Erika Sawajiri Movies
- 2007
An intimate journal serves as the nexus between two otherwise disconnected lives in Isao Yukisada's romantic drama Kurosudo Nooto. As the story opens, co-ed Kae (Erika Sawajiri) - who is undergoing training to become a teacher - moves into a new flat and happens upon a strange diary, stored in a compartment in the room. Upon reading it, she discovers that it belonged to Ibuki (Yukio Takeuchi), the previous tenant and also a nascent teacher, employed at a local primary school. As this occurs, Ibuki's story is told in flashback; we see that she consistently inspired all of her students (with the exception of one boy, who couldn't be helped), and meanwhile pined for a gentleman she knew in college, named Takashi. Because this story is visually filtered through Kae's imagination as she reads, she instinctively pictures Takashi as screen idol Tetsuji Tanaka (who, conveniently, plays the part). Meanwhile, events from Kae's life unfold; using a job in a fountain pen shop to pay for her education, she begins to romantically yearn for a quirky artist, Ryu (Yusuki Iseya), even as she spurns the inappropriate advances of her girlfriend's beau. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Starring:
- Erika Sawajiri, Yusuke Iseya, (more)
- 2006
Two nerdy brothers living together in downtown Tokyo and laboring in menial nine-to-five jobs decided to kick-start their flat-lining love lives by inviting both girls they know to a "curry party" in director Yoshimitsu Morita's romantic urban comedy. Akinobu and Tetsunobu Mamiya have lived together for over three decades, and not a day goes by when they aren't keeping score during televised baseball games or working together to solve the latest crossword puzzle. Despite the happiness that they find in one and other's company, however, both Akinobu and Tetsunobo are in dire need of some female companionship. Inviting the only two girls they know to an upcoming "curry party" designed to bolster their failing love lives, the brothers are surprised when their invitations are readily accepted; even more surprisingly, the hastily organized soiree is an unmitigated success. Later, as casual romance leads to serious relationships, the brothers are forced to face the fact that they may not be quite ready to cease having fun and commit to true love. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kuranosuke Sasaki, Muga Tsukaji, (more)
A brainy teen whose impressive intellect sets her apart from the pack embarks on a desperate search for her missing sister in first-time director Takeshi Furusawa's atmospheric frightener. Nana's sister Noriko has gone missing after discovering what appeared to be a "lost" railway pass. When Nana discovers that another area teen had recently disappeared after making a similar discovery, the concerned girl recruits a classmate with a mysterious bracelet and a recently suspended train conductor to aid her investigation. As rumors of spectral figures on the tracks begin to proliferate, the curious trio discovers a cavernous passageway housing a dark and terrifying secret. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Shun Oguri, Erika Sawajiri, (more)
