Review by Massimiliano

Part of the Tsuburaya Production's "Ultra N Project", this theatrical release is an extremely entertaining production that should score not just with a hardcore fanbase but with the casual viewer too. "Ultraman" is also aimed at a more mature audience (although certainly not solely), featuring finer character development and more intense and dramatic situations than on any of the previous TV series. Ultraman's host himself (an especially well casted Tetsuya Bessho of "Godzilla and Mothra: the Battle for Earth" and, more recently, "Kaza No Haruka"'s fame) is thirty-something Air Force pilot Shinichi Maki, a married father of one who is torn between his parental duties and his responsibility to save the world. "Ultraman" boasts some rather impressive special effects (a blend of good CG and more practical visual effects) and the scenes that employ them are a real joy to watch. The first scene after Maki accepts the mission and takes to the skies as Ultraman is exhilarating. This is a highly recommended movie that might not convert the detractors of the kaiju genre but will certainly entertain the majority of those who will pick it.

When Momoe Shimano's 2nd album "Roots" came out it stayed on repeat play for the whole summer. This is its follow up and it marks a bit of a departure for this talented and charming singer. The pace is a bit diversified and elements of jazz, dance and hip hop play alongside the more traditional soulful rhythms that made me fall in love with Momoe's previous releases. And it's when she sticks to such traditional arrangements that this album shines. Others are somehow slightly off-beat, making this sound almost like a remix album with too many styles thrown in the pan. Shimano's signature breathless vocals keep everything together and give the whole thing cohesiveness. Verbal provides the gangsta element (on Did it Again?) and regular guest Mummy-D's rap is tight and credible. All and all, not as great as her previous album but still superior to most releases by other ailing J-soul divas. Oh, and a definite 0 for the awful cover art...

Project D.M.M. are doing a terrific job at performing opening themes for some of the most recent chapter of the Ultraman series (with the exception of Ultraman Nexus, they've done every opening since since Ultraman Nice in 1999). This is another exhilarating and uplifting track guaranteed to cheer every fan up. Featured is also "Run Through!", a reworked version of "Wandaba", originally featured on the Kaettekita Ultraman and Ultraman A soundtracks.

The most complete collection of theme songs of the Ultraman series pre Mebius. This one contains all the opening themes from the original Ultraman through to Ultraman Max including those to the video releases Ultraman Neos, Ultraman Nice and Ultraman Boy as well as those to the Ultraman Kids TV shows. The only thing missing are the songs for the Nexus chapter so buy "Eiyu" and "Aoi Kajitsu" by doa (catalog no. GZCA-4027 and GZCA-4042 respectively) as well as the CD single of the theme song of Ultraman Mebius by Project D.M.M. and you'll have the most complete and updated of all Ultraman themes collection as well as a thoroughly entertaining and uplifting compilation of great tracks.

Almost three years after her previous album (the at times impenetrable "Irony"), ACO returns with a more vivacious and varied effort. But this is an experiment in electronica that is not exactly what I was hoping for. With only a couple of fine tracks ("Guilty" and "Rikunoritoru"), "Mask" is a far cry from her 2001 album "Material", offering none of the intricate melodies, hypnotic and passionate vocals and overall beauty that permeated what I consider her career's best. And clocking at a mere 25 minutes, this is just too short!! Still, ACO remains one of the most intriguing and musically courageous female artists today. This is simply not her best work.

On her tenth original album, SAKURA goes back to her roots: this album doesn't feature any of the island music influences that characterized her most recent work and instead it offers 8 beautifully crafted self-penned soulful songs (and two covers). SAKURA is at her best, performing tracks that are tinged with doses of jazz (the lead single "Oh We Oh"), funk ("Bye Bye Baby") and hip hop ("Buddy to Boo") in good measure. Even her take on The Emotions' "Best of My Love" is impressive. The only thing missing here is one of her signature ballads (the cover of Janet Jackson's "Again" just isn't enough). Otherwise this is vintage Sakura. Highly and soulfully recommended!!