Watch Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai For Free

Simply Perfect

Memorable, crazy movie

Great Film overall

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Entertaining film, but badly miscast in my opinion. I couldn't take the nearly 40 year old Forest Whitaker seriously in either the hit-man or samurai context. Isaach De Bankole was great though, lost in translation with his ice cream. I think the film would have worked better if these actors had swapped roles... The mafia guys were either ridiculously cliched or bizarrely comical. The greatest scenes were heavily inspired by better films. The emotional moments fell a bit flat for me, the ending especially didn't hold the weight if should have.

Disclaimer: My boys are almost in high school, so I'm watching certain films with them as some sort of cross between the Criterion Collection and the old ABC Afterschool Specials. My tastes may not apply with your superior parenting skills, so check the advisory....especially if language, sex, violence or puns disturb you.The notion of a code of honor drew me to this film, even though neither I nor my boys have watched any Samurai cinema. I just thought Forrest Whitaker was great in this, and so many other films. I forgot about the mob fixation on cartoons (maybe softens the violence, or in my mind at least lampoons America's love of goons).The modes of communication here are excellent, carrier pigeons *and* a friendship between Ghost Dog and the ice cream man on the same wavelength but only meeting in subtitles. The little readings from the booklet Ghost Dog carries helped to reinforce the Afterschool vibe. But as I recall some were a bit more obscure, so maybe a sideways portal into zen? Perhaps the morality play is here is just about mortality. Or better yet about a just mortality. Boys dug it, so success on that front.

Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker), is a hired assassin for the Italian mafia, who follows the code of 'The Way of the Samurai'. When a hit goes wrong the mafia points the finger at Ghost Dog, and so continues a little game of war between a skilled assassin and his former Italian mafia employers. Directed by Jim Jarmusch, (one of the greatest independent directors of all time) this film was made for 2 million dollars and grossed 9 million dollars in the box office. The film was in competition for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and best picture at the Independent Spirit Awards. Most people were most likely turned off by the title of the film as I was at first. And it is a true shame because this was a fantastic film; as weird as the plot of the story may be the film is a blend of hip hip, rap, and ghetto with an Eastern Asian, assassin story. It's an odd blend that works and makes for an interesting story. The character of Ghost Dog, played beautifully by Forest Whitaker, reads the 'Way of the Samurai' and follows it's codes and rules as a way of life. Ghost Dog lives off the grid on the roof of a banged up apartment and has no communication other than his messenger pigeons which he uses to contact his employers. Ghost Dog's only friend (his best friend), is Raymond (Isaach de Bankolé), a man who sells ice cream in his ice cream truck. Raymond speaks French, and can't even utter a word of English, which is quite comedic when Dog and he attempt to communicate with each other. Even though they don't understand what each other say they share a hobby in chess, and like ice cream. Their uncommon friendship is very beautiful, and made me think about the relationships I have with others around me. Jarmusch delivers a great film that needs to be seen. "Ghost Dog: the Way of the Samurai" is one of those film that's so unique and original that it stands out in the crowd out of dozens of other movies.

Ghost Dog (Forest Whitaker) dutifully follows Hagakure, The Way of the Samurai. He lives in a rundown shack with his pigeons. He's a hit-man for local mafia guy Louie (John Tormey) who saved his life 8 years ago. Louie puts out a hit on Handsome Frank. GD kills him but the daughter Louise (Tricia Vessey) of the mafia boss Ray Vargo (Henry Silva) is there to witness it. Louie has to get rid of GD to avoid being involved in a made man's murder. The problem is that Louie only communicates with GD through the pigeons. GD's best friend is the french speaking ice cream man Raymond (Isaach De Bankolé). Little Pearline makes friends with GD. The mobsters start killing any black pigeon handlers and they kill all his birds. He has to take on the mob but he can't take out his master Louie and the girl Louise.It's mobsters and samurai. No, it's not Tarantino. In fact, it's far from Tarantino. The action is not as cool. It's functional 90s action with a particular cheesy visual effect. The moment when the mob guys confront Louie about his hit man is rather telling. Jim Jarmusch seems to be trying to be funny there but he doesn't have the snappy Tarantino dialog. The weird stuff he does better like the french ice cream man. I stop paying attention to the non-sensical Samurai philosophy but it adds to a surreal feel to the movie. A lot more surrealism would be better and more to Jarmusch's wheelhouse. This is a great idea with an OK execution.