HawaiiStories: Blood of the Samurai TV Series

March 22, 2004

Blood of the Samurai TV Series

It chopped it's way from theaters to television (OC16), but how does the Blood of the Samurai TV Series rate with local audiences?

The film is being praised for it's accomplishments on a shoestring budget, boasting such pretentious reviews as "Bombastic!" and even being paralleled to Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill -- but, that hasn't stopped a few local residents from taking a stab or two at it. If you think my corny puns are bad, then wait'll you get a load of the unbearable stuff in Blood of the Samurai.

Regarding the movie version, locals on Amazon.com have said:

"This movie won the Hawaiian International Film Festival award for best film soley because supposedly it was the only film at that time in the category...This movie is painful to watch..."

and also "As a local indie filmmaker and supporter, I don't understand how a film can be "shot" so badly..."

But what about the TV series?
Newly christened with a more than feasable budget to pump out six half-hour episodes, the filmmakers finished their task at hand. But, how has the once low-brow faux action flick rated amongst you?

Posted by Cheyne at March 22, 2004 05:11 PM

Comments

Posted by helen on March 22, 2004 8:14 PM:

I never watched the original movie and only taped the first two episodes but the plot hole that stands out is the sansei only speaks in Japanese but seems to understand English that the others speak and likewise the others who speak in English can understand what the sansei is saying (unless they are watching the English subtitles too).

Posted by cheyne on March 23, 2004 8:27 AM:

This is true. While some may find it fascinating and will remind others that it's fiction, it is annoying.

It's another good example of how the directors had a gimmick (in this case Ban Daisuke of Kikaida fame) and exploited it with no logic or reason.

Posted by sin on March 23, 2004 3:34 PM:

never seen it myself, concept looks interesting though. then again, i think Local Kine Grindz is a fun show to watch once in a while.

Posted by cheyne on March 23, 2004 3:42 PM:

The show only looks good when it's chopped into a 5 second commercial. I can't even begin to tell you how dissapointing the actual movie is.

If you ever decide to rent/buy the movie, be sure to take a dramamine beforehand so you don't get motion sickness. Horrendous cinematography on top of everything else...

Posted by Ryan on March 24, 2004 4:32 PM:

The style, which I know was intentional, is not my cup of tea, but they get major kudos for actually creating something. Aren't you doing independent video production, Cheyne? No one's going to be making the next "Clerks" anytime soon, but I'd rather encourage these efforts rather than discourage them.

I was a friend of a friend of several "Sleepless"/Vertov Industries folks. Again, I didn't always love their stuff, but I watched and cheered 'cause they were out there doing what I only fantasized about doing.

All I want to know is, why are these efforts - whether locally or maybe it's a broader phenomenon - always emphatically dark or violent or counterculture. I'm sure "mainstream" is a bad word for many fledgeling filmmakers, but if I had the time and resources, I'd love to see a locally made, robust and intelligent drama, or mystery, or even romantic comedy. Something, anything, between the idiocy of "Da Bruddahs" and the blood-gushing antics of "Pieces of Chloe."

Posted by cheyne on March 24, 2004 4:40 PM:

I know exactly what you mean Ryan.

Hawaii is yearning and begging for intelligent films made here -- movies made by big production companies that only come here to shoot a romance or dinosaur scene don't count.

I'm happy to report that the Sleepless series has been evolving over the years into the types of films people want to see. I say "types" because it's a potent mixture of drama, fiction, action and adventure. It's a multi-platform genre, a term we at Vertov Industries are trying to make the new "mainstream". The Sleepless Series now boasts action with the right pinch of drama. Dramas with the right singe of comedy and intrigue. It makes you stand up and cheer, but also think about the deep lessons entangled within each plot.

Let me know when you're ready for them, I've got some DVD's you can borrow of our latest epics. As for TV-play, we're working on getting the series back on at an earlier time.

Posted by Ryan on March 24, 2004 7:51 PM:

Ah, that's right. You're working with Vertov v5.32b! So, I suppose the glee in quoting the negative reviews of BOTS isn't entirely objective.

DVDs, hmm? Big time! Is the new Sleepless Series airing on OC16 (earlier time or not)?

Posted by R-Lan on March 24, 2004 10:46 PM:

I had always wanted to like BotS, but unfortunately it didn't hold my attention for long. A shame too, since I met one of the villian extras a couple of weeks ago.

I agree that it's quite an accomplishment that they created the series and hope they build upon that.

I didn't mind the sensei/other characters dialogue funkiness, but I did have a gripe with their kunoichi. If you're gonna make a female ninja, she deng well better be good at it. We do NOT need another Talisa Soto.

Cheyne, back when Sleepless was on earlier, I always made it a point to check it out, friends and family never understood what I liked about it. Then again, neither did I, but it was fun. Hope you do get earlier airtime!

Posted by Sin on March 25, 2004 3:32 PM:

I thought those were korean soap operas?

Posted by cheyne on March 25, 2004 3:37 PM:

I believe they show both Korean and Japanese. Kinda like how channel five is both the WB and KFIVE.

Posted by Sin on March 25, 2004 7:08 PM:

by the way cheyne, i'm looking at taking either an acting or script writing class at UH this summer just for fun. any suggestions?

Posted by Raym on April 20, 2004 1:11 AM:

Whatup, Cheyne!!! Raymond from GroundOne in da houzus! Been a while since I've spoken to you, brohiem. Hope things are well.... Hmm, Blood of Sam, Blood of Sam...What to say about blood of Sam...Not much, really; you already posted my comment from The Amazon. I had to tone it down though, seeing how the guys thought it was too mean, butt hey! It's only because we love, eh?

I heard the series was really meant to be a movie at first, maybe that explains the script's fat plot snots. Hey, you, listen to this and stare with wide eyes: I also heard that since the series did so well, there's gonna be more Blood of Sam, AND, the director's creating a "ninja" show. Will these be any good?

Along with Sleepless and G1, atleast we're seeing more Hawaii-based fiction on air. And that, is a good thing.

Or is it? (scary music)

Posted by Sara on April 22, 2004 12:45 AM:

Wow! I was surprised that you dissed Blood of the Samurai so much. I think it's only because you’re a filmmaker yourself and you’re jealous at the fact that this show had so much success. Don’t be jealous. If I were you, I would support this show and learn from it because it’s not easy to make a film and it’s not easy writing a script. Plus, imagine if you had to write a series, film it, and edit it before a certain deadline. I’m sure they expected to make the series a lot better, but it was probably hard because they were under a lot of pressure. Besides, what did you expect from a low budget film? This isn’t a Hollywood movie.

Posted by cheyne on April 22, 2004 9:20 AM:

Oh Sara, Sara, Sara....

How much more obtuse can you be?

You're right, it's not easy to make a film. My film crew and I know because, surprise! we make films ourselves!

Sure, it's not easy to write a script, but I'm bitching because the series delivers such hackneyed lines as:

"I wish he knew it wasn't me trying to kill him, but the sword..."

And another surprise!
We have written episodic films, edited it, and also premiered it in time for our deadlines! Besides, you should never let your time constraints be your alibi for making a crappy product. There have been far more successful High-School Projects I've seen that have been filmed in one week. And I'm sure they had no budget either.

And you're right, this is no Hollywood machine. We understand that because we are doing the exact same thing, but better. Our budgets are much more miniscule compared to their $10K an episode financing (and really, I think that disqualifies the justification that it was due to a low-budget that the end-product was crappy).

What do we expect?
For starters, we expect unbiased success. We want to see a low-budget movie that wins the HIFF not because they're good friends with Anderson Le (who runs the show), but because the movie was great.

Posted by Paul on May 3, 2004 5:06 PM:

I must say I love and appreciate all the comments on this site. Being the Producer of the movie and getting ready to help Produce season 2 of the series, it is always good food for thought what works and doesn't. This movie/series was always just about filmmakers getting out and doing it. We've been fortunate to have distribution here, thailand, indonesia, parts of japan and europe. I just think any filmmakers or those wanting to try it- GO OUT AND DO IT.... Thanks for the support of local product!!!

Posted by carolyn on May 3, 2004 9:53 PM:

Just to clarify a comment that i read about these movie makers winning because they are friends with Anderson Le, this is not true these local film maker met at Hiff and won in a category that was strictly for local product. Also to help with your history lesson the previous 20 years of Hiff the winner was Hawaiian related stories only. The truth is moive making at any level is about the passion, the creativity, and the people.

How disrepectfull is it when the criticism is directed at the who knows whom and not the perception of the product.

Posted by tiny on May 4, 2004 1:07 AM:

Way to stick up for yourself Paul! And you do it with class. You're right... so easy for others to sit at home on their recliners and critique. And if you have to "claim to be" a great producer and pat yourself on the back, then you may be just a little insecure. Hey Sara... don't let that mean "producer" upset you... your point was awesome and positive... Don't stoop down to that level. It's all about living this short life on earth and having fun until you can make it to the next level... heaven... all this other stuff here is so trivial. So relax all you "OC16/movie/TV personality" bashers... and just enjoy. If you don't like it... use the remote... that's what Oceanic gave it to you for... freedom of choice. Still, I love all your comments... as it's publicity for us all... keep 'um coming... just wanted to give some advice so you don't come off as lolo sounding as you do.

Posted by cheyne on May 5, 2004 9:53 AM:

The truth is moive making at any level is about the passion, the creativity, and the people.

The people you know, apparently matter a lot. You see, we've been entering the HIFF and other hawaii-based competitions for over six years now. Rejections come in the form of generic letters that can't state specifics about what our films lack.

Was it the technical inferiority? Well then, I really don't think Blood of the Samurai should have won. Basically, we've been rejected with no rhyme or reason as to why.

It's not because we're new at this. No, we've been making full-scale movies in Hawaii since 1989. All with no budget, except what we had in our own pockets, not some outrageous amount given to us by some cable company.

Despite having won awards in other states (best entertainment series, etc.) no recognition has come from Hawaii. The closest was when Tiny Tadani interviewed us for the morning news back when he was a mere newscaster.

The point is, there is a huge discrepancy taken when faced with our intelligent brand of fiction drama and the low-brow brand of fiction of Blood of the Samurai.

Posted by tiny on May 5, 2004 3:13 PM:

Thank goodness for "Freedom Of Speech." Point well taken. I think opinions in a positive manner is taken easier... and probably for a better ending product... for all of us.

Posted by Paul on May 8, 2004 10:01 PM:

For all filmmakers that want to get into HIFF, win awards, or get distributed... It won't happen until you let wanting those things go.

We never expected or even tried to get into HIFF, which is why we did. It is all intention. Those who want success to say they have it-won't find it. Those who just love it will find nothing but success.

Thanks to all. lets keep making films and learning from each other.

Posted by Me on May 10, 2004 11:27 PM:

This Sucks.

Posted by mark fujiyama on July 1, 2004 1:11 AM:

I did happen to see the movie in question, it was so bad it was compelling, if just to see how bad it could get. I dislike the argument that "we're out there doing it and that's a heck of a lot better than sitting on the couch" argument. It'd be alright if it was oh say, a rock garden in your private backyard that you created so you could say, "there it's done". But when you assemble a collective audience to watch your art, you had better be ready for the onslaught if it ain't up to par. I can excuse the cinematography(yes I have a degree in video production and have produced professionally), what's inexcusable was the elementary script(yes I have written and have had my work produced), and the almost no direction of the actors constantly indicating(yes I have been in film and on stage before). It broke the first commandment of storytelling: "don't be boring!". It was beyond boring, it was painful.

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Blood of the Samurai TV Series

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