Chopsticks & Cruise - A Good Mix

Rating: 8/10 (26 June 2004)

Saw this film for the first time last night on full screen VHS at home. Had no great expectations (bought a previously viewed copy yesterday at video store for only five bucks) but friends who saw it in the movie theater had mentioned its powerful energy and vision. Turned out to be a very enjoyable way to spend two and a half hours. A near perfect spiritual journey of a damaged soul to enlightenment. Beautiful photography full of colorful and meaningful images. Well directed and paced by Edward Zwick. Tom Cruise should have been nominated by the Academy for Best Actor and was a great pick for his role. Ken Watanabe truly deserved his Academy nomination for Best Supporting Actor. My Bottom Line: Could have cared less about film's level of historical accuracy but film makes me want to travel to Japan to learn more of the country's and its people's traditions and spiritual teachings. Everyone should see and feel this epic movie.