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Taboo Director: Nagisa Oshima Number of Items: 1 Format: Color, Widescreen Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Running Time: 100 minutes Studio: New Yorker Video Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2002-08-20 Buy from Amazon

Customer Reviews: Total numer of reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.0 "Another master piece of Oshima trivializing death and sex" Gohatto is the law, or the code. In this magnificent piece from the master of cinema Oshima Nagisa, Gohatto means something like a marshal law. With or without knowledge of the Shinsengumi, the movie offers plenty to viewers who like plots based upon samurai stories. However, instead of the fighting scenes on the battle fields like most of the stereotypical samurai movies, this one is ever so contriving about the human within the samurai with their physical and spiritual projections towards life, death and sex. Kano was portrayed as an utterly handsome youth recruited as a new member of the militia, who was inevitably attracted by a number of other militia members. Whirled within all these conflicting feelings among the wooers, Kano appeared to be composed and cold, with a sole goal towards the "right to kill". Tashiro, the rumored only lover of Kano, was suspected of killing another samurai, Yuzawa, who courted Kano as well and assaulted sergeant Yamazaki. Commando Kondo ordered him to be executed by the hands of Kano with captain Hijikata and lieutenant Soji watching afar. The movie ends with a surreal setting of the wilderness, with drizzling rains and smoky air where Soji and Hijikata exchanged their premise about love among men. Kano was finally able to execute Tashiro and retreated, likely with Soji. With his narration, Hijikata objected the evil behind Kano's beauty which was not only to woo the men in the militia, but also to lead the wish to violate the samurai codes. Stymied a beautifully blossomed cheery tree in one swift swing of his sword, Hijikata's mind was made to crush the beauty so as to preserve the sacred code of samurai. "Well filmed and directed" Interesting account of homosexuality in a group of samauri. What got me the most was the effect that the gay relationship had on the samauri as a group and as individuals. Also the growing pressure on the young and beautiful swordsman who was so inexperienced sexually. The swordplay was done well and the sets and camera work were excellant. Fine acting all around. "Shadows and Light" This film displays the use of photography as film better than any other living director. Watch The Royal Tennenbaums or Element of Crime and you think that every shot is a photograph. Watch Madadayo, Ran, or The Celebration and every shot is an emotion. Watch Taboo and every shot is a wood engraving on an antique piece of Japanese furniture. An effect that cannot be said about any other film without possible consideration of Seven Samurai or Sanjuro. Oshima has taken a simple piece of homoerotic film and has made a Jarman-like transcendance to something more. And that is all I should have to say. This is not just a film, it is something more. A good story alone is a book, and a good story with brilliant scenery is enlightening. You are seeing the reason why someone decided to give pictures motion. This is not one of the best films I have seen, but is one of the most beautiful pictures I have every spent a few hours looking at. "Also a big Takeshi fan, but..." ...I wish I had as many positive things to say about the film. I really wanted to like it. I'd heard nothing but good things about director Oshima and his films, especially In the Realm of the Senses. I was also drawn to this as a Takeshi Kitano fan. In the end, however, I couldn't get past the poor acting of the Kano and Tashiro characters. Fortunately, the film has a few talented actors and comedians that make up for it. There are also a few entertaining moments like when Takeshi tries to encourage Kano to switch to the straight path. Also, the swordplay throughout the film is very well done. Recommended with some reservations. "Captivating" This is a really interesting film that captivates your attention from the beginging. The dramatic actions of the characters speak for the movie itself. It's written narraration was a bit choppy but that did not bother me since I was to engrossed with seeing what would happen next. And the ending.....well, see for yourself! :)