Something Wicked This Way Comes

There's a whole bunch of new movies/dramas coming out this next 2 months. Some shows i want to highlight and will probably catch/buy:

Transformers Movie
There have been many takes on Optimus Prime since the original cartoon/comic design but by far this movie incarnation is the f'ugliest i've ever seen. I consider myself a decent Transformers fan and it pains me to see what they've made Prime into. Except for his head which is fairly recognisable, the rest of the body (flame art..*pukes*) looks like mechanized crap.

And i'm being very kind when i say that Prime's design is the most 'faithful' (in the loosest possible sense) to the original. The rest of the Autobots (Bumblebee, Jazz, Ironhide) are completely alien to me and the Decepticons (Megatron, Starscream) look like a bunch of shiny CG pipes twisted together.

I'll bite my tongue (for 5 seconds) if this turns out good. Unfortunately the "Transformers" branding alone is enough to make me line up like the idiot i am to watch it on opening day, June 28th (which happens to be the day before my birthday).

Hanazakari no Kimitachi e (official site, Tokyograph annoucement) (starring Horikita Maki, Shun Oguri etc)
The title might sound unfamiliar, but this is actually the Japanese version of the Taiwan drama 花樣少年少女 (starring Ella of S.H.E). Like Meteor Garden/Hana Yori Dango before, the original story is based off a Japanese manga of the same title (Hana Kimi for short). Being biased (and because Horikita Maki is starring in this), i will of course say that this will be much more faithful to the manga and better than the Taiwan version. Hopefully it's as good as Hana Yori Dango. No pics as of yet of this drama on Wiki or the official site. Air date is every Tuesday starting from July 3rd.

Sad Vacation (starring Miyazaki Aoi etc.)
Frankly i have no idea what this movie is about. I don't even know who are the leading actors/actress in it. What i do know is that Miyazaki Aoi will be starring in it, possibly in a non-leading role (i deduced this from the amount of shots of her from the website and the fact that her name gets 3rd billing on the credits; don't take my word for it). I'm willing to bet that this movie will never get shown in Singapore theatres, which means i probably have to import it if i want to complete my Aoi film collection.

NANA 2 (DVD) (Full Trailer)

Official release date for Japanese version is June 22nd. Can't wait to get my hands on a HK or local release of this. I know i badmouthed Ichikawa Yui before on taking Miyazaki Aoi's Hachi role but after not seeing her in any shows for so long i'm excited to see her act. I guess it's true that absence makes the heart grow fonder. And to be fair, it was not like she slept with anyone to get the role from Aoi. (Aoi rejected the role in NANA 2 herself due to either a) other projects (Heavenly Forest) b)because there were bed scenes in NANA 2 for Hachi; take your pick)