I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

May all my friends in Egypt safe under His care. 

May peace prevails in Egypt.

Picture from Google.

Kamikaze Girls (2002)

This movie is so funny. Not recommended to those who dislike exaggerated scenes.
The story is about Momoko, a lolita girl (someone who is obsessed with the Victorian 1800's fashion) who befriends Inchigo, a Yanki (a delinquent youth).
Despite their differences, these two girls get along really well and become best friends.

This movie is based on a light novel, that was also adapted into a manga.
Although the plot is not similar to the novel, but it is very enjoyable.
The main actress are Kyoko Fukada and Anna Tsuchiya.
Both of them are pretty.
Fukada has a cute face and pretty Asian features, while Anna is gorgeous as she is a Japanese-American mix.

Overall, 7/10.

Kyoko Fukada

Kyoko Fukada as a lolita girl.

Anna Tsuchiya

Anna Tsuchiya as a Yanki.

Pictures from Google.

Ballad (2009)

Did I tell you how much I like Aragaki Yui? So basically I watched this movie because she's in it.

The story is about a boy named Shinichi and his parents who were "magically" transported to the ancient Japan (around 1600). There they met a fearless warrior and the Princess of the small kingdom. After the Princess rejected the marriage proposal from the ruler of another kingdom, a war started between these kingdoms.

When I heard that the boy's name is Shinichi, I was excited. This is the first time I come across a character named Shinichi besides the one in Detective Conan =)

While watching this movie, I felt that the boy was quite a nuisance. He's annoying sometimes.
Aragaki Yui made a very pretty princess although it is quite irritating seeing her running all princess-like.
Other than that, this movie is OK. Overall 7/10.

One interesting fact that I just learned about this movie is, it is based on the award winning Crayon Shin Chan the Movie. So that's why the boy is quite annoying.
I learned about this while looking for some photos related to this movie.

First, Nakamaru Yuichi appeared in one of Crayon Shin Chan episodes. Now, a live-action adaptation of Shin Chan movie by Aragaki. This just give me more reasons to love Shin Chan.

 

 Pictures from Google.

Picture from www.gakky.org

Picture from www.gakky.org

Picture from www.gakky.org

Picture from www.gakky.org

Haha no Okurimono (2009)

Mother's Gift.

The story focuses on the two mothers of a couple that is about to get married (DramaWiki).
I have to cite DramaWiki because seriously I don't have any idea what they were saying.
That's right, I watched it without Eng sub because I couldn't find the subbed one, and because I couldn't wait for it to be subbed, and I don't think anyone will sub it in the near future since it is not a famous production.

Obviously, I watch it because Nakamaru Yuichi is in it.
I really hope that this Marufever (hahaha) ends soon.

This short movie takes place in the 1970's so that explains why they wear what they wear.
The time setting is about a day like from early morning until the night before the wedding.
Sadly, they didn't show us the wedding ceremony.
I would really like to see Yuichi in his bridegroom attire.

Althought I didn't understand what they said, but I enjoyed it.
For some reasons, I think Yuichi is a bit overacting in this movie.
Or is he supposed to be so?
Yuichi is very suitable acting as an ordinary guy, he looks so natural. Haha.
To me he is an extraordinary ordinary looking guy.

Press conference. Why so serious Yuichi?

He looks so young.

Pictures from Google.

Nihonjin no Shiranai Nihongo (2010)

The Japanese that the Japanese don't Know.

This is like the Japanese version of Mind Your Language, and I like it so much.

The lead actress in this drama is Riisa Naka, the actress in The Girl Who Leapt Through Time.
I like her very much, and I like her in this drama too.

This drama is about Haruko, who has to teach Japanese to a bunch of foreigner, in order for her to get a promotion to be a high school teacher.
It is based on a manga, written by actual Japanese teachers.

At first I thought that the plot is lame, you know, a super teacher who helps her students who are in trouble and teaches them life lessons and that kind of stuffs. Sounds like GTO and Gokusen, right.
But, I still watch it because I like Riisa Naka, plus I'm also learning Japanese, and a bunch of foreigner learning Japanese must be hilarious to watch.

Riisa Naka's acting is so natural and the bubbly character suits her well.

Highly recommended to those who are learning Japanese, or are interested into the Japanese culture.
Overall, 9.5/10.

The Manga.

The live-action drama.

Pictures from Google.

An Italian otaku said that he learned Kanji from manga.

The whole class shouted the name of manga/anime that they read/watch.

Haruko: Ah, that's how foreigners learn kanji. (LOL)

p/s: Should I watch Gokusen 2 and 3? I watched the first Gokusen and I don't really like it.

Tangled (2010)

Many cute and funny scenes.
Many great songs.
Nice animation.

Overall 8/10.

Pictures from Google.

Neko Ramen Taisho (2008)

This movie is about a cat (Taisho) who runs a ramen shop.
It is based on a comic strip, hence, the bizarreness.

One of the comic strips. Picture from Neko Ramen FB Fan Page.

Picture from Google.

Here is what happens.

Jeff was trained to be a cat idol but he failed.

He then found a job at a sushi bar.

Because he couldn't refrain himself from eating the food, he was fired.

He then tried to be a surgeon but failed.

He also tried to be a taxi driver but failed.

What a cool name for a cat.

He's in despair.

First attempt of suicide. Failed.

Second attempt of suicide. Failed.

On his second attempt of suicide, he was saved by a ramen shop owner.

He then learned how to make ramen and opened his own ramen shop.

He even hired another cat as a part time worker in the shop.

Don't ask me how the movie end, it's so absurd that I stopped watching it half-way through.
I wonder how a live-action Doraemon would be.

Cyborg She (2008)

The main character of this movie, Jiro, is the guy who plays Mika's second bf in Koizora the movie.
I really like him in Koizora, and I like him too in this movie. (He's in Linda Linda Linda too, but I can't remember him.)

This movie is about a cyborg who comes from the future to save Jiro from disaster.
Overall, it is a good movie although it is not the kind of movie that I would want to watch twice.
I think the time line of this movie is kinda messed up.
Although the director resolves everything and gives a detailed explanation in the end,
but I still think that there are things that are not quite right.

Ayase Haruka makes a very good and cute cyborg.
Her figure and facial expression suit the character well.

While watching this movie, I thought, "So, this is how earthquake like." So scary.
I like the way they portray the future in this movie.
It is full of hope and possibility.
Overall, 8/10.

Escaping the Tokyo earthquake.

Pictures from Google.

I took a snapshot of this scene to show you her cyborg body.

BANDAGE (2009)

Some people love it, some people hate it.
To me, I like it more than I hate it.
Everything in this movie is realistic to me.
The scenes are not exaggerated, and the acting are all natural.
Many people complain that the plot is not clear and it keeps skipping to the future w/o telling us what happen.
As for the plot weakness, I agree that I don't see in what way Asako breaks the band apart. 
But, other than that, I think this movie is ok. Overall 7.5/10.

I am not a big fan of Akanishi Jin, and watching this movie does not change my perception about him.
I like the girl who plays Asako.

Personally, I think Asako is the lead actor of this movie. I couldn't really feel Jin in this movie.

Pictures from Google.

Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa

I can't wait to watch Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa. 

The preview is awesome.

Malaysia boleh!