Posted on 05/14/2004 10:33:59 AM PDT by dead
Edited on 05/26/2004 5:21:50 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
I saw th emovie last night and found it quite entertaining. It bore little resemblance to the Illiad, but was worth the $9.00.
I saw it and agree with this review. The Greeks and Trojans were all about Thymos/thumos or spiritedness which was at the core of life.
No idea if it is on video/DVD, but a few months ago one of the cable networks (I think USA) ran a "Helen of Troy" miniseries that was actually quite watchable.
Only recognized Rufus Sewell (the greatest movie villian of my generation) as Aggamenon and "Salah" from "Indiana Jones" as Priam, but the unknowns were decent. At four hours, it began to do justice to the story, though the ending is rushedm, and it handles the gods well, without actually showing them like in "Clash of the Titans." Worth trying to find if you're into this sort of thing.
3200 years ago was before the dawn of the Modern Mind. This movie does not convey much of the true mentality of these Presocratic Greeks and Trojans. Their mentality was way different than than the movie portrayed. Way more guttural, more spiritedness and yes they saw Gods everywhere and the movie does not adequately portray this.
Mr. Pitt's lovely little ensemble bears a stunning resemblance to what my character Xen wore my first year at Renfest.
Cox was even a good villain in Chain Reaction.
Also a good villain in X-Men 2.
And the father in the Rookie(not a villain, but flawed character who was not the best dad)
I've liked Cox in whatever I've seen him in. He's a chameleon actor - he can make himself into a character so utterly that you forget you ever saw him in anything else.
I guess I'm still stuck in the 1930s; I was born 40 years too late. It looked great to me, and I didn't hear any laughs at the previews. Most of my friends (SF geeks like me) think it looks pretty cool.
Guess I'm just outta touch.
Heck, I still like the Biggles books (Biggles learns to fly, The Camels are coming, Biggles goes East, etc.). No wonder Sky Captain looks good to me...
In the sequel, Aeneas decides to stay in Africa with Dido - to Hell with Italy!
From Maximus I learned self-government, and not to be led aside by anything; and cheerfulness in all circumstances, as well as in illness; and a just admixture in the moral character of sweetness and dignity, and to do what was set before me without complaining. I observed that everybody believed that he thought as he spoke, and that in all that he did he never had any bad intention; and he never showed amazement and surprise, and was never in a hurry, and never put off doing a thing, nor was perplexed nor dejected, nor did he ever laugh to disguise his vexation, nor, on the other hand, was he ever passionate or suspicious. He was accustomed to do acts of beneficence, and was ready to forgive, and was free from all falsehood; and he presented the appearance of a man who could not be diverted from right rather than of a man who had been improved. I observed, too, that no man could ever think that he was despised by Maximus, or ever venture to think himself a better man. He had also the art of being humorous in an agreeable way.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.