Today Nintendo adds four new classic games to the popular Wii™ video game system’s Wii Shop Channel. The games go live at 9 a.m. Pacific time. Nintendo adds new games to the channel every Monday. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points to download the games. Wii Points can be purchased in the Wii Shop Channel or at retail outlets. This week’s new games are:Mario Kart 64™ (Nintendo® 64, 1-4 players, 1,000 Wii Points): Put the pedal to the metal in this worthy successor to the Super NES® classic, Super Mario Kart®. Mario Kart 64 boasts great graphics, tons of unique power-ups and a stunning 3-D version of the legendary Battle Mode. With improved courses and a revolutionary head-to-head four-player mode, Mario Kart 64 is sure to win the heart of any race-driving fan. The game includes 20 different courses filled with dips, valleys, jumps, tunnels and bridges. Smooth, precise control – a trademark of all games from Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto – will bring players back time and time again for freewheeling fun.

Contra® III: The Alien Wars™ (Super NES®, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): In the year 2636, the Alien War continues, and it’s up to two soldiers, Jimbo and Scully, to put a stop to the alien invasion. The aliens have ravaged the Earth with their powerful organic and technological weapons. Players can join with a partner and battle through six stages of nonstop run-and-gun action. Collect power-ups, including bombs, flamethrowers, spread shots, lasers and machine guns to take out the aliens. Control Jimbo and Scully as they travel through war-torn cities, race on air bikes, ride missiles and ultimately break into the alien base to defeat the alien boss once and for all.

Bonanza Bros.™ (Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points): Mobo and Robo Bonanza are enjoying their favorite television show when the picture crackles and the shadowy figure of a mysterious stranger appears on the screen. This figure asks them to collect certain items that he has placed inside various buildings to test his security force. If they return the items successfully, Mobo and Robo will be rewarded. The two of them state that they will get the job done in just three minutes. However, little do they know that each building is packed with security guards who will raise the alarm if they are caught red-handed. Fortunately both Mobo and Robo are equipped with bullets that can knock the guards unconscious for a few seconds. A huge reward will be given out if Mobo and Robo are apprehended. Help the infamous Bonanza Bros. infiltrate a number of different locations ranging from banks to mansions to casinos, and don’t get caught.

Comix Zone™ (Sega Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points): Sketch Turner is an artist in New York City. One day while Sketch is drawing, a huge thunderstorm strikes the city. A bolt of lightning hits Sketch’s image and brings it to life. That image is Mortus, a megalomaniacal mutant who wants to become real and rule the earth. Mortus magically transports Sketch into the pages of his comic book so that he can end his creator’s life and become real. Inside the comic book, Sketch meets General Alissa Cyan, who believes he is a superhero that came to save their post-apocalyptic world from the evil brought by Mortus’s hand. Now that he’s a comic book superhero, Sketch can really put the hurt on the bad guys. Instantly, Sketch can fight like a one-man mercenary platoon.

(MediaCreate): The top 10 selling video games for January 15-21 are:

1. .Hack GU Vol. 3 (PS2)
   
2. Wario the Seven (DS)
3. Shining Force EXA (PS2)
4. Wii Sports (Wii)
5. Hajimete no Wii Pack (Wii)
6. Dragon Shadow Spell (PS2)
7. Gears of War (XBOX 360)
8. Sekaiju no Meikyu (DS)
9. Nihon Joshiki Ryoku Kentei Kyokai Kanshu Imasara Hito Ni Wa Kikenai Otanano JoshikiryokuTraining DS (DS)
10. Motto Nou wa Kitaeru DS Training (DS)

On January 30, BQ 2006 Big Name Awards held its award show and Lai Bing Bing was a big winner of the awards show with the “Artist of the Year”.

According to CRIEnglish.com, “Mainland actress Li Bingbing became the biggest winner of the night, picking up the Artist of The Year Award. Mainland actor Chen Kun was awarded 2006’s Biggest Name, for his performance in movies like “The Music Box” and “Yun Shui Yao,” as well as his progress as a singer.”

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Photo courtesy of Sina.com/CRIEnglish.com

Xiaopang aka “Little Fatty” was a kid who’s face interposed on many bodies and people who saw the images or videos felt like laughing or felt it was a cruel joke to use someone’s image for something that can be seen as hurtful.

Well, fortunately it looks like “Little Fatty” will be getting a food show and that his online situation has made him a star.

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Photo courtesy of Xinhua/CRIEnglish.com

On March 20th, the Hong Kong International Film Festival will be hosting the first Asian Film Awards which will nominate talent from films throughout  Asia.

One of the highlights in the Best Actress category is Gong Li (Curse of the Golden Flower) and Zhang Ziyi (The Banquet).

According to CRIEnglish.com, “Besides the hot competition for the Best Actress Award, the rivals for the Best Actor Award are also big names, including Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, Taiwan actor Chen Chang, South Korean actor/singer Rain, and Indian Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan.”

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Many Korean performers and actors serve their military (mandatory 2-year service in S. Korea) and several talent will be completing their service this year.

Chosun recent wrote an article on this and writes, “Hopes run high in show business as some top stars return to the limelight this year after two years in forced retirement due to their military service. Fans of So Ji-sup, Song Seung-hun, Jang Hyeok and Ji Seong look forward to seeing them back on TV. But given the fickle nature of the entertainment world, it remains to be seen whether they will be able to reclaim their old status. What advice can experts give them? The Chosun Ilbo asked 10 renowned TV producers and writers to offer their opinions.”

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Photo courtesy of Chosun

Kansai TV has been in a crisis since one of their shows (Aru Aru Daijiten II) claimed natto would lead to weight loss and it was revealed that the show falsified data.  Since then, the Kansai TV President and execs have received pay cuts, natto producers must endure profit loss and the credibility is starting to wear thin after last week’s claim that in 1998, another show, the previous “Aru Aru Daijiten” featured fabricated data  of lettuce making people sleep better.

This time, people are coming out about another episode where the show may have fabricated data.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun, “The program on red adzuki beans was broadcast on March 11, 2001. In the program three people who held certificates in abacus calculation were given tests before and after eating different types of food. Without announcing the results of the tests, the program then concluded that eating adzuki beans increased brain activity.”

“However, one woman who actually took the test told the Mainichi that the results appeared to have been prepared in advance.”

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Actress Xu Weilun passed away after complications from an accident that took place on Friday.  On Saturday, it as reported that she sufffered critical injuries and on Sunday, CRIEnglish.com reports that the actress went into a coma and died after.

According to the article, “The 28-year-old actress was sitting in the front seat of a Mini Cooper when the car smashed into a protective fence on an expressway, then hit by a van from behind. Xu’s assistant reportedly drove the car, but only sustained minor injuries. ”

“Xu Weilun’s head was seriously fractured and she fell into a deep coma after the accident. Xu died of hydrocephalus. ”

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Photo courtesy of  qq.com/CRIEnglish.com

TOKYO FRIENDS - THE MOVIE - MUSIC COLLECTION
VARIOUS ARTISTS

AVEX RUSH
BUY “TOKYO FRIENDS - THE MOVIE - MUSIC COLLECTION” NOW!!!

Click here for “Tokyo Friends - The Movie - Music Collection” album sample (Mono/Low kb)
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.nt2099.com/J-ENT/news/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/tokyofriends.swf" height="55" width="150" /]
[Streaming audio permission granted to J!-ENT use by Avex Entertainment, Inc. in accordance to JASRAC rules]

Catalog #: AVCF-22921/B | Dur. 1:01:17

Release date: August 23, 2006

1. TO ME (*)
2. Chotto (*)
3. Friends - Sabakan ver. (*)
4. Kimi to Iu Hana (*)
5. Hurricane (*)
6. tears - Sabakan ver. (*)
7. Yumekui - Pf,Str ver.
8. Happning
9. Hachigatsu no Kaze
10. Kibo no Oka
11. Tegami
12. BEYOND OF THE SEA
13. Omoi
14. Yumekui - Pf,Str another ver
15. Hikari
16. TEARS -PF,STR VER.-
17. Friends - Pf,Vc ver.
18. Yumekui - Love Theme
19. TEARS -STR VER.-
20. Friends - Orchestra ver.
21. Friends - Str ver.
22. Yumekui - Pf ver.
23. Yumekui - Pf Full ver.
24. Friends - Pf Full ver.
25. tears - Pf Full ver.

(*) Survival Company songs (and songs that are vocal songs)

DVD:
13 minutes, Region 2, 16:9 LB

1. Yumekui - Tokyo Friends ver.-
2. Friends - Tokyo Friends ver.-
3. tears - Tokyo Friends ver.-

REVIEW:

A well-balanced soundtrack featuring popular music from the film “Tokyo Friends”.

With the release of “Tokyo Friends - The Movie” in Summer 2006, in August was the release of “Tokyo Friends - The Movie Music Collection”.

What you get in this compilation soundtrack are 25 tracks with six songs from “Survival Company” (the band that Otsuka Ai’s character Rei sings vocals for) and the remaining 19 songs which are instrumental tracks used in the drama series and film.

After watching the “Navigation Edition” of “Tokyo Friends - The Movie” (digest (condensed) versions of episodes 1-5), I was instantly drawn into the music.

My first curiousity was Otsuka Ai as an actress in which she did very well for “Tokyo Friends” and then I became curious to see how she would adjust to being a rock singer.

Because “Tokyo Friends” does spotlight an“Indie band” as they evolve from performing to a dozen people and as it grows to an indie band that releases a CD and eventually performing at live houses in front of hundreds and then thousands of people.

You eventually start rooting for the band Survival Company and since you hear the music quite a few times through the drama series, you can’t help but enjoy the music.

Otsuka Ai fans will enjoy the rock-based songs featured on this album. Original versions of “Friends” and “Tears” have been previously released on “Daisuki Dayo” (6th CD single) and “Yumekui” (12th CD single) but on this music collection are the “Sabakan Versions” of those songs.

But to give credit where credit is due is to the rock band Boo Bee Benz, who actually provided some of the music that you hear from the movie band Survival Company.

All in all, I enjoy the music collection but I wished that “Yumekui” (vocal version) was included. But like most Japanese drama and film soundtracks, rarely is the original theme included.

Bare in mind also that this is the movie music collection, songs from the series from Ryuuji’s band for instance is not included.

But at any rate, I will say that the instrumental tracks are well done. To have many instrumental versions (orchestra, violin or piano solo) of “Yumekui”, “Tears” and “Friends” is great.

Overall, this collection is a well-balanced soundtrack and to make it even more enticing is what the soundtrack comes with.

Also, included is a DVD which features the music videos for “Yumekui”, “Friends” and “tears” which are derived from the live performance from the film and also clips from the film and I believe certain scenes from the drama series. So, in a way, you do get “Yumekui” included on this music collection but as a music video and five instrumental versions of it.

As an added bonus, three cool looking mini pins for the band Survival Company are included.

So, in the end, for “Tokyo Friends” and Otsuka Ai fans, you really can’t go wrong with this music collection. It has a great balance of music and personally, I like the style of music that Otsuka was able to do for this series and film.

So, definitely check this one out!

— DENNIS A. AMITH

Yuna Ito (23) surprised 70 attendees at a wedding reception when she came out to sing her song “precious” (2006).   Ito came out in a one piece red dress and presented the bride with a bouquet.

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Yuna Ito currently has the #1 album in Japan with “HEART”.

Note: In Japan, certain television shows tend to do surprise segments bringing out a hot singer in Japan who performs a ballad to a couple.  Among the most memorable was a performance by Fujii Fumiya who performed “True Love” to a surprised bride (which the groom won an auction on the defunct TV show “Hammer Price”.

Photo courtesy of Sankei Sports