MovieChat Forums > Six-String Samurai (1998) Discussion > Are people just not very popculture-savv...

Are people just not very popculture-savvy, or is it just me?

posted 19 years ago by mikko_kuusirati
19 replies | jump to latest

No offense to anyone specific, honestly, but...

Why doesn't anybody seem to realize that Buddy = Buddy Holly? Buddy Holly, whose dying day was "the day the music died" - February 3, 1959, when Buddy, "Big Bopper" Richardson and Ritchie Valens passed on in the most tragic plane accident in music history. Buddy Holly, ever the neatly dressed one, always with a very specific style of glasses with thick, black frames. Buddy Holly, one of the greatest classic rock guitarists of all time. Buddy Holly, the nice guy, the odd one out. For Jebus's sake, people! It's not Elvis's guitar, it's BUDDY's guitar!

On a more general note, contrary to what seems to be the common opinion among the unwashed masses, I think it's an absolutely brilliant film. The way it seamlessly combines Kurosawa-style samurai drama and spaghetti western á la Sergio Leone with "The Wizard of Oz", post-apocalyptic genre fiction and shades of Jodorowsky's "El Topo" into an allegory of the history of rock music and western pop-culture at large, is just too clever and intricate to describe in under ten thousand words... And apparently too clever for some to notice at all, judging by most of the negative comments that bash it as just a stupid action flick that doesn't even make sense.

And, while all those tons of subtext are going in the background, it also manages to be a FREAKIN' COOL MOVIE in its own right. Five thumbs up !(I rounded up some friends to help with that, in case you're wondering.)

Of course it's not mainstream, it's not simple or easy to grok, it's not typical Hollywood, it sure ain't no summer blockbuster, but it still kicks ass - not despite, but rather because of all that. But then, you only see in a film what you look for, and if straight-up dumbed-down Hollywood action is all you want, I'll admit there's not much here...

"Float away, little butterfly. Just flutter away. I got a gig in Las Vegas, and the wastelands ain't no place for kids."

[–] jarrankell645 19 years ago

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Props To You

[–] C2FThom 19 years ago

Another pretty obvious pop culture connection is to El Mariachi/Desperado, which also featured an extremely talented musician/warrior.

[–] CamelCamelCamel 19 years ago

'Brilliant?' I like it. I own it. But don't confuse 'cool' with 'brilliant.'

Now if you should want to call me, use this number. This other one is the old number.

[–] crazykookycat 19 years ago

agreed. the movie was fun. and yes, many references. but let's face it. it lacked development. i'm for cheesey. i loved the costumes. i'm for references. but i'm really not for drastic changes in characters with little to no explaination.

the movie was cool. but it was missing too much to be "brilliant". this movie would have rocked the clock if they added 15 more minutes of plot.

and as much as i like silly, death's minions annoyed the *beep* out of me.

and frankeinstein: love your harvey quote.

[–] crystalorphen 19 years ago

You said it! This is one of the best movies I have ever watched.

of coarse, I'd really like serious movies that much.

[–] VillaIncognito 19 years ago

Right on all the way in regards to the body of the letter but as to the subject line, if people aren't savvy to it, it's ceased to be popular culture (and more's the pity in most cases)

[–] dapuffin 18 years ago

buddy is one of my favorite characters in cinema, but the kid totally ruined this film for me. i dont believe he could have been any more annoying. honestly i cringed everytime he opened his mouth.

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mikko_kuusirati 18 years ago

Haven't watched the new Star Wars episodes, have ya...? :)

[–] silverado_mick 18 years ago

Excellent flick. Not much else to say.

[–] sirverdemer 18 years ago

Hi people, first post and what not. I was wondering, why has noone mentioned lone wolf and cub yet?
I think besides rock and roll, this was the other major influence of the movie, with the invincible ronin running around with a small moaning child...
And yeah, the movie is great, I´ve only had as much cheesy scie fi fun with mutant action (Acción mutante) from Alex de la Iglesia, and only for the first half of it.
See you!

[–] Sidhe_Nightingale 18 years ago

Great movie. Love it, love it, love it. One of my favourites. And one of my favourite soundtracks. Tracked it down at Barnes and Noble, and it was among the first albums I loaded up when I finally got my iPod (the first, if anyone cares, was the soundtrack to Sin City).

...float away little butterfly. Just....flutter away....

[–] neoboman 18 years ago

Yeah, this movie totally turned me on to the Red Elvises. They rock.

"What's wrong?"
"Everything."
Once Upon a Time in Mexico

[–] televiper54 15 years ago

I'm surprised a lot of people have missed the general mythos surrounding Rock 'n Roll stars. Elvis is the absolute embodiment of this, and a perfect choice to be crowned king of Las Vegas. Rock 'n Roll has always been bigger than itself. It's not just music, it's a way of life, a culture, and a spiritual awaking. The rock 'n roller is often portrayed as a wandering soul, scraping by on dedication and grit, and constantly fighting the urge of turning an easier life of the average bloke. The rock 'n roller's weapon is his guitar. It's his identity and his closest companion. It's not a big stretch to strap a sword to his guitar and make him a travelling samurai with a code of armour and an empty belly. Six-string Samurai simply personifies the rock 'n roll mythos by way of the travelling ronin.