The way Japanese people and culture are portrayed

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject: Jfilm and Jdorama Post Rating: 0

Have watched Japanese film for years and always enjoyed all of them. Especially the historical themes. Now I really enjoy the taigas. So much history can be fascinating and I don't see much foolishness and slapstick. It is expected that the world is run by the men but at the same time there are women in the background who are quietly having some influence.

As for modern stuff. Well in fear of my life, I never posted any opinions re Nodame Cantabile.... I could not understand the tremendous outpouring of cheers and bouquets for this stuff. sorry.. I never read the manga but I do consider that is where it should have stayed. The drama was ridiculous and the girl in the story was never to be thought of as a real person. Such manga on film does need a very light directorial hand and it did not get this anywhere.

So..what about the young johnny boys? They are really pushing them into roles in serious dramas where they mostly stick out like a sore thumb. They are the ones who should be in the lighthearted romantic or comedic dramas. At least the older ones from that stable can put some serious acting into what they do.

I think things even themselves out in the end and there should be something for everyone. The silly stuff keeps the young watchers hapy and enthusiastic and the taigas and heavier dramas satisfy me. All I know is that even if Kimura san stood still and recited the alphabet..my bones would melt. But that's just my personal obsession.

Maybe it is Yin and Yang......Must be !!!!!!!!!!!!

Peg

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 1:55 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Just wondering how old everyone is who posted on this topic?

Anyways, I became a fan of Jdoramas from watching Kimura Takuya myself. I've watched like almost all his dramas except for Hero because I really couldn't get passed the first episode ( I just didn't get it ). My favorite Jdorama in fact is Beautiful Life.

Many of you say that the doramas like now are so childish, but that's because most of the dramas coming out are from mangas which are aimed at female followers. Like someone said, it's KAWAII. And I love Nodame Cantabile also. Nodame is an eccentric person, but that's just what makes her likable or unreal. It's a different genre altogether and the music is astounding. Don't judge Nodame from the first episode ( I was about to drop it too, but the premise of classical music, which never could occur to me as something interesting to watch , has its strong points).

Doesn't it really depend on what genre of jdorama you're watching. You shouldn't compare them by how the characters are portrayed because all the actors are only acting their part or how the mangaka/directors wanted them to act.

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 2:34 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Kimura Takuya is the only Jonny's boy I've seen do a serious role well. "Bushi no Ichibun" anyone? I didn't see a drop of Jonny's boy in that movie. He's the only actor I've seen come out of the machine that is Jonny's Ent.

The drama that I hate the most is Hana Kimi. I honestly don't understand what is so great. The story is crap, stupidest reason to go to a school , ever (I loved the "American" house at the end<-- sarcasm). The only reason it was so popular was because of the ikemen factor.

The brodcasting channels keep choosing these overly ridiculous mangas to make into dramas. We need more like "LIFE", best drama I've seen in a loooooooong time.

Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:31 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:16 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:43 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

taking out a few exceptions, i've gone back to watching jdorama after watching many kdramas.. why? you might argue that the j-doramas are childish etc..

what really gets on my nerves in k-dramas for example is the way the girls often are portrayed as the hopeless prize that the guys have to fight for.. you can't imagine what anger it has caused me sometimes watching dramas where one guy pulls the girl to this place, then the other comes and snatches her away and so on.. as if they were some sort of donkey they are fighting over?

i always got the impression that i should stop watching every k-drama after 5 episodes, while its still interesting, before the donkey trade begins.. i sadly never managed and still watched the full 28 episodes or so a kdrama usually has -.-

with j-dramas, you do have the trend towards "all things kawaii", so i usually go pick out the series that at least has some sort of entertainment value ( the new puzzle for example reminds me a lot of Trick) , and i generally try to avoid the sugar plum fairy cake dramas like yamada taro monogatari or hanazakari no kimitachi e, or the tear-inducing sob-fiestas like ichi litoru no namida or sekai no chuushin de, ai wo sakebu.. where you watch the first episode and know exactly how the next 10 will be and what horrible fate the protagonist will face in the last episode..

but there are some quality dramas produced even still, think of liar game, life or mop girl just recently..

but although my statement from above, there are some kdramas i could watch 10 times, like for example a love to kill... gets me going every time Big Smile

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Frankly, I think the ikemen factor greatly limits a drama. Especially ones with unbelievable premises like Hana Kimi. Because those pretty boys are the ONLY thing drawing attention to the show. Try that drama again with less attractive pre-pubescent looking boys and see how well it does.

Sorry, my hate for Hana Kimi is slipping though...

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0

I don't think Hana Kimi was written to be serious, let alone dramatic. I mean the manga pretty much sucks and is the worst piece of a crap I've ever read -- But strangely enough I was totally into the drama because it didn't end up like a total wasteland of crap that is the manga.

The show was subtitled " Ikemen Paradise ", that in itself is pretty much letting you know what the show was going to be about. I didn't expect much from it than a laugh. If you don't go in expecting much from it then it wont be so bad.

I really didn't like Hiro's role in this drama because it typecasts him but I dealt with it because I want his career to take off. I still believe his best role was in Watashitachi no Kyoukasho.

I think that Johnny's in dramas is just .... It's like an obligation to have them in a drama because they bring in ratings. Sometimes, lately some of the shows I've seen have had some terrible ratings (Koki Tanaka's drama sucked in ratings). I enjoy watching dramas where that Johnny boy isn't in the typical role, ie Ryo Nishikido's latest role. He's a sweet pretty boy yet he's playing an absolute monster. Takuya Kimura is like THE Johnny actor, I don't even think you can consider him typical Johnny with how much he has accomplished. I'm still at awe from what I saw of him in 2046.

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 1:44 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Well, Kimura Takuya has gone far beyond what the usual Johnny's are today. He was amazing in Bushi no Ichibun. And I was very impressed by Ninomiya (??) in Letters from Iwo Jima.

Yes, Hana Kimi wasn't meant to be serious, but I question the "serious moments" that happen every episode. It's like they're trying to counterbalance all the silly scenes. I guess a lot of the fault falls with the manga. I haven't read it, so I can't say for sure. But behind practically every Japanese drama/movie, there is a manga/novel.

Though I did think the whole Nakatsu "I'm falling in love with a man?!" thing was funny. The only think I laughed at.

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 4:14 am Post subject: Post Rating: 0

Ninomiya was unbelievable in Letters from Iwo Jima, which I was wow'd since I really don't see that much in his drama roles.

I do agree wtih you there. The serious scenes in Hana Kimi seemed weak, like thrown in. Personally, but the midpoint of the series I was just watching Hana Kimi for the dorm hijinks rather than the obvious, clearly not dramatic, relationship of Sano and Mizuki.

That is true, almost nearly every drama/movie there is a manga/novel.

I thought Nakatsu was a loveable character but I hated that his character was so clearly shafted. It was annoying to watch. It really annoyed me.

Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:56 pm Post subject: Post Rating: 0