Old Reviews: Ran and Affliction

Akira Kurosawa's 1985 "Ran" is one of his best (I'd say it comes right after "Rashomon" and "Seven Samurai") and one of my all-time favs. Kurosawa was a filmic genius. "Ran" is beautiful, it's gory, and it's tragic. There's doom, gloom, and boom. Something for everyone! The story is partially based on Shakespeare's "King Lear." At the very beginning there is a boar hunt as the credits roll. It is pretty spectacular and sets the tone and pace of the rest of the film. Oh man, the pacing! It's perfect. "Ran" is the shortest 160min movie you'll ever see! The middle 45-60 minute massacre at the third castle is reason enough to watch it. That sequence depicts some really great film-making, capturing beauty and horror at the same time. My favorite characters are Kurogane and Kaede, esp when they interact. I also really enjoy the juxtaposition of the sky shots. They give the film a sort of surreal element. Check it out on Netflix before it's too late!

Finally, Paul Schrader's 1997 "Affliction," starring Nick Nolte is also sadly leaving Netlfix Instant soon. This little gem was something I have only recently seen (last summer?). Nick Nolte is really interesting in this. Sissy Spacek is good as well, as usual. It tells the story of a small-town (already you see why I like it, if you know me) police man who becomes obsessed with a fatal hunting accident. As the story moves forward his life just sort of spirals out of control for various reasons. It's actually a bit like Atom Egoyan's "The Sweet Hereafter" in its exploration of dark psychology. It will give you a strong appreciation for Schrader and Nolte if you didn't already have one.