Ghost Dog: How To Face Absurdity

Ghost Dog: The Way of The Samurai (1999) directed by Jim Jarmusch showcases a great understanding of human behavior.
Ghost Dog: The Way of The Samurai, by Studiocanal
tags: ghost dog, ghost dog the way of the samurai, ghost dog: the way of the samurai, Forest Whittaker, the way of the samurai, ghost dog movie, ghost dog film, the way of the samurai movie, the way of the samurai film, video essay, film essay, film aesthetics, art cinema, film appreciation, film study, cinema study, film analysis, ghost dog explained,

[@DeadheadYates]

Ok but can we talk about how perfect The RZA's score is for thr mood and atmosphere of this film?

[@vojtabeke5846]

Absolutely on point and a masterpiece.

[@bgjr2304]

No doubt. Jarmusch has great taste.. the score for DEAD MAN and Broken Flowers are also top shelf.

[@spgushue]

It’s a collab. Jarmusch sets the style, the premise, RZA connects through his flow. Putting peanut butter in the chocolate as they say.

[@raidenwave4219]

yes please let's talk about it. Especially the Birds Theme.

[@nagone11]

The score was actually brilliant..

[@rashodmasters4299]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="310">5:10</a> I was fully zoned in to the video until this scene. I had to take a laugh break 🤣 awesome video man! I'm gonna check this movie out

[@ronin_user]

I watched this before I went to film school. It is my muse.

[@cascadianrangers728]

Had no idea this movie existed

[@123owly]

This movie is both a critique of and homage to tradition. It's almost like a love letter to a parent that is stuck in the archaic ways of thinking. A letter filled with respect, sadness, admiration and understanding that they're not long for this world.

[@baloneysaucejohnson8747]

Well said. Buried my grandfather last year,he raised me and gave me a code to live by. By all rights he represented tradition and order in my life, I miss him dearly and now am the order and tradition in my family. Rest in peace all warriors We will meet again

[@funkerdoo]

@@baloneysaucejohnson8747 while i respect the sentiment, i would be wary of mistaking hierarchy for order. a lot of older schools of thought tended to think someone had to be on top, but with families especially i think they work best uninhibited by hierarchies masquerading as tradition. obviously i don't know you personally but just a word of advice, do with it what you will.

[@VinOptimaxxx]

​@@funkerdoo I think hierarchies are necessary in any group. That's not to say that they should be determined by age or any other arbitrary trait (ideally they should be according to merit) or that only the person at the top should have any say. But some are naturally leaders, and others naturally followers.

[@m.g.7828]

Apt

[@TheLifeOfKane]

You wrote yourself a letter... Read it in 20 years and you get to call yourself an ignorant child 😂😂

[@hunterdunning1776]

You have it backwards. Ghost Dog is the retainer. Louis is his "lord". Samurai means servant. So does retainer. Bushi is warrior. "Do" is "the way of". Bushido is the way of the warrior. The way of the samurai is to serve with absolute loyalty. Hope this helps.

[@RogerKomula-kl9lb]

How is that working out for the samurai? Bet they're all rich with hot chicks.

[@recoil53]

@@RogerKomula-kl9lb Actually the large Japanese corporations were founded by descendants of old samurai families, so some did pretty well. Also a true samurai is not concerned about material gain, so they say.

[@88balloonsonthewall70]

@@RogerKomula-kl9lb Lmao like that is how your life is.

[@jb7483]

No my friend the way of the samurai is found in death. Read Hagakure.

[@fonkyman]

@@jb7483 thats not the only message of that book...

[@BeardedCoffeeMonkey]

I also love how he comes in with two guns, "It's the bird man!" guy dies of a heart attack, and Ghost Dog slowly lowers that gun. No longer needed. Heh.

[@mychannel-i2c]

he actually pulls the second gun off louis' jacket, so that his own gun isnt tied to the crime

[@sequoyahwright]

Thank you for honoring this fine film. It is truly a hidden gem. Jim Jarmusch made two films in the 90s that impacted me deeply. Ghost Dog and Dead Man.

[@KanyeWestwasRight]

2 great films

[@mbryson2899]

That pair has always stuck with me, as has _Only Lovers Left Alive._

[@michaelmoraga2926]

@@mbryson2899 👍💜

[@VadymMykhailovskyi]

Broken Flowers is my favorite.

[@KanyeWestwasRight]

Only lovers and broken flowers are both amazing also Jim jarmuche really knows how to cook

[@apollyon1]

This film had no business being as good as it was. It’s like a patchwork quilt of styles, themes, inspirations, humour. More films like this please.

[@XXXX-yc6wv]

Is it good though? I really still can't tell. I like it, but I also can't stand it in some ways.

[@tequila_tibbs7938]

@@XXXX-yc6wv Its embarrassing

[@drpibisback7680]

Jarmusch has memorably said that originality and novelty are fleeting and ultimately worthless in the creation of art, and that true value is found in authenticity - what he describes as stealing from everything that you love and putting it all together. His vision is the culmination of everything that came before him, yet at the same time his movies have an instantly identifiable voice that I love.

[@RM771000]

I was 19, I remember this movie, it hit hard, I can't even tell you how many times I watched it. Forest has done some incredible acting over the years, but for me, this was his best piece.

[@newagain9964]

@@tequila_tibbs7938your comment is 😂

[@bwellington3001]

About absurdity of the mob.. i cant quote the exact words, but there was a moment when they laughed at how black gangsters had these stupid name tags like a bunch of animals and then immidiately proceed to call his fellow mobsters with similar stupid nicknames.

[@romanjeve]

It was Indians' names the mob boss was referring to

[@KristovMars]

Truly memorable scene!

[@RyanNagy]

One of those moments when I laughed out loud in the theater and no one else did. Sometimes the humour and commentary was too subtle for some folks.

[@ghostdog-b4g]

@@romanjeve "Indians, N-s... same thing..." :D :D

[@rulerofkripsy9143]

@@ghostdog-b4g nutskins are the same as demons

[@CFpandemic]

I once tried to watch this movie with a friend but he made us turn it off as soon as he found out "ghost dog" was a man's name and it wasn't a movie about a dog that's dead

[@Babylonian_Escapee]

lol life of the party

[@Hasshodo]

not how I was expecting your story to go - i once tried to show this movie to someone but they couldn't take it seriously because "lol look at this fat weeb" - oh well, some art isn't for all

[@Trisket]

​@@Hasshodowhy are you hanging around insecure morons?

[@duncanmacleod8855]

reminds me of someone in Jersey; "ya know who also had an arc? Noah!" some (most) people aren't deep thinkers...

[@melissacoats6855]

maybe you should try ghost dad, might make him more happy.

[@IdeaStudioBKK]

This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I was fortunate enough to see it in the theater when it came out. It really is an underrated masterpiece.

[@johnmcdonagh9336]

Nice. Good soundtrack and sound design. Would have been cool on the big screen. I wasn't so fortunate. But I saw it on VHS the first time. With some good friends who are still good friends with excellent taste in movies and music.

[@JJKP]

ditto

[@lowesdeals]

I agree it's an amazing movie

[@SBhunting]

I definitely need to watch it this weekend

[@DEALGUY]

YASSSSS

[@hughcards]

The old Chinese guy beating up the mugger is my old Kung Fu teacher, Shi Yan Ming. He was actually in his mid thirties at the time.

[@nandansho.nandansho2366]

You must need glasses, that guy was Black.

[@kyore789]

That’s so cool

[@newagain9964]

Funny. Cause I defeated him (badly) in an underground fight in Hong Kong…u wouldn’t know anything about that.

[@AxiomaticAssumptions]

@@newagain9964 any videos of that stuff? remember there was a Chinese guy going around testing MMA on various styles, was pretty fun to watch. I know the CCP was not happy having what they perceive as their image tarnished, made an example out of him unfortunately. Shame they would rather live in la la land then have their citizens learn to defend themselves. The west has gotten just as stupid with its pay for a belt grading systems at times. We even have local qi gong clubs that are essentially just social clubs with a side of qi gong. I'm ranting but my point is this, it isn't easy to find a good place to fight that isn't corrupted by greed or incompetence apart from non profits (which are increasingly rare) or basements of kind strangers.

[@newagain9964]

@@AxiomaticAssumptions ikr. That’s why I’m forced to fight in Hong Kong underground. 💀

[@gregorymaroda4860]

What's interesting in light of this video's themes, is the Hagakure was written after two hundred years of peace. There was no need for samurai as warriors. They had become solely administrators. Hagakure was written by someone trying to hearken back to what what he thought the code of a samurai should be, based on a dream of a past that never was.

[@sequoyahwright]

@@gregorymaroda4860 Like Synthwave music, the memory of a dream.

[@НиколайЛамберт]

It wasnt complete peace. Just instead of all-out wars small skirmishes, street duels and political assasinations.

[@adamcee7251]

The reason the mob kills Ghost Dog is because the boss' daughter was there, when she wasn't supposed to be, even thought that wasn't Ghost Dog's fault. It wasn't the murder that was the disrespect that demanded murder as vengeance, it was the boss' daughter being present.

[@michaelmoraga2926]

💯👍

[@mathewblaine1109]

I agree but believe it was both reasons it’s why they hired out of the family , because they knew they were going to kill him after

[@manticorephoenix]

@@mathewblaine1109yes, the daughter being there was a perfect excuse to put the inevitable hit on the Hitman, the only hitch in the plan for them personally was they didn’t inform Louie that he should hire a random shooter and not a member of his crew to do it, if they had Louie and Ghost Dog wouldn’t be on the chopping block, and the Jersey Mob wouldn’t have been hunted down as a result

[@carboodle610]

thanks for the spoiler dawg

[@buckaroobanzai7063]

The Mob didn't kill Ghostdog. He killed them. Then the daughter had him killed.

[@nagone11]

One of the most underrated films from the 90's to present day.

[@bjedo3]

Underrated? It’s in the Criterion Collection 😂

[@nagone11]

@@bjedo3 Still underrated..

[@nagone11]

@@bjedo3 I was actually talking with a few people I know and they really were not aware of this film. It still kind of flies under the radar.

[@bjedo3]

@@nagone11 I feel like maybe unknown and underrated are two different things

[@nagone11]

@@bjedo3 you can apply both to my statement.

[@manticorephoenix]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="405">6:45</a> ok but tbf, those men were poachers, GD ain’t out here just shooting people randomly, men like that don’t follow a code and they came across a man who strictly follows a code, they drew first and he defended himself, him striking the killing blow was really just strictly business

[@joaocorreiamedia]

If you're trying to find films that deal with the absurd, just look at most stuff Takashi Miike did. He's the master of absurdity.

[@_Alfa_Channel]

Blade of the Immortal is an absolute masterpiece

[@Jaysonezralewis]

Agreed and also try the 2003 version of zatoichi.

[@joaocorreiamedia]

@@_Alfa_Channel I feel like BOTI is an ok Miike film, but quite far from most of his other stuff.

[@_Alfa_Channel]

@@joaocorreiamedia agreed - DOA and Audition are better than Ichi and 13 Assassins is the goat but I read Mugen No Junin and that was the closest anyone has ever come to a movie from a book...

[@joaocorreiamedia]

@@_Alfa_Channel I understand perfectly! Despite a film being better or worse than something else, what matters is our personal taste :)

[@valmarsiglia]

A retainer is a follower, not a master. Ghost Dog was Louie's retainer, not the other way around.

[@michaelmoraga2926]

Yes. Ghost Dog says to Louie "I'm your retainer. I don't mean you no disrespect".

[@valmarsiglia]

@@AFMR0420 In the context of feudalism, a retainer is "a dependent or follower of someone of rank" or "a paid servant, especially one who has been employed for many years." It has had this meaning for literally centuries.

[@draco_1876]

A retainer was a samurai. Lmao you guys are so historically illiterate

[@valmarsiglia]

@@draco_1876 The word retainer has been in use for centuries to mean the servant of a lord, of course its meaning isn't specifically Japanese. Speaking of historically illiterate.

[@mateohodge6998]

​@@valmarsigliabut to be clear in relation to samurai retainers were considered samurai

[@christopherroa9781]

I discovered this film via the soundtrack at the start of my Wu Tang obsession a decade ago. Through the Rza connection I was so excited to see it. It totally blew my mind with the masterful pacing and subtext. The respect and deep understanding of both film history and Japanese bushido code made it such a fascinating film. It's great to see it getting the recognition it deserves.

[@ZenDoggie]

The soundtrack to this movie is another character, I swear. Amazing.

[@Josh_Quillan]

I became aware of the RZA from watching this; then I discovered that one of my favourite singers and actresses from Japan, Meiko Kaji, was involved in a ruinous legal fight with the RZA. He stole a piano riff from one of her songs, she sued, he counter-sued for defamation and threw more money than she was able to into the suit. He preferred to pay a lawyer than pay a musician he'd admired enough to use their work, and it seriously harmed her music career for about 20 years. I like the music from Ghost Dog but I have no respect for him as a person any more.

[@ScottyBanton]

@@Josh_Quillanwell, the countersue by RZA proved that the original copyright claim was completely inaccurate and the the sample used in Dark Fantasy was not the Kaji rift at all. All you have to do is listen to the Kaji piano rift and the RZA rift and they are 2 completely different sounds. It’s sad really, all that respect you claimed to have lost, for nothing.

[@Josh_Quillan]

@@ScottyBanton The recording I heard, they were identical. Either way, the fact remains he liked another performer's work enough to either steal or imitate it, but wasn't interested in paying for it or settling the dispute amicably, and preferred to ruin her. That's shitty behaviour.

[@ScottyBanton]

@@Josh_Quillan according to you. RZA and the courts say otherwise.

[@neofromthewarnerbrothersic145]

Rented this movie when I was like 14 or 15 and it was still new-ish. Knew there was something unique about it, but still kind of surprised to see people talking about it these days.

[@newagain9964]

It’s a classic. Cult classic. But legendary regardless

[@hanshandkante5055]

My favourite scene in the movie is when Ghost Dog walks through the city at night and everyone is distracted or turns his head the exact moment Ghost Dog walks by. He walks among them but nobody sees him - just like a Ghost Dog.

[@_stefkas_]

And the WuTang soundtrack !

[@WillCarter1976]

I saw this film when it came out just before I went into the military and it spoke to me. I always loved it. Glad to know others out there saw the same virtues in the film that I did.

[@daisycutter2978]

i saw this film when it came out. it was stupid. i rly liked it. but it was stupid. idiotic. moronic. infuriatingly 멍청해. absurd. but it was fun. it’s sad that there aren’t more movies like this.

[@RicoBanani]

went to see this movie by myself back when it came to the cinemas... was my first Jim Jarmusch movie... It left a great impression on me. Still is one of my favourite movies ever. Great soundtrack as well

[@Fruuuuuuuuuck]

Calling Le Samourai “fast loud and flashy” is blatantly wrong

[@misteral1083]

That's what I thought

[@commanderolimar]

This was an incredible film that originally I loved for the hip hop score and the parallels between samurai and gang culture. You brought a really unique perspective to this film and gave me a new way to appreciate it.

[@lukeboy61]

Me and him we are from different ancient tribes, now we are both almost extinct. Sometimes... you gotta stick with the ancient ways. The old-school ways. I know you understand me.

[@hwiese3448]

every man needs somethign bigger than himself to live for. to live!

[@darklingeraeld-ridge7946]

Yes, cracking film. Great that Nobody from Dead Man reappears.

[@williamgoss4691]

Heard of the film but never seen it. But this was a lovely and intriguing intro, and I don’t mind that I now know the ending, the film is clearly more interesting than the story.

[@Rufusdos]

I just didn’t like the main actor. He looked kind of sloppy and was out of shape.

[@TariqBusy]

Top ten gangsta crime movie. Good review. Only thing missing is he stoic way tht Henry Silva, as the boss, accepts his fate. He stands up, latches his suit buttons and takes it like a man.

[@markanthony1481]

Taking out the bear hunters and the elderly martial artist were my favorite scenes!

[@Backgroundtvstatic]

I thought I was the only one who remembered this movie

[@crownlessking6628]

I should hate this movie, but I love it. I hate pretentious, arrogance and self importance of "artsy" creators who are immune to scrutiny because "If you don't like it its because you don't get it" Ghost Dog is subversion of that. Everyone in this world is silly in its way, but they don't pretend to be otherwise. They just choose to live their life and live them in the way they chosen. Nothing more, nothing less.

[@jovanvukadinovic9492]

Mafia ordered Ghost dog to be killed cause all the assets of the mafia boss is on his daughter's name. Daughter just turn 21 years old, and she is the owner of everything. So she blackmailed her father to kill the hitman who killed her lover, without knowing that her father is responsible. Mafia boss was in a strange position. He had to kill the hitman he just hired. It was left out in the movie and left to the audience to wonder what the hell is going on. Thats why they do not have the money to pay the rent. Because everything is on the girls name. They really dont have the money. The girl is the actual head of the family.

[@AdamMPick]

Hagakure is a great book. This film made me read it and it is still great to this day. Ghost Dog is quite a bit autistic in his ways. And I say that as a fellow autistic guy. The rules he sets up for himself by following Bushido give him structure in his life. I think it was Sartre who asked the question why we won't commit suicide, if we don't believe in anything. Ghost Dog asks the opposite question.

[@gavinkaylhem8038]

Read hagakure way of the samurai.... That's we're his code comes from. Excellent book.... 5 ring's comes nowhere near

[@XXXX-yc6wv]

The Hagakure has some interesting philosophical points to make, but it is mostly stupid missives, musings about how old school samurai were uncouth, or terrible medical advice. Mostly it exists to justify the existence of late-era samurai as a cultural vestige, given they weren't doing any actual samurai stuff and were more of a leisure class wasting boatloads of cash. There's literally a lesson on how to deliver the mail, which is as insulting as it is absurd. Another says injuries from a fall from a horse can be cured with a tincture made from horse manure. Yet another is some weird story about a lord trying to fool his servant by hiding nail clippings. I think the point is supposed to be about paying attention to detail, but it gets lost in the sheer pettiness and absurdity of the lord's behavior. Cool name, dumb book. The Demon's Sermon on the Martial Arts is a far better classical Japanese text.

[@PropaneWP]

I saw this film when it came out, many years ago. I don't remember much of it, but I remember not liking it because the main character didn't sit well with me. His whole samurai deal felt too weird.

[@ChadTheThirdUK]

This is the Video that's gonna blow your channel up. Perfect mix of intellectual introspection and a grounded human appreciation for a "dope flick" Kudos!

[@BioGoji-zm5ph]

So... the movie ISN'T about the ghost of a dog? Misleading title. 0/10 score. /j

[@stephanefaure2049]

I watched ghost dog when I was in three year Buddhist retreat in 1999. During the Tibetan new year we were allowed to watch few movies. One day. What’s you are talking about gives me a good feed back of this time. Purpose gives a framework in a meaningless live, due to that for one moment nothing becomes something. Thank you. Sorry for my French English.

[@kipwonder2233]

Interesting analysis. One question raised: Does discipline, following a code, make one moral. The presenter answers "No". I agree. However, it DOES suggest integrity: alignment between word and deed.

[@lisapop5219]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="201">3:21</a> respect by both crips & bloods? Interesting.

[@mbryson2899]

If you're not part of their scene and don't interfere with it they will often just leave you alone. That worked for me growing up in Chicago. Later I lived in a California city that had very active Norteno and Sureno sets. Partially because I knew so many people, from the homeless to (no kidding) the Mayor, partially because messing around with a gringo civilian wasn't worth the heat, I never had any trouble and could go wherever I liked. I showed respect (even if I didn't always feel it), they reciprocated

[@lisapop5219]

@@mbryson2899 times have changed with the changing of laws ignoring many crimes, the constant propaganda that everything is white people's fault etc.

[@WhispersOfWind]

I loved the movie, and kind of hated it ending but as I grew older I kind of learned to understand it better like that things happen and they might not always be bright and sunny but that's just the way.

[@Neeko90]

I watched this movie when I was 9 years old.. somehow left an impact on me enough to have my first gamertag in counterstrike that year be ghost dog x) But its a movie I've come to appreciate more and more as I get older.. not that I necessarily agree with anything in the movie, or the book which I eventually read.. but appreciate it, yeah. Which I guess falls back to the original point, respect for eachothers paths in life. :) Great movie, a hidden gem indeed.

[@TheRenegade2424]

I love this movie especially when the mobster is dancing in the bathroom, listening to Public Enemy

[@dominikhader920]

One of my favorite movies. Very thoughtful and funny at the same time. Great that you catched the difference in memory that Ghost Dog and the Mafia guy has, a lot of people miss that, since it is not actively pointed out, but changes the whole perspective of the movie. Also the funniest scene is when the Mafia bosses hear for the first time the name Ghost Dog and come up with the Rapper and Indian references, that's the first time you realize that they are some total wacky dudes :D.

[@garretwoeller7669]

Only in New Jersey can see a black samurai fight the mob fucking love this awful state

[@Hibernomania]

Great video man. I saw this as a 12 year old when it came out and didn’t get it at all. Haven’t thought about it in years but defiantly going to watch again. Hopefully a bit more maturity will help me appreciate it on a new level

[@chiharutahara2698]

the mafia is like an idiotic senior citizen gang. why?! ruined the whole film!

[@returnoftheredeye]

I was working at a cinema when this came out. Almost always when a movie finished, most people would start getting up to leave as soon as the credit roll started. I noticed than when Ghost Dog finished, most people just sat there and chilled for a moment. I feel like there's something slightly hypnotic about this movie, the rhythm of it leaves you kinda calm afterwards.

[@robinlaszlo]

I cant believe I forgot about this movie. I almost died laughing at "Jesus it's *wheeze* the fucking bird man....ughhhhh." and then he dies. The fuckin bird man 😂

[@DougHeckles]

Following a code doesnt make one moral it makes one disciplined.

[@mokeysamo3528]

The ice-cream guy played by Isaach de Bankolé...as the Lone man .. later in Limits of control, they aren't connected but both movies are so immersive

[@elbowspeak]

I first saw him in another wonderful movie by Claire Denis called Chocolat. Deeply compelling role and movie.

[@moussetache1815]

Isaac de Bankolé, I wonder what he's doing now.

[@petek9348]

i forgot about this movie because no one talks about it and its a shame.

[@workerant7874]

Poeticness? The word you want is poetry.

[@jeffbrinkerhoff5121]

Poetrical..poetricious..

[@BruceOnder]

Poemful

[@TheSuavest]

Personally I read the way the Mafia died in this film to basically be the same theme from The Sopranos where the Old Guard died because of their inability to adapt as well as their insistence on tradition regardless of how impractical it became. The film can be argued to be even more on the nose with the assassin representing the modern criminal who (if they are from Chi, Compton, Nola, Bmore, or Memphis) will not hesitate to put bullets in you before you ever open your mouth and is very likely African American

[@yoshimutsotaquira-do4713]

try brother with takeshi kitano

[@BinaryDad]

Good shout. Though Kitano's earleir Yakuzi films like Violent Cop or Sonatine are even better, I think.

[@_Alfa_Channel]

@@BinaryDad outrage coda

[@rogerprefontaine]

Never seen Ghost Dog and I was intrigued... Right up until you gave away the ending in the first 90 seconds.

[@Yournamehere804]

Idk why, but I literally cried at the end. To this day I can’t explain it.

[@justanothergunnerd8128]

Very decent movie - gotta rewatch this!

[@michelesoranzo116]

The luck of this film was no Oscar nomination

[@Jupa]

brb gonna watch it then come back to this video

[@tymboslice6044]

I loved this movie when I was a teen manly because of the wu Tang clan connection, download it the other day and forgot about it till I watched your video.thanks for remembering me to re-watch it

[@wstone2010]

I used to watch this movie like once a week lol

[@kestrel09]

Wind in the Willows is a great book.

[@elichilton7031]

Outstanding observations. One of Jarmusch's very best, and an excellent lead performance by Forest Whitaker. Living life by a code as illustrated by this film, shows us the many facets of humanity following and adhering to code. I also found there is code reading, code breaking, and even writing new code to follow for the many characters in this movie.

[@listrahtes]

Interesting take ,for me it's Jarmuschs weakest movie by far. I loved it as a teenager but now as an adult it's imo a quite pretentious cheap power fantasy spiced with soap opera Japanese bushido quotes in lifestyle and behaviour. I guess Jarmuschs wanted to break into a unique portrayal by using pudgy Whitaker but he plays it one dimensional like a overweight gaming nerd. It's just only surface and a caricature of a movie .

[@PromiselandPapi]

The shooting at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="120">2:00</a> 🤣😭🤣😭🤣🤣

[@JamaalLV]

One of my favorite films. Thanks for giving a perspective that's distinctive and true to the film itself.

[@sophiabynico]

Glad you enjoyed it! The film was very fun to appreciate

[@d.o.a7552]

I remember watching this back in the day when I was little got so excited when i saw the rza

[@MasterOfJackShizz]

Top ten film of all time for me. It's the film that sent me down the Jarmusch rabbit hole and lead me to Dead Man, his DARK visual poem. Jarmusch is somewhat obsessed with poetry and it runs through his films in different ways. Ghost Dog also features my favorite friendship of all time, Ghost Dog and Raymond.

[@himonightbreeze]

I first heard of this movie when I saw the trailer on another video tape. It's hard to track down a copy now.

[@Trisket]

...it has a Criterion Blu-ray release

[@goldenboomsticko_o162]

So happy to get this recommended, I love the movie and to see others talk about it makes me feel excited :))

[@brrcs]

One of my absolute favorite films, a perfect blend of genres, cultures, and inspirations. While Ghost Dog may not embody morality as you mentioned, he certainly possesses integrity. And what sets him apart from the mob is his ability to adapt this ancient, outdated philosophy to a modern environment. He shows respect for the urban jungle and all those who inhabit it, including animals, in much the same way that Japan has always cultivated a reverence for nature.

[@Hannoshobazz_Neolmech]

CODIFICATION MATTERS !!!

[@machetedonttweet1343]

This is the first time I have heard "Ghost Dog" reviewed. I still have it on DVD, which was actually from Japan. I dont think it's available in the US. Same thing with "84 Charlie Mo-Pic", McCabe and Mrs. Miller, and "Cry for Me, Billy". Great films(art) but not "Movies".(Didn't make a lot of money) You might be able to track down a copy of "Dead Man" starring Johnny Dep on eBay. But I have it on VHS. Yes, I still have a VHS player but I can only fix it so many times. Another movie lost to antiquity (built-in obsolesce) is "Quiet Cool" starring "Dexter's dad", James Remar. low budget but good films.

[@MekaGhost]

Truly a masterwork in the art of movies, and the expertise of Jarmusch's audience perspective creates for a very natural vale, following an honor bound system is something I also want to see more of. I'm so lucky to have watched Ghost dog and any JJ movie for that matter.

[@salthart57]

I really enjoyed Ghost Dog: The Way of The Samurai. Watched it again last night for the 4th time. I always say the same thing at the end of the movie. The Mafia should have been written and/or directed to play it straight. This "Keystone Cops" version just doesn't cut it for me. The tension throughout the movie would have increased exponentially, Imo. That said, a truly special movie and great job by Forest Whitaker.

[@lecobra418]

I think the movie is also pretty close to The Stranger by Camus or even Taxi Driver to some degrees. The fact Ghost dog narrates his whole journey like Travis Bickle did, the car scenes too. I like the fact several fates were foreshadowed along the film, the very fate of Ghost Dog but also the one of Sonny (in the cartoon). I think that great movie deserves a deeper analysis than a 8 minutes video, but it was alright.

[@Dante-dp6qx]

I love that pic...so abstract. And the score rocked! I bought the LP but it didn't have the track I wanted it for...damn!!! However, it still rock'd

[@user-qb1oh6er6u]

Really like your video here. Love Ghost Dog! What u show of the film is enough for folks who won't end up watching it. At same time, not too much to give best parts away.🎯🎖🏆

[@JAmediaUK]

Ghost Dog is not moral. He has a code of Ethics which is not the same thing. I know quite a few people like that. They are a LOT more honest than "moral" people.

[@fearlessjoebanzai]

Ghost Dog is my second favourite movie. It's only beaten by Yojimbo - which is the greatest Samurai movie. Half of my top films are Samurai or Samurai inspired. I don't know what to think about this.

[@hanshandkante5055]

I've always loved this film but everyone I recommended it to found it boring. It's hard to believe that the same guy who made this masterpiece and "Dead Man" with Johnny Depp, is the same guy who made crap like "The Dead Don't Die".

[@a.tevetoglu3366]

why do Jarmusch and Tarantino love vehicles with the name 'Zed'?

[@Diptera_Larvae]

because of the friendship between Ghost Dog and Raymond, I way never afraid to try and communicate with someone just because of language barrier.

[@fistan5447]

Yeah, this one was one of my top 3 movies of all time. Other 2 were Seven Samurai and Monthy Python and the Holy Grail. Glad its not forgotten, didnt make much sound back in the day. I discovered it by chance.

[@MCOult]

Saw it about 25 years ago. Totally enjoyable, even with the odd mafiosos; somehow, they fit the story (which itself is absurd). Whittaker was the perforct actor for this film; his "stage persona" was already that of an oddball (which he always plays to the hilt), and his great talent carried the character all the way. Recommended!

[@seekingpurpose]

May have to watch this again. First time I saw this I thought it was ‘not very good’. I think Forest Whitaker was incorrectly cast. Great actor but I think they should have gone with someone who followed a bushido training and diet regime… Great in Andor and Rogue One but this, not so much. Happy to be wrong but just my opinion.

[@hyperslow556gungamer]

Code: "Morality". A bendable/manipulable construct of human behavior dictated by the flexibility of ones own motivations.

[@gregorylagrange]

I saw this movie a long time ago. Even for people who are considered anti-social, disenfranchised from society, or on the fringes, they still develop rules of structure and codes of conduct that are fundamentals of all societies. Men need a sense of purpose and some way of working towards a performance based goal for sense of identity. I guess it was about using counterintuitive characters to illustrate that. A black man following Samurai codes. Boat building in the middle of the most iconic of urban settings. Nobody makes modern day mafia movies, even though the mafia is still around. They only make romanticized versions no later than the 70s. So obsolete mafia that listens to modern day music that nobody takes seriously finds admiration in being taken out by somebody who does it in a way that reminds them of their own romanticized period. "You shot a woman..."..."A cop, I shot a cop..." A woman who chooses to become a cop gives up her access to chivalry that used to be a code of conduct for men. Don't remember everything about this movie. But good analysis of it.

[@omalleyshepherd2936]

A weakness in the argument regarding one’s identity - your identity changes depending on who you’re with. Further, as with people like LEOs and soldiers esp. SF, if you live long enough to retire from your job…who are you now?

[@ZekuTokairin]

Hold on, pause. I'm not sure by what definition you could call Le Samourai "fast, loud, and flashy." Guns are only fired in two scenes in the movie, one of which you included as a clip. The entire rest of the runtime of the movie is either a quiet character study or a dialogue-less suspense about if the main character will be caught or arrested. I remember not liking Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai when it came out specifically because it felt like a less subtle version of the same story. I'd be a little more generous now, but parts of it still make me roll my eyes a little. They reference the book Rashomon, though the original story about perspective was "In a Grove" because they really want the audience to make the connection with the cinematic Rashomon. That kind of directorial insecurity for "did you see what I did there?" plagues what I think is otherwise a good movie for all the reasons you cite.

[@Godwinsname]

This movie is so incredibly good. I watched it 12 times in the span of 3-4 years about 16 years ago.. I think I'd like to watch it again :)

[@andy4849]

I think that Forest Whitaker is one of the most under-rated actors of our time. His role as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland was terrifyingly believable and truly deserved the Academy Award he won