DMW: Digital Music W...

Here's a recent press release by Warner Bros. Records regarding that crucifix scene...

Madonna Releases Statement Explaining Crucifix Scene From Confessions Tour
NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- September 21, 2006 -- As Madonna's Confessions Tour comes to an end in Japan this week, the artist has released a statement regarding the much talked about Crucifixion scene.

"I am very grateful that my show was so well received all over the world. But there seems to be many misinterpretations about my appearance on the cross and I wanted to explain it myself once and for all.

"There is a segment in my show where three of my dancers 'confess' or share harrowing experiences from their childhood that they ultimately overcame. My 'confession' follows and takes place on a Crucifix that I ultimately come down from. This is not a mocking of the church. It is no different than a person wearing a Cross or 'Taking Up the Cross' as it says in the Bible. My performance is neither anti-Christian, sacrilegious or blasphemous. Rather, it is my plea to the audience to encourage mankind to help one another and to see the world as a unified whole. I believe in my heart that if Jesus were alive today he would be doing the same thing.

"My specific intent is to bring attention to the millions of children in Africa who are dying every day, and are living without care, without medicine and without hope. I am asking people to open their hearts and minds to get involved in whatever way they can. The song ends with a quote from the Bible's Book of Matthew:

"'For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was naked and you gave me clothing. I was sick and you took care of me and God replied, "Whatever you did for the least of my brothers... you did it to me."'

"Please do not pass judgment without seeing my show."

Madonna's "Confessions Tour - Live From London" is scheduled to air on NBC this November. NBC has not confirmed whether they will include this portion of the show in their broadcast.

The artist is scheduled to come to New York at the end of October to promote her new children's book "The English Roses - Too Good To Be True" and has also announced her plans for a trip to Malawi for several weeks in November to participate in the building of an orphanage and care center for the children of that country (www.raisingmalawi.com).

You know, The Vatican should understand not to take things out of context. Look what happened to The Pope on his recent visit to Germany.
And, although I appreciate Madonna's thoughtfulness about the plight in Africa, I still think the Confessions Tour is simply about her trying to overcome her past. Seems more like she's dealing with her saucy past and melding it with her English countryside-n-bird shooting present. Like night and day, you know?

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on September 22, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was in NYC Sunday to visit and catch up with a couple of old friends. I can't believe how much lower Manhattan has changed since I last visited. Here's an embarrassing fact, I totally missed my stop to get to St. Marks Place. And, I really should've taken the N-R-W to 8th St. instead of the 6 to Bleeker. What the hell was I thinking?

I'm glad it was a beautiful day. Hot, but beautiful. I made it to my lunch date all sweaty and panting -- very bad. In any case, it was really great seeing my friends and catching up (V - we really should go up to Maine some time ;) How 'bout it BK?).

On my way back to NJ - I took the ferry from Midtown to Hoboken. Here are some pics below:

Photo by Amanda Nanawa

Photo by Amanda Nanawa

Photo by Amanda Nanawa

Photo by Amanda Nanawa

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on September 17, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tuesday was a really nice day. The weather was cool, not too warm. It was a bit breezy but I welcomed it. Can't wait for the cold weather to creep in (I'm one of those cold-weather lovers).
I've only been to few early screenings in my life. This one was at 10:30 AM. I usually don't bother to go that early in the day if I didn't care so much about the show. I've realized that I tend to make early screenings for anime and live-action Japanese features. Interesting personal trend.

Despite leaving my house early, I still managed to arrive at the screening a few minutes late. Ironically, it had to do with transferring from train to train to get to my stop. The screening was at the ImaginAsian Theatre on E59th St between 2nd & 3rd Aves.

I'm not going to give too much away and I'll try to avoid writing up a spoiler. But the movie was quite refreshing and managed to retain an anti-Hollywood ending. The story is based on true events that took place on a Japanese BBS site called 2ch where someone actually sought dating advice from virtual strangers. The twist to this movie is that the person seeking advice is an Otaku (nerd/geek/fanatic) who rescues a lovely young woman (Miki Nakatani) on the train from being sexually harrassed. With this act of heroism, the Otaku a.k.a. Train Man (Takayuki Yamada) saves the day and suddenly finds himself falling in love with the woman he just saved. Thus the fairy tale begins.

I really can't go into detail but just trust me when I say, "See the movie. It's that good." The movie manages to touch on several issues that are prevalent in modern Japan. The various chat members range from the working class nurse, the Otakus at the manga cafe, the business man, the housewife and the teenage shut-in. What I found myself thinking throughout the movie was, "What a strange, wonderful yet fucked up society." The locations made me remember my Otaku moments in Akihabara (nicknamed Electric Town) and when I went gaga over buying my very own gacha ball prize (it was a Sgt. Keroro mobile phone charm - SWEET!).

Sure the movie was about love - geek love - but what the movie was really about was courage. All the characters had this invisible wall that prevented them from moving forward or being honest about their feelings. Train Man managed to bring that to the forefront and it made the movie that much engaging.

In the end, the movie shows a twist (and I won't say what that is) but its a twist that still makes people think after the movie is over.

Train Man: Densha Otoko will play Friday, September 22 at The ImaginAsian Theatre in NYC and will run for one week. And then it heads off to play in other cities such as:

Friday, October 13 at Clinton Street Theatre in Portland, OR
Friday, October 20 at Facets Cinema in Chicago, Ill
Friday, November 10 at The Grand Illusion Theatre in Seattle, WA

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on September 14, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Next week, I get the chance to finally sit in a theatre and watch Viz Pictures' Train Man: Densha Otoko. I missed it at AX in Anaheim, CA and again at Comic-Con in San Diego, CA. The film is a live-action feature showing in Japanese with English subtitles. Here's the press release:
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VIZ PICTURES ANNOUNCES FIRST RELEASE TO BE
TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO

Quirky Romantic Tale Of An Otaku Who Finds Love To Make North American Premiere in New York

San Francisco, CA, September 7, 2006 – VIZ Pictures Inc, an affiliate of VIZ Media LLC, the leading U.S. publisher of Japanese animation and comics that focuses on Japanese live-action film distribution, has announced the forthcoming theatrical release of the quirky romantic comedy TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO. The film, which received widespread critical acclaim and caused a sensation in Japan upon its release in 2005, will have a private press screening on September 12, 2006 at the ImagineAsian Theatre in New York with the theatrical premiere and exclusive one week showing begin on September 22, 2006.

TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO is the film inspired by the phenomenal bestseller by Hitori Nakano that took Japan by storm. Based on true events that took place on a popular Internet Bulletin Board website (BBS) in Japan called “2ch,” this fairy tale-like story has become a media sensation, and been adapted in book, comic, television drama, and movie formats. Released in 2005, the movie became an instant hit, grossing over 35 million dollars in Japan.

TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO is the story of a computer engineer otaku (the Japanese term for “geek”), who is an average young man dressed in unstylish clothes and dorky glasses. As luck would have it, he encounters a pretty young woman on a commuter train and saves her from a lecherous molester, falling in love with her at first sight. A few days later he receives a thank-you message from the woman along with a set of Hermes teacups. Having never had a girlfriend or received a gift from a girl in his life, the otaku seeks out his pals on the BBS website for advice using his codename Train_Man (Densha Otoko). Deeply interested in Train_Man’s first love, his BBS pals eagerly supply him with advice. Encouraged by their support, Train_Man undergoes a total makeover for his first-ever date with “Hermes.” Little does he know that he is about to ignite an Internet phenomenon.

“TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO is a unique and heartwarming romantic story and its focus on what ultimately attracts people will likely make this film a favorite,” states Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO for VIZ Pictures. “Good stories always have an underdog or an unlikely hero to root for, and TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO presents a believable and genuine protagonist. We are pleased to launch VIZ Pictures with the release of this acclaimed film. The story will make people think fondly about their own first experiences with love and the thrill and rush it caused. Perhaps it will even inspire a few to take a chance on someone they like!”
After it's initial premiere in New York the movie will move on to Portland, Chicago, Seattle and other major cities. TRAIN_MAN: DENSHA OTOKO, the manga will be released by VIZ Media on October 3.

About VIZ Pictures, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Pictures, Inc. distributes Japanese live-action films and DVDs, with particular focus on Japanese "kawaii (cute) and cool" pop culture. VIZ Pictures approaches each film release from a J-pop fan's point of view. TRAIN MAN: DENSHA OTOKO is the first VIZ Pictures title, and the company will continue to offer the most entertaining live action motion pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages in North America. VIZ Pictures, Inc. is an affiliate of VIZ Media, LLC, the San Francisco-based leading U.S. publisher of Japanese manga (comics) and merchandise licensor of Japanese animation such as the popular "NARUTO" animated TV series.
© 2006 VIZ Pictures, Inc

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, CA, VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), is one of the most comprehensive and innovative companies in the field of manga publishing, animation and entertainment licensing of Japanese content. Owned by three of Japan’s largest creators and licensors of manga and animation, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan Production Co., Ltd. (ShoPro Japan), VIZ Media is a leader in the publishing and distribution of Japanese manga for English speaking audiences in North America and a global licensor of Japanese manga and animation. The company offers an integrated product line including, magazines such as SHONEN JUMP and SHOJO BEAT, graphic novels, videos, DVDs, audio soundtracks and develops and markets animated entertainment from initial production, television placement and distribution, to merchandise licensing and promotions for audiences and consumers of all ages. Contact VIZ Media at 295 Bay Street, San Francisco, CA 94133; and web site at www.VIZ.com.
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From early screenings, the film was well received -- playing to packed houses at AX & Comic-Con. I expect it will do just as well during it's one week run in NYC.

Posted by Amanda Nanawa on September 08, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)