300

[sinjin]

I have been anxiously awaiting this one opening today here in SoCal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhi5x7V3WXE

[joshuatree]

I have been anxiously awaiting this one opening today here in SoCal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhi5x7V3WXE

Just hoping not all the best parts of the film is already covered by the trailer.

[shaveice]

the one review i read (new york times) totally slammed the movie but i hope it's not as bad as he/she thinks.

watched a program on the history channel last night about the real events and it was fascinating. catch it if you can. it was excellent.

[buzz1941]

Saw it last night at midnight showing. Regal has digital projection!

Amazing film, but definitely an acquired taste.

[sinjin]

Saw it last night at midnight showing. Regal has digital projection!

Amazing film, but definitely an acquired taste.Did you like Sin City?

[pzarquon]

I love how the reviews of "300" (http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/300/) are all over the map.

Like "Sin City," I'd see it just to enjoy the experimental filmmaking than I would for any semblance of plot.

[NoCal Boy]

I just got back from sneaking out of work early and catching a matinee. I thought it was great. Think of it as an early summer popcorn movie. Effects were well done - I liked Sin City but the black and white artificial lighting got a bit old. The violence here is in all shades of blood red. No, not a ton of plot, but lots of action! Then again, I'm a sucker for "fighting teams": Justice League/Teen Titans/Legion of Super Heroes comics; Seven Samurai; heck, even the Science Patrol from Ultraman!

And from another thread (http://www.hawaiithreads.com/showthread.php?t=12149): my Netflix queue just went up one with the addition of the 1962 movie "The 300 Spartans". I bet it's the same movie I can only remember one image of from childhood: a small band of soldiers banding together and creating one massive shield to protect them all from a hail of arrows. There's a similar scene in 300 that kicked in a deju vu moment for me.

[shaveice]

i'll definitely go to watch it, esp after seeing that program on the history channel. it was just a chance viewing but the historical background definitely peaked my interest and i believe will make me appreciate the movie even more.

btw, the real events come across like fiction. just an amazing series of events. don't wanna spoil it for anyone but there's a whole story that deals with the battle on the sea (persian navy vs. "greek" navy) that i suspect will hardy be mentioned in the movie but it was absolutely critical to the land battle.

it's not exhaustive by any means but if anyone doesn't mind some historical background before (or after) watching the movie, you can read a bit about it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/300_Spartans

[buzz1941]

Yeah, I liked "Sin City" too, but then I think Rodriguez is a genius. I even like the Spy Kids movies.

The Frank Miller graphic novel "300" is actually an adaption of "The 300 Spartans," and there are lines of dialogue that are identical. I just watched the original movie last week. I picked it up for $4 when Tower was going out of business.

BTW, the radio promo preview of "300" earlier this week turned away a couple of hundred people, all of whom were annoyed with the radio station for giving away twice as many tickets as there were seats.

[Marco]

i'll definitely go to watch it, esp after seeing that program on the history channel. it was just a chance viewing but the historical background definitely peaked my interest and i believe will make me appreciate the movie even more.


Any chance the History Channel will show a repeat? I'd love to see it.

I just saw "300", and thought it was pretty good: lots of testosterone, adrenaline, blood, etc. It would probably be my favorite movie of all time if it had come out 8-9 years ago when I was just hitting puberty. Now that I'm all old and mature *cough*, it was just entertaining.

Though, I died a little inside at the line "Freedom isn't free!" *snickers*

[nachodaddy]

The movie was historically inaccurate but still fun. Rodriquez rocks.

Read the book "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield if you want to know how life was back then.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

The movie was historically inaccurate but still fun. Rodriquez rocks.

Read the book "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield if you want to know how life was back then.

I *loved* Gates of Fire! I didn't know anyone else (besides me) who has read it. The writing level is quite high and it is narrarated from voice of one of the slaves who was among the 300 men.

It is one of the few paperbacks I've kept.

[shaveice]

I *loved* Gates of Fire! I didn't know anyone else (besides me) who has read it. The writing level is quite high and it is narrarated from voice of one of the slaves who was among the 300 men.

one of the "slaves"? if the documentary on the history channel is to be believed, i'm not sure any of the 300 would be considered a slave. yes, the spartans definitely had slaves (in fact, a right of passage for young spartan men training for military service was the killing of a slave without being caught!). other examples of spartan life: a) if a baby were deemed unworthy (i.e., weak), that baby would be left outdoors to die! b) the whole purpose of spartan boys/men was to serve sparta and that meant military service. c) young boys were taught to fight from a very early age. d) an example of the kind of stuff they used to experience as young boys: hugging a column while being whipped by an adult male; the goal was to be the last boy standing; parents would watch and cheer for their sons not to give up! e) it wasn't uncommon for boys to kill one another while training/fighting. etc, etc.

amazing stuff. a little paragraph from yet another page at wikipedia: "Sparta was, above all, a militarist state, and emphasis on military fitness began virtually at birth. Shortly after birth, the mother of the child bathed it in wine to see whether the child was strong. If the child survived it was brought before the elders of the tribe by the child's father. The elders then decided whether it was to be reared or not. If found defective or weak, the baby was left on the wild slopes of Mt Taygetos. In this way the Spartans attempted the maintenance of high physical standards in their population. From the earliest days of the Spartan citizen, the claim on his life by the state was absolute and strictly enforced...." absolutely mindblowing, which is why i said the real history behind the story of Battle of Thermopylae is as incredible as any fiction. i don't know when the history channel will air that show again but i think it's very likely.

http://www.cablemediasales.com/pages/nets/?cp=nets&sp=prgdt&id=hist_3985

[shaveice]

it's not the program that was released in march 2007 (history channel), but it is from the history channel...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6BDHGa4CEY

and the making of the movie...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OdsO3DabBQ&mode=related&search=

[reineke]

I am really, really hoping to love this one. I liked Sin City very much despite everyone's objections. And I didn't like Spy kids :) I've read a few mixed reviews. It's fun to read vehement discussions about 300's historical accuracy. One professional reviewer placed Sparta on the shores of the Adriatic. With that in mind I suppose the movie's sufficiently accurate.

[Glen Miyashiro]

The movie was historically inaccurate but still fun. Rodriquez rocks.

Read the book "Gates of Fire" by Steven Pressfield if you want to know how life was back then.Robert Rodriguez directed Sin City, not 300. 300 was directed by Zack Snyder.

[nachodaddy]

Robert Rodriguez directed Sin City, not 300. 300 was directed by Zack Snyder.

Correct. I got distracted and forgot to connect the dots

It should have read:

"The movie was historically inaccurate but still fun. It also reminded me of Sin City for the special effects. Rodriquez rocks"

[Marco]

The movie was historically inaccurate but still fun.
Well, it's based on Frank Millers graphic novel, so I wouldn't expect it to be very accurate when it comes to history. It was pretty close to the comic book, though. Almost scene for scene, actually. I still have the comic book from when I bought it when it first came out, years ago. Took me weeks to save up to buy it, too! lol

I *loved* Gates of Fire! I didn't know anyone else (besides me) who has read it.
I read "Gates of Fire" last year, and liked it a lot. I would've loved to see a movie based on an adaptation of this book. But I guess if you're gonna make a movie with a "Sin City"-like feel to it, Frank Miller's version would translate better.

[Hellbent]

I liked the movie, my nephews (who are over 23), not so much. One said "The 300...naked men" I like Frank Miller, I didnt read this book, but figured I'd like it, and I did.

[shaveice]

was planning on watching the 9:30 showing at the dole and found that it was sold out! so instead of waiting, i thought i'd drive to the ward theaters and after finding a parking, walking, etc, found a very long line with the 10:30 and 11:30 shows almost sold out. sigh.... guess i'll wait for a weekday late evening show :(

[buzz1941]

Yeah, Zack Snyder ... whose next movie is Watchmen!

[Composite 2992]

The entire movie was shot against green screen:

http://www.studiodaily.com/main/technique/tprojects/7807.html

The director says he was striving more for style and looks. Historical and technical accuracy came second to that.

[shaveice]

just watched the 9:30 showing and liked it. definitely not historically accurate in many places but of course that wasn't the director's goal. the real history, i think, is way more powerful and moving than the movie, even with the make-believe beasts, etc.

[NoCal Boy]

And like me, you may not have recognized him, but the self-proclaimed god-king Xerxes in the movie is none other than Rodrigo Santoro, the better known to us LOST fans as the much-maligned Paulo.

[Hellbent]

Did anyone catch the trailer for Grindhouse? I heard several groans and never laughter during the trailer. Am I the only one actually anxious to see these movies? I know that Tarantino and Rogriguez grew up watching these B movies, and I sorta did with the crappy NightFlight stuff, as well as the chinese movies at Empress and Golden Harvest.

[Honoruru]

the real history, i think, is way more powerful and moving than the movie, even with the make-believe beasts, etc.

I agree with you. The movie was very entertaining and well-made, but the real story behind the actual event is much more complex and intriguing. The recent History Channel piece gives you a taste of this, but the History Channel (or the overall Discovery Channel) also produced some other segments previously, especially the one describing Spartan society, which explored a richer, and more amazing, depiction of the times.

[Ms_Aloha_Nui]

Saw this AMAZING movie last night......WONDERFUL! The cinematography was EXTRAORDINARY! Would definitely see it again!

That is all!

[Honoruru]

Any chance the History Channel will show a repeat? I'd love to see it.

It repeats today (Saturday 3/17) at 9:00 p.m. Sorry this is so late, but I was channel surfing, saw this program schedule, and remembered this thread.

[kiwidiva]

I was finally able to get someone to watch my kids so I could go see it.

I LOVED IT!!!!

So, how many of you are trying the "300-rep Spartan workout" after watching that flick? I must admit, it did make me want to go and do some sit ups (and I usually only feel like that after watching a Janet Jackson video)... but then I ate some popcorn and drank some Coke and got over it!

[Cameron]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy2ElkOuNF0 - 300 workout?

Now thats what I need.

[christa]

totally forced to see this and totally GLAD i did. those spartans are... tough!

[kiwidiva]

Thanks for that link, Cameron.

Good to know those abs weren't computer generated.

[shaveice]

totally forced to see this and totally GLAD i did. those spartans are... tough!

you aren't kidding. although the movie had some totally out of this world things that had nothing to do with history, the culture of sparta was incredibly tough. as a man, you either grew into a warrior or you died. that's pretty tough!

[Leo Lakio]

Official "300" music video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi2t58CRmbU

[cynsaligia]

i love love love loved the movie! then again, i'm the kinda girl who would watch action movies before watching a romatic comedy. i'm also the kinda girl who teases guys who liked "wedding crashers" bcs despite all the crass jokes, it's still a romantic comedy. so, 300 was totally up my alley and i loved it completely.

on a side note, the beau and i went to watch the fights put on by ICON sports last saturday. jason "mayhem" miller (is that his name?) used some clips from the 300 trailer in his own intro film. i was kinda irritated--like, how dare he compare himself to the men of sparta??!! they would have never suffered his flamboyance and arrogance. and i wonder if he did that with permission?

then again, i find mayhem irking generally. just cause you move to kalihi doan mean it's automatically your home town. and i can say this bcs i'm a kalihi girl, dammit! plus that whole case in court where he kicked down his female friend/girlfriend/ex-girlfriend/whatever's door...bleh! ooooohkay, of topic i went....

[AbsolutChaos]

For some reason I have no urge to see this movie. I'll probably wait until it's out on DVD or out in the $1 theater.

I DID enjoy what Mark Harris wrote (http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20015210,00.html)about the movie in the mag Entertainment Weekly:

"It may sound silly to fault a movie like 300 for "perfectionism," considering that the goal on its petite mind is nothing loftier than to reach into the psyches of its fanboy fan base and offer their militaristic and sexual enxieties a well-lubricated man-fondling."

:D

[Serenity]

the one review i read (new york times) totally slammed the movie but i hope it's not as bad as he/she thinks.

watched a program on the history channel last night about the real events and it was fascinating. catch it if you can. it was excellent.

Hey, how are doing shave Ice??

Yeah, I saw that on the History channel, too. It was an awsome story of it. With the movie itself, it filled some of the missing gaps in the story for me. So, it was worth watching the tv program, & going to see the movie itself.
I give both sides the movie & the real events on the History Channel an A++

The history itself was trully brutal, much worse than tough love.

Although, how the movie was created on the screen, it is very different as you see it before you, than a regular movie. At first, I thought in the advertisements on TV was some sort of a game, I have seen adds on TV in regards to a futuristic game before, so I thought it was the same thing.

Then, as I watched it again, realized it was an actual movie.

I think it is great on how it was done, although if you read in the Entertainment Weekly magazine, that some of the stories in the movies, was exaggerated, but then again, aren't real stories placed in the movies tend to be exaggerated, any way?. :rolleyes:

Over all, I gave it a Thumbs up for the effort of the movie created.

Aloha. :)

[DaFerret]

300 is a straight-up action flick. There really isn't any character development. Intro doesn't really count, imo. Nor is 300 supposed to be "historically accurate" as people have pointed out. However, there are things in the movie that are pretty accurate, which some folks don't give the movie credit for. 300 is simply a faithful film adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel, which itself is an offshoot from 300 Spartans and loosely based upon the events of the Battle of Thermopylae.

My interpretation is, 300 boils down to the essence of epic action movies like Gladiator and Braveheart. *hears groaning* :P The movie is composed of mostly fight scenes with other stuff to stagger the adrenaline high. Where fight scenes are the fluff of some movies, the "other stuff" is the fluff in 300 while the fighting is the integral part. Basically, you're watching an action hack'n slash video game.

And that's going to rub people the wrong way. It's a movie that encourages you to shut your brain off and just take in the sights. While it might be worth 4-5 bucks... $8-9? Not so much. But to really appreciate the movie, you should see it on a big-ish screen with a decent sound system. The choreography is pretty impressive. The costumes and scenery, equally so.

Going back to historical accuracy... no doubt that 300 doesn't advertise itself as being accurate. However, I think not enough credit is given to the movie. There are little details that make me believe that quite a bit of research was done. Things like the laconic wit presented in quite a few lines. Some of them being very similar or exactly like statements recorded down (ie. the "Then we will fight in the shade" segment). The Lambda on the Spartan's shields.

There were only two issues concerning historical accuracy that I wish 300 had kept... (gonna hide 'em in spoiler for those that didn't see the movie and plan to)


The first was the oracle scene. A little eroticism doesn't hurt anything but the fact that the message was completely different than real life facts kind of disappointed me. Everyone (who's familiar with the event) already knows that Leonidas knew he had to die or face Sparta's destruction (according to the Oracle at Delphi). Rather than use a blanket ideal like "Freedom", which is ironic since Sparta practiced the use of slaves, the same emotional charge could still be given if the true reason Leonidas went to Thermopylae was conveyed.

The second was the Thespian volunteers leaving at the end. Granted, the movie was about the 300 Spartans fighting and dying, but the fact that their skill in combat and their dedication to their job had moved the Thespian volunteers to stay and fight a losing battle alongside the Spartans would have been so much the better.


Aside from the two issues, I really enjoyed the movie. The fighting choreography was fluid and very impressive. The visuals and sounds were pretty good (although some parts just reverberated Gladiator :P). While the pacing at the beginning was a bit slow, the movie really sped up and didn't stop until it was over. Total adrenaline rush.

[Keanu]

Spartans were the most kick ass homosexuals in the history of man.

[Leo Lakio]

Spartans were the most kick ass homosexuals in the history of man.That ranks high on my list of English Sentences I Would Never Have Expected To Hear. Thank you for your contribution.

[helen]

I saw 300 at Ward Theater this morning. As was an enjoyable action flick, didn't understand why Sparta's full army strength wasn't used at the beginning (some people were moving around me during the messager to Sparta scene).

Did like the scene about the Spartans laughing during the arrow attack which reminded them about the eariler scene about fighting in the shade.

[Pua'i Mana'o]

I just watched in the theatre today. I cannot wait to own it on dvd. Then, I came home to find that the hubby rented The Departed. First Spartans, then Irish cops & Irish mafia...Good Friday cannot get any better. What a sensory overload I've had today! I must've ovulated twice. ;)

[Pua'i Mana'o]

Spartans were the most kick ass homosexuals in the history of man.

hmm....those Spartans seemed quite the bunch of feral men, whereas Xerxes was uh, well yeaaaahhh....speaking of, he's that guy who also played in Lost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_(Lost)). Yum, bebe! When he's not looking like Xerxes, that is.

[shaveice]

I saw 300 at Ward Theater this morning. As was an enjoyable action flick, didn't understand why Sparta's full army strength wasn't used at the beginning (some people were moving around me during the messager to Sparta scene).

Did like the scene about the Spartans laughing during the arrow attack which reminded them about the eariler scene about fighting in the shade.

as i recall from the history channel, these events happened during a time (religious, i believe) where such activities were not allowed. thus, the king was only allowed to take 300. also, i think the history channel mentioned that the political leaders weren't convinced that there was an imminent threat...

[Keanu]

hmm....those Spartans seemed quite the bunch of feral men, whereas Xerxes was uh, well yeaaaahhh....speaking of, he's that guy who also played in Lost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_(Lost)). Yum, bebe! When he's not looking like Xerxes, that is.

It's almost kind of ironic. Pederasty was a prominent part of Spartan society but yet Spartans have been viewed throughout history as fierce and feared Warriors.There is kind of a disconnect in viewing Spartan society using the now as a point of perspective but yeah, regardless of how we'd perceive their ways, they were kick ass.

LOL at your thoughts on Xerxes. :D

[helen]

I should have add this comment yesterday but forgot to do so but at the end of the movie I thought it was enjoyable even through I did not recongize any of the actors name.

Also the way Xerxes was protrayed in this movie as a larger than life figure I am surprised his eyes didn't glow from time to time.

[joshuatree]

Anyone watch Southpark? There's a 300 parody, hilarious!

http://www.idkwtf.com/videos/latest-videos/d-yikes-south-park-season-11-episode-6-300-parody

[shaveice]

only a hour to go but if anyone's interested, at 10 pm tonight there's this program:

Last Stand of the 300

Fri, Sep 14, 10:00 PM | Run Time: 120 min.

Genre: Documentary
CC
TV-PG

Seven thousand Greek soldiers face the war machine of the Persian Empire in a narrow pass in Northern Greece.

on the history channel. fascinating stuff!

[liberty]

hmm....those Spartans seemed quite the bunch of feral men, whereas Xerxes was uh, well yeaaaahhh....speaking of, he's that guy who also played in Lost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulo_(Lost)). Yum, bebe! When he's not looking like Xerxes, that is.

Wow, I didn't even realize that... although I guess it'd be difficult to recognize him with all that makeup work!

And I've seen that History Channel documentary twice. Interesting stuff. Thought it was funny that the overall look of the re-enactments looked like the 300 movie.