The Show Must Go On
27 April 2012
Today I watched the second film about AKB48, Documentary of AKB48: Show must go on ~Shoujotachi ha kizutsukinagara, yume wo miru~. This time around the film follows the group throughout 2011, starting in March immediately after the Tohoku Earthquake. We see how the members of the group make several visits to the disaster-affected areas in the months following the earthquake and tsunami. They hold handshake events and mini-performances for the survivors of the places they visit. As well as their fundraising activities for disaster relief, this is another way in which the girls felt they could help the people in the area. There's one particularly poignant moment in the film when they happen upon a single solitary tree that managed to somehow survive the tsunami that washed away all the buildings and houses around it. Standing alone amongst the sea of devastation, in some small way it seems to symbolise that hope remains after such a disaster.
The film also covered the major events for AKB48 during 2011, such as the 22nd single election and the Seibu Dome concert. The behind-the-scenes footage from the Seibu Dome concert was pretty surprising and slightly shocking. To see the pressure and conditions the girls have to work under, and how far they will push themselves (on several occasions to the point where they collapse from fatigue and exhaustion) really increases your respect for them. Those who hate AKB48 and regard them as a bunch of talentless individuals couldn't be more ignorant and downright disrespectful to the efforts of the members in everything they do. They really have no right to criticise them.
I really liked this film. It gave us an even bigger glimpse into the workings of AKB48, as well as the thoughts, feelings and tribulations of the girls in the group. My respect for the members of the group has grown immensely as a result of the two documentary films and I urge any AKB48 fan to watch them.
Posted byHocchan at 2:34 pm 0 comments
Toshi Densetsu, Kita~!
22 April 2012
There's not really much to report today but I wanted to write an entry anyway, just so that I don't get lazy about updating this blog again. I haven't been doing much besides taking it easy and watching dramas and films. I'm really enjoying the drama Toshi Densetsu no Onna. Partly because of Nagasawa Masami's sexy legs (I can't get enough of them, hence the last two pictures ^^) and partly because it's such a fun and enjoyable drama to watch. Plus I'm quite fascinated by all the urban legends that exist in Japan as well, so it's indulging my curiosity at the same time. I just wish that I could find a 1080p source for the episodes. 480p just doesn't cut it any more now that I have a better monitor.
As for the films I've been watching, my favourite so far is definitely 13 Assassins (2010) directed by Miike Takashi. It's a brilliant samurai film - maybe one of the best that I've seen. I rate it almost as highly as Kurosawa Akira's Seven Samurai (1954). The storyline is simple but it's all about the characters and their motivations. It's also beautifully shot and directed with a 45-50 minute long battle scene that rivals anything I've seen before.
Another film that I've enjoyed watching is Jackie Chan's The Shinjuku Incident (2009). In a completely different role to that which he has been previously cast in, Jackie Chan portrays a Chinese illegal immigrant who arrives in Japan searching for his girlfriend. It's a dark, gritty film about the criminal underworld that exists in Tokyo. It's also story about how power can corrupt even the purest of people. It's a really worthwhile film to watch, even if it's just to see Jackie Chan in a new light.
Posted byHocchan at 11:14 am 0 comments
Labels: Daily Life, Film, Review
