Japan Zone Entertainment News
« Japanese Win Big at Montreal Film Festival |
Main
| Announcer Watanabe Mari Married »
Robert Downey Jr. Brings Iron Man to Tokyo | September 04, 2008 |
 Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. (43) was in Tokyo yesterday to promote the movie "Iron Man," attending a press conference at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. The movie has been a smash hit worldwide, putting Downey back on top in Hollywood after drugs and prison had almost put an end to his career. The last time he was in Japan was before all that, when he was promoting his Oscar-nominated role in "Chaplin" in 1993. When asked why he went for the role of a superhero, the actor regarded as one of the best of his generation said, "I got tired of making movies that nobody saw. And I figured that after 25 years of making movies, I was bound to have one good year.” That he is, with the Ben Stiller-directed comedy "Tropic Thunder" also currently enjoying box office success in the U.S. "Iron Man" opens in Japan on September 27, while a sequel is already scheduled for release in April 2010.
• Singer-songwriter Oda Kazumasa (60) is to be the oldest ever solo artist to play a concert tour of Japan's domes. Currently on a 29-city national tour, he announced to fans in Nagoya this week that he will start at Tokyo Dome on November 26-27. By that time, he will be 61 years and 2 months old, beating the record set by the then 60-year-old Paul McCartney in 2002. Oda last performed at Tokyo Dome in February 1989 when his band Of Course held their farewell concert. Since then he has maintained a consistently successful solo career, with a string of hits including "Love Story wa Totsuzen ni" and "Kotoba ni Dekinai." The dome tour will begin shortly after the November 5 release of his 46th single, "Kyou mo Dokokade." The tour will also include shows at Nagoya Dome (December 6), and Kyocera Dome Osaka (December 20). Combined with his current tour, Oda will perform to over half a million people this year.
• Last night, Oshii Mamoru's "The Sky Crawlers" was the last of the three Japanese entries to be screened in the competition at the Venice International Film Festival. The movie has been far less of a commercial success at home than "Gake no Ue no Ponyo," the summer's other big anime release from Miyazaki Hayao and a favorite for the Golden Lion. But it received an enthusiastic standing ovation from the Venice audience, who enjoyed the mix of beautiful imagery and philosophical themes. Some said however that they had trouble following the story. Oshii, who attended along with actress Kikuchi Rinko and actor Kase Ryo, said, "I was touched by the long ovation. I had a good time. Now we just wait for awards announcement." Read more about the Japanese movies competing at Venice and the Oshii-Miyazaki rivalry in our Japanese Movies forum.
• NHK is to air a documentary that offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Japan's best-selling rock band. "B'z" is to air on October 6 and will feature long interviews with guitarist Matsumoto Takahiro (47) and singer Inaba Koji (43). The show is also the first time the duo have allowed TV cameras backstage. B'z have sold over 80 million CDs over a 20-year career and recently became the first ever Asian artists inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk.
• Less than a year since her debut, singer Nishino Kana (19) is to be the opening act on Cyndi Lauper's upcoming Japan tour. Still a student at university, Nishino released her debut single "I" in Japan and the U.S. in February. Though she recently performed a mini concert in Tokyo as part of a PR visit, Lauper (55) will start her first Japan tour in 12 years at the Grand Cube Osaka on September 23. The following night, Nishino will be warming up the audience at none other than the venerable Nippon Budokan.
Interesting story? Then add it to your favorite social site:
Top
|
(
