I got screwed over at a high paying job. Saw the movie and decided to incorporate the nothingness is form. In other words, the less I have... the less power those have over me... therefore, I have the power. Fast forward over twenty years later, I am still living by that code... and going great.
Yo Duncan my man! I am happy to hear that you are still doing good. Ghost Dog is one of my favorite movies. Please if you are up to it, share some more info on how the code has helped you.
This movie meant a lot to me as a teenager, divorced parents, a dad that wasnt around. Not so many true friends. I've always been alone but this movie taught me how to deal with loneliness and to learn to appreciate it. A very good movie. I've had forgotten about it. Turning 40 this year..
There's something about the mob in this movie that probably deserves its own video. I wouldn't call them "one dimensional" as you did, these guys definitely have their own story going on. For starters, they're clearly broke - all their properties are for sale, and they even get a humiliating visit from the landlord at their hideout, asking for overdue rent. They're all getting old too - from the leaders down to the soldiers, they're all way past their prime, and you have to wonder what rackets they could still be running at their age. Are they still hanging out just for the sake of nostalgia at this point? And then there's this wisdom from Mr. Vargo. Somehow, he understands what Ghost Dog is all about. He reflects on a note they receive by accurately recognizing it as the "poetry of war". And in the end, he accepts his fate with calm and dignity rather than defiance. No, I'm sorry, they are far from being one-dimensional, they're by far the most unusual depiction of the mob I've seen in any movie.
I think they are meant to represent the old world changing just how ghost Dog is practicing an ancient art as well. It's a testament to how good this film is that there's deepness to everything. Maybe I'll make another video on it.
@@bushidoblues9302 I would very much like to watch that. I always get the impression that the whole mob backstory in Ghost Dog gets glossed over when people analyze the film. If I may add something, I'd argue that the real vilain was Louise Vargo. During most of the movie, she seems like a frail, innocent character who somehow acts as an ally to Ghost Dog, even going so far as to share his interest for Japanese litterature. But then she takes over her father's position and forces Louie, the only survivor, to kill his retainer. You can clearly see how Louie is stuck between a rock and a hard place, terrified and disheartened during his confrontation with Ghost Dog, and not even able to get the limo driver to leave the scene after the hit until Louise gives her approval. Is Louise merely avenging her father's death? Or did she have sinister motives all along? Remember how we first meet her: having an affair with another mobster - who arguably couldn't have been much of a suitable lover - behind her father's back. Could she already have been plotting to take over the family business, and Ghost Dog unwittingly did the dirty work for her?
@@arousedyoda I very much agree with both of Your insights. And I would add that the aspect of language is also very important. These two ancient cultures (mob and samurai) are merely put together, but they are unable to communicate. And yet friendship can bridge these gaps - not only among humans, but also in nature's sphere (remember avenging bear killers and talking with a survivor pigeon). And I think that the movie serves as an interpretation of this phenomenon - one could even cite rap song while dancing, but that language is much more than a mere "outlook" level of words or rhythm. It is a culture and - I would argue - the culture that is going extinct. And it is not an accident, that a French guy compares him to a bear and later on we see a bear killed. The line there is revelatory - we kill it because there are not many left of them. I see it as a direct metaphor of Ghost Dog himself. He is of a rare and old species. One could even compare to that old dog, who's entire ability to communicate is only to look at you. But the movie has an optimistic dénouement as well - even being a Ghost Dog he is able to pass the legacy of the word via the book. And again - the word, the language, the dialogue(!) is the way that cultures can avoid mutual extermination and even enrich (or even save!) each other.
Nothing in this movie feels cringe which would be so easy to do with this thematic , Jarmusch is a great film maker, it feels real, he feels lonely. Plus the connection of balck culture and Asian and Japanese is done very well, during the 70s black people were really into Asian culture. And it's influence remains both ways, Japan is super influenced by hip hop.
Yup and that's how we got the awesome wu tang clan. I guess just alot of blacks at the time were real into classic Kung fu flicks. Who wouldn't be though those films were surprisingly deep.
@@juanpabloaraujoarraga9398 Japan wasn't there before Africa, African rhythms are the oldest music in the world. And African culture probably beats Japanese culture by thousands of years in terms of who was the oldest.
“There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.” ― Tsunetomo Yamamoto, The Hagakure: A code to the way of samurai
That is to say that being resolved in your actions will bring you absolution in all things. To devote yourself to end of something is to know. Once you see your life goals as a samurai, you will be resolved from the beginning.
Love this film and I'm always happy when someone new experiences it and talks about it. Great video. Small correction: The shooting through the sink scene is a reference to Seijun Suzuki's Branded to Kill (1967)
I adore the way the film is shot, it’s city feels both lived in and isolated at the same time, how most of the movie takes place during the twilight hours. GhostDog is a pretty isolated man and with the lack of people and heavy use of cross-dissolves you feel that isolation.
Wow! Ghost Dog has long held a special place in my cinematic heart. A young Forrest Whittaker spitting samurai quotes on the importance of the willingness and the importance of death for your Lord....which I've come to see as a metaphor for that thing in life you aspire to be. This film does indeed have layers. The ending of the film is very tender in a bittersweet way...Ghost Dogs goodbye with the French ice cream vendor shows us that there are languages that are understood yet not spoken. Truly a one of a kind film. I always was amused that he called himself Han Solo posing as a realtor in the scene where he goes to kill the big boss.
This movie gets deeper and deeper the more comments I read about it. Good observation especially the connection between the French guy and Ghost Dog. This is definitely a film to revisit!
I remeber picking up a copy of the Hagakure after seeing this almost 20 years ago. Now that I have a deeper love for samurai movies I feel like I need to rewatch and reanalyze it to see what aspects I may have missed. Dead Man is another excellent Jarmusch film.
I've always seen Dead Man and Ghost Dog as being spiritually connected. The Native American character Nobody that the gangsters shoot on the roof is one of the main characters in Dead Man, even though it takes place in the 1800s. Somehow it all makes sense within the respective films.
I first watched this movie as a little kid and it always stuck with me. One of my favourite childhood films. I liked the connection between the code of the Samurai and the Mafia's code, I thought that was a really interesting aspect of the story. Although seeing the old mobsters talk about rap music was really damn weird.
That's interesting I didn't think about the connection between the mafia and samurai codes. I love movies like this where it seems surface level but when you look harder it's much deeper.
One of my favorite movies of all time. My brother was super into Wu Tang as a kid and would watch this movie religiously. The older I got the more I understood the movie and the gems within it. The lessons stayed with me over 20 years later and I watch it atleast once every couple of months
Reading the comments gives me hope to continue making clips. Which often seems rare in this day and age. This movie will always be iconic, perhaps even more so when you read Hagakure. Which I can honestly recommend to anyone who likes the movie. When you read the same book for 20 years, you make parts of it your own. Marcus Aurelius did not intend to publish his writings, and neither did Tsunetomo. They wrote it to strengthen themselves. To uphold principles, a code, a way of life. Seemingly lost. When you read Hagakure, much like Ghost Dog, you will often find yourself quoting it to yourself and it will become a part of you. ''If one has no earnest daily intention, does not consider what it is to be a warrior, even in his dreams, and lives through the day idly, he can be said to be worthy of punishment.''
Jim Jarmusch is a genius. I first saw this film on IFC when it was still about Independent film mostly. I bought the Blu-Ray recently. I love the acting in this movie and how it mixes cultures of black gangster rappers and mobsters. I remember seeing an interview where Jarmusch(IIRC) said that the most requested music by Italian mobsters in prison was Gangsa Rap. This leads to some very cool and funny scenes in the movie.
4:50 i understand both French and English, a fun fact about this duo is that even though they dont understand each other they say the same things in their respective languages. They understand each other, unknowingly.
Meditation and sword scene… as a martial artist when I saw this movie I absolutely loved it but I was critical of this scene because of Whitaker’s inept use of the sword, but I now think it is excellent and completely in keeping with the character he portrays. He is clumsy from getting up from seiza [kneeling position] he is awkward and flat footed when he weals the sword and he is even wearing it upside down in his belt leading to a dangerous risk of cutting himself when returning it into it’s Saya [scabbard] But when practicing unarmed and when using the machete he is accomplished, agile and showing expertise in its use. And this would be accurate for someone who is self taught living in the ghettos of a modern North American city. The Katana would be an uncommon item to acquire and still more - almost useable in his environment. His only experience with it would be personal practice alone with it in his secluded life, So it is totally believable that he would not be educated or accomplished with its use. Whereas as the machete would be easily obtainable, normal to possess in the neighbourhood, and concealable enough to be carried and put into practice for combat within his environment. The katana sword is symbolic in the training of his mindset and self discipline into the samurai way, And with the machete and when unarmed it is representative of his physical expertise and accomplished within his art.
When you really watch this film and see at the very depths of it is the final idea of madness, set to changing times..you truly do see what a real subtle masterpiece this was. Still flies under the radar to this very day.
Ive seen this movie twice in my life, once over 20 years ago in my early teens and now again this morning. It never really left my memory for some reason but just never got around to watching it again. Now after seeing it a second time, I have a copy of Hagakure on the way.
The "stereotypical" mobsters are the parallel to the samurai-their best days are behind them. I thought that next to Sopranos, the depiction of the mob in this movie was the best of that period. Probably influenced the show a bit too.
Funnily enough I am rewatching this film for the first time in years and felt compelled to come on You Tube to comment. The years can sometimes be unkind to average films however, this is way too good for that category. Forest Whittaker is superb as he usually is. Loved his fairly recent portrayal of Saw Gerrera as well!
When I first saw this film it looked like a loose remake of the Alain Delon French film LE SAMOURAI (1967). Both films follow a professional assassin with a strict code who finds himself a target after a botched hit. Two specific elements carried over from LE SAMOURAI to GHOST DOG is his downfall coming from a woman he leaves alive, and the assassin having a special key to break into a certain type of car. LE SAMOURAI was also highly influential on John Woo's THE KILLER (1989) and Walter Hill's THE DRIVER.
I just rewatched the movie, it wouldn't have mattered if she lived or died. They just wanted a patsy to take the heat for the hit they originally ordered. Its not explained where that heat is coming from but one could fill in the blanks with it being something like The Commission, which is or at least was an organization that keeps order among the Italian Mafia families. The man who Ghost Dog killed was a "made man" and if memory serves that usually requires a green light from The Commission. I digress, the movie lays it out that nothing Ghost Dog could've done differently on that hit would've changed the outcome of him becoming a target.
@@bushidoblues9302 😭😂 I overlooked this movie for a while too. Honestly a lot of times when you see "Samurai" in the title of American movie you expect cringe, but this one's a hidden gem👌🏾
Yeah I remember watching in my film analysis class for my final exam during my college years. It since then has become one of my favorite movies. I think it's very under recommended.
I missed this on release, so I am planning on picking this up sometime next month. It has always had a certain allure for me, being a fan of all things Japan, combined with rap culture (and many other things) when I was young a 'un, which has continued to this day. Thanks for the review.
Very accurate description. True it is not a mind blowing film but it has an incredible charm to it. I cannot stop watching it over and over again. It became of my favorite films of all time.
When I had this downloaded on my computer I watched it every day for months... This movie more than anything captures the fascination a person experiences when exposed to samurai but you hapen to live in the modern era. The way they portray the mafia as well was really nice. Modern people laugh at ou of you uphold any type of values. People have no values onky care for money. I feel like ghost dog honestly. In the sense even the most basic human values are seemed as inconveniences and sentimental bs in the way of work and getting money
It for sure hits home with it's lonely feeling about a Samurai living in the wrong era. It's definitely a film that gets better the more you watch it. You can tell whoever wrote it did so with knowledge about the Hagakure. Beautiful and smart movie.
What's funnny is that I rented this film because of the DVD Jacket that was so ridiculous it was Forest Whitaker with a Katana three times tu suggest action. I expected a ridiculous movie with a miscast Forest Whitaker kicking ass with a blade and it turned out to be this very mellow movie with profound themes and one of the best soundtrack ever I just love it, stilll wondering why the gangsters are watching cartoons all the times it feels like a way to emphasize the girl's innnocence as she's often the one watching them, yet I can't help but feel it is linked to the mobster being such over the top cartoony characters.
I saw this movie in an independent movie theater even it came out. Me and my cousins got super blazed out. I renege feeling the soundtrack deep in my soul. Great movie
The first thing you said in the first 2 minutes of this video is EXACTLY what I thought and what I loved about the film. I ordered two copies of the book and read it. I thought the philosphy was deep and definitely applicable to life.
I disagree the movie would be about changing times. Its more about old laws being still present and timeless in my opinion. Watched it many times and I'm still fascinated how new ideas still occur just by re-watching it.
I agree about the characters. This could've been my favorite movie if it was just a movie about Ghost Dog philosophizing and talking to people about books, and it didn't have the mafia subplot.
I’ve told numerous people that this is actually a pretty good film over the years. First saw it when I was in 7th grade and it has always stuck out as something very different but good. Like you said, it won’t completely blow your mind but there is something special about it. Completely underrated, to be certain.
The great thing about ghost dog is the cultural clash Black guy working for the mob who follows the code of the samurai while the way of the mafia is dying out add language barriers and the ending it’s an odd a spiritual journey and beautiful film I think Roger ebert described at as I don’t know what it’s about but I couldn’t stop watching it
I know this film might be outside your wheelhouse but you might like Ronin (1998) starring Robert De Nero and Jean Reno. It's a really good film that compares post cold war spies to masterless samurai.
It might be on Netflix I'm not sure in The US but you can also get it from Google play for about 3 bucks I think. (it says it's 110 Thai Bhat, but that might just be the pricd in Thailand only.)
Sometimes I listen to RZA's score just to relax and get some writing done. I could see how some people would find this movie slow and weird, but I could never understand someone dogging that soundtrack. Plus, I love how they subverted gangster tropes in having a gangster character with a love for Public Enemy and Flava Flav in particular.
Please anyone can identify place of the rooftop scene? I know it should be in New Jersey somewhere but couldnt find closer location. Thx in advance. PS best movie ever seen
It's incredible how similar in style, cinematography and mood Ghost Dog is to Takeshi Kitano films like Hana-bi, Sonatine, or Brother. Given the subject matter of Ghost Dog, it's hard to imagine it a coincidence.
This is in my top five favourite (American) films of ALL time. It's impossible to squeeze the greatness of Kurosawa Akira (Akira Kurosawa to westerners) into top films. Kurosawa is his own genre and has his own list films. Many modern films are based on Kurosawa's work. Rashomon, a Japanese story about "perspective" is not only referred to in the film, but the film contains contextual references to it.
I think this is a film that can mean something different to just about anyone that watches it. The late 90s had a ton of great philosophical films. For example, my boss loves Fight Club and The Matrix, but fell asleep during this movie. He didn't "get" it. But that was his take. I took a lot of the samurai philosophy to heart, to the point that my dorky teenager self thought he followed the "Code of the Samurai". That being said, i mostly grew out of it, but still feel that i took away a lot of positive from it. I devoted much of my life to martial arts, and now that I am to sick to train much, i still find the focus and meditation useful to deal with the ups and downs.
I think most viewers have the same experience with this film. Intrigued by seeing Forest Whitaker as some sort of Brooklynite samurai and watching it with a very cynical sense. After 1 viewing we return and begin to appreciate what this film is saying. I've seen it about 8 or 9 times now and always enjoy it. To add, the sink shooting of Valerio always bothers me. Sinks have traps beneath them. Especially in NYC. It's code. 😂
"It might not blow your mind" i wholeheartedly disagree. This film is an absolute masterpiece. They dropped the hint with the discussion about Rashamon, the film is completely different when you consider the sequence of events from a different character's perspective. Rewatch the film, look for the one scene where the mob boss's daughter is not depressed. Think about where she is, what just happened, why you'd think she *should* be depressed, and why she might not be. Think about that for a day. Then rewatch the film to see why everything actually happened. Remember Rashamon, and listen to the accountant. ABSOLUTE. MASTERPIECE.
I loved the mafia guys, when do you see a mafia guy spit a flavor Flav verse or make moose sound? They are for sure stereotypes but it's a mafia movie, I'd say the sopranos for all its supposed greatness is full of stereotypes.
@@bushidoblues9302yeah mafia in itself is such a genre of its own , I think that modern era of cinema would be impossible to make an American mafia movie any different from what Scorsese or Coppola have done. I mean joe pesci is like 5'3 yet we must believe everyone is scared to death of him... yet he sells it and no matter what he plays the same guy in all his scorsese movies... That could be considered terrible acting from anyone else... , the last one I liked he was way more restrained and sold it too forgot the name the irish man I think ...mafia itself is such a genre like western, it could be made different but who knows I do agree that in this one characters are so over the top in this movie on purpose it's comical, Jarmusch movies have that feeling, like a dark joke or satire. To make a movie about a guy living with a code of honor today it has to have some comical irony, because to even have values in this day and age would be consider rude or improper... Now imagine to have honor. Such a concept which for most people means nothing yet I know that for people who love samurai culture as over used as it is that is exactly what atracts us to such movies .
One aspect I don't understand is if someone sent a hit on Louie and then Ghost Dog took him out and wounded Louie, then it still doesn't address the elephant in the room that one of the family hired someone on the inside to kill Louie. Wouldn't Louie remain a marked man if he just returned to the family regardless if he got shot by Ghost Dog? The hitman after Louie was one of the bosses nephew iirc so just forgive and forget? Still a underrated and great movie, imo. I've seen in it about 5 times.
I got screwed over at a high paying job. Saw the movie and decided to incorporate the nothingness is form. In other words, the less I have... the less power those have over me... therefore, I have the power. Fast forward over twenty years later, I am still living by that code... and going great.
Yo Duncan my man! I am happy to hear that you are still doing good. Ghost Dog is one of my favorite movies. Please if you are up to it, share some more info on how the code has helped you.
Peace god
@@mistermangekyo5614 I have no kids, no credit card debt, and I am not a whore to materialism. I live well and sleep even better.
You should read your Samurai Creed then. And never underestimate the importance of some powdered rouge up your sleeve :)
Lol😂 tool
This movie meant a lot to me as a teenager, divorced parents, a dad that wasnt around. Not so many true friends. I've always been alone but this movie taught me how to deal with loneliness and to learn to appreciate it. A very good movie. I've had forgotten about it. Turning 40 this year..
That's cause you're never truly Alone
"This ain't no ancient culture here, mister."
"Sometimes it is."
This is an underrated gem. Whitaker especially in here is really good.
Whitaker is always good. There is no mediocre Whitaker performance.
There's something about the mob in this movie that probably deserves its own video. I wouldn't call them "one dimensional" as you did, these guys definitely have their own story going on. For starters, they're clearly broke - all their properties are for sale, and they even get a humiliating visit from the landlord at their hideout, asking for overdue rent. They're all getting old too - from the leaders down to the soldiers, they're all way past their prime, and you have to wonder what rackets they could still be running at their age. Are they still hanging out just for the sake of nostalgia at this point? And then there's this wisdom from Mr. Vargo. Somehow, he understands what Ghost Dog is all about. He reflects on a note they receive by accurately recognizing it as the "poetry of war". And in the end, he accepts his fate with calm and dignity rather than defiance. No, I'm sorry, they are far from being one-dimensional, they're by far the most unusual depiction of the mob I've seen in any movie.
I think they are meant to represent the old world changing just how ghost Dog is practicing an ancient art as well. It's a testament to how good this film is that there's deepness to everything. Maybe I'll make another video on it.
@@bushidoblues9302 I would very much like to watch that. I always get the impression that the whole mob backstory in Ghost Dog gets glossed over when people analyze the film. If I may add something, I'd argue that the real vilain was Louise Vargo. During most of the movie, she seems like a frail, innocent character who somehow acts as an ally to Ghost Dog, even going so far as to share his interest for Japanese litterature. But then she takes over her father's position and forces Louie, the only survivor, to kill his retainer. You can clearly see how Louie is stuck between a rock and a hard place, terrified and disheartened during his confrontation with Ghost Dog, and not even able to get the limo driver to leave the scene after the hit until Louise gives her approval. Is Louise merely avenging her father's death? Or did she have sinister motives all along? Remember how we first meet her: having an affair with another mobster - who arguably couldn't have been much of a suitable lover - behind her father's back. Could she already have been plotting to take over the family business, and Ghost Dog unwittingly did the dirty work for her?
@@arousedyoda I very much agree with both of Your insights. And I would add that the aspect of language is also very important. These two ancient cultures (mob and samurai) are merely put together, but they are unable to communicate. And yet friendship can bridge these gaps - not only among humans, but also in nature's sphere (remember avenging bear killers and talking with a survivor pigeon).
And I think that the movie serves as an interpretation of this phenomenon - one could even cite rap song while dancing, but that language is much more than a mere "outlook" level of words or rhythm. It is a culture and - I would argue - the culture that is going extinct.
And it is not an accident, that a French guy compares him to a bear and later on we see a bear killed. The line there is revelatory - we kill it because there are not many left of them. I see it as a direct metaphor of Ghost Dog himself. He is of a rare and old species. One could even compare to that old dog, who's entire ability to communicate is only to look at you. But the movie has an optimistic dénouement as well - even being a Ghost Dog he is able to pass the legacy of the word via the book. And again - the word, the language, the dialogue(!) is the way that cultures can avoid mutual extermination and even enrich (or even save!) each other.
"They whacked him, what you gonna do". Yes, the Italian mobsters were really good in this movie.
It was the same premise as the Sopranos, which also came up the same year as the decline of a criminal empire
It's a film that lives on in the viewer. The best kind.
Nothing in this movie feels cringe which would be so easy to do with this thematic , Jarmusch is a great film maker, it feels real, he feels lonely.
Plus the connection of balck culture and Asian and Japanese is done very well, during the 70s black people were really into Asian culture. And it's influence remains both ways, Japan is super influenced by hip hop.
Yup and that's how we got the awesome wu tang clan. I guess just alot of blacks at the time were real into classic Kung fu flicks. Who wouldn't be though those films were surprisingly deep.
@@juanpabloaraujoarraga9398 Japan wasn't there before Africa, African rhythms are the oldest music in the world. And African culture probably beats Japanese culture by thousands of years in terms of who was the oldest.
@@Ash-so2sr nigga what
@@bushidoblues9302that’s what Rza grew up on
Yall should check out the anime samurai champloo it perfectly blends japanese and hip hop culture
I do watch this movie once a year or so. Every time I see another facet of it. Because this movie is a gem.
Could barely control tears in the end. It's a Masterpiece.
It is moving on top of everything else.
The mom's last line to the little girl: "You're in the way."
“There is something to be learned from a rainstorm. When meeting with a sudden shower, you try not to get wet and run quickly along the road. But doing such things as passing under the eaves of houses, you still get wet. When you are resolved from the beginning, you will not be perplexed, though you will still get the same soaking. This understanding extends to everything.”
― Tsunetomo Yamamoto, The Hagakure: A code to the way of samurai
That is to say that being resolved in your actions will bring you absolution in all things.
To devote yourself to end of something is to know.
Once you see your life goals as a samurai, you will be resolved from the beginning.
Sadly underrated. A deep film but also very funny and entertaining and oddly touching
Love this film and I'm always happy when someone new experiences it and talks about it. Great video. Small correction: The shooting through the sink scene is a reference to Seijun Suzuki's Branded to Kill (1967)
Damn I knew it was something with kill in the title haha. Anyway good on you for knowing your movies!
To add to your comment, so was the scene when the bird lands on his sniper rifle - although it was a butterfly in Branded to Kill. Great movie!
I adore the way the film is shot, it’s city feels both lived in and isolated at the same time, how most of the movie takes place during the twilight hours. GhostDog is a pretty isolated man and with the lack of people and heavy use of cross-dissolves you feel that isolation.
You described it perfectly
Wow! Ghost Dog has long held a special place in my cinematic heart. A young Forrest Whittaker spitting samurai quotes on the importance of the willingness and the importance of death for your Lord....which I've come to see as a metaphor for that thing in life you aspire to be. This film does indeed have layers. The ending of the film is very tender in a bittersweet way...Ghost Dogs goodbye with the French ice cream vendor shows us that there are languages that are understood yet not spoken. Truly a one of a kind film. I always was amused that he called himself Han Solo posing as a realtor in the scene where he goes to kill the big boss.
This movie gets deeper and deeper the more comments I read about it. Good observation especially the connection between the French guy and Ghost Dog. This is definitely a film to revisit!
I remeber picking up a copy of the Hagakure after seeing this almost 20 years ago. Now that I have a deeper love for samurai movies I feel like I need to rewatch and reanalyze it to see what aspects I may have missed. Dead Man is another excellent Jarmusch film.
I'll have to check it out. Jarmusch has an interesting style.
I've always seen Dead Man and Ghost Dog as being spiritually connected. The Native American character Nobody that the gangsters shoot on the roof is one of the main characters in Dead Man, even though it takes place in the 1800s. Somehow it all makes sense within the respective films.
Apparently Chad gave a nod to him for the Bowery King in JOhn Wick for Fishburne to be a pigeon carrier on rooftops.
I love this movie. Love how it pays homage to Le Samouraï (1967)
Both films are masterpieces.
I first watched this movie as a little kid and it always stuck with me. One of my favourite childhood films. I liked the connection between the code of the Samurai and the Mafia's code, I thought that was a really interesting aspect of the story. Although seeing the old mobsters talk about rap music was really damn weird.
That's interesting I didn't think about the connection between the mafia and samurai codes. I love movies like this where it seems surface level but when you look harder it's much deeper.
One of my favorite movies of all time. My brother was super into Wu Tang as a kid and would watch this movie religiously. The older I got the more I understood the movie and the gems within it. The lessons stayed with me over 20 years later and I watch it atleast once every couple of months
Reading the comments gives me hope to continue making clips. Which often seems rare in this day and age. This movie will always be iconic, perhaps even more so when you read Hagakure. Which I can honestly recommend to anyone who likes the movie. When you read the same book for 20 years, you make parts of it your own. Marcus Aurelius did not intend to publish his writings, and neither did Tsunetomo. They wrote it to strengthen themselves. To uphold principles, a code, a way of life. Seemingly lost. When you read Hagakure, much like Ghost Dog, you will often find yourself quoting it to yourself and it will become a part of you.
''If one has no earnest daily intention,
does not consider what it is to be a warrior, even in his dreams,
and lives through the day idly,
he can be said to be worthy of punishment.''
Jim Jarmusch is a genius. I first saw this film on IFC when it was still about Independent film mostly. I bought the Blu-Ray recently. I love the acting in this movie and how it mixes cultures of black gangster rappers and mobsters. I remember seeing an interview where Jarmusch(IIRC) said that the most requested music by Italian mobsters in prison was Gangsa Rap. This leads to some very cool and funny scenes in the movie.
4:50 i understand both French and English, a fun fact about this duo is that even though they dont understand each other they say the same things in their respective languages. They understand each other, unknowingly.
1 of the greatest relationships depicted in film
Meditation and sword scene… as a martial artist when I saw this movie I absolutely loved it but I was critical of this scene because of Whitaker’s inept use of the sword,
but I now think it is excellent and completely in keeping with the character he portrays.
He is clumsy from getting up from seiza [kneeling position] he is awkward and flat footed when he weals the sword and he is even wearing it upside down in his belt leading to a dangerous risk of cutting himself when returning it into it’s Saya [scabbard]
But when practicing unarmed and when using the machete he is accomplished, agile and showing expertise in its use.
And this would be accurate for someone who is self taught living in the ghettos of a modern North American city.
The Katana would be an uncommon item to acquire and still more - almost useable in his environment.
His only experience with it would be personal practice alone with it in his secluded life,
So it is totally believable that he would not be educated or accomplished with its use.
Whereas as the machete would be easily obtainable, normal to possess in the neighbourhood, and concealable enough to be carried and put into practice for combat within his environment.
The katana sword is symbolic in the training of his mindset and self discipline into the samurai way,
And with the machete and when unarmed it is representative of his physical expertise and accomplished within his art.
Ghost Dog is one of those films that stays with you.
When you really watch this film and see at the very depths of it is the final idea of madness, set to changing times..you truly do see what a real subtle masterpiece this was. Still flies under the radar to this very day.
Forest seems to have some Samurai spirit in this movie, he did damn good.
Ive seen this movie twice in my life, once over 20 years ago in my early teens and now again this morning.
It never really left my memory for some reason but just never got around to watching it again.
Now after seeing it a second time, I have a copy of Hagakure on the way.
The "stereotypical" mobsters are the parallel to the samurai-their best days are behind them. I thought that next to Sopranos, the depiction of the mob in this movie was the best of that period. Probably influenced the show a bit too.
Funnily enough I am rewatching this film for the first time in years and felt compelled to come on You Tube to comment. The years can sometimes be unkind to average films however, this is way too good for that category. Forest Whittaker is superb as he usually is. Loved his fairly recent portrayal of Saw Gerrera as well!
When I first saw this film it looked like a loose remake of the Alain Delon French film LE SAMOURAI (1967). Both films follow a professional assassin with a strict code who finds himself a target after a botched hit. Two specific elements carried over from LE SAMOURAI to GHOST DOG is his downfall coming from a woman he leaves alive, and the assassin having a special key to break into a certain type of car. LE SAMOURAI was also highly influential on John Woo's THE KILLER (1989) and Walter Hill's THE DRIVER.
Awesome! I'll have to check out Le Samourai
@@bushidoblues9302 LE SAMOURAI was released in both DVD and Blu Ray through the Criterion Collection.
I just rewatched the movie, it wouldn't have mattered if she lived or died. They just wanted a patsy to take the heat for the hit they originally ordered.
Its not explained where that heat is coming from but one could fill in the blanks with it being something like The Commission, which is or at least was an organization that keeps order among the Italian Mafia families. The man who Ghost Dog killed was a "made man" and if memory serves that usually requires a green light from The Commission.
I digress, the movie lays it out that nothing Ghost Dog could've done differently on that hit would've changed the outcome of him becoming a target.
One of my favorite films
Such a raw minimalistic movie
I vaguely remember seeing advertising for this movie, but never indulged, I'll check it out.
I'm glad I finally got to see it.
When you find out he read from the Hagakure you realized this movie was like Ghost of Tsushima, but with well....pigeons instead of foxes
Haha great point!
@@bushidoblues9302 😭😂 I overlooked this movie for a while too. Honestly a lot of times when you see "Samurai" in the title of American movie you expect cringe, but this one's a hidden gem👌🏾
@@ABEAZYdaRonin94 yeah I was expecting super cringe too but got something great instead. That's not often!
Yeah I remember watching in my film analysis class for my final exam during my college years. It since then has become one of my favorite movies. I think it's very under recommended.
Forest is a treasure… he played this role to perfection
I missed this on release, so I am planning on picking this up sometime next month. It has always had a certain allure for me, being a fan of all things Japan, combined with rap culture (and many other things) when I was young a 'un, which has continued to this day.
Thanks for the review.
Very accurate description. True it is not a mind blowing film but it has an incredible charm to it. I cannot stop watching it over and over again. It became of my favorite films of all time.
Yeah it does make you want to rewatch it. There's nothing else like it.
"In ancient times bears were considered equal with men."
When I had this downloaded on my computer I watched it every day for months... This movie more than anything captures the fascination a person experiences when exposed to samurai but you hapen to live in the modern era. The way they portray the mafia as well was really nice.
Modern people laugh at ou of you uphold any type of values. People have no values onky care for money.
I feel like ghost dog honestly. In the sense even the most basic human values are seemed as inconveniences and sentimental bs in the way of work and getting money
It for sure hits home with it's lonely feeling about a Samurai living in the wrong era. It's definitely a film that gets better the more you watch it. You can tell whoever wrote it did so with knowledge about the Hagakure. Beautiful and smart movie.
I can't believe you're just getting on game to this movie, it's my favorite
I do like it alot. Wish I saw it sooner!
One of my favorite movies ever. Very underrated!
I can’t remember the last time I saw this movie. Takes me back to my childhood.
Whatches this as a kid was great didnt understand what was happening but stuck with me gonna re watch as an adult
What's funnny is that I rented this film because of the DVD Jacket that was so ridiculous it was Forest Whitaker with a Katana three times tu suggest action. I expected a ridiculous movie with a miscast Forest Whitaker kicking ass with a blade and it turned out to be this very mellow movie with profound themes and one of the best soundtrack ever I just love it, stilll wondering why the gangsters are watching cartoons all the times it feels like a way to emphasize the girl's innnocence as she's often the one watching them, yet I can't help but feel it is linked to the mobster being such over the top cartoony characters.
Best soundtrack of any movie, Rza
A marvelous film, a masterpiece of purity and honor. It's in my personal library and will remain there permanently.
I saw this movie in an independent movie theater even it came out. Me and my cousins got super blazed out. I renege feeling the soundtrack deep in my soul. Great movie
Man the trailer for this movie threw me off sooo hard. I watched the film like 10 years later and it is such a vibe!! Amazing film
Very slept on. Hidden jem . The second or third time watching. Notice the cartoon on TV matches the movie.
So underrated one of my favorite movies all time
The first thing you said in the first 2 minutes of this video is EXACTLY what I thought and what I loved about the film. I ordered two copies of the book and read it. I thought the philosphy was deep and definitely applicable to life.
I saw the movie in the cinema last week. What an experience. Highly recommend!!
I disagree the movie would be about changing times. Its more about old laws being still present and timeless in my opinion. Watched it many times and I'm still fascinated how new ideas still occur just by re-watching it.
One my favourite film ❤
It's great and unique!
@@bushidoblues9302 ❤️
Masterpiece movie, it mixes genres very well, very hypnotic too and there is a vibe about that its just excellent, love this movie.
Yeah I love the vibe too. An all around unique movie.
Such a good movie.
Ghost Dog is such a cool movie that SOO MANY SLEEP ON!
Forrest Killz it!
I agree about the characters. This could've been my favorite movie if it was just a movie about Ghost Dog philosophizing and talking to people about books, and it didn't have the mafia subplot.
I’ve told numerous people that this is actually a pretty good film over the years. First saw it when I was in 7th grade and it has always stuck out as something very different but good. Like you said, it won’t completely blow your mind but there is something special about it. Completely underrated, to be certain.
It definitely does stay with you, and the more I think about it, the better it gets in my mind.
Just finished the movie on HBOMAX. Always been a fan of the soundtrack . So good.
The great thing about ghost dog is the cultural clash
Black guy working for the mob who follows the code of the samurai while the way of the mafia is dying out add language barriers and the ending it’s an odd a spiritual journey and beautiful film
I think Roger ebert described at as I don’t know what it’s about but I couldn’t stop watching it
Watched this with my pops when I was young. I watch it once a year now.
Great film and awesome soundtrack!
Yeah I love the music!
I LOVE this film!!!!! I view it every autumnal equinox!!!!!!
Classic movie
Ce film est magnifique !
Il m'a beaucoup inspiré ! 🙏
My favorite movie. It’s like a dream.
Wonderful movies which dives into the complexities of human nature and a strive for something more honourable and distinguished
this movie is delightful to watch
I know this film might be outside your wheelhouse but you might like Ronin (1998) starring Robert De Nero and Jean Reno. It's a really good film that compares post cold war spies to masterless samurai.
Sounds cool. Know where I can watch it?
It might be on Netflix I'm not sure in The US but you can also get it from Google play for about 3 bucks I think. (it says it's 110 Thai Bhat, but that might just be the pricd in Thailand only.)
Damn good movie and countless times I’ve watched that movie
Sometimes I listen to RZA's score just to relax and get some writing done. I could see how some people would find this movie slow and weird, but I could never understand someone dogging that soundtrack.
Plus, I love how they subverted gangster tropes in having a gangster character with a love for Public Enemy and Flava Flav in particular.
@@mrmusickhimself i think this movie was a big love letter to hip hop and respect for the old.
The greatest sleeper cult film ever
No one talks about it
Congrats
Please anyone can identify place of the rooftop scene? I know it should be in New Jersey somewhere but couldnt find closer location. Thx in advance. PS best movie ever seen
@matejknopp309 Oh, that's cool, I'm from NJ, and I should know.
It's incredible how similar in style, cinematography and mood Ghost Dog is to Takeshi Kitano films like Hana-bi, Sonatine, or Brother. Given the subject matter of Ghost Dog, it's hard to imagine it a coincidence.
@@hian that's a great point. No doubt the creators of Ghost Dog also liked Kitano films.
Rza with the tunes 🐐🐐🐐
You didnt touch upon the concept of Rashomon, and how that girl who is reading it is the embodiment over which the thief and samurai fight
Ohhhh I missed that aspect! Good catch!
I love this film 👍🇯🇵
This is in my top five favourite (American) films of ALL time. It's impossible to squeeze the greatness of Kurosawa Akira (Akira Kurosawa to westerners) into top films. Kurosawa is his own genre and has his own list films. Many modern films are based on Kurosawa's work. Rashomon, a Japanese story about "perspective" is not only referred to in the film, but the film contains contextual references to it.
Closing song?
Bushido Blues by Chubster
I think this is a film that can mean something different to just about anyone that watches it. The late 90s had a ton of great philosophical films. For example, my boss loves Fight Club and The Matrix, but fell asleep during this movie. He didn't "get" it. But that was his take. I took a lot of the samurai philosophy to heart, to the point that my dorky teenager self thought he followed the "Code of the Samurai". That being said, i mostly grew out of it, but still feel that i took away a lot of positive from it. I devoted much of my life to martial arts, and now that I am to sick to train much, i still find the focus and meditation useful to deal with the ups and downs.
I think most viewers have the same experience with this film. Intrigued by seeing Forest Whitaker as some sort of Brooklynite samurai and watching it with a very cynical sense. After 1 viewing we return and begin to appreciate what this film is saying. I've seen it about 8 or 9 times now and always enjoy it.
To add, the sink shooting of Valerio always bothers me. Sinks have traps beneath them. Especially in NYC. It's code. 😂
The movie the pipe kill was taken from was Sejun Suzuki's: Branded to Kill
Yes, I realized that too late unfortunately
EXCRUCIATINGLY AWESOME FILM!
"It might not blow your mind"
i wholeheartedly disagree. This film is an absolute masterpiece.
They dropped the hint with the discussion about Rashamon, the film is completely different when you consider the sequence of events from a different character's perspective.
Rewatch the film, look for the one scene where the mob boss's daughter is not depressed. Think about where she is, what just happened, why you'd think she *should* be depressed, and why she might not be. Think about that for a day.
Then rewatch the film to see why everything actually happened.
Remember Rashamon, and listen to the accountant.
ABSOLUTE.
MASTERPIECE.
This movie definitely blew my mind.
I loved the mafia guys, when do you see a mafia guy spit a flavor Flav verse or make moose sound? They are for sure stereotypes but it's a mafia movie, I'd say the sopranos for all its supposed greatness is full of stereotypes.
Haha stereotypes or not they were for sure entertaining
@@bushidoblues9302yeah mafia in itself is such a genre of its own , I think that modern era of cinema would be impossible to make an American mafia movie any different from what Scorsese or Coppola have done. I mean joe pesci is like 5'3 yet we must believe everyone is scared to death of him... yet he sells it and no matter what he plays the same guy in all his scorsese movies... That could be considered terrible acting from anyone else... , the last one I liked he was way more restrained and sold it too forgot the name the irish man I think ...mafia itself is such a genre like western, it could be made different but who knows I do agree that in this one characters are so over the top in this movie on purpose it's comical, Jarmusch movies have that feeling, like a dark joke or satire.
To make a movie about a guy living with a code of honor today it has to have some comical irony, because to even have values in this day and age would be consider rude or improper... Now imagine to have honor. Such a concept which for most people means nothing yet I know that for people who love samurai culture as over used as it is that is exactly what atracts us to such movies .
*Passenger Pidgeon!*
Best Movie ever 90's Yo
Yeah it's pretty great.
One of the foundational gems for me.
The movie they took the tap from is titled "Branded to Kill" not 'the killer' if im not mistaken.
Yeah Branded to kill. One of those things where you are thinking something but say something else.
One aspect I don't understand is if someone sent a hit on Louie and then Ghost Dog took him out and wounded Louie, then it still doesn't address the elephant in the room that one of the family hired someone on the inside to kill Louie. Wouldn't Louie remain a marked man if he just returned to the family regardless if he got shot by Ghost Dog? The hitman after Louie was one of the bosses nephew iirc so just forgive and forget? Still a underrated and great movie, imo. I've seen in it about 5 times.
These are my favorite Mobsters from any movie. The thing with cartoons they watch is so weird and interesting.
@@Nagstersept109868 more than Goodfellas?
Yeah this film is pretty unique.
Silva!!!! One of the best that ever did it!✊️
I grew-up, watching this! #1😊
When he’s on the rooftop he looks like dragon fly Jones from Martin.
I only watch this in the winter.
Great movie.
One of the all time best. It's an American take on 'Le Samouraï by Jean-Pierre Mellville".
This was such a powerful movie! And still is, just in case you haven’t watched it yet.