MFMM004

Bear in mind that moif's favourite movie moments are not in any kind of order, so being nr 4 doesn't mean that this is my fourth favourite movie moment!

The opening title sequence of 'Shôgun Iemitsu no ranshin - Gekitotsu' (Shogun's Shadow), (1989), Directed by Yasuo Furuhata and starring Ken Ogata & Sonny Chiba. I had this film on VHS for years, recorded from late night Danish TV some time during the early 90's. Until then I'd only seen a few Samurai films, and I had none on VHS, so for a long time this was my only source of visual reference. Consequently it was watched many times (I even based the second Ringworld campaign around this film), and despite being utterly ridiculous (note in this clip how the ninja's swing in from ropes suspended apparently in the thin air), or maybe because it is so ridiculous... it became a favourite. The opening sequence was of particular interest, especially the moment (at 2.00 min in the video above) where Ken Ogata drops from the rafters in obligatory slo mo and the music begins. Even today I love that entrance, and I want to be just like Ken Ogata, dropping down from the darkness and drawing out my katana with infinate menace. So cool.

MFMM002 & 3

Two excellent fight scenes, from two very different films. In the first, D'Hubert is sure he is going to die, and his fear is the theme of the scene. From Ridley Scott's masterpiece of cinema; 'The Duellists'. I like this scene because of the way Carradine and Keitel have built up an animosity which lends credibility to D'Huberts fear. He is by far the less aggressive of the two and is motivated only by his sense of honour. One gets the distinct impression that his honour has taken him beyond his own limits and this scene describes the climax of that journey perfectly. Since the film follows D'Hubert and not Feraud, we the audience feel D'Hubert's fear and thus subsequently his elation at winning the duel.



An epic show down from 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'. This is the best Asian combat sequence I've ever seen, partly because both women carry their roles well (and I have a thing for Michelle Yeoh) but mostly because the cinematography is nice and steady and the movements aren't obscured by crazy editing and shaky cameras. I also love when Yeoh picks up the broadsword.

MFMM001

The first of a new category of posts, tributes to moifs favourite movie moments, starts with my oldest favourite scene, and probably one of the best opening scenes in any movie, ever.

Reasoning; Because the scene is made in a way that leaves no doubt as to the setting of the story. You instantly get a feel for what is going on, and the feeling you get is immense power and unstoppable authority. Furthermore, the soundscape begins with a subtle evocation of mystery, then quickens to a majestic maelstrom of violence with howls, explosions, then a Wagnerian march which cements the whole thing in place.

I first saw this when I was ten, and by the time those huge engines had thundered past the camera, I was hypnotized. No matter how bad George Lucas became, that moment will forever secure his place in moifs temple of excellent cinema.