So we say goodbye to one of the great secrets of cinema to any non-Japanese domestic viewer only. One of the all time greats, with an incredible filmography few can parallel. I mean the man came into cinema in Seven Samurai, just as a bit part, but somehow as essentially the "eighth samurai" a legend was born. A legend that left such an impact defined by his astonishing collaborations with the greatest Japanese directors. With the lesser known Okamoto delivering an all time great turn as one of the most chilling psychopaths on screen, yet with the same director giving such a hilarious weird turn as an unexpected hero in Age of Assassins, then his work with the international legend of Kurosawa, where he brilliantly went toe to toe with Mifune, twice as a proper villain for such a hero as was in Yojimbo, but just as convincing as the good detective in High and Low. And if that was not enough he carried on Mifune's torch with his own unforgettable leading turns in Kurosawa's last two true epics of Kagemusha and of course Ran. But it is with Masaki Kobayashi where Nakadai perhaps made his greatest impact with one of the greatest cinematic trilogies with The Human Condition and of course his heartbreaking yet otherworldly turn in Harakiri. One of the greatest gifts my endeavor has brought me was finding out about this actor Tatsuya Nakadai, where I have marveled again and again at his talents, discovering one gem after another, and while I must say farewell, I will continue to seek the treasure this oh so talented man left behind.
57 comments:
R.I.P. Tatsuya Nakadai.
Nice tribute, Louis.
I recently saw High and Low for the first time and his work really stood out to me - for much of the film he has to be reactive and expository, but he felt completely natural and convincing at every turn - and since Mifune largely disappears in the second half and Yamazaki doesn't appear until the second act, I would argue he's the true lead of the film.
Man, this straight up sucks, but what a career, and what a long life.
What a year... Lost all Lynch, Hackman, and Nakadai in the same year.
RIP to a legend. Thank you for the tribute, Louis.
Fantastic tribute, Louis. A farewell to a generational legend.
R.I.P. Tatsuya Nakadai
Saw the news and instantly thought of the blog. Lovely tribute, Louis. I appreciate the awareness you've brought towards Nakadai's performances, I might've otherwise overlooked Ran had it not been for your review.
RIP Tatsuya Nakadai
RIP Tatsuya Nakadai
Luke, using Louis's Oscar predictions, who do you think are locks for a review in the alternate lineups.
RIP
For Lead
Cooper Hoffman and David Jonsson in The Long Walk
Jesse Plemons in Bugonia
Joel Edgerton in Train Dreams
Lee Byung-Hun in No Other Choice
Josh O'Connor in The Mastermind or Wake Up Dead Man (Not entirely sure where he's gonna be placed) or both
Oscar Isaac in Frankenstein (I think he's the best of the rest thus far)
Sope Dirisu in My Father's Shadow (If he sees it before the deadline)
I'm content with DDL just getting an extended paragraph at this point.
For Supporting
Russell Crowe in Nuremberg
Jack O'Connell in Sinners
I don't know how strong the rest of the saves are.
RIP to The Man himself
RIP Tatsuya Nakadai
RIP Tatsuya Nakadai.
There goes one of the last legends of Japanese cinema. I was very happy when he reclaimed an overall win from Louis with The Human Condition III.
RIP Tatsuya Nakadai.
A true legend.
Rest In Peace.
Rest In Peace also to Sally Kirkland.
RIP Tatsuya Nakadai and Sally Kirkland
RIP Sally Kirkland
RIP Sally Kirkland
What a privilege she had to star in her last fictional film playing herself.
RIP Sally Kirkland
Louis: I'm pleased you really liked Denzel Washington in Man On Fire.
RIP Tatsuya Nakadai and Sally Kirkland.
That last comment was me, Google logged me out for some reason.
RIP Sally Kirkland
Matt: What are your ratings for the cast of Black Christmas (1974).
I have those here but it's been a couple years so I don't really know how much this holds up. https://actoroscar.blogspot.com/2022/12/best-actor-backlog-volume-4.html
Matt: Your thoughts on Hussey.
Luke: Again, I saw it years ago, I really don't remember. I guess I didn't like her.
Luke: Which performances do you think will be covered on the next backlog? I know he might go for the earliest saves/requests.
Harris:
James Woods in Another Day In Paradise
Gian Maria Volonté in The Working Class Goes To Heaven
John Gielgud in Prospero's Books
Stacy Keach in Conduct Unbecoming
Those 4 have been saved for the last year and a half at least.
The last spot is anyone's guess.
I'm most curious about Woods because if he goes up, I think Lillard's win is under serious threat.
Louis, can you please do Heard in Chilly Scenes of Winter for bonus rounds? I’ve had a shitty year and would appreciate it.
The one I'm most looking forward to is John Gielgud, not just cause I requested him, but because that will be a fascinating write up.
Robert: I'd be happy with that. I do however want Nakadai in Kill! for next year's backlog.
Matt: A 1.5 for Hussey lol really, I thought she was trying to play it somewhat realistic as opposed to Keir Overactea lol.
I do agree on Kidder though she was MVP just from that phone call alone lol.
Has anyone decided on their recommendations for December. I'm going with The Illusionist (2010).
Glenn: I'm recommending Treasure Planet (2002), I'll be recommending Les Misérables (2018) next year. I know Tahmeed is picking Devi (1960).
Since there is a new Hunger Games prequel coming out next year, I'm saving Mockingjay Part 2 until then and have decided on a re-watch of Sleepy Hollow (1999). I'd like for Depp to move up somewhat in the ranking and hope it wins Production Design.
Since we're talking about backlog, here are my suggestions:
Tatsuya Nakadai - Kill!
Koji Yakusho - Shall We Dance?
Daniel Day-Lewis - The Crucible
Cillian Murphy - 28 Days Later
Ewan McGregor - The Ghost Writer
I chose Day Lewis and Murphy to anticipate some future analyses of Anemone and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple.
Shaggy: I think he might do Murphy's review just before it's release like he did with Keaton in Beetlejuice.
I'm not certain about DDL for Anemone. There is a story to tell with a review but if it was anybody else, it would be quite unlikely at this point.
Louis: Your Animated Feature prediction and any thoughts you might have on it.
Luke:
If that happens with Murphy, then I'll replace him with Joseph Cotten - The Third Man.
I also agree that if Anemone had another actor, this performance would certainly go unnoticed. But it's DDL, he's the only actor I wanted Louis to analyze all his films, including those of poor quality or with a short screen time, examples like: Gandhi, The Bounty, Stars & Bars, Eversmile New Jersey, and Nine.
Louis: Isn't Otley with Tom Courtenay a 1969 film?
Shaggy: I think what helps DDL's case right now is the Oscars aren't until March 15th so he has more time to do DDL as a bonus if he doesn't make the 10 Lineup and I doubt he'll do a full 10 for Supporting either.
Louis: I agree with Shaggy. Both Wikipedia and IMDB have Otley as 69. I think 68 must've come from the production code.
I'm curious if Louis might come around on my take that his performance as Proctor is all wrong. You do not play John Proctor like Atticus Finch. Also, his big scene is kind of bad.
Robert: I'm honestly convinced that Arthur Miller just doesn't really translate to film period.
Robert: The play John Proctor is the Villain might be of interest to you.
Tony: I'm aware of it.
Luke: I'm not confident there will even be a lineup of 10 for Alt. Best Actor, to be frank.
Glenn: I'll be recommending a TV show, currently trying to choose between The Pitt and The Americans. I've also thought about asking him to rewatch Starman because I'm curious to see if Bridges could go up. Maybe I'll do that as a secondary recommendation for him to do if he has enough time.
Louis: Your cast & director for…
1970s Die My Love
1970s Ballad of a Small Player
2000s Caught Stealing
Glenn: Richard Curtis directed one movie i enjoy all the way through. The Boat That Rocked (2009) (some countries call it "Pirate Radio", but that title is boring as sin!)
It's Emtertaining, hilariously funny, still emotionally resonant and has a godlike soundtrack. Most everybody in that film has something to do, but no one quite enough to request a review, so i'll put it here
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