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on February 9, 2017
Great movie. Character development is the most important aspect in this movie. At least one hour spent at the beginning of the movie to let us know the intertwining between each character. Makes the end all that more meaningful
on March 29, 2017
The greatest account of friendship and loyalty ever written into a film. People, love and friendships are imperfect but, in the end they the best of what we all have in life...
on May 9, 2015
I don't know why it is so hard to find the Deer Hunter. This was well-priced. Video quality is less than you would expect from newer movies, but this is an old movie. Great if you want to learn Mandarin, since you can turn on those subtitles.
on March 22, 2011
This film captures events, times and a culture which has been decimated. Concepts often not well understood or dismissed without examination are made clear to those of us whose minds might be uninformed or shut against cultural differences. The visuals and soundtrack are stunning. The story is not a story. It is a modern cinematic reflection of the truth.
It is said and it is accurately spoken: the Tibetans are much like the Native Americans were when the pilgrims landed. You may disagree with the customs of an indigenous people, but truly it is not just of another culture to trespass, kill the people, pervert their culture, steal what is precious to them, destroy their homeland in the name of communism or christianity or convenience. It is astonishing that America did not care and still seems unwilling to become involved. If there was an exploitable resource like oil in Tibet, you know America would have been sending in troops to defend the Tibetans decades ago. And in so doing, less people may have died but the culture would still have been contaminated. In life, happy endings and wonderful results are more often the exception rather than the rule.
Kundun affirms the fact of reincarnation, shows that Buddhism is more about learning and work than it is about religion. One simply does not enter a designated building one day per week, talk to an unknowable someone separate from themselves in order to be absolved of all wrong-doings. In Tibet, each spiritual person takes responsibility for their actions and works to be kind and compassionate to all. Anger, greed and foolishness are to be understood, evolved beyond and avoided if at all possible. And it is truly up to each person to conduct their lives with a minimum of idiocy and quite lot of nobility and self-control. This can in no way be compared to the simplistic concept of "turning the other cheek" when slapped.
The film shows a far more intelligent funeral ceremony which would likely shock many Americans: we each take so much from the food chain and so it is proper that we are returned to the food chain. There is ceremony, but not of sadness. The funeral industry in our country is a high ticket farce. When I leave the body, the lights will be off and no one will be home. As long as I did not die of some horrific communicable disease, why shouldn't the carrion eaters enjoy a well-deserved meal? Why would I want to be under six feet of dirt in a sealed box or burned to ashes and put into a decorative jar?
To be Dalai Lama is not trivial, as this spirit will return again and again to lead the people. It is not as though there is a simple or straightforward way off the wheel. Ah, but an evolved spirit might choose not to return if it meant risk to the lives of the loyal people who remain.
It is not to turn one's back on wealth or position or privilege that is important, but the love of one's land and people and the safety of same that matters. Emotion *is* expressed in Kundun. And the visions of the Dalai Lama came to pass. The man represents hope and attaining a beauty of mind to which others aspire. He did not leave easily, happily or with a sense of relief. In Tibetan Buddhism, the country is the man and the man is the country and the creation of boundaries, of "us versus them" is a bizarre and flawed way of thinking. And so peaceful people must learn to defend themselves "against" a self-described enemy who uses the age-old lie of The Religious War to do what is simply this: grab land and whatever looks like a treasure for reasons of greed and acquisition.
Martin Scorcese created a very different masterpiece in Kundun. He told the truth to a world that has in great part been unwilling to listen. He demonstrated a deep understanding of how emotion is and is not expressed in Tibetan culture. I recommend this film as one that is both brilliant and loving, from a man whose character is deep, intensely diverse and fearless.
It is said and it is accurately spoken: the Tibetans are much like the Native Americans were when the pilgrims landed. You may disagree with the customs of an indigenous people, but truly it is not just of another culture to trespass, kill the people, pervert their culture, steal what is precious to them, destroy their homeland in the name of communism or christianity or convenience. It is astonishing that America did not care and still seems unwilling to become involved. If there was an exploitable resource like oil in Tibet, you know America would have been sending in troops to defend the Tibetans decades ago. And in so doing, less people may have died but the culture would still have been contaminated. In life, happy endings and wonderful results are more often the exception rather than the rule.
Kundun affirms the fact of reincarnation, shows that Buddhism is more about learning and work than it is about religion. One simply does not enter a designated building one day per week, talk to an unknowable someone separate from themselves in order to be absolved of all wrong-doings. In Tibet, each spiritual person takes responsibility for their actions and works to be kind and compassionate to all. Anger, greed and foolishness are to be understood, evolved beyond and avoided if at all possible. And it is truly up to each person to conduct their lives with a minimum of idiocy and quite lot of nobility and self-control. This can in no way be compared to the simplistic concept of "turning the other cheek" when slapped.
The film shows a far more intelligent funeral ceremony which would likely shock many Americans: we each take so much from the food chain and so it is proper that we are returned to the food chain. There is ceremony, but not of sadness. The funeral industry in our country is a high ticket farce. When I leave the body, the lights will be off and no one will be home. As long as I did not die of some horrific communicable disease, why shouldn't the carrion eaters enjoy a well-deserved meal? Why would I want to be under six feet of dirt in a sealed box or burned to ashes and put into a decorative jar?
To be Dalai Lama is not trivial, as this spirit will return again and again to lead the people. It is not as though there is a simple or straightforward way off the wheel. Ah, but an evolved spirit might choose not to return if it meant risk to the lives of the loyal people who remain.
It is not to turn one's back on wealth or position or privilege that is important, but the love of one's land and people and the safety of same that matters. Emotion *is* expressed in Kundun. And the visions of the Dalai Lama came to pass. The man represents hope and attaining a beauty of mind to which others aspire. He did not leave easily, happily or with a sense of relief. In Tibetan Buddhism, the country is the man and the man is the country and the creation of boundaries, of "us versus them" is a bizarre and flawed way of thinking. And so peaceful people must learn to defend themselves "against" a self-described enemy who uses the age-old lie of The Religious War to do what is simply this: grab land and whatever looks like a treasure for reasons of greed and acquisition.
Martin Scorcese created a very different masterpiece in Kundun. He told the truth to a world that has in great part been unwilling to listen. He demonstrated a deep understanding of how emotion is and is not expressed in Tibetan culture. I recommend this film as one that is both brilliant and loving, from a man whose character is deep, intensely diverse and fearless.
on November 1, 2016
A great movie, but not a war movie. The real charm of this film is the first act, leading up to the Russian wedding scene and the deer hunt. I'm a vietnam vet and saw some serious s***, but no Russian Roulette. So take the vietnam portion of the movie with many grains of salt, but the acting is amazing and the characters are real and interesting. Yes, clearly the movie was a metaphor for the war, but it's not the best vietnam movie out there. Both Platoon and Full Metal Jacket are more realistic films about the war and the people who fought it.
on January 26, 2017
This is a great DVD starring a great cast to tell a great story about before, during and just after the Vietnam War. Some embellishment, but overall the film is well done.
on March 6, 2017
Classic story great acting, from actors who at that time did not share their political views.
The people they play come to life in a story that was timely.
The people they play come to life in a story that was timely.
on March 6, 2017
A brilliant film, very difficult to watch. Yes over-cooked at points but clearly worth the time. And the blu-ray looks great!
