Movie-A-Day #35: The 47 Ronin (1941-1942)
The story of the loyal 47 ronin has been a staple of Japanese theater and film for 300 years. The incident, in which the group of samurai avenged the politically-motivated death of their feudal lord, is considered a foremost example the Japanese notions of honor, discipline and bushido. The ronin were punished by being forced to commit ritual seppuku in early 1703. (Although the Wikipedia article linked above puts that event on March 20, most other resources – including today’s film – claim it took place on either Feb. 3 or Feb. 4.) Kenji Mizoguchi’s version of the tale, the two-part
“The 47 Ronin,” is a classic of the samurai genre, despite having none of the action or swordplay audiences have come to associate with samurai films. Instead, the film is a slow, somber meditation on the value of honor and vengeance, as well as the tragic consequences of violence. It was financed by the Japanese government as a public morale booster on the eve of war – part one was released just one week before Pearl Harbor – but it wound up being an undeserved commercial flop at the time. (Speaking of commercial flops, a 3D action version of the story starring Keanu Reeves is currently filming and will hit theaters next year. You’ve been warned. See this version now before Keanu and company ruin it for you.)
Movie-A-Day #34: La Bamba (1987).
As immortalized in Don McLean’s song “American Pie,” Feb. 3, 1959, is the Day the Music Died, when a plane crash killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper Richardson. While they weren’t the first popular entertainers to die at the height of their fame, they were the first of the rock ‘n’ roll era, which made it all the more shocking to their fans. Holly’s career was covered in 1978’s “The Buddy Holly Story” while Valens was the focus of the even better “La Bamba.” Unfortunately the Big Bopper hasn’t gotten the biopic treatment yet to complete the trilogy. (There was an independent project in production that was supposed to be released last year, but it hasn’t seen the light of day yet.)
Movie-A-Day #33: Groundhog Day (1993).
Well… DUH! Of course this is today’s movie. Be sure to refresh this page often to see if it changes.
Movie-A-Day #32: Do the Right Thing (1989).
February is Black History Month and Spike Lee would like to remind you all to “Do the Right Thing.” There are many great films out there about the black experience in America, but Lee’s explosive story of racial tensions on a hot summer day in Brooklyn is one of my favorites. Even more than two decades later, it still socks you right between the eyes. Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis, John Turturro, Ruby Dee, Samuel L. Jackson, Rosie Perez, even Martin Lawrence. Fight the power.
Movie-A-Day #31: The Filth and the Fury (2000).
Last week we celebrated Malcolm McLaren’s birthday with “The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle.” Today we get to look at the other side of the Sex Pistols story with birthday boy John Lydon/Johnny Rotten and the rest of the band in “The Filth and the Fury.” This fantastic documentary takes a more complete look at the band than McLaren’s self-serving film and puts the Pistols’ legacy in perspective. Happy birthday, Johnny.
Desuko Movie Spot. 