Rashomon: The Criterion Collection: Here we have another masterpiece from Japan's greatest director.

Rashomon is a simple story and at the same time a very complex narrative which filmmakers have tried to emulate in everything from television episodes to worldwide film hits like Hero. A man is killed and found dead in the forest. There are only a few clues as to what happened so we as the audience are left to figure out based on the testimonies of various characters in the story to determine what is real and what is not.

The film has many strengths and not the least of which is the cast. Toshiro Mifune is, as always, fantastic and other Kurosawa regulars Minoru Chiaki and Takashi Shimura put in great performances as well. The most incredible performance, however, comes from Machiko Kyo in her role as the woman.

After seeing so much crap, watching a Kurosawa movie is a good way to restore your hope in filmmakers. If only we could get today's directors, actors and cinematographers to really study these films along with the works of Orson Welles and Victor Flemming then perhaps we can go to the movies again without fear.

Labels: Classics, Japanese, Kurosawa

Throne of Blood: Akira Kurosawa was a master of film. There is little that can be denied there in that his films are universally praised by most film critics. Throne of Blood is no exception to this as it was quite good and is well received by most critics.

The story is basically Macbeth set in Feudal Japan. Instead of Macbeth we have Washizu played by Japanese legend Toshiro Mifune. Also instead of the witches there is a single evil spirit who predicts the rise and fall of Washizu. Outside of other minor details, this is a pretty good version of Macbeth. The only thing I can notice is that Washizu's wife seems even more wicked than Lady Macbeth.

This is definitely one of Kurosawa's best films and is something that any serious student of film should watch. Fans of Shakespeare might appreciate it as well

Labels: Classics, Japanese, Kurosawa