Musashi's presence is undeniable as the burgeoning samurai. His is one of the giant characters in episodic history, every bit worth the value of the legend he represents.
Tag: Criterion
Criterion: I Live In Fear (*****) has reason on all sides
Kurosawa, Shimura and Mifune by this point are in full swing. There is nothing in the world that matches their ability to relay a story.
Criterion: Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto (****) begins a great adventure
This is definitely a star turn for Mifune, if there ever was one. His performance is exceptional and layered.
Criterion: Scandal (***1/2) – Shimura steals the show
This is good Kurosawa, brought up by a great Shimura and steadied by Mifune.
Criterion: Wedding Ring (***) the doctor always rings twice
For those who are looking to enjoy the development of Mifune as a lead actor, this is worth watching.
Criterion: Drunken Angel (****) is a stunning look at postwar Japan
Drunken Angel is a flawed, but brilliant first film by one of the world's greatest directors. Knowing he is this good when he started out makes me hopeful for a future I already know.
Criterion: Hopscotch(****) A nice way to retire
Hopscotch is a slower version of Smokey and the Bandit, where more miles are travelled offscreen.
Criterion: 8 1/2 is a critic’s dream / director’s nightmare
As if a critic knows what's worth creating. "To learn silence," indeed.