Aoi Miyazaki is one of the best young actress working in Japan right now. She is not only super cute but actually can act. Some might not have seen her before (her most notable film is EUREKA by Shinji Aoyama) but now after the huge success of NANA last year, we will see more of her. And that is a good thing. She has at least four films slated to open in theater before the summer. One of them is GIMME HEAVEN which opens 1-14-06 in Japan. It is a mystery film involving characters with synesthesia syndrom. From the look of its trailer, the film sure looks to be promising but what film doesn’t, right?  And NANA will be release on DVD on 03-03-2006. This sure willl be a year for her. and We Asian Fever will keep our eyes on her.

Meantime visit GIMME HEAVEN official site for trailer and more infon about the film.

A hot chic samurai assassin kill them all film AZUMI is finally coming to the west. Ryuhei Kitamura’s 2003 smash hit will get a limited theatrical release in the Spring of 2006 from AsiaVision, a division of Urban Vision. They are also plannng to release DVD of Japanese live action film titles throughout 2006 including CURSE DEATH AND SPIRIT by Hideo Nakata, KILL DEVIL on April 4, and KOKKURI. 

One of the most anticipated film of 2006, DAISY is now set be released in January in Korean. It stars ever so popular Jeon Ji Hyun (SASSY GIRL and WINDSTRUCK) and Jung Woo-Sung (MOMENT TO REMEMBER).The film is almost entirely photographed in Amsterdam under the direction of Andrew Lau (INFERNAL Trilogy). Not to mention the film is written by Kwak Jae-Yong (director of SASSY GIRL and WINDSTRUCK) and music by Umebayashi Shigeru (IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE). This will be big and by the look of trailer, this is promising to be a good film. Go visit DAISY official site and check out the trailer!

Our favorite DVD distribution company Tartan Asia Extreme has added R-POINT and NATURAL CITY to their ever so growing catalog.  R-POINT will be released on Feburary 6th and NATURAL CITY will the stores on Feburary 28th.

Tartan Asia Extreme became THE company to introduce Asian films especially Korean films to the United States. They have been releasing just countless of great titles. They are the one who brought Park Chan Wook’s vengeance trilogy, Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance, The Oldboy and Sympathy For Lady Vengeance (will have theatrical release in early next year) to us. I have no doubt they will be picking up more great films in 2006. Well, they have already announced above two titles, and kicking off a new year with release of VITAL on 1/24/06.
Only to wish they will get right to release A Bittersweet Life!

if you are interested check out my review of NATRUAL CITY .

and be sure to click on the link below to check out DVD specs and stills from R-POINT and NATURAL CITY.

Studio Ghibli had released info and teaser poster for thier upcoming film based on Ursula K. LeGuin’s A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA. The film is directed by Miyazaki’s son Goro Miyazaki. There were lots of rumor about how Miyazaki doesn’t approve his son to be directed the film and all. Now Goro comes out publically on their site and response how he feels about it.
He started off stating that Miyazaki was oppose to the idea of Goro directing. He doesnt’t really give us why but we know that was true. He also stated that he knows this isn’t the ideal way to deal but once they start promoting the film, he knows that he will be labeled as Hayao Miyazaki’s son. By stating his mind and thought at early stage, he and the producer are hoping that people understand where he comes from and he will be judge as one person and not Miyazaki’s son.
Well, he will always Miyazaki’s son no matter what he does. But really who cares? From the look of the poster, it sure looks to be good.