May 7, 2004
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The Last Samurai
Finally out in video. This was what I had hoped to see for the Christmas movie outing but wound up in Master and Commander instead. Both are testosterone fests. I must say I enjoy dry land films more than sea sagas. Plus the costumes are way prettier in this one. And I mean the men’s costumes. It’s basically a redemption tale. Cruise finds his way out of the miserable pit he’s made for himself from memories of Custer’s last stand by lining up with the proud, disciplined, and spiritual samurai as they are finally forced into their own last stand. When looking for an image I found this nice page of the history of that event and some precepts – see here. There are some riproaring battle scenes and smaller scale fights, but I enjoyed most the quiet philosophical moments. Cruise and Watanabe did well with their roles. There were some smaller roles that were good. Guess history is just going to keep repeating this story of big superpowers crushing smaller ones till the end of time. Have a peaceful day.
Deep Thought: If you lose your job, your marriage and your mind all in one week, try to lose your mind first, because then the other stuff won’t matter that much.
Today I am grateful for: iTunes Music Store
Comments (9)
I was pulling for Ken Watanabe to get the academy award. He was really great in this film and from what I understand is one of Japan’s best actors. He was suffering from cancer during the filming of this movie. I enjoyed this movie more than I thought I would since I’m not a Tom Cruise fan and that initially kept me from seeing it.
Thanks for the review–have been wanting to see that.
i haven’t seen this movie yet but will plan to one of these days. i really like your deep thoughts quote for this entry. if only i had seen it during the week in my life when all of these things happened to me, heh, could have spared myself much anguish..ah well…
I haven’t seen the movie, I don’t really like Tom Cruise – except in the Mission Impossible movies – he does those pretty well. Sounds like I should check it out though. Hope you are having a great day. Sounds like we are to have some nasty thunder storms over here in Gresham later today.
Sorry, I can’t take Tom Cruise seriously as an actor. I’ve been avoiding Samurai because he seems so implausible in the trailer. I’ll give it a second look the next time I visit the evil video store.
Waiting for Troy.
Well, I lost my mind, does that mean nothing will bother me? LOL….
I like Tom Cruise but I haven’t seen the movie yet.
I haven’t see it yet. I’m looking forward to seeing it.
It’s all history can do as long as we don’t get it.