Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece

PodBill Just what I expected

Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Derrick Gibbons An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

phanthinga Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai is a unique movie.For a movie with action tag it very slow and calm unlike any other action movies came out the same year but that one of the reason make it special.Ghost Dog actually is a hit-man for mafia played by Forest Whitaker and he very strange.Follow the way of samurai in ancient Japan is the best hit-man you can find.He always strike when the enemies not expected and the only way you can contact him is though pigeon.The movie like i said earlier very slow but there's never a dull or boring moment.In the end the movie bring a strong message for young generation:Old tradition maybe gone but not forgotten

ThurstonHunger Disclaimer: My boys are almost in high school, so I'm watching certain films with them as some sort of cross between the Criterion Collection and the old ABC Afterschool Specials. My tastes may not apply with your superior parenting skills, so check the advisory....especially if language, sex, violence or puns disturb you.The notion of a code of honor drew me to this film, even though neither I nor my boys have watched any Samurai cinema. I just thought Forrest Whitaker was great in this, and so many other films. I forgot about the mob fixation on cartoons (maybe softens the violence, or in my mind at least lampoons America's love of goons).The modes of communication here are excellent, carrier pigeons *and* a friendship between Ghost Dog and the ice cream man on the same wavelength but only meeting in subtitles. The little readings from the booklet Ghost Dog carries helped to reinforce the Afterschool vibe. But as I recall some were a bit more obscure, so maybe a sideways portal into zen? Perhaps the morality play is here is just about mortality. Or better yet about a just mortality. Boys dug it, so success on that front.

Leofwine_draca Once in a while a film comes along that is so profound, that you actually feel a better person for watching it. GHOST DOG is one such film, a totally unique movie experience that carries out a familiar story in a way that has never been filmed before or will ever be filmed again. An art-house movie masquerading as a conventional thriller, this effort from director Jim Jarmusch is outstanding in every department. Of course, as is usually the case with the best films, it seems to have totally slipped by the mainstream audience for a small, unadvertised video release where it can be savoured by those wise enough to pick it out from the trash.Forest Whitaker is awesome in the leading role of Ghost Dog, a literature-loving hit-man who has been reborn as a samurai and leads his life according to strict rules which must be obeyed at any cost. Ghost Dog's home is on the roof of a building, surrounded by his beloved pigeons. His best friend is an ice cream vendor who can't speak English, just one of the many deeply human and interesting characters in this atypical thriller. Although the plot is simple and straightforward, the characters involved in the story are deep, thoughtful and all too realistic in some cases. Drama and social interaction is blended nicely with the thriller aspects of the story. Here's a film where long talk about books is just as exciting as a violent shoot-out and I don't think many movies can achieve that effect.Aside from Whitaker's excellent turn in the lead (it really is a once in a lifetime performance), there are a dozen other great performances in the movie. The mafia family who act as the villains of the piece (refreshingly the black community isn't portrayed as a violent, hate-ridden society) are actually fleshed out; instead of being hard men, ruthless killers, they are instead ageing, tired, very human characters who have to act the way they do. Just like Ghost Dog's Samurai, the Mafia for them is a way of life. Henry Silva makes a surprising appearance as the mafia don and his performance is also superb, I loved his impression of an elk. Despite Silva's advanced years he's still capable of giving great performances and it's a shame we don't see him in more mainstream movies these days.GHOST DOG also fulfils itself as an action thriller with some irregular but fascinating action scenes which are magnificently shot; the pinnacle being the shoot-out at the country mansion. These bloody gun battles remind me of the climax of CARLITO'S WAY, De Palma's similarly excellent crime drama. But such action is only part of the story and the best bits are those which don't have violence or even dialogue; witnessing Ghost Dog's interactions with his best friend (the two characters brought together through common understanding rather than speech) and his almost tutor-like interactions with the young black girl. The ending is surprisingly poignant but also very fitting. A great movie which deserves a wider audience, GHOST DOG is a fascinating and intelligent piece of art which easily transcends the boundaries of film-making itself. I don't think I've seen a film in which every single shot has been beautifully composed before.

Joshua H. Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker), is a hired assassin for the Italian mafia, who follows the code of 'The Way of the Samurai'. When a hit goes wrong the mafia points the finger at Ghost Dog, and so continues a little game of war between a skilled assassin and his former Italian mafia employers. Directed by Jim Jarmusch, (one of the greatest independent directors of all time) this film was made for 2 million dollars and grossed 9 million dollars in the box office. The film was in competition for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and best picture at the Independent Spirit Awards. Most people were most likely turned off by the title of the film as I was at first. And it is a true shame because this was a fantastic film; as weird as the plot of the story may be the film is a blend of hip hip, rap, and ghetto with an Eastern Asian, assassin story. It's an odd blend that works and makes for an interesting story. The character of Ghost Dog, played beautifully by Forest Whitaker, reads the 'Way of the Samurai' and follows it's codes and rules as a way of life. Ghost Dog lives off the grid on the roof of a banged up apartment and has no communication other than his messenger pigeons which he uses to contact his employers. Ghost Dog's only friend (his best friend), is Raymond (Isaach de Bankolé), a man who sells ice cream in his ice cream truck. Raymond speaks French, and can't even utter a word of English, which is quite comedic when Dog and he attempt to communicate with each other. Even though they don't understand what each other say they share a hobby in chess, and like ice cream. Their uncommon friendship is very beautiful, and made me think about the relationships I have with others around me. Jarmusch delivers a great film that needs to be seen. "Ghost Dog: the Way of the Samurai" is one of those film that's so unique and original that it stands out in the crowd out of dozens of other movies.