A Tale of Two Dramas...and a preview...

[dvampyrlestat]

Pimpin' yet again.

MAOU Ep4 Hardsubs. You know you want to...

Toma's Scoop: TOKIO. This guy is so loved by his senpais. You can tell.

Again, image-heavy. Click images for hi-res view.



You either have to be really twisted or totally consumed with anger to attend the funeral of two people whose deaths you so cunningly orchestrated.



But then again, the stirrings of that anger already appeared in that one encounter between the younger Naruse (Tomoo) and Eisaku, Naoto's father.




This scene was so nicely done, and I am thankful there was none of that 'standing in the rain' treatment. That would've been so cheesy. 

You can feel the young Tomoo's anger, and I wondered if this was his last verbal expression of his hatred, because what he turns into - Naruse - was now contained, very much in control.





Some people are actually surprised at the Naruse-Shiori chemistry. I'm not. 

For one, the characters called for a bond between the two. In an earlier ep, Shiori made a note of them being something like kindred spirits. 

Two, the two actors have natural chemistry. You can't deny that. But what surprises me above all else is that they can actually sustain such chemistry. And for sure it'll escalate. Which I look forward to.

And this look has seemed to become Naoto's "when-I-see-that-angelic-lawyer" look.



Did he ever ask for forgiveness? Did he ever say sorry? 



In this scene, he was not apologizing for almost running over someone, or for scaring Shiori. His thoughts still lingered on his juvenile crime, and I think this is the first time he openly expresses any sort of repentance.

A new reporter. I gotta hand it over to this actor. He embodies "sleazy" so well he only had to grin to look it.





You can practically see the wheels in his mind turning. 



Let me talk about the dialogue.

Syd Field would be so proud. And it doesn't matter that he might not understand one whit of Nihonggo.

The dialogue of this drama is rich with double entendres. At face value, they can be everyday talk, but as the audience -- armed with the knowledge of the motivations of these men, Naruse in particular --  the true meaning of his words are not lost on us. 

This drama does not mince on words. Notice that there are no unnecessary dialogue, each line helps move the story along. Using dialogue to move a story is probably one of the nightmares of every scriptwriter.

Flashbacks are a main tool used in this drama, which, IMO, is the best - and only - way to go about it. Using expositions would have been awkward, as in most cases that they are used in films or dramas. 

I only have a problem with how often they had to use the same flashback over and over. To drive in the gravity of Naoto's past misdeed? We get that already. I won't be surprised if I see the same flashback of the stabbing in the next ep.







Ok. This scene creeped me out, and for a brief moment I thought I was transported to a viewing of some horror flick. FYI, I don't like the horror genre very much. I'd pick twisted human psychology ANYTIME.



Here's my take: As in the last sequence in Ep3, I saw Naruse as some sort of an all-seeing, all-knowing puppeteer. This shot simply drives that in. Without alluding to any Masonic concept of All-Seeing Eyes, I'd say Naruse here represents that eye. More than seeing everything, he oversees, he controls, he manipulates. And Yamano's back being turned against its glare is letting us see how he is totally unaware, unwitting that he is being used.

Somehow I still cannot forgive this Yamano guy for 'using' Sora.

The references are glaring. Faust. Dante's The Divine Comedy. The Gates of Hell is now fully used.



I'm kinda relieved they did not use 666 as the number of that locker-like thingy Shiori saw in her visions. :D

I want Naoto totally guilty. I want to see him completely helpless. More than he is right now. It'll make Toma shine even more.

From what I hear, Episode 5 will give Toma shining moments. I look forward to that.



A sign of things to come.







OK. Who else is starting to ship Ohno and Yuuka?

 
I am patient. So I waited for the hardsubs of this one. By SBK. :) Hardsubs are up to ep2 still...

This is funny. But what I liked about it is that beneath the humor and the crack, it has a heart. :)

Maybe it's just hitting me that way coz I am an only child and whenever I was asked what I wanted for a sibling, I always say "an older brother", which is an impossibility.

Tabe Mikako-chan is at it again. Pining over a JE boy. LOLZ!





No complaints with her performance. I mean, I think she perfected that character stereotype in YamaTaro already, and in that one she was with Nino and Sho, so I'd guess she had a lot of practice.

I haven't seen Mabo in any other drama before...well, 'cept for his role in Marathon. After this, I just might check his earlier works. I wonder what's good.





Plus, I think this kind of drama calls for nothing but over-the-top performance. They HAVE to exaggerate, they have to OVERACT to make this drama work. I find it rather cute.





And I see her again! That little girl! (I ought to research her real name. Seriously.) She made me cry countless times as Shingo's daughter in Bara No Nai Hanaya....I was pleased to see her again here, albeit in brief flashbacks only.



Tacchon...ACT, damnit! :)



But there are still 8 eps to go, and really, in the first two eps, I think he really has to do nothing but be attractive in Yasuko's eyes. I have high hopes still.

 
I want my TRUTH DVD NOW!!!!!!!



It's just the preview. Sheesh.



Ohno sings in Naruse Ryou mode. *sigh*







You already know how I adore these three, right? 



...but you wouldn't catch Domyouji sporting this look. No wonder Arashi said Domyouji has better sense of style of MatsuJun. Aherm. Still, adorkable.



I repeat. I want the single and DVD now.
 
Damn. In this interview Ohno says he likes Bon Jovi. Holy....!!! I love the guy!!!!!!!

In RL, gotta run, drop my Prisonbreak box sets over at my pal's (I'm looking to make her a Scofield-convert), then go to the supermarket to stock up on stuff. For the first time in six weeks, I won't go to work on a Saturday. Will come back later to watch Maou ep5, catch up on Iljimae and finish Moonlight. Ah yes. Today, ladies and gents, will be my SATURateDAY. (Unless, I get THE CALL and go off to watch The Mummy 3 instead. Which is highly likely. Oh well. Jet Li? Michelle Yeoh? Brendan Fraser? John Hannah? No complaints!)

Comments

[harajunko86.livejournal.com]

The only other drama that I have seen that Mabo guy act is YAOH. It is about the rankings of being a host in a red light district. Not a bad series... ^ ^;

Ohno is so cool! I love the 'eye' part too! It was so freaky and I even had goosebumps! *shivers*

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

YAOH?
Hmmm...how would you equate that? Or rate it....?
Like....out of 5 stars, 5 being the highest....XDDD I'm so picky!

Goosebumps would be overstating it. Haha! I went, "WHOA!" when it came on the screen.

[harajunko86.livejournal.com]

Hmm... I would rate it 3. XD Neither here nor there. Hahaha... I watched it out of boredom.

[coathangerwings.livejournal.com]

You either have to be really twisted or totally consumed with anger to attend the funeral of two people whose deaths you so cunningly orchestrated.

Angelic lawyer can haz balls! ;D

Pretty please tell me where to download subbed Yasuko to Kenji?? Matsuoka is one of my favorite JE sempais. =)

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

Fiery ballz!

The hardsubs of Yasuko to Kenji...i downloaded from the ourhour comm. I think they are also posted at asian_doramas comm...not yet sure at jdramas, though....

Ahhh.....from the TOKIO stuff TFS is working on, I am learning a lot about TOKIO, and Mabo does sound like a not-boring guy. lolz. And from talks among Arashi and other kouhais, it seems he's the senpai who hangs around a lot with them. :)

[coathangerwings.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's what I hear, too. He kicked Aiba in the butt during a karaoke session...! And it's dear Oh-chan's fault, heehee.

Thank you so much! I have a thing for sexy drummer boys. Here's a little gift for you. Topless Matsu-niisan! *___*

random

[coathangerwings.livejournal.com]

And... do you remember that AnS ep with Inocchi and the ex-Exile guy as guests? Innochi was telling everybody about an incident where Kimutaku complimented him on the width of his bellbottoms and Matsuoka butted in the conversation, making yabang that his bellbottoms are even wider, LOL!

[litany-sh.livejournal.com]

Who else is starting to ship Ohno and Yuuka?
MEMEME!!
(Yuuka is so cheery and cute <3)

XD, sry, love your caps!

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

Oh! Our breed is growing! haha!!

Yeah, Ohno would be great with someone who is bubbly. And it's a plus that Yuuka seems mature, but can also be playful. :)

[all4cyanide.livejournal.com]

This drama is so crazy awesome. It leaves me on the edge of my seat. I really can't wait to see what is going to happen at the end. I'm so torn between who I want to prevail...ugh. It keeps me awake. Okay maybe not that much...but truly...I don't know who to root for. Do you? I could have my Arashi bias prevail in this situation...

Ohno and Yuuka is LOVE! So adorable!

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

Exactly. In this drama, you really cannot fully separate who is the antagonist and the protagonist. They are both too flawed. I love it. :)

Do I know who to root for? Goodness. I am huge on Arashi. And huge on Toma. (which explains why I belong to two fansub teams devoted to these two. XDD) But...twist my arm, and if I let bias take over....I'd go "Riidaaa!!"

[loissama.livejournal.com]

why they have to show the eye?? it's scary and it's not a horror film. i'm shocked seeing those eye!!
and the story is getting more interesting, naruse's real name is exposed...

and jun, of course adorkable...he's something, isn't he?? i think he has lots of that same glasses...

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

Scared the hell out of me, that eye. And I was watching the ep at night, too. Alone. In front of the comp. *shudders*

i wonder what Tomoo did to the real Ryou. I hope nothing bad.

and I have a feeling that the real Ryou's oneesan KNOWS.

Ah. Jun. I love how extreme he can be....:)

[twistedhalo04.livejournal.com]

Skipped through the top part of the entry as I am behind in watching Maou.

YtK... how I love YtK. Even if I watch it without subs it cracks me up. Still haven't gotten around to downloading the subbed episode 2 *le sigh*

Tacchon...ACT, damnit! :)

LOL. Yes I forgive him for being pretty. haha But really Tabe Mikako needs to be issued a restraining order. Stay away from my JE boys. hahaha

*claws for Truth pv*

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

I am so patting myself on the back for being patient in awaiting for the YtK hardsubs. XDD

Tabe-chan is totally targeting you. Haha! She's after YOUR two top guys!

[waku-waku.livejournal.com]

I love how the Naruse-Shiori moments take you in away from how dark the drama is. They look cute together. Though I am a bit sure that, that is not what Maou is aiming for, it makes you feel like he is (still) human after all. <3

I hear that Y to K is funny and heartwarming as well. I wanna watch it!

oh, I hate scary movies. Sixth Sense had me all traumatized so I never watched horror after I saw it in 1996?

Truth= random flashes of images at certain parts of the song, which make you pay super close attention to it. and orchestra.. <3

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

Exactly. Despite Shiori's gifts, she's like the WHITE in this drama filled with DARK characters. Like, she's the light or something. Her innocence is rubbing off on Naruse. haha. I wish Ohno and Kobayashi do a promotion together. *sigh*

For some reason, Sixth Sense ranks high on my list. Maybe because they did not show much scare, instead they just showed glimpses here and there...? And the twist at the end really threw me, so I loved it. But when it comes to films like Ring, The Eye, Saw or anything along those lines, you won't make me go see it.

Truth. Angst, baby. Major angst.

[perfectlyimperfect]

OK. Who else is starting to ship Ohno and Yuuka?
*sheepishly raises hand*

How great is it that we actually learned about the Gates of Hell sculpture this week? (We have an art appreciation class :P) Ah I love all the knowledge Maou brings forth. :D

I think that's what makes Maou unique. I've always loved series/dramas that make you wonder, not only because of what's happening but also because of the dialogue itself. Double entendres ftw.

Truth PV!! I want to see it so badly now, especially with the much talked about choreography and angst.

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

Wow. The breed is really growing....!

In short, you mean dramas that make you think, period. :) Like, not everything is to be taken at face value. :) Mindless crack is good (I loved HanaKimi) but once in a while, we need some mind stimulation, eh?

The choreography. Oh boy...Ohno had some hand in the choreography, I hear. I can't wait to see it in its entirety....

[tomokaku.livejournal.com]

The Mummy 3.. it still makes me sad no Rachel Weisz T^T

But Jet Li & Michelle Yeoh! Whooot <3

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

Yes. MAJOR SAD. I had high hopes, but....

They totally kicked major arse. :D

[yuckie-chan.livejournal.com]

I WANT TO COMPLAINT WHY THE HELL THE PV HASN'T OUT NOW HBASJHBSHJABSANLSNALSMKAMSAS *can't be patient anymore*

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

Haha!!! Me, too. :)
CDJapan sent this notification about the release of the single being forwarded from September to August 17 instead and I was hoping it's 'cause they'll release it sooner....it gets exhausting, opening the Friends Page and hoping to see the PV released already. XDDD

[silgari.livejournal.com]

Good review of Maou! I feel the same way with THE EYE. It creeped me out to.. just like in Big Brother, the eye that sees everything and controls everything or like in George Orwell's book 1984. Funny you mention Faust, I saw the opera 2 weeks ago and Faust is just like Naruse, they sold their soul to get what they want. Naruse revenge, Faust youth.

Adding Yasuko to Kenji to the list of doramas to watch.. and Matsuoka Masahiro is a hottie.. i have a thing for drummers.. they are so sexy! And yes... the girl from Bara No Nai Hanaya.. made me cry too. Japanese child actors are good.

Hahaha Ohno likes Bon Jovi? Hahaha... I went trought that phase myself..

[dvampyrlestat.livejournal.com]

I did feel like the story has that Orwellian feel to it. Hell, I won't be surprised if something along the way, a reference to 1984 would pop out. Haha!

Yasuko to Kenji is like a welcome reprieve from Maou overdose, know what I mean? After an ep of Maou, I'd feel drained (wonderfully so) and YtK is quite a good diversion...before rewatching Maou. harhar!

HE SAID SO!!!! I guess that's another answer to the question we had about them liking Western music. :) yay. I'm still a Bon Jovi fan, though I gotta say I like their earlier songs better. :)