What Movies Have You Seen Lately?

[cw gortner]

I love Gladiator, especially the music. And Ridley Scott, the director, always has stuff floating in the air in his films - in this one, there's snow flakes, black rose petals, wheat seeds . . . makes for a detailed sense of ambiance.

I saw Leap Year with Amy Irving and Matthew Goode - he was the only 'goode' thing in the entire dreadful affair. I think she made the film to get a free trip to Ireland.

Also saw a violent but mesmerizing UK-based movie about revenge called Closure, starring a very beautiful - and driven - Gillian Anderson.

Oh, and Clash of The Titians - which, god help me, I enjoyed.

[Nefret]

Originally Posted by cw gortner

Oh, and Clash of The Titians - which, god help me, I enjoyed.

The old version or the new version?

[LoveHistory]

That would have been Amy Adams in Leap Year. That film was a waste of talent.

[Russ Whitfield]

Originally Posted by fljustice

I loved that movie! I did a "reel vs. real" analysis when it first came out which I posted on my blog. It's not a movie review, but a history behind the film discussion.

Thanks so much, I really enjoyed the article. For me, the inaccuracies just don't matter - I loved the movie.

I think that if you know enough of Roman history to know its inaccurate...well, I'm of the mind that knowing is enough, it doesn't bother me too much to be honest.

Let's face it, most movies don't let the facts get in the way of a good story - Braveheart, U571, Robin Hood - Men in Tights...its all much of a muchness. One thing is that if someone young becomes a huge "Gladiator" fan and starts to read into the history some more, that's only to the good :-)

[Ludmilla]

If you like the Gladiator soundtrack and are not familiar with the group, Dead Can Dance, you should check them out. Lisa Gerrard, who provided the haunting vocals for Gladiator, was a member of DCD (though I think DCD is a dead collaboration now).

Our last set of Netflix movies watched included Wolfman and Daniel Deronda. I can see where Romola Garai (from Deronda) is going to be a rising star (something about her expressions remind me quite a bit of Cate Blanchett).

Among movies coming to us is Logan's Run. I had an urge to watch it on Blue Ray. Haven't watched it in years.

[Russ Whitfield]

As an ex-goth, DCD were required listening!

[Ludmilla]

I never dressed the part, or really acted the part, but I've always been a huge fan of goth/dark wave music (groups like Sisters of Mercy, old Bauhaus, Clan of Xymox, etc.). I have the DCD Boxed Set... it includes a bonus DVD with interviews with Lisa and Brendan (very far out, philosophical as you'd expect from them).

[Russ Whitfield]

*lol*@ Clan of Xymox....now there's a name I've not heard in a gazillion years: you've prompted a spotify/youTube search!

check this out.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiJ3KU0bme0

I was in Goth band and all...happy days. Well, not openly happy, obviously, cos it was Goth. Truth is, I was more into heavy metal and the singer used to get cross with my refusal to drink snakebite and black in the pub.

[Madeleine]

Originally Posted by Russ Whitfield

*lol*@ Clan of Xymox....now there's a name I've not heard in a gazillion years: you've prompted a spotify/youTube search!

check this out.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiJ3KU0bme0

I was in Goth band and all...happy days. Well, not openly happy, obviously, cos it was Goth. Truth is, I was more into heavy metal and the singer used to get cross with my refusal to drink snakebite and black in the pub.

Oh what a fabulous name. Just followed your link and watched a bit of the Clan, and then saw Killing Joke "Love like Blood" in the list at the side, now that brings back memories - great song. And a guitar riff many would kill for.

Love your quote about not being openly happy as a Goth - priceless

[fljustice]

Originally Posted by Russ Whitfield

Thanks so much, I really enjoyed the article. For me, the inaccuracies just don't matter - I loved the movie.

DItto--I very much enjoyed the movie. I never go to the movies for accurate history or science. Movies are art and by their nature have a different standard of "truth." Personally, one of the fun things about seeing any historical film, particularly one I enjoyed, is later checking out the history behind the art. I appreciate both in their respective spheres. So my articles on the history behind a movie or TV show are not intended as "critiques" or reviews, but more like the "extras" on a DVD or the history popup feature on the HBO series Rome.