I’m a huge fan of samurai movies. As such, I love the Japanese actors Toshiro Mifune and Tatsuya Nakadai. I came for the samurai movies and soon learned that both actors are incredible in a wide variety of films. They are truly two of the best of all time, and I seldom think of one without thinking of the other. It made me quite sad when I read that Nakadai passed away a few days ago on November 8th at 92 years of age. Back in 1962, Nakadai starred in possibly the greatest samurai film of all time, Masaki Kobayashi’s HARAKIRI. It’s truly a masterpiece, with a powerful story and incredible action. In honor of Tatsuya Nakadai, I’m sharing the trailer for HARAKIRI below, and I recommend it to everyone!
Tag Archives: Masaki Kobayashi
4 Shots From 4 Films: Kwaidan, Minority Report, La Horde, The Exorcist
A new feature that I thought was a nice way to introduce not just our readers, but also fellow site writers to some films we love, admire and think worthy of checking out.
It won’t be any sort of review or recap of what the film is about, but just a simple, single shot from the film itself that the individual writer considers an worthy and interesting glimpse of the film.
To start off “4 Shots From 4 Films” here’s the first 4 shots. Moving forward it will be just 4 screenshots and the title of the film they belong to.
4 SHOTS FROM 4 FILMS
Kwaidan (dir. by Masaki Kobayashi – 1964)
Minority Report (dir. by Steven Spielberg – 2002)
Trailer: Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai (Official)
Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike followed-up his 2010 critically-acclaimed jidaigeki film 13 Assassins with another foray into classical Japanese filmmaking with his reimagining of the 1962 classic by Masaki Kobayashi. Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai is not a straight out and out remake of the Kobayashi classic, but Miike’s film follow similar ideas and themes.
Miike’s latest first premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and is just now making it’s way to North America. The film is now available for viewing On Demand with Tribeca Film as it’s North American distributor. There’s one caveat about seeing the film On Demand and that’s not being able to see it how Miike filmed it and that’s in 3D which made it the first to make such a premiere at Cannes.
Here’s to hoping this film make’s it’s way into the late film festivals in Northern California so I get a chance to see it on the big-screen. Barring that I don’t mind watching it in the comfort of my new condo in 1080p HD.
Through the Shattered Lens 