#robin geisha....mixed feelings

[misqnon]

OFFICIALLY ON THE FIRST CHAPTER OF WANO

[redsamuraiii]

Why Does Everyone Love Japan?

So I came across this post on Quora where someone answered the question. Some of his points are applicable to most tourists who only sees the good side of Japan, while a handful of tourists such as myself acknowledges both the good and the bad because let’s face it, there’s no Etopia on Earth. 

So I’d like to make some comments to his original post below (in italic) with mine (in bold).

Because they have a very superficial view of what Japan is, and Japan has many very attractive features. 

This is true.

And they have very short memories. And they have forgotten history.

Forgotten is not the word. Ignorant is. They only know the general history.

It is a very clean country, “everything” works in Japan - elevators, vending machines, trains. People act very politely. They make very high quality products. A society striving for sustainability and recycling. And many more virtues. 

This is true.

But, on the other side, like all countries, they have remarkable social problems - hikimori, declining birth rate, declining marriage rates, death from overwork (Karōshi - Wikipedia). There are dozens more.

Er...citing from Wikipedia is not a good source but anyway...

Yes, Hikimori is a problem in the big cities of Japan, particularly Tokyo where the stress level is extremely high due to the high cost of living and extreme working hours in a highly rigid corporate world that demands absolute productivity. (I’ve worked in a Japanese company and experienced their terrible work culture, you can forget about work life balance or even a good sleep.) So this leads to high suicidal rates or even death from overwork which leads to social problems as people no longer have the luxury to socialize and hang out for a decent cup of tea after work because they simply do not have the time or the energy for it. They work long hours in a toxic environment so they probably hate everyone at their workplace and they get so tired of everything that they just withdraw themselves from the world by themselves hoping to find a moment of peace. (I live in a south east Asian country and I did experience this for moment after I get tired of the rat race in a city life. I can tell you it’s not just Japan, it’s happening in every developed country in Asia). So this caused a declining marriage rates and naturally, the birth rate as well. 

People romanticize Japanese history.

People romanticize European history too, which is why London, Paris and Venice are always packed with tourists.

“oh, those noble Samurai”: Centuries of civil war, treachery, betrayal, and slaughter. Militarists, fascists, misogynists. Patricides, fratricides.

People romanticize Knights as valiant too even though they were involved in several wars in the Dark Ages, Crusades, Spanish Inquisition, treachery, betrayal, slaughter, everything he mentioned. Feudal Japan is the same as Feudal Europe.

The authentic, wholistic, natural life of the farmers: Peasants dying in the periodic famines or killed instantly if they offended a samurai. A country that smelled like the human shit they used to fertilize the rice fields. The back-breaking labor of planting and harvesting rice paddies. Centuries of malnutrition - the Japan used to be famous for being short people - not so much anymore that their diets have improved. 

It’s called Feudalism which is a common system used across Europe in the Middle Ages as well where farmers and peasants gets killed or punished for offending their lords. That's why the tale of Robin Hood became famous because he fights for the common people. Game of Thrones got their idea from, England’s most bloodiest civil war called War of Roses. Europeans in the Medieval did not have the proper diet either, eating raw food and they do not have spices until the Crusades where they trade with the Arabs during peace time.

Geisha: Children sold into sexual slavery. A few rose to the top of that.

I think he’s confused with Oiran. A common misconception by the western world since the industrial age up to today. Geisha in lay man terms is a social escort who is highly trained in the arts of music and dance to entertain and accompany their clients.

The unspeakable things Imperial Japan did to China and their other neighbors in World War 2. 

Europeans colonized much of the world, ripping other countries rich resources, luxuries and spices, shipping them back to Europe while enslaving the locals as workers, bringing European troops to set up colonies. If the world got over them, if the world got over the NAZI, why can’t we get over Japan?

Japan is a great place to live as a wealthy foreigner, or to visit as a tourist. And that is the side of Japan that most people see. 

It’s pretty much the same for most countries including the one I’m living in, every tourists only sees the good in it but they did not see the bad. This is common, as the saying goes, the grass is always greener on the other side.

So you see, Japan and Europe have a lot of things in common and they both never face a shortage of tourists. The one advantage Europe has is the cost of living is not as high as Japan which is why many immigrants are flocking to Europe. They have better welfare such as the unemployed getting allowance until they get a job. We do not have that in Asia, including Japan. Even when we are unemployed, we still need to hustle some odd jobs for basic income.

The one advantage Japan has is its beautiful nature, the mountain side which provides clean mineral water and the open sea which gives fresh air to the country side, which I believe is one reason why many people love Japan. 

There’s something spiritual about it that you feel at peace and enlightened when you hike up the hill or mountain to secluded temples where the monks are chanting and the high castles which were preserved since the time of the Samurai making you feel as if you just time traveled into a different era. The mix of ancient history, traditional culture and modern technology. The brilliant architecture that is not only known for abstract designs but serves a practical purpose, there's a reason as to why they were designed in such a way or built in that manner. 

Perhaps I’ll find the time someday to write my own version of why “I” myself love Japan and elaborate more on what I’ve just said.

Been getting that question from many as well but I could not find the right words to answer them as I just do not know where to begin. Even my Japanese colleague could not understand the foreign’s fascination with his own country. I guess it’s normal as I could not understand with mine as well every time I see tourists in my country. Sometimes there is just too much of everything. I mean you can get bored staying in your own house for too long that whatever you find outside its more interesting that what you have in your house, especially if you go to places you’ve never been to before.

But after reading this post on Quora,I think I finally know what to write for my next post. Perhaps it will give some clarity to many based on my perspective.

The history, the culture, the architecture, the nature, the people, the food.

Stay tuned. 

Source : https://www.quora.com/Why-does-everyone-love-Japan

[ilivewithengineers]

Disney’s Live Action Line-Up

Guys, I went down a rabbit hole.

There are 20 movies, somewhere between “off-hand comments” and “currently in post-production”.

People are listed with stuff I’ve seen or I know my roommates have seen, unless I feel the actors name is enough.

Upcoming films (production or post-production):

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018) dir. Lasse Hallstrom ([almost] all ABBA music videos, 2005′s Casanova) writer: Ashleigh Powell (no released credits) Drosselmeyer (godfather) - Morgan Freeman Sugar Plum Fairy - Keira Knightley Mother Ginger - Helen Mirren Mr. Stahlbum (father) - Matthew Macfayden (2005′s Pride & Prejudice - Mr. Darcy)

Mary Poppins Returns (2018) dir. Rob Marshall (Chicago, Memoirs of a Geisha, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Into the Woods) writer: David Magee (Finding Neverland, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Life of Pi) Marry Poppins: Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada - Emily, Charlie Wilson’s War - Jane Liddle, Sunshine Cleaning - Norah, Into the Woods - Baker’s Wife, The Huntsman: Winter’s War - Queen Freya, The Girl on the Train - Rachel) (new) Jack The Lamplighter: Lin-Manuel Miranda (new) Cousin Topsy: Meryl Streep (new) bank president William Weatherall Wilkins - Colin Firth Jane Banks - Emily Mortimer (The Newsroom – heroine MacKenzie McHale) Michael Banks - Ben Whishaw (The Hollow Crown – King Richard, Skyfall – Q) (new) Balloon Lady - Angela Lansbury board member Mr. Dawes Jr. - Dick Van Dyke (1964’s Mary Poppins – street sweeper Bert, The [New] [Dick] Van Dyke Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – Caractus Potts) maid Ellen - Julie Walters (Harry Potter franchise - Mrs. Weasley, Brave - the witch) totally-not-gay neighbor and cannon enthusiast Admiral Boom - David Warner (Tron - Ed Dillinger, Star Trek V - St. John Talbot, Batman: TAS - Ra’s al Ghul, Hogfather - Lord Downey, Penny Dreadful - Van Helsing, Wallander - Povel Wallander)

A Wrinkle in Time (2018) dir. Ava DuVernay (stuff) writer: Jennifer Lee (Wreck-It Ralph, Frozen, Zootopia) Mrs. Whatsit – Reese Witherspoon Mrs. Who – Mindy Kaling (The Office – Kelly Kapoor, The Mindy Project – Mindy Lahiri) Mrs. Which – Oprah Winfrey Dr. Alex Murry – Chris Pine Dr. Kate Murry – Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Doctor Who- Tish Jones, Jupiter Ascending – Famulus, 2017’s Beauty and the Beast - Plumette) Meg Murry – Storm Reid (stuff) The Happy Meidum – Zach Galifanakis (stuff) Red – Michael Pena (Ant-Man – Luis, The Martian – Rick Martinez) Principal Jenkins – Andre Holland (stuff) Calvin – Levi Miller (stuff) Calvin’s Father – Daniel MacPherson (stuff) ??? - Bellamy Young (Scandal – Mellie Grant, Criminal Minds – Beth Clemmons, Scrubs – Dr. Miller) ??? - Will McCormack (In Plain Sight – Robert O’Conner)

unspecified live-action fairy tale releases on: July 28, 2017; April 6, 2018; December 20, 2019.

unspecified live-action releases: August 3, 2017; December 25, 2018.

Upcoming films (pre-production or early stages)

Mulan Release date: November 2, 2018 director: Niki Caro (wrote/dir 2002’s Whale Rider, other things I’ve never heard of). writer: Rick Jaffa/Amanda Silver (Rise of the Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Jurassic World) will not be a musical. original draft included “30-something European trader” as love-interest. This idea did not survive rewrites. “all primary roles, including the love interest, are Chinese” “It’s a big, girly martial arts epic. It will be extremely muscular and thrilling and entertaining and moving.”

Aladdin director: Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Homes: A Game of Shadows, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword, Madonna: What It Feels Like For a Girl). writer: John August (Titan AE, 2000′s Charlie’s Angels, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Dark Shadows) will be a musical Has issues with Robin Williams’s estate regarding the Genie and his portrayal. Leads are spec’d as Middle Eastern. shooting: July 2017 - January 2018 “My stories are really about street hustlers. That’s what I know how to do. And Aladdin is a classic street hustler who makes good.” - Guy Ritchie via Disney CEO Sean Bailey

The Lion King pre-production director: Jon Favreau (Elf, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Cowboys & Aliens, 2016’s The Jungle Book) writer: Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can, Rush Hour 3, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Tower Heist) Simba: Donald Glover (Community - Troy Barnes, Magic Mike XXL - Andre, The Martian - Rich Purnell) Mufasa: James Earl Jones (Star Wars - Darth Vader, The Lion King - Mufasa, 3rd Rock from the Sun - Narrator)

Cruella Maleficent-style take on 101 Dalmations director: Alex Timbers (debut) writer: Kelly Marcel (Saving Mr. Banks, Fifty Shades of Grey) Cruella de Vil: Emma Stone (La La Land - Mia, The Amazing Spiderman 2 - Gwen Stacy, Zombieland - Wichita, Superbad - Jules)

Tink writer: Victoria Strouse (Finding Dory) Tinker Bell: Reese Witherspoon (Legally Blonde - Elle Woods)

live-action Peter Pan something director/writer: David Lowery (Pete’s Dragon) writer: Toby Halbrooks (Pete’s Dragon)

The Sword in the Stone writer: Brian Cogman (Game of Thrones)

Pinocchio writer: Peter Hedges (??)

Dumbo director: Tim Burton (*take a deep breath* Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, Sleepy Hollow, Planet of he Apes, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Sweny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, 2010′s Alice in Wonderland, Dark Shadows) writer Ehren Kruger (Scream 3, The Ring, The Brothers Grimm, Transformers 2-4, Ghost in the Shell) CGI/live action mix Colette - Eva Green (Kingdom of Heaven - Sibylia, Casino Royale - Vesper Lynd, The Golden Compass - Serafina Pekkala, Camelot - Morgan, Penny Dreadful - Vanessa Ives, Dark Shadows - Angelique Bouchard) circus manager Medici - Danny DeVito (Batman Returns - Penguin, Matilda - Mr. Wormwood, 100+ other things I’ve never seen before)

Winnie the Pooh premise: adult Christopher Robin returning to the Hundred Acre Wood writer: Alex Perry? (Australia’s Next Top Model, Project Runway Australia)

Rose Red “Rose Red works with the dwarves to bring Snow White back to life” writer: Justin Merz? (The Boxcar Children) writer: Evan Daugherty (Snow White and the Huntsman, Divergent, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Huntsman: Winter’s War)

Prince Charming writer: Matt Fogel? (??)

Jungle Book 2 director: Jon Favreau writer: Justin Marks (The Jungle Book (2016))

Maleficent 2 writer: Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast (1991), The Lion King, Alice in Wonderland (2010), Maleficent) Maleficent: Angelina Jolie

Jungle Cruise writer: John Requa/Glenn Ficarra (Cats & Dogs, Bad Santa, Bad News Bears) ???: Dawyne “The Rock” Johnson

Fantasia something Maleficent-style retelling for the demon Chernabog writer: Matt Sazama/Burk Sharpless (The Last Witch Hunter, Gods of Egypt, Power Rangers)

Genies prequel to Aladdin writer: Damian Shannon/Mark Swift (Freddy vs. Jason, Friday the 13th)

Sources (not including IMDB pages)

http://time.com/4525871/disney-live-action-movies/

http://time.com/4308042/disney-pipeline-live-action-fairy-tales/

http://variety.com/2016/film/news/disney-claims-dates-for-several-new-movies-confirms-jungle-book-2-mary-poppins-sequel-1201760227/

http://time.com/3947750/disney-prince-charming-film/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tim-burton-direct-live-action-780397

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/disney-developing-live-action-aladdin-prequel-1201541165/

http://ew.com/article/2016/04/13/disney-live-action-peter-pan-movie/

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/emma-stone-talks-play-cruella-852693

http://time.com/4518450/disney-sets-a-date-for-live-action-mulan-movie/

http://variety.com/2017/film/news/donald-glover-simba-lion-king-remake-1201991771/

http://www.vulture.com/2016/10/fans-dont-want-a-mulan-with-a-white-male-lead.html

http://www.vulture.com/2017/03/beauty-and-the-beast-disneys-remake-machine.html

http://www.slashfilm.com/fantasia-live-action-remake/

http://hiddenremote.com/2017/03/06/lin-manuel-miranda-jack-lamplighter-new-mary-poppins-photo/