Posted on 10/16/2006 5:23:13 AM PDT by John Carey
A film that came and went in 2003 deserves another viewing if you saw it then and if you missed it you might pick it up for a family viewing. The film “Master and Commander” with Russell Crowe gives new insight into the at-sea culture of 1805 Britain; and sadly, speaks volumes about the degenerated world we occupy in 21st century America. “Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World” strikes viewers as an old-fashioned sea saga that few thought Hollywood could still produce. This is not just a war movie but a lesson in leadership, teamwork and character.
Most movies today offer us pabulum and fantasy. They don’t encourage us to greater good but instead emphasize the darker side of human conduct. Drug abuse, homosexuality and fantasy often fill the screen. Computer graphics so sophisticated they remove us from reality have enthralled Hollywood and thrilled viewers. Many of our “leading men” are pretty-boy weak sisters who may have a certain appeal to 14-year-old girls but have none of the raw manliness and power of John Wayne. Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves come to mind, but they are not alone.
It seems Hollywood and television producers want us to worship the gay, lighthearted and without-depth in our culture today. Powerful men are largely taboo.
(Excerpt) Read more at johnib.wordpress.com ...
Yes, he did. That was HMS Sophie, which really had no business getting into a real shootout...
Hollywood kind of mashed two or three different Aubrey/Maturin novels into the blender and hit "Puree" to get the movie script.
Yes, but considering how MUCH Weir and others had to pack into a movie to introduce the characters/time period/naval warfare to an audience that was as far from educated about such things, Id say they did a damn fine job. It is something VASTLY different than what audiences are used to seeing. I think a lot of Crowe fans were expecting more Gladiator type stuff though, and so came away disappointed. Thing is, if you put Jack Aubrey and Maximus in the same room together, they'd be hailing each others as equals.
I know. I read the entire, fantastic series of books. I really miss Patrick O'Brian.
"Oh, Oh!" cried my idiot crew. "It's a ghoul! We are doomed!"
Oh, and let's not forget Paul Bettany's excellent portrayal as Stephen Maturin. I'll confess that I personally identify more with Maturin than I do with Aubrey.
My niece loved the movie; partly because she's a sailor with a love of history, and partly because she goes into major-league swooning over Russell Crowe...
I think all of us who have never sailed a tall ship identify with Maturin on some level. O'Brian really puts him to good use; he's the window through which we come to understand the Royal Navy and sail-driven men-o'-war.
the way its written I can hear Jack's utter disgust in his tone...I still laugh and laugh over that scene.
Sad, but true.
I am so jealous of your neice - the closest I have come to sailing is being told that I could volunteer on The Elissa down in Galveston...but that would have meant quite a few weekends down on the island and since I live about two hours away, it was unfeasible for me to do that. Now i have to live vicariously through Jack and Stephen. Still the Elissa is one of my favorite tall sails. I have always loved their beauty.
I think you're on to something here.
3 of these things are not like the other, 3 of the things are kinda the same. Can you guess which three do not belong here?
I hope you realized that there was a period after John Wayne's name and not a comma.
The scene where Jack Aubrey first meets Stephen Maturin--the opening of Master and Commander--still makes me laugh. I am, like Jack, far more enthusiastic than skilled when it comes to music.
Go see "The Departed."
My ex would be great in the part (smile). No teeth, gangly, alcoholic--he'd fit right in.
I love Casablanca, Bogie and Ingrid Bergman. It was a great movie.
...as time goes by.
ROFL - "Sir, if you MUST beat the measure...!" Only downside to these books are that I will not be able to recommend them to anyone younger than college age. Quite adult...in a good way...but still very adult.
Max Pirkis was the little boy, presently he can be seen as Gaius Octavian in "Rome".
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