Interesting Parody of Morning Musume's hit "Love Machine"

It's incredibly strange yet somehow gets in your head. I think I spot Tsunku in there ;)

My Darling Is A Foreigner: The Movie

From Anime News Network:

Hana Yori Dango's Mao Inoue to star as wife whose "Darling is a Foreigner"

Shooting began in Tokyo on Saturday for the live-action film adaptation of Saori Oguri's 2002 autobiographical Darling wa Gaikokujin (literally, My Darling is a Foreigner) manga. 22-year-old Mao Inoue (Hana Yori Dango [2005], Boku no Hatsukoi o Kimi ni Sasagu) stars as Saori, a Japanese woman who marries a foreign husband named Tony (played by 35-year-old Jonathan Sherr). Commercial director Kazuaki Ue is overseeing the film for an April opening in Japan.

Oguri has already written two sequels (Darling wa Gaikokujin 2, Darling wa Gaikokujin with Baby) as well as a spinoff book (Darling no Atama N Naka) with her real-life journalist husband, Tony László. Digital Manga Publishing once printed a volume in English under the title Is He Turning Japanese? in its How to "Read" Manga series.

Personally, I'd love to see this! Very curious about what message they'll send, or if the husband will speak broken Japanese in a funky accent (which I sadly see a lot) or something.

Ai Kago sings in Magical Girl anime CD

From Anime News Network:

Not-So-Daily Links of the Day: Former Morning Musume singer Ai Kago (Mini Moni the TV) and Public Enemy producer/guitarist Brian Hardgroove are among the dozen duos performing electronic-music-influenced covers of magical girl anime theme songs on the Kirakira Majocco Cluv album. The other duos include Christopher Just and Tomoe Shinohara (Kodocha), Franck Muller and Erika Asakura, Paolo Scotti and the female idol group AKB48's Miho Miyazaki, DJ Scotch Egg and Nakano Fujoshi Sisters' Chiaki Kyan, Bymski and Yumi Sugimoto, Electrocute and Marin Nishitani, Plastic Operator and Mao Miyaji, Maho Thaidisco and AKB48's Tomomi Kasai (ICE), Sexy-Synthesizer and former Idoling!!! member Mira Takiguchi, Pan Pacific Playa and Sayaka Isoyama (Chouseishin GranSazer), Kazuo Gondayama (a.k.a. Cherryboy Function) and Mina Fukui.

The album's 26 tracks range from the earliest magical girl theme songs like Mahōtsukai Sally to recent hits such as Zettai Karen Children's "Over the Future." In between are songs from Cutie Honey, Urusei Yatsura, Magical Princess Minky Momo, Kiki's Delivery Service, Sailor Moon, Card Captor Sakura, and Zero no Tsukaima. The album will ship on October 7.

In related news, Turn A Gundam and CAPCOM character designer Akira Yasuda has drawn the cover art for the Gundam Rock album by Andrew W.K. The Californian singer is performing English-language covers of theme songs and rock versions of background music from Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise's first Mobile Suit Gundam television series and its movie trilogy remake. Andrew W.K. is also reenacting the opening narration and Garma Zabi's funeral speech by Gihren Zabi (a.k.a. the "Sieg Zeon!" speech) from the anime in English. The album ships in Japan on September 9, 2009.

Yakko, I Love You CD

1. 恋は突然
2. なぜなぜナゾナゾ
3. あなたの似顔絵
4. ドーベルマンのように
5. 愛は光の中で
6. Oh! Yeah! ジュリアーノ
7. あなたが消えない
8. 雨のララバイ
9. 純白のジューン・ブライド
10. ぼくのジュリアーノ

This album was originally released in 1983. Though I have only seen the first handful of episodes, it's proving so far to be a pretty fun show. And the music is just as fun and cute! I especially like tracks 1, 5, 8 and 9. If you love retro shoujo, this is definitely something to check out!

Super Mario Brothers: Peach-hime Kyuushutsu Dai Sakusen

In this particular story, Mario and Luigi own and run a grocery store. One evening, while Mario is playing a video game, the TV screen goes blank and a pretty girl in pink appears, being chased by various strange creatures. Moments later, she somehow jumps out of the screen and literally into Mario's arms. Her name is Princess Peach, and she knows of the legendary heroes, Mario and Luigi, and asks for help. But he doesn't really live up to that when Bowser shows up moments later and he's too cowardly to protect her - this results in Peach getting taken away, leaving only her brooch behind. Luigi thinks Mario is simply delusional from too many videos games and doesn't take him seriously, until he spots the gem and recognizes it as being incredibly rare and valuable. Soon after a dog-like creature enters their grocery store and snatches it from the daydreaming plumber, leading to an angry chase across the Mushroom Kingdom.

I must confess, this is one of the strangest anime I've ever seen. Seriously, it's not something you'd expect (or maybe you would if you knew Japanese culture well enough). There's a wizard who sends them off on their quest to rescue Princess Peach, Luigi getting hold of drug-like mushrooms that make you laugh, trouble making Goomba who lead them astray, and annoying (and frequent) walking to music sequences - among other things. And guess what? Koopa is actually an awkward fellow with a nerdy voice - it's true! I'd really only recommend this to big Super Mario Bros fans or anybody who lives for weird stuff like this. This movie is incredibly hard to find, and after seeing it, I think I know why.

Mahoujin Guru Guru OST 1 & 2

Recently arrived in the mail, there are re released CDs of soundtracks from the anime Mahoujin Guru Guru. They contain pretty much all background music, the first and second ED themes, and the first ED theme. For some strange reason the first OP is not included. For those that find the show cute but don't want to invest $60+ to legally get the music, they're only 1200 yen each.

As for the music itself, it's very cute!

Purchase both at CDJapan

Linda Linda Linda

The story for the film is quite simple. High school students Kyoko, Kei, Nozomi, Moe and Rinko are planning to have their band perform at the school festival, but about three days before the big day, drama hits. Moe injures her finger, Kei and Rinko get into a fight, and the remaining members are stuck without a singer. They find one in loner Korean exchange student, Son, though her Japanese is rather poor and she tends to misunderstand. With no time left to write some original material, they decide to do covers instead when they find an old tape featuring 80s rock band, The Blue Hearts, in their clubroom. If they want to go out with one last hurrah before graduation, they'll need to push themselves to the limit, but can they be ready in such a short time?

I would have to say that if you're curious about Japanese high schools and the culture within, this is a good place to look. The feeling of youthful energy and determination is everywhere, and anybody nostalgic for their younger days will find something to recognize despite differences. You can't help but admire how hard the girls worked to get ready, practicing until they passed out in the clubroom, just to wake up and start over. One of the girls even got her already graduated, ex-boyfriend to loan them his studio. Though the story starts out slow, it does get a bit more complex later on.

The title of the movie, Linda Linda Linda, comes from the song "Linda Linda" by The Blue Hearts. Even though Western audiences won't be familiar with it, it's still pretty catchy and that won't really matter anyway. If I had to pick a character that fills the comedy relief role, Son would definitely be it - the way she interacts with people, her shyness, and her energy, definitely makes her funny and lovable (there's a scene in the gym that's just awesome). She was an excellent actress, no doubt. And no matter how you feel about the others, you'll want them all to do well. It's just that kind of movie. Don't expect anything dramatic, don't expect Hollywood hurtles like a band that wants to outplay them, or disapproving parents. Just sit back and take it for what it is. You might even find the "Linda Linda" song stuck in your head - it sure happened to me!

This film has been released in the USA by Viz is and is available here!

Maki Goto website update & new song preview

Maki Goto is finally releasing information on a single, yay!

News received from Hello! Online

Preview video

Mini Moni the Movie review

Mini Moni the Movie (also known as Mini Moni ja Movie: Okashi na Daibōken or ミニモニ。じゃ ムービー お菓子な大冒険) is a 2002 release that marked jpop group Mini Moni's debut in theaters, having previously focused on TV, comics and music.



In the city of Minimo there sits a restaurant called The Mini Moni Cafe, where Mari (manager), Tsuji, Kago (waitresses) and Mika (baker) serve delicious cakes. One customer, played by newcomer Ai Takahashi, is completely taken in by a particular treat and wants to know what makes it so good - when Tsuji and Kago can't answer, trouble begins. But that's not the biggest problem. The night before Mini Moni Cafe's two year anniversary, Mika puts the finishing touches on a detailed castle cake for a party to celebrate. But while everyone sleeps, the evil Queen Nakajelinu breaks into the place to claim the cake as her new home, having her fairy servants destroy all sweets in the kitchen in the process. When the girls (along with Ai Takahashi, who tried to sneak in to steal a secret ingredient and got caught up in everything) find out, they demand the fairies take them to her and try to fix things before it's too late.



Now, I must admit that it's a very cheesy movie. Unless you love or tolerate cute, you should probably avoid it. The songs are very catchy and upbeat (there are a few of them), the acting is passable (they're singers, not actresses, so you shouldn't expect perfection) and the setting is very bright and colorful (obviously, since it was made for little girls). Overall it's a musical comedy that shouldn't be taken seriously but a lot of fun given the chance. If you're new to Mini Moni, are a die-hard fan or are simply curious, check it out!

Rainbow Brite Christmas

DOWNLOAD

This Christmas album featuring Rainbow Brite may be corny (and the first song is terrible), but if you ever loved this blonde girl in your childhood, or are simply curious, add this to your collection of holiday listens.

Holiday Must Watches!

In no particular order:

Movies:

1. Muppet Christmas Carol
2. Home Alone
3. The Santa Clause

TV Specials:

1. Jim Henson's The Christmas Toy
2. Muppet Family Christmas
3. A Chipmunk Christmas
4. Mickey's Christmas Carol
5. A Charlie Brown Christmas
6. Garfield Christmas

Barbie in A Christmas Carol review

Barbie tells the story of Eden Starling, a famous singer in Victorian England. But despite her beautiful voice and appearance, she is a self-centered diva who can't even manage to be kind to childhood friend Catherine. On Christmas Eve, after demanding the employees of her theater report for rehearsal the next day (despite personal plans) she is visited by her late Aunt Marie. The grouchy woman who raised Eden with the motto "In a selfish world, the selfish succeed," wants to set things right for her niece before it's too late. Three Christmas spirits are the key to this, but is Eden willing to listen?

I came into this movie expecting to be disappointed or overwhelmed with cornball antics. That was not the case. Though it's been altered from the original Christmas Carol, they didn't do so in a bad way. Even the token cute animal mascot (Chuzzlewit) was actually funny and likable. The music was very nice, it's too bad the songs weren't quite long enough for them to make a side soundtrack like in the past movies. I think my favorite of the Christmas spirits would have to be Christmas Past. She was a giddy, hyper fangirl who spent most of her time goofing around with Eden and wanting to have fun. It was great.

As for the animation, it looks like they took a step or two back in the quality department. It's as though they made it around Nutcracker and forgot to release it until now. It takes some getting used to. Maybe they were rushed for time? Who knows.

And Barbie? She actually acted like a normal human being, expressing annoyance, impatience and anger at Kelly for not wanting to go to the charity ball. I was surprised! I was also surprised that Eden didn't get a love interest, but since it's not a "Princess" movie, I guess I shouldn't have expected one (even though Ebenezer did have a love interest, even if it ended tragically). Catherine got one, though - good for her!

Overall it's pretty good, so if you have or know a 3 year old and somehow you get pulled into watching it, fear not. It's nothing to sigh over. In fact, go out and buy it for yourself.

Morning Musume in Cinderella DVD review

Released on December 3rd, this DVD release consists of Morning Musume's performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. It consists of two DVDs (Act I and Act II), both about 80 minutes in length.

I have always enjoyed this musical, so combining it with one of my favorite music groups was like a dream. Definitely more light-hearted and fun than their last play, Ribbon no Kishi, a rather dark story about a crossdressing princess. It made you feel good the whole way, even if you couldn't understand the dialogue. However, all you have to do is dig up the 1997 Disney (or other) version and you should be mostly set.

The costumes are stunning (Cinderella's ballgown was particularly beautiful), colorful and glittery under the stage lights. I was mesmerized and wished I could be performing with them, just so I could wear one of the dresses for awhile.

I think some of the humor was probably lost on Japanese audiences (like the door that wouldn't close, and the king's pants), as I hardly heard them laugh at all. It was surreal listening to the songs I'm used to being sung in Japanese, and was certainly a learning experience.

All of the girls did a good job, Ai was particularly excellent (she could even cry on cue). To note, the king seriously creeped me out. "He" (the actor behind the character was a woman) was like The Burger King's even creepier brother. I hated the hair! And he really should've invested in a royal belt or special shampoo or something ;)

I hope they do another musical like this again, because it really suited them. Actually, as I was watching them fly about on wires I thought of Peter Pan for some reason.

The Archies Christmas Album review

1. Here Comes Santa Claus
2. Up on the Housetop
3. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree
4. Holly Jolly Christmas
5. Jingle Bell Rock
6. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
7. Run Rudolph Run
8. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
9. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
10. Sleigh Ride
11. Archies Christmas Party
12. Christmas in Riverdale

While pretty generic, this is a cute, wholesome and harmless album that would be good for any Archie comics fan, and especially for people who love any and every Christmas album they can get their hands on. Betty and Veronica dominate the vocals, and you'll occasionally hear Archie, Jughead and Reggie (a shame they weren't featured more, but the CD title does say "Featuring Betty and Veronica"). However, I can't distinguish who is supposed to be who, though I guess it doesn't really matter. It also comes with two original tracks, "Archies Christmas Party" and "Christmas in Riverdale."

Buy here at Amazon.com

Tutenstein: Clash of the Pharaohs

This is Tutenstein's first made-for-TV movie, and aired in October.

Tutenstein has been plagued with nightmares lately, and believes the Mirror of Isis is the cure. If he uses it to go back in time, he can stop himself from dying, thus ending the terrible dreams and ensuring him the long and happy reign he feels he so richly deserved. But before Cleo or himself can get their hands on it, it's stolen by a thief. When they confront the man, they are in fact able to go back in time, but they miss Tut's fatal demise by about 1,000 years! Not only that, the mirror is broken and royal guards are out for their heads - until somebody gets a good look at Cleo and mistakes her for Cleopatra, their current ruler.



As far as these sorts of projects go, it's entertaining but not terribly special - take it or leave it, though fans will certainly get the most enjoyment. I think this is one of those shows that throws in something educational, but doesn't shove it down your throat or talk down to you. Tut was amusing in his anger - I mean, everybody is treating Cleo like a pharaoh, when he's supposed to be one! How dare they, right? Or so he thinks, with his inflated ego. We also learn just how Tut died, and why - the answer might surprise you!

Futurama: Bender's Game review

In this third installment of the new Futurama movie series, we find ourselves taking a glimpse into the nerdy culture of Dungeons and Dragons. Bender is shunned by Cubert and his friends for not having enough of an imagination (or any at all) to play the game with them. Meanwhile, there's a shortage of dark matter due to Mom's monopoly on the fuel market.

WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW

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-The fantasy part of the movie they've been using to hype it doesn't happen until the last half hour!
-Fry and Leela shippers, do not expect anything. The "shippiest" thing you could get out of it is Fry riding Leela when she's in her horse form.
-This pretty much stands by itself with little reference to the last two. Nibbler is magically back with no explanation.
-I wonder what Kif would think if he found out Amy was being a lot, uh... friendlier towards males than usual.
-This time, and I'll give them this, it feels more like a movie and less like four episodes they'll later slice apart for TV.
-A lot of good jokes that had me smiling.

Overall, I'd say it's not as good as BBS, but not as bad as BWABB. Somewhere in between.

Halloween specials to check out

Over the years, many TV specials and movies have been created to celebrate this much loved and infamously scary holiday. These are just a few that have been done. Whether you like the ax murderer thriller, or cute kids getting candy, there will probably be something on this list that interests you.

1. Disney's Halloween Treat A Halloween themed clip show featuring Snow White's the Magic Mirror as narrator.

2. Hocus Pocus Disney film. It stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy (think Sister Act) as the Sanderson sisters, whom teen Max Dennison accidentally releases on Halloween night. Max, along with his sister and love interest, must stop them before they suck out the souls of all the children in Salem to gain immortality.

3. Garfield's Halloween Adventure Animated TV special. Garfield discovers the idea of free candy, and drags Odie along to get twice the bounty. But they decide to take a boat ride to find more houses, and end up on a mysterious island with an old man who claims pirate ghosts are coming to claim their treasure at midnight.

4. It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Animated TV special. Pretty much an American tradition to watch it.

5. Nightmare in Retroville Special episode of Jimmy Neutron. Jimmy invents a special monster making machine, which enables a person to become almost any creature of their choosing. Carl is a Vampire, Sheen is a Werewolf. Things are going fine until the two boys begin to really act like their new selves, such as Carl desiring blood and turning into a bat. Jimmy has to stop them before it turns into the worst Halloween ever!

6. Arnold's Halloween Special episode of Hey Arnold! in which Arnold and Gerald pull a prank on the boarders by rigging a radio and claiming that aliens have landed in the city. A media employee picks up on the radio frequencies and all hell breaks lose! Soon Arnold's friends, who've dressed up as aliens for Halloween, are being threatened and chased by an angry mob!

7. The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile Animated TV special. Stars dolls Raggedy Ann and Andy. Ann and her brother work together to bring a lonely boy who never gets to celebrate Halloween a special pumpkin.

8. Halloweentown Disney Channel Original movie. Marnie and her two siblings are thrown into the world of magic when their grandmother comes for her annual Halloween visit. It seems they have the power of the witch in their blood, something their mom has tried to hide all these years.

9. October 31st Special episode of Kim Possible. Kim bails on her parents and Ron in order to go to a Halloween party. But she gets nervous when she lies, and a special bracelet she got stuck on her wrist reacts to it, covering her body in special yet humiliating armor.

10. The Devil and Daniel Mouse - Two young mouse friends, Jan and Dan, have a dream of playing and singing to their heart's content. But what they do, just isn't popular anymore (the "in" thing being rock and disco), and money is running dangerously low. Depressed and desperate for stardom, Jan makes a deal with a shady character, who turns out to be the devil. She gets what she wants, but at the cost of her soul. When Dan finds out, he strikes a deal to save her, but it may not turn out for the best in the end.

Ai Kago's "Kung Fu Chefs" movie trailers

Gong Fu Chu Shen, or Kung Fu Chefs, is Kago's first movie deal since returning from her two year long hiatus. Though it is a Chinese film, there are plans to release the film in Japanese theaters by the end of the year.

WATCH TRAILERS

Raggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure

If you were ever a child (especially a girl) in the US, you likely know who Raggedy Ann and Andy are. These famous American ragdolls were created in the early 1900s and continue to florish in the world of children today (and even in some adults). And while some may be vaguely aware of a television series in the late '80s, fewer may be aware of a feature length film, released in 1977. I myself didn't even know about it until I bought my Raggedy Andy cel and did some research on Google for episode info.

First of all, I absolutely loved this movie. I regret very much that it missed me by a few years, and if I did see it as a kid, it was so infrequent, or once, that I don't even remember. But it's also almost like watching somebody's private drug trip - and maybe I was better off ;)



Raggedy Ann and Andy live in the playroom of 7-year-old Marcella, and for her birthday the little girl receives a French imported doll named Babette. Though beautiful, she's quite spoiled and bratty and doesn't want to live life in "such a horrible place." Ann, being incredibly sweet, makes an effort to be friends and introduces her to everyone.



I should mention that this movie is also a musical, the songs composed by Sesame Street great Joe Raposo. Even if they may seem randomly placed sometimes, they're incredibly catchy and difficult to dislike, particularly "Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers" (one of the most precious things I've ever heard). And you may or may not notice, but Ann's voice is provided by Didi Conn of Grease fame (aka Frenchie). A little raspy, but it's suiting. Andy's voice is my favorite - very friendly and soothing, something you could easily fall asleep listening to. Wonderful singing talent, too!



Well, anyway, Babette gets kidnapped by a perverted pirate (simply referred to as "Captain") who was trapped in a snow globe until he conned the other toys into helping him escape his glassy prison. Feeling sorry for the new doll and wanting to get Marcella's present back before she notices, Ann and Andy leave the safety of the nursery to rescue the beauty. And yes, they are indeed brother and sister, even though their behavior doesn't really spell that out (though they mention it a few times). In fact, I've come across many people who assume Andy is her boyfriend! But let's move on...



Shortly after walking through the dark woods, they run into a patched up, lumpy camel whose been alone for so long he hallucinates that he has a family of camels living up in the sky. No joke. LOOK AT HIS EYES! I think our friend here has been into Marcella's scented markers! Together, these three continue on in the mission, only to run into more oddball creatures, like a living mound of taffy, and a short king who gets bigger when making fun of people. It's incredibly bizarre, these creations, and I don't doubt you'll raise an eyebrow when they come on screen. Don't even get me started on the other playthings in Marcella's collection! You'll just have to watch and see for yourself.

But if you enjoy creative, adorable movies (for children or not) I recommend you check it out. Unfortunately, it's not available on DVD and the VHS went out of print years ago (and it's not very cheap to get if you're able to find it). Your best bet is to check it out on Youtube.

Watch it on Youtube

The Archies Christmas Album

Archie comics will be releasing a special Christmas album on September 16th. The track list, along with furthur information, isn't known at this time.

BUY IT HERE at Amazon