Apocolypto

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

Boycott? or No?

I have never cared for Gibson, but this film comes across as a visual gem.

[b.miller]

Those expecting The Passion Part 2 (and I don't know why I was expecting that but I was) will be very surprised. It's really more of a shameless action movie where the last half hour or so is one long chase through the jungle. At times it even gets Rambo First Blood Part Two-esque (not with guns but with jungle camo-kills and booby traps and whatnot)... the little bit of eco- and politico-message present is pretty much shoved to the sidelines... as things you see while heading for something else. It's not so subjective to lose interest (like Marie Antionette) but it definitely doesn't explain a lot of what is shown.

The Trailer looks beautiful and I'm hoping the rest of the film is that pretty when it comes out. The version I saw was a straight rip off the avid so that may account for it but... what i watched looked like it was shot on a crappy consumer-level miniDV cam. I'm sure it'll look much closer to the trailer when it's done though.

But since it wasn't pretty when I saw it, I have to admit that I liked the movie anyway. Plenty of people didn't (the girl next to me leaned over and whispered "more like apocaCRAPto" afterwards) but plenty of people did... Personally, I hated The Passion and liked (not loved) Braveheart... So i was pleasantly surprised at how... unburdened this was.

If you're at all curious about this, I'd say you should definitely see it.

SPOILERS

no, the movie doesn't end with jews starting a war.

[Deckard]

Originally Posted by b.miller

Personally, I hated The Passion and liked (not loved) Braveheart... So i was pleasantly surprised at how... unburdened this was.

I felt the same way (respectively) about both those films, so that's encouraging for this one.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by jOHN rODRIGUEZ

Boycott? or No?

I have never cared for Gibson, but this film comes across as a visual gem.

I'm typically not a big fan of boycotting any artisic endeavor based on the personal beliefs of the artists behind them. Unless, of course, the artistic endeavor actually embodies those beliefs, in which case I think it's fair game. But imagine if you had to consider the political or social views of every musician throughout history before buying their album, or of every painter before buying a print of their work or going to an exhibit. You'd be missing out on tons of incredible art. So if you think it looks like an appealing film, then I say go see it despite Gibson's recent problems.

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

I was being a smart ass. I still think he's a cock (and not in a good w . . . nevermind).

[grady]

I'm curious to see this film. I can't surpress my interest, in particular, the mayan aspect of the story. It sounds pretty grizzly, but I'm sure some will be unimpressed regardless.

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

Only complaint would be this should have been rated NC-17. Shame on you Disney.

I'd go on to say after age 17 this should be required viewing.

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Originally Posted by jOHN rODRIGUEZ

Only complaint would be this should have been rated NC-17. Shame on you Disney.

I'd go on to say after age 17 this should be required viewing.

Now *I* want to see it!

[jOHN rODRIGUEZ]

May I also suggest "Bad Influence" starring Spader & Lowe.

Documenting the underground party scene quite well.

[cured]

I guess they mixed this up. This looked like a movie about Aztecs.

Good movie, I enjoyed it. "Braveheart", although straying quite a ways from fact, was phenomenal. I loved that movie. "Passion" was a bit predictable () and kind of trudged its way through. In this one you get a very human story with some run-of-the-mill bad guys and the nods to Rambo II are a little bit unbearable at times but it doesn't detract from the movie.

I'd give this one 3/4 stars...