Mel Gibson Finds Eternal GORY in 'Apocalypto' Movie

New York Daily News ^ | 12/8/06

[Dr. Scarpetta]

[over3Owithabrain]

... a man's face being eaten by a panther...

I had no desire to see this movie, but I may have to rethink that.

[Jalapeno]

My, my. This reviewer has a bloody axe to grind, eh?

[IronJack]

So portraying a bunch of heart-eating savages as ... well, a bunch of heart-eating savages is wrong? Do these same "critics" condemn "Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part MMCCCXXIIV" or "Saw?" Or is gore only wrong when it serves a conservative filmmaker?

[Dr. Scarpetta]

If you can find the time, I recommend 'The Nativity Story' instead of this movie.

[Hot Tabasco]

A few years back while on vacation in Honduras, I had the immense pleasure of touring the Mayan ruins in Copan. With the information being supplied by an English speaking guide, I learned that the Mayans were quite ingenious when it came to dealing out pain, torture and death on other people they had captured.

Lets just say they weren't the friendly Mertz family living next door........

[randita]

Apparently, the NY Daily Snooze only has trouble with violence when it's in a movie made by Mel Gibson. They loved Scorsese's "The Departed"--gave it 4 *'s..

After a pair of flawed Oscar-hunting epics, Martin Scorsese has returned to the gritty, violent mob drama that has always been his strong suit, and the result - "The Departed" - is his best film since 1990's "Goodfellas."

With young stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon finally fulfilling their promise, and wily veteran Jack Nicholson adding another indelible character to his rich gallery, "The Departed" gets off to a ripping start and doesn't let up until its third or fourth twist ending.

One can quibble about too many endings, and about a love triangle that belongs in another story. But no one can complain about not getting their money's worth. "The Departed" is a movie-movie of the first rank.

[snarks_when_bored]

Here's a question that most people probably won't ask themselves:

Would I want to live next door to people who would buy tickets to see Apocalypto and afterwards report that they enjoyed the movie?

[Now_is_The_Time]

Wouldn't Mayans have been able to accurately predict when eclipses would occur? We are supposed to believe that all of a sudden one happens without them knowing and surprises them enough to alter their ritual practices. Is there any historical evidence for this or is it all from the mind of Mel?

[rollo tomasi]

Most Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, and North American Indians were all peace loving perfect cultures.

When the white Christians came over to settle they introduced violence into their cultures. Only White Christians are prone to violence and hate.

This I learned from Hollywood and college professors. They can't be wrong, they all have degrees and research a lot.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

You're right. Hollywood USUALLY does love violence and R-rated movies. I'm at the point where I avoid them. Besides 'The Nativity Story,' I also recommend 'The Queen.'

[CharlesWayneCT]

Why does the author of the review assume that this is NOT an accurate historical portrayal of the Mayan culture?

[dogbyte12]

actually north american indians were a mixed bag. There were vicious tribes, so-so tribes, and peaceful tribes. Of course the PC left doesnt' do nuance, so they have to make them all sit around singing Kumbaya.

[From many - one.]

They were able to predict eclipses. But you're spoiling the fun with facts.

[NeoCaveman]

My, my. This reviewer has a bloody axe to grind, eh?

I learned more about the reviewer than the movie from this review.

I suggest Mr. Movie Reviewer find a good shrink and a good priest/minister/rabbi of his choice.

[spanalot]

"Most Mayans, Aztecs, Incas, and North American Indians were all peace loving perfect cultures."

Yes and they never ran herds of buffalo over cliffs to cut out only the tongues and they never started massive forest fires to facilitate travel.

[From many - one.]

Maybe he knows that it isn't accurate.

They weren't sweetness and light but this portrayal gets plenty of details wrong.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

If being an anti semite and saying this movie shows how Bush sacrifices our sodliers in a war that's wrong...that's a conservative?

nah, Mel just makes snuff films for the massess. the guy is an arrogant self centered violent-loving jerk.

[AmericaUnited]

an accurate historical portrayal of the Mayan culture?

I'm really sick and tired of people justifying this garbage with that phony justification. What's next? Mel doing a movie about the Nazi's and showing people slow roasting in some oven for 15 minutes, or 60 minutes of Gestapo torture, in 'exciting', high-def detail?

[Tulane]

Or, to paraphrase Chuck D from the rap group Public Enemy:

"The Hater taught hate-- that's why we (sic) gang bangin'"