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Zatôichi (2003)
A magnificent film
What more is there to say? Zatoichi is a class act, all the way. Time and time again Takeshi Kitano proves himself an honorable, direct, and honest filmmaker. There is no whiff of pretense, nonsense, or any other kind of malodorous sense emanating from this film. All is well when you enter into one of Beat Takeshi's film worlds. It puts all of Western cinema to deep shame, for its trite, condescending, and totally vapid worldviews. That Beat Takeshi is so well-regarded in France and Italy speaks well of cultural refinement of these nations. And to find so few reviews of Takeshi's work in the Western media exposures a gaping void in everybody's understanding of the Eastern hemisphere. The sensible, sane, and helpful ideals of Confucianism permeate this film to its very core. Overall, Zatoichi is essential viewing for anyone who would like to consider themselves even remotely human.
The Book of Eli (2010)
A marvellous tale from the pen of Gary Whitta, former PC Gamer editor!
Denzel gives yet another outstanding performance alongside the unheralded Mila Kunis, Jennifer Beals (of Flashdance fame), and the enigmatic Gary Oldman. Toward the end we also are treated to the sonorous gravel tones of one Malcom McDowell.
This film is a spectacular treat for the eyes, but also the soul. Eli is a righteous man with little to lose, but woe to he that brings violence to the equation as he carries his tome West to San Francisco.
I found Eli's demise to be a little offputting, but I suppose it is a necessity of the story arc. Sad, but what can ya do. He was a great man while he lived, and a dead man when he died. More's the pity.