So I was browsing the local video store, looking for something interesting and saw this, with the Samurai part and Japanese-ness of it really standing out (if you don't know I'm a fan of the Japanese "cinema"). So I rented Twilight Samurai kinda on a whim. This movie was nominated for a 2003 Academy Award in the foreign film category so that did give it some credibility when I was reading the box in the store. So what can I say about it? It's probably one of the best Japanese films I've seen, ever. Up there with the best Kurasawa stuff, easy. Don't let the Samurai part fool you, this isn't a movie about fighting or samurai (in the usual sense). It's a movie about a hard working man trying to support his family, two daughters and mother who has trouble remembering him. He is put in a spot where he must make some hard decisions, and they aren't always the right ones, or is there always a "right" decision??? Why this movie hasn't got wider recognition I am not sure. Maybe because the fighting scenes are few and far between. Anyway I don't want to give away any of the plot because you should watch this movie, especially if you are into Japanese movies (historical or otherwise), but anyone will like (or should...). So go check it out... ...I do have one question, in the house Iguchi is sent to find the other man at the end, why are there rocks on on portion of the roof? I mean everthing else is held together so they shouldn't need them to hold it down. I don't know, I'm just wondering...still go watch it.