For Those Of Us Who Loved "The 300"

[Firepit 462]

I'm not getting into any long discussions about "The 300". It was a movie,.... a fantastic, action packed, sit on the edge of my seat wonderfull ride. I go to movies to be entertained, and I was, VERY ENTERTAINED.

The world was not burning when we left the theatre, the storm troopers have yet to brand our souls for enjoying the movie. And neither my girlfriend nor I have burned a swastikas into our skin or started killing kittens because of the movie.

I paid to see a movie, I TOTALLY enjoyed the movie, I recommend the movie, and anybody who questions my intelligence, my compassion, or my ability to rationalize life's mysteries based on this MOVIE needs to seriously get a grip.

Flame away,........ because I also loved "Braveheart". Even though half the movie was nothing but a buttcheek slapping fantasy of what really took place.

I'm Firepit 462........and I loved "The 300"

[Little Wing]

1. HUU! HUU! HUU!

:D

[Ninja Jordan]

2. Your pic represents everything that is wrong with America.

[chaska]

11. Great photo...

That regularly happens to new drivers of 18 wheelers who try to cross railroads in certain locations. Almost happened to me (back when I was still doing that line of work). I got some bad directions. Fortunately, I saw the problem in time and found another to get to my destination.

[ComerPerro]

3. Can see your point. But I think what most people here object to

is not the movie itself (aside from its negative depiction of artists and thinkers, aka liberals).

I think what a lot of people object to with this kind of comic-book style approach to history is, well, just that. Some people accept whatever is presented to them, and will walk away from this movie thinking it is literal historic fact, just like many think that Bravehart is a literal recounting of those events. And I think that knowledge, that some will think this is real, literal history, really bothers a lot of people here, and is at the core of most of the opposition. I know it bugs the shit outta me.

But then again, I will probably see it anyway. Was talking with friends about going to see it, then TMNT. LOL.

[Kagemusha]

4. Well yes, it is, literally, a comic book approach to history.

Or graphic novel approach, if you will.

But the event involved, how much do we really know about it anyway? It's myth every bit as much as fact in the first place. It certainly was that to the Greeks themselves.

[ComerPerro]

7. Most history, to some degree, is myth and fact, mixed.

After all, all we have for any history is pirmary sources (which can themselves be biased) and secondary accounts (which have the bias of the writer at times), sometimes even mixed with legend.

[jayfish]

28. Movie V. Comic Panels

http://www.flickr.com/photos/solaceincinema/sets/72157594312246529/with/262551703/

Amazing work!

Jay

[Firepit 462]

8. Go see it,

see it as a movie and you will love it.

People who go to "Hollywood" created movies for a history lesson, need to switch to decaf.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. I am a historian by training

I saw where it deviated from what we know (via herodotus) and I could spend all day pointing to them.

But many of the criticism are actually about thing we know... like the utter contempt Sparta had for Athens (yes kiddies to the point that the Spartans razed Athens at the end of the Peloponeian wars two hundred years later or so)

Or the killing of non perfect kids, yes exposure was a real fact

Or the fact that military campaigns ran on silly things like whether there were festivals or not

And most glaringly, the fact that some of the worst critics do not even know the battle actually occurred.

That is far more disturbing, at least to me

OF cuorse worst off, is the watching of movies with partisan glasses... and now it is not just the right doing it, but also lefties.

That is disturbing for other reasons.

[ComerPerro]

10. well, true, by no means are the Spartans a group to be celebrated

but then again, the Romans did some horrible things as well, and they are often celebrated for their accomplishments

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. What is being celebrated is the battle itself

in general the comments that Greeks are rational and logical applies to all the polities, not just Sparta

And the movie is also based, per Frank Miller, on the movie that was made on the same subject in the early 1960s... again celebrated the battle

And that line

Go tell the Spartans... it has made it over 2400 years... and it is a historical event with mythical elements

If you liked Gladiator, which has a lot of innacuracies too, you may like this. If you didn't... then I'd sugest thinking twice about going

[ComerPerro]

18. I enjoyed Gladiator as a movie, as a story, so yeah, probably

[AngryAmish]

40. Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

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[berni_mccoy]

35. Would that be a cultural issue or an educational one?

That is, if some people look to a movie like "300" as a historical representation, then would that not indicate that those individuals did not receive a proper education?

I realize culture influences education, but this movie is artwork, not history. It will inspire people to research the real event. In that aspect, it is a positive influence. There is no doubt we need to improve our education system if, as you say it, some people accept whatever is presented to them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. Bernie it gets far worst than that

over the last few I have been involved in many a discusion of this.

Some don't even know the events happened...

Or have such a poor command of history that some basic historical elements that actually were in the movie (I can count them with the fingers of ONE hand) they find insulting or propaganda like

Com'on one reviewer even said that the ending did not make sense to him...

What that 300 died at Thermopylae, or that Greece later on fought the Persians en massse? Which of hte two?

The second was a tad ahistorical, since the first was a rear action, but yuo get my point I think

[Tempest]

5. The name of the movie is "300" not "The 300"

A minor thing, but one of my pet peeves.

If you liked "300", you'll love "Gladiator".

"300" was a cheap knock-off of "Gladiator", right down to the Connie Nielsen look-alike character.

[Firepit 462]

12. I loved "Gladiator" also, and for the same reason,

A great story, fantastic acting, and an actual emotional involment in the story.

[Tempest]

23. Fantastic acting?

I somewhat agree with you on Gladiator, but the acting in 300 was way over the top and the dialogue was horrendous. I've seen better acting on a Family Guy episode.

Emotional involvement? The characters were wooden and had barely any screen presence.


But then I've been called a film (not be be confused with movies) snob and have much higher standards than most people.

I noticed something when I left the theatre after seeing the movie. Everyone else around me walked out dejected and sullen. And it wasn't from the deaths, they knew that was coming. It was because most everyone was disappointed in the movie.

[sanskritwarrior]

29. I saw the movie

in a theater filled to the brim with soldiers on Friday night when it opened......It was well received........including the dialogue

[genie_weenie]

17. 300 was written and imagined well before

Gladiator and both were done in the Sixties, as The 300 Spartans and The Fall of the Roman Empire.

[Firepit 462]

47. check out my post a few below "so far"

[Name removed]

6. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WinkyDink]

I'm skipping it because I really don't care for all that computerization.

Why no, I DON'T go to many movies!

[Tempest]

25. Even the CGI was disappointing

Even though it was obviously computer generated, they toned it down to try to make it look realistic and it came out looking like crap.

[bryant69]

13. You Monster!!!

How dare you come on here and enjoy the 300? This is Democratic Underground - not Fascist Overground!!!! You can make the stands you want but around here people know what kind of a movie 300 was!!!!! Don't try to confuse us!!!!!!!!!!!

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Firepit 462]

42. So far,

I've had one person accused me of being a Freeper because a year ago somebody used the same name I chose 2 weeks ago. And the number of people who jumped at the oportunity to agree was just sad.

I've got 3 people who couldn'r wait to point out the fact that the movie is "300" NOT "The 300"

I am not much of a chat room kind of person, but it really seemed like this would be fun, so I thought. I have to believe there are thousands and thousands of friendly people who post on this site, however in my short visit here I have seen people be personally outraged and offended over a frozen Sicilian Pizza advertisemnet, I've had it pointed out 3 times already that it's "300" NOT "The 300", I had one progressive person call me names and acuse me of being a freeper because over a year ago some nasty things were posted by someone with the same name as the one I chose 2 weeks ago. "Firepit 462" is my reference to a fire break and forrestry road outside Albuquerque NM. And the overall feeling of hopelessness that people take the time to write down about themselves is depressing. I think there are some really motivated people who try to motivate other people to act in a progressive way, but I think there are more sharks than seals. And I'm not kissing anyone's ass for permission to write.

I liked THE 300, I started this thread because of the unbelieveable number of people who want nothing more than to compare it to the Iraq war or blow holes in a hollywood movie for its historical inaccuracies. I think I got the "DU" message, I'll stick with face to face conversations, the annonimity the internet encourages too many keyboard comandos for me.

Cheers

[CatWoman]

14. I can't wait to see it

this review has me dying to see it: http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A210538

[Aviation Pro]

15. I'll see when it comes out on video....

...just like I waited to see the other cinema noir of Frank Miller, "Sin City."

[Hippo_Tron]

19. I agree, I'm so fucking tired of EVERYTHING being made political today

I went to see 300 so that I could escape thinking about politics for two hours. I come back to read people complaining about its supposedly political messages and parallels to the Iraq War, despite the fact that the story was written in 1998.

[GeorgeGist]

20. You can rationalize lifes mysteries...

based on a friggin movie? That's some ego trip.

[bryant69]

24. I don't know- before that "23" movie I wasn't aware of how scary numbers could be

Now with "300" I've learned that numbers can be heroic and bloodthirsty as well. Numbers have turned out to be more important than I thought they were.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[muriel_volestrangler]

26. Better rewatch '10' then

That shows they can be sexy. "Seven" takes you back to scary. "8½" shows they can be self-referential. "1941" shows numbers can be ridiculous. "2001" tells you they can be awe-inspiring, but "2010" makes you think they can go on too long. "1984" warns you numbers can control you.

[Bucky]

31. Also, "Pi" are for squares

[sutz12]

48. Pi are round....cake are square....nt

[Swede]

21. I enjoyed the movie.

It's just a movie.

[Dawgs]

22. First of all, it's just "300" not "The 300"

Second of all, the movie was okay at best. It was entertaining, and the acting was good, but I've seen much better.

Third, the line "freedom is not free" is a right-wing talking point. That line was not added by mistake.

[Firepit 462]

43. Read my reply a few lines up "so far".

You da man !

[ends_dont_justify]

27. LOL

Random troll incites the -1% minority who felt this movie was a religious experience against a bunch of people who see right through it.

Who will prevail? :eyes:

Besides, I want to see a modern day take on Ithaca's victories. Sparta is too mainstream greece for my blood :p

[MrSlayer]

30. Spartans! What is Your Occupation?

It's "300" though not "The 300".

I liked it so much, I saw it twice. I want to see it in IMax.



These guys look thirsty.

[rman]

32. I think the problem is that it pretends to be historically accurate, while it is not.

I'm pretty sure Braveheart does not pretend to be historically accurate.

[jayfish]

39. Mmmmm.... Ok.

Your talking about the giant war-elephants and rhinoceros's right? Those most assuredly meant to come across as "historically accurate".

Jay

[rman]

41. No that's not what i'm talking about.

Some posts in this thread and in other threads about the movie have pointed out the discrepancies between this movie and the historic record. I won't repeat them here.

[nadinbrzezinski]

45. Have you read hte inverviews with the Director

or with Frank Miller? They don't any claims to this effect.

Nor do they make the claims that it is a comment on current events

[rman]

46. On the movie's website

it says something about depicting a historic battle.
I think that's suggesting it is historically accurate.

It's not promoted as a cartoon version of history, is it?

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. The battle is historic

but I am sure you knew that....

Serious

here are the on the fingers of one hand historical depictions

1.- The Greeks in general and the Spartans in particular did practice exposure of new borns who were not believed to be perfect. (Opening scenes)

2.- The Battle of Thermopile actually happened... back on 480 BCE

http://www.historynet.com/magazines/military_history/3038411.html

3.- Leonidas and Xerxes are real historical people as in they were alive at one time

4.- The scorn the Spartans had for the Athenians was for real.

5.- I almost forgot, Greeks did consult oracles before major events such as going to war, the way it was portrayed was off.

After that, take it with a grain of salt

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

33. Cool To Hear. I Want To See It Too.

And Braveheart's one of my favorite movies. I actually used the bagpipe themesong as the walk down the aisle music at my wedding. :)

[Marrah_G]

34. OOooooooo

Okay... that is just too cool for words. I have to ask. Did you wear a kilt too?

Note: I loved Braveheart, but Rob Roy is my favorite.

[JNelson6563]

36. There it is!!

Rob Roy was superb! One of my all time top 10 favorites. Everyone in that movie was cast perfectly but I'd say Tim Roth put in one of the finest performances ever. I'd never heard of him before that and was blown away. No one can do a hate-able asswipe like Tim Roth.

The whole thing was incredible and that wouldn't've been possible if not for the excellent script.

:toast:

Julie

[Marrah_G]

37. I knew it was destined for greatness when..

I had to translate it for my ex because the accent was too thick!

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

38. Nah, No Kilt, Sorry LOL

I'm not even a drop of Scottish or otherwise but I just love that theme. It actually gave me goosebumps listening to it as the groomsmen/bridesmaids walked their way down. It fit perfectly!