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Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai [Region 2] | ![Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51RMQQ7T2AL._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Jim Jarmusch
Actors: Forest Whitaker, Henry Silva, John Tormey, Cliff Gorman, Dennis Liu
Studio: Artisan Entertainment
Category: DVD
This item is no longer available
Rating:  222 reviews
Format: PAL
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Running Time: 116 Minutes
EAN: 3388334563475
ASIN: B00004X0VW
Theatrical Release Date: October 6, 1999
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Amazon.com
Forest Whitaker makes an unlikely modern samurai with his laser-sighted pistols, shabby street clothes, and oddly graceful gait--but then Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is an unusual film. Quirky, contemplative, and at times absurd, it's just the kind offbeat vision we've come to expect from the fiercely independent Jim Jarmusch (Stranger than Paradise, Dead Man). Whitaker is Ghost Dog, a mysterious New York hit man who lives simply on a tenement rooftop and follows a code of behavior outlined in Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai (passages of this book are interspersed throughout the film). When the local mob marks him for death in a complicated code of Mafiosi-style honor, Ghost Dog sends a cryptic message to his foes. "That's poetry. The poetry of war," remarks mobster Henry Silva, with sudden respect upon reading the verse. He could be describing the ethereal beauty of Jarmusch's vision, full of wonderful imagery (a night drive across town seems to float in time) and off-center humor. Though it briefly stalls in a series of assassinations (Jarmusch is no action director), it settles back into character-driven drama in a quietly epic showdown, equal parts samurai adventure, spaghetti western, and existential crime movie. The film is likely too unconventional and offbeat for general audiences, but cult-movie buffs and Jarmusch fans will appreciate his idiosyncratic vision. He finds a strange sense of honor in the clash of Old World traditions, and salutes his heroes with a skewed but sincere respect. --Sean Axmaker
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 222
 Boring and a waste of time March 19, 2010
Filmfan (Denmark)
I'm usually on the side of the intellectuals when it comes to movies, but this time I vote
with the 22 people who give this one star. It took me 5 days to be able to see this film. And no, I don't
have a short attention span.
Boring is the word I keep thinking of. I do love to read the 5 star reviews of this film, especially the first 5
star review that says that "this film is an eclectic syncretism of many genres." I also love the one
star review that says that it would be more interesting to watch a spider sleep than see this film.
I agree with the fellow who said that this director is overrated. Glad I saw the film on TV, and glad that
I was able to erase it. This director's films are always interesting, but I vote with those who say "boring" for
this one. I think if this director pointed the camera at a tree for five minutes, his fans would see the deeper intellectual meaning of that. :-)
 One of Jim Jarmusch's best movies January 28, 2010
justsomeguy
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love this movie. Saw it ages ago - and I was hooked. Most of Jim Jarmusch's films I really like. That quirky urban feel to them - the dialogue - the music!
This DVD is a fine transfer of this classic. The movie itself is still great fun to watch - the music by RZA really draws you into the gritty urban chaos that is Ghost Dog's world. The dynamic between two dying breeds of "warriors" - Ghost Dog and his samurai code vs. the aging mafioso - is just played out beautifully.
Not to mention - Forrest Whitaker! He is just great in this - my favorite film of his.
not your usual samurai movie. November 26, 2009
Kenya A. Dudley (waynesboro pa.)
If ur a Forest Whitacker fan you will enjoy this movie. I love it every time i see it. This guy embodies the philosophies of the ancient text hagakure. This movie is fun to watch not to be taken very seriously, but if you like martial arts movies you should like this too.
Ghost Dog October 11, 2009
Peter H (Australia)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one amazing movie. Completely unique in my experience. The music adds to the action perfectly.
Don't by the RZA soundtrack CD because, although excellent, I think it is a complete rip-off.
Fun Samurai Movie July 15, 2009
TerAiko (North Carolina, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Have you ever wanted a fix of a good old fashioned samurai movie, but you've seen everything 100 times? This is a great film for someone who wants a change of pace, but loves all the old cheesy films.
The context of this film is built around the Hagakure and how those concepts have been internalized by the lead character. This particular samurai totes a gun for his modern work but in every way is very, very samurai. It's actually more samurai than a lot of films that have more swords.
I liked the mis-en-scene and the way the character's progress the story. I liked that there are no extra scenes; each scene has a story it tells that particularly informs the next. I will warn, however, that the film is built like a short story. This is not a film about layers and layers of people. The actors give the film a sense of depth, but as presented the film is backdrop to understand how the lead sees himself through the lens of Hagakure and a samurai mythology. In that way, the characters are frequently caricatures, but they're fun to watch.
The writer and director gives us some funny if also corny moments that stand out and make it one of those bubble-gum and pop-corn kind of movies that Samurai movie buffs love. If that will bother you, move on to something else. For example, there is a scene where the lead character is using his guns in a way that is very reminiscent of swords, including a spin as he completes a noto (resheathing).
If you're looking for a samurai movie, you'll like it and 'get' it.
If you're looking for swords clashing and hakama, you'll not like it.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 222
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