300
- Thread starter NinjaGeek
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Matt
Active Member
Alcapoth
S t a r E
Just PRETTY good? Haha, damn, what I have seen of TV spots it looks pretty darn fantastic. There's something about the visuals I find to be extremely appealing. And, overall, the film looks incredibly epic.
Definitely looking forward to it.
Definitely looking forward to it.
derek
Grey Eminence
I've managed to see it already, and it's quite the movie. Every shot seems like a canvas, very very good.
Although I recently set it as a study element in a class I'm teaching based on an interview with Gerard Butler, whom thinks that when the voice sound effects are taken away the movie becomes a homo-erotic comedy.
Although I recently set it as a study element in a class I'm teaching based on an interview with Gerard Butler, whom thinks that when the voice sound effects are taken away the movie becomes a homo-erotic comedy.
I've managed to see it already, and it's quite the movie. Every shot seems like a canvas, very very good.
Although I recently set it as a study element in a class I'm teaching based on an interview with Gerard Butler, whom thinks that when the voice sound effects are taken away the movie becomes a homo-erotic comedy.
I just saw the preview in the theater, and with all the shots of rippling scantily clad men--well, I dont know if I'm comfortable going without female escort. At the very least, I'd have to wear a sunglasses and a raincoat.
derek
Grey Eminence
Embrace your inner metrosexual, Curt.
Well, it would be cool if the skirt and sandals look went back into fashion for men. I;m crossing my fingers, and hoping.
It does look like a visual feast of a movie. And it would be hard to screw up the story. Tell me Derek, are there missplaced modern ideas of democracy and freedom in this movie?
And I have passed the actually pass of Thermopylae, which I suppose has eroded so, it doesnt look very impressive. They have a cool statue though.
derek
Grey Eminence
Yep the statue of Leonidas is quite nice, although it is a perpetual fact that sites of classical antiquity have eroded and so no real feel for the battle still exists. (That is not true, so much anyways, of Actium).
Not so many misplaced ideals. Obviously the story plays very, very strongly on the Greek anxiety of a Persian invasion, and it it difficult not to tinge it with a more modern approach to the feelings the various "nations" of Greece would have felt, such as retaining their freedom etc etc. That said the story is related to us in a typically Herodotean melodrama so it works quite well.
Not so many misplaced ideals. Obviously the story plays very, very strongly on the Greek anxiety of a Persian invasion, and it it difficult not to tinge it with a more modern approach to the feelings the various "nations" of Greece would have felt, such as retaining their freedom etc etc. That said the story is related to us in a typically Herodotean melodrama so it works quite well.
I was really shocked with the pass. Its very disappointing. And it doesnt help its right next to the major Greek highway (Athina to Salonika). The hills look easily transversible. But oh well.
There's a NY Times article about how the director really has no intentions to see Bush as either Xerxes or Leonidas, but doesnt mind if the controversy sells more tickets.
derek
Grey Eminence
It is disappointing indeed. Taking a militaristic tour around sites of classical antiquity often leaves one very disenchanted, although as I said before, Actium remains a sight to behold. Some parts of Alexanders march into the east remain interesting to see too, such as Hydaspes (the modern Jhelum in Pakistan) - not least because the legendary Bucephalus was said to have died and been buried in the proximity. Seeing the Hydaspes and imagining Alexander execute a characteristically brilliant maneuver such as he did really reminds one of why the characters that bestrode the Ancient world really make our pathetic achievements pale in comparison. They were the pioneers, the men who could hold the earth.
I'm not even sure how Bush could be even half construed as Xerxes or Leonidas. That world was fundamentally different from ours, and I think it's just the poverty of our imaginations that want to see the parallels.
I'm not even sure how Bush could be even half construed as Xerxes or Leonidas. That world was fundamentally different from ours, and I think it's just the poverty of our imaginations that want to see the parallels.
So, you went to Pakistan?
I think it a travesty to even try to use antiquity as a lesson for our current situation and world. Shakespeare, who did write a few eternal classically based plays, lived in a time was far closer in spirit to antiquity then our own. However, I'm sure the idea to learn modern lessons from the ancient past swam around in the scriptwriters head; and considering hollywood, that's what scares the bejesus out of me. Especially after that Troy movie, which not only didnt follow Homer, but had a Port of Sparta. I saw the movie in an outdoor theater in Greece, where everyone snickered; but I imagine most pimply American pubescents, know all they know about the Illiad based on that damn movie.
derek
Grey Eminence
Yep, I've visited Pakistan purely for the Hydaspes. I was quite obsessed with Alexander for some time.
In many ways it is hollow to try to see parallels, but at the same time many of the words from ancient authors cannot help but ring true, even 2100 years later. Tacitus said "they made a desert and called it peace", Juvenal lamented the state of Rome with "panem et circenses". My personal favourite is Martial after a night on the wine: "it feels like all of Rome is at the foot of my bed!".
In many ways it is hollow to try to see parallels, but at the same time many of the words from ancient authors cannot help but ring true, even 2100 years later. Tacitus said "they made a desert and called it peace", Juvenal lamented the state of Rome with "panem et circenses". My personal favourite is Martial after a night on the wine: "it feels like all of Rome is at the foot of my bed!".
I should say, I have no faith or trust in Hollywood, not to distort or maim history with modern ideals and snappier, sappier, sentimental storytelling.
What does panem et circenses mean?
derek
Grey Eminence
Bread and Circuses, it's from Juvenal. He was lamenting (perhaps the wrong word) that as long as you kept the public entertained and fed you could pretty much do whatever you wish.
I barely need to point out the allegory between that and TV/packaged and soulless sports events/consumerism.
I was reading today that the 300 is being touted as a film that tells the story of all of Greece drawing a line in the sand, to protect democracy. :zombie:
Given that Sparta was hardly democratic it all seems a bit silly.
Ah, now circenses makes quite a bit of sense. I wouldve thought it would have just been circus in Latin. One day I'll have to learn to read this language.
Indeed, I was reminded that half or more of the population of Sparta were Helots, when Gerard Butler screamed for Freedom; not to mention Sparta's constant contact with, and later support from Persia. And the defense of democracy is confusing as they were essentially a cross between oligarchy/and a sort of modern fascism.
derek
Grey Eminence
Spartan "freedom" was underpinned by its subjugation of Messenia. A fact made all the more clear when one considers how Sparta essentially becomes a non-power after Epaminondas marches into Messenia and declares it free, founding Megalopolis (the future birthplace of Polybius, I may add) and all but removes Spartan dominance of the Peloponnese. So to conjure up any notions of what we take as "freedom" (Hell, I don't even know what the word means anymore) and place it into the world of Classical Greece would be folly.
Sparta was to befriend Persia less than 50yrs after Thermopylae in order to win the Peloponnesian War with Athens, and less than 20yrs after it ended Sparta, under King Agesilaus, was to attack Persian ruled Asia Minor. Pan-hellenism (a modern term) is a familiar thread throughout Greek history, and a wildly interesting one.
As for slow-motion, I think that labels the movements in a very black/white way. He clearly has a fondness for the extra details/awesomeness that can be squeezed from every scene if it is in slow(er) motion.
What a fine prof you must be.
Rant:
Yes what is freedom these days? I chuckle when I hear my simple-minded fellow Americans go on about how our boys are dying for our freedom (the obvious lunacy of such a statement in a foreign policy sense); then I'm reminded everyone has to go to work everyday, where anything and everything one does is under the control of ones place of work--even free speech is limited. And one has to work to eat. Then one has rules in ones apartment complex, homeowners association rules, rules at school, hell, one cant even walk down a street properly sloshed these days. Some freedom. There's even rules of what I can say on this fucking forum!
Krigloch the Furious
Pants full of poo
derek
Grey Eminence
I join you in your lament.
The nature of man and whether we could even manage to live in a state with total freedom has been debated for 1000s of years. I'd probably go with no, sadly. You've got to weigh it up and decide whether having restrictions on some of your "freedoms" is worthwhile, providing it allows you relative liberty on the rest.
I'd say that's a reasonable position, but it has a huge problem in that it assumes the State to be healthy, efficient and benevolent (to say nothing of the troublesome words like Truth or Justice) in how it brings about Laws that may restrict, but ultimately allow one to be quite free. I don't personally think such a State exists, and I'm not convinced it ever could.
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