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- - Zatôichi (https://thetfp.com/tfp/tilted-entertainment/59348-zatoichi.html)

http://www.musashino-k.co.jp/eiga/data/pic/zatoichi.jpg

I know that there are many japanese/chinese movie fans here so I just thought I'd recommend this mind blowing japanese movie that I saw the other day called Zatôichi.

Takeshi Kitano plays Zatoichi who's a blind wanderer with a shock of blonde hair, a cane that transforms into a sword, and a legendary mastery of samurai warrior technique.
As a film, Zatoichi is distinctly oddball. It combines awesome and mesmerising martial arts, zany humour, varying types of beautifully performed Japanese dance, rhythms from everyday sounds, violent buffoonery, cross-dressing, beautifully depicted classical Japanese culture, wonderful cinematography and artery-popping gore. Interested? I know you are :D

notice: the movie has been rated R for strong stylized bloody violence.

go see it. now! :D

I used to love the old movies, and really wanted to see this one. There's no theaters showing it in my area, so I'll have to wait for the DVD, I guess. He still have a weakness for dice?

Quote:

Originally posted by RedCometChar
He still have a weakness for dice?

yes he does ;)

thanks for the tip.

i'll definitely check this out.

looks like a great role for Takeshi.

It was showing at a film festival last week but i missed it. The Dallas release is in mid july and I cant wait.

I used to watch the old Zatôichi movies on the Independant Film Channel on Saturday mornings and thought they were some of the best martial arts movies out there.
http://www.ultra8.ca/images/zatoichi1.jpg

I'm really looking forward to this new one.

i downloaded this movie 80% before the server shut gown, i loved the amount i watched tho
i love samurais n stuff

Quote:

Originally posted by Fremen
I used to watch the old Zatôichi movies on the Independant Film Channel on Saturday mornings and thought they were some of the best martial arts movies out there.

I'm really looking forward to this new one.

I never watched the old movies so I can't even tell you whether or not the new version does the old ones justice :|

Quote:

Originally posted by Nancy
I never watched the old movies so I can't even tell you whether or not the new version does the old ones justice :|

A bunch of the movies in the series are out on dvd now. They're also in my Netflix que. :thumbsup:
You could rent a few, (if you can find them in your neighborhood), and see how you like 'em.
Then you can buy us some copies. :D ;)

Zatôichi on Amazon.com (<--- Amazon USA)

that brief description reminded of me the 1989 film Blind Fury

Quote:

Originally posted by Speed_Gibson
that brief description reminded of me the 1989 film Blind Fury

That was a cool movie, as well. :)
I wouldn't be surprised if the Rutger Hauer movie was patterned after Zatôichi.

[edit] Yup, it was, according to these links.
Blind Fury
Someone mentions it here on the IDMB message boards.

This screenwriter, Ryozo Kasahara, (who worked on the Zatôichi series), is listed as one of the early writers on Blind Fury.

Quote:

Originally posted by Fremen

You could rent a few

great idea but which one? Which one is the best in your opinion?

Really wanted to see this, but it was only in my local independant cinema for about a week, and its been a pain gettin hold of it now. ah well, one day heh

Quote:

Originally posted by Nancy
great idea but which one? Which one is the best in your opinion?

I haven't seen them all yet, but my favorite so far is "Zatoichi kenka-tabi". (don't think it's out on dvd yet)

But, as the saying goes, "It's best to start at the beginning." ;)

Quote:

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com

"Zatoichi the Blind Swordsman, Vol. 1 - The Tale of Zatoichi"

Zatoichi, the wandering masseur and master swordsman, is a mercenary hero with a difference: he's blind, and no less deadly for it. In his debut, Ichi shuffles into a gangster-run town like a wry con man, fleecing the dim-bulb gambling thugs and sponging off a local mob boss who wants the deadly Ichi on his side in an impending gang war. Released the same year Akira Kurosawa unleashed Yojimbo(Yojimbo was a great film. Zatoichi and Yojimbo are in a film together later on in the series. I haven't seen it yet. I'm really looking forward to it.), stocky Shintaro Katsu's modest and soft-spoken Ichi couldn't be more different from the dynamic Toshiro Mifune's swaggering and arrogant Yojimbo. Director Kenji Misume can't match Kurosawa's searing cynicism or dynamic action, but when Ichi finally lets loose after avoiding conflict for the entire film, his spare, sudden attack makes a startling contrast to the usual flashing swords and furious movements. Zatoichi returned in 25 sequels and a long-running TV series, always played by Shintaro Katsu.

The newly restored DVD features a small stills gallery, a fold-out insert with an essay by Tatsu Aoki (a self described "Ichi Freak"), and four collector cards. --Sean Axmaker

From the Back Cover
This is the movie that introduced the legend of Zatoichi and its star Shintaro Katsu, ushering in a new era of the Japanese samurai film. Practicing his trade as a masseur in a small province, Satoichi finds himself caught in a turf war between rival yakuza gangs. Aware of Zatoichi's reputation as an undefeatable swordsman, yakuza leader Sukejoro tries to hire him-unsuccessfully-as a mercenary. But it's too late. The other gang leader, Shigezo, hires a warrior with an equally fierce reputation to challenge Zatoichi. Thus the legend of Zatoichi begins with intensely choreographed battle scenes and an expertly crafted story.

Quote:

Originally posted by Fremen
I haven't seen them all yet, but my favorite so far is "Zatoichi kenka-tabi". (don't think it's out on dvd yet)

thank you for that tip I'll get my hands on that one as soon as I can :D