3. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai
Easily one of the coolest films ever made. Ghost Dog is a film by the off-beat director, Jim Jarmusch, released in 1999. Forest Whitaker stars as Ghost Dog, a man schooled in the ancient art of the Samurai, living in a contemporary Western world of dishonour and depravity. Ghost Dog lives on a rooftop somewhere in the bowels of New Jerseys projects, with only a coop of pigeons for company, but the real intrigue of this character is his profession as a hit-man for the local Mafia. He is also a retainer for a mobster named Lou, who once saved his life, and their correspondence is carried out via a passenger pigeon, so that Ghost Dog can be made aware of his next assignment. The relationship seems to be beneficial for both parties, that is, until the killing of a made man from a rivalling family turns sour. Not wanting to be accused of any wrongdoing, the mobsters connected to Lou set out to eradicate their loyal soldier and his arcane assassin. Ghost Dog is soon made aware of the threat, and hatches a plot to kill the entire crew in order to save himself but, more importantly, his master. This film received positive reviews, but disappointingly did not win any of the honours for which it was nominated, including the Palme dOr. It is a shame as Ghost Dog is an innovative, deeply spiritual film that explores the gulf between modern morality and ancient codes, played out stylishly in a battle between street violence and the graceful method of the Samurai. To complement the film, The RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan provides the score, a compilation of sturdy hip-hop beats and kung-fu homage. If you havent seen it, youre missing out!