Boba_Fett1138 Let me just say I had absolutely no idea what this movie was about, before I watched it. It was rather surprising to find out this was being an old fashioned, slower type of samurai movie, with homosexual themes weaved into it.You could say the movie is being a bit of a lackluster and also lacks an epic or spectacular type of vibe to it but then again, this totally wasn't the sort of approach that the movie was going for. Some people will appreciate this movie even all the more for that fact that is a slower type of movie, that focuses on its characters and their dynamics and its surprising themes.It was good to see a modern samurai movie, that wasn't taking a modern movie approach. You could even say that the movie takes a more sort of Akira Kurosawa approach to its storytelling and film-making. Still this would had been a better movie if it actually got made a couple of decades earlier. That way the movie would had made a far greater impact with its story and themes that are all in it.Now the movie just doesn't ever come across as anything provoking. It's still original but not really a movie that made a great impact on me, with any of themes and emotions. It's definitely a maintaining and special little movie but in my book really not a must-see. Perhaps it would had been if it had a more interesting main plot line in it. Instead now the movie is meandering on with its different character plot lines, instead of purely focusing on one story and one eventual goal, with all of it. It's not like the story is not focused but I would had simply preferred it if there was a more clear main plot line in it.Definitely a watchable and original genre movie, that is worth giving a go, despite of all my criticism.7/10 http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

katiemuffett I was a complete Japanese cinema novice when I watched this film and, while I had to watch it twice to fully appreciate the tone, I now feel the same maddening addiction to it that I've seen in so many other reviewers. The insouciant but deadly thread that Oshima weaves throughout the beautiful shades of 19th cent. Japan is all the more poignant, as he seemed to single-handedly bring a Japanese film icon's son into a profession he now seemed destined for. I've read that Ryuhei-san was more interested in soccer than following his parents into acting, and in likely teenage boy squeamishness, actually turned down the role of Kano because it was a gay character (Matsuda is straight, and now married). Thank goodness he changed his mind, because Oshima had hand picked a boy who held his own among multiple film greats in a way that I have never seen in a teenage actor of his generation...or in anyone since.The only summary I can give is 'exquisite' – a must-see film in my opinion. And really, the explicitly 'gay' scenes are not explicit at all, and even the most butch heterosexual wouldn't be offended (perhaps I'm being optimistic). This is a perfect movie.

Vincent This film has some promise at the beginning but doesn't deliver on it.It starts with hints that the main character has hidden motivations and is playing a deeper game than we are being shown.Kano seems to be hiding the extent of his abilities and his motivation for joining the militia, and then it just stops, these themes aren't really advanced any further.The plot just peters out without resolving anything or going anywhere.It is well acted and extremely stylish and the ending is good in a way but it just seems like there should have been more too it, I just found it boring and pointless.

marinika Gohatto is a movie done extremely aestheticly in a true Japanese tradition (it almost seems that colors were specially chosen for each scene to give you the incredible feeling of understanding what will happen next). It is erotic, which is cruel and sweet at the same time. Not to mention - hot ;)The soundtracks create a weird mystical effect, giving the events a slightly different meaning and keeping the viewer glued to the screen even when nothing is going on.The movie leaves more questions then it answers, keeping your thoughts on it for a long time. It is full of symbols that are not easy to decode having a non-Japanese menthality. Kept me wanting to see it over and over (like it usually is with anime), each time finding something new and incredible.A perfect work of art, by a true master.