Kurosawa Wept

[Occhidiangela]

The real sign that the Apocalypse is upon us

"And the number of the beast was 90068 . . ." :P

While the manic American media chased after the usual "Left Behind" "6-6-6" and "Omen" cliches on June 06, 2006, the clever Canadian Broadcasting Corporation smoked out the real sign that the Apocalypse is soon upon us.

Harvey and Rob Weinstein, big time Hollywood producers, acquired the rights to Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" (in 2002) and are hiring a Chinese actress (huh?) to star in it, or so the story goes. The rumor that Quentin Tarantino will be involved fills me with trepidation, even though I usually enjoy his films. While The Magnificent Seven was a creditable retelling of the Seven Samurai story in Western "oater" format, it was not as rich as the original. Will they recast Seven Samurai in contemporary times, or to re-do the Ronin/Samurai/Shogun-era Japan of Kurosawa's masterpiece? I hope it is the latter, and that Kill Bill styles are left where they belong: in some other film.

Zhang Ziyi, with her magnetic screen presence, beauty, and grace looks to be involved in a non-animated telling of Hua Mulan. For my money, Ang Lee (of CTHD) should direct and it should be shot in China, as CTHD was.

The article points to some of the Weinstein Bros' business shennigans, like Shaolin Soccer, which never made it to Corpus Christi . . . much to my son's disappointment. :angry: And mine.

OK, so I am playing "Chicken Little" and guilty of hyperbole.:rolleyes: The events have not yet reached the point of "Abandon hope, all ye who enter here." Their credits include "The Secret Policeman's Other Ball" "Sin City" and "The Lord of the Rings," so there is hope. But considering some of the trash those lads produced, I P|-|34R their 1337 garbage production skills. :angry:

Their upcoming film Rogue is a case in point: it's been done, Harv, and it was called Crocodile Dundee.:P

Occhi

[Maitre]

Harvey and Rob Weinstein, big time Hollywood producers, acquired the rights to Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" (in 2002) and are hiring a Chinese actress (huh?) to star in it, or so the story goes. The rumor that Quentin Tarantino will be involved fills me with trepidation, even though I usually enjoy his films. While The Magnificent Seven was a creditable retelling of the Seven Samurai story in Western "oater" format, it was not as rich as the original. Will they recast Seven Samurai in contemporary times, or to re-do the Ronin/Samurai/Shogun-era Japan of Kurosawa's masterpiece? I hope it is the latter, and that Kill Bill styles are left where they belong: in some other film.

"Like Kurosawa I make mad films/ 'kay I don't make films/ but if I did they'd have a samurai."
- Barenaked Ladies, "One Week"

"The Magnificent Seven" was not a simple remake, it was more of an adaptation, oh, and it can't hurt when you put Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach and James Coburn on the same roster. The best remakes are pieces that stand on their own as a contribution to film. Unlike "The Grudge," or "The Fog," both of which (I think) were remade by western casts based on eastern originals, "The Magnificent Seven" added a dimension to the film that was particularly relevant to the western audience (a western setting). I wouldn't mind seeing a new adaptation, but for goodness sakes give it something to stand out. When Spielberg tried to do Pinochio in 25XX, it failed (at least for me) because I wasn't interested in the angle he added: I've seen to many poorly expressed views of "the future" to swallow one more. Oh, and the only thing less appropriate than the ending of that movie was King telling the reader what the inside of..., oh, well, better not give that one away, in case anyone is still reading.

[LemmingofGlory]

Harvey and Rob Weinstein, big time Hollywood producers, acquired the rights to Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" (in 2002) and are hiring a Chinese actress (huh?) to star in it, or so the story goes. The rumor that Quentin Tarantino will be involved fills me with trepidation, even though I usually enjoy his films. While The Magnificent Seven was a creditable retelling of the Seven Samurai story in Western "oater" format, it was not as rich as the original. Will they recast Seven Samurai in contemporary times, or to re-do the Ronin/Samurai/Shogun-era Japan of Kurosawa's masterpiece? I hope it is the latter, and that Kill Bill styles are left where they belong: in some other film.

Zhang Ziyi, with her magnetic screen presence, beauty, and grace looks to be involved in a non-animated telling of Hua Mulan. For my money, Ang Lee (of CTHD) should direct and it should be shot in China, as CTHD was.

There are many movies that I think could be made absurdly awesome were Tarantino to re-make and direct, but "The Seven Samurai" is not one of them. Neither have I been particularly impressed when his name has been attached as a producer ("Hero"). He did excellent work with a strong antiheroine ("The Bride"), but since the power of "The Seven Samurai" is in its grounding as a period piece, casting a Chinese actress to star makes me fear they're going for something very different here. The first possibility that comes to mind is "updating the film for modern audiences" by casting female samurai (historical accuracy be damned?), which is appropriate for (as you suggest) "Mulan". A second possibility is that the Chinese actress might be cast as the farmer's daughter (Katsushiro's flame), which would mean that minor subplot could turn into a grand romance in high-falootin' Hollywood style (gag).

I think I like Ang Lee as a suggestion for directing a "The Seven Samurai" remake, because I think he could do it. I'm not familiar with him shooting period pieces, but he is exceedingly accomplished at directing movies drenched in emotion and sucking all hope and joy from them ("The Ice Storm", "Brokeback Mountain"). In a period epic like "The Seven Samurai," individual characters' emotions aren't so much the driving force of the film, so he can suck all he wants. On the other hand, he's extremely skilled at getting beautiful panoramic shots, and upon seeing the movie people would start snapping up land wherever he shot it.

Even so, I'm not so sure I want a remake. I think Kurosawa's film stands up today as a great film, and I'm always amazed at how a fillm shot in 1954 convinces me I'm looking at a 16th century Japanese village. I've shown it to friends and family, and I haven't yet shown it to someone who hasn't liked it. What would a remake do for the film? I'd rather see the original film re-released in theaters, thereby introducing it to the American public at large.

-Lemmy

[Raelynn]

Neither have I been particularly impressed when his name has been attached as a producer ("Hero").

As far as I remember, Tarantino just put his name on that film (and a few others) and nothing else, only to get them released in the US. The movie wasn't going to be released unless it was released with his name attached. Looking at the DVD package, all it says is "Quinten Tarantino presents". I could be completely wrong though.

[Mithrandir]

As far as I remember, Tarantino just put his name on that film (and a few others) and nothing else, only to get them released in the US. The movie wasn't going to be released unless it was released with his name attached. Looking at the DVD package, all it says is "Quinten Tarantino presents". I could be completely wrong though.

You are correct. Miramax refused to release Hero in its entirety (the European release was an edited 95 minute version, rather than the full 120 minutes, and that is the version they were planning on releasing in the States) unless Tarantino stuck his name on it.

[Drasca]

Grrrr. Please please please let it just be a name thing so they don't *(&%(*&$ around.

[Rinnhart]

Edit: What Lemming said.

[Occhidiangela]

I'd rather see the original film re-released in theaters, thereby introducing it to the American public at large.

-Lemmy

Hai! :)

Occhi

[Bun-Bun]

Shouldn't the title of this thread be "Kurosawa Ran"?:)

[Any1]

The "Seven Samurai" is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. The "Seven Samurai" is a much deeper movie than just a bunch of guys fighting with swords. It's about social injustice and its consequences for the oppressor and the oppressed. It's about idealism and loyalty in the face of dire surroundings. It's about the futility of war *gasp*! Every time I pull that movie from the shelf, I discover some new gem I hadn't noticed before.


Unfortunately, if QT remakes this movie it's going to be all about the "action" sequences. The character and their relationships are going to be caricatures of the originals.

[Occhidiangela]

The "Seven Samurai" is one of the greatest movies I've ever seen. The "Seven Samurai" is a much deeper movie than just a bunch of guys fighting with swords. It's about social injustice and its consequences for the oppressor and the oppressed. It's about idealism and loyalty in the face of dire surroundings. It's about the futility of war *gasp*! Every time I pull that movie from the shelf, I discover some new gem I hadn't noticed before.
Unfortunately, if QT remakes this movie it's going to be all about the "action" sequences. The character and their relationships are going to be caricatures of the originals.

While QT does indeed do characters, the often seem to be caricatures. I like his stories, for all their twisted themes and celebration of deviance, because his characters interest me due to their odd quirks and flaws.

Jackie Brown was low on SFX, but I very much enjoyed it.

Occhi

[LemmingofGlory]

While QT does indeed do characters, the often seem to be caricatures. I like his stories, for all their twisted themes and celebration of deviance, because his characters interest me due to their odd quirks and flaws.

Jackie Brown was low on SFX, but I very much enjoyed it.

I was contemplating renting "Jackie Brown" as I passed it today in the rental aisle, but I went for "Casino" instead since I hadn't heard anything about "Jackie Brown." (I'd actually gone to the store to rent "Goodfellas," but all the copies were checked out. It was rather annoying to locate, too. I was looking for it in the "Drama" section but apparently it's "Action" along with ... LotR. Huh? Who decides these things?) How does "Jackie Brown" compare to Tarantino's other films?

-Lemmy

[Occhidiangela]

I was contemplating renting "Jackie Brown" as I passed it today in the rental aisle, but I went for "Casino" instead since I hadn't heard anything about "Jackie Brown." (I'd actually gone to the store to rent "Goodfellas," but all the copies were checked out. It was rather annoying to locate, too. I was looking for it in the "Drama" section but apparently it's "Action" along with ... LotR. Huh? Who decides these things?) How does "Jackie Brown" compare to Tarantino's other films?

-Lemmy

Very different in mood than most of his stuff, more gentle in tone and pace. It is partly a tribute to 70's blaxploitation films, and to the lovely Pam Grier. I had a bonus enjoyment from a number of the old soul tunes (mostly by the Del Phonics) that were playing in some scenes.

I recommend it.

Casino isn't bad, though like most mob films, is a bit long. I think it is up to Goodfellas standards.

Occhi