The Last Samurai
I’m currently ploughing through Feist and Wurts’ Empire Trilogy, which is a damn good read. The Empire Trilogy is set on Kelewan, a society largely based on Japanese culture, central to which is the concept of honour. One of its major themes is how Kelewan struggles to come to grips with social progression and crumbling tradition, brought on by interplanetary influences. The Last Samurai is a really nice period piece, set in the late 19th century, where international influences and scheming bureaucrats who lack any honour at all have all but swept away the old Samurai order. The movie evoked deep respect for the passing of the old ways, but also sadly acknowledged that the modern age makes such change necessary. Recommended.
2:38am (GMT +11.00) tomorrow 
:: big nod :: An extremely good movie. Not to mention you get to see Tom Cruise getting the snot beat out of him time and again. And, at one point in the filming, he actually nearly was decapitated because someone’s mechanical horse broke and the rider almost sliced his head right off.
My only quibble with the movie was that, once the basic plot elements of honour vs politics, Cruise’s Samurai “conversion”, etc were in place, the rest of the movie was stunningly predictable. Great to watch, but formula is formula.
While, when you consider the television commericals it becomes even more painfully obvious once you watch him “convert.”
At least it remained enjoyable and well-done after it became obvious.
cut off the last 10mins
tom has been shot to death by a minigun, yet in the next scene there he is again… just die dammit!!