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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
 Posted - 01/08/2004 : 17:25:17
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Answer: quite a lot. I taped it off of the Independent Film Channel awhile back and only recently got around to watching it. I was expecting this austere, overblown historical document, partly due to the length of the film and partly because "Throne of Blood", another Kurosawa film, half-fit that description when I watched it a few months ago. Instead, Seven Samurai kept my attention from start to finish. A great story that focuses much more on the development of characters and events than the incidental tension/violence between the farmers and the bandits, it ranks up there with The Brothers Karamazov in its success with exploring humanity at its most desperate while also delivering on the entertainment end.
Also, Toshiro Mifune rules. |
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Itchload
= Cult of Ray =
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2004 : 22:37:25
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Whenever I'm in the mood for 3 hours of loud, Damo Suzuki style screaming, it's my first choice.
Actually, my admiration for kurosawa is constantly growing, I saw Seven Samurai early on (after Rashomon) and wasn't blown away. That said, I've subsequently liked many of his films I've seen afterward (Yojimbo especially) so I should re-view. |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 07:27:27
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I loved Seven Samurai. I can see why you compare the character development to Brothers Karamazov, but I think Kurosawa has more hope and tenderness toward humanity than Dostoyevsky ever did. Not to mention his great sense of humor. I haven't seen a Kurosawa film I didn't love, and he is my favorite director. His movies are thought-provoking and humanist, with an eye for beauty, the sublime, and an amazing understanding of human character, it's frailty and redemption. Movies about the heroism or everyday tragedy of the common man, and the honest beauty in simplicity. Even the most serious have humor in them - and quite a few are outright hilarious. These are most of the films I've managed to see so far:
*After the Rain (Ame agaru) - very good
*Not Yet (Madadayo) - one of his most personal and touching. I saw this right after he died in 1998
*Rhapsody in August (Hachigatsu no rapusodî) - old meets new generation
*Akira Kurosawa's Dreams (Yume) - one of my favorites, a good place to start if you are new to his movies
*Dora-heita - very funny
*Ran - classic
*Kagemusha (The Double) - gets mixed reviews, but we really enjoyed it
*Dodes'kaden - another humanist and touching story of the common, "lower-class"
*Yojimbo - hilarious
*Seven Samarai (Shichinin no samurai) - classic
*Ikiru - love it!
*Rashômon - classic
 Swedish Chef's "Dumpling of Wisdom": Øder tis moodle in der noggin tu smacken der ouchey und vinger-slingers ur to smacken-backen und fix de morkin, yøobetcha! |
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 14:02:10
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Wow, thanks for the movie tips Apl! I'll try to check out "Yume" next, though I'll pretty much take whatever I can get considering the limited selection in these geographical parts. ;) As for the Dostoevsky/Kurosawa comparison, I am only comparing the mentioned works and wouldn't claim to be an expert on the entirety or even most of either person's artistic efforts. That said, I personally think there's plenty of humor and sympathy inherent in Dostoevsky's examination of the human heart/soul; it's just that his characters tend to be a little more demented/convoluted than Kurosawa's. :) I do find it interesting that both explored the relationship between different social classes, though.
Can is a good band. |
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Atheist4Catholics
= Cult of Ray =
USA
925 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 14:41:24
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Hidden Fortress is also great and interesting in that it was the inspiration for R2D2 and C-3PO
 "Join the Cult of Frank / or The Clops gets it!" |
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apl4eris
~ Abstract Brain ~
USA
4800 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 14:46:40
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No problem, happy to share - I was lucky to be able to go to the Wicker Park video store in Chicago (Earwax) and rent just about anything - that was wonderful. Now, I am stuck with Hollywood and Blockbuster - utter shite. Do you have a dvd player? If so, have you tried Netflix? I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile, what kind of selection, etc.
It's been so long since I read any Dostoyevsky, I shouldn't even say anything about it - I do remember loving C&P and Bros. Kara., but it's hard to remember the fner points, and I may have been too young to catch his subtleties of humor. Man, it's looking like this is going to be the year I need to reread all my old favorites.
Swedish Chef's "Dumpling of Wisdom": Øder tis moodle in der noggin tu smacken der ouchey und vinger-slingers ur to smacken-backen und fix de morkin, yøobetcha! |
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JamesM
= Cult of Ray =
308 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 15:54:41
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Never seen Seven Samurai, but Dostoevsky (misspelled, I'm sure) is a great author. Not wild about his philosophy, which was strictly authoritarian and reminiscent of Thrasymachus (another name I'm sure I've misspelled), but he wasn't a bad philosopher by any means.
-Jimmy M. |
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Cheeseman1000
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
Iceland
8201 Posts |
Posted - 01/09/2004 : 16:46:22
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I feel the need to mention some long Russian/Japanes/ancient Greek name here. I'm not going to though. I've only seen the Magnificent Seven, but I liked. Bla-de-blah Steve McQueen, blaah blah Yul Brynner. Blah blah Napoleon Solo blah?
 "I joined the Cult Of Cheese/E-Damn!" |
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Chris Knight
= Cult of Ray =
USA
899 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2004 : 14:56:57
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LOL Cheeseman.
Nope, haven't tried Netflix. Looks promising, though. I'd rather pay $20/month for unlimited movies than $40 for a few good movies and a lot of network dross.
I'm surprised Floop hasn't chimed in on the subject of Akira Kurosawa yet. Maybe I offended him with the title of this thread. :P |
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