Kagemusha

Japanese filmmaker mastermind Akira Kurosawa combines art and samurai beautifully with the epic Kagemusha. When the leader of a large samurai clan is slowly dying, a reckless thief is called in to be his replacement. However, the enemy groups are slowly... Full review

Terrific visuals, esp. beach scene with the back drop .. kurosawa is the japanese shakespeare of our time.. wonderful captivating action sequence too... Full review

Terrific visuals, esp. beach scene with the back drop .. kurosawa is the japanese shakespeare of our time.. wonderful captivating action sequence too... Full review

Just another of the great films in the Kurasawa series. Check it out along w/ Seven Samurai, and Ran to see truly great filmmaking.... Full review

Just another of the great films in the Kurasawa series. Check it out along w/ Seven Samurai, and Ran to see truly great filmmaking.... Full review

The story, despite its scope, is simple and (though set in feudal Japan in the 1500s) timeless.....A collection of interviews with Kurosawa and Kagemusha actors, this "documentary" is more of an admiring ode to Kurasawa seeded with aimless actor anecdotes.....making it one of Kurosawa's most colorful and visually stunning efforts..... ... Full Review

And the score is so haunting and effective it deserves its own Philharmonic performance.....Nakadai's performance of the the Lord and his thief double is masterful..... ... Full Review

Kagemusha is a truly gorgeous film and this only solidifies that sentiment.....When it comes to Kurosawa, like I said, Kagemusha isn't the best film in his oeuvre....It may also be a good way to ease some of you less inclined to purchase a black-and-white film to get into Kurosawa's features.... ... Full Review

The result is a compelling piece of cinema.....The story serves as an illustration of how older influences get cast aside for a presumed flavor of the month.....Carrying the roles of both of the main character, Nakadai avails himself rather well..... ... Full Review

Even a lesser film of his like "Dodes'da Ken" looks stunning.....he would have to work his way out of to make two of his best films -.... ... Full Review

"Lucas, Coppola, and Kurosawa", an interview piece about how Coppola and Lucas helped raise money to finance "Kagemusha". (It's interesting to think how these successful young guys were in a position to help Kurosawa reinvent himself (and what a shame... ... Full Article

It's hard for me not to simply tell you to rush out and buy both of these right now, but if you were to confront me with the question of "Buy? ... Full Article