Tag Archives: film analysis

Two Sides of a Dying Blade: Yojimbo, Sanjuro and the End of the Samurai Age

This article explores Yojimbo and Sanjuro as two sides of the same coin, charting the decline of the samurai in feudal Japan. Yojimbo depicts the “why”: the collapse brought on by greed, corruption, and the rise of firearms, where mediocre men with guns en masse overpower disciplined swordsmen. Sanjuro shows the “how”, the aftermath, where the last true samurai are left to kill each other while naive reformers blunder around them. Together, the films reflect Kurosawa’s shifting mood and Japan’s uncertain transition into modernity.

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From Comedy to Cosmic Horror: Why “Alien” is the True Spiritual Successor to “Dark Star” (and the Sequels Just Don’t Measure Up)

Explore how John Carpenter’s Dark Star and Ridley Scott’s Alien share a profound thematic lineage, with Dan O’Bannon as the creative bridge. This article delves into the transformation of cosmic comedy into existential horror, highlighting Alien as the true spiritual successor to Dark Star. With personal anecdotes, cultural insights, and franchise analysis, discover why the sequels, though entertaining, stray from this haunting legacy.

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Myth of the West: The Age of Film

This article examines the evolution of Western cinema through different “ages,” based on Alex Cox’s model of Traditional, Gritty, and Comedic Westerns, and explores whether additional phases, like the Neo-Western and Hybrid Western, might add depth to this framework. From the straightforward morality of early Westerns to the genre-blending explorations of the modern era, we trace the key films and themes that defined each age, examining how the Western has adapted to reflect changing societal values and cinematic tastes.

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