Tale of Zatoichi: Blind Swordsman (& Straight Outta Compton) (Welcome To The Basement_
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Have you heard? There's a stranger in town. He's a skilled masseur, he's blind and he carries a sword. He's Zatoichi, blind swordsman!
In Seen It, we discuss drivers of taxis, players of pianos and a little Greek letter called Pi.
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All film footage is used in accordance with fair use and US copyright law. All music in the show is used with full permission of the composer.
Thanks for all the great comments. Keep em coming! If you watch one of the movies we discuss, let us know what you thought of it.
Welcome To The Basement" is a show about watching, discussing and having fun with movies. Matt choses the movie and Craig doesn't know what it is until the cameras start rolling, so none of the discussion or riffing is planned ahead of time.
Movie announced on facebook before every new episode. Get the movie and follow along. We do discuss the entire movie, including the ending, so if you want to avoid spoilers, watch the movie first.
One thing I always love about the Zatoichi movies (from what little of the series I've seen) is that there is little to no kendo and all iaido.
You don't go into a spaghetti western expecting long drawnout shootouts with people running through cover and everything around them exploding and you don't watch a Zatoichi movie for brawly back and forth fencing. These are duels to the death carried out by expert killers, the first man to draw his weapon usually wins and every hit that connects is lethal.
+Ben Kielar True -
The entire aim of Budo (and especially Iaido) is to strike a decisive first blow, because NO ONE ever gets a second chance. RE every blow lethal... That's how you practice but reality doesn't always allow that.
This film feels extremely refreshing. Revenge has become such a popular motivation in movies that things like killing your best friend to give him an honorable death are just so unique.
when you split the difference between Straight Outta Compton and Zatoichi you get that episode of The Boondocks about the "blind n*gga samurai"
+Ben Kielar Literally the first thing I thought about when i saw this in my sub box.
+Ben Kielar i was thinking that as well
+Ben Kielar I think Welcome to the Basement should watch Afro Samurai: Resurrection!
+Ben Kielar Oh so Sam Jackson in Afro Samurai?
Colt Krieger Samuel L. Jackson is the amazing voices for Afro Samurai as well as Ninja Ninja!
I just recently finished all 26... They're pretty addictive movies, what can I say... Honestly the plot in all the subsequent movies is pretty much the same - he travels to another post town, finds the inhabitants bullied by Yakuza, causes a stir in the gambling house, shows off his skills, kills all the bad guys and walks away from the girl at the end. But even though they're so formulaic you can have a check list of what's going to happen there's still a lot to admire. Many of them are quite beautifully shot, the action scenes become much more elaborate and Zatoichi is such a great protagonist, I love his character. I also really enjoyed Takeshi Kitano's 2003 Zatoichi, an homage to the original movies and tv series, also very beautifully shot, with a really unique use of music.
Shintaro Katsu was not really blind. And sadly he passed away back in 1997 of pharyngeal cancer
SO glad you showed Zatoichi...this audience NEEDS this.
I am so glad you did a Zatoichi movie!!! Thank you!
in Japanese culture, someone who is blind was thought have been punished for some transgression in a past life. most disabilities were viewed in this way. the Zato part is an identifier for someone of low social rank. that informs much of ichi's character. thank you for coming to my ted talk.
PS: Zatoichi darkness is his ally(1989)the last and only film katsu wrote and directed himself, is by far the best of the series. he kills 103 people in an incredibly violent blood soaked farewell to the greatest character in the history of Japanese cinema. thank you for sticking around for another ted talk.
love the video, please watch and review Zatoichi darkness is his ally. there's just not enough appreciation for Japanese cinema these days.
Hi, guys. I love the show and have been watching since almost the beginning. I really loved the dissection of Zatoichi, and Blind Fury is one of my secret childhood favorite movies. It go me to thinking that you guys should do a double episode (or a a two-parter) where you watch the original version of a movie, then compare it against a remake. It also got me thinking that if you haven't already, you should watch one of my other all-time favorite childhood movies starring Rutger Hauer, The Blood of Heroes - another in a long list of post-apocalyptic movies that speculates that the survivors will only be interested in ridiculous forms of sporting events.
Thanks for the feature, guys. I really appreciate it.
"It was a horrible time to be young." Craig seems to be the type who will continue to age into his personality. Charmingly curmudgeony
I'm way behind now since I haven't had streaming Internet for a while. It's great to know you guys are always funny and insightful.
Anyone else think that Trigun borrowed from Zatoichi, in a loving way?
A loner of exceptional ability that tends to get looked down upon by people who first meet him gets caught up in fights that aren't his own. His greatest companion along the journey is the seemingly doomed, intoxicated wander that serves as his foil and eventual rival, even though it's not in either of their hearts to hurt the other person.
I mean, maybe this isn't the only story to ever have that aspect to it, sure, but for some reason I think this one was an inspirational stepping stone.
Glad you guys did a Japanese film! Another great one I recommend is Hara Kiri (1962) ---and you can even find it here on TH-cam...
I'd like to recommend some anime movies The movie Paprika, and almost anything done by studio ghibli. I'd recommend some non-anime movies that I love, but they have either been on seen it or the show.
Matt, everytime you reference Tom Waits it makes my day
Glad to donate to my new favorite show!
If you are looking for a modern samurai movie watch "13 Assassins" if you haven't seen it already.
throughout this episode, Zatoichi kept reminding me of Clint Eastwood and his spaghetti western characters. a hero comes to town, fights the enemy, and leaves. perhaps I am dense and this is not new information, but I am thinking they drew inspiration from zatoichi. in any case, I will be rewatching all these movies after watching Zatoichi. this movie looks incredible. it has me really excited. thanks guys.
I think you're letting modern film making color your expectations, Matt. The fact that he is such an amazing swordsman and fighter means he doesn't HAVE to fight in every scene, because when he DOES, its supposed to be a big deal. Its not as special if he's just Neo-ing his way through 500 no name henchmen, the moment when he actually steps up to fight wouldn't have the weight and the anticipation that makes the actual fights more impactful.
+Tau Tauson amen. Well said.
+Tau Tauson
I agree. I can't say how many action movies I've watched where the fighting scenes may as well be commercial breaks. They just become so dull so easily. It's like putting too much salt on a dish. Completely ruins it.
I agree fully!
+Tau Tauson Same philosophy as the lightsaber duels from the (good) Star Wars films. When they come out, it's a big deal. It loses the punch of it if you're flashing lightsabers out all over the place like in the (bad) Star Wars films.
***** you speak the truth
I've seen all of the (26 or so) Zatoichi films, and even if none of them are masterpieces, they're all good and the quality stays surprisingly on the same level throughout all of the films.
+Namfooodle But if you want a better samurai film (chambara), take any of the Kurosawa ones, Sword of Doom or Harakiri.
I'm glad you guys watched this film.
You guys really should watch the whole serialized series, they get better and better as the series goes on. I recommend getting the whole collection on Blu Ray, it is an awesome box set. Oh and Shintaro Katsu is not blind, actually later on in the series he starts producing and directing most of the movies. Oh and if you want all the action and the Zatoichi sword play watch the actual movie from 1989. It was the last one made and has tons of swordplay in it.
Speaking of Zatoichi, have you seen the Takeshi Kitano film? Watching that film, especially the flow of the of the climax which was so fluid and slick, really cemented Kitano in my mind as one of the world's best directors. Not least because he was _in_ the film as the title character
Look at Craig! So elegant, mature, classy, thoughtful...
Did Weird Jimmy hop into that machine that Steve Urkel made?
AAAAAHHHH 2014 make it edge of tomorrow craig!!! i dont remember if you've said you've seen it but I loved all of it and i cant stand how badly it did at the box office
that movie sucked, cringy and unsuccessfuk attempt at groundhog-day-comedy, ridiculously dumb sci fi alien Timetravel mindcontrol bullsh*t with annoying romantic subplot... and tom cruise... omg i hated that movie
Hella awesome episode
I was introduced to Zatoichi at 11 and I have been a fan ever since. Did you guys see the 2003 Beat Takeshi (remake, reboot, homage?).
Kenji Misumi was a really underrated director
Awesome guys! Another great episode.
my favorite of the zatoichi films and there are a lot
Your hair looks great in this episode Craig. Very cute.
Love the Bauhaus cafe shirt, Craig!
I know what you mean Matt, I felt the same way the first time I saw that movie. I still love it though regardless of the lack of action at times.
Just watched this with a friend this week, spooky...
Ever seen KIDS? After I watched that I couldn't stop thinking about it and I would love to hear your thoughts.
Katsu was the last of a Kabuki tradition. A Shamisen legend (Musician) from the age of 17. Japan's Sinatra, plus a sword-fighter and Kabuki Theater genius. Watch "Hanzo: The Razor" too.
10/10 would blind myself and watch again (tosses hell at matt)
Oh and he wasn't blind in Takeshi Kitano's version.. I think. If I remember correctly the last shot of the movie gives it away.
Great video as always, but I just want to say that the title made me laugh more than it should of
one of the things I like about Japanese cinema is the fact that the tropes are different. Once they showed the rifle, I still didn't know if it would be used or not. Chekov's gun doesn't apply here.
I LOVE BLIND FURY!!! I had no idea that it was based off Zatoichi...although it does seem obvious in retrospect.
That photo of the 80s girls? That was an Australian girl group named "Girlfriend". Circa 1992-93. I, regrettably, was a fan.
You guys should see "Lo que le pasó a Santiago" (What happened to Santiago), a film by the auteur Jacobo Morales, and the first and only Puerto Rican film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
I wish you’d check out the sequel. Even better than the first, with more action too. About to watch the third one myself.
Ryo was a type of currency in Japan. It was a small gold bar. Its value was a cubic meter of rice.
You should've tried Zatoichi: On The Road
The series gets better as it goes on. He's chubby, pretends to be a fool- that's what makes him so awesome when the sword comes out.
Actually he was surprisingly fit up until the TV show where his age started to show
Kenshi from Mortal Kombat was inspired by Zatoichi aswell.
As is One Piece's Fujitora
Most of these - and there are dozens of Zatoichi movies - involve the blind masseur whirling his samurai sword with at least a hundred enemies' entrails flying around his blind ass. The dude usually slaughters at least an entire village.
I've asked it once, I'll ask it again.
Mobile Suit Gundam: The movie. Seen it?
I GOT INTO A SEEN IT! Love Taxi Driver! Hate my own dumb internet name!
+sniperbAit77777 Taxi Driver is probably my favorite movie and the best made one. Scorsese is a genius and De Niro is so fascinating to watch in Taxi Driver. It is a true classic in the ranks of Citizen Kane, Seven Samurai, etc.
Have you guys seen "Dude, Where's my car"?
Matt, you ever seen Batman: Mask of the Phantasm?
Hey Matt, you know what other movie got a mean-spirited review from the AV Club? Almost every other movie.
I recommend Ruggles of Red Gap (1935). I believe it has Charles Laughton's best performance
I think there are quite a few really amazing action movies out there, that honestly were ... not ruined, but would of been better without a romantic interest or had it been cut off
For the love of great Canadian scifi.... have you seen Cube or Screamers?
Even now they top my list of great scifi movies.
Should watch the movie "Cemetery Man" with Rupert Everett. Has a little bit of everything and i think you guys would have allloottt to talk about with it.
Shintaro Katsu ia not blind. He was an Enka singer and the only actor that got fired by Akira kurosawa. But don't get me wrong, i do worship Katsu. Such an amazing person. And admiral fujitora in one piece was based on zatoichi.
If you really want more "bang for your buck" with the story, watch the Takeshi Kitano directed version of Zatoichi. Its rather bloody but I think it's very well-madeand obviously directed with alot of thought and love for such a well-known Japanese tale. Pleeeaassse check it out! :D
+Beth D wasnt fond of that one. i suggest watching the later zatoichi movies, the action scenes become more drawn out, especially the last movie in 1989, it has some amazing swordplay.
Not blind... just great acting. The best films in the series are "Samaritan Zotoichi" and "Zotoichi Challenged".
Shintaro Katsu was NOT blind. He was in all kinds of other stuff. He had a fairly hefty filmography.
"Lawrence of Arabia" is now streaming on Netflix! So you guys can check it out again real easy.
I love this show. When will there be a patreon?
Have you guys seen the Australian clay animated film Mary & Max? It's one of my all time favorites, and I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Ichi.. as in in Ichi the Killer? Connection in between these films? Can't remember much of Ichi the Killer so enlighten me if it has something to do with the old story.
BAUHAUS COFFEE! You know good coffee, sir. The best, if I may speak as a Puget Arachnid of discerning personal taste.
You should of watched the remake of Zatoichi , there is alot more action and is worth watching just for Beat takeshi who is an amazing actor.
In the Kitano remake they did confirm that the character is blind; but I don't know if that was like a reboot, or how that relates to the other movies.
The Kitano's version is a reboot. At least it seemed to me because I saw a lot of similarities in the both movies and plots.
you guys should do a crossover with cinemasnob that would be awesome
I totally agree with Matt that A.V. Club's Straight Outta Compton review was weirdly mean-spirited and unfair like they were trying to say it sucked and that the acting was awful. Jason Mitchell (Eazy-E) alone deserves a damn Oscar! I also think Craig is on the money with horrid 80's fashion. I appreciate you guys talking about SOC!
Both of you look really young in this one, especially craig. I think it's because your hair is combed the other way
Have you guys seen "The Hidden" from 1987 with the guy from Flashdance?
An old roommate of mine and I watched Pi one night. He fell asleep about on hour in. The next day, I convinced him that he missed a big song and dance musical number at the end. He was pretty let down.
Have you seen Mary & Max? Its a stop-motion animated movie about the pen-pal relationship between a 7-year-old Australian girl and a 40-year-old man in New York with Asperger syndrome.
1935???? Brilliant year!!
if you want to see Shintaro Katsu not bind check him out in Hideo Gosha infamous kill fest Hitokiri
Matt and Craig you guys should watch The Harvest with Michael Shannon it's psychological thriller that I found quite enjoyable
Have you ever seen the 2001 movie called The Last Minute?
OK, I'm making this comment BEFORE I watch this episode of WTTB... Guys, this is one of my favourite movies, be kind with it please! ...PLAY.
do a Review of the last samurái
Did you know that Zatoichi, despite the english full title, means literally "Ichi the blind masseur" ?
I was going to say why don't you watch a movie from 1935 AND 2014; and I was thinking of SHE and HER, but then realized HER WAS from 2013. Goddamit.
I'll see if I can chime up with another theme.
have you seen Tampopo?
+bobby diablo Ahh, Tampopo was such a sweet oddball movie about food. I loved the bit where the restaurant owner, her boy and the truck driver go to meet some connoisseur hobos.
Next time you should just say domo (by itself) instead of arigato to say thanks.
Love your show btw.
Donate a ryo? You wish, Matt. That's several thousand dollar!
Hey guys if you want a good scary movie for October I'd recommend the 1980 Canadian horror film The Changeling staring George C. Scott.
#24 was Zatoichi's Desperation. Pretty sad one really.
How about Western Noir: "High Noon"?
If I remember right I'm pretty sure you get that little more bang for your buck Matt if you watch the 2003 Zatoichi.
Don't just lick things.
This has been a public service announcement from Welcome to the Basement.
Have you seen Cube, Cube 2: Hypercube, or Cube Zero? Its an incredibly interesting horror movie that boggles the mind and makes you hope you never have to see something like it in real life. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cube_(film)
Matt, if you want some sweet sword fighting, check out the 2003 Zatoichi film. It's written and directed by, and stars, Beat Takeshi, so you know it's good.
sorry bud I must disagree there. while I love beat takeshi, the 2003 movie was just a poor over produced imitation. the cg was unbearable even for time. 1989s Darkness is His Ally was by far the best Zatoichi film.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E, seen it?
I liked Primer, but I didn't really feel like watching it again.
Praise the Sun!
You guys should watch Oculus or Blue Ruin: Blue Ruin is the better film, but both are great movies.
SEEN IT? ..Hanzo The Razor..
Since Craig has to choose a film from 1935 or 2014. If you haven't seen it already, I would suggest you guys check out the film, Low Down (2014). Starring Elle Fanning, John Hawkes, Glenn Close, Peter Dinklage.
th-cam.com/video/lXFi2KoREW4/w-d-xo.html
if matt wanted more swordplay he shouldnt have chosen the first zatoichi movie. me and my family watched like all 30 of em lol.