Samurai Ayothaya - The Samurai of Ayothaya

Samurai Ayothaya - The Samurai of Ayothaya
Thailand (2010)
Starring:  Seigi Ozeki, Kanokkorn Jaicheun, Sorapong Chatree
Awards:  2011 National Film Association Award (Best Score) - Thailand National Film Association Award

Finally months of patience and perseverance have paid off and I was able to acquire a subtitle file for this movie enabling me to watch it and more to the point: write this review.

The Samurai of Ayothaya is an interesting movie to me.  It loosely follows part of the life of the historic figure Yamada Nagamasa.  In history Yamada became the Govenor of the Nakhori Si Thammarat province.  In the movie Yamada became one of the elite warriors from the Ayothaya province.

Betrayed by his countrymen and left for dead Yamada is saved by an enemy tribe and slowly brought back to health.  He finds tranquility and identity with his saviors and decides to stay after his recovery.

This movie has some really cool fight scenes.  There is this humorous tone to the movie that muay thai is the be all end all of martial arts and is the destroyer of all other forms.  What else should I expect from a Thai movie though.  I don't think the history portrayed in this movie is close to accurate, but I'm okay with that.  The choreography of the martial arts is pretty good in this movie.  The scenes are really cool - including the full moon festival.  The movie served it's purpose of entertainment.  I enjoyed watching it.

Aragami

Aragami
2003
Japan
Starring:  Takao Ohsawa, Massaya Kato, Kanae Uotani

Have you ever seen a movie that takes place in 1 room?  This whole movie takes place inside a remote mountain temple.  You will certainly not have a problem following the cast in this movie.  There are only 3 main characters and 1 or 2 others.

Aragami, for those sword and weapon loving martial arts fans, is a movie that one should see.  I don't recall it being overly impressive, however, the story is decent - even though it can be understood very early on in the movie.  It's a movie I wouldn't rush out and try to buy, but it's a nice reserve when you just feel like a little action with few other complications.  Check it out.  Alcohol plays a funny part in this movie too.

Quote:  Now this liquor is from a land called Russia.  They call it vodka.  It's pretty strong.