Comments on: Movie Reviews

By: Ian

Ian — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:34:04 +0000

I’d say that one decapitation is the sweet spot for any film.

More than that is just showing off, but no decapitations is just a sign
that the screenwriter(s) and director(s) weren’t trying hard enough.

And the capital letters are important, otherwise you wouldn’t know
that the characters feel strongly about what they’re saying.

Ian

By: George R.R. Martin

George R.R. Martin — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 00:56:31 +0000

Hmmmm… well, stabbing was pretty much what happened at Thermopylae. Along with some hacking and skewering, and lots and lots of bleeding. Not for two solid hours, but for three solid days. And not in slow motion, of course. No war rhino, either. Pity. I liked the war rhino, even though he didn’t do much.

You should read Pressfield’s GATES OF FIRE for a very different handling of the same battle. Unless you’re totally off Spartans.

We agree on BROTHERS GRIMM. What a mess.

By: Elio M. Garcia, Jr.

Elio M. Garcia, Jr. — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 10:06:08 +0000

300 is, in graphic novel form, a study in tone more than anything. I think what might work for someone in a graphic novel could feel oppressive in the course of a 1.5 hour movie. Miller has really moved beyond trying to tell a story (which he was uncommonly good at, back in the day) and instead has focused almost exclusively on tone and atmosphere. I wouldn't mind him going back to his Daredevil or Batman: Year One days, but... As to Brothers Grimm, recently saw it. I agree that it seemed all over the place, but to be honest I wasn't surprised. Terry Gilliam has never been a particularly disciplined director, and I'd say that's where the charm of his (successful) movies tends to come from. But this one didn't gel like The Adventures of Baron Munchausen or Brazil. Nice visuals, though, especially the cracked mirror effect (IIRC) on the antagonist towards the end.

By: Gabriele Campbell

Gabriele Campbell — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 15:06:05 +0000

But Gerard Butler in nothing but a loincloth - isn’t that a reason to see the film? And let’s forget for a moment that a loincloth was not the traditional armour of the hoplites.

I like me some good battle scenes, so I’ll probably see it as soon as one of the cinemas here shows it in the original (I hate dubbing). What I’m afraid of is that a number of people will believe it’s history, the way it happened with Braveheart and Gladiator. *shudder*

By: Laurie Mann

Laurie Mann — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 23:26:18 +0000

I knew I wouldn’t like 300 (much as I do like CGI) and you’ve done nothing but reinforce the fact I’m glad I haven’t seen it.

We went to see Amazing Grace. While quiet and a little choppy, it was pretty good. Ioan Guffod is pretty good as the abolitionist William Wilberforce, but Benedict Cumberbatch as William Pitt the Younger and Albert Finney as the man who actually wrote the song “Amazing Grace” were both the ones to watch.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 07:50:49 +0000

I’m absolutely amazed at how often you’re writing in your blog!

Will it continue? Is it simply because it is a new website and a new experience? Who knows? But, I do think I’ll enjoy it while it lasts…