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December 31, 2024
 

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George Hadley-Garcia
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 7, 2017
When Rey met Luke: The saga continues in 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'
It has been two years since I last sat down to speak with Daisy Ridley, the heroine in a new generation of "Star Wars" films. A lot has changed since then.
CULTURE / Film
Oct 26, 2017
Harrison Ford goes back to the future for 'Blade Runner 2049'
Harrison Ford admits he is about to spout a cliche, but goes for it anyway: "It really doesn't feel like 35 years since 'Blade Runner,'" he says with a sheepish grin.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 23, 2017
A 'gamble' on a woman-centered blockbuster pays off in 'Wonder Woman'
Director Patty Jenkins has been the talk of Tinseltown lately as the woman behind "Wonder Woman," a Warner Bros./DC Comics blockbuster that has already broken a few records at the box office. It's a triumphant comeback for a director whose last big film was the 2003 film "Monster," which won lead star...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jul 4, 2017
Johnny Depp finds nothing but smooth sailing with Japanese fans of 'Pirates of the Caribbean'
While the return of the "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise has gotten mixed reviews from critics overseas, it's bound to be a hit in Japan for two reasons: Johnny Depp and Paul McCartney.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
May 3, 2017
Disney modernizes a tale as old as time with live-action 'Beauty and the Beast'
It's a common complaint: "Hollywood doesn't have any new ideas," and it's evident in the reimaginings of everything from "Annie" to "A Nightmare on Elm Street."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 23, 2017
Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone hope to dance their way to Oscars glory in 'La La Land'
It's Hollywood's weekend. The 89th Academy Awards will be held Feb. 26 and nominated for a record 14 Oscars is a musical ode to the award's hometown titled "La La Land."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 10, 2017
Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton bring their unique talents to the characters of 'Doctor Strange'
Chris Evans, Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth — all of them look like naturals when it comes to playing superheroes. Benedict Cumberbatch? Not as much. Though audiences love him as the new Sherlock Holmes, that iconic role has never been described as a superhero.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 15, 2016
'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' takes some cues from a galaxy not so far away
By the time you read this, the hype will have already begun. Dec. 16 marks the day "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" starts showing in cinemas around the world. Promotional campaigns began in Japan weeks ago.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 8, 2016
Meryl Streep pipes up on doing what you love
One of the best lines uttered in Stephen Frears' film "Florence Foster Jenkins" comes from Meryl Streep in the role of Florence — which the actress gracefully repeats for me during her interview for The Japan Times.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Aug 11, 2016
Wanted: Four women to save the world
In 1989, "Ghostbusters II" was released in theaters where it did well in terms of profit, less so in terms of critical response. Reviews didn't matter, though — the original 1984 film was so popular that fans couldn't wait to see a third sequel.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Apr 21, 2016
Pain pays off for Leonardo DiCaprio and Alejandro G. Inarritu in 'The Revenant'
Norwegian painter Edvard Munch once said, "Art comes from joy and pain ... but mostly from pain." It's a sentiment that Leonardo DiCaprio knows well.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 11, 2016
Entering the mind of an icon in 'Steve Jobs'
With roles in films such as "300," "Inglourious Basterds" and the "X-Men" series, Michael Fassbender, 38, is no stranger to action.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Feb 4, 2016
Welcome to Mars. Population: 1
As kids, many of us have experienced the fear of being left behind. Lost in a supermarket, panicking as your parents get too far ahead of you during a walk in the park ... now imagine being left on an entirely different planet.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 17, 2015
Two generations of 'Star Wars' heroes come together in 'The Force Awakens'
It all started a long time ago (1977 to be precise) in a galaxy far, far away — er, Hollywood. Six films and billions of dollars in merchandising later, the world awaits the arrival of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Dec 3, 2015
James Bond deals with some old ghosts in 'Spectre'
It has been a long time since the world of "Bond, James Bond" has included global gang of evil-doers SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion) — an organization that, early on, produced so many formidable foes.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Nov 26, 2015
Jennifer Lawrence, Natalie Dormer and Gwendoline Christie laud the heroic women of 'The Hunger Games' saga
At the London premiere of "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 2," actress Natalie Dormer, who plays Cressida in the film, received quite the surprise when she was accidentally kissed on the mouth by costar Jennifer Lawrence. The Internet went nuts.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Sep 10, 2015
Paul Rudd becomes an accidental hero in 'Ant-Man'
When Paul Rudd landed the role of diminutive Marvel Comics superhero Ant-Man, the reaction of most of his friends was disbelief. There were some chuckles, too.
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 25, 2015
Julianne Moore takes on a role that her peers would avoid in 'Still Alice'
Julianne Moore says she was surprised to learn that people in some parts of the world have mistaken "Still Alice," her film about Alzheimer's disease, as "science fiction" and even "horror-comedy."
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Jun 11, 2015
'Mockingjay' rises toward a revolution
Today's Hollywood is great at catering to the superfan. Whether it's the dedicated following that supports (or argues over) TV shows like "Game of Thrones," "True Blood" or "The Walking Dead," or the comic-book enthusiasts that salivate over every detail of a superhero flick like "Avengers: Age of Ultron,"...
Japan Times
CULTURE / Film
Mar 19, 2015
Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley and Graham Moore reflect on the complexities of Alan Turing
The story of Alan Turing and his role in breaking the Nazis' Enigma code in World War II has been told many times. But never has Britain's lauded mathematician been reincarnated as such a socially offensive, harsh and humorless character.
Ukraine risks losing all Russian land it seized within months, U.S. says
Ukrainian soldiers carry the coffins of three comrades killed in recent fighting in eastern Ukraine during their funeral in the western city of Lviv on Dec. 20.
Japanese Princess Kako turns 30
As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year.
South Korea's worst plane crash in decades leaves 179 dead
Rescue personnel are seen near the tail section of a Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 series aircraft after the plane crashed and burst into flames at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, on Sunday.
U.S. military coordination unit eyed in central Tokyo
A Self-Defense Forces soldier from a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missile unit takes part in a drill at Yokota Air Base in Fussa, western Tokyo, in August 2017.
South Korea orders air safety probe after worst-ever crash kills 179
Firefighters on Monday inspect the wreckage of a Jeju Air plane that crashed at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, a day earlier.
Japan news images of 2024: Upheaval, resilience and breakthroughs
A person walks down a street in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, in the days following a magnitude 7.6 earthquake, which struck off the coast of the Noto Peninsula on Jan. 1, 2024. More than 500 deaths have been attributed to the event, which was the worst quake since the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011.
Japan defense spending goals hit by inflation, weak yen and political uncertainty
Ground Self-Defense Force members conduct a military drill next to an anti-ship missile unit on Miyako Island in Okinawa Prefecture in April 2022.
Japan’s weather in 2024: Record temperatures hurt people’s health and wallets
People cover themselves with umbrellas during a hot summer day in Tokyo's Ginza district in August. Temperatures shot up in early July, even before the official end of the rainy season, and the high temperatures persisted well into the fall.
How Hokkaido quietly became a culinary treasure trove in 2024
The central Hokkaido city of Asahikawa made headlines this year when one of its suburbs was named as the best place to live in Japan — a ranking earned in part due to the community's many outstanding restaurants and cafes.
Bling-Bang, baby: The J-pop soundtrack of 2024
Hip-hop duo Creepy Nuts' uptempo “Bling-Bang-Bang-Born” quickly became a TikTok favorite after its release days into 2024, which helped turn the song into a Billboard Japan Hot 100 topper for 19 weeks before rising up viral streaming charts around the world.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Members of the Wajima City Morning Market Association pose for a group photograph on the site where the market once stood.
In the wake of disaster, the revival of Wajima's market brings hope
By Alex K.T. Martin

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