24 Twenty Four

Federal Agent Jack Bauer（Kiefer Sutherland/キーファー・サザーランド）can't afford to always play by the rules.　As a member of the L.A. CTU（Counter Terrorist Unit）, Jack must stop bombs, viruses, assassination attempts, and usually save someone he cares about at the same time. From beginning to end, this show is so riveting and suspenseful. It never allows the viewer to relax for a second. You are never sure who you can trust. The show follows the worst days of Jack and each episode chronicles every hour of the day, and is shot in real-time. What makes this show so unique are the character relationships, the shows writing and the attention to detail. The viewers really learn to care about Jack as we learn more about his life and his past. Kiefer Sutherland（キーファー・サザーランド）was so perfect for the role as Jack Bauer that lots of people describe him as "born for the role". You never know what to expect on the show. Anything can and does happen.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.foxjapan.com/dvd-video/24/index_frames.html

Christmas Party @AEON Yaesu-Guchi school クリスマスパーティ＠イーオン八重洲口校

AEON Yaesuguchi school had Christmas party today.　We enjoyed their wonderful food, drink, and chit-chat. We also exchanged the presents, and I got this lovely reindeer. Thank you so much for the wonderful gift.
本日、イーオン八重洲口校のクリスマスパーティが楽しく開催されました。プレゼント交換ではかわいらしいトナカイさんを頂戴いたしました。ステキな贈り物をありがとうございます。

Christmas Party @AEON Shibuya-Hachiko-Guchi school クリスマスパーティ＠イーオン渋谷ハチ公口校

AEON Shibuya-Hachikoguchi school had Christmas party at an Izakaya called Kuimonoya Wan today.　We enjoyed their wonderful food, drink, and chit-chat. We also exchanged presents, and I got this delicious cake. Thank you so much. (Who got my present?) Wishing you a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
本日、イーオン渋谷校のクリスマスパーティがおだいどこ はなれにて楽しく開催されました。プレゼント交換では、おいしいケーキを頂戴いたしました。ありがとうございます。（私のプレゼントは誰の手に?）皆さま、どうぞステキなクリスマスとよいお年をお迎えくださいませ。

Christmas Party @AEON Shibuya-Honko school クリスマスパーティ＠イーオン渋谷本校

AEON Shibuya-Honko school had Christmas party at a Hawaiian restaurant called MAHANA today.　We enjoyed their wonderful food, drink, and chit-chat. We also exchanged the presents, and I got this lovely bear. Thank you so much for the wonderful gift.
本日、イーオン渋谷本校のクリスマスパーティがMAHANAというハワイアンレストランで楽しく開催されました。プレゼント交換では愛らしいクマさんを頂戴いたしました。ステキな贈り物をありがとうございます。

Winky's Horse ウィンキーの白い馬

"Winky's Horse" was released on DVD with my translation in Japan last week. This film was written by a prestigious screen writer, Tamara Bos, and directed by Mischa Kamp, and got lots of awards all over the world such as "Golden Calf" as the best scenario and "Movie Squad Junior Award" at Netherlands Film Festival, and "Jury Award" at Chicago International Children's Film Festival. This one is definitely a masterpiece, so I sincerely hope you will enjoy it.

翻訳いたしました「ウィンキーの白い馬」が先週DVD発売されました。人気作家タマラ・ボス脚本、ミーシャ・カンプ監督作品。オランダアカデミー賞最優秀脚本賞、最優秀子ども映画賞、シカゴ国際子ども映画祭審査員賞など数多くの賞を受賞した愛らしい作品ですので、お楽しみいただければ幸甚です。

For For farther information, please visit the websites. 詳細はサイトをご覧ください。
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=332169

Family Ties ファミリー･タイズ

I think it is one of the funniest family comedy series with some entertaining and unusual character portrayals. This sitcom became the launching pad for Micheal J. Fox（マイケル･Ｊ･フォックス）, who had several hit feature films during this series such as "Back To The Future（バック･トゥ･ザ・フューチャー）" series, and "The Secret Of My Success（摩天楼はバラ色に）". The series revolves around the Keaton family, with liberal parents Steven (a TV station manager) and Elyse (an　architect). The couple have three children. A financially savvy, politically conservative son Alex, his shopaholic teenage sister Mallory, and a younger tomboy sister, Jennifer. Later Elyse gives birth to a fourth child, baby Andrew. You can't stop laughing at the mixture of great characters with witty dialogue. Despite the witty dialogues, this is a believable family, though.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=19695

Schnipp Schnapp シュニップシュナップ

I went to a beauty salon called "Schnipp Schnapp" to get my hair permed and cut today. It's in Sakura-Shinmachi, Setagaya-ku. "Schnipp Schnapp" means "Snip" in German. "Hot Pepper Shibuya" introduced this shop. The hair dressers are so friendly and very skillful, and they use only good-quality organic shampoos and rinses and conditioners. I have been a regular for five years. If you have a chance, please try to visit this shop. For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.schnipp-schnapp.jp/

The Rainmaker レインメーカー

John Grisham（ジョン・グリシャム） and Francis Ford Coppola（フランシス・フォード・コッポラ） !! "The Rainmaker" has to be great. Readers of John Grisham（ジョン・グリシャム）'s book will find this film rather less of a thriller and more of a courtroom drama. The story is not flattering to lawyers, but it's not all-condemning either. It's just a good storytelling. I felt Matt Damon（マット・デイモン） does very well in this role and demonstrates why he is considered one of the best in the crop of today's younger actors. Sweet Claire Danes（クレア・デインズ） is very appealing as the battered wife who winds up being romanced by Damon. That part of the film is not distracting, but a nice break from the legalese of the main story.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=84044

The Second Star to the Left 星空からのプレゼント

"The Second Star to the Left" will be screened with my translation at Tokyo International Film Festival (October 18th - 26th). If you have time, please join us in the theater. For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.tiff-jp.net/ja/
翻訳いたしました「星空からのプレゼント」が東京国際映画祭（10月18日～26日）で上映されます。ご来場、楽しみいただければ光栄です。詳細はサイトをご覧くださいませ。
http://www.tiff-jp.net/ja/

Up Close & Personal アンカーウーマン

The struggles in reporting the news are shown in a very interesting way in this movie. It also shows that a little bit of luck can help a person go a long way in an industry like that of TV journalism. The stars of the movie are two Hollywood's well known actors, Robert Redford（ロバート・レッドフォード） and Michelle Pfeiffer（ミシェル・ファイファー）. The pair have a good chemistry in this movie, with the way that they fall in love very believable. I think some scenes make you heart stop for a moment. I recommend it to everyone who is crazy about romantic movies.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=28701

おしえて、ぼくらが持ってる働く権利

I got a book titled "Teach me our rights to work" from its writer, Ms. Naoko Shimizu today. It depicts our rights to work in a simple way, and must be easy to be understood by anyone. There is lots of important and useful information in this book especially for young people who are getting out into the world, so please let me introduce this book. I think it's so great if I can translate her wonderful thoughts and publish her books in English into the world someday.
本日、友人の清水直子氏から著書の「おしえて、ぼくらが持ってる働く権利」が届きました。直ちゃん、ありがとうございます。働く権利について目からウロコな情報が盛りだくさん。これから働く若者必見の１冊ですのでご紹介させていただきます。いつか、直ちゃんのすばらしい思想を私が英訳させていただき、世界へ向けて出版できたらステキな共作活動ですね。

I love you, I love you not プラトニック･ゲーム

This is a beautiful and sad story about finding yourself in difficult teenage years. Claire Danes（クレア・デインズ）plays a vulnerable, insecure, shy teenage girl, "Daisy". She spends most of her time reading and spending time with her grandmother. Daisy is often bullied and misunderstood because she is Jewish just like her grandmother. She met a handsome guy at school and fell in love with him. Jude Law （ジュード・ロウ）plays the guy she has a crush on.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=83748

Kayla: A Cry in the Wilderness ケイラ : 雪原の友だち

"KAYLA" was released on DVD with my translation in Japan today. This film is a fine masterpiece which got "Semi Grand Prix" at Chicago International Children's Film Festival. I hope you will enjoy it.

翻訳いたしました「ケイラ：雪原の友だち」が本日DVD発売されました。シカゴ国際子ども映画祭でも準グランプリを受賞された名作ですので、お楽しみいただければ幸甚です。

For For farther information, please visit the websites. 詳細はサイトをご覧ください。
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=331660

Akira's Hip Hop Shop アキラのヒップホップ店

Free on-line distribution of "Akira's Hip Hop Shop" started with my translation at CON-CAN movie festival today. Please visit the website to start the movie. The leading actor is James Kyson Lee (a.k.a, Masahashi Ando "HEROES"). I hope you'll enjoy it.
http://jp.con-can.com/watch/preview.php?id=20081206
字幕翻訳いたしました「アキラのヒップホップ店」がCON-CANムービー･フェスティバルにて本日より無料ネット配信されています。無料視聴くださるにはサイトをご覧くださいませ。 「ヒーローズ」のアンドウ・マサハシ君が主演されてます。お楽しみいただければ光栄です。
http://jp.con-can.com/watch/preview.php?id=20081206

Polish Wedding 自由な女神たち

The film's tagline was "Sometimes the further you stray, the closer you are to home." I heard the movie was widely discussed in the Polish media and was regarded controversial because of the way how it　described Polish society. But it's true I enjoyed the movie as a Claire Danes（クレア・デインズ）'s fan. She played Hala, who is having an affair with neighbor cop and becomes pregnant by him.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=84799

One Fine Day 素晴らしき日

Pleasant romantic comedy stars Michelle Pfeiffer（ミシェル・ファイファー） and George Clooney（ジョージ・クルーニー）,who did a very good job playing two people who are divorced with a child and a hectic life. One day, they accidentally meet at the school where their kids go, and during the day, they keep meeting. However, they hate each other at first. But as the movie progresses, the relationship between the two changes from hating each other to liking each other. It shows a lot of stereotypes of course, but the entire movie is actually quite good and enjoyable.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=83417

Something Like That そんな感じ

Free on-line distribution of "Something Like" started with my translation at CON-CAN movie festival today. Please visit the website to start the movie. I hope you'll enjoy it.
http://jp.con-can.com/watch/preview.php?id=20085011
字幕翻訳いたしました「そんな感じ」がCON-CANムービー･フェスティバルにて本日より無料ネット配信されています。無料視聴くださるにはサイトをご覧くださいませ。 お楽しみいただければ光栄です。
http://jp.con-can.com/watch/preview.php?id=20085011

Little Women 若草物語

I think it's hard to turn a book into a movie, but this balances and keeps the essence of the book and creates a wonderful movie that works on every single level. Fabulous acting by an ensemble cast completes this film. Winona Ryder（ウィノナ・ライダー）makes the best screen Jo ever. In my opinion, she suites the character better than Katharine Hepburn（キャサリン・ヘップバーン）or June Allyson （ジューン・アリソン）. Susan Sarandon（スーザン・サランドン）, Christian Bale （クリスチャン・ベール）, Claire Danes（クレア・デインズ）, Kirsten Dunst（キルスティン・ダンスト）.....etc, all of them are incredible, and fit perfectly. This is a beautiful film. It's inviting, but not overly sweet, and though nothing too exciting happens, still very fulfilling and entertaining.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=26007

The Mexican ザ･メキシカン

I had a very good time watching this movie. The movie might be a little chaotic from time to time, but I really enjoyed watching Brad Pitt（ブラッド・ピット）being a clumsy criminal who always tends to do something wrong. The same for Julia Roberts（ジュリア・ロバーツ）. I loved seeing her as his hysterical girlfriend.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=233817

Planet of the Apes 猿の惑星

1968's "Planet of the Apes" has been my favorite film since I first saw it. The movie has a huge impact, and I can't emphasize the power it has, and the shock of the final image of the ending. I'm sure that Tim Burton（ティム・バートン）, whom I admire, though, was right to remake it in 2001.

For farther information, please visit the website.
1968
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=9184
2001
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=161821

Sweet November スウィート・ノベンバー

This film is a sweet and subtle romantic comedy that is hard to hate. Charlize Theron（シャーリーズ・セロン） is simply wonderful and Keanu Reeves（キアヌ・リーヴス） is good as usual. This is a story about life and relationships, and I think its message is "The meaning of life is to give life meaning." People get wrapped up in so much stuff and glitz and technology that we forget that in the end.　All we have is each other.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=235232

My Best Friend's Wedding ベスト･フレンズ･ウェディング

I loved this film. The acting was flawless, and the story was funny, believable, and lovable. 2 of the highest paid actress, Julia Roberts（ジュリア・ロバーツ）and Cameron Diaz（キャメロン・ディアズ）are both in this film.　Julia Roberts（ジュリア・ロバーツ）'s acting was great, and Cameron Diaz（キャメロン・ディアズ）was charismatic. They put so much emotion and enthusiasm into this film that you might feel that they are actually living in the movie not acting in it.

For farther information, please visit the website.
http://www.allcinema.net/prog/show_c.php?num_c=83413

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!

I got this lovely card from my father. Wishing all of you a lot of happiness in 2008, and more and more happy years in the future.