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Akira Kurosawa's Dreams Actors: Akira Terao, Mitsuko Baisho Directors: Ishirô Honda, Akira Kurosawa Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen Format: Color, Widescreen Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Running Time: 120 minutes Studio: Warner Home Video Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Region Code: 1 Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-03-18 Buy from Amazon |
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From Amazon.com Produced with assistance from George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Dreams is an omnibus of eight short stories and parables that spell enchantment at every turn. The opening story, "Sun Under the Rain," emerges from director Akira Kurosawa's personal memories, as a child (whose house is modeled after Kurosawa's childhood home in Koishikawa) witnesses a fox's wedding ceremony in a magical forest. The Garden of Eden motif continues in "The Peach Orchard," while Lucas's ILM special effects group shines in the glorious "Crows" segment, in which an art admirer finds himself living within the paintings of Van Gogh (played with concentrated energy by Kurosawa enthusiast Martin Scorsese). In the idyllic closing fable, "The Village of the Watermills," a centenarian claims that "people nowadays have forgotten that they are also part of nature." The equally wise Kurosawa reinforces the old man's claim through these vivid but ultimately life-affirming tableaux. --Kevin Mulhall From Description One of the most visionary, deeply personal works in the 60-year career of the master behind Rashomon, The Seven Samurai and Ran. Featuring eight episodes rich in imagery and insight (and casting MARTIN SCORSESE as a feisty Vincent Van Gogh), it explores the costs of war, the perils of nuclear power and especially humankind's need to harmonize with nature. You will be enchanted ... and enthralled. |
 "I like Peaches"There was a kid who's momma wouldn't let him in the house and another one who talked to peaches. There was a soldier and a mountain climber and a demon. The chemicals killed everybody but the old man took his time and that is why he was so happy. It was a great movie but I couldn't understand what they were saying. "complete perfection."The most beautiful film I have ever seen. Each story touches and effects my perception of everything in the world.I cannot attach words to the feelings this film brings out in me. Absolute perfection!!!!! "Dreams by Kurosawa"I can't wait to get it on DVD. I copied it on VHS years ago. The short stories are absolutely incredible. It is hard to pick one out. But I especially enjoyed the funeral parade with the goofy marching band and the wind mills with the passing traveler chatting with the old man who lost someone special. If you are a film buff, you have to watch this film of short stories. The visuals of all of the short stories and the simple music will take you away. And he subtley presented in extraordinary color is going to nearly put you to sleep in the wonderful presentation. Be prepared for the tale of the boy and the foxs'wedding. If you have a weak heart, you better not watch. I cried my eyes out on that one. Don't worry. There was no gore. The story tells itself. Kurosawa remains a legend. I can't think of a finer example of his work than this film of short stories. He can take the simple and make it beautiful and restful. He can take the complicated and make one think and be disturbed. I suppose we pick and choose what we like about his films. I like the story of the boy that ignored his mother's warning and him crying in the rain. I found the funeral parade to be especially delightful because I always enjoy a parade as a former band member. The melody they played was so simple I couldn't stop laughing. It reminded me of the march of the soldiers at the witches castle in 'The Wizard of Oz'. I have to go back to that film and recall that story. I think the old man chatting with the young stranger was speaking about an former love that was in the funeral procession. I need to go back and watch this film I pirated years ago. I ordered a DVD copy. But, I can't resist enjoying that short story right now. I recommend it. And, if I ever get to pronouncing Kurosawa once, I will be happy. I keep trying to put an 'I' in it! I am an English Canadian raised in San Diego. I can speak fluent Spanish with absolutely correct inflect. But, I really don't have the ambition to conquer all of the Asian languages. Just try to say 'Hello' to anyone in Asia without accidently calling them a cow. I am not kidding. Of course, they would laugh and forgive and be polite and shake your hand. Pearls of the earth. In France they would laugh and show you the door with a kick. Cowards in France. Sorry for my editorial opinion. But, I don't believe France has been respected before I was even born. I think it is going to be a long road for them to regain respect in world society. Good grief, I went on a tangent. I love Kurosawa's legacy of work. "No others quite like it!"A film to watch over and over. The haunting quality of many of the scenes have stayed with me for years. (I have the VHS version).  "Childhood Dreams"Interestingly, my 3 year old daught and 4 year old son are totally mesmerized by Kurosawa's "Dreams." They like to watch it repeatedly, and it has opened up some truly neat discussions on mysticism, war & peace, beauty & art. We are a multi-cultural family (Mom is LA Woman originating in El Salvador, Dad is nurse-anthropologist from an IA farm, traveling to our home in Northern California via China). I love watching this and puzzling through the layers of meaning and symbolism. Thanks. |
