Sakuradamongai no Hen

[kitsuno]

I finally got around to watching Sakuradamongai no hen (Incident at Sakurada gate).

The main character is Seki Tetsunosuke, who is tasked with the assassination of Ii Naosuke. To jump right in, the actual assassination scene happens within the first 30 minutes of this 2 hour and 10 minute movie, and after that scene I held on for another 15 minutes, but it didn't seem to be going anywhere, so I stopped it and called it a day; there just didn't seem to be anything left that could be interesting enough to keep me watching it. There really isn't anything engaging to the story at all. Basically, aside from the very well done attack on Ii Naosuke's entourage, I find everything else quite uninspiring, and the lack of dramatic build-up to the attack caused everything to fall flat after it - I mean, what's the point of watching a movie about the Sakurada Gate incident if the incident is over 1/4 of the way through? I'm sure I'll watch the rest of the movie in the next week or two, but the fact that I couldn't get myself to watch beyond the 45 minute mark in one sitting doesn't bode well. I was hoping for/expecting something between an action movie and a hard and serious drama, but what I got was a historical/political melodrama with an action scene 30 minutes in. Not what I was expecting or wanting.

I wasn't impressed with the cinematography at all,it was filmed with very uninteresting cinematography, almost exactly the way the 3 hour TBS or NHK dramas are filmed. It also includes annoying narration of historical points every now and then like a TV drama that yanks you right out of the story, and the music was also overly melodramatic and uninspiring. The trailer should give you an idea what I mean: http://bit.ly/jRxew4

All in all it had a very "made for TV" feel to it, very paint by the numbers - either the director was constrained in what he was allowed to do, or maybe he was aiming for the traditional jidai-geki feel. Either way, it didn't work for me. so I'd say unless you can see it without spending much money, or unless you are just a bakumatsu nut, you can probably skip it. Again, I still have over an hour left to the movie, but I can't imagine anything changing my current impression of it.








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[Tornadoes28]

As I said in my tweet to you, sounds boring.
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[nagaeyari]

I rented this when it came out at my local video store in Japan -- I was really excited for it.

Although I sat through the whole thing (unlike Kitsuno), I was very disappointed.

The pacing was poor.

Unless you have a strong story with excellent character development (which it did not), then don't have the assassination take place near the beginning of the movie.

Oh, and don't use anyone but this guy for Ii Naosuke:

[wicked iemon]

Nakamura Baijaku !!!,He is great loved him in "Yoshimune "Taiga as the bed wetting son ,He was the best Mito Mitsukuni period in "Aoi" and was great as Ii in "Atsuhime" .

Notice non of the snowflakes settle on the Assassins Clothing .

Anyway that's really bad news. I had high hopes for this ,Still that's two hours and 10 minutes of my life saved .

So far from this new Crop of Samurai Films and given that i have not seen "Hisshiken Toriashi" id say "Smapoichi The Last " is hands down the best .
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"One mans washing machine is another mans music "

[kitsuno]

[Tornadoes28]

[kitsuno]

[wicked iemon]

Whoops sorry !!, I had high hopes for this the Director Sato Junya has an impressive resume ,He was the Number 2
jitsuroku Eiga Director right behind Fukusaku .

Other gems from his resume include Season 1 of "Jin "and Yamato (The WW2 Film not the Spaceship ).


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"One mans washing machine is another mans music "

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

[Graculus]

I must admit that I was pretty close to nodding off when I saw it.

I think I will give Sayazamurai a miss and hold out for Nobou no Shiro. Kogawa no Hotori may be worth a look, but Sengoku Basara: The Last Party, is definitely not my cup of tea.

Of course, if you are into Takarazuka, you might like this:

A Beautiful Life - Ishida Mitsunari, his eternal love and loyalty.

I have the poster posted at my blog:
http://ichijoji.blogspot.com/
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Are U wake up?

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

[Tatsunoshi]

Now THAT is a stage production I would pay good yen to see.

[kitsuno]

[wicked iemon]

Im with Tat's on this ,Takarazuka mmmm mmmmm mmmm!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4S-tmURPl4&feature=related

Wait a minute i take it all back .
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"One mans washing machine is another mans music "

[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

[wicked iemon]

Don't forget Morning Musume's take on "Ako Roshi " a true gem .
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"One mans washing machine is another mans music "

[kitsuno]

[kitsuno]

On the other hand, if it wasn't filmed in the 50s-70s and doesn't star someone who is now dead who cuts off limbs with crazy blood sprays while spouting goofy dialogue, it's gotta be crap.
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[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

[kitsuno]

So what constitutes a great movie in your opinion? Oh wait, opinions don't count. Where is your sweatervest you hipster?!
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[Obenjo Kusanosuke]

[Tornadoes28]

I really like Ran and found it entertaining and I don't wear a sweater vest. I also find Lone Wolf and Cub extremely entertaining also.
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[ltdomer98]

[Tatsunoshi]

Ran was OK, primarily watchable for the high-energy battle scenes, but Kagemusha I found to be bland and featuring a rare terrible Nakadai performance. On the other hand, I loved Heaven And Earth, particularly the uncut J-version, which everyone else seems to hate. So as it is with most works of entertainment, it all boils down to personal preference.

[kitsuno]