a contemporary virsion of Dumas

I watched "the count of Monte Christo" which was made into a cartoon series for TV. It's produced in Japan. As you know, Japanese animation is fabulous and one of our proud industries.But this time I really feel it difficult to remake a famous classic literature.
Once I watched a TV movie of this novel directed by French TV production or BBC. This was faithful to the original story and very enjoyable. But in Japanese cartoon version they tried to express something new by focusing on psychological description. And they emphasised on the dark side of the story. Indeed this is a story of revenge, but I don't think its atmosphere is mysterious and ennui. Dumas was an optimistic and energetic man, I feel.
Of course it is very important to try something new. We shouldn't be afraid of remaking the great classics. I'd like to value the efforts of Japanese animators. Maybe there are many people who love this cartoon. I know I'm a little bit conservative and obstinate as far as literature is concerned. But still I think it is very difficult to surpass the original. It may be that making a remake of something is more difficult than making brand new film.
But it's really good for killing time to make imaginary cast list.If I directed TV movie of "the count of Monte Christo", I'd like to cast Hugh Jackman as the count. And Paul Bettany as Maximilian. Something different? O.K. There are as many imaginary cast lists as the number of day dream directors.

Harry Potter and the lookalike

The other day I got the final volume of "Harry Potter" at the second hand bookstore.

Al tough I'm not an earnest Harry fan, I already read the rest of books to study English.

This last one is the best of all series, I think.The drama unfolded so speedily that I could read through it at a stretch.

Finishing reading, now I missed all the characters, but especially Hermione.She is good. A little stiff. but very sensitive and gentle.I imagine she is a reflection of the author herself.

A picture above is a Japanese chess player.

"The count of Monte Cristo"

I've just read "The count of Monte Cristo".
Dumas was a great entertainer! Tough this was written in the mid 19th century, its excitement is timeless.
But I prefer "Three musketeer". Because this one is much more Innocent and exhilarating than "The count of Monte Cristo". I couldn't sympathize with the count's revenge.

Nevertheless, "The count of Monte Cristo" is an enjoyable story. Dumas completely knew what the entertainment is. And I enjoy imagining Dumas was a pure,naive and naive man at the heart like D'Artagnan.

craig bellamy!

Westham's great striker Craig Bellamy recovered from abdoman inujury.

gone with the wind

The other day my friend recommend that I read " gone with the wind". Needles to say, this is one of great books of 20th century and I also enjoyed movie version very much. But I have never read the original one.
The friend said that this book remind us of simple joy of reading books. She was right. I got instantly absorbed in the novel.

She told me this was a story about economics. Of course she is right, again.
This Mitchell's work teach us history of civil war.
And at the same time, I thought this is the U.S. version "In search of Lost Time".
Scarlett O'Hara is a very aggressive. But she always fight for the lost things.
For the good old days of the South, her first love, and Red butler who abandoned her....
This is a story of very tough woman, but her purpose is always retrospective and nostalgic.
Contradiction. But that's why this book is so fascinating.

And I felt it very interesting that Mitchell made Scarlet fight for the lost things.
When one wants to recover the loss, most novelist wouldn't make their heroine or hero fight..
At least Japanese writer don't, I suppose. Just missing the past or complaining of it.

Anyway this was a very good book.

Maupassant

I read Maupassant's anthology of short stories.
My best story is "La maison Tellier". Set in 19th century Normandi, the story depicts a vacation of protstitutes. They are dubious women, but very naive and pure-hearted at the same time. They took a vacation in order to join a First holy communion of for the niece of the"Madame". They went to a rural area and the people there took them for sophisiticated decent ladies.
When one of the prositutes was so impressed by the ceremony and began to cry, the rest of congregation weeped with her. Even a priest was strongly impressed by prostitute's tear and praise her and friends, not knowing that they were prostitutes. It's very funny scene.
The whole story is funny, but a little tear-milking. Very good story.

Congratulations, Mr. Paul Robinson!!

England manager Fabio Capello confirmed his final suquad for the friendly with France on 26th March.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson who was once dropped come back again!

In commemoration of his come back I post two of my drawings today.

The first step!

Today is the first day of my blog!
I'm writing from Japan.
The title of this blog is named after Japnese famous cartoon hero "Oba-Q".
He is a great man...no, not a man, but a gohst.
Anyway, he is a great, inocent, pure, noble, generous, and big eater. He is my Mr. Right.

My hobby is reading.
Especially I'm really into 19th century literature.
And I like watching football games on TV.
My favorite team is Westham United.
Furtermore, I like drawing illustrations and watching movies.
So I'm going to write about those things.