Movie Reviewer Another Character

The Cat Lady turned up in the dairy section at the supermarket. This is the passerby who previously told me the story of the Too Fat Cats – the two displaced cats in the park and the cathouse built for two. Not knowing her name, I dubbed her “The Cat Lady”.

We sometimes ran into each other, but never formally introduced ourselves. Aside from keeping track of those cats and the location of their house-like boxes, what was she doing all day? And, of course, when you need to find someone, they’re never around.

Then, I looked up from the cheese, and there she was.
“Ara!,” she said. (That’s what ladies say when meeting unexpectedly).

I nicknamed her “The Cat Lady” because that fits into my neighborhood cast of characters: The Dog Lady, The Bowling Bike Man (and his Mean Father), The Smoking-in-the-Driveway Man, and The Downstairs Neighbor Lady.

The name of “The One Who Sees the Cats” is Moriko Minamino. At the supermaket, wanting to set up a meeting, I requested an email address. She didn’t have a pen. She said, in English, that she’s an author and always uses a typewriter. “Ah so. A traditionalist,” I thought. She corrected herself: she uses a computer.

Moriko, 40, explained she used to study English as a university student here but hasn’t spoken English much in recent years.

Moriko works from home, writing short movie reviews for some websites. She sees about 5 movies per week. She always finishes writing in time to have dinner ready for her husband at 7 p.m.  He works at a major Japanese computer company. They don't have any kids or pets.

Moriko owns only about 100 movie DVDs, so when I see her around, she’s probably headed to the local Tsutaya, the Blockbuster-like video rental chain in Japan. She’s not reimbursed for the cost of the rentals. She also goes to screenings at the studios, and atttends public premieres.

Often having the large studio screening rooms to herself, she sometimes invites a friend. But she has to bring her own drink and snacks.

At premieres and press conferences, Moriko has shaken the hands of Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Richard Gere and Eddie Murphy, among others. She’s said konichiwa to Pierce Brosnan on two occasions, and said he was grumpy the first time but friendlier the second time.

Moriko uses the 1-to-5-star rating system, with 5 being the best. She gives Kung Fu Panda, and The Fall, 5-stars each.

Low budget, Japanese horror films usually receive only 1 star.

The movies she can’t resist watching if she sees it while channel surfing: “Roman Holiday”, and “Titantic”.

Moriko contributes at these Japanese websites:
Gyao; Cinetre; MSN Movies. Her blog.