Letters From Iwo Jima : Predictions & Reviews

[aishoni.livejournal.com]

I think a lot of you might have already heard/read about this (sorry flist, you guys have to read my post over & over again ^^;;;)

Prediction of Nino getting an Oscar nomination by some industry blogger:
http://www.incontention.com/2006/11/switching_gears.html

"An idea most seem to be passing over in all of this is that maybe “Letters from Iwo Jima” is the latter season surprise in and of itself – a film that can STORM in with its big ideas, emotional resonance and intimate brushstrokes to steal the thunder of all pretenders."

".....Newcomer Kazunari Ninomiya feels like just the sort to stake a last minute claim with his portrayal of Saigo, the apparent fulcrum of the film’s cast."

the latest update predicting Letters for Best Picture : http://www.incontention.com/2006/12/monthly_winner_predictions.html#more


Reviews from IMDB board members:

by thetall ne

"Just saw the movie and thought it was very good. It was just shy of being a classic, but it is a very good war film, great drama, and one of the best cross-cultural films I've ever seen.

Clint Eastwood and Ken Watanabe did a Q&A. What can I say? They are both amazing!

I think this is infinitely better than Flags and it will probably get a bunch of nominations, but I'd be really surprised if it won lots of Oscars like Unforgiven or Million Dollar Baby.

I highly recommend it. Whether you saw Flags or not, you should see this. It's great!"


by jiweat

"Just saw the film. It is fantastic, and could not have been more balanced. Every time I thought they showed one aspect which seemed to show someone in a bad light, there was another scene which showed a balanced side. There were great pains taken to do the research and make it as accurate as possible. At the same time, the film really points out the futility of war, and that is the main focus. It is a great testament to the Japanese people, showing them to be heroic and honorable. Yes, in some cases characters took it to the extreme, and others could be seen as cowards (at least at the time, not so much by today's standards), but overall it's a phenomenal achievment for which the Japanese people should be proud. I'm hearing rumors that it may wind up being the biggest grossing movie ever in Japan, since no one has really even told their story before. "

"haha - I was at the screening too. I loved it, and I agree it's way better than Flags (which I also liked). I thought Ken was great, but I thought the real star was the actor who played Saigo. He had everyone's heart from the minute he came on the screen."

"all sides are portrayed in an extremely balanced way. Everything is as accurate and honest as possible. The real message is the futility of war, and no side is made to seem right or wrong"

"I really felt Kazunari Ninomiya was the heart and soul of the film. If anyone were to get nominated, I would hope it would be him"

Comments

[miya-wada.livejournal.com]

it'll be really good if he gets nominated ^^ that'll prove that johnnys arent only pop-ish romance drama/movie material with looks.

[faithez.livejournal.com]

ooohzzz although my eyes and jaw would fall out if my baby Nino REALLLY gets nominated, i truly hope he would!

but...even if he doesn't get nominated, acting in a Hollywood film is already a VERY GREAT LEAP for a japan-bound JE boy!! besides, he is already getting LOTS of praises..so i think he should be feeling satisfied and happy. ^^

[anti-sociality.livejournal.com]

AH! That's Nino for you! *huggle*

Sharing our baby with the world does seem rather daunting. But I'm all for it. Showing the world that Japanese boybands aren't just pretty boys does sounds good to me~

Oh, and I love one of the reviews - but I thought the real star was the actor who played Saigo. He had everyone's heart from the minute he came on the screen. That person doesn't even know Nino's name and still thought that Nino was good in Letters~ Now that's definitely an honest review.

[shini-no-shisha.livejournal.com]

GO NINO!!!!!!! He must get an oscar I really hope he gets nominated. Haven't seen the movie of course but knowing Nino's great acting skills from his drama he deserves some BIG recognition!!!!
^^ thanks for sharing!

[aoi-sakura13.livejournal.com]

i need to get off my arse and see this movie. if nino can enchant people who don't know about him outside of this movie, then it really must have been a good performance.
*sigh* so many films to see, so little time. ;_;

[callmecaito.livejournal.com]

Was going to make a new post for this, but since it's related, I'll just make it as a comment to your post:

Eastwood's 'Letters' named 2006's best (http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/06/film.nationalboard.ap/index.html)

NEW YORK (AP) -- "Letters From Iwo Jima," the second of Clint Eastwood's two-part look at World War II, is the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures' pick as the best film of 2006.

Also on the list, announced Wednesday: "Flags of Our Fathers," in which Eastwood shows the aftermath of war through the eyes of the military men who raised the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

"Letters," which depicts the war from the Japanese perspective with a mostly Japanese cast, originally was scheduled to hit theaters in February 2007, but Warner Bros. recently bumped up the release date to December 20.

The rest of the group's top 10, in alphabetical order: "Babel," "Blood Diamond," "The Departed," "The Devil Wears Prada," "The History Boys," "Little Miss Sunshine," "Notes on a Scandal" and "The Painted Veil." (Read the complete list of winners.)

The group is the first out of the gate each awards season but their picks aren't necessarily predictors of the eventual Academy Award winners. In 2004 they chose "Finding Neverland," while the best-picture Oscar went to "Million Dollar Baby." Last year they picked "Good Night, and Good Luck"; the surprise Oscar winner was "Crash." The National Board and the Academy did line up, however, for 1999's "American Beauty."

The National Board of Motion Pictures, formed 97 years ago, is composed of film historians, students and educators.

[aishoni.livejournal.com]

i was actually thinking of putting up another new post for that :p
he's going to make the cut ne~ ^___^

[kawaii-beela.livejournal.com]

ahhh i'm so happy for nino!! if he gets nominated for an oscar and better yet wins i will cry happy tears for him!! i can honestly say i will die happy if nino gets nominated and wins!! i luv u nino!! i hope iwo jima comes to theatres in my country!

[souzoujo.livejournal.com]

"I really felt Kazunari Ninomiya was the heart and soul of the film. If anyone were to get nominated, I would hope it would be him"

wow. those people.. they're proud of our nino. ^__^
*makes me even more proud*

if nino's good enough to get praises from everyone then i do hope he gets nominated. ^__^ i wonder if he knows that people are saying this about him. X3

sharing him with the world.. isn't that much better? X3

[aishoni.livejournal.com]

but..he's OUR Nino!
we found him first! **stomping feet** :p

[krazeekaytee.livejournal.com]

wow, i'm so glad people are taking notice of nino! hope he does get an oscar nomination! ^^ sooooo excited for him!!!

[hikaru-zu.livejournal.com]

noooooo....not ready to share him with the world just as yet XD

wow..the recognition is getting more and more surreal..i could actually, possibly, watch nino on the red carpet live on tv! ..i wonder though if he does get nominated, would the whole entourage of johnnys important people tag along too to the red carpet? XD

thanks for the news, dear, i love the movie buff in you <3

[aishoni.livejournal.com]

**imagining Mary Kitagawa walking the red carpet in NEON vest**
eeeuuuwwww **shivers**

he he he
chibi movie buff :p

[hikaru-zu.livejournal.com]

pft because of you now i'm hooked on the IMDB message board :p check out this review!

"As much as I love Watanabe, I bet Kazunari will be put up as lead (as well he should). Kazunari is incredible, and out of both films, is the character that the audience will emotionally attach with the most. The acting in letters is SOOOO much better than that of Flags. I liked Flags, but there were definitely some instances of overacting. I hope to see Kazunari in many more films..."

the eeeeeehhhhhh person, that's not you, right?XD

[aishoni.livejournal.com]

<3

LOL. ko perasan pon perasan ek...

[xanderave.livejournal.com]

He's probably at home (when he's not filming) engrossed with his PS3 and heck care to the rest of the world until he gets the invitation to the Oscars and Golden Globe.

Then I hope like mad that he brings Arashi along to the red carpet (like when Shochi stood behind him during the Premiere - haha de-to) and see our boys being fanboys!

[aishoni.livejournal.com]

typical kachang ne~
its just away for him not to get too hype up, too hopeful. i really think he's actually aiming for the win.

i hope he'll bring at least one member as his date. they have to janken for it.

[xanderave.livejournal.com]

Of course he expects to win. It's human nature - even for Kachang even if he never shows it since he hides his face in his games.

BUT he has to get a nomination first.

What with all the talk but no nomination, he won't get anything.

Haha but looking at the other 4, only 1 person I think is the most possible to go. Can you imagine Aibachan going "Very, very danger" or Ohchan spacing out especially in a place where he doesn't understand the language or Be-to fanboying "Dai-fan desu" to Leonardo or something... XD

Shochi is still the best choice.