Kurosawa Double Header at the Paramount

While RASHOMON has always been a favorite of mine with it's four different versions of a horrific event the real winner tonight was HIGH AND LOW.  This is an old fashioned crime thriller/cop movie filled with  social commentary and absolutely exquisite acting.  Watching a family in the early 60's whose lives are torn apart by a kidnapping and the ethical dilemmas presented them when they learn it's the chauffeur's son rather than their own who is kidnapped is riveting.  I learned more about Japanese culture, character, social strata from this film than any history lesson I'd ever received in school.  Kurosawa is a master filmmaker.  His shot of junkies in a heroin den was so authentic and gruesome, while shots of an upper class home were beautiful and stylized.  His actors wardrobes were meticulous and I just loved the shots of cops sweating in their shirtsleeves working hard to figure out a crime for the sake of bringing honor back to a man who felt shamed. We both loved this film and getting out on Congress to the ROAR of motorcycles and their drivers parading up the strip ended a perfect night of character driven experience.