The Last Samurai

PanzerMeyer · Post by **PanzerMeyer** » 18 Aug 2005, 10:03

Has anyone seen this movie? It's one of the very few films which have made me teary eyed in the end.

What an amazing performance by Ken Watanabe as "Katsumoto". I just watched the movie for the 2nd time and yes, there are certain aspects of the story that can be a bit preachy at times with the constant emphasis on how the American Indians were treated but the movie in general created wonderful drama. The sword fight scene between the Ninja and Katusmoto's Samurai has got to be one of the best ever done on film. It was cool to see Tom Cruise get to use his recently learned Samurai skills.

And whatever people may think of Tom Cruise's acting ability or his occasional "interesting" comments to the media, I thought he was very good in the film. But Katsumoto definitely stole the show in my opinion.

Nemisis · Post by **Nemisis** » 18 Aug 2005, 17:24

Yes i've seen this film and enjoyed it, I do like most of Tom's films, in fact i can't think of one i did not enjoy, but getting back to The Last Samurai i did think it was just a remake of Dancing with Wolves but with the samurai as the American Indians, if you get my drift.

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 18 Aug 2005, 17:26

Problem with TC is, he's pretty much a type-cast actor by the public I mean - after TAPS and Top Gun he was always going to be highly criticised for his acting cos very few (especially the critics) were likely to ever take him seriously again. So breaking out of that mould becomes more difficult with every movie - MI, MI:2, etc.,
As a younger lad I really enjoyed the Bruckheimer blockbuster Top Gun, although I see it for what it really was these days, but it was still an entertaining film, even today I enjoy watching it. But some of his more recent films have had that little subtle twist to the finale, and I do enjoy watching those kind of films - sussing-out the baddie and then waiting to see how he gets his come-uppance. He's a half-decent actor, and films like The Last Samurai, Vanilla Sky, and Minority Report will have me watching his films more in the future. As for the water pistol incident; well my opinion is that the reporter was lucky only to be cursed at. I think more often than not he might have been punched. It's not the simple incident of being soaked, it's the environment and company in which it was done - in the eye of the public, on national/global TV, infront of his aquaintances - very demeaning and thoughtless really. Who wants to watch the premier of their movie drenched in a suit FFS. I would have bitch-slapped the twat if I am honest. :lol:

Tach Deneva · Post by **Tach Deneva** » 18 Aug 2005, 19:51

Yah, I thought it was a pretty good movie - and a pretty good 'buddy' movie, too. TC's character, Nathan Algren, while no Joel Goodsen, of course, was well drawn and believable, and KW's Katsumoto was excellent.

In many ways The Last Samurai reminded me of Shogun (now available on DVD) - and if you liked TLS, you gotta watch Shogun, because it's TLS on steroids and then some (although the 'buddy' aspect is not really there).

Anyway, Funny Rain Man strikes again.

TD

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 19 Aug 2005, 07:48

Yes, Shogun is definitely a classic. And has since it's first showing been cult viewing in UK. I remember the days . . . . .LOL! That brings to mind The Water Margin, does anyone remember that series? Jeez, to be someone in school, you had to be allowed up to watch that each week, LOL! The audio dubbing was atrocious though, eh?

Anyway, Funny Rain Man strikes again

Tach not sure what you mean by this can you explain that a bit more? Thx. Talking of which, Rain Man was also a very good film IMHO.

PanzerMeyer · Post by **PanzerMeyer** » 19 Aug 2005, 08:20

The mini-series was a classic for specifically 2 reasons.

TOSHIRO MIFUNE and JOHN RHYS-DAVIES. Both of them had a tremendous screen prescence. It's still my favorite tv mini-series to this day.

Tach Deneva · Post by **Tach Deneva** » 19 Aug 2005, 09:05

KODIAK wrote: Tach not sure what you mean by this can you explain that a bit more? Thx.

Uh oh, fifteen minutes to Judge Wapner.

TD

Grifter · Post by **Grifter** » 19 Aug 2005, 09:11

little confused, is Shogun a mini-series?

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 19 Aug 2005, 09:19

Tach, you must be off your head, cos I'm stil nonethewiser as to what you're on about. :shock:

Griffy, Shogun was shown as a mini series here in UK.

Tach Deneva · Post by **Tach Deneva** » 19 Aug 2005, 09:34

KODIAK wrote:Tach, you must be off your head, cos I'm stil nonethewiser as to what you're on about.

I'm an excellent driver. :mrgreen:

KODIAK wrote:Griffy, Shogun was shown as a mini series here in UK.

Yah, here, too. It originally aired back around 1980 or so.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080274/

TD

PanzerMeyer · Post by **PanzerMeyer** » 19 Aug 2005, 09:58

Grifter wrote:little confused, is Shogun a mini-series?

Yes. It was a tv mini series which came out in 1980. It was based on the James Clavell novel.

Grifter · Post by **Grifter** » 19 Aug 2005, 14:30

Say...I did see that after all. Awesome. I should watch it again. i have'nt seen it in sol long that I forgot most of it.

Tach Deneva · Post by **Tach Deneva** » 20 Aug 2005, 09:48

Hee hee, I just noticed KODIAK's email addy!

TD

KODIAK · Post by **KODIAK** » 20 Aug 2005, 14:28

:roll: . . . . . . . . . Honest to god!!! :lol:

RLGaming.com

RLGaming's Forums

The Last Samurai

The Last Samurai