It is hard to continue changing in an ever changing world, but necessary for so many.  Trying to cope with the new rules that are laid in front of you that determines how difficult your transition will end up being.  Every once in a while, it is ok to stand back in the shadows as the world continues to turn and wait for the next change to come forth, however if you stand back for too long, you can be left behind.

Over the many years, the world has changed and man has gone right along with it.  Fighting never ends and the population is looking for the new way to kill their adversaries.  When man has created more ways to kill each other than anything else, there is a problem and the governments took note.  Putting a ban on all firearms, the world has taken a step back and has returned to the conventional method of killing by the sword. 

In the city, a band of thieves called the ‘Red Suits’ are running wild and no one is able to oppose them.  Challenges are met from other gang leaders, however, no one has been able to defeat this powerful group lead by Nicola, The Wood Cutter.  Surrounding himself with the best of the best, all of Nicola’s closest confidants are the greatest killers in the name.  When they join his band, they are stripped of their names and given the name Killer and their number in the ranks.  Several men have tried to defeat Nicola and his band of brothers for years, but with men he has collected over the years, no one can match his power.

A drifter has rolled into town, looking for a card game.  Looking for only one opponent, Nicola, The Drifter is stuck looking for a way to gain an audience with the great leader.  Not having the finances to afford the boss’ game buy in, The Drifter is forced to look for an alternative way to get the money.  Yoshi has come to town as well, looking for the same man, but for a different reason.  Yoshi is looking for revenge and the return of a family heirloom to his home land.  Nicola does not understand the threats that are coming to him as he has turned the running of his gang over to Killer #2.  This man is the greatest warrior in the land and will bow down to no one as the threats become more and more dangerous for his fearless leader.

Bunraku follows both Yoshi and The Drifter as they have to battle through the streets with different intentions, but looking for the same thing, vengeance.  Being led by a local bar tender, the two are forced to battle with each other before being able to trust one another.  Resolving their personal issues, the two join forces and change their focus on the real problem at hand.  Having to go through ten of Nicola’s Killer crew and countless Red Suits, the two are torn on who will be the one to take the final blow at the big boss, if they get that far.

Full of action, martial arts and downright butt kicking, Bunraku is one of those movies that will end up surprising you.  An action film that actually has a plot line behind it makes it something a little bit different.  With Josh Hartnett leading a strong cast, it is hard to go wrong.  With Woody Harrelson playing the reluctant bar keep and Ron Perlman as the powerful leader Nicola, it is hard to find a reason not to watch this film.  A movie I have never heard of winded up on my viewing queue and I gave it a chance and you know what?  It left me far from disappointed and I bet it will do the same for you. Happy viewing.

Trying to be your own person is hard enough, but when others are trying to change you into what they believe you should be just makes it that much harder.  Losing one’s self can be one of the hardest things to come back from, especially if you do not have a friend or a loved one there to bring you back.  Not giving into others can be difficult, but if you are strong enough, you can rely on yourself for better things.

David Lord and Lori are driving home from one of David’s soccer games when his car is broadsided twice causing his SUV to flip over.  Trying to get Lori out of the beat up car, David finds that his pregnant wife is dead.  Moving into depression, David tries to kill himself, but cannot bring himself to pull the trigger.  Moving his way south of the border, David finds little comfort but tries to drink his sorrows away.  Being picked up by a lonely woman in Mexico, he is in for a night that will change his life forever.

Being shot by a Taser, David finds himself alone in a cell with no windows and only a hole in the wall to talk to his adjoining prisoner.  Getting to know the man being held on the other side of the wall, David discovers that he will not be rejoining the world of the living.  His keepers have something out of the ordinary in store for him as they are running a website that shows two men battle to the death, in a gladiatorial arena.  Trying to defy the reason he was brought in, David tries to save his first victim rather than kill him.  Not being what the powers in the prison are looking for, David is brought before the man the runs the site and comes up with a deal.

Ten matches, ten wins and David will gain his freedom.  The stage is set and David will have to battle his own inner demons to survive, along with nine other men looking for the same way out.  David embraces his killer force when he takes to the arena floor but does not accept the new name of Death Dealer as he is being hailed.  Making a promise to kill the man who runs the site when he gains his freedom, David takes to training, drugs and women to keep himself straight before the next fight for his life.

Arena follows widowed David Lord as he has been taken against his will and put on the internet’s biggest stage.  Fighting for his dead wife's honor and the chance to get even with the ones who have put him in this hell house is the only reason he will not back down.  Having his recruiter Milla on his side as she cares for his wounds after every match and ends up falling in love with him, David will not allow the arena to get the best of him.  Although he will not give in and call himself Death Dealer as his holders are wanting, David speaks his name after every victory and keeps a count down until he gets his day of reckoning.

This could go down as one of the bloodiest fighting movies of all time.  Although all of the fights are meant to be seen on the internet by the millions of viewers, plenty more takes place behind the scenes.  David Lord battles for his own survival and tries every way he can to get free.  When the men take to the arena, different types of weapons are dropped in front of them to make sure none of the viewership diminishes if the fights get boring.  Beheadings, gut shots, sword play and many other methods are shown in this straight to video flick.  If you pick this up for the blood, you will not be disappointed, but be warned, there is a twist at the ending that will leave you in disbelief.