March for Revenge

Well almost! As seen here, Japanese actor Ken Matsudaira appears leading a procession of Samurai re-enactors in the streets of Ako, Hyogo Prefecture Japan to recreate the famous 47 Ako Ronin who martyred themselves on this date December 14th 1702 in their quest to avenge their lord. It is forever known as the ultimate act of loyalty in Samurai history.

一日の画像 - Picture of the Day

Samurai re-enactors recreate the most famous act of revenge and loyalty in Japanese History. It was on this day in 1703 that the 47 Ako Ronin led by Oishi Kuranosuke carried out their revenge on Lord Kira Yoshihisa at his Edo mansion killing 16 of Kira's Retainers and injuring another 22.

We assure you no CGI Dragons, half naked English speaking women, or "Little Buddha" was involved.

Messing With Perfection? A Preview of the new live action Kiki's Delivery Service

Eight years before anyone had even heard of Harry Potter, there was Kiki's Delivery Service. Best known as the 1989 Studio Ghibli Classic by renown master Anime director Hayao Miyazaki, Kiki's Delivery Service had prior been known from Children's fantasy books about a young teenage girl who leaves home to as what Spectrum News called an "Alternate Europe of the 1950's where WWII never happened" to study how to become a witch on her own. While this may sound like a familiar premise, all comparisons to any other teenage witch in training stories end there.

Enter actress Fuka Koshiba as Kiki who will star in the upcoming live action film that is slated for a March of 2014 release date. As live action films based on animated films go, there is always apprehension for potential disappointment. As one can expect or at least deduce from the trailer, the live action will be set in Japan for practical reasons. You would need a Walt Disney sized budget to recreate a fantasy Europe let alone what your special effects budget will run you. All that aside, there may still be story people of all ages can enjoy in this. While we have never read the original books, we know that most opinions that have been put out on reviews and other blogs will base it on the Studio Ghibli Anime Classic which for many will be unavoidable. As part of a unique promotion, Miss Koshiba will personally deliver meals to 20 lucky students in Japan as part of a contest. We know that winning audiences with such a build up can be tough if not done right. Just look at the Warner Brothers disastrous attempt to mess with the 47 Ronin story. While we don't foresee that level of delineation from the original Kiki's to the live action story, we'll keep an open mind and hope for the best. Until that time, please enjoy the trailer we have included below.

ばか! When Hollywood Gets It Wrong Part II

Normally, we don't judge a movie before we see it in it's entirety, but after seeing the trailer for the new Keanu Reeves-Hiroyuki Sanada  collaboration titled "47 Ronin" we were outraged enough to make an exception. Seriously! Do these studio executives and their focus groups (comprised of mostly unemployed background extras) even know the story of the time honored tale of the revered Ako Ronin and their famous vendetta? Do they even care about Japanese history? For reals! What the fuck does flying dragons, Kung Fu, and Gaijin  have to do with avenging the forced seppuku of Ako Lord Asano Naganori for assaulting Lord Kira in Edo Castle? NOTHING! ばか!

As an affectionado and Japanese history buff, I ask why take an awesome time honored true story of Japanese History of some of the most legendary Samurai of the Edo Period and add a bunch of fantasy bullshit to sell a story? Worse, your lead actor isn't even Japanese! It was one thing when they cast Ziyi Yang in Memoir's of a Geisha (because they say here in America we're not racist to exclude other actors and then you see our politics - right!) but this is going too far. That same tired argument of race has been used to justify casting decisions doesn't fly with me. Sure, John Wayne might have been a good cowboy actor for Westerns but did he not suck as Mongol Warlord Genghis Khan? He was the worst! "Well if the Kublai Khan don't like it he can just move the hell out Pilgrim?" For real? Are you fucking kidding me? This is why that tired racial argument in casting period pieces does not fly. "Oh but this is an action/adventure fantasy film!" Really? Then why dishonor the memory of the 47 Ako Samurai or involve them in the first place? Seriously!

While we love Sanada Hiroyuki in Twilight Samurai and The Last Samurai (ok that was a stretch but he was still believable in that one), we have to ask how can he sell out his own history for a paycheck? Please tell me he had some objection to the title or the ridiculous premise. His reputation is on the line and we'd love an explanation. We love historical fiction when they get it right. But as you can see from the trailer this is as much as a historical travesty as adding Apache Attack Helicopters to the tale of George Washington crossing the Delaware River. And if you're in Japan reading this do know that there are Americans who do care and will not settle for some Hollywood big budget special effects driven bastardization of Japanese history. And while there are some people including some actors out there trying to make a living in Hollywood saying, "whoa Mishima relax, it's just a movie."  Yeah? Then please go to the Sengaku-ji Temple in Japan and explain it to the 47 souls who weep from heaven. But don't take our word for it. Watch the trailer, leave your fact checker behind, and see it for yourself!

 

ばか!