July 2009 Archives

Macbeth: a descent into madness

By
Marcos
on July 17, 2009
mifune.jpgEvery wondered what all the hubbub about Akira Kurosawa is, the B&W Samurai movie guy? And what is all this about Orson Welles being the best American director ever?

Well, this weekend is a rare chance to catch both of these movie legends interpretation of Macbeth. Shakespeare's medieval tale of decent into madness on the big screen, here in New York. How apropo.

Orson Welles released his Macbeth in 1948 and while not a perfect film, it has been restored to the original directors cut with original sound track and was recently called a "visually stunning film that has the brooding atmosphere of a medieval nightmare."
Continue reading Macbeth: a descent into madness.

Way of the Samurai

By
Marcos
on July 6, 2009

Excerpts from The Hagakure: A Code to the Way of the Samurai, by Yamamoto Tsunetomo (Hokuseido Press, 1980)

samurai.jpgThink Not Yourself as Established
A man who thinks he is already established is unwise; a man content with fixed views won through considerable effort has already fallen into a trap. ...   Without a moment of self-content with what little one has found out, one should keep thinking his accomplished results as being still unsatisfactory and not good enough, exploring the right way to the attainment through one's whole life.  Truth lies in no place but in this course of pursuit itself.

Appearances
One's appearance bespeaks dignity corresponding to the depth of his character.  One's concentrated effort, serene attitude, taciturn air, courteous disposition, thoroughly polite bearing, gritted teeth with a piercing look--each of these reveals dignity.  Such outward appearance, in short, comes from constant attentiveness and seriousness.

Continue reading Way of the Samurai.
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