Plastic Tree's Arimura recovers, band announces new album
The management agency for visual-kei band Plastic Tree delivered some good news on Thursday: vocalist Ryutaro Arimura has completely recovered from Guillain-Barré syndrome and will be resuming activities, including the band's nationwide tour that starts this March.
Last month, Plastic Tree canceled two concerts after Arimura was diagnosed with the disorder. Guillain-Barré syndrome, which affects the nervous system and can lead to paralysis, is incurable but highly treatable. Fortunately, Arimura was diagnosed while the disorder was still in an early stage and received treatment right away.
Along with the news of Arimura's return, it was revealed that Plastic Tree will release a new album titled "ammonite" on April 6, which will be their first one since December 2009. The band is currently recording for the album, which is planned to have a total of 12 tracks. The limited edition of the album will come with a DVD that reportedly includes the music video for their song "13th Friday" and some off-shot footage.
Plastic Tree's tour will consist of 21 shows, starting on March 14 at Akasaka BLITZ in Tokyo.
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'Akunin' captures grand prize at 65th Mainichi Film Awards
Kyoko Enami (Mainichi)
Winners of the 65th Mainichi Film Awards (MFA) were announced on Jan. 17, with the film "Akunin" (Villain) awarded the grand prize, while Shinobu Terajima and Shinichi Tsutsumi won the best actress and best actor awards, respectively.
"What delights me the most is that the prize makes our staff and cast members feel they've been rewarded for their work," said Lee Sang-il, director of "Akunin."
The latest title added to the accolades the film has already received, with Eri Fukatsu winning the best actress award at the Montreal World Film Festival last September for her role in the flick -- which is based on Shuichi Yoshida's namesake bestseller novel and sheds light on the problems of modern society through a murder case.
Director Masahiro Kobayashi's film "Haru tono Tabi" (Haru's Journey) won the MFA's excellent film award. Kobayashi, who spent 10 years completing the movie, commented: "I think the film succeeded in depicting human relationships."
Terajima, who received the MFA's best actress award for the second time following her success in the 58th MFA, was lauded for her role in the film "Caterpillar," in which she played the wife of a "war hero" after he returns limbless from the battlefields.
"My instincts told me to play the role in the film. The award has given me great confidence," remarked Terajima.
Actor Tsutsumi, who was awarded for his role as a surgeon who performs a liver transplant in the film, "Koko no Mesu" (A Lone Scalpel), said, "We acted and played just like a medical team during operations. I was able to act in a natural manner."
Yui Natsukawa, who was awarded the best supporting actress prize for her role as a nurse in the same film, appreciated director Izuru Narushima and other crew members' work, saying, "I owe so much to the teamwork during the shooting."
Goro Inagaki, a member of the popular all-male group SMAP, received the best supporting actor award for his role as a diabolical lord in the film "Jusan-nin no Shikaku" (13 Assassins).
"I had so much fun playing a villain," said Inagaki.
Veteran actress Kyoko Enami, who earned the Tanaka Kinue Award, was grateful for the acknowledgment.
"The award gives me encouragement to continue as an actress a little longer," a smiling Enami said.
After entering the then Daiei film company in 1959, Enami first starred in the 1966 film "Gambling Woman," which became a smash hit and spawned 16 sequels until 1971.
She established her fame as a skilled actress with the starring role in the 1973 film, "Tsugaru Jongarabushi" (Tsugaru Folksong). Last year alone, she appeared in four films, including "Shokudo Katatsumuri" (Rinco's Restaurant).
Enami once had the chance to appear in the same film as Tanaka did -- director Kon Ichikawa's "Ototo" (Her Brother) in 1960.
"I had just become a utility actress back then, and I don't even deserve to say I had contact with Ms. Tanaka. I'm in awe to receive such a prize," said a humble Enami.
65th Mainichi Film Awards: "Akunin," "Haru to no Tabi" take top prizes
Tue, January 18, 2011 (10:34am EST)
The winners of the 65th Mainichi Film Awards have been decided. The critically acclaimed movie "Akunin," directed by Sang-il Lee, continued its streak of success on the awards circuit by taking the Grand Prize, while Masahiro Kobayashi's "Haru to no Tabi" was named Best Film.
The awards ceremony will be held on February 8 in Kawasaki, Kanagawa.
Grand Prize: Akunin (Sang-il Lee)
Best Film: Haru to no Tabi (Masahiro Kobayashi)
Best Foreign Film: Breathless (Yang Ik-June)
Best Director: Takashi Miike (13 Assassins)
Best Screenplay: Yuki Sato (Heaven's Story)
Best Actor: Shinichi Tsutsumi (Kokou no Mesu)
Best Actress: Shinobu Terajima (Caterpillar)
Best Supporting Actor: Goro Inagaki (13 Assassins)
Best Supporting Actress: Yui Natsukawa (Kokou no Mesu)
Sponichi Grand Prix Newcomer Award: Kaname Endo (Yellow Kid)
Sponichi Grand Prix Newcomer Award: Eri Tokunaga (Haru to no Tabi)
Kinuyo Tanaka Award: Kyoko Enami
Best Cinematography: Ryuto Kondo (Kaitanshi Jokei)
Best Art Direction: Nariyuki Endo (Bushi no Kakeibo)
Best Music: Jim O'Rourke (Kaitanshi Jokei)
Best Sound: Jun Nakamura (13 Assassins)
Best Animated Film: Colorful (Keiichi Hara)
Tsutaya Fan Award (Domestic Film): THE LAST MESSAGE: Umizaru (Eiichiro Hasumi)
Tsutaya Fan Award (Foreign Film): The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (David Slade)
Special Award: actress Hideko Takamine (died December 28, 2010)
andymori wins grand prize in 3rd CD Shop Awards
Thu, January 20, 2011 (11:31am EST)
The 3rd annual CD Shop Awards were presented on Thursday in Tokyo. This year, the grand prize went to the band andymori for their second album "Fanfare to Nekkyou," which was released on February 3, 2010.
andymori formed in 2007. They released their first album in 2009, and they performed at several music festivals that same year. Last year, "Fanfare to Nekkyou" broke the top ten on the daily sales charts. In November, drummer Hiroki Goto left the band, and he was later replaced by Kenji Okayama.
Three runner-up awards were given:
* Shinsei Kamattechan, "Tomodachi wo Koroshite Made"
* Sekai no Owari, "EARTH"
* Motohiro Hata, "Documentary"
The other winners were:
* 9mm Parabellum Bullet, "Revolutionary"
* Kuroneko Chelsea, "Neko Pack"
* Yu Sakai, "Yes!!"
* Sakanaction, "kikUUiki"
* Salyu, "MAIDEN VOYAGE"
* school food punishment, "amp-reflection"
* Naoto Inti Raymi, "Shall we travel??"
* Tavito Nanao, "billion voices"
* Negoto, "Hello!'Z'"
* FAT PROP, "THE DIE IS CAST"
* Gen Hoshino, "Baka no Uta"
* The Mirraz, "TOP OF THE kungfu'N WORLD"
* Mowmow Lulu Gyaban, "Kuro Nara Kekkou Desu"
* Yoshiaki Sato, "cacoi" (Hokkaido Block Award)
* Sonson Bento Bako, "Roman no Nihon" (Tohoku Block Award)
* SuiseiNoboAz, "SuiseiNoboAz" (Kanto Block Award)
* Coba-U, "Douyou Reggae II" (Koshinetsu Block Award)
* Taro Kobayashi, "Orkonpood" (Tokai Block Award)
* chaqq, "Pleasure" (Kansai Block Award)
* simploop, "unlock" (Chuugoku/Shikoku Block Award)
Foreign Music Awards:
* The Drums, "The Drums"
* Maroon5, "Hands All Over"
* Vampire Weekend, "Contra"
53rd Blue Ribbon Awards: Tetsuya Nakashima's "Kokuhaku" named Best Picture
Tue, January 25, 2011 (7:51pm EST)
The winners of the 53rd annual Blue Ribbon Awards were decided on Tuesday. Reporters from seven of Tokyo's major sports newspapers chose Tetsuya Nakashima's "Kokuhaku" ("Confessions") as Best Picture, earning the film yet another award. Yoshino Kimura (34) also won Best Supporting Actress for her role in that film.
Although this was good news for "Kokuhaku," it was also announced on Tuesday in the U.S. that the movie missed the final cut for Best Foreign Language Film nominations in the Academy Awards. "Kokuhaku" was one of nine contenders remaining for the five nominations.
The Blue Ribbon Awards will be presented in Ginza, Tokyo, on February 15. The winners are:
Best Picture: Kokuhaku (Confessions) - Tetsuya Nakashima
Best Director: Yuya Ishii - Kawa no Soko Kara Konnichiwa (Sawako Decides)
Best Actor: Satoshi Tsumabuki - Akunin (Villain)
Best Actress: Shinobu Terajima - Caterpillar
Best Supporting Actor: Renji Ishibashi - Outrage; Kondo wa Aisaika (A Good Husband)
Best Supporting Actress: Yoshino Kimura - Kokuhaku (Confessions)
Best Newcomer: Toma Ikuta - Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human); Hanamizuki
Best Newcomer: Nanami Sakuraba - Shodo Girls!! Watashitachi no Koshien
*Best Foreign Language Film has not been announced at the time of this writing.