Reviews

the movie is as exciting as banking can get...yes there is a "gangster" and mafia feel to it and Koji Yakusho, Tatsuya Nakadai, and Mayumi Wakamura really give great performances but that is the problem...the best scenes are the ones with Tatsuya Nakadai in them and that's because he's a great actor -but- the story, based on actual events, just doesn't captivate the audience...and the tragedy of one the characters just didn't draw any emotion---if you know alot about modern Japan then this movie is for you (and I'm sure the story will be more relevant to you) but in my case I have only seen the creme of the crop of Japanese cinema from the 50s, 60s and 70s and I just plain never understood the roots of the Asian economic crisis so I just felt this movie was lacking.

For any of you out there who considers life to be purposeless/pointless and you feel totally helpless and ridiculous...this movie ought to put you back on track. The main character, a middle school teacher is lost, I mean really lost in thought---all the time and seems that even a household pet has a more interesting life...the cat. The movie is hard to describe but let me try--- it is about someone who will find the guts to try to accomplish something after a series of ridiculous and tragic event --- the color of the movie changes dramatically in the last scene because not only has the character awaken to his own life but the audience as well---the movie is that good but only after you figure it out!!!

This filmed theatrical performance centers on the tension between a Japanese ruler and a Korean artist. The ruler a Buddhist who considers himself a living Buddha amidst the suffering of his people brought on by his indifference, the artist a Confucian whose pride has been trampled on so many times he comes to hate even his innocent Japanese student who courts his daughter. One of the many themes in this carefully told story includes the idea of individuality portrayed by a political rebel sporting an ogre's mask. The rebel and the Japanese art student, fueled by their individual power, storm the castle of the corrupt lord like demon's of hell. Although the wheel of karma turns, symbolized by the wheels on the lavish royal carriage, their is always personal choice. The artist chose to imprison his daughter,Yoshika, drive away his foreign protege, and dared the lord to burn the carriage holding his girl. The lord chose, to indulge in an egocentric project to have a painting of himself as an enlightened being, verbally and physically abusing the genius painter, ignore the Korean king's call for help during an invasion, hold the innocent daughter of the artist, and ordered the slaughter of Korean immigrant's as they tried to go home. We, the audience hope for a glance at the evolving masterpiece the artist is working on. The painting is at first inspired the the fear of a chained little boy who squirms at the sight of approaching snakes. Finally, the artist (Tatsuya Nakadai) realizes that the torment of damnation is within himself this whole time. The flames in the movie seem to melt the screen and the haunting flute song becomes the soul of this tragedy. All the actors and actresses perform this tale in a very traditional, super dramatic way. Every time the artist begs for the return of his daughter from the lord you can't help but feel heart broken. The film is a real treasure but slightly flawed due to the innapropriate soundtrak which would be more appropriate for a western epic. Masaki Kobayashi's Kwaidan clearly contributed to this film's lush and hyper real colors, textures and images. Do anything you can to view this work.

At the center of a clan's political intrigue and pride is a woman treated like a doll. Her feelings and human value are ignored in favor of a lord's whims and customs of the time. Her sympathizers are a new younger husband and his father who realize and will risk everythint to uphold her virtue. Ichi, the heroine, is not alone. Ichi's infant daughter Tomi, the precious life that Isaburo, her grandfather (played by Toshiro MIfune), must guard risks falling into the tragic pattern as that of her mother. The film moves at a calculated pace, much like water boiling, to the final duel which will decide whether or not the innocent Tomi remains in the arms of her now renegade grandfather or a secure life with Isaburo's friend (played by Tatsuya Nakadai). LIke all good movies, viewers can never fathom the ending. What makes Samurai Rebellion memorable are its vivid images of a toy cow slowly shaking it's head, a smooth field of sand disturbed by the footprints of an angry warrior, and the last scene you may miss if you blink!

Brilliant! Harakiri is a movie worth buying. If you love films, of any genre you have to see this one at least once (it's characters and story are that universal). Although set during the twilight of the samurai era, Harakiri has a story which can shake the norms of any modern culture anywhere in the world. The secure but lonely life of an old warrior and his daughter are like a house built on sand and when the wind of change blows there is a stench from the injustice and apathy from other samurai who stilll sleep in the illusion of their usefulness. And no, this film is not about revenge, swords and just killing, in fact the action is so concentrated and sudden it's role is to jar the audience out of the spell the director and actors and actresses cast and screams "this is it, it's the end, it's real, and you'll remember every second forever'.

Keiko, also known as mama, is one of those truly unforgettable characters who you swear must exist somewhere out there in the real world. She is both strong, graceful and intelligent. This film has an outstanding lead and supporting cast, and ofcourse a great story centering on the day by day account of the life of a bar woman who struggles to maintain her pride. Don't worry, this movie's initially slow pace blossoms with enough twists and surprises to captivate and reward modern viewers.

Other characters to compare Keiko to is Junko, a much younger bar girl, who manages to work the system to her financial advantage. Komatsu, Keiko's manager, a young man smitten by Keiko's enchanting beauty and is reduced to just imagining a future alongside his beloved. Both Junko and Komatsu's youth prove to be of great contrast to Keiko and her wisdom of thiry years. Unlike Keiko, Junko can imagine and realize her simple but dead end dream of opening a bar in exchange for her dignity. Komatsu's wishes are as empty as his hands as he plays bartender in a run down club. He, alongside other people who are part of Keiko's life will slowly switch roles from friends, patrons and protector, Komatsu, into those who will contribute to the torture in Keiko's life. Just as rice was the center of Seven Samurai, money is the heart of this film. Ultimately, the heroine can rise above everything, everyone and ascend the stairs to Bar Carton again.

Before watching Kiru "Kill!" see SEven SAmurai, Hidden Fortress, Sanjuro, Yojimbo and the awesome SWORD OF DOOM then you will catch all of the inside jokes and truly appreciate this masterful parody. The humor in this movie is conveyed elegantly. For example the director of "Kiru," Okamoto, who also directed Sword of Doom, included a stone Buddha atop of the hill overlooking the desolate town setting of the movie in reference to "Daibosatsu Toge" which means "Great Buddha Pass" (the Japanese title for Sword of Doom). Okay that wasn't the best example, but can you imagine henchmen screaming EXTRA loud when they are butchered? Or how about a grimy farmer turning away a cute girl he calls a "powdered monster!" Amidst the exaggerated dust storms, references to the value of rice, mountain treks and the trouble 7 "children" or samurai cause when planning a conspiracy is a trio of heroes: a farmer who yearns to be a samurai, the last henchmen of an annihilated gang, and a vagabond (rather than a dashing ronin) played by Tatsuya Nakadai. Yes, there are staring duels, flying daggers, great fight scenes with wooden swords but lastly a showdown that is NOT in the middle of a ghost town or rolling field but in a tiny room. This film is for the fans!!!

lacking in the character and story department. First of all the movie was predictable, protagonist involved in conspiracy to steal government gold and massacre of innocent witnesses/ accomplices, protagonist feels guilty and seeks justice and revenge. What saves it from being a mediocre movie is some attention to setting an atmosphere. For example, an aqua blue sky speckled with cackling ravens, a fire storm during an avalanche, a snow covered background married to the rhythms of masked drummers and a very elegant scene involving small daggers thrown between opponents. Actors and actresses gave this movie their all but it is not as memorable as other films from this genre. If you want to see a really GREAT movie check out SWORD OF DOOM (Bosatsu Toge) also starring TATSUYA NAKADAI.

movie about self perception and the bond between the mind and the body...soundtrak really set the mood for the increasing horror in the story line. Nakadai downplays his role to give an overall flawless performance. Watch for some really good lines which will undoubtedly force the viewer to start thinking right away which may distract from the plot (but hey, it's an artsy masterpiece right?)...There is a lot of experimentation in the cinematography such as a door which opens and reveals a cluster of hair in ocean tides...this effect serves to foreshadow the action but may in the view of modern audiences comes across as trying TOO hard to be an art film. I left the movie still trying to link the two parallel story lines in the film and you may too...but don't worry you get two stories for the price of one...DO NOT watch this movie in the dark even though there is nothing VISUALLY terrifying it is still a great horror film...