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dangermousieThis post is all about Takeshi Kaneshiro (or if you are Japanese, I guess it's Kaneshiro Takeshi). Whatever.
Basically, if you can't stand him, I suggest you skip it. Of course, that would also mean something is horrendously wrong with your taste, but that's another matter. The reason for the post? Other than TK's sheer gorgeousness, that is? I just found out (and am full of glee on the matter) that his next movie is with Tony Leung and the Infernal Affairs team! *insert scream here* It's going to be called Confession of Pain and is a police investigation movie. I am ECSTATIC.
And in 'honor' of this (or actually just because I need an excuse), I bring you a huge TK picspam. Huge. What, did you think I was watching Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake for the plot? If by plot you mean "angsty Takeshi," you'd be correct. I used to wonder who I think is the hottest dorama actor and was in a dilemma between a number of candidates until I realized he was in doramas and the problem was solved :P Oh, and I finally got my hands on Lavender.
Two shots from KMSD:
Quirky Kaneshiro
by Sue Kwok and BBC, June 1 2006
Star Online - China Entertainment
Takeshi Kaneshiro, top Taiwanese movie star, is one hot man in demand. As one of Asian cinema's fastest rising superstars, even Hollywood wants him. The talented half Chinese-half Japanese actor has been offered many roles in the past but has turned down a good number of them. And it's not about arrogance either, it's about self respect.
"Looking at the roles I was given, I didn't want to be typecast. As a Chinese mafia, kung fu master...I wasn't interested. I'll try any kind of movie, not just because of its budget. A big budget doesn't mean it'll be a good movie. So if the story's got substance or the character's interesting enough to make you want to collaborate on it, then I would take the opportunity with gratitude. But I don't think Asians get offered very substantial roles in Hollywood. I'm not really aiming at moving into that area." A greater concern, though, is the threat of losing his artistic freedom. "I've done movies where action and war scenes were required before but I believe they went much deeper than people fighting. They had artisitic value or simply meant something to me personally...some had historical value and that's important. But to be honest, I don't like action films as much as most other types. Normally there isn't enough room for real substance. Sometimes making a film that you think is light and fun is great too. I've had my share of those before." But as always, his challenge is to test the boundaries of his craft, making each role fresh and unexpected. "A melody can be made with only a few notes, right? In acting, it's the same," says Kaneshiro. "There are only a limited number of characters and a limited number of ways to play them."
His latest role was in the Peter Chan film "Perhaps Love", a musical, which Takeshi said was "an amazingly colorful and vibrant film" which he is "so proud to be part of". It was also the first Chinese musical film in 30 years. Kaneshiro was also a previous coverface for TIME Asia magazine. It was said that when Johnny To signed on to direct the wistfully romantic "Turn Left Turn Right", the Hong Kong filmmaker knew exactly whom he wanted to play the male lead. In the illustrated novel by Jimmy Liao, from which the new movie is adapted, the protagonist is so estranged from society that he's depicted floating above the city, like a melancholy blimp. When you want someone who practically oozes that kind of ethereal alienation, whom are you going to call? Answer: Takeshi Kaneshiro. Thanks to his protean good looks and versatile acting skills, he has become the Asian film industry's Johnny Depp-a quirky, unpredictable leading man capable of seducing audiences no matter how dark or oddball the role. And not surprisingly, Depp is one of his favorite actors. Kaneshiro is "mysterious," says To. "He doesn't belong to Hong Kong, Taiwan or anywhere." Indeed, in his eclectic 10-year career, Kaneshiro has made films in four countries, training his chameleon-like talents on a remarkable array of characters. In Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai's "Fallen Angels", he played a mute who rode the carcass of a pig like a cowboy. He was a bowling-addicted stockbroker in the tv series "Golden Bowl". "I don't let myself follow in anyone else's footsteps," says Kaneshiro. "Let other people do what has been done before. All I want is to do something special." Regarded as one of his more 'normal' films, "House of the Flying Daggers" was nominated for the best foreign-language film Oscar, and brought him to the attention of Hollywood. The offers came flooding in from American film studios yet still no sign of a future blockbuster.
But avid fans are still hoping and there has even been rumors that he is in talks with an upcoming Hollywood film. Kaneshiro can speak English fairly well for someone who was born and bred in Taiwan, despite his denials. "I'm not very fluent at all," he tells us. "I have mind blocks every now and then trying to think of a word to fill in my sentences". Kaneshiro is quite modest of his lingual capabilities, especially considering that he speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese Hokkien (another Chinese dialect) and Japanese fluently!
Then there's the subject of his intimate relationships; something all female fans want to hear about. Whenever he appears in public, he is always mobbed by his fans. But in reality, Takeshi Kaneshiro is an introverted character, who prefers to stay out of the public eye. And he does for the most part. There are rarely any rumors about him because of how he keeps such a low profile. This man stays at home for most of his spare time. Or travels. When you hear about him, it's likely to be at a premiere, making a new film or magazine photoshoot. But keeping a low profile has its cost too when you're a megastar like Kaneshiro, rumors plagued him that he was 'gay' because of the absence of any news regarding him and girlfriends. What does he think of this? "No comment...there were even rumors about a supposed marriage" he says, breaking into a smile. With mysterious good looks and dreamy eyes, it comes as a shock for many that Kaneshiro, voted number 1 most beautiful man in countless magazines, is anything but a playboy.
On another note, Maggie Q, hot and rising HK movie star/model from Mission Impossible 3 had come first in a number of HK polls as the sexiest starlet. She's every male's dream and once stated that Takeshi is her ideal man during an exclusive premiere in the UK. But is she his? He laughs nervously. We continue to probe him. "I don't know...I don't know her personally...I never thought about her." But what does he think about her as a potential girlfriend? "Well I've only known of her recently because of that new Tom Cruise movie that we hear about so often..so there's not much I can say...she's probably not my type." Does he know that she's a model we ask. "Models aren't my thing," he laughs, "I prefer a woman that isn't part of the limelight too. It's very hypocritical for me to say this because of my own career, but I have a preference for people that aren't in this business. They don't have this hunger for fame or popularity and I love that. Modest girls, family girls, someone reserved and doesn't sell their body for the media. I don't like party girls either. Sometimes a woman that is too Westernised isn't good for me too...I don't understand them and they won't understand me. I'm kind of traditional in that way and I like traditional women." But he can't deny Q's beauty, can he? "Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say right? I think my opinion is probably different to most men".
Well Q or not, Hollywood or not, Takeshi Kaneshiro is one man that can go nowhere but higher. But still...we're crossing our fingers.
Basically, if you can't stand him, I suggest you skip it. Of course, that would also mean something is horrendously wrong with your taste, but that's another matter. The reason for the post? Other than TK's sheer gorgeousness, that is? I just found out (and am full of glee on the matter) that his next movie is with Tony Leung and the Infernal Affairs team! *insert scream here* It's going to be called Confession of Pain and is a police investigation movie. I am ECSTATIC.
And in 'honor' of this (or actually just because I need an excuse), I bring you a huge TK picspam. Huge. What, did you think I was watching Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake for the plot? If by plot you mean "angsty Takeshi," you'd be correct. I used to wonder who I think is the hottest dorama actor and was in a dilemma between a number of candidates until I realized he was in doramas and the problem was solved :P Oh, and I finally got my hands on Lavender.
Two shots from KMSD:
Quirky Kaneshiro
by Sue Kwok and BBC, June 1 2006
Star Online - China Entertainment
Takeshi Kaneshiro, top Taiwanese movie star, is one hot man in demand. As one of Asian cinema's fastest rising superstars, even Hollywood wants him. The talented half Chinese-half Japanese actor has been offered many roles in the past but has turned down a good number of them. And it's not about arrogance either, it's about self respect.
"Looking at the roles I was given, I didn't want to be typecast. As a Chinese mafia, kung fu master...I wasn't interested. I'll try any kind of movie, not just because of its budget. A big budget doesn't mean it'll be a good movie. So if the story's got substance or the character's interesting enough to make you want to collaborate on it, then I would take the opportunity with gratitude. But I don't think Asians get offered very substantial roles in Hollywood. I'm not really aiming at moving into that area." A greater concern, though, is the threat of losing his artistic freedom. "I've done movies where action and war scenes were required before but I believe they went much deeper than people fighting. They had artisitic value or simply meant something to me personally...some had historical value and that's important. But to be honest, I don't like action films as much as most other types. Normally there isn't enough room for real substance. Sometimes making a film that you think is light and fun is great too. I've had my share of those before." But as always, his challenge is to test the boundaries of his craft, making each role fresh and unexpected. "A melody can be made with only a few notes, right? In acting, it's the same," says Kaneshiro. "There are only a limited number of characters and a limited number of ways to play them."
His latest role was in the Peter Chan film "Perhaps Love", a musical, which Takeshi said was "an amazingly colorful and vibrant film" which he is "so proud to be part of". It was also the first Chinese musical film in 30 years. Kaneshiro was also a previous coverface for TIME Asia magazine. It was said that when Johnny To signed on to direct the wistfully romantic "Turn Left Turn Right", the Hong Kong filmmaker knew exactly whom he wanted to play the male lead. In the illustrated novel by Jimmy Liao, from which the new movie is adapted, the protagonist is so estranged from society that he's depicted floating above the city, like a melancholy blimp. When you want someone who practically oozes that kind of ethereal alienation, whom are you going to call? Answer: Takeshi Kaneshiro. Thanks to his protean good looks and versatile acting skills, he has become the Asian film industry's Johnny Depp-a quirky, unpredictable leading man capable of seducing audiences no matter how dark or oddball the role. And not surprisingly, Depp is one of his favorite actors. Kaneshiro is "mysterious," says To. "He doesn't belong to Hong Kong, Taiwan or anywhere." Indeed, in his eclectic 10-year career, Kaneshiro has made films in four countries, training his chameleon-like talents on a remarkable array of characters. In Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai's "Fallen Angels", he played a mute who rode the carcass of a pig like a cowboy. He was a bowling-addicted stockbroker in the tv series "Golden Bowl". "I don't let myself follow in anyone else's footsteps," says Kaneshiro. "Let other people do what has been done before. All I want is to do something special." Regarded as one of his more 'normal' films, "House of the Flying Daggers" was nominated for the best foreign-language film Oscar, and brought him to the attention of Hollywood. The offers came flooding in from American film studios yet still no sign of a future blockbuster.
But avid fans are still hoping and there has even been rumors that he is in talks with an upcoming Hollywood film. Kaneshiro can speak English fairly well for someone who was born and bred in Taiwan, despite his denials. "I'm not very fluent at all," he tells us. "I have mind blocks every now and then trying to think of a word to fill in my sentences". Kaneshiro is quite modest of his lingual capabilities, especially considering that he speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, Taiwanese Hokkien (another Chinese dialect) and Japanese fluently!
Then there's the subject of his intimate relationships; something all female fans want to hear about. Whenever he appears in public, he is always mobbed by his fans. But in reality, Takeshi Kaneshiro is an introverted character, who prefers to stay out of the public eye. And he does for the most part. There are rarely any rumors about him because of how he keeps such a low profile. This man stays at home for most of his spare time. Or travels. When you hear about him, it's likely to be at a premiere, making a new film or magazine photoshoot. But keeping a low profile has its cost too when you're a megastar like Kaneshiro, rumors plagued him that he was 'gay' because of the absence of any news regarding him and girlfriends. What does he think of this? "No comment...there were even rumors about a supposed marriage" he says, breaking into a smile. With mysterious good looks and dreamy eyes, it comes as a shock for many that Kaneshiro, voted number 1 most beautiful man in countless magazines, is anything but a playboy.
On another note, Maggie Q, hot and rising HK movie star/model from Mission Impossible 3 had come first in a number of HK polls as the sexiest starlet. She's every male's dream and once stated that Takeshi is her ideal man during an exclusive premiere in the UK. But is she his? He laughs nervously. We continue to probe him. "I don't know...I don't know her personally...I never thought about her." But what does he think about her as a potential girlfriend? "Well I've only known of her recently because of that new Tom Cruise movie that we hear about so often..so there's not much I can say...she's probably not my type." Does he know that she's a model we ask. "Models aren't my thing," he laughs, "I prefer a woman that isn't part of the limelight too. It's very hypocritical for me to say this because of my own career, but I have a preference for people that aren't in this business. They don't have this hunger for fame or popularity and I love that. Modest girls, family girls, someone reserved and doesn't sell their body for the media. I don't like party girls either. Sometimes a woman that is too Westernised isn't good for me too...I don't understand them and they won't understand me. I'm kind of traditional in that way and I like traditional women." But he can't deny Q's beauty, can he? "Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say right? I think my opinion is probably different to most men".
Well Q or not, Hollywood or not, Takeshi Kaneshiro is one man that can go nowhere but higher. But still...we're crossing our fingers.
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no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:03 pm (UTC)I still haven't seen him in anything but "House of Flying Daggers". Must remedy that!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:07 pm (UTC)If you like arthouse, I rec Wong Kar-Wai's "Chungking Express." It's very off-beat but gorgeous. If you want some funny adorable romantic movie, I'd rec "Turn left, Turn right" which is one of the most delicious adorable movies ever. If you want a musical, "Perhaps Love" is totally stunning. There is also "The Returner" which is about as profound or subtle as a brick and has no romance or pretty filters, but has a lot of guns and Takeshi in leather killing things.
If you don't mind something longer, "Kamisama Mou Sukoshi Dake" is a 9 hour romantic angst fest that is currently eating my life.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:46 pm (UTC)I'm usually open to anything but I'm not sure if our small town video stores carry any of those. I'll keep my eyes open, though!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:19 pm (UTC)I have Lavendar at home waiting for me to find the time...and I look forward to all his projects! He needs a new dorama!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 10:14 pm (UTC)An angel as a dance for money person? I am sold. He must have made a bundle with the dance skills :P
Entertaining on a lot of levels, m'dear.
Indeed...
no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 02:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:39 pm (UTC)Heee, icon!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:34 pm (UTC)My love for him know no bounds. I even subjected myself to 12 hours of a drama about bowling, for chrissake, just for him.
Also, I heard from one of my sister's friends that he was in LA recently, taking a few classes at UCLA to work on his English, but, uh, word apparently traveled pretty fast among the Asian-American female student population, so...yeah, Takeshi's taking courses by correspondence now, methinks.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:38 pm (UTC)ROFL. Now I have an image of him in a trenchcoat and dark glasses, trying to hide 'round the corners of buildings :P
I have to admit, even though I have no stalkerish tendencies, if I saw him in a class I was taking, I'd faint :P
Re: Golden Bowl. Is it any good? I really really am bored by bowling but I really really like Takeshi. Ah, the dilemma!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 09:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 10:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 10:35 pm (UTC)Isn't he too beautiful to be a human?
I have "Golden Bowl" somewhere. I feel like watching it RIGHT NOW!!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 10:42 pm (UTC)Heeee. I hope not because he needs to spread those genes :P
Re: Golden Bowl. I think you should watch KMSD instead. it's angsty, but it's melodrama angst so it won't make you miserable but instead just feel delish...
no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 10:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 11:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-11 11:47 pm (UTC)oh dear god the pictures. he can sew my buttons anytime :D :D :D
modest girls, family girls, someone reserved and doesn't sell their body for the media. I don't like party girls either.
*raises hands* ME ME ME!!!! :P
no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 02:52 am (UTC)Heeeee. *has image of all the non-famous girls beating his doors down*
no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 07:09 am (UTC)no idea if i'm reserved but i think am conservative.... AND I'M A FAMILY GIRL. bwahahahaa!ohh i better wake up now. *lol*
TK - movie rec
Date: 2006-10-12 12:37 am (UTC)I didn't see anyone mention Lost and Found - one of my favorite TK movies! He plays such an endearing character. (He is different in every role, isn't he!)
Re: TK - movie rec
Date: 2006-10-12 02:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 12:40 am (UTC)Give us some info on him, I"m intrigued!
no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 02:49 am (UTC)He is a really varied actor and usually plays off-beat characters in off-beat movies.
Let's see, what else. He was born in 1973 and speaks four languages: Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese and English. He is also very private and almost nothing is known about his personal life (some article was making fun of tabloids that one week would publish that he is marrying a month-pregnant secret gf and the next that he is hitting the gay bars).
Here is a three-part CNN interview with him from last year. He speaks English very well and sounds very intelligent. I swoon like a mad woman :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wac1QrdZ3XY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ca5eTJSP7s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCIn4kwbe7M
no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 02:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 02:50 am (UTC)And yeah, he's amazing.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 02:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 03:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 07:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 03:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-12 11:17 pm (UTC)Lavender, on the other hand, was a sweet film about an angel who falls to Earth and tried to help a grieving woman find happiness again. TK looks very young and very pretty in it. I liked it.