Two Days in Paris

Two Days in Paris

I saw the review and watched this film finally.  Here is the link talked about the film→http://www.2daysinparisthefilm.com/

While I watched, I strongly felt the importance of foreign language. Jack, a  main character, visited Paris with his girlfriend, Marian,  who is from there.  He had no idea of Paris and French. Only he could relied was French dictionary he brought, his girlfriend, and a guidebook. I imagine myself being in a different country with no background knowledge. It should be the best way to be and act like E.T.

At the same time, I found an interesting perspective about Paris, that some people had difficulties in cultural differences with Germany. French people refered German as evil based on historical background. It sounds familiar with the relationship between Japan and Asia.

The story was mainly about a couple struggled their relationship, but beside that, I like the conclusion. At first, the film said cultural difference creates conflict and misunderstanding. As the ending came, the conclusion of this perspective became more micro size: personal background forms a person, and it is hard to say country and culture forms a personality and character.

2010
02/01
カテゴリー
Culture Shock
Film
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So Ironic

(500) Days

of

Summer

 

“Wow, it was quite tough and ironic, wasn’t it?”

This was all I could say after I watched this film. As if I heard a story that a friend “just broke up with her boyfriend, and started eating to work her sadness and stress out”, this was so true, and the main character, Tom, was super good at being a normal person of next-door.

Everyone has a certain relationship with others. Usually, films show stories before having relationship. Happy endings of different types. Audiences so not need to worry about “ever after” story like what will happen after Snow White meets a price.

On the other hand, (500) Days of Summer stared from ending a relationship between Tom and Summer. Basically, Tom reviewed the reason of the ending and tried to make some strategies to change the situation.

Watching Tom sometimes made me irritated (don’t be like that, don’t so this, this is THE REASON he desperately wanted, etc.). Also, I could understand why he did/did not a certain thing.

Some people criticized Summer and what she did to Tom in their film reviews. However, I also felt some sympathy and changed in her mind.

Every person can be both Summer and Tom. Like a song of Billy Joel’s “Honesty,” this work tells some ideas of toughness and irony in relationships.

2010
01/25
カテゴリー
Film
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Sundays at Tiffany’s

Sundays at Tiffany’s

written by James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonnet

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When I first meet this book, I was at Target (supermarket), searching next novel at night. It was hardcover in dark blue, in my memory, and I fell in love to this story in the first few pages. The delicious description about ice cream with chocolate sauce.

Mid age ladies in a book club also checked this book, and they decided to have for next meeting. At that time, I did not get the book (because other books caught my eyes and had few space in my shelf), and just walked to snack section instead.

Time passed, and I happened to meet the book again recently. At first, I it because of the cover. I read in the back  and a book review by the store. Then, pick up several pages. Yes, the story of ice cream caught my eyes again. With fresh memory. I hurried to the cashier with this book, of course.

The plot is a child who had a disastrous life liked her “imaginary friend.” He was the only person she could feel love and ease in her chaos life. However, the happy time ended when she grew up. He had gone, and she was back to her miserable life until the “imaginary friend” reappeared in front of her.

I could not stop reading for two days before I finished. Plus this is the book I did not read the end first (I usually do, reading from ending). While I read, the sundae made me hungry, and I had remembered my own “imaginary friend.” Mine was, unfortunately, not a human shaped. It was a frog and a dragon (I have no idea why). All I felt with those were confidence to be safe? maybe.

Anyway, I highly recommend this book personally. It was lovely, but you can get some courage to stand up. If this work has not filmed, I wish someone take camera and make visualized.

2010
01/25
カテゴリー
Books
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合格、5角

Entrance Exam season for students came, and Nestle launched a campaign, targeting people who gonna take exams or who have family members or friends of exam  takers.

As always, here  is a link of TV ad→http://www.breaktown.com/10sakura/tvcm

Also, Nestle sells KitKat with Nestle coffee stick and a special red cup. The cup is called “GoKaku Cup,” which means “the pentangonal shape（五角形）” and “pass a test (GouKaku/合格）”.

2010
01/18
カテゴリー
Food
Japan
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Time Travel to Showa

At the basement of Umeda Sky Building….

Once you enter the floor, the atmosphere changes. Nostargy and the smell of Showa, when Gen X was a child. The scene I had heard from my parents and grandparents.

This place was interesting. I had thought this was like a food court. However, it was more like a town. You can have a post office, a barber shop, and a cleaning shop.

The only funny thing was bathroom. The outside view had Showa style, but once you entered, it was modern.

Other pictures

2010
01/18
カテゴリー
Japan
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Dirty as ever….

Awful desk as ever. Snacks, books, papers, newspapers, magazine, earphones, notes…everything is all over. Well, the only place that looks neat is pen holder?

The big paper is due tomorrow, so it will be cleaned out SOOON. OK, need to back to work nowX(

2010
01/17
カテゴリー
Uncategorized
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A World Over 140M

A ground level shot of Umeda Sky Building in Osaka. The final destination is around the place near the circle: elevator. Need to watch the top by bending your neck.

This is one elevator, looks quite long and tells the sharp angle. I felt like being in a  Sci-Fi movie and heading to mysterious outer space:)

The view from the almost top place in the building. It is hard to keep the balance when a person look down the world below.

2010
01/14
カテゴリー
Japan
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Cute Face

 

She is so pretty and favorit of the clerk. Her father was a champion dog. The bone structure is awesome and strong even though her personality is a little bit shy and scaring strangers.

2010
01/13
カテゴリー
Uncategorized
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Puzzle Art

 

A Patchwork Exhibition in Kobe

I visited this in the last day, Jan 11. It was crowded with quilters. I am not one of them and totally newbie at that place. The amazing point was that I found the several types of patchwork and the collectors.

The types are Victorian Style, Square Types, Hexagon style, some ethnic style etc etc.

 

I had only seen square type, so it changed my image toward patchwork. And the cloth itselves had varieties such as silk can be used, especially during 18century according to collectors.

Also, the use of colors are different between American patchwork and Japanese one. American ones are more vivid even those had made in 18th century. One the other hand, Japanese ones were more calm colors.

The most interesting point I found was the way people watch the exhibition. Many people first see the work from a feet behind. Then, moved to closer distance like 10 inch. After that, they moved 3 steps back to capture the whole view. Just 3 steps, no less and no more. This point was the best interest in the whole exhibition personally.

2010
01/12
カテゴリー
Japan
Museum
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A New Burger @ McDonald’s

Today McDonald launched a new burger: American burgers. This is limited offer, and starts from New York, Texas, California etc.

The first one, New York Burger is everywhere in the town for promotion, and huge lines in every shops. I cannot wait to taste this soon!!!

2010
01/08
カテゴリー
Food
Japan
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