I just saw an awesome movie
Sword of Doom. The cinematography is wonderful, the use of chiaroscura... zowie. and the sound effects are unforgettable.
I say I liked as much as the 7 Samuarai... execpt the ending is slightly, how do I say... sentimental.
Kinda like a Kurosawa without the Shakespeare.
The movie works as a study into karma. It also explores the self and its interaction with tools... how each shapes the other (pun intended, doubly so).
The ending is also very open, I enjoyed it, but I also enjoyed
Smilla's Sense of Snow. And many people didn't like either for the same reasons. which makes me feel like a weirdo. (aside: my wife, Shannon, is reading over my shoulder and has announced "THATS what makes you feel like a weirdo? Not the ability to quote any Ghostbuster's line, at will, given any prompting?!?").
I think Kierkegaard may have ended up like this if he were a samurai... foaming at the mouth and cutting down the danish church.