Today marks the centenary of Akira Kurosawas birth..just thought I'd mark it here
Hooray for Kurosawa! I think it's time for the Seven Samurai, at the very least.
Not Kurosawa, but worth watching ...
Kagemusha is alright and I honestly find Ran a bit tedious.
Personally, I much more prefer Sanjuro and Yojimbo, and of course Nana Nin no Samurai is classic.
For a real treat, however, try Dodesukaden or Dersu Uzala
R.
I love Yojimbo, but depending on my mood, I love Ran more. I haven't seen the last two films you've mentioned, I'm going to have to add them to the ol' Netflix.
Not Kurosawa, but worth watching ...
Kagemusha is alright and I honestly find Ran a bit tedious.
Personally, I much more prefer Sanjuro and Yojimbo, and of course Nana Nin no Samurai is classic.
For a real treat, however, try Dodesukaden or Dersu Uzala
R.
I really liked Yojimbo and Sanjuro; haven't seen Dodesukaden or Dersu Uzala, what's that about?
I've watched Zatoichi and Zenigata Heiji(the latter in many incarnations..I have not watched all 900+ episodes, although I would love to do that when I retire), over and over again but I have only seen bits and pieces of Akira Kurosawan fare. Aside from Seven Samurai, which I'm sure I've seen all of, just out of order, where should I start?
I've watched Zatoichi and Zenigata Heiji(the latter in many incarnations..I have not watched all 900+ episodes, although I would love to do that when I retire), over and over again but I have only seen bits and pieces of Akira Kurosawan fare. Aside from Seven Samurai, which I'm sure I've seen all of, just out of order, where should I start?
Yojimbo
Kurosawa+Mifune = perfection.
You'll recognise the plot...Sergio Leone stole it for 'A Fistful off Dollars'..mind you Kurosawa stole it from Damon Runyons 'Red Dust' filmed a few years back as 'Last Man Standing' with Bruce Willis.(Are we confused yet?)
I've watched Zatoichi and Zenigata Heiji(the latter in many incarnations..I have not watched all 900+ episodes, although I would love to do that when I retire), over and over again but I have only seen bits and pieces of Akira Kurosawan fare. Aside from Seven Samurai, which I'm sure I've seen all of, just out of order, where should I start?
It kind of depends on what you like about his movies I think.
Rashomon is considered by many to be one of his best I believe,but Yojimbo and Sanjuro are good if you like stories about a lone
samurai (basically the inspiration for clint eastwoods a fistfull of dollars); Ran and Kagemusha are set during the Sengoku Jidi
period (same with Sanjuro and Yojimbo) and are mostly about massive armies clashing, policital manuevering, and betrayal. Ran is basically
King Lear; Throne of Blood is based off of Macbeth; and the Hidden Fortress is what Lucas drew inspiriation from it to make Star Wars.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of his movies really, but
it's definitely a matter of taste.
I think Ran has one of the most beautifully filmed mass battle sequences ever made. That alone is worth the price of the rental.
I've watched Zatoichi and Zenigata Heiji(the latter in many incarnations..I have not watched all 900+ episodes, although I would love to do that when I retire), over and over again but I have only seen bits and pieces of Akira Kurosawan fare. Aside from Seven Samurai, which I'm sure I've seen all of, just out of order, where should I start?It kind of depends on what you like about his movies I think.
Rashomon is considered by many to be one of his best I believe,
but Yojimbo and Sanjuro are good if you like stories about a lone
samurai (basically the inspiration for clint eastwoods a fistfull of dollars); Ran and Kagemusha are set during the Sengoku Jidi
period (same with Sanjuro and Yojimbo) and are mostly about massive armies clashing, policital manuevering, and betrayal. Ran is basically
King Lear; Throne of Blood is based off of Macbeth; and the Hidden Fortress is what Lucas drew inspiriation from it to make Star Wars.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of his movies really, but
it's definitely a matter of taste.
You just sold me on Throne of Blood. In my mind Macbeth>>>>>>Hamlet. I'll pick it up next week when I get paid. I'll also pick up Yojimbo and Sanjuro, as a good friend of mine is a big Clint Eastwood fan and we get into friendly debates over who stole what from whom, and these movies will put more arrows in my quiver.
You just sold me on Throne of Blood. In my mind Macbeth>>>>>>Hamlet. I'll pick it up next week when I get paid. I'll also pick up Yojimbo and Sanjuro, as a good friend of mine is a big Clint Eastwood fan and we get into friendly debates over who stole what from whom, and these movies will put more arrows in my quiver.I've watched Zatoichi and Zenigata Heiji(the latter in many incarnations..I have not watched all 900+ episodes, although I would love to do that when I retire), over and over again but I have only seen bits and pieces of Akira Kurosawan fare. Aside from Seven Samurai, which I'm sure I've seen all of, just out of order, where should I start?It kind of depends on what you like about his movies I think.
Rashomon is considered by many to be one of his best I believe,
but Yojimbo and Sanjuro are good if you like stories about a lone
samurai (basically the inspiration for clint eastwoods a fistfull of dollars); Ran and Kagemusha are set during the Sengoku Jidi
period (same with Sanjuro and Yojimbo) and are mostly about massive armies clashing, policital manuevering, and betrayal. Ran is basically
King Lear; Throne of Blood is based off of Macbeth; and the Hidden Fortress is what Lucas drew inspiriation from it to make Star Wars.
I don't think you can go wrong with any of his movies really, but
it's definitely a matter of taste.
Good deal :)
I liked Throne of Blood a lot, and when I firstsaw it, I didn't know it was basically Macbeth,
but I kept thinking "why does this all seem familiar..."
As far as Yojimbo, I believe it came out before
the fistfull of dollars series. There are a lot
of similarities that I'm sure you'll see. The
main character, who played Kikuchu in Seven Samurai,
is awesome. If you watch a lot of samurai movies or
anime, you'll notice his actions reflect the "archtypical"
loner/tough guy schtick. Great stuff.
There's a bunch of Kurosawa on Watch Instantly on Netflix right now.
lol thats how I've been watching them,
using Roku, I'm loving it right now.
For those fans with a pile of money lying around with no plans for it:
I think Ran has one of the most beautifully filmed mass battle sequences ever made. That alone is worth the price of the rental.
I whole heartedly agree with this sentiment.
Hi!
Just wanted to say that you can't go wrong with Dersu Uzala or Ikiru. They're not samurai films, but they are up there with my all-time favs, and Ikiru I'd certainly consider a must-see-before-you-die movie. Wiki has the dry basics:
Dersu Uzala.
Ikiru
Really, even if you just like sword-and-geta movies, try and watch any or both.
They are that awesome!
And yes, I'm a Kurosawa fan!
Happy birthday to the master!
Ikiru I'd certainly consider a must-see-before-you-die movie.
I second to infinityth that.