"Shall We Dance?" wins Critics' Choice Award 1998

Shall We Dance?, the Japanese romantic comedy released in the United States in July 1997, won Critics' Choice Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 3rd annual ceremony held January 20, 1998. It was one of many awards the film garnered, including 14 Japanese Academy Awards. 

I saw this in the theater in Dallas and loved it so much, I haven't bothered to watch the Gere-Lopez version. 

Happy birthday, Godzilla actor Takehiro Murata!

Takehiro Murata, born March 18, 1960 in Tokyo, Japan, has appeared in five Godzilla movies.  His first appearance was in Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth in 1992.  He then appeared Godzilla vs. Destroyah (1995), Godzilla 2000 (1999), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), and Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla (2002).  The last two he only had cameo appearances.

He was nominated by the Japanese Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Godzilla and Mothra: The Battle for Earth.

"Shin Godzilla" released 2016

Shin Godzilla premiered July 25, 2016 in Tokyo before being released to the rest of the country on July 29.  It is the first Toho Company production of Godzilla since Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004.  Also, it is considered a 'reboot' of the series since it is not a sequel to any of the previous movies.

It was released in the US in October starting with Los Angeles on Oct 3, New York City on Oct 5 and Columbus, Ohio on October 7.  Then it had a limited release on October 11.

At the Awards of the Japanese Academy, it won Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Lighting, Best Editing, Best Sound and Best Art Direction.  It was nominated for four more awards.