Differences: Hara-Kiri is a subtle, psychological exploration of the meaning of honor, family, vengeance and of how codes/societal expectations are manipulated by those in power to exploit those without it.

Kobayashi's film is one of my favorite movies ever. But Miike's arguably my favorite director working today. If ever there was an opportunity to feel good about a remake of a classic, this would be that opportunity.

Kobayashi's film is one of my favorite movies ever. But Miike's arguably my favorite director working today. If ever there was an opportunity to feel good about a remake of a classic, this would be that opportunity.

Well, Spider-Man is my favorite comic book character, but other than that, I agree for the most part. The DC stable is definitely stocked with characters that are ripe for Joseph Campbell-esque mythical deconstructions. Unfortunately, instead of treating them like the gods they are, most story-tellers try to find ways…

Well, Spider-Man is my favorite comic book character, but other than that, I agree for the most part. The DC stable is definitely stocked with characters that are ripe for Joseph Campbell-esque mythical deconstructions. Unfortunately, instead of treating them like the gods they are, most story-tellers try to find ways…

The thing is, those plot holes and superfluous scenes are not insubstantial (i.e. the "infiltrate China and illegally extract Chinese criminal/business man which is something entire countries do not have the resources to do" subplot is there for no other reason to push the pro-war-on-terror angle of the movie, which…

The thing is, those plot holes and superfluous scenes are not insubstantial (i.e. the "infiltrate China and illegally extract Chinese criminal/business man which is something entire countries do not have the resources to do" subplot is there for no other reason to push the pro-war-on-terror angle of the movie, which…

The problem with the Marvel films, for me on a personal level, is that there's actually too much of a comic book influence. I watched Captain America  and couldn't stop thinking that there was a genuinely really good and thought-provoking, stylistic, emotional movie lurking behind the Nazis with the electronic guns…

The problem with the Marvel films, for me on a personal level, is that there's actually too much of a comic book influence. I watched Captain America  and couldn't stop thinking that there was a genuinely really good and thought-provoking, stylistic, emotional movie lurking behind the Nazis with the electronic guns…

Spider-Man: Blue, Kraven's Last Hunt, a lot of the earlier, Stan Lee-written stories, are all pretty good in my opinion.

Spider-Man: Blue, Kraven's Last Hunt, a lot of the earlier, Stan Lee-written stories, are all pretty good in my opinion.

"I felt that sitting there and saying nothing, or leaving quietly, would have been against my values as a person and as a woman. "
This is what happens when we're repeatedly told apathy is a bad thing. Suddenly we start caring so much about stupid shit. If you don't like jokes about rape, then don't give the person…

"I felt that sitting there and saying nothing, or leaving quietly, would have been against my values as a person and as a woman. "
This is what happens when we're repeatedly told apathy is a bad thing. Suddenly we start caring so much about stupid shit. If you don't like jokes about rape, then don't give the person…

I think I feel similarly, although with your background, you've obviously got a leg up on a really in depth examination.

I think I feel similarly, although with your background, you've obviously got a leg up on a really in depth examination.

Hey Jin, what's your feelings about the difference between Eastern "mystical" religions and Western philosophy as a whole. I mean, for me personally, it grates on me every time someone tries to say that there's a tendency to romanticize the Eastern philosophies, treat them as something exotic, when, in reality, there…

Hey Jin, what's your feelings about the difference between Eastern "mystical" religions and Western philosophy as a whole. I mean, for me personally, it grates on me every time someone tries to say that there's a tendency to romanticize the Eastern philosophies, treat them as something exotic, when, in reality, there…

@avclub-9ff7c9eb9d37f434db778f59178012da:disqus —That "crappy warped linoleum layed down by underpaid mexicans a decade ago" is no less of a miracle than the top of Mt. Elbert. It's all this talk of right and wrong that keeps people suffering.

@avclub-9ff7c9eb9d37f434db778f59178012da:disqus —That "crappy warped linoleum layed down by underpaid mexicans a decade ago" is no less of a miracle than the top of Mt. Elbert. It's all this talk of right and wrong that keeps people suffering.

That's an ignorant viewpoint. The biggest idea I've taken from Buddhism at this point in my life is that everything is special. That butt-fucking-ugly shit-stain of a Wal-Mart at the edge of town is just as beautiful as the top of Mt. Elbert in Colorado—if you know how to look at things.