California hight-speed system would cost about $50 billion to complete. So, how does this make sense or cents?

$8 billion could help revive travel by train - USATODAY.com

$8 billion could help revive travel by train
By Marilyn Adams, USA TODAY
Americans started falling out of love with trains 50 years ago, when thrilling silver airliners left locomotives far behind.

Now, President Obama and leaders in more than 30 states say it's time to embrace trains again — but newer, faster ones that can transport passengers past gridlocked airports and highways on electrified railroads at up to 200 mph.

They're betting billions of federal and state dollars that high-speed railroads can someday move travelers between major U.S. cities within two or three hours just as they do in Western Europe and Japan. And along the way, they argue, such systems can ease travel congestion, reduce the nation's dependence on oil, cut pollution and create jobs.

"For so long, Americans have viewed the automobile and the airplane as our transportation vehicles," says Anne Canby, a former transportation secretary for Delaware and train advocate. "Until now, rail hasn't been a major player in the discussion."

Driving the new-found interest in trains is $8 billion that was tucked into the president's economic stimulus legislation signed last month.

The Department of Transportation is to distribute the money to embryonic high-speed rail projects around the country and to Amtrak, the national passenger rail service, to develop high-speed technology.

The government isn't wasting time. By next month, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is required to issue a strategic plan detailing how DOT will use the $8 billion. By June, his department is required to tell states how to apply for grants.

Eleven proposed high-speed rail corridors on the West Coast, Texas, the Great Lakes states, the Southeast, Florida and the Northeast will be vying for a piece of the stimulus money.

Competition "is going to be pretty severe," Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle says.

Doyle just returned from Spain, where he rode that country's high-speed Talgo system linking its capital, Madrid, to other major Spanish cities.

Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana and Ohio are pitching a high-speed rail network linking Chicago to big cities in those states, including Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, St. Louis, Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Detroit — trips that could be made within a couple of hours.

"People in this country don't appreciate what modern rail travel is," says Doyle, referring to the 180 mph Talgo system. "It is as smooth as riding in an airplane without any turbulence."

He says the Midwestern states don't envision a true high-speed system immediately. The first priority is making upgrades that would allow trains between Chicago and Milwaukee, for example, to travel at least 80 mph.

Designing, engineering, construction, operation and maintenance of new rail systems could create many U.S. jobs, rail advocates say.

"This would create a completely new industry here," says Rod Diridon, a member of California's High-Speed Rail Authority.

Diridon says his system is a leading candidate for funding because it would be a true high-speed train, and the state already has won environmental approvals. California voters approved issuing $10 billion in bonds to help pay for the system.

California's proposed express from San Francisco to Los Angeles would take about 2½ hours at 220 mph. "It would be faster downtown to downtown than flying," Diridon says.

As large as it sounds, $8 billion wouldn't begin to design and construct a true high-speed system in which rails are dedicated to high-speed trains. The California system alone would cost about $50 billion to complete.

"I see this as us making a down payment," says Mark Yachmetz, a top official at the Federal Railroad Administration. "It's the beginning of the renaissance of rail in this country."

Ultimately, so-called trip time — the travel time door-to-door vs. an auto or plane — will be the standard by which rail proposals will be judged.

Amtrak's recent track record gives hope to high-speed rail enthusiasts. The railroad carried a record 10.9 million passengers along the densely populated Northeast corridor last year. It has become a serious competitor of airlines there because the major cities — including Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington — are relatively close together.

Last year, Amtrak data show it accounted for 63% of the combined air and rail passenger traffic between Washington, D.C., and New York City compared with 50% four years earlier. Between New York and Boston, Amtrak's share of the traffic was 49% last year vs. 39% in 2004.

Many riders in the Northeast chose Amtrak's electrified Acela — the closest thing to a high-speed train in the USA. It makes few stops and runs at speeds up to about 135 mph.

Acela has shown, "We can do high-speed rail and reduce the trip time enough to make rail competitive with air," Amtrak CEO Joe Boardman says.

Highlights on the film career of Kurosawa

Inspiring at 100 - ScreenIndia.Com

Inspiring at 100
Posted: Apr 03, 2009 at 1504 hrs IST

Legendary Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa would have turned 99 on March 23 this year. His centennial year marks the AK 100 project that acquaints young viewers with the magical world of Kurosawa. His cinema inspired generations of filmmakers like George Lucas, Steven Spielberg and many in Bollywood as well. A tribute to the genius

Life and times
What Satyajit Ray is to India, Akira Kurosawa is to Japan. Both filmmakers introduced the cinemas of their respective countries to the world. A prominent Japanese filmmaker, screenwriter and editor, Kurosawa’s first film as director Sanshiro Sugata was released in 1943, his last, Madadayo, in 1993. His many awards include the Légion d’Honneur and an Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement.
Born the youngest of eight children, Kurosawa’s father worked as the director of a junior high school operated by the Japanese military and the Kurosawas descended from a line of former Samurai. A reasonably affluent family that embraced Western culture.

Rashomon’s international take-off
In 1936, Kurosawa worked as an assistant director to Kajiro Yamamoto. After his directorial debut with Sanshiro Sugata, his next few films were Government propaganda films - The Most Beautiful is about Japanese women working in a military optics factory. Judo Saga is about Japanese judo being superior to American boxing.
His post-war film, No Regrets For Our Youth, however criticises the old Japanese regime and is about the wife of a left-wing dissident, who is arrested for his political leanings. Kurosawa made several more films dealing with contemporary Japan, most notably Drunken Angel and Stray Dog. It was his period film Rashomon that made him internationally-famous and won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Emperor on the sets
Celebrated for his distinctive cinematic technique, which he had developed by the 1950s, and which gave his films a unique look, he used telephoto lenses, multiple cameras, which allowed him to shoot an action scene from different angles. Another Kurosawa trademark was the use of weather elements to heighten mood, like the heavy rain, heat, cold wind, snow and fog. Kurosawa also liked using frame wipes as a transition device.

Hailed as the Emperor owing to his dictatorial style of functioning, he was a perfectionist who spent all the time and effort in order to achieve desired visual effects. In Rashomon, he dyed the rain-water black with calligraphy ink for heavy rain effect and ended up using the entire local water supply in creating the rainstorm! In the final scene of Throne Of Blood, in which his favourite actor Mifune is shot by arrows, Kurosawa used real arrows shot by expert archers from a short range, landing within centimetres of the actor’s body. In Ran, an entire castle set was constructed on the slopes of Mount Fuji only to be burned to the ground in a climactic scene.

His quest for perfectionism is evident even in the costume department - he would often give his cast their costumes weeks before shooting was to begin and required them to wear them on a daily basis and “bond with them.” In some cases, such as with Seven Samurai, where most of the cast portrayed poor farmers, the costumes were worn down and tattered by the time shooting started.

Artistic influences
Kurosawa based his films on plots that are based on William Shakespeare’s works, adaptations of Russian literary works American writer Ed McBain and he also borrowed from American Westerns, while Stray Dog was inspired by the detective novels of Georges Simenon. Although he was criticised by a few Japanese critics that Kurosawa was “too Western”, he was really influenced by Japanese culture as well, including the Kabuki and Noh theaters and the Jidaigeki genre of Japanese cinema.

Inspiring filmmakers
Films by Kurosawa inspired an entire generation of filmmakers - Seven Samurai was remade as The Magnificent Seven, and the animation film A Bug’s Life is also said to be Pixar’s inspiration.
Rashomon was remade by Martin Ritt in 1964 as The Outrage. The 2005 animated film Hoodwinked applies the narrative structure of Rashomon to the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

Yojimbo was the basis for the Sergio Leone western A Fistful Of Dollars and two Bruce Willis films. The Hidden Fortress is an acknowledged influence on George Lucas ‘s Star Wars films, in particular Episodes IV and VI and most notably in the characters of R2-D2 and C-3PO . Lucas also used a modified version of Kurosawa’s wipe transition effect throughout the Star Wars saga.

Suicide attempt
Red Beard was a turning point in Kurosawa’s career - it was his last film with Mifune and his last in black-and-white. Kurosawa was signed to direct a Hollywood project, Tora! Tora! Tora! but 20th Century Fox replaced him with Toshio Masuda and Kinji Fukasaku before it was completed. His next few films found it hard to raise funds and were made intermittently over a trying period of five years. The first, Dodesukaden, about a group of poor people living around a rubbish dump, was not a success.

After an attempted suicide, Kurosawa went on to make several more films,but he had great difficulty in obtaining domestic financing despite his international reputation. Dersu Uzala , made in the Soviet Union and set in Siberia in the early 20th century, was the only Kurosawa film made that was not in the Japanese language. It is about the friendship of a Russian explorer and a nomadic hunter, and won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

Award gallery
Kagemusha, financed with the help of the director’s most famous admirers, George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola, is the story of a man who is the body-double of a medieval Japanese lord and takes over his identity after the lord’s death. The film was awarded the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival (shared with Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz). Ran, set in medieval Japan, the only film of Kurosawa’s career that received a Best Director Academy Award nomination. It was by far the largest project of Kurosawa’s late career, and he spent a decade planning it and getting it funded.

Kurosawa made three more films during the 1990s that were more personal than his earlier works. Dreams is a series of vignettes based on his own dreams. Rhapsody In August is about memories of the Nagasaki atomic bomb and his final film, Madadayo, is about a retired teacher and his former students.
Kurosawa died of a stroke in Setagaya, Tokyo,when he was 88.

An interesting tale of film-making in the career of Sonny Chiba

AnDVD Times - Yellow Fangs, just click here.

Trailers for Kinji Fukasaku Movie Trailers as they become available on the web

I'm looking for as many of the trailers for theses trailers as are available online. I'll be checking all the video sites such as google video, aol video, etc. If you find something, please e-mail me at pedestrianviewofla@gmail.com

This list is from IMDB. I'll be posting trailers regardless of language, so some may not be in English.


1. Batoru rowaiaru II: Chinkonka (2003)
... aka Batoru rowaiaru II: Rekuiemu (Japan: alternative title)
... aka Battle Royale 2: Revenge (UK: DVD title)
... aka Battle Royale II (USA)
... aka Battle Royale II: Requiem (literal English title)

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYExzoAULj0
2. Clock Tower 3 (2002) (VG)

Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vag8xkVa964
3. Batoru rowaiaru (2000)
... aka Battle Royale (International: English title)

Trailer:
4. Omocha (1999)
... aka The Geisha House (USA)

Trailer:
5. The Eaters (1997) (TV)

Trailer:
6. Abe ichizoku (1995) (TV)

Trailer:
7. Chushingura gaiden yotsuya kaidan (1994)
... aka Crest of Betrayal (International: English title)
Trailer:
8. Itsuka giragirasuruhi (1992)
... aka Double Cross (USA)
... aka Triple Cross (UK)
Trailer:
9. Hana no ran (1988)
... aka A Chaos of Flowers (informal literal English title)
... aka The Rage of Love (International: English title)
10. Hissatsu 4: Urami harashimasu (1987)
... aka Sure Death Revenge (UK)
... aka Sure-Fire Death 4: We Will Avenge You (USA: literal English title)
11. Kataku no hito (1986)
... aka House on Fire (International: English title)
12. Shanhai bansukingu (1984)
... aka Shanghai Rhapsody (International: English title)
13. Satomi hakken-den (1983)
... aka Legend of Eight Samurai (International: English title)
... aka Legend of the Eight Samurai (USA: dubbed version)
14. Jinsei gekijo (1983)
... aka Theatre of Life
15. Kamata koshin-kyoku (1982)
... aka Fall Guy
16. Dôtonborigawa (1982)
... aka Lovers Lost
17. Makai tenshô (1981)
... aka Makai tenshô: Samurai Reincarnation (International: English title)
... aka Samurai Reincarnation (USA)
18. Seishun no mon (1981)
... aka The Gate of Youth (USA)
19. Fukkatsu no hi (1980)
... aka Day of Resurrection (USA)
... aka The End (USA: video title)
... aka Virus (USA)
20. Ako-Jo danzetsu (1978)
... aka Last of the Ako Clan (International: English title: literal title)
... aka Swords of Vengeance (USA: video title)
... aka The Fall of Ako Castle (USA)
21. Uchu kara no messeji (1978)
... aka Message from Space (International: English title)
... aka Message from Space: Galactic Wars
... aka Return to Jelucia (USA: cable TV title)
22. Yagyû ichizoku no inbô (1978)
... aka Intrigue of the Yagyu Clan (International: English title: literal title)
... aka The Shogun's Samurai (USA)
... aka The Yagyu Conspiracy
... aka Yagyu Clan Conspiracy (USA)
23. Doberuman deka (1977)
... aka Detective Doberman (International: English title)
... aka The Doberman Cop
24. Hokuriku dairi senso (1977)
... aka Hokuriku Proxy War (USA: literal English title)
... aka Hokuriku: Proxy War (Japan: English title)
... aka Proxy War in Hokuriku
25. Shin jingi naki tatakai: Kumicho saigo no hi (1976)
... aka New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 3: Boss's Last Days (International: English title)
26. Bôsô panikku: Daigekitotsu (1976)
27. Yakuza no hakaba: Kuchinashi no hana (1976)
... aka Yakuza Burial: Jasmine Flower (USA: festival title)
... aka Yakuza Graveyard (UK)
28. Shin jingi naki tatakai: Kumicho no kubi (1975)
... aka New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 2: Boss's Head (International: English title)
29. Kenkei tai soshiki boryoku (1975)
... aka Cops vs. Thugs (Europe: English title)
30. Jingi no hakaba (1975)
... aka Death of Honor
... aka Graveyard of Honor (USA)
31. Shikingen gôdatsu (1975)
32. Shin jingi naki tatakai (1974)
... aka New Battles Without Honor and Humanity 1 (International: English title)
33. Jingi naki tatakai: Kanketsu-hen (1974)
... aka Battles Without Honor and Humanity 5: Final Episode
... aka Final Episode (USA: video title)
... aka The Yakuza Papers, Vol. 5: Final Episode (USA: DVD box title)
34. Jingi naki tatakai: Chojo sakusen (1974)
... aka Battles Without Honor and Humanity 4: Police Tactics
... aka Police Tactics (USA: video title)
... aka The Yakuza Papers, Vol. 4: Police Tactics (USA: DVD box title)
35. Jingi naki tatakai: Dairi senso (1973)
... aka Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Proxy War
... aka The Yakuza Papers, Vol. 3: Proxy War (USA: DVD box title)
... aka The Yakuza Papers: Proxy War (USA: DVD title)
36. Jingi naki tatakai: Hiroshima shito hen (1973)
... aka Battles Without Honor and Humanity: Deathmatch in Hiroshima
... aka Deadly Fight in Hiroshima (USA: DVD title)
... aka The Yakuza Papers, Vol. 2: Deadly Fight in Hiroshima (USA: DVD box title)
37. Jingi naki tatakai (1973)
... aka Battles Without Honor and Humanity (Canada: English title)
... aka Battles Without Honour and Humanity (International: English title)
... aka Tarnished Code of Yakuza (Australia)
... aka The Yakuza Papers
... aka War Without a Code
38. Hito-kiri Yota: Kyoken San-kyodai (1972)
... aka Outlaw Killers: Three Mad Dog Brothers (Japan: English title)
39. Gendai yakuza: hito-kiri yota (1972)
... aka Street Mobster (International: English title) (UK: DVD title)
... aka Modern Yakuza: Outlaw Killer (USA: festival title)
40. Gunki hatameku motoni (1972)
... aka Under the Flag of the Rising Sun
... aka Under the Fluttering Military Flag
41. Bakuto gaijin butai (1971)
... aka Sympathy for the Underdog (International: English title) (USA: DVD title)
... aka Gambler: Foreign Opposition (USA: festival title)
... aka Gamblers in Okinawa (International: English title)
42. Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) (Japanese sequences)
43. Chi-zome no daimon (1970)
44. Kimi ga wakamono nara (1970)
... aka If You Were Young: Rage (USA)
... aka Our Dear Buddies (USA)
45. Kuro bara no yakata (1969)
... aka Black Rose (USA)
... aka Black Rose Mansion (International: English title)
... aka Mansion of the Black Rose
46. Nihon boryoku-dan: Kumicho (1969)
... aka Japan Organized Crime Boss (USA)
47. The Green Slime (1968)
... aka After the Destruction of Space Station Gamma: Big Military Operation
... aka Battle Beyond the Stars
... aka Death and the Green Slime
... aka Gamma #3 Big Military Space Operation
... aka Gamma sango uchu daisakusen (Japan)
... aka The Battle of Space Station Gamma
48. Bakuto Kaisan-shiki (1968)
49. Kurotokage (1968)
... aka Black Lizard
50. Kyokatsu koso Waga Jinsei (1968)
... aka Blackmail Is My Business (USA)
... aka Blackmail Is My Life (USA: DVD title)
... aka Call Me Blackmail! (USA)
51. Kaisan shiki (1967)
52. Kamikaze yarô (1966)
53. Odoshi (1966)
54. Hokkai no Abare-Ryu (1966)
55. Showa saidai no kaoyaku (1966)
56. Ôkami to buta to ningen (1964)
... aka Wolves, Pigs & Men (International: English title)
... aka Wolves, Pigs and People (USA: festival title)
57. Jakoman to Tetsu (1964)
... aka Jakoman and Tetsu
... aka Jyakoman to Tetsu (Japan: alternative transliteration)
58. Gang domei (1963)
... aka Gyangu 7 (Japan: informal title)
59. Gyangu tai G-men (1962)
... aka Gang vs. G-Men (literal English title)
... aka Gyangu 4 (Japan: informal title)
60. Hokori takaki chosen (1962)
... aka The Proud Challenge (USA: literal English title)
61. Funky Hat no kaidanji (1961)
... aka Vigilante in the Funky Hat
62. Funky Hat no kaidanji: Nisenman-en no ude (1961)
... aka Vigilante in the Funky Hat: 200,000 Yen Arm
63. Fûraibô tantei: Akai tani no sangeki (1961)
... aka The Drifting Detective
64. Fûraibô tantei: Misaki o wataru kuroi kaze (1961)
65. Hakuchu no buraikan (1961)
... aka Greed in Broad Daylight (USA)
Hana no ran (1988) (writer)
... aka A Chaos of Flowers (informal literal English title)
... aka The Rage of Love (International: English title)

Another Fukasaku Interview (no subtitles)-VIRUS【復活の日】 メイキング スタッフインタビュー

Just click here!

IMDB Presents Trailers to a Few of K.F.'s Movies & a Filmography

1) Just click here for previews.

2) IMDB Filmography

An article on Kinji Fukasaku's Use of Close-Ups

Just click here.

仁義なき戦い* BORYOKU (Violence) - Kinji Fukasaku

Interview is without subtitles. Sorry!
Battle Without Honor and Humanity.
An interview on violence; just click here.

blogger Tags: Kinji Fukasaku, Violence

Jonathan Ross interviewing Sonny Chiba for Japanorama

The Street Fighter original English trailer (Sonny Chiba)