George Hadley-Garcia - The Japan Times

November 25, 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.

Japan Times

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.

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.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Totopa in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward was picked by consultants TTNE as the best sauna of the year.

Japan’s sauna movement: Relax, refresh, repeat

By Greg Dvorak

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s green new downtown ‘village’

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