Raymond Benson delivers his last original James Bond novel. His last 007 book was the adaptation of Die Another Day. So that means he has to wrap up the villain, Goro Yoshida, that he set up in the previous book, Never Dream of Dying. At the PM’s request, James has been assigned to look out…
Tag: samurai
Yokai Monsters: Spook Warfare (1968) – Yoshiyuki Kuroda
As much as I loved 100 Monsters, Spook Warfare almost disappointed me as much. It feels like a bit of a goofy film, and I get that this is the point of the series, the same way Godzilla went from a dark film to ‘who is he fighting this time?’ It starts out promisingly enough,…
Shogun (1980) – Disc 3
I dive into disc three of the DVD release of Shogun this week which marries the conclusion of the third episode, originally broadcast on 17 September, 1980, and the fourth episode, which aired on 18 September, 1980. James Clavell’s novel, adapted by Eric Bercovici continues to explore feudal Japan through the transplanted Blackthorne (Richard Chamberlain)…
Kuroneko (1968) – Kaneto Shindo
While not necessarily a vampire movie, although there is a lot of neck-biting and blood, the Japanese horror film Kuroneko is a fantastic entry in DK Canada’s Monsters in the Movies book. The story follows the fate of two women, Yone (Nobuko Otowa) and Shige (Kiwoko Taichi), who are set upon in their own home…
Samurai Rebellion (1967) – Masaki Kobayashi
Toshiro Mifune headlines in this fantastic film that is the next recommendation on the What Else to Watch list in DK Canada’s The Movie Book following my screening of Rashomon. A movie that centres on honour, pride, justice and love Kobayashi’s film is a riveting watch, with a brilliant climax. Mifune stars as Isaburo Sasahara, a…
Seven Samurai (1954) – Akira Kurosawa
The next film recommendation from the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book is yet another iconic film from Kurosawa’s oeuvre. In a catalogue of films that are all exceptional, it’s tough to pick a favourite, but this may very will be mine. I love the American remake from 1960, The Magnificent Seven, it’s…
Ugetsu (1953) – Kenji Mizoguchi
The next title recommended by the Great Movies – 100 Years of Film book for my screening of Ran, is this brilliant film that follows the fortunes of two peasant families during a civil war. Operating a kiln, and making wares, Genjuro (Masayuki Mori) sees a chance to get rich with the selling of his…
Rashomon (1950) – Akira Kurosawa
The next big title in DK Canada’s The Movie Book is the Kurosawa classic Rashomon. Serving as a commentary on the nature of man, the film tells a story of murder, rape, and truths. Set against the backdrop of a gutted out and tumble down temple, a trio of characters come together to ruminate a…
Magnum, p.i. (1983) – Of Sound Mind and The Arrow That is Not Aimed
More fun this week in Hawaii as Thomas (Tom Selleck) deals with practical jokers, ninja and samurai!! Of Sound Mind was written by Andrew Schneider and aired 6 January, 1983. When Wilson MacLeish (Donnelly Rhodes), a multi-millionaire and practical joker dies in a fiery explosion, none of his immediate family, or house staff, including…
Brazil (1985) – Terry Gillilam
In this entry of the 101 Sci-Fi Movies we have illegal air conditioning repair, bureaucracy, vivid dreams, consumerism a keep calm and carry on attitude and mountains of paperwork. Terry Gilliam’s films have always been odd, eccentric, and you either like them or you don’t, there’s usually no two ways about it. Personally I…
The Mind Reels 