Ramesh's Talk

Kikujiro

Guizi lai le (Devils on the Doorstep)

This film is really a tragic-comedy but never lets the viewer forgot where we are and what's actually going on. It depicts the absolute brutality of war and its effects on the common person. The choice of using black and white in the film was brilliant and well justified. Symbolically, the black and white could represent the Japanese occupation in all its brutality and the final color scene could represent the end of the occupation and the hope of a better future devoid of conflict. The humanity of this film is well represented and I believe anyone can relate to this film. The Chinese humor in the film is great and adds some comic relief to what would otherwise be a very depressing film. The ending scene is brutal but necessary. It shows that nobody is sparred from the brutality and senselessness of war, not even children. The film has a compelling anti-war statement with great acting and a truly human story line. I highly recommend this film to any film lover.

Harakiri

Wow, this movie took the whole Samurai Bushido (code of honor) and just flipped it on its head. Incredible performances and moving story makes this one of my most favorite Samurai films up even with the best of Kurosawa! Very intense and full of tragedy gives this movie the ingredients for a timeless masterpiece. The film gives raise to many issues that are reflected not only in feudal Japan but the Japan of today. Proves the utter hypocrisy of what it meant to be a Samurai. The ending is utterly amazing as are the remarkable performances from some of the most remarkable actors in Japanese film history. They don't make em like this anymore. Truly amazing anti-samurai film.