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The End of All Things

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The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

One of the greatest works in filmmaking comes to an inevitable and enthralling close in Return of the King. Watch all three installments in a row and you will finally get the full scope of one of the greatest epic works of fiction ever created. Here at the end of all things we find a satisfying fulfillment in everything that The Lord of the Rings is.

Posted Friday, December 21, 2007 11:39 PM by downwest | with 0 comments

Once it takes hold of us it never lets go.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

A beautifully epic installment to one of the greatest tales ever written. Everyone that made the preceding installment great made this one great in its own right, along with a few new additions to the cast.

Posted Friday, December 21, 2007 11:06 PM by downwest | with 0 comments

We travel light. Let's hunt some orc.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

This is a highlight in filmmaking history. An absolute masterpiece in its execution and portrayal of a tale and world we only knew through words. There aren't that many films that will match up to the quality that this one exhibits. This can stand on its own apart from its original medium and the later installments as an epic quest to destroy something so small, but so destructive a thing.

Posted Friday, December 21, 2007 10:46 PM by downwest | with 0 comments

The path of a ronin continued

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Sanjuro (1962)

In many ways it seemed very different from its predecessor Yojimbo, but reminiscent of it at the same time. I saw this a while ago, along with Yojimbo, so I'll have to watch both of them again to further analyze them.

Posted Friday, December 21, 2007 10:34 PM by downwest | with 0 comments

The path of a ronin

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Yojimbo (1961)

This is one of those films that, together with Red Beard and Seven Samurai, exhibit Toshiro Mifune's versatility as an actor. I'd have to watch this again to re-examine Kurosawa's approach to directing, but Mifune really stood out the first time most definitely.

Posted Friday, December 21, 2007 10:28 PM by downwest | with 0 comments

Best Adaptation of Macbeth

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Throne of Blood (1957)

A film thematically identical to that of the play, making it the best possible adaptation of Macbeth. When it lost the language, it lost the obligation to recreate the linguistic essence of Shakespeare on film. With that, the filmmakers and actors were allowed to let loose in a way they would feel comfortable. Kurosawa, with his mastery over black and white contrast, composes one of his darkest films and probably the darkest play adaptation ever.

Posted Friday, December 21, 2007 10:19 PM by downwest | with 0 comments