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transitions101Here's an intriguing article written by entertainment journalist Otaka Hiroo, who has a regular column on Nihon Eiga. It's rather apt that I post this today, since I had only just watched Platinum Data yesterday. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the article and the movie too!
Platinum Data – a myriad of possibilities
Platinum Data, starring Ninomiya Kazunari, was off to a thought-provoking start. The movie premiered in 310 movie theaters nationwide on 16 March. Within 2 days, it garnered an audience of 305,743 people, with record box office earnings of 400,496,000 yen. It was truly a hit. However, to me, I wouldn’t have thought it strange if the box office earnings had been higher, given the ticket pre-sales. I had greater expectations.
I very much wish to commend that ambition. However, when you look at the demographic of this particular hit, a very large proportion of the audience was female. In other words, there were very few guys who went to see the film. We might take this as the norm, but I had hoped for this movie to surpass that “norm”. The favorable ticket pre-sales could be attributed to Ninomiya’s popularity, but how extensive an impact does his popularity and inner strength have? This should have been a factor of utmost importance in the movie’s performance.
On Wednesday, which was Ladies’ Day, the theaters which screened Platinum Data were filled with female audience members. It was the same case for Cinecon, which garnered ticket sales above the weekend numbers. Perhaps it was Nino’s inherent magic at work. You could say that if it weren’t for him, you couldn’t achieve these sales figures easily. But let me just say this again, the promotion method at this point was centered on his fans. I just felt that it was an incredible waste.
This is when the aforementioned ambition becomes an issue. As to whether [the movie makers] should have aspired to catch the interest of non-fans, it would have involved other factors. A suspense movie which revolves around a person’s DNA; we’ve stated it simply here, but to what extent has that topic pervaded the movie? And how much did it contribute to the public interest in the film? I felt that part was a little ambiguous.
Any thoughts on how the movie should have fared, compared to its actual performance? I thought Nino acted his tiny butt off but the script did not deliver its promise. If you wanna write about the movie, please warn others by leaving a SPOILER WARNING in your comment.
ETA: Oh, oh! I realize it's Nino month, so if you don't mind your F-list being spammed with little posts here and there, I'll be translating bits of stuff I find interesting. I look forward to being more productive.
Nothing Unusual On The Entertainment Front
Platinum Data – a myriad of possibilities
Platinum Data, starring Ninomiya Kazunari, was off to a thought-provoking start. The movie premiered in 310 movie theaters nationwide on 16 March. Within 2 days, it garnered an audience of 305,743 people, with record box office earnings of 400,496,000 yen. It was truly a hit. However, to me, I wouldn’t have thought it strange if the box office earnings had been higher, given the ticket pre-sales. I had greater expectations.
This movie falls under the “Idol Movie” category. Amidst all that, I felt it was an original project. Whilst utilizing Arashi’s Ninomiya Kazunari as its protagonist, the film also touched on original material. It was a common tactic to cast a popular star as the lead and create an easy, upbeat film. Of course, there is room for adventure, and this movie felt noticeably ambitious.
I very much wish to commend that ambition. However, when you look at the demographic of this particular hit, a very large proportion of the audience was female. In other words, there were very few guys who went to see the film. We might take this as the norm, but I had hoped for this movie to surpass that “norm”. The favorable ticket pre-sales could be attributed to Ninomiya’s popularity, but how extensive an impact does his popularity and inner strength have? This should have been a factor of utmost importance in the movie’s performance.
On Wednesday, which was Ladies’ Day, the theaters which screened Platinum Data were filled with female audience members. It was the same case for Cinecon, which garnered ticket sales above the weekend numbers. Perhaps it was Nino’s inherent magic at work. You could say that if it weren’t for him, you couldn’t achieve these sales figures easily. But let me just say this again, the promotion method at this point was centered on his fans. I just felt that it was an incredible waste.
This is when the aforementioned ambition becomes an issue. As to whether [the movie makers] should have aspired to catch the interest of non-fans, it would have involved other factors. A suspense movie which revolves around a person’s DNA; we’ve stated it simply here, but to what extent has that topic pervaded the movie? And how much did it contribute to the public interest in the film? I felt that part was a little ambiguous.
You rarely come by an actor like Ninomiya Kazunari. He’s incredibly popular. The premise was interesting. That’s why I think it was appropriate for the movie to have a greater status as a hit. The movie might have been a success, but going forward, whilst expanding their possibilities, and leveraging on his personality, I hope both Ninomiya’s charm and the film’s content will reach out to a wider audience. I don’t think I’m asking for the moon here.
Any thoughts on how the movie should have fared, compared to its actual performance? I thought Nino acted his tiny butt off but the script did not deliver its promise. If you wanna write about the movie, please warn others by leaving a SPOILER WARNING in your comment.
ETA: Oh, oh! I realize it's Nino month, so if you don't mind your F-list being spammed with little posts here and there, I'll be translating bits of stuff I find interesting. I look forward to being more productive.
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Date: 2013-06-06 05:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-06 05:32 pm (UTC)I also guess that with all the crazy promotion the expectations were too high,still i seriously want to see it soon!!
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Date: 2013-06-06 05:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-06 07:07 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-06 07:17 pm (UTC)but i feel this movie is relying to nino's star factor too much so it felt like an idol movie
ps: i dont mind being spammed with many little posts :D
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Date: 2013-06-06 09:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-06 09:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-07 06:52 am (UTC)The premiere (in Singapore) had a high demand that they opened up another slot, so there were 2 halls showing the premiere. Even before the movie starts, as we were all gathered in the lobby, it's super obvious that it was mainly only fans.
My second and third time, the cinema theatres weren't even half-full. I'm not sure if it was bcos I went on a working day or not. And I know the article is talking about Japanese promotions, but in Singapore, the promotion is exactly as mentioned in this article. As much as I know Jpop isn't exactly the in-thing in Singapore currently, however, this movie was only exclusive to 1 cinema (and I'm not even saying 1 company, it's totally 1 cinema), and they don't even advertise it... No CMs or Posters...
So I guess I understand what the article meant....
At the same time, I really enjoyed this movie. And it's not bcos of Nino /only/. Every time I watched the movie, I try to change my perspective. Sure, there were a few plotholes, but there's a limit to what you can do in 2 hours, and I think that this movie was done well enough.
It kept me interested and questioned myself, but as much as it sells itself as a mystery-suspense, it's not exactly heart-pumping either...
(Please note that the above is just my opinion. Other people have other definitions of heart-pumping, etc.)
I think that my non-fans friend would enjoy it too, but sad to say, my non-fans friend think that the main and only reason I watch is bcos of Nino, so they refuse to go anywhere near it ;n;
It's like, using an idol has its advantages, as to it is able to attract the fans, but at the same time, it turns off the interest of non-fans, which is a sad thing for an at least decently-made movie.
Did I rant too much? x_________x
mild spoilers only for characterisation, no actual plot spoilers
Date: 2013-06-07 04:39 pm (UTC)In Singapore it has been marketed as 'the film bassed on Higashino Keigo's novel ..." and although only three of his books have been translated to English, and only then quite some time ago (Naoko was published in 2004,秘密 in the Japanese original,) and a couple into French and/or German.
My sister saw it at Bugis and said that the screening she went to see it in was quite full. (I think she went on opening day) When asked if it was full of Japanese and fangirls. She replied that surprisingly it was full of Caucasians, and it was split half and half with men and women. Out of curiousity she went up to a woman to ask if she was a fan, to which she replied that she went because of the author.
On the first Saturday (with the family in tow) ... I asked hubby what he thought of it, and he said that now he wouldn't mind checking out the author's book in English. Hubby is into Japanese Literature though, so he might be an odd one. I also asked my boy if he enjoyed the film. He said "Yes" and thought Nino was cool. He is 10 going on 11 and a Nino fan-boy so he might also be biased. ^_~ The cinema on that day was 3/4 full (it WAS Saturday and June school hols started already) A mixed crowd I would say; fangirls, Japanese ladies (also fangirls maybe ^_~) and quite a few couples. A healthy mix of local, Japanese and other foreigners.
I went on Sunday with a fellow fangirl and bumped into other fellow fangirls, again the cinema was 3/4 full. Again a mixed crowd too. One of the other fans said that she saw it three times and slept through most of the second and third go.
I went on Wednesday afternoon 3:50 pm show with my girl. (when I looked in the papers then it was still on at both Kallang and Bugis Iluma) and this is the second week already. Cinema was maybe only a third full. It's on a second week ... and I just looked at the Filmgarde site ... they're still showing it at both cinemas, and this would be counted as the third weekend. This is a hopeful statistic for a Japanese film.
So whilst the fangirls know that Nino is in it, it isn't marketed as a 'Ninomiya of Arashi' film. I think it has a more hopeful outing here because our international film scene is actually quite wide and varied.
Same as you I watched it with a view to look out for different things and things I didn't catch the other times I saw it. As a Chemist (who did a module on Biochemistry) and a math geek, I really tried to pay attention to the more scientific balancing the ethics of how such a system might work and/or fail, as well as the characterisations of the actors. (Yes I was actually checking mentally to see if the larger numbers she was writing down really were Prime numbers ... and they were ... they really were!!! maths geek go me!)
I thought (as Barbosa2007 does) that Nino acted his butt off. He did really well here, and playing a character with duality issues, isn't always the easiest thing. Also ... my heart did lurch every time Action!Nino took a tumble, because he seems so frail sometimes. But he showed us he can roll with them if he needs to. Go! Nino!
Personal opinion, the film was better than I expected, even with some developmental/continuity hiccups. Nino did so wonderfully with the script he was given. I think the lady who played the psychologist was wonderfully creepy and brilliant.
And maybe only in Japan would it be quite hard to market it as other than a Nino (an idol) movie. A friend who lives in Canada, (she's 60 and not a Nino fan) has said that there were whisperings of the film being released local to her in an arthouse theatre. She only knows the book because she's a linguist that worked in Japan for 10 years and has read Higashino's work. So like I said maybe it is easier outside of Japan to market it as something else rather than an idol movie.
Sorry for the long comment. "waves to fellow Singaporean* I thought it might be relevant here, as anywhere else. Apologies to all if I stepped on anyone's toes. ^_^
Re: mild spoilers only for characterisation, no actual plot spoilers
Date: 2013-06-10 02:03 am (UTC)I didn’t know Kallang Leisure Park also picked it up. I was buying the tickets online and I only saw the listing for Bugis+ Iluma, so I assumed they weren’t showing it at their Kallang branch.
Yeah, I noticed it being marketed as a ‘film based on Higashino Keigo’s novel’ too, but the name isn’t very prominent here, therefore, I didn’t really understand this marketing strategy.
What disappointed me greatly about their marketing is that, it isn’t very much promoted to begin with. I’d expect to see more posters, or advertisements at the mrt station small tv (like there was for Gantz, but Gantz was under GV, so maybe it’s different) or just more exposure, but I only know of posters at Kinokuniya and that huge board at Filmgarde itself.
Personally, I mentioned to a colleague about wanting to watch the movie (my own little PR >___<) and was actually surprised she too said she wanted to watch it. She watched Japanese/Taiwan/Korean films, but she’s not a fangirl. She doesn’t really know Nino, and she doesn’t know of Higashino Keigo either, but she got to know of Platina Data as she was surfing the cinema sites for movies to watch.
I totally for Nino’s acting. Though sometimes, I’m not sure if I’m just saying that out of biasness or not, so normally, I try not to say anything unless asked x______x “my heart did lurch every time Action!Nino took a tumble, because he seems so frail sometimes.” Mine too !! I think it’s wonderful that I was able to feel for the characters as the characters themselves, and not Nino.
I agree with you though, that it’s easier to promote it as something other than an idol movie outside Japan. I always stayed until the very, very end, to see who actually sits through Breathless, bcos I think those are the Arashi/Nino fans that attend. And yes, only about half of the audience stayed behind.
Though as a whole, I don’t really mind if it’s not promoted as an Idol movie, I just wish that it gets more exposure.
P.S. *waves* Your son sounds adorable btw !! And thank you for sharing your observation, it’s nice to know. Oh, my comment is long too >_<
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Date: 2013-06-07 08:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-07 08:42 am (UTC)My main issue with the film was its pacing and the length, I feel like it was too long and the endgame took too long to get going, it sagged quite heavily in the middle. With that said though, I think Nino did a great job with the material, and I'm disappointed that there wasn't a more solid marketing push to non-Arashi/Nino fans, because I think it could have worked.
The cinema I saw it was a small one, but it was sold out. I think there would have been mostly school students, but a fairly reasonable split of boys and girls. Interestingly, the two girls I was sitting next to commented that it was kind of boring, but that they thought their boyfriend might have enjoyed it.
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Date: 2013-06-07 01:24 pm (UTC)a girlfriend said "they should cut down the chasing part..its tooo long"
I agree with that..hehe
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Date: 2013-06-07 02:15 pm (UTC)Hope to see you spamming non stop.. ^o^
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Date: 2013-06-07 03:36 pm (UTC)mild spoilers alert ... from a geek point of view ..
Date: 2013-06-07 05:11 pm (UTC)... and then of course they would pick at it because some of the programming in it, and the computer stuff, as well as the rather large plothole of the use of the phone when they were tracking him. Because c'mon people ... state of the art software and you can track him because you have his cell number, and not just his features match (obviously I have watched waaaay too much Criminal Minds and espionage stories).
And yes there were things about the DNA profiling that didn't quite hang ... but that wasn't Nino's problem nor his fault, more a geeky plot point than anything. Also as a lab rat, even one that works in a fancy gadget comp. room ... sorry dear, chicks just don't earn that much to wear designer heels (just not practical in a lab environment, and no you wouldn't wear your best designer chic dress either) ... yes for the glasses though ... because them glasses were completely fancy designer lab glasses the real deal! Glasses to drool over for sure!
At the base and shallow level "Man in glasses in a lab coat" ...Hawt and completely to die for!!! ^_~
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Date: 2013-06-09 01:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-06-10 10:26 am (UTC)Nino's acting was awesome, i think out of all his works, this one hit me the most, more than Gantz, i think its because of his portrayal of Ryu, Ryu made me heartbroken :___: but as for the script hmmm, somehow at the end i felt they just end it abruptly, i expected more explanation, but it gave me a feeling of ' ahh theres no more time left , lets just reveal the killer and wrap it up ''
do you remember when we went to watch it? was the cinema half-filled? i think it was right? but i remember seeing couples our parents age there , i wonder what they think of the movie haha
There may be SPOILERS here, FAIR WARNING.
Date: 2013-06-10 03:44 pm (UTC)The movie was average, to be very frank. The premise was interesting, intriguing even. It somehow failed to deliver the thrill the audience was led to believe would happen and almost none of the loose ends were tied neatly. It's frustrating to think that it could have been more, and the movie gets buried under a myriad of plot developments that did not get resolved. I think it failed to live up to the efforts of its actors.
I've seen it three times, with my sister dragging me along most times. It was shown only on two cinemas in Singapore. I've seen it on the screening, the opening day, and another day. I have to say that the audience was quite balanced, both age-wise and gender-wise, although for each session I went to, someone was squealing when Nino was shown on screen.
I tried to look at the film critically and not as a fangirl- the movie was seriously average, but with a cast of talented actors. Maybe without Nino the movie would have flopped, which was a shame since it was really something I was looking forward to watch.
P.S: Kudos to the person who did the special effects of the Platina Data system, it was great!
i can finally comment now that i've seen this
Date: 2014-02-08 06:36 pm (UTC)however, i think it's a decent movie when you'd compare it to other "idol movies". and i agree with the article writer that it should have reached non-fans, too. the themes were interesting enough to explore, even if they didn't delve into it that much. (a wasted opportunity, if you ask me.) and it doesn't need to be "a hit" per se to the ones who aren't in the arashi fandom, but for its efforts of being different and for having an intriguing premise, i think it deserves some attention from non-fans, too.
and is it just me or does anyone else get some european action thriller from the early-mid 2000s vibe from the way this was produced? it reminds me of hanna in several sequences.
no subject
Date: 2019-05-07 06:00 pm (UTC)