- What is the theme of Twilight Samurai? Back up your response with three examples.
- For a samurai flick, this movie is pretty quiet. Did you like or not like that about this movie? Did you find it to be engaging or dramatic or not? Why?
- In what ways do you personally relate to what you saw in the film?
I agree that for a movie about a samurai this was a very quiet movie. Not like it was silent or anything but its like the dialogue was only there when it NEEDED to be. Not like in stupid comedies where they just crack random jokes about nonsense. I didnt mind that about this movie, i think it just made me take the whole thing a little more seriously.
ReplyDeleteCool. Glad you liked it and were able to appreciate the quietness!
DeleteThe quietness was completely essential for this film to work. It set the tone for the entire movie. If it had not been done that way, I do not believe the fight scene would have worked, nor would it have had the same impact. This is because, without the quietness, the feeling of the intensity of the fight would not have existed. Them just sitting there and talking throughout the scene would not have worked, and may have even felt a little comical.
ReplyDeleteAs far as what I relate to in this film, well, that's a hard question to answer. I empathize with the characters of course, but I wouldn't go as far as to say I identified with any specific scenario. Or, maybe I do, but seeing as it would mean posting something personal, I'm subconsciously choosing to draw a blank on this one.
Blasted subconscious!
DeleteI agree with your thoughts about quietness.
Tayia groesbeck-
ReplyDeleteI think the theme of this movie is even when you arnte the richest person, you still will have a good life and good things come to good people. My first reason is his wife died and he did find a great girl that helped him out and took care of his kids. the second is she was beaten by her old husband and she ended up being happy taking care of his kids and spending time with the twilight samurai. The third reason is he went and killed that one guy and got money to provide for his family and became a hero.
Yes I did like that it was quiet because you could really understand what was going on the whole time and in the fast and loud samurai movies I lose track of what's going on, so I really liked that it was calm.
That is a cool theme you picked out. That theme resonates powerfully with me for some reason. I felt all cool inside when I read it in your post.
DeleteThe theme to this movie is that family means a lot, because there are plenty of reasons to show that it's true. He does everything he can for his daughters, and his elderly mother, and that's really sweet. He cared for his daughters so much, he didn't want to ruin it with another wife.
ReplyDeleteI personally thought that the quietness was important, and actually was a special effect for this movie. It shows how meaningful and intriguing the movie was, and the special bond between him and his family. I thought the quietness in the movie made you understand what was going on in the movie, and made you focus more.
Good work.
DeleteI personally like this movie. i admire the fact that he was a single parent and worked to hard to keep his family together. i think it really shows how hard it is to be a single parent but when help comes along it really makes it easier on him. i love how there culture is very respectful, even doing chores was very important which is different from here because most kids here don't know what chores are and have no respect. i didn't like that we didn't get to finish it and I'm still curios to what the ending was.
ReplyDeletei can personally relate to him being a single parent because for a long time my mom was a single parent with me and my sister. we had some hard times and lived in some not so nice places but we were still a family. i helped out however i could and she finally found someone to help us out and be a new part of our family. but i can personally say it was a rough journey at some times. i admire anyone who has been or is a single parent.
I noticed the more respectful culture as well. I thought of how crazy my kids are and was thinking, "How do they do that!?"
DeleteI think there is more than one theme for Twilight Samurai.
ReplyDelete1. Everyone needs help from someone. No one can manage a healthy lifestyle while worrying about everything and everyone. Life is easier when you're not alone.
2. The government can be corrupt- ripping families apart and forcing someone to do something or kill someone in the name of pride and making them think it's their duty alone.
3. No one is really what they seem. The Twilight Samurai seems to be a smelly low-life who makes insect cages for a living because he has no other skills and has no wife, but he's really the most amazing fighter to walk the earth. Not to mention, he's a caring father, he's honest and hard-working. He's kind and gentle. Appearances can be deceiving.
I like your last theme. Especially because other people in the film aren't what they seem either.
DeleteThat's good that you do that for your little sister and that you were able to make a personal connection to the film.
ReplyDeleteC.J. Barrett:
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed how atypical of a samurai film this was, that there was only two action sequences, and neither were extremely violent or bloody. It seems more accurate to how real Samurai would behave, rather than them drawing their swords at every oprotunity they get, since they lived by a code of honor, and respect.
I think I can relate to Twilight's distaste in using real swords until absolutely neccessary; obviously this would imply that he's a pacifist, or simply doesn't like bloodshed, but I also see it as a symbol of only taking what action is neccessary to solve an issue. Many people overreact to many a situation, when they could simply talk through it calmly, as I always try to do. I find behaving that way to be more respectful, thus being part of the Samurai code and such.
Cool commentary on Twilight's pacifism.
DeleteAshton Bowers:
ReplyDeleteI feel the silence was a good part in this movie, it set the mood right and sort of represented him thinking. and with the fight scenes it felt more real because in a real sword fight there would be silence to concentrate and only the occasional sounds of swords hitting each other.
How i felt this related to me is how he only kills if necisary, using a wooden sword in a duel against a drunk and trying to talk to the other samurai in the house, and even though he is really good at fighting, he still doesn't want to thinking of the bad things that still could happen.
In regards to your second paragraph: do you have a personal experience about not wanting to hurt people? In what way does this aspect of the movie relate to your life?
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the silence of the film. Me too.
Because of how quite and slow this movie was more dramatic for me. It seemed much more real for the circumstances of teh film. A single dad with two daughters and a sick mother who can't take care of himself and has debts due to his wifes death. This is a movie that shouldn't be "action packed" especially sense his job is to keep track of food. The only reason for action is because he has a special talent for short hand sword fighting and the government was after someone that only he could fight. If this was extremely action packed this movie would have been so boring to me.
ReplyDeleteI am really frightened of going into debt while I have children. I can't imagine the stress that man had. But I can relate in the sense I was sad before I got into my relationship with Justus. 366 days today! The feeling of love is my love.
Well written arguments for why the pacing of this movie is good.
DeleteThis probably my favorite movie we have seen so far.. Its the type of movie that I would like to buy and watch over and over again that how good it was. Everything was perfect acting, lighting, Directing, music. It was all so freaking awesome.
ReplyDeleteI think the theme of the movie was Family. But more specifically. How much it can affect you and the ones arround you when they are complete. Meaning having a father and Mother figure. The main character was so admirable, how he raises these kids by himself its so cool. But when the woman comes in its like as if she was the missing peice of the puzzle. Everyone became happier, She had a personality that was deeply needed by him and his daughters. My favorite part of the movie was that he didnt like violence, he was a man of peace. Instead of using a real sword he prefered to use a wooden one unless a real one was needed I really liked that. Overall Impression.... HOLY CRAP!!!!!!! HAHA
Glad you liked it so much. Do you think there might be important events in your life that cause you to relate so deeply to the theme of this film?
DeleteWell Im a very passive person. I don't like starting conflicts. I try to resolve them as best as I can. And I think I wouldn't result to violence. Unless I have to. Another thing is well my parents are kinda poor so the past few years I have been basically providing for myself. I know its a crappy comparison because well They had it alot worse In Japan. So I guess what I'm saying was I had to grow up fast and start learning to earn my money.. If that makes sense...?
DeleteI appreciate how you are quick to not want to compare your situation too much to what was going on in the movie. It's good to not feel too sorry for yourself but I do also like how you are able to use your personal experience to appreciate the film more. I hope that the film also helped you to make more sense of your personal experience.
Delete-Randi Michelle :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with C.J. about this film's theme being "Family is top priority." He gave up so much for his daughters, I definitely give cheers to him. I respect the living crap out of people that put their family before anything else, especially the man in this movie. He gave up showering for them, I mean c'mon. That takes guts, I don't really even think I'd be able to do that.
I really liked how this movie was a quite samurai film. It didn't turn into a lot of those cliche "fight, fight, NIIIIINJAAAA!" samurai films, but was unique enough to show the gentle side of a samurai but have it still be an amazing movie at the same time. It just added personality to the film, at least that's how I felt.