Posted on 03/28/2007 7:55:02 AM PDT by SmithL
When it comes to the offerings of Hollywood, rarely does a film resonate strongly with both mainstream America and the largely liberal world of film critics. For the two seem to inhabit different universes, particularly when it comes to depictions of patriotism, war, religion and the age-old struggle between good and evil.
When bad reviews and huge box office numbers coincide, the gulf between critics and audiences is laid bare. Such was the case with "The Passion of the Christ" and "National Treasure," both of which Americans flocked to see even as critics shook their heads in disbelief.
The unprecedented success of the recent film "300" is further evidence of this pattern. While critics have largely panned "300," Americans clearly haven't been listening. The film's opening weekend brought in $70 million, with all 57 of its early IMAX midnight showings selling out, making it the highest-grossing March opening ever and third-highest opening for an R-rated feature. And its box office numbers have remained high ever since.
Based on the graphic novel by Frank Miller (of "Sin City" fame) and directed by Zack Snyder, "300" is a fictional recounting of the famous Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. The battle pitted King Leonidas and his bodyguard of 300 Spartans -- aided by the Thespians -- against the vast army of the Persian King Xerxes. Seeking to block the Persian army at a narrow mountain pass until Sparta and the rest of Greece could amass the will and forces to fight, the greatly outnumbered Spartan warriors used their superior fighting skills, bravery and determination to hold the "Hot Gates" to the last man. It was the Spartan sacrifice at Thermopylae...
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
"How much pornographic imagery in a movie is "acceptable" for a Christian? In other words, at what point does a Christian make the difficult decision not to see a movie due to its graphic sexuality? Ever? Two sex scenes? Ten? Only one?"
Each Christian must make their own decision. My standard is any graphic sex and I won't see the movie. Do the images improve my relationship to God or hurt it? Do they help my marriage or hurt it?
Philippians 4:8 is a good standard:
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
So has "300". but of course in general, critics are liberals and it flies in the face of their worldview. But if anyone doesn't think it's a good movie, then he shouls compare it with the old Richard Eagan movie of the '60s. Movies should move, and this one does.
LOL!
But it IS based on a true story.
I appreciate your sensitivity. It's uncommon to find Christians who choose not to see a movie because of some of its imagery.
I frankly *did* want to see 300, but after I learned what was in it, I had to make the difficult decision of staying home instead.
ultra extreme violence progressing from babies thrown off a cliff to children being toughened by being beaten, whipped, and slugged, wolf attacks young man, woman slapped, extreme battle violence with blood spurting and bodies cut, tremendous amount of body parts, nightmarish violence, grotesque creatures; extreme sex in orgy scene like out of a pornographic magazine, with homosexual, transgender and lesbian content, plus implied and depicted fornication; lots of upper female nudity, rear male nudity, upper male nudity; drinking; and, treachery, treason, bribery, cruelty.Thanks for the warning. I wasn't planning on seeing it anyway, but this is good to know.
It seems to me that it all started with the NY Times review of the movie. I read it on a Friday morning, and that weekend, many other reviewers seemed to be picking up their themes from it. The NYT reviewer was fixated on, and disturbed by, the possibility that the Spartans in the movie might be interpreted by some as American soldiers holding radical Islam at bay in the War on Terror.
Almost all reviews of big films like this are published the day the movie opens so it seemed to be a common interpretation arrived at individually.
Then that just confirms that most of the major movie reviewers are unrepentant liberals who want to bash America whenever they can.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! That is a Good one, ScreamingFist!! :D:D:D:D ....and completely true!!! :)
I went and saw the film this weekend and I just don’t understand all the commotion pro or con. From the hype I thought it must be the next Gladiator and boy, was I in for a let down. It’s a crappy movie, period.
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