Rate It
|
||||||||||||||||
Rating Averages
My Friends |
Not rated. () |
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
All Flixster |
(11478) |
4110 |
18848 |
Female |
(2360) |
845 |
3876 |
Male |
(9118) |
3265 |
14972 |
More Like This
If you liked this, then you'll also probably like...
Got another recommendation for someone who liked this movie? Add it to the list!
Got an opinion? Use the buttons to vote on all the suggestions people have added.
If lots of people vote, the best suggestions will rise to the top.
| Léon (The Professional) (67%) |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Kill Bill: Volume 1 (57%) |
|
|
| Tokyo Drifter (50%) |
|
|
| Shogun Assassin (100%) |
|
|
| Le Samouraï (The Godson) (82%) |
|
|
Plot:
Ghost Dog lives above the world, alongside a flock of birds, in a homemade shack on the roof of an abandoned building. Guided by the words of an ancient samurai text, Ghost Dog is a professional kille...( read more 
)
Meet Other Fans
Recent Reviews
-
MCT:August 13, 2008J'avais détesté Broken Flowers, donc je n'avais aucune attente par rapport à ce film qui me paraissait quelque peu douteux. Un Noir tueur à gage qui s'inspire de la philosophie des samurais, interprété par Forest Whitaker, avec une trame sonore de RZA du Wu-Tang Clan... Ça pouvait facilement glisser dans le mauvais le plus absurde. Pourtant, Jim Jarmusch signe une oeuvre originale, amusante, touchante, pleine de rebondissements et fort bien réalisée.
L'incorporation du mouvement hip-hop à l'univers des samurais est effectuée avec jugement sans jamais verser dans le ridicule. Certaines scènes de fusillades sont tout simplement délicieuses. Jarmusch agence particulièrement bien les couleurs pour rehausser une émotion particulière lorsque nécessaire; ainsi, son film est agréable à l'oeil, en plus d'offrir une version remaniée de la quête d'honneur du samurai. -
MCT:July 15, 2008I reviewed this a fucking age ago, but having watched it again last night i thought of redoing it. This is now absolutely cemented into my mind as my favourite film.
I sat for two hours without saying a word while watching this. When it finished, It took several hours for me to start speaking again. This is the kind of film that shuts you up, much like a brick to the face (except with less screaming).
The music is all brilliantly ambient, however that may be a suprise to some, considering it's all hip hop.
I'm not going to give any plot away, however what i will give away is that this is awesome.
Go buy it. NOW! -
MCT:June 27, 2008
If youve seen this movie, enjoyed it, but strached your head at the end wondering what Jarmusch was getting at. It's something that hes been getting at since "Mystery Train", that is people who have interests in cultures outside their own.
In Myste...(read more)ry Train, a japanese couple obsessed with american rock and roll of the 50's come to visit Memphis, in "Dead Man" an Indian is taken an educated in England, til he reads William Blake and is inspired to escape, only to meet a man in American named William Blake, who he educates in the Indian way of life(this actor appears in Ghost Dog as well in deliberate homage"Stupid fucking white man!"), so theres alot of cross cultural trading going on Jarmusch,...alright now Ghost Dog.
Ghost Dog features a black assasin, who lives by the Samuria code, Italian Mafioso who only like watching cartoons, a Hatian icecream driver, an old man building a large wooden ship on the roof of a tenement, a little girl reading "Frankenstien" and "Night Nurse", a mobster listening to "Flava Flav," etc. The characters of Ghost Dog have interests that you would not initially prescribe to them. This is a film about culture wars and how they are not always chronological, the old vs. the new, here we have the old vs. the ancient. Ancient samurai code or no, Ghost Dog still listens to Wu-Tang Clan (hardcore rappers obsessed with Kung Fu films and Asian culture), suggesting a pick and choose culture, as opposed to one which is just handed down on high from cultural elders, he doesnt cut himself off completely from the world, just chosess to live in his own version of it. The lead mafioso's daughter(if youve seen the film she's the one who starts all the trouble), is in this position of cultural malaise with her aging mobsters, turning similarly to Japanese literature and cartoons for escape.
The performances are all dead pan, some quite funny. This is my favorite Jarmusch film, for a few reasons some personal(bieng a black kid who liked alot of shit black kids arent expected to be interested in I relate...I like Wu-Tang too.), and some aesthetic, this is after "Night On Earth"(just remembered the european cabbie trying to immerse himself in New York culture in that movie, for more evidence of Jarmusch as cultural trader) is his most acessible film. It's also one of the best films about samurai hitmen and mobsters you're likely to find, working from a place of bizzare genre(Blacksploitation/Action/Kung-Fu), Jarmucsch is able to create a moody, atmospheric, urban samurai noir, that actually tells us something about the shrinking and overlapping modern world in the wake of Globalization, not to an easy feat.
But that's what it's about, what it is, is a great mix of intensity and humor, action and reflection, a juncture of both the old and the new, which actions fans and Jarmusch indie fans can enjoy. -
MCT:June 12, 2008Played out like a dull episode of the Sopranos, only more in the style of an average indie flick. It still had its qualities though that made it worth the watch. By that I'm mainly refering to Forest Whitaker, who carried the movie quite well on his shoulders. His character, altough perhaps not entirely believable, was both fascinating and complex, as in being a suburb samurai with as much philosophy to share as he has skills with a gun.
It surely wouldn't have hurt to throw in a better soundtrack though, because if there's one thing I really disliked about this movie it was the lifeless and often sleep-inducing music. The editing could have used a little brush-up as well, as it came off as a bit amateurish and sloppy at times. Thankfully, however, these are only minor flaws in an otherwise decent film. Just be warned that it's very slow-paced. -
MCT:June 7, 2008
Definitely the coolest and most psychologically obscure film of Jim Jarmusch. A modern gem that does justice to the old style of samurai films and John Woo action masterpieces (yes, when he did good films) and the loneliness of the protagonist, concept taken mainly by genius Jean-Pierre Melville. Fantastic!
84/100 -
MCT:June 2, 2008
Ghost Dog: According to what one of the elders said, taking an enemy on the battlefield is like a hawk taking a bird. Even though it enters into the midst of a thousand of them, it gives no attention to any bird than the one it first marked.
An insightful story and one of my favorite movies, about a man who reads about and lives his life by the code of the samurai. He also happens to be a retainer for a member of an aging New Jersey organized crime syndicate and serves as a hit man, until something goes wrong.
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is found in death. Meditation on inevitable death should be performed daily. Every day, when one's body and mind are at peace, one should meditate upon being ripped apart by arrows, rifles, spears, and swords, being carried away by surging waves, being thrown into the midst of a great fire, being struck by lightning, being shaken to death by a great earthquake, falling from thousand-foot cliffs, dying of disease or committing seppuku at the death of one's master. And every day, without fail, one should consider himself as dead. This is the substance of the Way of the Samurai.
The character of Ghost Dog is very intriguing. In a normal world, this man is essentially a crazy person. He lives on the roof of a building, he practices the code of the samurai, and hangs around with pigeons. However, with this movie, the character is treated with grace and cool. He moves like a ghost, being noticed when he wants to be. Acts in violence only when the situation requires it. And is respected by most in various ways.
Samurai in Camouflage: Ghost Dog, power, equality.
Ghost Dog: Always see everything, my brother.
His only friend is a Haitian man who speaks French, neither person understands each other, but they still can relate to each other in their own way. During the film, Ghost Dog also befriends a little girl, wonderfully played by newbie at the time Camille Winbush, who shares a passion for reading.
Louie: Nothing seems to make sense anymore.
As the story goes on, Ghost Dog is conflicted from having to face the mob, who wants to have him killed, despite having remained a mysterious helper for them, and trying not to disappoint the relationship with Louie, the one he sees as his master.
Vinny: You know, Louie, there's one good thing about this Ghost Dog guy.
Louie: What's that, Vin?
Vinny: He's sending us out the old way. Like real fucking gangsters.
A very good character-crime-drama mixed with some action, humor, a great performance from Whitaker, and a great soundtrack by RZA who composed a flawless score, one of my favorites.
Sonny Valerio: Now is the time to tell us everything you know about this mysterious ghostlike untraceable fuckin' button man.
Being a Jim Jarmusch film, the film is slowly paced using fade out transitions, which helps in this case to reflects old samurai films and very effectively combines present times with the aspects of a samurai's life. It also shows the clash of different cultures in a number of ways: samurai and the mob, old systems and new changing of orders, and people's perception and people that wish to have a dedication to something in their lives.
Sonny Valerio: "If a warrior's head were to be suddenly cut off, he should still be able to perform one more action with certainty." What the fuck does that mean?
Ray Vargo: It's poetry. The poetry of war.
Among the number of repeated motifs and themes of the film, two worth mentioning are the passages of samurai code narrated throughout, each reflecting the state of Ghost Dog's character and the issues taking place in the plot. Also, the fact that the members of the mafia have an affinity for cartoons (now that's quirky), and each time one is shown, it reflects elements of the plot.
Ghost Dog: There is surely nothing other than the single purpose of the moment. A man's whole life is a succession of moment after moment. If one fully understands the present moment, there is nothing left to do, and nothing else to pursue.
This film is such a great combination of strange characters, modernized samurai philosophy, and settings, that I can't help but enjoy all aspects of it. Wonderful film.
Pearline: In the Kamigata area they have a sort of tiered lunchbox they use for a single day when flower viewing. Upon returning, they throw them away, trampling them underfoot. The end is important in all things. -
MCT:May 21, 2008
I like to think of this as the action film for the intellectual mind. Friends warned me before hand that the film was "pretty serious" and "kind of slow" but I found it mesmerizing. The story is quite introspective and Forest's character has this duality blending kindness and understanding with his ability to become a cold, merciless assassin. Definitely worth seeing, at least once.
-
MCT:May 4, 2008This movie is oddly serene, but also very action packed. Portrays the concepts of The Book of Five Rings (Samurai Code) very well.
-
MCT:March 11, 2008this was so annoying - the good points were the samurai texts, forest whitaker, the dog, and the french ice cream seller.
The bad parts were that it wasn't interesting and was incoherent, and dragged! The music was really bad too - i think it was meant to be a fusion of hip hop & asian music, but i don't think it worked very well. -
MCT:February 29, 2008Weird little movie. It has a niche fan base, I'm sure, but I don't recall particualarly digging it. Kinda silly, actually.
-
MCT:February 18, 2008
Now that I understand it better, it's pretty good. Still, stars down for bad music and multiple slow scenes (even though slow scenes and Jim Jarmusch go together, at least in his other films we see Lance Hendrixson eating people, or Tom Waits insulting people).
-
MCT:February 16, 2008
Not many really saw this film, which is a pity because Forest Whitaker does such a fine job of playing a character who follows the way of the Samurai as a paid assassin. The story line is really good and this is very much worth watching.
-
MCT:February 12, 2008
absolutely cool movie. Gave it to my brother as a gift. He was not impressed. I love the soundtrack; Forest is too cool; the code of the samoorai depictured in a modern city by the topgun and loner takes you straight into his world. Sublime!
-
MCT:February 8, 2008
Awesome movie. Absolutely cool. I love this movie and Jarmusch is the man. I love that "Nobody" was in it.
-
MCT:February 1, 2008
I quietly lunatic fusion of Mafiosi Gangster rappin Feudal Japan throwback!!!!!!!!!
How they ever pulled this off I'll never know, but it was FANTASTIC. It would do this an injustice to compare it to other assassin flicks no matter what their quality.
Every performance is spot on with Forest Whittaker, outstanding as the "Samurai Code" driven hitman. Working for a mob employer, through the ancient texts he reads, he knows where his loyalties lie and never once flinches from them.
This film has it all. Action (all be it toned down), drama, interpersonal relationships, and the humour (It is in no way comedy) is beautifully marked. Add to that visual flair with directorial quirks cropping up but never intruding.
Ultimately it is a simply Assassins tale with moments which make you sit up and say "did they just do that?" "How on earth did it work?" But every time......it does. -
MCT:January 30, 2008Soooo slow. I don't understand why people like this movie. I don't enjoy watching Forest Whitaker sleepily ambling around quoting ancient samurai text and protecting himself with his mad skillz. Ugh. This movie didn't feel complete. Yuck.
-
MCT:January 22, 2008
This film could of been alot better. For a start it was abit slow in places, but what really let it down is the soundtrack. Forest Whitaker did well though.
-
MCT:January 21, 2008
I was intrigued by the title of this film - it's not the Wu Tang Clan vehicle it sounds like it might be lol. It's a strange but likeable mixture of slow-paced contemplation, human interest and...mafia-related activities. Yes, it's unconventional, but that's why it stands out for me :-)
-
MCT:January 18, 2008
A great film director . Try to see what he seems to be indicating at, rather than seeing it only as an action movie
-
MCT:January 14, 2008
Ghost Dog is a strange mix of genres rolled into one. A samurai film, a mobster film, a black comedy. It isnt quite what i epected it to be. Not that i disliked the film. I actually liked it alot. It took a minute for it to get going. But once there is was a fun watch. The story itself is a classic Samurai tale.
The relationship between Ghost Dog and the French Ice Cream Man was halarious. The mob here is a bunch of bumbling idiots who watch Cartoons and rap!? And the soundtrack is awsome also! -
MCT:January 4, 2008
a fascinating, strange hybrid of black, Japanese and Italian culture, with a perfectly detached, somber lead in Forrester
-
MCT:January 1, 2008
A different kind of gangster movie by Jarmusch. Although it sounds stupid, Whitaker is a really convincing black modern samurai.
-
MCT:December 28, 2007
think it's the best martial arts film and it's made by a non-martial arts director. it captures the essence of the hagakure.
My Friends Said...
Ghost Dog - The Way of the Samurai Recent Reviews
Register or sign-in to see your friends' reviews !
Comments
This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Ghost Dog - The Way of the Samurai" !
