洋菓子店コアンドル/PATISSERIE COIN DE RUE

One of my favourite Japanese actors is the talented Aoi Yu. It doesn't matter what genre of film or series she stars in, her talent just shines through. The 2006 film Hula Girls was probably one of the films that made a lot of people aware of her. I make it a point to watch whatever piece she acts in, as she is just that brilliant. She seems to have timeless ennui that adds another dimension to her acting.

This film was featured in this year's Japanese film festival, hosted by the Japan Foundation. Directed by Yoshihiro Fukugawa, 『洋菓子店コアンドル』was originally shown in Japan last February. The film showcases the stories of two individuals- a brilliant patissier played by Eguchi Yosuke and Natsume, a baker's daughter. 


The story had a pretty good progression, and seamlessly integrated the characters' backstories. There was also a lot of pastry and cake involved, which would make this film appealing to aspiring gourmands. At times, I found parts of the story to be quite slow, but those moments helped me to digest the heavier themes of the plot. 

Aoi Yu's character (Natsume) had a slightly different dialect, which wouldn't be too obvious to people who aren't as familiar with the Japanese language. I guess that most people would just remember the heavy shouting that she did in various scenes. Still, she mastered the personality of this particular character. The other characters that she invoked tended to be less temperamental, so it was quite refreshing to see a change in pace. Aoi Yu also has a tendency to act in a number of period films, so it was quite different not to see her in a kimono. 


The costumes for this particular film were alright, though I wouldn't necessarily say that there was anything too extraordinary about the way the characters were dressed. Though, I quite enjoyed seeing the Coin De Rue patissiers in the emerald green and maroon hats. 

This probably wasn't my favourite film, though I think that it was well-made. I guess that Hula Girls still ranks as one of my favourite Aoi Yu films to date. For now, I will just leave you with a trailer. I think that the Japanese Film Festival will be travelling to Melbourne? The Sydney season has already concluded for the year. 

AN UPDATE ON MY PROGRESS: 1Q84

At the moment, I am reading Haruki Murakami's 1Q84. I've had mixed emotions about my skills as a speed-reader. Even though I want to read the book from cover to cover, I'm biding my time. It's just an amazing read.

The characterisation is exactly how I expected it. The protagonists seem alive, especially since each of them have their own little quirks and skeletons in closets. The main thing about his characters that is quite fascinating as well is their openness to sexuality. Murakami fleshes this out in such detail.

Unlike Dance, Dance, Dance, the plot is much easier to follow. Each chapter resembled a scene from a film. There were also smaller nuances in the story that revealed themselves in each page.

I'm a third into the book. It's an amazing story so far.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

Romantic comedies are such a guilty pleasure, especially during cold, wet and rainy days like this one. It seems as though I've been seeking light-hearted films lately, especially when I'm delving into deeply intellectual novels like 1Q84. I seem to be digressing from my point. 

One of my colleagues at work said that it's difficult to find something completely original in the Hollywood scene. I'll have to agree. Love Actually was one of the original fore-runners of this particular style of film. Incorporate a lot of characters with inter-mingled plots, lots of big acting names and relationships plus add a holiday- the end result is simple. You get films like Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve in the mix. 

Honestly, I was quite critical of Valentine's Day when I first watched it in the theatres. I thought they were trying to provide an American twist to the British Love Actually. The latest addition to such holiday films, entitled New Year's Eve seems promising. Another American film with plenty of big names littered in its storyline. 

The film comes out in Australian theatres on the 8th of December. I guess that I'll give my assessment then. I might be tempted to watch a certain film about a girl who has to choose between a vampire and a werewolf while waiting. 

1Q84

So a couple of posts ago, I mentioned how I was reading The Devil Wears Prada. I've decided to put it on hold (yet again) as I had been utterly intrigued by the newest addition to Haruki Murakami's repertoire.

Murakami is one of my favourite authors to date. He has written best sellers like 『ノルウェーの森』(Norwegian Wood) and Dance, Dance, Dance. my favourite Murakami novel is the former.

1Q84 looks like a promising read. I've only just started it. Three chapters in, I know that I'm hooked. I'll give my assessment of it when I finish. So far, it's been a very interesting journey. Like One Day, it reads a bit like a screenplay. Either that, or I just happen to have an overactive imagination.

You can purchase 1Q84 at any good bookstore. Sydney's Kinokuniya offers a special price. The RRP is $39.95, but there you can get it for just $29.95. I think it's a pretty good price- I mean, you happen to get BOOK ONE, BOOK TWO and BOOK THREE of 1Q84 in one nice little hard-bound package.

THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA

image taken from Lauren Weisberger's official site

I'm afraid that my insomniac tendencies have arisen once again. I've started reading yet another book in my arsenal. I've accumulated a large pile of books that I have to read. I guess that trips to my favourite bookshop cafe in Paddington during the semester didn't really do much good with regard to making the pile of books any smaller. On the contrary...

I got my copy of The Devil Wears Prada from a charity stall a few months ago. I haven't touched it until today. I decided to give my mind and my eyes a bit of a breather from reading One Day. Unlike the latter, I have indeed seen the film version of the Prada story. Honestly, I was more distracted by the clothing worn by the talented Miss Anne Hathaway in the middle scenes of the film. I have yet to give a proper review about this book, but I did enjoy the film when I watched it.

Delving away from the subject of the book, Lauren Weisberger's official site is quite elegant and quite easy to navigate. I rather liked the use of the shoes to point visitors to the right direction. Tres chic. 

I really should sleep. 

THE VOW (2012)

They tell us that each moment that happens in our lives happens for a reason. People also enjoy reminding each other to live each moment as though it is our last. Imagine what it would be like to forget about everything that's happened in your life... Imagine having that second chance to make things right.

For lovers of romantic comedies or tear-jerking love stories, this one looks like a promising film to watch. Apparently it is inspired by real-life events. In early 2012, we can expect The Vow to hit cinemas.

The theme of amnesia and the chance to rebuild relationships is something that is not completely new, according to Hollywood standards. They've done something similar in 50 First Dates (starring Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler) as well as an older film entitled While You Were Sleeping that starred Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. I wonder how this film will differ, and how brilliant the acting will be. We can probably expect something good to come out of Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum's collaboration. Until then, we can probably enjoy the trailer.

What I'll be waiting to see (aside from the plot) are the costumes worn by the beautiful Rachel McAdams. From what I can tell, her character is pretty stylish, as always. Considering that the film will be about making vows and so forth, we can probably expect a wedding dress or two...

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ちょんまげプリン/A BOY AND HIS SAMURAI

One thing that people should know about me is the fact that I enjoy watching Japanese films. Although this particular film had been shown in Japanese cinemas in 2010, I had not had the opportunity to watch it until today.

The film that I am talking about is entitled 『ちょんまげプリン』also known as A Boy and His Samurai. The plot is about a time-travelling samurai who ends up discovering that he has a talent for creating sweets.

Aside from the amusement of watching a time-displaced samurai attempt to fit into a more modern social mould, the story is rather touching. The bond between the boy, his Mum and the samurai are explored just as much as his talent for manipulating sweets.

Nishikido Ryo's talents as an actor were showcased in several drama series in the past few years. Seeing him act as a gruff samurai who ends up showing people that he has a really soft, gooey heart beneath the toughness was an interesting experience in itself.

This is a film that I enjoyed watching. I found parts of the story to be a bit slow, but it slowly became better as it progressed.

『ちょんまげプリン』is one of the films that will be showcased at the Japanese Film Festival this year. The screenings are limited, so check the official Japanese Film Festival site for more information.