300 Spartans

So the day and time that I had been so anxiously awaiting for, finally came. The anticipation I had for this film was incredible. I hadn't been this excited to see a film since...well truthfully, I can't even remember. So I graciously buy the ticket and step quickly towards the theater. Number 10 to be exact. As time winds down to the show time, I keep thinking to myself that I hope I haven't built this movie up too much to be horribly let down in the end. I couldn't have been so wrong.

The movie starts as a soldier telling a story about a Spartan who is to be 'King Leonidas'. Which also plays hand in hand with an introduction to the customs of the people of Sparta. It tells us about such things as how they, believe it or not, "choose" their newborns, how these boys become warriors, how they are constantly being trained and tested throughout their life. So that they can ultimately be the best soldiers the world has ever known. The story of Leonidas' childhood climaxes at a pivotal point in which Leonidas is faced with his last test where his is put up against a giant black wolf, with what looked to be fire in his eyes . For the record was completely bad ass. Not to give too much away he returns to Sparta victorious and takes his place as King of Sparta. It was an action packed introduction/crash course in the history of Spartans, which gave you a great background on who the Spartans were and what they stood for. And so the story begins...

I must say this movie immediately grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go until the end. It's literally a roller coaster ride that you wish would keep going. Aside from that, I was in complete and utter awe of the visuals in the movie. After watching a behind the scenes look of the movie on SPIKETV, I believe it was the director who has said that "anything beyond 200 feet was all CGI". Well you really had to look twice. The backgrounds and environments are beautifully done. If not flawless. The colours of the movie just add so much atmosphere to the movie I thought. The browns, crimsons, grey tones just added so much to the movie. In ways that I just can't explain. The only word for it all visually is 'beautiful'.
Now to get to the real fun stuff. The fight scenes. One word, "Amazing". Quick cuts to fast paced to slow motion movements of death and carnage. Sounds like it would leave you dizzy. For lack a better word. Well it doesn't. The scenes are so well done. Giving you the feeling that you are just as much apart of them as the Spartans and their enemies. The camera angles are right in the thick of the battle. Death, blood, gore all around you. You are in this war whether you like it or not. And I'm very sure you're liking it.
With all that aside, the story tells you about these men's devotion to their country, to freedom, to their king and most of all, to each other. I actually came to thinking about our own war in Iraq and Afghanistan. About the men and women over there fighting for quite similar values and having very little backing politically and otherwise at home.
So to try and sum up my thoughts of this movie, I was not let down in the least. I had a great time seeing this film, enjoyed every minute of it. I recommend it to all those with a pulse and those without.

Nights of the Very Alive Remakes

"They're coming to get you Barbara!"

Yes they are and there is nothing you can do about it. As any cold blooded movie goer knows, the past couple years have been the "Age of Remakes". For the sake of readability, I'll change this to the "Age of Revival", it doesn't seem so 'fau pas'.
So the age of revival is upon us. Most of us who are faithful to our mistress, the film industry, know the movies and for those who haven't expanded their horizons probably have no idea the movie is a remake. At least until they hear it from the people below them who are telling them to stop kicking their fucking chairs.
So what do we think of these 'revivals' ? Well from discussions, debates, rants, etc. The overall thoughts are not so good. Why ? Well other than the obvious reason of the movie being a big piece of paper bagged, flaming dog shit. It's possibly because those of us who are fans of the original film are scared. Yes, scared. The fact that someone has taken something that we either love, respect, think is the holy grail, etc. and made it their own; is change. We all hate change. It takes us away from our comfort zone. So some of us rebel against it. Whether it be because of our thick skulls, rock hard beliefs and just plain old stubbornness. We have to accept that directors, writers and producers are reviving our classics and bringing them to the youths of today. Some people may be saying there is no 'originality' anymore. Maybe so. But is there much left to be original with, without taking SOMETHING from another film that may have inspired or may have been a favourite? Probably not. We go with what works. These classics worked. And STILL work in their original forms. So why not spruce them up with technology and some new talent?
Personally, I have no problem with these 'revivals' . The good ones anyways. But I do admit full heartedly that there have been some horribly fucking done 'revivals' that are probably not worth the name they bare. Nonetheless we are left to hope for something spectacular. Something true to the original, without destroying it. In my eyes, I have an incredible amount of sympathy goes out to the directors, writers who have to put these things together. The pressures and stresses they must feel is probably ridiculous.
So with that, Will I go see a 'Revival'? Probably. Will I enjoy it? Possibly. Will I use a couple bad 'revivals' to denounce other upcoming films of the same nature? I sure as hell will try not to.
Should you all adopt my commandments? Fuck yes.