Spoilers: Don't read if you want to watch "The Last Samurai"

These past few days have been really great. Okay, other than eating good food, there are other things that I enjoyed. The reunion dinner on the eve was steamboat and as usual, Mom's food tastes the best. Had a good rest the following day as I didn't have to do any visiting. Had a family luncheon yesterday with the relatives and scooted off to Ang Mo Kio to meet the other mentors. Went to Jamie's house, then to Gary's, then SF's and lastly KL's house. Finally, we went to watch "The last Samurai" at Jurong Point.

I liked the movie. It has got some historical and other boo boos; Cruise never dies from any bullet wounds (well, the lead can never die prematurely in the show), and romance between an American white man and a Japanese woman in the early 19th century (heck, I don't think there were Americans in Japan then). I realised that I can't remember the Japanese history learned in university. I forgot all about the Tokugawa era and I got all mixed up. Can't believe all the rubbish I was spouting to SF and Gary. Stupid me. My poor old brain.I need to really read more outside of work. Okay, enough of digressing. Back to the movie. I liked the kid who acted as Higen. His name is Sosuke Ikematsu. The way he acted was beyond his age. Like an adult in a child's body. I especially liked this part, after Yoritomo died. :

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INT. YORITOMO'S HOUSE - NIGHT

Algren sits with the family. The boys sit next to their mother.

ALGREN
(subtitles)
...he gave his life to save us. He died bravely.

TAKA
(subtitles)
Thank you, Algren-San.

HIGEN
(subtitles)
Will you fight the white men?

ALGREN
(subtitles)
If they come here, yes.

HIGEN
(subtitles)
Why?

ALGREN
(subtitles)
Because they come to destroy what I have come to love.

Taka looks at him, moved and surprised. Suddenly, Higen jumps up and bolts... out of the room. Algren looks to Taka.

TAKA
(subtitles)
The way of Samurai is difficult for children. He misses his father.

ALGREN
And he is angry because I am the cause of that.

She smiles ever so slightly at his obliviousness.

TAKA
No. He is angry because he fears you will die as well.

EXT. VILLAGE - NIGHT

Higen stands, looking up at the stars.

ALGREN
Higen.

HIGEN
(subtitles)
My father taught me it is glorious to die in battle.

ALGREN
(subtitles)
That is what he believed.

HIGEN
(subtitles)
I would be afraid to die in battle.

ALGREN
(subtitles)
So would I.

HIGEN
(subtitles)
But you have been in many battles.

ALGREN
(subtitles)
And I was always afraid.

Higen looks at him, tears welling in his eyes.

HIGEN
(subtitles)
I don't want you to go.

Algren has no answer. He can only gather the boy up in his arms and hold him.

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Forget how much you think Tom Cruise sucks. His acting is actually okay but Ken Watanabe was way better than just okay. He was absolutely fitting as Katsumoto. SF said Koyuki was like a vase in the movie. I think otherwise. At least she's a better looking vase than many other vases. Other than that, the soundtrack didn't leave much of an impression. No idea why it got a nomination for Golden Globe. Besides all that, I liked the kendo scenes and I liked their village. So peaceful, so surreal.

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Anyway, the visits to the mentors' houses were packed with fun and lots of food. I'm really glad that we are still going strong and important to one another. Having one more outing next week for lou hei. Should be fun. It's a great Chinese New Year!