| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
B+ |
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| Direction: |
A- |
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| Visuals: |
A- |
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My Favorite Foreign Film
by CJ S (movies profile)
Dec 15, 2004
Living in the greater NYC area I can remember when this movie was plastered all over the pages of the Village Voice movie section. I didn't know what the hype was about, but I did know that I needed to learn who this Kurosawa person was quickly via film. Thanks to Kim's Underground my wish was granted. I watched "Shichinin No Samurai ("The Seven Samurai")" and then I watched "The Magnificent Seven" (Not his but based on his work), and "Ran"... I know there was another film that I watched either that day or maybe a few weeks later, but its name escapes me right now.
Anyway, I never did see "Dreams" on the big screen, which would have been my DREAM (pun intended). Perhaps even at the Angelica or the Paris. Fast forward to 1995, I have returned to live/work in Hawaii for the second time and I find a beat up VHS copy of it at the Blockbuster in Hilo, near the Kuhio Mall.
That day made me understand the hype. This film has a modern day feel, but fresh out of a dream. No... "fresh inside of a dream".
When it came time to purchase a DVD player I made sure that I could find one that would play VCDs as well, since "Dreams" was only available (THEN) on VCD. I now own it on DVD and I have slowly been rewatching my DVDs on a 50 inch TV with Bose surround & perhaps the only thing that I missed by missing it at the theater was the sticky/gummy floors. As far as a home, big screen, surround, DVD experience I give it an A+. Kurosawa seems to have a way to speak to you via the screen as very few directors can. It is a ghost-like connection and I felt that way even before his passing.
Now, I reside in Florida (Tampa/St Pete area) & I have struggled to find a quality video rental store that carries a respectable compliment of Foreign/Art House films on DVD or even video.
Until then I will keep in my "Dreams" a wish that... Maybe... somehow... someway... Kurosawa can read this & retouch the earth granting this area a decent place to educate oneself with the cuisine known as international film. Perhaps then I will once again feel the goosebumps rise, like they did that day in the spring of 1995, as I sat and had the true genius of film revealed to me.
See you in my Dreams Kurosawa-san. Domo Arigato Gozaimashita! |
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