It’s late and I’m having difficulty getting my portfolio posted. It’s all done (pretty much) and ready to roll. I probably need some sleep seeing it’s fast approaching midnight and I will turn into a rotten little pumpkin any minute. Anyway, I have to share this tidbit while I have the energy left because this has been on my mind. The tidbit is a review of one of my favorite samurai series ever. EVER!

So let me introduce to you… Lone Wolf and Cub!

Ogami Itto works for the Shogun and is the highly respected official executioner. After executing the infant Lord, the Yagyu Shadow-Clan murders Itto’s wife and servants, setting him up as a betrayer of the Shogun. Ogami Itto then vows to walk the earth as a demon, becoming an assassin for hire until he avenges his wife’s death and destroys the Yagyu Shadow-Clan. He then gives his infant son the choice between a colorful ball or a sword. Mesmerized, his son Diagoro crawls toward the sword, letting his bloodline choose for him, sparing him a death by his fathers sword.

It’s taken me a long time to review this series. There are a total of six DVD’s and each one brought to me the satisfaction and validation of being a Samurai film lover. There must be something magical about the fountains of blood ejecting from a decapitation. Or perhaps its the light-speed force of a sword that leaves a blood-spattered trail of butchered carcasses in it’s path. But there is something unusual about this Samurai series that is unlike any other - Ogami Itto brings with him his infant son, Diagoro, on these murderous rampages.

Don’t be intimidated by the fact it premiered in 1972. The storyline is solid steel and the fight scenes have been imitated in the more mainstream samurai films of today. Lone Wolf and Cub is bad ass even by today’s standards and will bring a smile to your face as the blood-spattered landscape unfolds before your eyes. Readily available on Netflix this is a must see for all fans of Samurai cinema.

Since I am no longer writing DVD reviews for 8.5 Magazine, I’m going to start dropping some short reviews right here on my site. This will be the first of many reviews to come. So let me waste no time here and dig in.

Last night I watched a historically epic movie for those foreign film fans out there. The film is called “Curse of the Golden Flower”. The setting takes place around 1000 years ago during the Tang Dynasty. The film clearly intends to reflect this lavish era of excess, and is flanked in a lush, colorful tapestry that I haven’t seen since the films, “Hero”, “House of Flying Daggers” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. The films director, Yimou Zhang, brought his trademark stamp and masterful storytelling into a visual spectacle that glistens like gold.

The story itself, revolves around the emperor and his family, a web of diabolical plots, internal rebellion, and the intent to squelch the iron fist of the emperors rule. The climax of the film left me in awe because of it’s surprising twists. That’s all I’m saying without giving away anything more. If you are fan of legendary film-making coupled with fantastic storytelling, give this movie the opportunity to dazzle and entertain you.

Don’t listen to the other reviewers, judge for yourself and form your own opinion.