Dreams and Shadows (2009)
Actors:
Yoshi Ando (actor),
Joseph Darden (actor),
Robert Dolan (actor),
James Gibler (actor),
Cody Hamilton (actor),
Sean Ridgway (actor),
James Russo (actor),
Londale Theus (actor),
Shawn-Caulin Young (actor),
Kathy Christopherson (actress),
Julie Clark (actress),
Natalie Garcia Fryman (actress),
Mary Mackey (actress),
Alex Cohen (producer),
Tamarat Makonnen (producer),
Plot: Billy is a teenage outcast in search of his life's true meaning. Day by day, he slaves away at the local burger joint, only to return home to a paraplegic father, whose own dreams of happiness have faded away in an alcoholic haze. Nonetheless, Billy tries to bond with his delusional father, but cannot break through the many layers of pain and regret that surround him. Frustrated, Billy longs to escape the dead-end existence that has engulfed his father, and now appears to be closing in on him as well. It's only within the confines of his small bedroom that Billy truly feels alive. Closing his eyes, he allows his vivid imagination to take over, sweeping him away from his bleak surroundings, and into a world of fantasy. In his dreams, Billy is no longer the misfit, but a brave warrior roaming freely. Along with his best friend Sarah, Billy travels blissfully through this imaginary world, only to awaken once again to the grim reality he struggles so hard to escape. In an attempt to rejuvenate his father, Billy hatches a plot to seek revenge on the man who allegedly crippled his father many years ago. This decision puts Billy face to face with the one thing he has yearned for so long to attain: a purpose. As Billy embarks on his mission, he soon finds that things aren't always what they seem, as his mission for revenge may ultimately become a mission for his very own survival.
Keywords: dream, outcast, samurai, shadow
Genres:
Drama,
Fantasy,
Taglines: For the sake of good there are those who will do bad.
Pacific Overtures (1976)
Actors:
Ernest Abuba (actor),
Ernest Abuba (actor),
James Dybas (actor),
James Dybas (actor),
James Dybas (actor),
Kenneth S. Eiland (actor),
Kenneth S. Eiland (actor),
Kenneth S. Eiland (actor),
Timm Fujii (actor),
Timm Fujii (actor),
Timm Fujii (actor),
Timm Fujii (actor),
Timm Fujii (actor),
Haruki Fujimoto (actor),
Ernest Abuba (actor),
Genres:
Musical,
Quotes:
Reciter: A haiku: The hand which feeds it grudgingly, is the first hand the dog will bite. [grins] If it ever gets the chance.
Reciter: Yes! The arrangement of the bows. First, for the Emperor, descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, all-knowing and all-powerful, ruler absolute! One year old. Second, for the Shogun, protector of the kingdom, keeper of the peace. Seldom seen. Third, for the Lords of the South, vassals to the Shogun, loyal to their master. Not for long.
Reciter: Nippon! The floating kingdom! An island empire, which for centuries has lived in perfect peace, undisturbed by intruders from across the sea. Here, in the month of July, Eighteen hundred and fifty three, there is nothing to threaten the serene, and changeless cycle of our days.
Reciter: [sung] In the middle of the world we float/ in the middle of the sea/ The realities remain remote/ in the middle of the sea. Kings are burning somewhere/ Wheels are turning somewhere/ Trains are being run, wars are being won, things are being done/ Somewhere out there - not here. Here we paint screens; Yes! The arrangement of the screens. [claps] We sit inside the screens/ and contemplate the view/ that's painted on the screens/ more beautiful than true/ And no one presses in/ and no one glances out. And kings are burning somewhere - not here!
Reciter: A haiku: A gift unearned, and unexpected, often has a hidden price.
Fisherman: I was standing on the beach, near the cliffs of Oshima/ I was spreading out the nets for the morning sun/ It was early in July, and the day was getting hot, so I stopped to wipe my eyes, and by accident I turned - and looked out to sea... And there came, breaking through the mist... roaring through the sea... four black dragons! Spitting fire! And I ran/ cursing through the fields/ calling the alarm/ shouting to the world/ Four black dragons! Spitting fire! And the earth trembled, and the sky cracked, and I thought it was the end of the world!
Reciter: They come from a land of mystery, behind the setting sun - Barbarians with hooked noses, like mountain imps, giants with coarse hair and faces gray as the dead. Americans! Look how they glare! Look how they aim their sorcerer's weapons directly at us. Oh look! Their leader, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry! Surely he is the king of the demons, come to strike us blind and devour our children! In this desperate hour, who will save Japan?
Shogun's Mother: It's the day of the rat, my lord. There are four days remaining, and I see you're entertaining, but we should have a chat, my lord. To begin, if I may, my lord; I've no wish to remind you, but you'll notice just behind you there are ships in the bay, they've been sitting there all day with a letter to convey and they haven't gone away, and there's every indication that they're planning to stay my lord. Have some tea my Lord, some chrysanthemum tea, it's an herb that's superb for disturbances at sea. Is the shogun feeling better? Good, now what about this letter? Is it wise to delay my lord? With the days disappearing might we benefit from hearing what the soothsayers say, my lord?
Shogun's Mother: It's the day of the ox, my lord. Only two days remaining, and today already waning, I've a few further shocks my lord. To begin, let me say, at the risk of repetition, there are ships in the bay, and they didn't ask permission but they sit there all day in contemptuous array, with a letter to convey, and they haven't gone away, and there's every indication that they still plan to stay, and you look a little gray, my lord... Have some tea, my lord, some chrysanthemum tea, while we plan if we can what our answer ought to be. If the tea the shogun drank will serve to keep the shogun tranquil I suggest, if I may, my lord, we consult the confucians, they have mystical solutions, there are none wise as they my lord.
Shogun's Mother: It's the day of the tiger, my lord. Only two days remaining, and I'm tired of explaining, there are ships in the bay, with a letter to convey, they're on permanent display, and we must take some position, or the southern coalition will be soon holding sway my lord, and we'll all have to pay, my lord. Have some tea, my lord, some chrysanthemum tea, it's a tangled situation as your father would agree. And it mightn't be so tangled if you hadn't had him strangled, but I fear that I stray my lord. I've a nagging suspicion that in view of your condition what we should do is pray, my lord.