Saturday Evening Movie Thread - 6/11/2022 [TheJamesMadison]

The Samurai

Samurai movies as they became known were heavily influenced by Westerns from the 30s and 40s. Given a huge boost in popularity both in Japan and across the world by Akira Kurosawa's earlier jidaigeki films like Rashomon and Seven Samurai, they drew upon the conventions of the Westerns of John Ford, John Wayne, and Randolph Scott to create similar situations while drawing on the distinctly Japanese settings, usually the height of the Tokugawa era of the Shogunate. That Western influence helped create a unique genre that was both distinctly its own but also had the wide ability to tell a large variety of stories.

The standard was really set by people like Kurosawa, Hiroshi Inagaki, and Hideo Gosha, usually leaning towards a more action focus that continues to give the genre appeal to modern audiences looking for genre thrills. Building films around stoic ideals of the Bushido who used violence to offer moral clarity in a world of murkiness, the standard gave audiences action and a bit of simplicity mixed with genuine looks at an exotic time and place. For the Japanese, it was an extension of their own past, and for foreign audiences it was different enough in look while working in familiar manners.

What happens when a filmmaker approaches the genre with no love of it? With no sense of nostalgia for the lost time and place? With only contempt for the system of power the films displayed? What if this director is one of the best working directors in the industry? Well, that's when you get films like Harakiri and Samurai Rebellion by Masaki Kobayashi.

Masaki Kobayashi

A contemporary of Kurosawa's (with whom he would collaborate as producer on Kurosawa's Dodes'ka-den when Kurosawa found it difficult to raise funds at a point later in his career), Masaki Kobayashi started his career under the tutelage of Keisuke Kinoshita, the director of The Ballad of Narayama, by making a series of melodramas and romances set in contemporary, postwar Japan. These films hid (not completely, if you know what to look for) who he wanted to be as an artist, and that key is his third film, The Thick-Walled Room, a topical, angry, and well-made film about the treatment of Japanese war criminals by their own government, which he saw as a puppet government of America. Kobayashi, a pacifist who was conscripted into the Japanese army during the war and refused every promotion which kept him at the rank of private until he was captured as a prisoner of war, hated the different levels of treatment that those ordered to perform war crimes were being treated more harshly than those that actually did the ordering. His target was the system of power in Japan that put the power structure itself over the welfare of the people.

This extended into his views of Bushido, the Shogunate, and all of feudal Japan. He made his first jidaigeki film, Harakiri a decade and twelve films into his career, and it is a direct attack on Bushido as a broken, corrupt system.

The Individual in An Unjust System

The height of Kobayashi's body of work is, in my opinion, Samurai Rebellion, the one film he made starring Toshiro Mifune. In it, Mifune plays a loyal samurai to a prominent lord. His family is forced to accept a marriage between his eldest son and the lord's disgraced former mistress who has born the lord a son. The son accepts the marriage out of loyal obligation to his lord, knowing full well that he could be making the same mistake as his father who entered into a loveless marriage with his mother than never thawed. Happily, he and his wife end up very content together, and all is well. Mifune resigns his post in the castle, passing his position to his son, and he looks to have a happy retirement with his new grandson. Things go sideways, though, when the lord's elder son, his heir, dies and he must accept his mistress's child as his heir. In order to make things smoother, and to save face, he orders the mistress back, but only if Mifune's son asks the lord to take her back. It's an injustice piled on top of another injustice, and it becomes too much for Mifune who decides to finally rise up against the system he has loyally served for decades.

It is the most perfect combination of Kobayashi's thematic focus with compelling cinematic storytelling. From the performances of everyone involved to the precise framing (that he only really made prominent a few years earlier in Harakiri), and it attacks the entire feudal system that so many other samurai films hold up to one degree or another without much criticism or consideration of the system itself (there are exceptions, for sure), but the point is that the system itself was inherently unjust. A system that allows one man to force life decisions upon his subjects and take them back on a pair of whims, expecting everyone to simply bow and scrape as lives are ruined, is inherently at odds with the treatment of people as individuals with their own rights.

Harakiri is more specifically targeted at Bushido itself, with a loyal samurai becoming a ronin after his lord is commanded to commit seppuku. Left with his daughter and an adopted son of another samurai, he raises them in poverty, eventually convincing them to marry to save his daughter from having to sell herself as a concubine. The poverty, brought on by the feudal system which will not allow any well-paying work for ronin, forces the son-in-law, in an act of desperation, to appear at the Edo gate of a powerful family to mimic the actions of other desperate ronin before him, to beg the use of the courtyard to commit hara-kiri, hoping to receive some coins to make him go away, if not offered an actual position. The house decides to make an example of him, forcing the hara-kiri with his own blades, a pair of bamboo swords he had after selling the real ones for food.

Mostly told in flashback, the father samurai uses the story to demonstrate in stark terms the hypocrisy of those who hid behind Bushido, using it as a tool to remain in power and hurt those beneath them. It's far from a celebration of the way of the samurai, it's a direct rebuke of it.

And you know what? Both Harakiri and Samurai Rebellion are considered some of the best entries in the entire genre. They are also Kobayashi's only two samurai movies (Kwaidan, his anthology of four ghost stories, is set in the same era but can hardly be called a samurai film), similar to how Howard Hawks had one film noir, The Big Sleep, and it's considered one of the best of that film's genre, though that wasn't a critique of the genre itself. Kobayashi's two samurai films stand apart of the genre, being as much character pieces as entries in a genre with specific formula, commenting on the way of life that is often implicitly praised (what he would have had to say about The Last Samurai that completely romanticized the lifestyle, I have no idea).

Beyond The Samurai

Out of the twenty or so films that Kobayashi made, only four were jidaigeki stories (the fourth being Inn of Evil). His early period was dominated by those melodramas and romances so popular in Japan at the time, but it was the Japanese government allowing the release of The Thick-Walled Room that set him loose to make the films he wanted to make. He started with I Will Buy You, a film about the ruthless world of talent scouting in Japanese baseball, The Black River, about the den of vice under the walls of an American military base in Tokyo, and finally The Human Condition, a massive three-part film that mirrored to some solid degree Kobayashi's own experience as a soldier in the Japanese army during World War II.

The Human Condition is one of those huge films of art cinema that feels incredibly imposing for a few reasons. The first is the obvious length at nine hours. The second is the fact that it's, well, let's call it grim. It's not a movie with a happy ending in the cards from the start. The system is going to grind down the main character down to dust, but, at the same time, it's a film filled with events. There are a lot of individual episodes, all tightly focused around the main character, that gives the film across all nine hours a surprisingly brisk pace.

His later stage, those films after Inn of Evil, tend to have been made for Japanese television and have a distinctly late-Bergman feel to them. The anger around unjust systems has given way to an old man looking for some measure of peace in the world, offering his first positive looks at nostalgia and the past in his whole career.

Consistent Talent

Whether he was navigating into genres he had never waded into or relegated into conventions he strained against, Masaki Kobayashi made high quality films. He was one of the great Japanese filmmakers who wrote wonderfully complex characters, put them into meaningful situations, and created compelling narratives all while keeping to saying what he wanted to say. The entry point to most people for his body of work is his pair of samurai movies, but he had so much more to offer.

His early period was defined by the style of his mentor, Keisuke Kinoshita, what could be called a house style to Shochiku studios about families in romances and melodramas that were popular in Japan in the postwar period. His breakout movie, The Thick-Walled Room, marked the change in direction that he would take for the rest of his career, using his unique place in Japanese cinema as an established director with no ties to the propaganda of Imperial Japan to hold up a mirror to Japanese culture both past and present.

Insightful, biting, and incredibly well written as well as well made, Masaki Kobayashi's entire career is worth digging into.

Movies of Today

Opening in Theaters:

Jurassic World Dominion

Movies I Saw This Fortnight:

Three Loves (Rating 3/4) Full Review "The end result is an ambitious, somewhat affecting, and nearly unwieldy ensemble piece that centers around a clear core idea." [Criterion Channel]

Beautiful Days (Rating 3.5/4) Full Review "Kobayashi wasn't working on films that were his passion, but he was bringing his passion to the films he could work on. That's actually quite admirable, especially from a young, hungry filmmaker who had already been slapped down by government authorities. He refused to completely subvert himself. He was still making movies that spoke to him." [Criterion Channel]

The Thick-Walled Room (Rating 3.5/4) Full Review "Kobayashi brought everything he could to this, and really the main thing holding him back at all was that he was trying to be topical. Otherwise, he made a passionate film about men he obviously cared for." [Criterion Channel]

I Will Buy You (Rating 3.5/4) Full Review "When I first started learning about Kobayashi's body of work (right after watching Samurai Rebellion) a couple of years ago, it was this one that excited me most to visit. Now that I have, I'm not disappointed at all." [Criterion Channel]

The Human Condition Part III: A Soldier's Prayer (Rating 4/4) Full Review "It may not be something to put in on a Friday night to relax from a long week, but it is an essential chapter in cinema. Very few productions have this kind of ambition or succeed as completely (Sergei Bondarchuk's War and Peace is another such example)." [Personal Collection]

Harakiri (Rating 4/4) Full Review "This is one of the crowning jewels of Masaki Kobayashi's body of work. It is an amazing combination of storytelling with purpose, told with incredible skill in his assured hands. This movie is great." [Personal Collection]

Kwaidan (Rating 4/4) Full Review "There's a deep sense of justice in these tales that aligns pretty closely with what he'd said before in his other movies. It's rare to find a film in a body of work that feels both so apart and so in line with everything else at the same time." [Personal Collection]

Hymn to a Tired Man (Rating 4/4) Full Review "This is an intelligent and elegant little film from Kobayashi. It's themes feel more mature in a way, stepping away from the endless fight against an unjust system and finding a way to lead one's life modestly and well (the stated goals of many of Kobayashi's protagonists through his angrier films, mind you)." [Library]

Contact

Email any suggestions or questions to thejamesmadison.aos at symbol gmail dot com.
I've also archived all the old posts here, by request. I'll add new posts a week after they originally post at the HQ.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 07:38 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Where in the world are you able to access these movies?

Posted by: kraken at June 11, 2022 07:43 PM (Vr12I)

2 1 Where in the world are you able to access these movies?
Posted by: kraken at June 11, 2022 07:43 PM (Vr12I)

=======

Most are on the Criterion Channel.

But the tenacious can always find copies in other places.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 07:45 PM (LvTSG)

3 I especially liked his line of fine china and later career as an attorney, although that one test he designed for Starfleet was kind of unfair.

Posted by: HTL at June 11, 2022 07:45 PM (RnH+c)

4 Hockey here, or back in the Hobby Thread?

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 07:46 PM (BgMrQ)

5 Ah, thanks. I live in the hinterlands. We mostly hinter. It is kind of like living on Enceladus at times.

Posted by: kraken at June 11, 2022 07:47 PM (Vr12I)

6 I like samurai movies

Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 07:48 PM (2JoB8)

7 6 I like samurai movies
Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 07:48 PM (2JoB

How do you feel about Gladiator movies...

Posted by: Captain Clarence Oveur at June 11, 2022 07:51 PM (BgMrQ)

8 I especially liked his line of fine china and later career as an attorney, although that one test he designed for Starfleet was kind of unfair.
Posted by: HTL at June 11, 2022 07:45 PM (RnH+c)

He was a workmanlike Formula 1 driver as well.

Posted by: spindrift at June 11, 2022 07:52 PM (gYDh0)

9 The individual in an unjust system is an interesting take - I will always hew to, honor matters whatever the cost. I laugh at West Point taking down Lee's portrait as if it would matter to him. The samurai understood the trade of life, fortune and sacred honor. We don't anymore.

Posted by: Indignacio Vindacatorem at June 11, 2022 07:53 PM (oWBc3)

10 I've only seen Kwaidan, and it was phenomenal. For those who don't know, it's based on a selection of tales from an anthology of Japanese ghost stories by the Western (though nearly naturalized to Japan) author Lafcadio Hearn.

Posted by: Directrix Gazer at June 11, 2022 07:54 PM (dAKhf)

11 You didn't mention ~~Throne of Blood~~ The Honshu Play!!

Posted by: andycanuck (yikp0) at June 11, 2022 07:55 PM (yikp0)

12 Saw a movie decades ago, a mother and daughter ambush samurai and kill them to sell their armor and belongings.
No idea of the title.

Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 07:55 PM (2JoB8)

13 12 Saw a movie decades ago, a mother and daughter ambush samurai and kill them to sell their armor and belongings.
No idea of the title.
Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 07:55 PM (2JoB

=======

I think that's Onibaba.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 07:56 PM (LvTSG)

14 11 You didn't mention Throne of Blood The Honshu Play!!
Posted by: andycanuck (yikp0) at June 11, 2022 07:55 PM (yikp0)

========

I understood this reference.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 07:57 PM (LvTSG)

15 7 6 I like samurai movies
Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 07:48 PM (2JoB

How do you feel about Gladiator movies...
Posted by: Captain Clarence Oveur at June 11, 2022 07:51 PM (BgMrQ)

Well... I AM Spartacus!

Posted by: Romeo13 at June 11, 2022 07:57 PM (oHd/0)

16 I got nothin'.
I did like Kill Bill.

Posted by: DB at June 11, 2022 07:59 PM (geLO8)

17 Think I found it
Onibaba, 1964

Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 07:59 PM (2JoB8)

18 Now, Voyager is coming on. May watch that. Too hot to do anything.

Posted by: Infidel at June 11, 2022 08:00 PM (E0NVW)

19 NY Homo Rangers better do it this game.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:01 PM (ufFY8)

20 browndog, for you. Movieish.

We cannot lose.

https://tinyurl.com/3uvw4suy

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:01 PM (ZLI7S)

21 I watched Shogun Assassin (1980) this week. It was strange.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at June 11, 2022 08:01 PM (CaTaA)

22 And by the "Honshu Play", you of course mean Throne of Blood.

Posted by: edmund blackadder esq. at June 11, 2022 08:02 PM (yikp0)

23 I just watched some young chick react to Goodfellas, Spinal Tap, and Top Gun on tube.

Pretty funny.

Ashleigh Burton.

Forgot how funny Spinal Tap was.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:03 PM (ufFY8)

24 21 I watched Shogun Assassin (1980) this week. It was strange.
Posted by: G'rump928(c) at June 11, 2022 08:01 PM (CaTaA)

========

That's actually a recut version of the first two films in the Lone Wolf and Cub series, given the child's voiceover to help stitch things together.

I've never seen Shogun Assassin, but I have seen the first five of the Lone Wolf and Cub movies. I'm not really a fan. They're weird.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:03 PM (LvTSG)

25 20 browndog, for you. Movieish.

We cannot lose.

https://tinyurl.com/3uvw4suy
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:01 PM (ZLI7S)

PLAY THE KID LINE...A LOT!!!

Posted by: Captain Clarence Oveur at June 11, 2022 08:03 PM (BgMrQ)

26 Super hot here today, so hung out with my teen daughter to watch a flick, which I almost never do, and she had never seen Forrest Gump. Before hand, she said the problem with Tom Hank's movies is he always plays Tom Hanks.

But it turned out good because we paused the movie and talked about the historical time of the movie. She had good questions like "why did everybody hate the Kennedys, and Why were we in the Vietnam War?". So it turned out to be worthwhile and she even liked the movie. I think it holds up well.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:04 PM (8GBH4)

27 /off Airplane pilot sock

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:04 PM (BgMrQ)

28 26 Super hot here today, so hung out with my teen daughter to watch a flick, which I almost never do, and she had never seen Forrest Gump. Before hand, she said the problem with Tom Hank's movies is he always plays Tom Hanks.

But it turned out good because we paused the movie and talked about the historical time of the movie. She had good questions like "why did everybody hate the Kennedys, and Why were we in the Vietnam War?". So it turned out to be worthwhile and she even liked the movie. I think it holds up well.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:04 PM (8GBH4)

========

aka, Boomer, the movie.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:05 PM (LvTSG)

29 https://youtu.be/b145MBaUsWU
Onibaba
Only seen it once, actually early 80s but seeing clips remember that's it.

Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 08:05 PM (2JoB8)

30 Dang, TJM, bringing the erudition on this guy. Tho I think it’ll be more trouble than I’m likely to endure to find some of these, I really should.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 11, 2022 08:05 PM (OTzUX)

31 "I just watched some young chick react to Goodfellas, Spinal Tap, and Top Gun on tube.
Pretty funny."

Movie reaction videos were kinda fun when they first started, now it's just channel after channel of bad actors that have clearly watched the movie before.

Posted by: lowandslow at June 11, 2022 08:06 PM (qH6FZ)

32 https://youtu.be/mCmGEev3AxQ

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:06 PM (ufFY8)

33 30 Dang, TJM, bringing the erudition on this guy. Tho I think it’ll be more trouble than I’m likely to endure to find some of these, I really should.
Posted by: rhomboid at June 11, 2022 08:05 PM (OTzUX)

========

Most are available through the Criterion Channel, which makes that easy.

The hard stuff is everything he made after Samurai Rebellion. I think it's because he started making movies with Toho and Japanese television studios, and Toho in particular has a very nasty reputation of demanding far more in licensing fees from foreign distributors to show anything. Pretty much the only major property people are willing to put up with Toho's shit for is Godzilla. Everything else just languishes.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:07 PM (LvTSG)

34 Friend is at the GOP dinner here where Noem is the speaker. I implored him to, this time, get one a them receiving line photos with her. He understood and agreed.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 11, 2022 08:08 PM (OTzUX)

35 Movie reaction videos were kinda fun when they first started, now it's just channel after channel of bad actors that have clearly watched the movie before.
Posted by: lowandslow at June 11, 2022 08:06 PM (qH6FZ)

Yeah. This chick seems genuine, because she is pretty stupid about things that 29 year olds know. She is actually 28, I think.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:08 PM (ufFY8)

36 Criterion Channel - but that probably means I need a TV or cable, both which are not the case? Maybe there’s a streaming option.

Posted by: rhomboid at June 11, 2022 08:10 PM (OTzUX)

37 What’s on Svengoolie?

Posted by: Blutarski at June 11, 2022 08:10 PM (30Tj4)

38 36 Criterion Channel - but that probably means I need a TV or cable, both which are not the case? Maybe there’s a streaming option.
Posted by: rhomboid at June 11, 2022 08:10 PM (OTzUX)

=======

Yeah, it's a streaming channel.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:11 PM (LvTSG)

39 Great moment are born from great opportunity.

And that's what you have here tonight, boys.

That's what you earned.

Tonight we are the greatest hockey team in the world.

You were born to be hockey players, ever one of you.

I would run through a wall for a coach like that.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:11 PM (ZLI7S)

40 Not samurai-movie related, but I just finished watching a documentary about Hammer Studios, which I had never heard of before, but apparently they made a lot of horror and monster movies in the 50s-70s, including several fairly well-known ones. I guess movie aficionados would already know about the studio. I found it pretty interesting. It's on YouTube, in a poorly-cropped version.

https://youtu.be/PRYUdyo6oTQ

Posted by: spindrift at June 11, 2022 08:11 PM (gYDh0)

41 32 https://youtu.be/mCmGEev3AxQ

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:06 PM (ufFY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UZvIZAHjlY

It Just Doesn't Matter / Bill Murray - Meatballs

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:13 PM (BgMrQ)

42 I've been watching Critical Drinker's latest Happy Hour, where he and Heelvsbabyface discuss Team America: World Police, a movie that could never, ever be made today.

I need to watch that again...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 11, 2022 08:13 PM (K5n5d)

43 I find most Japanese movies kinda weird. I don't understand their culture and personalities. I think the last Japanese movie I watched was "Shall We Dance?", didn't do anything for me because I couldn't understand any of the characters motivations for how they felt. Why was the guy ashamed of taking ballroom dance lessons?
Stranger yet was the American remake.

Posted by: lowandslow at June 11, 2022 08:14 PM (qH6FZ)

44 We're taking movie advice from this guy now? Sheesh.

Posted by: Prometheus at June 11, 2022 08:14 PM (ZeDNp)

45 Rangers, you better fvcking win, because if you don't, I will be forced to root for the Lightning, and that will make me feel as dirty as the Vice President thirty seconds after pulling a train and finishing them off, but before cleaning up.

I don't want to feel that way.

And what is up with this singer?

Blue lipstick.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:15 PM (ufFY8)

46 Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:15 PM (ufFY

No...

I will never root for Tampa...N.E.V.E.R.

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:16 PM (BgMrQ)

47 A couple of weeks ago I watched the 1980 TV mini-series Shogun. I hadn't seen it since it was first broadcast and I have to say that it holds up very well. It was never as good as the book but it was still better than most TV adaptations.

Posted by: G'rump928(c) at June 11, 2022 08:16 PM (cOGHc)

48 33 according to some licensors, Japanese TV in general can be a nightmare to license given how actors agencies have set up contracts. One licensor was looking to get a series and was told ever actor in the series would need to sign off on it.

Not surprisingly, the series was not picked up.

But the movie sequel that wrapped up the series was, cause movie contracts work differently.

Posted by: Bete at June 11, 2022 08:17 PM (uiT+8)

49 No...

I will never root for Tampa...N.E.V.E.R.

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:16 PM (BgMrQ)

My hatred of the Avs overcomes my dislike for a three-peat.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:17 PM (ufFY8)

50 kakko's a scratch???
Gallantt's a moron...and not our kind of Moron.

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:18 PM (BgMrQ)

51 48 33 according to some licensors, Japanese TV in general can be a nightmare to license given how actors agencies have set up contracts. One licensor was looking to get a series and was told ever actor in the series would need to sign off on it.

Not surprisingly, the series was not picked up.

But the movie sequel that wrapped up the series was, cause movie contracts work differently.
Posted by: Bete at June 11, 2022 08:17 PM (uiT+

=======

Probably why the only way I could get Kobayashi's later television work was through less than...um...legal means.

One was videotaped off of a British broadcast, like...with a VHS camera pointed at the TV.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:18 PM (LvTSG)

52 Lady samurai tattoos tits and flashes foes, stabby as they double take. Title?

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko Solutions at June 11, 2022 08:19 PM (+PiSp)

53 The Rangers blog I follow is having kittens over the "Healthy Scratch" of Kakko...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:19 PM (BgMrQ)

54 I watch a lot of Korean stuff and you think we have racial problems here, wooheee do they and the Japanese hate each other.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:19 PM (8GBH4)

55 I know this is probably a food thread thing... But I can't help but notice when the lady who always tells me to cut down on the butter and wine in my sauces complains about the sauces taking longer.

Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at June 11, 2022 08:20 PM (xPIwr)

56 52 Lady samurai tattoos tits and flashes foes, stabby as they double take. Title?
Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenko Solutions at June 11, 2022 08:19 PM (+PiSp)

=========

There's something like that in one of the Lone Wolf and Cub movies, but that also might be Irezumi, a movie I've never seen.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:20 PM (LvTSG)

57 Frankenstein 1970 is on Svengoolie. Samurai Frankenstein would make a good band name, or movie.

Posted by: fd at June 11, 2022 08:20 PM (vrz2I)

58 I find most Japanese movies kinda weird. I don't understand their culture and personalities. I think the last Japanese movie I watched was "Shall We Dance?", didn't do anything for me because I couldn't understand any of the characters motivations for how they felt. Why was the guy ashamed of taking ballroom dance lessons?
Stranger yet was the American remake.
Posted by: lowandslow

I like Shall We Dance, but yes Japaneseness can make it impenetrable. The little salsa dancer with the wig was hilarious though.

The main guy in Shall We Dance is in a recent Samurai movie called 13 Assassins. Pretty good if you haven't seen it.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:20 PM (/Qz4j)

59 My hatred of the Avs overcomes my dislike for a three-peat.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:17 PM (ufFY

A most cromulent reason

#carryon

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:20 PM (BgMrQ)

60 The only samurai-ish movie I've seen is Ran, which I remember being gorgeously filmed.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:20 PM (eGTCV)

61 Lone Wolf and Cub

Baby cart at the river Styx?

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty of BAD TRUMPY MANS! at June 11, 2022 08:22 PM (+PiSp)

62 I have no particular dislike of the Rangers but neither can I bring myself to cheer for them.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:22 PM (eGTCV)

63 Michael Dudikoff is an underrated actor.

I'll probably watch American Ninja 4 again tonight.

Posted by: I guess I'll tell them at June 11, 2022 08:23 PM (rpaHr)

64 60 The only samurai-ish movie I've seen is Ran, which I remember being gorgeously filmed.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:20 PM (eGTCV)

The scene where Hidetora is walking out of the burning castle -- talk about pressure to get the shot in one take!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at June 11, 2022 08:23 PM (PiwSw)

65 62 I have no particular dislike of the Rangers but neither can I bring myself to cheer for them.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:22 PM (eGTCV)

No waffling allowed: Tampa or The Rags

#whoyagot

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:23 PM (BgMrQ)

66 Lone Wolf and Cub
Baby cart at the river Styx?
Posted by: Commissar of Plenty of BAD TRUMPY MANS!

I read that the actor of Lone Wolf is the brother of the actor who played Ichi the blind masseuse. Must've made twenty films in that franchise. The Lone Wolf actor was the bad guy in one of the early Ichi's.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (/Qz4j)

67 Samurai culture seems like its been highly glamorized and romanticized. Much like the chivalric knights of the Medieval Europe.

The truth is much more complicated. Sure, there were samurai (and knights) who strove to live up to the ideal. But a lot were twisted by power, as all men are twisted.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (K5n5d)

68 I watched a thing called "Bushido Man". It kept me entertained, and hungry. What a weird end though.

Posted by: fd at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (vrz2I)

69 If I have no dog in a fight, the team I root for is usually the one I hate less.

It is all based on hatred, lol.

And NY needs some serious pick control, dammit.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (ufFY8)

70 I watched Showdown in Little Tokyo sometime earlier this year. Does that count?

Posted by: spindrift at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (gYDh0)

71 No waffling allowed: Tampa or The Rags

#whoyagot
Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:23 PM (

Very reluctantly TB.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (eGTCV)

72 Hai, Hanjin san!

Posted by: andycanuck (yikp0) at June 11, 2022 08:25 PM (yikp0)

73 67 Samurai culture seems like its been highly glamorized and romanticized. Much like the chivalric knights of the Medieval Europe.

The truth is much more complicated. Sure, there were samurai (and knights) who strove to live up to the ideal. But a lot were twisted by power, as all men are twisted.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (K5n5d)

========

Samurai Rebellion might be right up your alley, Perfessor.

I can imagine Kobayashi vomiting up blood while watching The Last Samurai.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:25 PM (LvTSG)

74 Lady samurai tattoos tits and flashes foes, stabby as they double take. Title?
Posted by: Commissar

Once Upon a Time in the Breast

Posted by: Tonypete at June 11, 2022 08:25 PM (Msys3)

75 Puck control

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:25 PM (ufFY8)

76 It is all based on hatred, lol.

And NY needs some serious pick control, dammit.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (ufFY

Hate is a good thing 41...it keeps a man alive.

Posted by: Quintus Arias at June 11, 2022 08:26 PM (BgMrQ)

77 Kakko is a great kid and a hell of hockey player but he needs to learn aggression. He's too big to play so soft.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:26 PM (ZLI7S)

78 Lady samurai tattoos tits and flashes foes, stabby as they double take. Title?
Posted by: Commissar

Lady Snowblood I think.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:26 PM (/Qz4j)

79 Another movie thread where TJM fails to mention the greatness that is Lone Wolf McQuade. Fine. FINE!

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 11, 2022 08:27 PM (u73oe)

80 78 Lady samurai tattoos tits and flashes foes, stabby as they double take. Title?
Posted by: Commissar

Lady Snowblood I think.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:26 PM (/Qz4j)

========

I don't think she had tattoos. That's a good pair of movies, though. Heavy influence on Kill Bill.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:27 PM (LvTSG)

81 Vatrono needs to shoot when he gets the chance.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:28 PM (8GBH4)

82 Very reluctantly TB.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:24 PM (eGTCV)

Now, don't you feel better for taking a stand.

#investedintheoutcome

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:28 PM (BgMrQ)

83 I picked up The Human Condition not knowing anything about it - I'm a fan of Japanese stuff. Wow...really bold and depressing and fascinating to say the least. Not sure I would recommend it, but a real insight to the Japanese before, during, and after the war - in black and white

Posted by: geezer der mensch at June 11, 2022 08:28 PM (D80T6)

84 Have you seen "Bushido Man" TJM?

Posted by: fd at June 11, 2022 08:28 PM (vrz2I)

85 Samurai Rebellion might be right up your alley, Perfessor.

I can imagine Kobayashi vomiting up blood while watching The Last Samurai.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi

Another fairly recent film centered on a samurai retainer who was basically a clan accountant. He had a child to support and he was of course very poor. I cannot for the life of me remember its name.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:29 PM (/Qz4j)

86 What was that miniseries with Richard Chamberlain. That was samurai culture.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:29 PM (eGTCV)

87 Cool, a hockey game to decide who gets to go lose to Colorado.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at June 11, 2022 08:29 PM (u73oe)

88 Barely can stay awake
Watching Onibaba but will have to continue tomorrow
Everyone have a great evening

Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 08:29 PM (2JoB8)

89 I saw a YouTube video in which it is asserted that Jennifer in Forrest Gump did not die of AIDS but rather of hepatitis C caused by her excessive e pluribus boinkem.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, That's AnonosaurX WrX, hater! at June 11, 2022 08:29 PM (FVME7)

90 77 Kakko is a great kid and a hell of hockey player but he needs to learn aggression. He's too big to play so soft.
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:26 PM (ZLI7S)

But you don't bench him in an elimination game...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:30 PM (BgMrQ)

91 BULL a good revenge movie, an enforcer for a gang who's only good quality is his son, He loves him an protect's him from his mother who is a Junkie until the Junkie's Dad and BULL's boss gets involved. Good movie and the Lead sells it

https://tinyurl.com/24axhp2h

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 08:30 PM (dKiJG)

92 83 I picked up The Human Condition not knowing anything about it - I'm a fan of Japanese stuff. Wow...really bold and depressing and fascinating to say the least. Not sure I would recommend it, but a real insight to the Japanese before, during, and after the war - in black and white
Posted by: geezer der mensch at June 11, 2022 08:28 PM (D80T6)

=========

Yeah, it's really something. A great novel in film form where Tatsuya Nakadai gives the performance of his career, and he had some great performances.

It has a lot of parallels to Kobayashi's own life. He also was drafted into the Japanese army and served in Manchuria, though he never saw direct action beyond being bombed later in the war by American planes at Okinawa. He was also a POW for a year (though in an American camp, not a Soviet one).

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:30 PM (LvTSG)

93 86 What was that miniseries with Richard Chamberlain. That was samurai culture.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:29 PM (eGTCV)

Shogun

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:31 PM (BgMrQ)

94 84 Have you seen "Bushido Man" TJM?
Posted by: fd at June 11, 2022 08:28 PM (vrz2I)

=========

I have not.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:31 PM (LvTSG)

95 The guy narrating the action on the ice is good. I dislike the bullshit statistics as if this was baseball.

NY needs to stop passing into crowds.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:32 PM (ufFY8)

96 I also got DoDes'ka Den - very strange set of charaters, but I really enjoyed it - not samurai, btw

Posted by: geezer der mensch at June 11, 2022 08:32 PM (D80T6)

97 >>But you don't bench him in an elimination game...

I'm not second guessing Gallant. He's pushed every button to get this team way deeper in the playoffs than anyone predicted

He's forgotten more about hockey than I will ever know.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:33 PM (ZLI7S)

98 A great novel in film form where Tatsuya Nakadai gives the performance of his career, and he had some great performances.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi

Tatsuya Nakadai is a samurai film called Kill that's pretty disturbing. He also had a brief appearance in Seven Samurai.

Toshiro Mifune was actually born in China to Methodist missionary parents. I always thought that was weird. He was Methodist his entire life.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:33 PM (/Qz4j)

99 96 I also got DoDes'ka Den - very strange set of charaters, but I really enjoyed it - not samurai, btw
Posted by: geezer der mensch at June 11, 2022 08:32 PM (D80T6)

========

Kobayashi produced it, though. He, Kurosawa, and two other Japanese directors banded together to form a production company when Kurosawa came back to Japan after getting fired from Tora! Tora! Tora! because no Japanese studio would hire him. He'd gained the reputation of being too expensive, exacting, and taking too long to make his movies.

I really like the movie, but it bombed pretty badly upon the initial release and the Committee of the Four Knights never made another movie again.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:34 PM (LvTSG)

100 What was that miniseries with Richard Chamberlain. That was samurai culture.
Posted by: N.L. Urker,
-------
Samurai ghey?

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at June 11, 2022 08:35 PM (kst+v)

101 and finally, Ikuru, which was heart-wrenching in a good way. Need to watch it again

Posted by: geezer der mensch at June 11, 2022 08:36 PM (D80T6)

102 Boris Karloff looks great with a Nazi flattop.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:36 PM (/Qz4j)

103 98 Toshiro Mifune was actually born in China to Methodist missionary parents. I always thought that was weird. He was Methodist his entire life.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:33 PM (/Qz4j)

=========

I've found that interesting as well.

Some of Kobayashi's earliest films (most notably Sincerity and Three Loves) have very heavy Christian elements. Three Loves, in particular, has a Catholic priest as one of the prominent characters of the ensemble cast. It kind of shocked me to see it because, after having gone through Kurosawa's work and seeing only an implicit level of Shinto/Buddhism, the outright Christianity in a Japanese film was notable.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:36 PM (LvTSG)

104 "I have not.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison,"

I'm just curious because I liked it and it seems to be somewhat unknown. It's a martial arts movie, but not like any other I've ever seen.

Anyway I liked the way they worked food into the story. You might want to check it out.

Posted by: fd at June 11, 2022 08:36 PM (vrz2I)

105 104 I'm just curious because I liked it and it seems to be somewhat unknown. It's a martial arts movie, but not like any other I've ever seen.

Anyway I liked the way they worked food into the story. You might want to check it out.
Posted by: fd at June 11, 2022 08:36 PM (vrz2I)

=========

This 'un?

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2748546/

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:37 PM (LvTSG)

106 I am not even close to being able to look at movies the way you do, TJM. My philosophy is: simple things for simple minds.

I did see Kagamusha when it was in Omaha many, many years back. My immediate reaction was: "Oh! Shogun from the other side!" The thing that sticks in my mind the most was that the fighters all wore poles with small pennants attached to them to identify which side they were fighting on.

I went to see Jurassic Park: Dominion this afternoon, and it was a fun time waster. Yes, there was an enormous amount of GRRRL power that could have been dialed back. Jeff Goldbloom was Jeff Goldbloomy. And I really wish Alamo Roadhouse would turn the volume down a couple of notches. But I enjoyed it for what is was, mindless mental M&Ms. And it was definitely better than Fantastic Beasts and Dr. Strange, both of which disappointed me greatly. I'm holding onto hope that Thor won't be a total disaster, although that might be a little too much to ask for.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at June 11, 2022 08:37 PM (H31K8)

107 OT - NoVaMoMe is in the bag and was wonderful once again. The Horde is some of the best people on the planet.

Posted by: GWB at June 11, 2022 08:37 PM (h4O8r)

108 Zatōichi Movies I thought were always good, and had a very Western feel, You never knew if he was really blind or if it was a gimmick.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 08:37 PM (dKiJG)

109 106 I am not even close to being able to look at movies the way you do, TJM. My philosophy is: simple things for simple minds.

I did see Kagamusha when it was in Omaha many, many years back. My immediate reaction was: "Oh! Shogun from the other side!" The thing that sticks in my mind the most was that the fighters all wore poles with small pennants attached to them to identify which side they were fighting on.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at June 11, 2022 08:37 PM (H31K

========

Kagemusha is great stuff. It would have starred Toshiro Mifune if Kurosawa hadn't pissed him off so much by taking two years to film Red Beard.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:38 PM (LvTSG)

110 "This 'un?"

Yes that's it. I'm not easily entertained so I guess that says something about it.

Posted by: fd at June 11, 2022 08:38 PM (vrz2I)

111 I'm not second guessing Gallant. He's pushed every button to get this team way deeper in the playoffs than anyone predicted

He's forgotten more about hockey than I will ever know.
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:33 PM (ZLI7S)

Yeah, yeah, yeah...

I hear you.
I just get the feeling that he's one of those
"smartest guy in the room" type of guy.
Wasn't a fan of his when he was in Las Vegas, not a fan now...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:39 PM (BgMrQ)

112 Some of Kobayashi's earliest films (most notably Sincerity and Three Loves) have very heavy Christian elements. Three Loves, in particular, has a Catholic priest as one of the prominent characters of the ensemble cast. It kind of shocked me to see it because, after having gone through Kurosawa's work and seeing only an implicit level of Shinto/Buddhism, the outright Christianity in a Japanese film was notable.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:36 PM (LvTSG)

According to the book Silence and Beauty Japanese has a miniscule Christian population but those Christians have a surprising impact, particularly in arts.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:39 PM (eGTCV)

113 The thing that sticks in my mind the most was that the fighters all wore poles with small pennants attached to them to identify which side they were fighting on.
Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around

There was a turned based game I used to play called Shogun. They used scenes from Kagamusha.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:39 PM (/Qz4j)

114 Shogun
--------------------
Gesundheit!

Posted by: andycanuck (yikp0) at June 11, 2022 08:40 PM (yikp0)

115 Lol, Galant shuts the blonde down.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:40 PM (ufFY8)

116 23 I just watched some young chick react to Goodfellas, Spinal Tap, and Top Gun on tube.

Pretty funny.

Ashleigh Burton.

Forgot how funny Spinal Tap was.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:03 PM (ufFY

She's decent. I've watched many of hers. It's kinds of interesting when she doesn't care that much for a movie. She's also overly focused on the length of a movie and that seeming to be such a factor in her enjoyment much of the time.

Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 08:41 PM (5zX4S)

117 112 According to the book Silence and Beauty Japanese has a miniscule Christian population but those Christians have a surprising impact, particularly in arts.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:39 PM (eGTCV)

========

Yeah, I knew the population was very small. It was so heavy, I was convinced that Kobayashi was Christian himself. He wasn't. He was Shinto if anything.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:41 PM (LvTSG)

118 Hey Joe, where you going with that Shogun in your hand?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, That's AnonosaurX WrX, hater! at June 11, 2022 08:42 PM (FVME7)

119 Scandinavian hockey players don't do great playoff beards.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:42 PM (eGTCV)

120 *pauses*

Would the anime movie Grave of the Fireflies be akin to Kobayahshi's The Human Condition?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:43 PM (4w7Au)

121 What was the movie about the missionary going to search for a missing priest in Japan?
That was pretty good.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:43 PM (ufFY8)

122 What was the movie about the missionary going to search for a missing priest in Japan?
That was pretty good.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt

Silence I think

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:44 PM (/Qz4j)

123 121 What was the movie about the missionary going to search for a missing priest in Japan?
That was pretty good.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:43 PM (ufFY8

Silence

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:44 PM (eGTCV)

124 I'm holding onto hope that Thor won't be a total disaster, although that might be a little too much to ask for.
Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at June 11, 2022 08:37 PM (H31K

You realize a big part of that movie is going to be Thor validating Natalie Portman's character as a better Thor than he could ever be. And needing to be rescued by her and Kaaaang Valkyrie.

Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 08:44 PM (5zX4S)

125 118 Hey Joe, where you going with that Shogun in your hand?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, That's AnonosaurX WrX, hater! at June 11, 2022 08:42 PM (FVME7)

***golf clap***

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:44 PM (BgMrQ)

126 Someone was telling me that it is a skill to learn to throw and catch while running at full speed. You might learn this either at a young age or not at all. I immediately thought about horseback archery, which Mifune was schooled in.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at June 11, 2022 08:45 PM (ybIRR)

127 Going with the comments, let me just say Slap Shot! Paul Newman was the least interesting character in that movie.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:45 PM (8GBH4)

128 Dang, I shoulda brushed up on my Japanese.

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 08:45 PM (0OP+5)

129 120 *pauses*

Would the anime movie Grave of the Fireflies be akin to Kobayahshi's The Human Condition?
Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:43 PM (4w7Au)

========

They definitely deal with the same period and similar ideas, but the focus on children on the homefront in Grave of the Fireflies makes it something different. The Human Condition was really about one man trying to do good in a system, military, and war where doing good was pretty much impossible. Grave, if memory serves (it's been a while), was more of a tragedy focused on children who were caught up in something they didn't understand or have any say in.

Not to demean Grave of the Fireflies, at all. It's a wonderful film.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:45 PM (LvTSG)

130 Thought it was two priests who come to Japan and become involved in various events? Or is that a different movie?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:45 PM (4w7Au)

131 I tried watching Silence, and I liked it, but it was very grim and I stopped midway.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at June 11, 2022 08:46 PM (ybIRR)

132 86 What was that miniseries with Richard Chamberlain. That was samurai culture.
Posted by: N.L. Urker

Shogun

Posted by: Puddleglum at June 11, 2022 08:46 PM (sAmhv)

133 121 What was the movie about the missionary going to search for a missing priest in Japan?
That was pretty good.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:43 PM (ufFY

=========

Silence. There was a Japanese version in the early 70s, but you're probably talking about Scorsese's version he made a few years back. It's one of my very favorite films Scorsese made.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:46 PM (LvTSG)

134 There are two directors who I have all of their films in my collection: Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at June 11, 2022 08:46 PM (MgR57)

135 What was the movie about the missionary going to search for a missing priest in Japan?
That was pretty good.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt

The guy who played the priest was the second Spiderman and is in a short series on FX I just watched called Under the Banner of Heaven about some Mormon murders. It a great insight into the Fundamentalist LDS which I knew nothing about.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at June 11, 2022 08:46 PM (/Qz4j)

136 127 Going with the comments, let me just say Slap Shot! Paul Newman was the least interesting character in that movie.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:45 PM (8GBH4)

Ehhh, maybe.

But without him in the movie, it doesn't get made!

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:47 PM (BgMrQ)

137 'I said shogun, shoot him fore he runs now..'

Junior Walker and The All-Stars

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 08:47 PM (0OP+5)

138 Two priests get smuggled in, to do missionary stuff and figure out where the missing priest is, if I recall.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:47 PM (ufFY8)

139 Kobayashi is one of my favorite directors.
There are few of them out there who mastered the technical side and then went on to create fully-realistic characters and put them in situations that were not pre-determined.

He tends towards 'down' endings but he's never boring or nihilistic....except maybe in The Human Condition volume 3.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at June 11, 2022 08:47 PM (xcxpd)

140 Rangers have to score first, otherwise the game is O.V.E.R.

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:47 PM (BgMrQ)

141 Thought it was two priests who come to Japan and become involved in various events? Or is that a different movie?
Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:45 PM (4w7Au)

Two priests go to Japan. Part of their reason is the desire to find a particular priest who is rumored to have apostisized.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:47 PM (eGTCV)

142 Wonderful as a masterpiece of cinema. Not wonderful for the characters. Yeah that is Grave of the Fireflies, so depressing you really should not watch it.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:48 PM (4w7Au)

143 134 There are two directors who I have all of their films in my collection: Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at June 11, 2022 08:46 PM (MgR57)

=========

Not a bad set.

I have a few complete sets, but they tend to be more modern. Nolan, Tarantino, Tarkovsky.

Rumor continues to abound that Criterion will release a new Kurosawa set on either Blu-ray or 4K at some time. Rumors have persisted for about three years, though. New fuel to the fire is that Toho did a big set of restorations of all of their Kurosawa films and are showing them this year.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:48 PM (LvTSG)

144 137 'I said shogun, shoot him fore he runs now..'

Junior Walker and The All-Stars
Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 08:47 PM (0OP+5)

I'll never hear that song the way I used to

#thanks

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:49 PM (BgMrQ)

145 I just saw "Top Gun: Maverick" I went to the theater with a friend of mine. I thought it was pretty good.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at June 11, 2022 08:49 PM (LJSpF)

146 Scorsce's late career might have more notable movies than his peak.

Lotus Eaters talked about Taxi Driver, which I saw when I was younger but didn't like. I think the deeper themes went over my head. Probably worth a watch after seeing the Pheonix Joker movie.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (ybIRR)

147 139 Kobayashi is one of my favorite directors.
There are few of them out there who mastered the technical side and then went on to create fully-realistic characters and put them in situations that were not pre-determined.

He tends towards 'down' endings but he's never boring or nihilistic....except maybe in The Human Condition volume 3.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at June 11, 2022 08:47 PM (xcxpd)

=========

I honestly thought I'd just have about 4 weeks of talking to myself. I'm really glad that you're as much of a fan as I am. I do love all of your walls of text.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (LvTSG)

148 Silence was excellent.

TJM, I probably know the answer, but one of my daughters likes Japanese Anime. Do you watch those? I believe there are some more adult that kill bill animation based on.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (8GBH4)

149 re: Hayao Miyazaki

Does that extend to all his work with Lupin III and Sherlock Hound? Or just theatrical releases?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (4w7Au)

150 >>I hear you.
I just get the feeling that he's one of those
"smartest guy in the room" type of guy.
Wasn't a fan of his when he was in Las Vegas, not a fan now...

I wasn't a fan until he proved it this year. He's earned my trust.

He's taken one of the youngest teams in the NHL to the brink of the Cup. He's a really good coach.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:51 PM (ZLI7S)

151 146 Scorsce's late career might have more notable movies than his peak.

Lotus Eaters talked about Taxi Driver, which I saw when I was younger but didn't like. I think the deeper themes went over my head. Probably worth a watch after seeing the Pheonix Joker movie.
Posted by: BourbonChicken at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (ybIRR)

=========

As much a Paul Schrader film as it is a Scorsese film. It was really born from Schrader's depression and sense of loneliness. I see it as the tale of a generation cut off from its past only to see filth all around it. Without the context of the past, it has no idea how to process what it sees, much less change it. So, they descend into violence. They're broken.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:52 PM (LvTSG)

152 Toho did a big set of restorations of all of their Kurosawa films and are showing them this year.

Ooohhh, that would be so cool and a torpedo hit to the wallet but worth it. Even [i[No Regrets for Our Youth?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:53 PM (4w7Au)

153 148 Silence was excellent.

TJM, I probably know the answer, but one of my daughters likes Japanese Anime. Do you watch those? I believe there are some more adult that kill bill animation based on.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (8GBH4)

=========

I don't know much anime. Miyasaki is about the extent of it. The actual television series stuff that's 100 hours long I'll never get into, but I do see random anime movies every once in a while.

The most recent was Your Name. which was quite nice if not the masterpiece everyone else seems to think it is.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:53 PM (LvTSG)

154 I've listened to two books by Shashuko Endo-- Silence and Deep River. I understand their's apparently a film based on Deep River as well but it's not well known.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:53 PM (eGTCV)

155 Speaking of going back, MacBeth and King Lear are worth a second look after seeing the Kurosawa versions.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at June 11, 2022 08:54 PM (ybIRR)

156 Silence was excellent.

-
I thought it was golden.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, That's AnonosaurX WrX, hater! at June 11, 2022 08:54 PM (FVME7)

157 I wasn't a fan until he proved it this year. He's earned my trust.

He's taken one of the youngest teams in the NHL to the brink of the Cup. He's a really good coach.
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 08:51 PM (ZLI7S)

I think he has a short shelf life...

He and Drury will butt heads, and Drury will win that battle.

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:54 PM (BgMrQ)

158 I honestly thought I'd just have about 4 weeks of talking to myself. I'm really glad that you're as much of a fan as I am. I do love all of your walls of text.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (LvTSG)

This and your Kurosawa, Hawks and Ford threads is making me flog you to John Nolte. Hopefully he drops you a line.

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at June 11, 2022 08:54 PM (xcxpd)

159 152 Toho did a big set of restorations of all of their Kurosawa films and are showing them this year.

Ooohhh, that would be so cool and a torpedo hit to the wallet but worth it. Even [i[No Regrets for Our Youth?
Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:53 PM (4w7Au)

========

From what I understand, it's everything Toho has, which does include No Regrets for Our Youth. The Idiot was Shochiku (Kobayashi's main production company), and I think a bulk of stuff after Red Beard was other companies as well. So, it wouldn't quite be everything he made, but it would be the vast majority of it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:55 PM (LvTSG)

160 Re/ 107 and also OT: Yes, the NoVa MoMe was great! Thanks to Weasel and Bluebell. I am sorry I failed to kneel for Zod. But meeting Captain Whitebread, RedMindBlueState and his Mom, and Doofus, and McGyver…and more…wonderful!

Posted by: LadyS at June 11, 2022 08:55 PM (5WgUb)

161 I can't get into Japanese movies because I dislike almost everything about the culture. Even the parts I like have to be a cut out because they have combined it with reasoning I don't like. To be clear I'm not saying their culture is wrong but that I just don't like it.

My feelings were reinforced by working for a Japanese company for eight years.

Posted by: Anti doesn't matter at June 11, 2022 08:56 PM (85Pr6)

162 134 There are two directors who I have all of their films in my collection: Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki.
Posted by: Thomas Bender at June 11, 2022 08:46 PM (MgR57)

You have good taste

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at June 11, 2022 08:56 PM (xcxpd)

163 154 I've listened to two books by Shashuko Endo-- Silence and Deep River. I understand their's apparently a film based on Deep River as well but it's not well known.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:53 PM (eGTCV)

=========

Someone mentioned it a few weeks ago, and I went on a search for it. Couldn't find a copy anywhere. It was never released in any English market, despite being Toshiro Mifune's final film appearance.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:56 PM (LvTSG)

164 158 I honestly thought I'd just have about 4 weeks of talking to myself. I'm really glad that you're as much of a fan as I am. I do love all of your walls of text.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (LvTSG)

This and your Kurosawa, Hawks and Ford threads is making me flog you to John Nolte. Hopefully he drops you a line.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at June 11, 2022 08:54 PM (xcxpd)

=========

That'd be neat.

Next will be Wes Craven. A very different direction.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:56 PM (LvTSG)

165 156 Silence was excellent.

-
I thought it was golden.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, That's AnonosaurX WrX, hater! at June 11, 2022 08:54 PM (FVME7)
'Silence is golden, but my eyes still see...'

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 08:56 PM (0OP+5)

166 Do you watch those? I believe there are some more adult that kill bill animation based on.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (8GBH4)

That's apparentl based on Golgo 13: The professional and Wicked City.

Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 08:57 PM (5zX4S)

167 Shit, BlueShirtBanter is losing it's collective mind over this benching of Kakko.

255 comments in just one period, and over 70% of them are roasting Gallant.

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 08:57 PM (BgMrQ)

168 Emily, that mask is stupid.
And undo a couple more buttons.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 08:57 PM (ufFY8)

169 Someone mentioned it a few weeks ago, and I went on a search for it. Couldn't find a copy anywhere. It was never released in any English market, despite being Toshiro Mifune's final film appearance.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 08:56 PM (LvTSG)

I think I was the one who mentioned it. I'm becoming a bit of an Endo fan.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:59 PM (eGTCV)

170 Yeah the 100 hours of an anime TV series leaves me cold because it turns into formulaic cr@p. And I blame Dragon Ball for the start of the trend.

Grew up on the guys trying to tell a story in one go or at least only a couple of episodes.

Angel's Egg has a lot of theological and metaphorical opinions swirling around it. Impressive art.

Akira, just turn off your brain and enjoy the visuals. One of or maybe the only anime ever done at 24FPS and it shows.

Paprika - Dreamscape or Inception done in a far more experimental way.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:00 PM (4w7Au)

171 Endor?

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:00 PM (ufFY8)

172
They made a couple of live-action Golgo 13's.
Hilarious.

https://youtu.be/V5ZOaVo4DZk

Posted by: Soothsayer, the #1 most trusted name in news at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (7MK/T)

173 According to the book Silence and Beauty Japanese has a miniscule Christian population but those Christians have a surprising impact, particularly in arts.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:39 PM (eGTCV)

Christian influence was stronger in the south, where the Dutch trading ports were. Post Meji, Christianity had a resurgence and it became more common in some upper class families, that trend accelerated after the American occupation as several clans curried favor with the US.

Most Japanese don't really understand Christianity but some of the iconography is part of them now. And, yes, there is a small but strong church there, nowhere near as big as in South Korea

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (xcxpd)

174 'Silence is golden, but my eyes still see...'
Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 08:56 PM (0OP+5)

We are really old here...

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (BgMrQ)

175 I'm becoming a bit of an Endo fan.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:59 PM (eGTCV)

In your endo!

Posted by: the Todd at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (gYDh0)

176 Anna Puma, started watching Arifureta: From Commonplace to World`s Strongest, from your recommendation. So far so good. I always like a good revenge story

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (dKiJG)

177 @149

>>Does that extend to all his work with Lupin III and Sherlock Hound? Or just theatrical releases?

Yes, all of his theatrical work and everything he did with Studio Ghibli as a screenwriter and I pretty much have everything Studio Ghibli put out as well.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (MgR57)

178 169 I think I was the one who mentioned it. I'm becoming a bit of an Endo fan.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 08:59 PM (eGTCV)

===========

Then I might suggest Kobayashi's film A Hymn to a Tired Man, based on the Endo novel Lord, Have Mercy.

Kind of hard to find, though. I think I had to go through less than legal means to find it.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (LvTSG)

179 Nothing made me feel better than watching Jean-Claude Van Damme get jacked up by some little Asian bully boy.

Japanese, Chinese, what difference at this point does it make?

Posted by: Dr. Bone at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (BP3/z)

180 And I think Akira works very well even with the brain turned on.

My $.02

Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards (Logan Tiberius 2012-2021) at June 11, 2022 09:02 PM (xcxpd)

181 I tell ya, I'm never going to be enamored by Japanese flicks nor bushido culture. Maybe I shouldn't of read Clavell.

He's not a fan of Asian culture (or Iranian for that matter). I tried to watch 7 Samurai once, and bailed.

And to be honest, The Last Samurai is about an American with a bad conscience and a death wish, which is ultimately almost granted.

I am a fan of the American western, which may be the most unique artform in the world.

Posted by: GnuBreed at June 11, 2022 09:02 PM (F0YaR)

182 149 re: Hayao Miyazaki

Does that extend to all his work with Lupin III and Sherlock Hound? Or just theatrical releases?
Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 08:50 PM (4w7Au)

He's the reason I fell in love with Lupin III, If you can take a look at the Clock tower inspired by him

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:03 PM (dKiJG)

183 Then there is that life based animation that took me awhile to get used to in The Liberator (mini-series). Not sure if they film that then animated it or what.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 09:04 PM (8GBH4)

184 Patrick, I am glad you are enjoying it. Not the usual harem anime that is for sure.

And yeah Hajime has a few axes to grind but lurking inside he still has a human heart.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:04 PM (4w7Au)

185 'Silence is golden, but my eyes still see...'

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 08:56 PM

I said hey, why you keep screaming at the top of your head?
Silence is golden
I used to think that silence was golden

https://bit.ly/39hGywu

Posted by: Chris Cornell at June 11, 2022 09:07 PM (Do5/p)

186 Second period starting out much like the first, TB throwing everything at the net, Rangers not so much.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 09:08 PM (8GBH4)

187 Holy shit what a save.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:09 PM (ZLI7S)

188 Shisterkin is a stud...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:09 PM (BgMrQ)

189 Speaking of movies has anyone had difficulty playing blu-ray disks on their pc? My computer is region A and the disk is region A. I'm using a Pioneer external player. The software is cyberlink PowerDVD. I click the play button, a window opens saying loading disk and then the window just closes. I don't have a working TV to test the disk just this external drive and my pc.

Posted by: banana Dream at June 11, 2022 09:09 PM (0fVbu)

190 I am a fan of the American western, which may be the most unique artform in the world.
Posted by: GnuBreed at June 11, 2022 09:02 PM (F0YaR)
---
I think a lot of westerns are inspired in part by the idea of the "knight errant" from medieval romance literature. A wandering warrior seeking adventure and righting wrongs (and earning the favor of women, of course!).

There does seem to be a weird feedback loop between Japanese movies and westerns, however.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 11, 2022 09:09 PM (K5n5d)

191 Trouba, lol

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:10 PM (ufFY8)

192 190 There does seem to be a weird feedback loop between Japanese movies and westerns, however.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 11, 2022 09:09 PM (K5n5d)

========

Ford generally inspired Kurosawa's Seven Samurai which got remade directly as The Magnificent Seven. Also, the American inspired spaghetti Westerns first broke out with A Fistful of Dollars which was directly ripped off of Yojimbo to the point where Kurosawa ended up owning the Japanese rights to A Fistful of Dollars.

Yeah, they really do feed into each other a lot.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 09:11 PM (LvTSG)

193 Good. That's what we need. Tampa has been running at Shesterkin all series, time to punch back harder.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:11 PM (ZLI7S)

194 Clean hit but no puck.
Just let it go.
The only reason it is a thing is because the TB guy acted like a pussy.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:12 PM (ufFY8)

195 The only reason it is a thing is because the TB guy acted like a pussy.
Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:12 PM (ufFY

#becauseheis

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:13 PM (BgMrQ)

196 189 Speaking of movies has anyone had difficulty playing blu-ray disks on their pc? My computer is region A and the disk is region A. I'm using a Pioneer external player. The software is cyberlink PowerDVD. I click the play button, a window opens saying loading disk and then the window just closes. I don't have a working TV to test the disk just this external drive and my pc.
Posted by: banana Dream at June 11, 2022 09:09 PM (0fVbu)

I don't think Blu-ray movies are compatible with PCe. Microsoft weren't big fans of the platform and by the time that had lost that fight streaming was around that windows just doesn't deal with them. So that might be the issue?

Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 09:14 PM (5zX4S)

197 4 on 4 favors Tampa...shit

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:14 PM (BgMrQ)

198 181: I don’t know how anyone can read Shogun and conclude that Clavell wasn’t an admirer of Japanese culture.
Silence is another matter. I have read the book, haven’t watched the film.
Anyway, I recommend a rather obscure novel by Ayako Sono, “Watcher from the Shore.”

Posted by: LadyS at June 11, 2022 09:14 PM (5WgUb)

199 #becauseheis
Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:13 PM (BgMrQ)

Those 12 rescued kittens are tougher than him.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:14 PM (ufFY8)

200 @192

>>Yeah, they really do feed into each other a lot.

Samurai are Gunslingers, Gunslingers are Samurai.

Sort of a cosmic Yin and Yang deal.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at June 11, 2022 09:15 PM (MgR57)

201 >>Clean hit but no puck.
Just let it go.
The only reason it is a thing is because the TB guy acted like a pussy.

Perry is a dick. He needs to be lit up.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:15 PM (ZLI7S)

202 Man, it feels like a Sunday night...

Me no likeee

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:16 PM (BgMrQ)

203 Perry is a dick. He needs to be lit up.
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:15 PM (ZLI7S)

I like you Jack...

#fiesty

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:17 PM (BgMrQ)

204 Evening.

I've seen Kwaidan! Outstanding!
=============
13 12 Saw a movie decades ago, a mother and daughter ambush samurai and kill them to sell their armor and belongings.
No idea of the title.
Posted by: Skip at June 11, 2022 07:55 PM (2JoB

I think that's Onibaba.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 07:56 PM (LvTSG)

Titties galore. Two thumbs up.

Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 09:18 PM (3QhVO)

205 Like if you were to stick a dvd into you disc drive your computer should play it no problem. Including if the drive is a Blu-ray drive. But if you stick an actual blu ray disc in your computer won't play it. I discovered that after I decided to get a blu ray drive for one of my previous computers and then discovering that the added cost was pointless.

Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 09:18 PM (5zX4S)

206 Shoot the puck, dammit.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:18 PM (ufFY8)

207 Last episode of Legend of the Galactic Heroes by Production I.G. How stupid can the Imperial admirals be not to leave a tripwire? Oh right, plot armor. Let's hand wave it away.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:18 PM (4w7Au)

208 Onibaba

Demon mother

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:19 PM (4w7Au)

209 Evening prayer before the Lord's Day by Matthew Henry:

https://tinyurl.com/mr352txf

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 11, 2022 09:19 PM (WQv/D)

210 199 #becauseheis
Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:13 PM (BgMrQ)

Those 12 rescued kittens are tougher than him.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:14 PM (ufFY

Thirteen. It was thirteen kittens. That would make one hell of a name for a band. Big horn section, Skinny girls backup singers. Whaddya say?

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:20 PM (0OP+5)

211 #fiesty

Fiesty???

Posted by: SFGoth at June 11, 2022 09:20 PM (KAi1n)

212 Arifureta: From Commonplace to World`s Strongest... a good revenge story
Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (dKiJG)

I am intrigued.

Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (3QhVO)

213 No wait.. Akuma is a devil Oni, ogre Or how about if I just shut up?

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (4w7Au)

214 Perry is a dick. He needs to be lit up.
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:15 PM (ZLI7S)

He absolutely is a dick and always has been. And the teams he plays for have a way of reaching the Stanley Cup final.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (eGTCV)

215 >>> Like if you were to stick a dvd into you disc drive your computer should play it no problem. Including if the drive is a Blu-ray drive. But if you stick an actual blu ray disc in your computer won't play it. I discovered that after I decided to get a blu ray drive for one of my previous computers and then discovering that the added cost was pointless.
Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 09:18 PM (5zX4S)

MS doesn't provide the blu-ray codecs for their players. But PowerDVD claimed it played blu-rays so I don't know why it isn't working. It should have the codecs.

Posted by: banana Dream at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (0fVbu)

216 What a great write-up of Kobayashi and his career. Wow!

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (gao0c)

217 213 No wait.. Akuma is a devil Oni, ogre Or how about if I just shut up?
Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (4w7Au)

========

Can you read any of the Japanese alphabets?

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (LvTSG)

218 If you are going to dump and chase, then CHASE.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:22 PM (ufFY8)

219 216 What a great write-up of Kobayashi and his career. Wow!
Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (gao0c)

========

Thank you.

I'm currently reading A Dream of Resistance: The Cinema of Kobayashi Masaki by Stephen Prince (a former professor at Virginia Tech that I took several classes with) which I kind of wish I had read before I wrote the above.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 09:23 PM (LvTSG)

220 Speaking of movies has anyone had difficulty playing blu-ray disks on their pc?

*

You are supposed to pay for a decoder license iirc. Set top boxes have them already.

Look up makemkv (free while in beta, and it is always in beta). It's a reencoder, but I think it has a way to open the disks so that you can play them on VLC or other PC programs while it's opened in makemkv. There are probably other decoders out there that do only the "open" task.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - the CEO of Moderna acknowledged the presence of patented sequence in Covid-19 at June 11, 2022 09:23 PM (7rzvW)

221 >>> Thirteen. It was thirteen kittens. That would make one hell of a name for a band. Big horn section, Skinny girls backup singers. Whaddya say?
Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:20 PM (0OP+5)

I knew a band named Chainsaw Kittens. I still have a band shirt. Black t with a hello kitty like figure armed with a chainsaw. They were from Oklahoma.

Posted by: banana Dream at June 11, 2022 09:24 PM (0fVbu)

222 The central question of drama has always been, what defines a man. Greeks to Shakespeare to Ford. You can tell a lot about people by how they react to the "man" Wayne's plays in Stagecoach to Liberty Valence to The Searchers. Japanese filmmakers exploring samurai were asking the same question about men in their culture. The referenced director is avant garde for challenging that archetype - the same way people celebrated Beatty's Clyde Barrow or Pacino's Dog Day character or Hoffman's Rizzo. Anyone happy with how that's advanced our culture?

Posted by: Indignatio Vindacatorem at June 11, 2022 09:24 PM (oWBc3)

223 Can you read any of the Japanese alphabets?

Not really just a symbol or letter there, though at one time was learning the Abh language from Crest of the Stars. Yeah science fiction writer does a Tolkein and creates a language. And in the anime they speak the Abh language so the Japanese get treated to subtitles. So yeah I was amused.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:25 PM (4w7Au)

224 >>I like you Jack...

>>#fiesty

Hitting is the least appreciated par of the game. See how much more energy NY has after that hit?

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:25 PM (ZLI7S)

225 All these Japanese films, and not a single tentacle among them.

Posted by: kurt eichenwald at June 11, 2022 09:25 PM (KFhLj)

226 Shisterkin again...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:27 PM (BgMrQ)

227 Now I have this mental image of Eichmanwald with one of Shirow's space octopi stuck to his cranium

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:27 PM (4w7Au)

228 222 The central question of drama has always been, what defines a man. Greeks to Shakespeare to Ford. You can tell a lot about people by how they react to the "man" Wayne's plays in Stagecoach to Liberty Valence to The Searchers. Japanese filmmakers exploring samurai were asking the same question about men in their culture. The referenced director is avant garde for challenging that archetype - the same way people celebrated Beatty's Clyde Barrow or Pacino's Dog Day character or Hoffman's Rizzo. Anyone happy with how that's advanced our culture?
Posted by: Indignatio Vindacatorem at June 11, 2022 09:24 PM (oWBc3)
The anti-hero. Saul Alinsky dedicated his book Rules For Radicals to the ultimate anti-hero/rebel, Lucifer. Said enough, why say it again?

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:28 PM (0OP+5)

229 The central question of drama has always been, what defines a man. Greeks to Shakespeare to Ford. You can tell a lot about people by how they react to the "man"

Posted by: Indignatio Vindacatorem at June 11, 2022 09:24 PM (oWBc3)
---
I always thought a better question is, "What can change the nature of a man?"

Drama, of course, revolves around change. In a well-written story, the characters go through evolution to become something better (or worse) than they were at the beginning. The worst thing you can do in a story is have one where "nothing happens."

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 11, 2022 09:28 PM (K5n5d)

230 of Shirow's space octopi stuck to his cranium
Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:27 PM (4w7Au)

With no pants, sadly.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:28 PM (ufFY8)

231 He absolutely is a dick and always has been. And the teams he plays for have a way of reaching the Stanley Cup final.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (eGTCV)

Every team needs a dick player

just as long as he's not a defensive liability.

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:29 PM (BgMrQ)

232 >>> Posted by: Moron Robbie - the CEO of Moderna acknowledged the presence of patented sequence in Covid-19 at June 11, 2022 09:23 PM (7rzvW)

Cyberlink should have provided their codecs when I purchased their software. I should have all the necessary stuff to play. The only thing I can think is them saying to turn off my anti-virus to install. Companies always say that and I specifically have it running so you don't hoark my computer up.

Posted by: banana Dream at June 11, 2022 09:29 PM (0fVbu)

233 Yeah science fiction writer does a Tolkein and creates a language.
Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:25 PM (4w7Au)

Be'nI''a'puq?

Posted by: A Skeptical Klingon at June 11, 2022 09:29 PM (3QhVO)

234 The worst thing you can do in a story is have one where "nothing happens."
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 11, 2022 09:28 PM (K5n5d)

Waiting for Godot.

Unless it is Gal Gadot.

Posted by: anchorbabe fashion cop at June 11, 2022 09:30 PM (ufFY8)

235 Goddamn...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:31 PM (BgMrQ)

236 Uh oh.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:31 PM (ufFY8)

237 fuck

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:31 PM (ZLI7S)

238 We'll I guess NY will stop playing not to lose.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 09:32 PM (8GBH4)

239 Happy Birthday, Sessue Hayakawa!

Be happy in your work, Morons!

Posted by: That Deplorable SOB Van Owen at June 11, 2022 09:32 PM (dVlo/)

240 And that is why one should take shots.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:32 PM (ufFY8)

241 What?!?

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:32 PM (0OP+5)

242 Suddenly as if a million hockey fans cried out in terror...

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (4w7Au)

243 Strome looks like he is skating in mud.

Posted by: Tofer732 at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (lzt5C)

244 Re bluray, I ha e no problems playing blurays from any region on computer using a lg bluray multiwriter internal drive. I use powerdvd but the version that plays bluray is more expensive than the std version.

I would check to make sure all powerdvd patches are applied and that your version supports bluray playback.

Posted by: whig at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (aJnLP)

245 Is there some kind of sportsball game going on?

I get the sense sportsball is happening.

Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (3QhVO)

246 Florida Man ascendant?
Be very afraid.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (ufFY8)

247 198 181: I don’t know how anyone can read Shogun and conclude that Clavell wasn’t an admirer of Japanese culture.
Silence is another matter. I have read the book, haven’t watched the film.
Anyway, I recommend a rather obscure novel by Ayako Sono, “Watcher from the Shore.”

Posted by: LadyS at June 11, 2022 09:14 PM (5WgUb)

Imho, Clavell was an excellent observer of foreign culture, without being a fan thereof. He certainly expressed many critiques of their mindsets.

Ymmv. And so it goes.

Posted by: GnuBreed at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (F0YaR)

248 54 I watch a lot of Korean stuff and you think we have racial problems here, wooheee do they and the Japanese hate each other.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:19 PM (8GBH4)

Well, the Koreans have good reasons to hate the Japanese. And both of them are racist, lol.

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (gao0c)

249 I bought a big fancy remastered blu-ray of Flash Gordon that I want to watch. I have a nice Edifier sound system hooked to my pc and I don't even have a working TV so the pc is my only option anyway.

Posted by: banana Dream at June 11, 2022 09:34 PM (0fVbu)

250 Damn, y'all are watching a hockey game. I though a nuke went off in your yard or something. and here I was listening to Hat Too Flat by Walter Becker.

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:34 PM (0OP+5)

251 Cyberlink should have provided their codecs when I purchased their software

*

Ah, gotcha. I haven't kept up with their offerings so I thought it was still dvd focused.

Yeah, if you paid for it then it should work. Make sure there's not some associated program trying to get past the firewall so it can phone home to make the license active, maybe?

Posted by: Moron Robbie - the CEO of Moderna acknowledged the presence of patented sequence in Covid-19 at June 11, 2022 09:35 PM (7rzvW)

252 243 Strome looks like he is skating in mud.
Posted by: Tofer732 at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (lzt5C)

He's playing hurt...and he really shouldn't be on the ice.

KAKKO SHOULD BE

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:35 PM (BgMrQ)

253 Unfortunately, hardware vendors often ship out of date or crippled av software with their hardware.

Posted by: whig at June 11, 2022 09:36 PM (aJnLP)

254 I bought a big fancy remastered blu-ray of Flash Gordon that I want to watch. I have a nice Edifier sound system hooked to my pc and I don't even have a working TV so the pc is my only option anyway.
Posted by: banana Dream at June 11, 2022 09:34 PM (0fVbu)

I got a copy of that last year and watched it from beginning to end for the first time ever. Must have watched the last half a bajillion times as a kid, never saw the beginning.

Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 09:36 PM (3QhVO)

255 I have some edifier speakers for the desktop computer. They sound really great considering they were only $130 or so.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - the CEO of Moderna acknowledged the presence of patented sequence in Covid-19 at June 11, 2022 09:36 PM (7rzvW)

256 245 Is there some kind of sportsball game going on?

I get the sense sportsball is happening.
Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 0

More like sportspuck

Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 09:36 PM (5zX4S)

257 Absolutely a must kill...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:36 PM (BgMrQ)

258 212 Arifureta: From Commonplace to World`s Strongest... a good revenge story
Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:01 PM (dKiJG)

I am intrigued.
Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 09:21 PM (3QhVO)

Also check out BULL

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:37 PM (dKiJG)

259 More like sportspuck
Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 09:36 PM (5zX4S)

Dead man on ice...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:37 PM (BgMrQ)

260 Best ham and rye I ever had was at a little hole-in-the-wall place in Schenectady called Salvador's Deli. The guy was an artist, I tell ya. A nice slab of Swiss and a shmear of brown mustard. Yummy!!

What's that? Not ham and rye? Samurai?? Like the Japanese guys? Oh.

Never mind.

Posted by: Emily Litella at June 11, 2022 09:37 PM (kXYt5)

261 Robert

In this series, Hajime and his classmates are summoned to another world to fight the demons. Isekia trope hai. He gets betrayed by a classmate in the dungeon and almost dies. Instead he recovers and conquers the dungeon. And if anyone gets in his way to return to Earth, well he'll kill you first; even if you are the world's god.

Along the way he starts to collect a harem. There is Kaori who has had a crush on him for years back on Earth. Yue is the vampire princess. Shea the insanely strong bunny girl. Tio the ecchi dragon born. And they rescue from slave traders the mermaid girl Myu who calls Hajime "Papa."

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:38 PM (4w7Au)

262 Also check out BULL
Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:37 PM (dKiJG)

Dude from Night Court? Yeah, he was great.

Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 09:38 PM (3QhVO)

263 252 243 Strome looks like he is skating in mud.
Posted by: Tofer732 at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (lzt5C)

He's playing hurt...and he really shouldn't be on the ice.

KAKKO SHOULD BE
Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:35 PM (BgMrQ

Thought the same exact thing, before the game

Posted by: Tofer732 at June 11, 2022 09:38 PM (lzt5C)

264 54 I watch a lot of Korean stuff
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:19 PM (8GBH4)

Have you seen No. 3? It's funny.

"Tae-Ju is a wandering gangster of the Do-Gang Family. He becomes the Number Three for helping the Family boss overcome a conspiracy. Five years later, Number Two Jae-Cheol and Number Three Tae-Ju turn into rivals."

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at June 11, 2022 09:40 PM (gao0c)

265 248 54 I watch a lot of Korean stuff and you think we have racial problems here, wooheee do they and the Japanese hate each other.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 08:19 PM (8GBH4)

Well, the Koreans have good reasons to hate the Japanese. And both of them are racist, lol.
Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at June 11, 2022 09:33 PM (gao0c)

Korean's are like the Irish, who HATE the British with a passion. So yeah I agree with why they hate them.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:40 PM (dKiJG)

266 An additional observation for LadyS -- In Shogun, there were two classes of people. Those allowed to bear arms and those that could not. An armed person, offended in some way by a prohibited person, could strike the head off of the 'offender'.

Perhaps the offender failed to avert their eyes from the armed critter. Maybe the armed critter felt bad about the headchopping afterwards.

Do you think Clavell APPROVED of this? No fucking way.

Posted by: GnuBreed at June 11, 2022 09:42 PM (F0YaR)

267 262 Also check out BULL
Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:37 PM (dKiJG)

Dude from Night Court? Yeah, he was great.
Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 09:38 PM (3QhVO)

LOL he does Kill everything he encounters

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at June 11, 2022 09:42 PM (dKiJG)

268 Bunny girls? In an isekai?!?

Well...Shield Hero had the raccoon girl.

Posted by: Robert at June 11, 2022 09:43 PM (3QhVO)

269 I'll have to check it out Bonnie.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 09:43 PM (8GBH4)

270 ABuse pecking order of the Imperial Japanese Army:

Officers beat up everyone.
Sergeants beat up enlisted.
Enlisted beat up Koreans.
Everyone beats up Koreans.
And finally, all the above get to beat up prisoners. Or shoot them.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:43 PM (4w7Au)

271 Is there some kind of sportsball game going on?

See the goalie in top pic on thread.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 09:44 PM (8GBH4)

272 266 266 An additional observation for LadyS -- In Shogun, there were two classes of people. Those allowed to bear arms and those that could not. An armed person, offended in some way by a prohibited person, could strike the head off of the 'offender'.

Perhaps the offender failed to avert their eyes from the armed critter. Maybe the armed critter felt bad about the headchopping afterwards.

Do you think Clavell APPROVED of this? No fucking way.
Posted by: GnuBreed at June 11, 2022 09:42 PM (F0YaR)

========

Japan seems to have had four classes: warrior, merchant, artisan, and farmer. This doesn't include their daimyo.

It was as stratified as India.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 09:45 PM (LvTSG)

273 Strome = center

Kakko = right wing

These are different positions.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:45 PM (ZLI7S)

274 Peasants could never fight or touch samurai.
So interesting ways of detaining sword swinging samurai had to be invented.

To test the mettle of a katana, it was not uncommon for the sword smith to use a few peasants or criminals as test dummies.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:45 PM (4w7Au)

275 ========

Japan seems to have had four classes: warrior, merchant, artisan, and farmer. This doesn't include their daimyo.

It was as stratified as India.
Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 09:45 PM (LvTSG)
And for ancestor's sake, don't cut down the rotten pheasant, cause then you'll have to KILL YOURSELF!

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:47 PM (0OP+5)

276 Rosenkrantz and Guilderstern are Dead

Set in feudal Japan. No one will be laughing.

Posted by: Anna Puma at June 11, 2022 09:48 PM (4w7Au)

277 247. Hi, GnuBreed. Yes, Clavell had sharp insights into Japanese culture as well as English culture. I would agree that he was an astute observer. I do think he had great affection for the higher aspects of both, and that his observations of ‘failures’ in both cultures were interesting.

Posted by: LadyS at June 11, 2022 09:49 PM (5WgUb)

278 273 Strome = center

Kakko = right wing

These are different positions.
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:45 PM (ZLI7S)
I'm seeing that Kakko as CACO. And CACO was not the best duty in the Navy.

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:50 PM (0OP+5)

279 > To test the mettle of a katana, it was not uncommon for the sword smith to use a few peasants or criminals as test dummies.
_____________

There's a lesson to be learned here. IYKWIM

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 11, 2022 09:50 PM (BFigT)

280 eight katanas slice
eight heads swiftly fly like doves
back to the sea now

Posted by: Octopi Samurai at June 11, 2022 09:50 PM (KFhLj)

281 These are different positions.
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:45 PM (ZLI7S)

Point taken...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:50 PM (BgMrQ)

282 Strome is a gamer, but he shouldn’t be out there

Posted by: Tofer732 at June 11, 2022 09:52 PM (lzt5C)

283 280 eight katanas slice
eight heads swiftly fly like doves
back to the sea now
Posted by: Octopi Samurai at June 11, 2022 09:50 PM (KFhLj)
Bravo.

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:52 PM (0OP+5)

284 Interestingly a kakko is a Japanese double-headed drum. So the japan film - hockey circle is complete.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 09:53 PM (8GBH4)

285 124 -- Buzzion -- Yeah, I know. But I'm really hoping Chris Hemsworth gets a few decent lines. One of my favorite parts of Avengers: Infinity War was Thor acting as the focus of the sun to melt the metal for Stormbreaker. Hemsworth really gave that bit a lot of gravitas, something Thor really doesn't show that much of under ordinary circumstances. Thor is usually a smart ass, taking things very literally. But that bit with him being the lens was Thor demonstrating what a true Asgardian god was.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at June 11, 2022 09:53 PM (H31K8)

286 Problem with those movies is too many swords and not enough geishas.

Posted by: Braenyard at June 11, 2022 09:53 PM (YdNEG)

287 269 I'll have to check it out Bonnie.
Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 09:43 PM (8GBH4)

Just know it isn't likely considered quality stuff, lol.

But we actually bought the dvd after watching it a couple of times.

Posted by: Bonnie Blue - no longer playing the game at June 11, 2022 09:54 PM (gao0c)

288 Thirteen kittens mew
they gallop across the road
sweet home they arrive.

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 09:55 PM (0OP+5)

289 Problem with those movies is too many swords and not enough geishas.

Mammary of a Geisha. Good flick.

Posted by: Guy Mohawk at June 11, 2022 09:56 PM (8GBH4)

290 You can't win be being afraid.

You worked all year to be in this position. Everyone is hurt but you have to suck it up.

20 minutes boys. Play your game. Put shots on net.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:57 PM (ZLI7S)

291 Japanese society has some interesting contradictions, I.e. politeness but with that brutality.

Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 09:58 PM (eGTCV)

292 290 You can't win be being afraid.

You worked all year to be in this position. Everyone is hurt but you have to suck it up.

20 minutes boys. Play your game. Put shots on net.
Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 09:57 PM (ZLI7S)

Short shifts...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 09:59 PM (BgMrQ)

293 291 Japanese society has some interesting contradictions, I.e. politeness but with that brutality.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 09:58 PM (eGTCV)
Crazy, but I'm glad Pappy Eromero fought the Germans. He later had no qualms about driving Toyotas but HATED VWs.

Posted by: Eromero at June 11, 2022 10:01 PM (0OP+5)

294 Thirteen kittens mew
they gallop across the road

Tougher than T B

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 10:01 PM (ufFY8)

295 Thor is usually a smart ass, taking things very literally. But that bit with him being the lens was Thor demonstrating what a true Asgardian god was.
Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at June 11, 2022 09:53 PM (H31K

Yeah don't expect that. Taika or however his name is spelled is all about the comedy and Hemsworth just being a piece of meat for women to ogle.

Posted by: Buzzion at June 11, 2022 10:01 PM (5zX4S)

296 Too many Rangers looking to set up the perfect shot rather than shoot.

Posted by: Tofer732 at June 11, 2022 10:02 PM (lzt5C)

297 Great one, thanks! I thought Hara-Kiri was brilliant, it really got to me -- not as a contradiction of the samurai ethos, but a contradiction of corrupt men who only give the appearance of the ethos, like the suit of armor in the main hall (perhaps, also the flaws in the ethos itself? But that's asking too much of a culture, to preclude evil altogether).

So then I watched the Human Condition, but I didn't have the mental skill to take it all in. I'll have to get back to it once I get a working TV for my DVD player. I miss movies. Thanks again!

Posted by: Joe at June 11, 2022 10:02 PM (fYMwJ)

298 Too many Rangers looking to set up the perfect shot rather than shoot.
Posted by: Tofer732 at June 11, 2022 10:02 PM (lzt5C)

This. Go with anything sloppy.

Posted by: Kamala at June 11, 2022 10:03 PM (ufFY8)

299 296 Too many Rangers looking to set up the perfect shot rather than shoot.
Posted by: Tofer732 at June 11, 2022 10:02 PM (lzt5C)

Hence Jack's admonition to SHOOT THE PUCK

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 10:03 PM (BgMrQ)

300 Thirteen kittens mew
they gallop across the road
sweet home they arrive

That cat ambush was something. I feel for that man. I'm exactly the same kind of idiot who would feel obligated to do something.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at June 11, 2022 10:03 PM (KFhLj)

301 297 Great one, thanks! I thought Hara-Kiri was brilliant, it really got to me -- not as a contradiction of the samurai ethos, but a contradiction of corrupt men who only give the appearance of the ethos, like the suit of armor in the main hall (perhaps, also the flaws in the ethos itself? But that's asking too much of a culture, to preclude evil altogether).

So then I watched the Human Condition, but I didn't have the mental skill to take it all in. I'll have to get back to it once I get a working TV for my DVD player. I miss movies. Thanks again!
Posted by: Joe at June 11, 2022 10:02 PM (fYMwJ)

=========

The Human Condition is great, but it's work. I'm gonna be honest about that. It's grim to the point where it can be just hard.

If you want to go further, I'd suggest Samurai Rebellion first, followed by I Will Buy You, his baseball movie.

Most of his work is available on the Criterion Channel, if you have that.

Posted by: TheJamesMadison, fighting the system with Kobayashi at June 11, 2022 10:04 PM (LvTSG)

302 I saw Cat Ambush open for Pussy Riot at the Chicago Amphitheatre in 1983.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at June 11, 2022 10:05 PM (ufFY8)

303 Frigging Perry. Such a dick.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 10:10 PM (ZLI7S)

304 Nood

Posted by: Cybersmythe at June 11, 2022 10:11 PM (LJSpF)

305 jesus...skating with lead boots

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 10:11 PM (BgMrQ)

306 I got a copy of The Chrysthansamum and the Sword a couple months back, first time I ever read it. The author makes many points that TJM says Kobayashi was making about traditional Japanese culture. The severe top down rule. The incessant fighting for position and respect. The contempt for the non-Samurai. You can see elements of that in C label's Shogun, but The Cyrus anthem um and the Sword really hammer it home.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin -- I wasn't particularly fond of the '70s the first time around at June 11, 2022 10:12 PM (H31K8)

307 291 Japanese society has some interesting contradictions, I.e. politeness but with that brutality.
Posted by: N.L. Urker, my trench is full of thchickens at June 11, 2022 09:58 PM (eGTCV)
-----------------

Chinese pucker up at the thought of them.

Posted by: Braenyard at June 11, 2022 10:15 PM (YdNEG)

308 BOOM!

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 10:29 PM (ZLI7S)

309 hockey on the ont

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 10:29 PM (BgMrQ)

310 That was a goal.

Posted by: JackStraw at June 11, 2022 10:32 PM (ZLI7S)

311 oh jack...that goal was cruel.

cruel like ace...

Posted by: browndog Official Mascot of Team Gizzard at June 11, 2022 10:33 PM (BgMrQ)

312 #301 - James Madison, Etc.

Thanks! I'll do that, more incentive to get my DVD room together.

Posted by: Joe at June 12, 2022 02:39 PM (x3t8X)

313 My dad exposed me to Samurai films and anti Samurai films, such as,"Twilight Samurai", just beautiful!

Posted by: Sasscrotch at June 12, 2022 09:53 PM (qgBtC)

314 This piece of writing will help the internet
users for setting up new webpage or even a blog from start to end.

Posted by: jbo viet at June 19, 2022 08:37 PM (ZQdsd)

Processing 0.03, elapsed 0.0397 seconds.
14 queries taking 0.0148 seconds, 322 records returned.
Page size 180 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.