the rain, in black, with that red scarf thing, with a KATANA. What more could my craving fangirl soul want? *floats away~~*)
Ahem. Anyway.

I loved the bit where Kurosaki had the katana pointed towards Katsuragi in the bar and there was this really intense atmosphere where I didn't even dare breath, thinking it was finally the confrontation between them, and then when Hayasa came, they went all, 'awww, you ruined the mood.' And then Kurosaki swiped the sword around and cut the shopping bag in half as he thought the sword was a fake. His expression when he realized it wasnt...

The main point of this drama is I guess, Kurosaki having to face the fact, that because of his actions as Kurosagi, other people are being affected. This fact is driven home when a person who was not his target gets killed because of a fluke. It was heartbreaking when he realized it. I really like how that aspect went on in the drama, although it was very touching, it was perfect. Because at first he was devastated but, he did not give up, he moved forward, with the determination he would NOT let it happen in future. He did not give up swindling either, and you have to admit, no matter how much you want him and Tsurara to live happily ever after together, that proves how strong his character is.

There was a nice bit of development on Katsuragi's background. Romantic too, suprisingly. Geez... I don't know what to feel about that old man, he is supposed to be easily despicable, but refuses to co-operate. -__-' I can't begin to imagine how Kurosaki feels, if me who is just watching this feels this confused.

Basically I loved this, although it frustrated me to no end. I adored how Kurosaki carried everything out so smoothly and coolly. Specially the part where he picked up the phone when Ishigaki called, and he was in the SAME room, and calmly pretended to be someone else. And about how he arranged everything with impeccable timing and planing. I don't know if it would have been possible in real life or not, but watching it (and Yamapi ^////^) made me believe it was possible, so for that, the movie gets a glowing recommendation from me.

It's definitely a must watch, (even if it frustrates you to no end due to the non conclusive way it is)

Music: Taiyou no Namida (Tears of the sun) by NEWS

Rating: 9/10 (I would have given the drama a 10, unlike Fably, but no matter how much I love the drama this is a 9)

Quotes:

It's okay if you run away, as long as you run as fast as you can.

~Kurosaki

***
Everything, it's just another notch as the clock keeps ticking
You only arrive at the final second when you give up
Life's a walking shadow

~Katsuragi

***
If, like Shakespeare said, "Life's but a walking shadow,"
until I die, I'll be a shadow.
Until I devour all the Shirosagi in this world, I won't let the curtain fall.

My name... is Kurosagi

I am a walking shadow.

~Kurosaki

***
More Quotes?

***

Note: I am looking forward to the next Kurosagi Movie, there SHOULD be one.
I'll place all my hopes that Kurosagi and Tsurara marry and get a specified number of kids whom they name after... umm... I donno, old man Katsuragi or something. Hey, maybe J.K.Rowling was on to some thing after all with the super annoying last chapter, sometimes you NEED to be told and reassured.
I understand now... *nods*

Proposal Daisakusen

2008-05-20T03:36:00.021+05:00

Operation Love

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Iwase Ken
Nagasawa Masami as Yoshida Rei
Fujiki Naohito as Honda Tetsuya
Eikura Nana as Oku Eri
Hiraoka Yuuta as Enokido Mikio
Hamada Gaku as Tsurumi Hisash

Genre: Romance, Friendship, Time-travel, Destiny, Jdrama

Episodes: 11 (+ Proposal Daisakusen Special)

Summary: When you've known someone practically your whole life you would never think that you would run out of time to say what you need to that person. Iwase Ken and Yoshida Rei have been together since 3rd Grade. Kenzo never thought that he would be unable to tell Rei how he felt. He had always waited for the right time, and now, she is getting married to someone else. At her wedding, he is so utterly full of regrets and remorse, that the fairy who lives in the church the wedding takes place in decides to let him have another chance. Kenzo is given the chance to travel back in time (or 'time-slip') through photographs of the couple shown in a slide show and tell Rei how he really feels.

Review: The entire drama, technically takes place at a wedding reception, but the time traveling takes us through their lives, which has been in my opinion a cruel trick by fate. Both of them love each other, but they keep missing each other and fear and awkwardness arisen from them being childhood friends get in the way.

Through out the drama, I felt like murdering Kenzo most of the time. He was just so damned annoying. He didn't tell her, just because he didn't feel it was the right time and he was awkward and clumsy and scared but I guess that is why I do like his character after all. It makes him more believable. Not more likable, but believable. (Because really, I have never been able to comprehend the people who told people to be with THEM coz they would always make them happy. Where do they get the confidence from? ~_~)

This was very frustrating to watch. They just didn't do what they were supposed to and let perfectly good opportunities pass by! Although I suppose it's easy for me to yell at them from the sidelines... Because one thing I realized watching this is that you simply, utterly and totally, know NOTHING. How can you know anything really? *pffft*

Slide after slide, opportunity after opportunity, he did not tell her. But although I dislike him, he is somewhat endearing to me, because I cannot help but understand why he did pass up the opportunities. It's strange. ~_~

But I can understand that it would harder for him. Most people say that if they had a chance they to do it all over again, they would do this, or not do that, but when you get the chance, it would be more difficult wont it? Because your confidence is already blown by the knowledge that it did NOT happen, and that maybe, no matter how hard you try, it won't change after all. And you would be scared of hurting people. And of hurting yourself. If going through rejection once was hard enough, it would be harder to re live it again.

Spoilers

In the very first time he time traveled though, I was totally mad at him, because if only he had said something to her then, all the painful situations would not have arisen later on. I remember muttering at the Kenzo on the computer screen to just grab her and kiss her for the love of god! -_-'

After he DID kiss her, in a later time slip, I thought it would finally lead to them getting together, but my hopes were dashed when he was brought back to the present and he was still at the wedding reception.

Later on, it got more and more painful, because the distance between them was growing and other people became involved. Like on the new year picture, he was told that Rei was dating Tada-san, and that was so damn heart-wrenching. Him going to the baseball place and trying to absorb himself in that, and to try not to think about it. He was honest to himself, and said that he loved her, and that he would always, always love her, and that he would never be able to forget her even if he wanted to so he wouldn't have to feel the pain anymore, and he cried there, which truth to be told broke my heart into tiny shards. Being childhood friends in love has to be really really painful... (remembers Gokinjo Monogotari)

Although, at the end, when he finally told her how he feels and I was SOOO touched, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of disbelief, I mean for crying out loud, he tells her how he feels on her WEDDING DAY.

For the love of god, man. -__-'

Tada-san is also a good guy. In his case, I have reverse Kikyo/Kagome feelings towards his existence. I have absolutely nothing against him at all, In fact I think he was too damn irritatingly good. I mean, his bride technically left him at the alter, and not only did he let her go, he even helped her make up her mind and SENT her after Kenzo by putting the cuff links in both his hands. ~_~

This is also a very emotionally touching drama. I was driven to tears while watching it. Through out the drama. And in the last episode, its a wonder that my room wasn't flooded, it was that touching. Although, through out the drama, attempts were made to lighten the mood which made me chuckle in spite of the tears. Such attempts include Kenzo striking the "Hallelujah chaaance! Nooooooooo" pose. That was funny and along with some other things kept the mood of the drama from getting too sad.

I guess the point of the drama is to tell you that saying 'IF I had second chance I would do it over again' is pointless. It's better that you let go of the past and move forward. Then only will the door to miracles open.

Proposal Daisakusen Special

The drama ended with Kenzo realizing he had to let go of the past and move forward. But even if you know that, HOW exactly do you move forward?

This takes place one year after the conclusion of the drama. Rei's and Kenzo's friends, Tsuru and Eri are getting married in Hawaii. Eri runs away just before the marriage, because she feels that Tsuru does not love her. Who should appear to save the day, but the fairy who gave Ken the chance to go back to the past to win back Rei. He lets Kenzo go back into the past one more time, for the sake of his friends this time.

Spoilers Again

However, Rei and Kenzo are stuck more or less in the same place they were when the drama ended. They avoid talking about marriage, and about Rei's near wedding to Tada-san. Although through out the drama, Kenzo had run with all his might, for Rei, he realizes that after that, he had been running away rather then moving forward. So while he is in the past for the sake of Tsuru and Eri, he also faces up to the situations he had previously run away from, like facing Rei's parents and Tada-san properly.

This brought a definitive end to the drama. Although I liked the drama ending, which left a lot of possibilities open, this made me all relieved. Since Kenzo and Rei had made such a mess of things before I was wondering how on earth they will be able to move forward again, even IF they had a chance again. They seem to be such experts at ruining perfectly good chances after all, and I was right! But at the end, Kenzo was a man and asked her to marry him, and said he would make her happy. *dabs eye with hanky* It was very very sweet. ^_^

Music:
Ashita Hareru Kana by Kuwata Keisuke (Theme song)
Chiisana Koi no Uta by Mongol 800 (Insert song)

Rating: 9/10

Quotes:

Today, the person I love most in this world, will marry someone else.

~Iwase Ken

***
The majority of humans don't understand the reality of something till it's over.

~The Fairy Dude

***
Humans... One thing you have gotten very good at through out history is making excuses.

~The Fairy Dude

***
If you keep on thinking tomorows always going to come your going to end up in pain. If you put things off for tomorow your an idiot

~ Rei's Grampa

***
Though she always has been by my side like this... I wasn't able to do anything.
Though she was always by my side like this, I didn't understand anything.
I really am the worst.

~ Iwase Ken

***
Fate... How can it allow pain like this to be possible? For the sake of one person to be happy, why is it that, if there is someone who is not grieving, it will not come true? But no matter how I look at it, I have to tell her these words. I love Rei, I love her so much it hurts.

~Iwase Ken

***
She has always just.. been beside me...
the one who knows her best is me.
But in the end...
these are just thoughts inside my heart,
because never once, have I been able to become honest about it in front of her.
Though I always have been near her, the words I thought I would say someday...
I haven't been able to say it after all.
That one thing, never did I say it.
I... I... was in love with Rei.
Honestly, if I say so, even now, I am still in love with Rei...
But, Rei, is getting married with Tada san today.
Though its excruciating for me, she will get married.
Because her place in my heart is so vast, the struggle for me to arrive at these words has taken an extreme amount of time.
Rei. Congratulations on your wedding.
Please... become happy
........
If you don't become happy...
If you don't become happy... I really won't forgive that.

~Iwase Ken

***

More quotes?

Note: There is a very amazing friendship between five characters in this drama including Rei and Kenzo as well... It's a truly enviable friendship, and really touching.

Kurosagi

2008-05-19T20:43:00.012+05:00

Cast:
Yamashita Tomohisa as Kurosaki (Kurosagi)
Horikita Maki as Yoshikawa Tsurara
Ichikawa Yui as Mishima Yukari
Kato Koji as Shiraishi Yoichi
Yamazaki Tsutomu as Katsuragi Toshio
Kishibe Shiro as Mikimoto
Tayama Ryosei as Momoyama Tetsuji
Reina as Osawa Yuuko
Okunuki Kaoru as Hayasa
Sugimoto Tetta as Kurosaki's Father
Aikawa Sho as Kashima Masaru

Genre: JDrama, Action, Crime investigation, Semi-Romance

Episodes: 11

Summary: The drama is about a young man, Kurosaki, whose family was destroyed by swindlers, and how he continues to get revenge by swindling from swindlers. Its like a modern, dark, Robin Hood story. He swindles money back to its rightful, swindled, owners. His life begins to change when he meets a law student who disapproves of his 'occupation'.

Review: For a Robin Hood and Uchiha Clan Massacre combo how could the drama not be good? The drama is based on a manga seriess of the same name and according to it there are three kinds of swindlers: 'Shirosagi', 'Akasagi' and finally 'Kurosagi'. Yamashita (Yamapi) did an awesome job in playing the dark and serious and sarcastic (and hot) con artist with the disturbing past. I loved his disguise characters! So cute, really! And the old man Katsuragi is pretty cool too. Though his obsession with pickles and his spitting is very disgusting. Also Shiraishi Yoichi is very lovable. I liked him from the moment I saw him, even though he was a swindler who Kurosagi wants to defeat.

I had difficulty understanding all the things about checks and inheritance tax and stuff, but that's to be expected since I'm a science student. (I wonder if business students understood 'em...) But I was surprised at myself for not understanding even the psychological/emotional stuff. Am I to draw a conclusion that I'm emotionally immature or that the drama was just waay twisted for me to comprehend? But, due to that, I was really gripped by it and tried to predict what would happen next (I have to give myself a fail for that >.>). Aside from that the drama is very fast paced and full of suspense. Very complex and real. A tear jerker at times, and a side stitcher at others (or maybe its 'cause I'm sadistic and like to see other people fooled). Though most of the times its dark.

I liked Kurosagi's wardrobe, yeah. ^o^ And his cat is so kawaii! I am so gonna get a cat when/if I get my own place! The scenes between Kurosagi and Tsurara were very little, but I liked it that way. Too much romance makes me physically ill...sometimes. I like subtle stuff *nods*.

Spoiler alert!

There was this scene in the first episode: Tsurara had tripped into the way of an oncoming train and then Kurosagi had jumped in there to rescue her. For more then three seconds they just stayed there gazing at each other not caring for the viewers who were screaming 'GET OUTTA THERE!!' while shaking their monitors... Are they both stupid?!

Second episode was very heart wrenching. Koyama was there! ^0^ Episode 7 was pretty funny and I got to see Yamapi in a kimono! Kyaaaa!! With a fan!! And I loved the ending episode! It wasn't an ending I think. More of a break...*thoughtful* I hope there's going to be a second season! There's so much loose ends. Like getting back at that annoying detective with that bloody laugh for starters! There's lots more I want to say about the drama but I'll stop here. ^-^

Music:
Daite Senorita by Yamashita Tomohisa (a very catchy song, though I fail to see the connection of it to the drama since it goes like "daite daite daite Senorita" Daite mean hold tight...go figure >.> But I like it immensely anyway! ^0^)

Rating: 9/10 (Though my heart is begging me to give it a ten I can't 'cause it'll be just for Yamapi and I don't want to be prejudiced while rating.)

Quotes:

Kurosagi: The law can't protect people. If its like that then why should we obey it?

***
Shinkawa (a swindler): God dammit. That kid... My money... GOD DAMMIT! My MONEY!!!

***
Hoshiya Sumiko: When something happens, lets say, wen the culprit is caught, society will deem the case closed, but to the victim and the ones involved, they will continue to live on forever in the incident... It must be the same for Kurosaki-kun, don't u think?

***
Tsurara: (clutching her heart) Its beating so fast...
Why? I always want to contradict you. Why? I want you to understand me! Why?

Kurosagi: (baffled) What are you talking about?

Tsurara: I love you! But then... why? Why are you a swindler?

***
Kurosagi: Bang

***
Kurosagi: Maidoari (Thank you, come again.)

***
More Quotes

***

Note: There are people who really do take advantage of innocent and naive people without even blinking. 'Tis a sad world we live in. But then there are people who try to change swindlers and help out the victims of an incident. By watching this, I found out that there are very different relationships between people. Like the relationship between Kurosagi and the old man Katsuragi. I really don't understand it...

Watch Kurosagi here or here! Your choice!

Kiiroi Namida

2008-05-16T01:18:00.012+05:00

Yellow Tears

Cast:
Sho Sakurai as Ryuzo Mukai
Masaki Aiba as Shoichi Inoue
Kazunari Ninomiya as Eisuke Muraoka
Satoshi Ono as Kei Shimokawa
Jun Matsumoto as Yuji Katsumada

Genre: Life, Drama, Dreams, JMovie

Summary: Four young men, with not so conventional chosen paths in life, are brought together by circumstances and they develop a very strong friendship. Life makes them meet again, sooner then they had planed.
They live together, and are total struggling artists, to the point they have to pawn the very tools of their trade (pen, guitar, etc...) to escape starvation. After a while, they manage to get a hold of a substantial amount of money, by selling one of Kei's paintings and by Eisuke working as a mangaka's assistant. They squander away a bit of the money, but Eisuke convinces everyone to use the rest of the money to 'restart' again. He convinces them that they should dedicate the time, without worrying about how to get their next meal, to concentrate on their dreams and to try to succeed. So they spend an entire summer together in a tiny apartment, each dedicating the time to their own specific dreams.

Review: This is a very, very good movie. It totally exceeded my expectations. Since the main cast of this movie consisted of Arashi{Japanese pop idol group}, I was expecting a movie dedicated mainly to fan service, with shirtless ~~anorexic~~ bishie guys, funny little jokes and maybe a guy forced to dress in a girls dress or two. This movie totally threw my expectations miles into the ocean!

It is set in post atomic bomb Japan, in Tokyo, in 1963, and the essence of the time is perfectly captured in this movie. How the culture of Japan was changed by the allied occupation, and how a country with very simplistic and traditional values were adapting to the changes. There are little clips scattered through out which gives you a really good idea of the time period, and of what is happening then.

What I like about this movie is the fact that it captures the essence of the Japan that I have always been in love with. Quaint, quiet, minimalistic and a deep resounding silence which echoes with a kind of sadness. (Kind of like Japan in Mimi wo Sumaseba, but not quite). The laundry hanging off the balcony and across a rope strung in across the room, baths in bath houses, tiny cramped rooms in which all aspects of life are carried out from sleeping to working to cooking. This movie has it all in perfection. No, it's all so perfectly imperfect, which is what makes it amazing.

Spoilers

The movie starts with Eisuke Muraoka the more-or-less main character of the movie asking his friends to pretend to be doctors so he can convince his mother to leave her home town and go to a hospital in Tokyo to get treatment for her illness. The charade somehow works, and Eisuke is extremely grateful. They part ways, saying that all of them, will meet once they have made it in there chosen careers.

They meet sooner then they thought, and spend a summer trying to succeed with there dreams. To save money and to make the money they have last till summer is over, they try to cook there own meals and came up with the most amusing results, like actually burning a hole through the bottom of the pot they were cooking in O_o

The friendship is also very touching. When the other three guys show up in his apartment, Eisuke barely has enough money, and yet, he goes on and tries to find more work to do because he will now have roommates and he wants to be able to help them. He does not turn them away, or not help them.

So much else happens in this movie and all of it is so important that I am not even going to try telling it all. But I would strongly recommend anyone and everyone to watch this, its not your typical jdrama or movie, its so much more better. Granted, there are no quirky little themes or in your face hilarity, but its different, and totally and completely worth watching.

There is also a 'romantic' element to it although that too is tragic as it mainly deals with unrequited love and disillusionment, although Matsumoto Jun's character DOES get a happily ever after (He is the only one who does). But he is not really a main character in this movie either (At first I was really disappointed but the movie totally made up for the lack of MatsuJun.)

This is definitely not a happy movie. In the end, everyone has to face the harsh realities of life and they give up on there dreams, and choose more practical careers. Nor is it a movie of undying friendship, as they only meet after the particular summer once, in a reunion. It is not a movie that gives you the message that 'if you try hard enough, you will succeed', or 'if you are a good person, good things will happen to you.' Instead, it shows you life.

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

I was just 8 years old when the war ended.
When I lost everything, not having anything to trust...
It was still one thing that gave courage to me& my friends...
that was manga

~Eisuke Muraoka

***
Starving is part of being an artist! It adds to the experience.

~Ryuzo Mukai

***
We can't have real jobs. I refuse to sell my body for money. (Referring to working)

~Ryuzo Mukai

***
No point in being lonely together. Isn't it easier to be lonely alone? no?

~Tokei

***
Do you remember? When you came back from your assistants job in July?
Back then you asked us,
"What is freedom?"
I remember telling you
"Freedom is doing what you want when you please. Eisuke does manga, Ryuzo does novels, Shouchi does pop songs, I do oil paintings."
Now tht summer is over, I quit painting, just like Ryuzio-kun has quit writing.
How ironic that our season of doing what we please has caused us to abandon just that.
We can't live life for paintings and novels.
If someone is there, we cannot help but do something for them.
If we are lonely we step out to find company,
we are just week willed ordinary human beings.
We were just week willed human beings.
There will never be a summer like this.
Never again will we shed the tears we cried this summer.
Never again.
In parting, I'll let the French poet Ryuzo told us about, express our feelings of farewell.
"In the face of my life all I can do is panic, such is my useless and pathetic youth.
Now, what we acquire along with our first wrinkle, is our trust in life,
this constant and this smile, which says,
'Friend, I know all about you.'
Looking back we learn, Life never deceives man, Life... has never deceived a man."

~Kei Shimokawa(In a letter to Eisuke Muraoka)

Note: My opinion of Arashi has definitely risen, before watching this, I did like their songs (although even I found some of the videos just hillarious) and I did like Matsumoto Jun, but I really did not care much about any of the other members. I only considered them to be bubblegum pop idols, but now I respect them more. The acting was superb. Specially Nino. I always thought he was this total hyper kiddy in the group, but he is reaally good at acting. The expressions on his face and his gestures were totally natural and he was really mature-ish in the movie

You can watch the movie at crunchyroll ^_^

Prisonbreak Season 2

2008-05-15T00:10:00.005+05:00

Cast:
Dominic Purcell as Lincoln Burrows
Wentworth Miller as Michael Scofield
Marshall Allman as L. J. Burrows
Amaury Nolasco as Fernando Sucre
Peter Stormare as John Abruzzi
Robert Knepper as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell
Rockmond Dunbar as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin
Wade Williams as Brad Bellick
Sarah Wayne Callies as Dr. Sara Tancredi
(...)

Genre: Action, Thriller, Series

Summary: Season 1 ended with the brothers escaping prison. Season two deals with the brothers trying to not end up in prison again.

Review: I know that most of the people didn't like this season very much. Apparently the ratings for the show generally decreased in this season too. I guess if it's called *Prison*Break and it's no longer in a prison it's bound to lose popularity. But I for one liked it as much as the first season. Well except for the ending. (But we will talk about that later)

Spoilers

I like the fact that Mahone got Scofield's tatoos and plans and I liked how there was the detective work and the whole aspect of the 'heroes' having to stay one step ahead or dead. And the fact that there were very few downright villains was great too. I mean it's unbelievable that there are people who are purely evil. That they are doing evil actions due to certain circumstances is much more believable. Not that of course the entire show was believable.

There were certain situations I found totally improbable. Like how non of the actors' hair grew. I mean at some points the hair even went shorter(without reason). You would think that if they wanted to disguise themselves they would let it grow. Also how that Kim guy had so many opportunities to kill them but didn't. And about how while everyone is searching for the fugitives, T-bag was soo rarely mentioned you would hardly think he was supposed to be the most dangerous. The way Kellerman chose to murder Sara was also quite weird. I mean he shot plenty of people. Killed plenty of people. To make a mistake like that is just strange.

But hey it's a TV show. And I, with my love for books with dragons and magic and other improbable things in em, have no problems with that. The show was still entertaining. And it still had me holding my breath for quite some situations.

Spoilers

Of course how people kept dropping off dead every two seconds did kind of get on my nerves. And how it was never over! -__-'

What I think is that they should have ended the show with this season. Happily ever after would have been good. But nooooo. They just had to continue. -__-'

Rating: 8/10

[Originally posted in lilacwraith's blog]

Prisonbreak Season 1

2008-04-28T09:34:00.010+05:00

Cast:

Dominic Purcell as Lincoln Burrows
Wentworth Miller as Michael Scofield
Robin Tunney as Veronica Donovan
Marshall Allman as L. J. Burrows
Amaury Nolasco as Fernando Sucre
Peter Stormare as John Abruzzi
Robert Knepper as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell
Rockmond Dunbar as Benjamin Miles "C-Note" Franklin
Wade Williams as Brad Bellick
Sarah Wayne Callies as Dr. Sara Tancredi
Paul Adelstein as Paul Kellerman

Genre: Action, Thriller, Series

Summary: An innocent man is convicted for the murder of the vice presidents brother which he did not commit due to a HUUUGE conspiracy. He is sentenced to death and is facing the electric chair in Fox River State Penitentiary in which he is imprisoned. His brother happens to be a structural engineer who happened to ghost write (or draw or design or whatever) the plans for the prison. So he plans, prepares and gets himself thrown into prison with the blueprints of the prison as well as the plans to escape tattooed on his body so that he can get his brother out.

Review: I really love this show although it is totally and utterly impossible AND improbable.

Spoilers

First of all whats up with involving the doctor to open the door to the infirmary. I mean we are talking about NINE fairly strong men. Don't you think that maybe they could break the door down? I mean yes in the episode with the riot the rioters couldn't. But ONLY because the doctor was there poking needles into the people who put their hands in through the door. Am sure they would have managed perfectly fine in the dead of the night.

Also Dr.whose-name-I-cant-spell overdosing. I mean it was over a GUY. Geez woman. I mean yes, I do realize that the doctor was an addict before and stuff. But if she had to revert back wouldn't it be more logical if that happened after the fate-worse-than-death-escape at the riot? That has to be trauma right? For crying out loud, she overdosed over a guy. Love is so overrated. -__-'

Also during the riot, there were surveillance camera's in the doctors room. Yet no one spotted any of the guys while they were waiting for the elevator to yank the window out among other situations. And not enough security cameras in a maximum security prison? Which age do we live in anyway?-__-'

Another thing I found interesting was the way the cell mates of certain escapees seemingly vanished (in a closed cell mind you) when they were planting fertilizer among and other things on their bunks to get rid of the smell for the police dogs.

What was the strangest was Scofield's tattoo. Yes I know its a make up process yada yada. Okay here's the deal. If my memory serves me correctly in one of the episodes Scofield burns his right shoulder on the pipe in the sewers (or ventilation or pipes or whatever) and he loses a critical part of his blueprints. So in another episode he makes Haywire draw them for him. Haywire draws an angel and his wings or something along those lines. But in the prison break opening credits on his right shoulder there is a demon or something. ~_~?

Anyway. I like this show a lot. It's interesting and intriguing in a way. All the characters are fascinating in their own ways. And it also helps that the main character is a genius AND a total hottie. (please note that I said CHARACTER. which means I just commented on Michael Scofield not Wentworth Miller [the guy who plays Scofield] who incidentally, is gay. So there is no reason for you to go "aww lilac finally has a crush on an actor" okay? -__-')

Rating: 10/10

Quotes: (Didn't note down any while I watched it so on to google!)

Michael: When I was young, I couldn't sleep at night because I thought there was a monster in the closet. But my brother told me there wasn't anything in the closet but fear. And fear wasn't real. He said it wasn't made of anything, it was just- air... not even there. H said you just have to face it. You just have to open that door, and the monster would disappear.
Sara: Your brother sounds like a smart man.
Michael: He is... In here, though, you face your fear, you open that door... and there's 100 more doors behind it. And the monsters that are hiding behind them... are all real.

***

John Abruzzi: We could cut off all his limbs, he still wouldn't talk. Pain's not the answer here. Maybe the Beatles were right. Maybe all you need is love.

***

Michael: You kept it.
Sara: Kept what?
Michael: The flower.
Sara: Well, I'm a packrat. I never throw anything out.
Michael: *looks around the spotless infirmary* Yeah, well this clutter. It's... overwhelming.

***

Michael: It’s just math.
Sucre: What if your math is wrong?
Michael: You’ll drill into one of a dozen gas lines behind the wall. There’ll be an explosion and we’ll be burned alive.
Sucre: But you’re good at math, right?

***

Sucre: What's another word for love?
Michael: What's the context?
Sucre: You know, the I love you so much I ain't never knocking over a liquor store again kind of context, except but you know, classy.

***

Note: The DVD box says "Most men would do anything to get out of prison. Michael Scofield would do anything he can to get in." Didn't any of you guys find this strange considering that the whole point of the show is Scofield and his brother getting OUT of prison. Scofield gets INTO the prison easily enough in the very first episode of the show for crying out loud! *pfft*

[Originally posted in lilacwraith's blog]

Lovely Complex

2008-04-27T10:38:00.018+05:00

Cast:
Koike Teppei as Ōtani Atsushi
Fujisawa Ema as Koizumi Risa

Genre: JMovie, Shojo, Romance, Comedy

Summary: Otani Atsushi is a boy who is way shorter then average. Koizumi Risa is a girl who is way taller then average. Both of them have been rejected after they confessed, due to their heights (Otani for being shorter then the girl, Koizumi for being taller then the guy). So they both make up their minds to only like people shorter and taller then them, respectively. Although they share the same weird interests, and get along well, together, they look utterly comical. Does height matter?

Review: This was okay, I guess, it didn't deeply annoy me or anything. Neither was it sooo great that I feel the urge to rave about it. And they fit three years into a single movie so that was kinda strange and it felt cramped as well. However it DID have its funny moments, and was reasonably amusing to watch.

Spoilers

It was so funny, when during the fireworks, Risa confessed to Otani and he took it as a joke and laughed, the densest guy indeed! It was even more hilarious when he didn't get it when she said that she was crying because the guy whom she confessed to laughed it off as a joke. HE looked all shocked and asked her whether he should go and talk to the guy. -__-' And even when she said that the guy was right in front of her he looked blank for a minute. *rofl*

And it was sooo cute when he had to reach up on tiptoes to kiss her at the end.

The manga was waaay better though(the part I read of it anyway), since this did NOT have a LOT of the awww soooo cute scenes which were in the manga. But I expect they cannot fit 17 volumes into a single movie...

Rating: 6/10

Quotes/Taglines:
Koizumi & Otani: Height doesn't matter!
Maity: YoroshQUEEEEEEEEEEEEN~

Note: I thought Muzishima Hiro (Namba-sempai from Hanakimi *_*) would play a bigger role in this since he is so ~~anorexic~~ bishie, but he just plays a geek, which is amusing to watch too I guess.

You can watch this movie at crunchyroll

Itazura na Kiss

2008-04-24T00:08:00.007+05:00

Cast:
Sato Aiko as Aihara Kotoko
Kashiwabara Takashi as Irie Naoki

Genre: Jdrama, Romantic Comedy

Episodes: 9

Summary: At the beginning of high school, Kotoko, a girl who is neither good in sports or studies ~~or anything really~~, while running in the hallway runs into Irie Naoki, a star student who is effortlessly good at everything, and somehow their lips collide. From that moment onwards she starts ~~stalking him~~ her one sided love for him. On her third year in high school, her house burns down so she and her father are forced to move in with her father's high school best friends who also happen to be Irie's parents. From then onwards she starts ~~being a general annoyance and making his life a living hell~~ trying to make him accept her feelings through her dedication and sincerity. But is bringing bad luck all she can do? ~~yes, most likely~~ Will Naoki ever like her? ~~unlikely while he is still sane~~

Review: Warning~ There WILL be spoilers. (I lost the spoiler hiding tutorial thing that Fabler made for me since technology hates me, and well, I don't know how to anymore >_<)

Everyone in the freaking school seems to believe everything they see on the notice board >_>

The main character, Kotoko, is as annoying as Mary Kate and Ashley books combined with Britney Spears. (Not that I have tried that combo, not wanting to scar myself for life) Her screams still ring in my ears, in the most unpleasant way. (Don't even get me started on how annoying her whining 'Irie-kuuuun' all the time is >_<) I feel sorry for the guy, he always has a face like he has a humongous headache when ever she starts her screeching. And she stalks the guy, imposes her freakish notions and day dreams on him, misunderstands every single thing, and is a total shame to women everywhere. Her so called "dreams" (which everyone makes such a big deal out of) revolve around the guy, and everything is dependent on him. If he is a pilot she will be an air hostess, if he is a CEO she will be a secretary, if he is a doctor she will be a nurse, bleh. The idea of standing on equal footing does not even occur to her. -__-'

I feel sorry for the male lead character who has a pink fuzz ball of insanity for a mother who imposes her freakish out of the blue shojo fantasies on her eldest son. I mean the woman dressed him up as girl when he was young, coz she always wanted a girl, took PICTURES and shows them to people. Doesn't that strike you as slightly odd? AND if that wasn't bad enough she practically pushes him towards Kotoko (It's practically like the best friends forcing their kids to get married in a way) and makes up what he is supposedly feeling according to shojo manga structure. The poor boy tries to tell them its not like that, but the loons don't let him get a word in. -___-'

I don't understand the purpose of the Reiko (the pretty rival girl who is smart and in the A class with Naoki). Is she his girlfriend or is she another stalker? Its puzzling... *nods* very puzzling indeed...

Although I recall Kotoko faints when she sees Reiko's Christmas card, clear evidence that apparently they ARE going out after all, and she isn't a stalker. I also wonder what happens to Reiko in the end since she sorta is there till the last moment until she is no longer needed....

There were also certain things in this drama I did NOT want to see. *goes into gloomy dark corner and starts growing mushrooms*

*ahem* Anyway,

The stalker got her stalkee in the end by tormenting him with her maniac laughter inside his head, which somehow makes him fall in love with her in the last five minutes of the entire series. And they lived happily ever after, just as the pink shojo puffball mommy wanted.

Rating: 4/10 {I m being VERY generous here, one for the occasional wit and funniness (mostly contributed by the kid, and some being contributed by the sad dude whose name escapes me who chases after the Kotoko for some reason unknown to me), one for the theme song which was pretty nice, and one for the cool aloof main male lead, partly because I am in a fan girling mood and he was kinda cute and did the aloof distant angstyness in a cool way, and mostly just for his 'oh what the hell am I supposed to do with this much stupidity, disgusted to the point of puking' expression. And one very well deserved star for the kiddy. I loved his dry old man narration! ^_^}

Quotes: This Jdrama had a ton of quotes which deserve to be posted for utter stupidity and as proof of the characters baka-ness in the drama, but this is the only one I wrote down, coz I found it hilarious.

Yuki: Onee chan, didn't you say that "people should take more hardships when they are still young?"
Naoki : Yeah?
Yuki: It has been too smooth sailing for the both of us. I think that Kotoko is an ordeal god has sent to us.
Naoki: Ordeal...
Yuki: Don't avoid the ordeal and try to be more mature, onee chan
Naoki: If we think that way, her presence is very important...*nods*

(what makes me roll my eyes remembering this brilliant piece of six year old wisdom is that the girl they are referring to actually being HAPPY to be an ordeal. Hell, she even brings it up later with pride -__-')

Music: Steady by SPEED

Taglines:
Wait for meeee (said in annoying way)
Irie-Kuuuuuun (said in more annoying way)

Note: Although this is supposed to be a "romantic" comedy, I get the impression that the guy is being tortured for most of the drama..(which I enjoyed btw, since he made SUCH adorable tortured faces *oh ho ho ho ho* :P).

And is it just me or are most Japanese shojo stories advocating girls to stop trying to be good at anything and just be annoying morons? ~_~

Northern Lights

2008-04-20T17:02:00.014+05:00

(The Golden Compass)
His Dark Materials Trilogy, Book 1

Author: Philip Pullman

Genre: Fantasy

Summary: In Lyra Belacqua's world, all humans have there souls as daemons on the outside of there body. (Daemons can shift their shapes until settling into one when the person grows up) Lyra and her daemon Pan live in the Jordan College of Oxford with the scholars as she is an orphan and has only an uncle, the powerful Lord Asriel, whom she meets only occasionally when he returns from his expeditions. Although she is 'nobly born' she is like a 'little savage' and runs rampant on the streets, roofs and underground of Oxford, waging war with the gyptains and the rest of the kids.

Her curiosity leads her into finding out about Dust (elementary particles), She is drawn away from Jordan College because of this and although she is unaware of it, destiny holds that she shall play a part in a horrific deed, which has to be done so that everything can be saved. (cryptic, I know, but I don't know quite how else to put it ~_~)

Review: Philip Pullman is the greatest story teller. Ever. I read this book for the first time around two years back and I had forgotten its utter magnificence. (HOW COULD I???) This is the most amazing book ever written. (At the moment I am high on this book so that's what I totally and whole heartedly believe, but reason makes me want to state that there are quite a few other books which I think is the most amazing book ever written as well)

The book is exquisitely written, the story is amazingly crafted. Everything folds into place, in such a way that you know that it was there through out the story. And not there in the annoying hint hint in the beginning way that some stories go. There, in the sense that everything, EVERYTHING makes perfect sense and it just so wonderfully comes together. The characters are also completely and utterly lovable. Even when they are despicable, they are larger then life and magnificent and REAL.

The Plot is also amazing. All those people going on about the "Da Vinci Code" and what not and scoffing 'children's books', you have NO idea what your missing. Non at all. The plot, is so complex and makes so much sense, and at the same time is totally strange and infused with fantasy, and it is vivid and real, and plays havoc on your emotions. (in a good way ^_~)

I would also like to point out that the movie in no way does justice to the book. In the movie, the characters drop in like visiting spirits to give Lyra a bit of advice and a little bit of help or whatever, but in the book, they are people too, not just apparitions with guest appearances. -__-'

Oh yeah, Mrs. Coulter is a brunette. NOT a blond. AND Lord Asriel is colder and way more awesome and cruel. Iorek is waaay more magnificent too (Although the bear fight in the movie was pretty cool too.) Neither is Lee Scoresby so old. Let's just say that the book is MILES better then the movie.

Rating: 10/10

Quotes:

An insult to a bear is a deadly thing. To us... inconceivable. How could you insult a witch? Would it matter if you did?

{Serafina Pekkala}

***

Belacqua? No. You are Lyra Silvertongue. To fight him is all I want. Come, little daemon.

{Iorek Byrnison}

***

Bears! The terms of combat are these. If Iofar Raknoson kills me, then he will be king for ever, safe from challenge or dispute, If I kill Iofar Raknison, I shall be your king. My first order to you all will be to tear down that palace, that perfumed house of mockery and tinsel, and hurl the gold and marble in to the sea. Iron is bear-metal. Gold is not. Iofar Raknison has polluted Svalbard. I have come to cleanse it. Iofar Raknison, I challenge you.

{Iorek Byrnison}

***

We couldn't work together, you and I.

{Marisa Coulter}

No? You and I could take the universe to pieces and put it together again, Marisa! We could find the source of Dust and stifle it for ever! And you'd like to be part of that great work; don't lie to to me about it. Lie about everything else, lie about the Oblation Board, lie about your lovers - yes, I know about Boreal, and I care nothing - lie about the Church, lie about the child, even, but don't lie about what you truly want...

{Lord Asriel}

***
~More Quotes~

***

Note: Talk about a messed up family... ~_~ A father who is an atheist and wants to go challenge God, a mother who is an all powerful church figure, and the daughter who has to save the universe from the both of them. AND all of them are totally charismatic and magnificent-ish and powerful and grand!

And I love Iorek Byrnison. =^_^=

Fire and Hemlock

2008-04-07T10:50:00.009+05:00

Author: Diana Wynne Jones

Genre: Fantasy

Summary: At nineteen, Polly has two sets of sometimes overlapping, sometimes conflicting memories, the real-life ones of school days and her parents’ divorce,
and the heroic adventure ones that began the day she accidentally gate-crashed a funeral and met the cellist Thomas Lynn. This is supposed to be a modern retelling of Tam Lin.

Review: This book has been one of my favorites since the day I randomly picked it out in the school Library some light years ago. From the first page onward the book had me fascinated with its peculiar way of telling the story of Polly (this was my very first Diana Wynne Jones book mind you). Then it got me hooked onto the funny Mr.Lynn and his out of this world driving style! And him swearing somehow became the funniest thing ever! Alright, yeah, I had a crush on him. But how could you not have a crush on him?

Anyway, some of the things I noticed about this book was that it was so very realistic and at the same time so very improbable. But now that I've read other books of D.W.J, I only too well know of her gift of making everything make sense in the end, however impossible the situation might be. This might even be the most subtle and vague book of hers. (I like subtle and vague books of hers)

There's the whole Play Pretend of Polly and Tom that got me real interested. They made everything up so effortlessly that it left me gaping at their awesome imaginative ability (is there such a thing?). Polly and Tom had a great chemistry too. I should consider talking to strangers, men in particular. Who knows, he just might send me parcels of books wherever he goes. ^-^

Quotes:

"Only thin, weak thinkers despise fairy stories. Each one has a true, strange fact in it, you know, which you can find if you look." Tom

“For you, the only way to behave well was to behave badly. For me, the only way to win was to lose. You weren’t to know me, and I wasn’t to remember you.” Polly

Rating: 10/10 ('cause i just adore To- I mean the book)

Inspirations: Made me want to hone my rusting imaginative ability (?) and also inspired me to talk to strange men - I'm joking!

The Namesake

2008-03-19T14:43:00.010+05:00

Author: Jhumpa Lahiri

Genre: Fiction

Summary: This is a story of how an Indian couple, newly married, (after meeting and the marriage being decided in a single afternoon) move to the USA and have to give up there traditions and values and embrace new things for the sake of their children. And of the life of their eldest child, Gogol, who was named after his fathers favorite author due to a certain twist of fate.

Review: The book begins when Gogol's mother Ashima is pregnant with Gogol, in America, where she is a stranger in a strange land. Everything is so different from her and the book seems to starkly contrast the differences making them more apparent.

The entire books is written in a very touching way.

Spoilers HERE

From how Gogol's father, Ashoke survives a near death experience making him more indebted to the writer Nikolai Gogol, how Gogol grows to resent his name (since it is neither American or Indian, he feels like he doesn't belong) and how his parents hoard Bengali friends, how he meets new people and tries to leave his old life and family behind, how he changes his name and later regrets doing it when he hears the true story of why he was named so, how his father dies suddenly, how his mother copes with it and everything, to Gogol's different relationships and how they end, it is written in such a moving way.

Also, this book is quite sad...

Quotes:
"Try to remember it always. Remember that you and I made this journey, that we went to a place where there was nowhere left to go."
~Ashoke to Gogol

Rating: 7/10

Thought: Since we live in the Maldives where our neighbors are more or less the same as us, I cant help but wonder after reading this, how it would feel to live, to grow up in somewhere in which all your neighbors, classmates, everyone is more or less different from you. It would probably more difficult for those who are already grown up then for those who are growing up. Maybe it wouldn't be as bad now, coz of all the technological advancement and stuff but the books starts loong ago.

Where Rainbows End

2008-03-06T10:27:00.010+05:00

Author: Cecelia Ahren

Genre: Romance

Taglines: Sometimes fate just can't stop meddling...

Summary: Alex and Rosie have been best friends forever. Then they are separated when Alex moves to America due to his fathers new job. Rosie plans to go there too but her plans fall apart due to certain things which even I will not be cruel enough to reveal and spoil it for you. This is a tale of how there ARE soul mates and destiny. They just have LOUSY timeing. {TOTALLY ANNOYING *grr*}

Review: This is SWEEET. I tell you SWEET. Made me display lovely waterworks every now and then. And the book is written in such a cool way too. It consists entirely of letters, emails chatlogs and cards and stuff. {and m not talking about the meg cabot way either. Its different *nods*} This is addictive stuff too. Very.

Spoilers here ^_^

And its soo cute how Alex, who has a doctors degree and everything spells "know" as no, AND Katie who is Rosie's daughter does the very same!

And m sooo glad Katie and Toby got together too! So adorable. And I absolutely positively ADORED the letters Alex wrote for Rosie. The love letters. Oh WHY DID whatshisname STEAL the letters. I shall MURDER HIM if he wasn't a fictional character anyway. HE TOTALLY POSTPONED their... their... umm romance thing. Damn him to an eternity of watching Kasuati and reading Mary-kate and Ashley books! *grrr*.

Well even whatshisname couldn't stand in the way of DESTINY! which took its own sweet time in comming but still -__-' it ended happy! ^_^

Anyway, I loved the book. Totally worth reading. I'll give it only 8 stars because I decided I will be VERY strict with the rateing. heh heh ^_^

Quotes: This is such a quotable book but i was too busy reading to jot down any quotes. Except for this one.
"Fairy tales are such evil little stories for young children. Every time I'm in a mess I expect a long-haired posh-speaking man to come trotting into my life (on a horse, of course, not literally trotting himself). Then I realize I don't want a man trotting into my life because men are the ones who put me in the bloody mess in the first place."
by Rosie Dunne in a letter to her mother.

Rating: 8/10

Inspiration: Wasted time, missed opportunities and Oh-why-oh-whyyy situations might be oh so sweet to read about but its not so nice to deal with in real life. So don't. Waste time I mean.
Keeping it a secret because you think 'it's for there own good' is not a good idea. Let the other person make the decision for him/herself.
No matter how much you think you know a person, you have no way of knowing what goes on in there heads.

Hana Yori Dango

2008-03-01T23:42:00.014+05:00

Cast:
Inoue Mao as Makino Tsukushi
Matsumoto Jun as Doumyouji Tsukasa
Oguri Shun as Hanazawa Rui
Matsuda Shota as Nishikado Soujiroh
Abe Tsuyoshi as Mimasaka Akira

Genre: JDrama, Comedy, School Life, Romance

Episodes: 9

Summary:
Makino Tsukushi is the only poor student at Eitoku Gakuen, the school of the ridiculously rich and privileged that is ruled by Flower 4 or F4, a group of four boys who come from extremely powerful families: Domyoji Tsukasa, the leader and heir of the Domyoji World Finance Group; Hanazawa Rui, the introverted son of a large company; Nishikado Sojiro, a player who is the heir of a tea ceremony school; and Mimasaka Akira, a madam killer with ties to the underground. If a student gets on the F4’s bad side, he/she gets a red notice and is bullied and driven out of school.Makino hopes to pass her days quietly-- without drawing any attention to herself-- but one day, she stands up to Domyoji in defense of her friend. The next day, Makino gets the dreaded red notice. Even though she is harassed, Makino decides to keep going to school because she is a “tough weed”. She declares war right back on the F4 and one thing leads to another...

Review:
Its a typical drama about the poor girl and the rich boy falling for each other. Told in a very different style. For one thing, the girl, Tsukushi is kick-ass-tough. She really lives up to her name of being a weed; no matter how many times she gets stepped on, she gets back up on her feet right away! Though i noticed that she has a habit of lying to herself... And the snobbish, no-mannered Tsukasa the bully is surprisingly innocent in the love area.
Possible spoilers

You should see how he first asked Tsukushi out on a date! Hilarious I tell you! And you just can't help yourself from going "awww, that's so sweet" when Tsukasa is being gruffly nice to Tsukushi.

Hana Yori Dango will have you glued to the seat without any super glue smeared on your bottom (that's quite an achievement you know). I blame it all on the cliffhangers at the end of each episode! And its got lots of twists and turns too.
Ending spoilers

Oh, and the ending was spectacular! A girl chasing after a private jet is really original, see its usually the boys who do that. And the confession in the sunset gave me goosebumps. Really moving. The Grumpy Tsukasa Cookie Thingies were even more moving. ^.^

Recommended highly for people who likes high school romance with stunning guys in it. ^.~

Music:
Wish by Arashi
Planetarium by Ai Otsuka

Rating: 9/10

Quotes: >>

Inspirations:
Should respect food more, first fill yourself up with the aroma of the food, then proceed with eating! And avoid wasting at all costs.
Appreciate my (somewhat) warm family.

PS: Jun is really adorable in this show, though i like his hairstyle a lot more in Gokusen. And since Shun plays a very passive role in HYD, he ain't that standoutish. Liked him better in Gokusen and Hana Kimi. But that's just me.

Nobuta wo Produce

2008-02-29T17:27:00.029+05:00

Cast:
Kamenashi Kazuya as Kiritani Shuji
Yamashita Tomohisa as Kusano Akira
Horikita Maki as Kotani Nobuko

Genre: JDrama, Comedy, School Life, Drama, A Lil' Bit Of Romance

Episodes: 10

Summary:
Kiritani Shuji is the popular guy who gets along with everyone, from the jerks to the nerds to the just plain weird. The one person Shuji cannot stand is Kusano Akira. To Shuji, Akira is just plain annoying. He laughs, talks and acts funny. Things heat up when a new student comes to school. Her name is Kotani Nobuko, a girl who has no self confidence at all and is content at being made fun of and bullied in school. Shuji and Akira come to an accord that in order to make use of their "youth" they will "produce" Nobuko as the next popular girl. One of the conditions, however, is that nobody should find out that they are working together as a team to make this concept possible. Unveiled here is the story of true friendship between three unlikely candidates who would not have been friends if not given the special circumstances. (taken from DramaWiki)

Review:
So basically, it looks like another plain old story about the unpopular outcast becoming popular by undergoing miraculous makeovers and discovering a fashion sense overnight doesn't it? Well it ain't so. Its far from that. This drama tells a quirky, heart warming tale of selfless friendship between three really different people. These guys really love each other. And it's so touching to watch them...

Spoiler Alert! (click to view)

I mean halfway through the 10th episode, i dashed to the bathroom to bawl! I'm known to sit through the most tragic love story movie with a stoic, indifferent face you know. That's why when i came out of the bathroom with red eyes my Mom was like, "And what's up with you?"

I told her about the heart wrenching drama I was watching and how crappy her Hindi soaps were.( She got really indignant about that, teehee!) I mentioned gruesome ways to kill her if she said anything about me crying over a drama to any relative of mine of course. ^.^

See the thing is I can actually relate to this drama, saying goodbye to a dear friend is the worst thing you could experience... I could so understand what they felt like.

This drama is highly recommended. You are bound to learn really important stuff about friendship, accompanied by laughs, throughout the entire show. Their growing, unwavering affection for each other will definitely move you! Watch it or die with an unknown regret which will always be like an unscratched itchiness between your shoulder blades...

Music:
Seishun Amigo by Shūji to Akira

Tag lines:
Akira: Akira Shock!
Akira: Kon kon (while doing that thing with his fingers! ^.^)
Nobuta: Nobuta power, enter!

More Quotes

Rating: A rightfully deserved 10/10!

Inspirations I got from this show:
Eat Japanese food at least once before i die.
Get friends like Akira, Shuji and Nobuta. But before that, try to become an awesome friend like them!

PS: Kame and Yamapi are so hot!

Templates

2008-01-27T15:43:00.000+05:00

The 1st Version

Template: suckmylolly
Modified by: Fabler
Brushes: barbarja

The 2nd Version

Template: Ray Creations
Modified by: Fabler
Brushes: barbarja, pixelsandicecream,
The CrazyTexts: Ours, plus some strange lyrics from The Shroud.

About the Addicts

2008-01-21T01:34:00.003+05:00

Lilacwraith has had a faint mistrust of reality for as long as she can remember. At first she was a bookworm and devoured books by the dozen. She has since then adopted an unhealthy fascination with Japan and has been discovering and escaping into more and more realms of fiction. She has been called a weirdo, strange, and many other things and she still cannot spell to save her life. Nor can she control her incessant blabber. Her brain was eaten by the sparkly JE monster.

Fabler likes food in general and enjoys messing around with colors and words while she really should be revising for her life determining exams.

Credits:
Templates:
Babblings: Ourselves