Review by Rae
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Kiiroi Namida (English Subtitles) [Regular Edition]Japanese MovieSurprising
Having seen the Pika*nichi movies, I'd expected something a little crazy. This movie is quirky, to be sure, but not quite as absurd as Arashi's former films. It retains all of the heart of them though. Kiiroi Namida is not for the easily bored - it's extremely slow, and meanders through the lives of the five main characters, slowly weaving a gentle little story about growing up and facing life. Nothing dramatic really happens, and it's not always realistic, but it's charming if you like 'slice of life' films. The setting is fascinating too. It's Ninomiya that brings all the acting talent to this film, but the others give decent performances too. Ohno is possibly the acting 'weak link', but he's so adorable, it's easy to overlook that (and his paintings are wonderful;D ). I do feel like it possibly ran a little longer than necessary. But it's 2.5 hours of pure Arashi, and for plenty of fans, that will be all that matters. For the rest, well, there's always fast-forward.
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Arashi Around Asia + in Dome Special Package [2DVD+40P Live Photo Booklet] [Limited Edition]Arashiexcellent
You just can't go wrong with an Arashi concert, and the grandeur of this one is amazing - they've really made use of the space in the Dome! There's not much I can say for the concert itself, simply that if you've ever loved an Arashi performance before, there's no way that this concert can disappoint you. Their stage presence glitters almost as brightly as their costumes and the special effects are amazing (hot air balloons, anyone?). The DVD packaging is simple, but classy. The booklet in the limited edition is a lovely add-on. The only real complaint I would have to make is the awkward way the DVDs are actually packed into the case, which turns removal of the discs in to an art form. If directions have to be printed on the inside to show people how to get them out, then it's probably not a good way to package them! Despite that minor quibble, the concert is great, the DVD is great, and it's a lovely addition to any fan's collection.
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Answer will comeKimeruWonderful
The first time I heard this song, it instantly became my favorite Kimeru track. It continues to hold that position. Head to toe this is a wonderful, polished performance from Kimeru. 'Answer Will Come' has the whole package- it's catchy as anything, sounds brilliant, and the lyrics rank up there as some of my favorite lyrics ever. "Until the stars fade away, until the morning comes, I won't run, I won't hide – the answer will come"- just beautiful. The B-Side track, 'Stand Up! ~ break away' is also a joy to listen to. 'Answer Will Come' was a hard track to follow, but 'Stand Up! ~ break away' really did stand up and make me notice it. The line 'make a wish and don't ever let go' in English really stood out to me. I've made a big deal out of the lyrics on this CD, with I feel, good reason. The lyrics to both songs were written by Kimeru himself, and he is a gifted lyricist. I've listened to all of Kimeru's singles, and to me 'Answer Will Come' is the best. It's worth every yen I paid for it.
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Koi no Performance - to be with youKimeruAnother wonderful CD from Kimeru
My favorite thing about Kimeru is that he just continues to get better and better. I was eager to see what Kimeru would give us after his truly excellent 'glorious' album, and 'Koi no Performance- to be with you' doesn't disappoint. Fast and perky, 'Koi no Performance' is a joy to listen to (and fun to try and sing along with :D). The second single, 'Hero' actually makes me feel a bit heroic inside. The best part of 'Hero' is the lyrics- they're not just lovely lyrics, they're lovely lyrics that were written by Kimeru himself. :) And finally, the live version of 'Pink' is a nice addition to the album (allow me a fangirl moment- Kimeru has the cutest speaking voice in the whole entire world :D). 'Pink' is one of my favorite Kimeru songs, and I only wish that I was watching it live instead of just listening to it! The first press of this CD comes with bonus photos in the lyrics booklet, and they're really quite beautiful and a nice addition to the album. All in all, this is a great CD, and a worthy addition to the CD collection of any Kimeru fan.
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Thanks [Limited Release]w-inds.Very pleased.
I bought this CD on a whim with some spare money I had lying around, and I have to say, it's one of the best purchases I've made in a long time. With tracks ranging from the cheerful pop of 'Lights', to the sweet ballad 'Kageboushi' and then onwards to energetic rock with 'Stomp', 'THANKS' has satisfied all my musical cravings. Every song is a delight in it's own way, and I'm not ashamed to admit that this CD lived in my player for over two weeks straight. An added bonus was the poster and alternate album cover. The album was worth every yen I paid for it even without those, but it was a nice little addition to the already pleasant package. I can't rate how this album compares to other w-inds. albums, but I was very pleased with this CD and I've not hesitated to recommend it to people. I've yet to find anyone that doesn't smile immediately upon hearing 'It's In The Stars'. ~_^ I know I'll be buying more CDs by this group in the future.