300...

[fajrdrako]

I went to see 300 this evening with maaseru, maaboroshi, and Sarah.

Loved it.

Okay, first of all, I loved the comic and read it thoroughly enough to think I understood what Frank Miller was trying to do. Artistically and conceptually amazing, about how storytelling reshapes history, and how history creates values. I don't like all Frank Miller's work, but I loved this one.

And I'm totally fascinated by Spartan history, and it really captured that spirit. The Spartans were terrifying in their inhumanity, and breathtaking in their courage.

It works better as a graphic novel than as a movie, granted, but I loved the movie quite thoroughly. It isn't an intellectual movie, it's totally visceral. Turn off your brain, be prepared to shut your eyes. I actually didn't shut my eyes much, the violence was too stylized to be bothersome. They added a subplot about Gorgo and the traitor Spartan, probably because the plot was a little thin. The best dialogue was straight from the graphic novel, lines like, from Xerxes, "Cruel Leonidas demanded that you stand. I require only that you kneel."

Then there's David Wenham. And Gerard Butler's thighs, backed by by 299 other sets of manly thighs. If I ever see Gerard Butler in anything ever again, it will be disappointing if he is clothed.

Comments

[glinda-north.livejournal.com]

One of the local critics called it "Ode to a Grecian Ab."

I'm so there. Because watching hundreds of buff, half-naked, sweaty men whaling on each other is my idea of quality entertainment. *g*

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

One of the local critics called it "Ode to a Grecian Ab."

LOL. Oh yes.

Because watching hundreds of buff, half-naked, sweaty men whaling on each other is my idea of quality entertainment.

It's art, it really is. Not just all those tough macho muscled guys in action, but every scene is cinematographically amazing in its composition and colour. There's a scene where a gull lands on a spear-head and then flies away that I loved.

And then there's the Royal Thighs of Leonidas. Heroic Spartan thighs, I tell you.

See why I love history so much?

[glinda-north.livejournal.com]

It looks absolutely gorgeous. Heck, just the commercials make me ooh and ahh.

See why I love history so much?

For the thighs?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

For the thighs?

And other body parts. For the many manly men doing manly things, and the womanly women doing their thing, and the stuff that fits in between, and the heroism, and the farce, and the insight it gives into the human condition.

And the thighs.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it's good. I plan on seeing it this weekend.

[walkingowl.livejournal.com]

"I went to see 300 this evening"... GNAAAGHHH! I, on the other hand, was at work all this evening! Some silly USPS rule about people wanting to get their mail tomorrow... sigh.

The USA Today review pretty much panned this movie, which made me want to see it all the more. They also panned Serenity, said foolish things about it such as "everyone talks in a Southern accent" -- uh, that's pseudo-Western-movie patterns, not a Southern drawl, please get your dissing straight! So, anyway. They said 300 was wooden and bombastic. They criticized the CGI elements... well, heck, guess what: all the photos showed me live actors who themselves looked all CGI'ed up, even though I know only the backgrounds are CGI, so I personally am incredibly intrigued at the promise of a movie that pushes aside expectations and does amazing, unhindered, unrestrained things. As for USA Today... I think they lack insight and imagination, not to mention appreciation for non-traditional storytelling techniques, no? This is Frank Miller we're talking about here, after all -- the man who turned Bam-Biff-Pow Batman into The Dark Knight, bubba. Step out of his way and just watch closely with your mouth shut!

I deeply look forward to seeing this. I am so incredibly pleased that you liked it.

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Awww. I knew from The Phantom of the Opera Gerrard Butler has beautiful legs.

But now you've made me quite willing to go watch 300 too.

(And yes, he is one of the four Scottish men I moon over these days. I think you won't find it hard to guess who two of the other three are; 4th is Ewan McGregor, and he's been up there for a while)

[lauradi7.livejournal.com]

You're going to miss some good stuff if you reject movies in which he's clothed - Dear Frankie is very sweet, and Harrison's Flowers is both interesting and full of good looking non-buff guys, like Adrien Brody and David Strathairn.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I hope you enjoy it. Look forward to hearing.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Some silly USPS rule about people wanting to get their mail tomorrow... sigh.

Hee! I must say, Canada Post doesn't seem to share such silly ambitions.

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<i>Some silly USPS rule about people wanting to get their mail tomorrow... sigh.</i>

Hee! I must say, Canada Post doesn't seem to share such silly ambitions.

<i.They also panned Serenity, said foolish things about it such as "everyone talks in a Southern accent" -- uh, that's pseudo-Western-movie patterns, not a Southern drawl, please get your dissing straight!</i>

I chuckle. I didn't think The Operative talked like everyone else! That's just someone who didn't enjoy the movie making up reasons.... <lj site="livejournal.com" user="maaboroshi"> commented that David Wenham "sounds funny" in <i>300</i>. I suggested that he was maybe just trying to sound Spartan rather than Australian.

<i>I personally am incredibly intrigued at the promise of a movie that
pushes aside expectations and does amazing, unhindered, unrestrained things.</i>

I have no idea and don't at the moment care what was CGI and what wasn't. I thought it all melded seamlessly and looked fantastic. Not <i>realistic</i> but artistic. Very impressive.

<i.This is Frank Miller we're talking about here, after all -- the man who turned Bam-Biff-Pow Batman into The Dark Knight, bubba.</i>

Well, he has more recently turned the Batman into an insane idiot, but he's also a creative genius who makes great comics and great movies. So. I love it that the movie is innovative. And bombastic? Hey, that's half the fun.

I suspect that if that reviewer met a real Spartan he'd think he was bombastic and he'd be scared stiff!

<i>I deeply look forward to seeing this. I am so incredibly pleased that you liked it.</i>

I thought it was terrific. Be prepared for blood. (But you probably know that.) Did you read the graphic novel?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I knew from The Phantom of the Opera Gerrard Butler has beautiful legs.

Oh, he does. He does. I was somewhat smitten with him in Timeline, Lara Croft and Reign of Fire too, but when I think back, he was awfully heavily dressed in Timeline particularly....

But now you've made me quite willing to go watch 300 too.

I thought it was wonderful. Now, it helps that I am in general a fan of Frank Miller's work - which is variable, but always innovative and bold - and it helps that I love, absolutely love, an overdramatic style. I was going to say "melodramatic" but that's not quite what I mean, and it has negative connotations.

Are you counting John Barrowman as a Scot? Well, why not; I see he's listed among "Scottish Actors" in Wikipedia so that's enough incentive for me. David Tennant must be #2. Ewan McGregor would be on my list, as well as Robert Carlyle,Alan Cumming, and Gerard Butler.

Love those Scots.

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

MM. I am not sure I know all that much about Robert Carlyle and Alan Cumming - the names sound familiar, but not image-evoking, have to look up.

But you did guess the two ;) Of course I count John Barrowman as a Scot. I mean... that's where he was born, that's where his roots are... right? ;)

And yep, David McDonald Tennant is up on the list. Yep, indeed.

I have meant to watch Lara Croft for a while now; I have no idea why I haven't yet. :)
And a friend said a glimpse at Attila cured her of sleepiness on a long trip by bus - I can relate to that, yep. ;)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I am not sure I know all that much about Robert Carlyle and Alan Cumming - the names sound familiar, but not image-evoking

I think I first saw Robert Carlyle (http://www.fantasymagazine.it/imgbank/IMG/robert_carlyle.nb.jpg) in Hamish Macbeth though he's most famous for The Full Monty and he was in one of the James Bond films. Recently when there were rumours that David Tennant wasn't going to play the Doctor in series four, there were accompanying rumours that Robert Carlyle would be given the role.

I first saw Alan Cumming when he played Nightcrawler in X-Men.

Maybe you haven't seen Lara Croft because it - they - aren't really very good movies? But they have their moments.

Of course I count John Barrowman as a Scot. I mean... that's where he was born, that's where his roots are... right? ;)

I think of him as a Scot too. Maybe it's just because I love him so much and love Scotland and Scots so much, it seems right that these things should come together.

And a friend said a glimpse at Attila cured her of sleepiness on a long trip by bus - I can relate to that, yep. ;)

I must see that. As soon as possible! Grendel too.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

You're going to miss some good stuff if you reject movies in which he's clothed

Yes. I will take him in any way I can find him.

Dear Frankie is very sweet

Very high on my 'see this a.s.a.p.' list.

Harrison's Flowers is both interesting and full of good looking non-buff guys, like Adrien Brody and David Strathairn.

Eee - how did I miss that? Three of my favourite actors in one movie? Thank you for pointing this out. I have to find it now.

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

I have it - gritty drama set in Croatian/Serbian war in the '90s. Adrien made my h/c complex kick in massively...

[silverwhistle.livejournal.com]

non-buff guys, like Adrien Brody

Ahem! Did you not see him in Affair of the Necklace, wearing only a towel?

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Missed that one. I'm enjoying this conversation: the list of "movies I must see immediately" is getting longer and longer.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'll be looking for this one!

[raissad.livejournal.com]

I just got back from 300. It made me very happy. In addition to everything mentioned above, I'd like to mention Lena Heday as Gorgo. She rocked. Loved that sword thrust.

Xerxes wins for costume. He was the best outfitted character of his kind since Jaye Davidson as Ra in Stargate.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I just got back from 300. It made me very happy.

Oh, good!

I'd like to mention Lena Heday as Gorgo. She rocked.

Oh my goodness, yes. Talk about strong, well depicted women in fiction! Not entirely in fiction, but the historical Gorgo isn't particularly well defined - and she barely appears in the graphic novel, they added that subplot for the movie. I'm so glad they did.

Loved that sword thrust.

That was so perfectly set up. Such a great climactic moment. So dramatic. So satisfying!

Xerxes wins for costume. He was the best outfitted character of his kind since Jaye Davidson as Ra in Stargate.

He looked a little Hinduesque to me, like one of those temple carvings of Hindu gods. Which is meant as a compliment: it was dramatic and wonderful. I think Xerxes was a tad better than Ra but it's hard to say... both visually great.