Movie industry bombarding us with historic epics - Page 3

Ned · August 11, 2003, 14:59

I think diCaprio as Alexander the Great is woefully miscast. Still I don't know of anyone else in their mid-20's who would be better. Alexander was more than a general, he was a fighter who lead his cavalry into the thick of the battle. Leo is an "unimpressive" soldier.

GePap · August 11, 2003, 15:07

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Originally posted by Ned
GePap, Inaccurate? It is my understanding that Commodus did in fact die in the Colliseum.

The one point I thought it got a little innacurate was when Commodus returned to Rome and road into a forum where a large number of "legions" were arrayed in large square formations. If they were legions, each of the squares of men would be arround 5000 in strength. There were about 30 of these arrayed in the forum for a total strength of 150,000.

Now that would have been half the Roman Army. I think that such an event never happened in the whole history of the Empire.

Still, the display of military strength was quite impressive.

He id die in the Colusseum, but he was not killed by ane x-General seeking to restore the Republic. That was dramatic license on the part of the director, and if he i gpoing to take dramatic license, at least have a story with few gaping plot points.

Actually, the use of the Roman military is one of the biggest weak points. They show a battle, in a forest of all things, were the Roman Cavalry plays the part of the central striking arm. Wrong, wrong, and wrong. The legions were still infantry centered, and the Romans would not be picvking fights against Germans in forests, as they had bad experiences with that. Oh, and all the pretty fireworks? I can understand why it was done (to make the battle resemble a modern one. One problem, it shouldn't resemble a modern one, it wasn;t a modern one.

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It's like saying Saving Private Ryan wasn't that good because it was a terrible depiction of WW2

But it was a good depiction of WW2, so the comparison is bad. You are the one carping of the color of the skin of the guy who's going to play Hannibal, aren't you? I did not find Gadiator fun (the gross problems with script did it for me), so the incorrect depiction of Roman times simply adds to it.

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plot holes! who would imagined that! Matrix is still a great movie, despite the plot holes.

Last time I checked, the Matrix ins;t trying to claim any semblence of historical accuracy, now is it?

Ned · August 11, 2003, 15:14

GePap, of course, all we know it that Commodus was killed in the arena by a gladiator. However, to condemn the movie because the producer added some ficticious history to gladiator is ridiculous.

I particularly enjoined the recreation of the Colliseum. It must have been very much like it appeared in the movie. Really something.

Az · August 11, 2003, 15:15

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Last time I checked, the Matrix ins;t trying to claim any semblence of historical accuracy, now is it?

plot holes are plot holes.

st_swithin · August 11, 2003, 15:19

Funny thing is, the original script named Crowe's character 'Narcissus.' Sort of fitting, eh?

Russell Crowe in "Beautiful Mind" - he got EXACTLY what he deserved. It was supposed to be about a man from El Salvador. Narcissus indeed.

Imran Siddiqui · August 11, 2003, 15:22

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You are the one carping of the color of the skin of the guy who's going to play Hannibal, aren't you?

Yeah, because it'd be like the general in Gladiator being played by Samuel Jackson

. Historical fiction should have some semblance of history behind it; enough to be plausible.

Also Gladiator was NOT supposed to be a 'true story'. It was total fiction. Hannibal, however, is obviously supposed to be a true story with some fictionalized dialogue and accounts.

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But it was a good depiction of WW2

You should ask MtG if he thinks it was a good depiction of the war

.

Bereta_Eder · August 11, 2003, 15:25

Hey ho Albert Speer! Not all Ancient Greeks were gay. Some were and they were tolerated in contrast with some other cultures of that time and that not in every city state.

About the plethora of hollywood movies about hitorical themes I think they're just desperate as awlays for something to fill their coffers and people tend to like these sort of movies these years.

Japher · August 11, 2003, 15:25

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You are the one carping of the color of the skin of the guy who's going to play Hannibal, aren't you?

I hear they aren't using elephants too

Honestly, they should get Stephen Segal to play Hannibal since no one really knows what nationality he is... Wait, I can't tell what nationality Vin is either!

Who care, Historical Inaccuracies are everywhere...

Antonio Banderas

Az · August 11, 2003, 15:30

I always thought it was "Seagull"....////

Bereta_Eder · August 11, 2003, 15:32

Quote:

Originally posted by Ned
I think diCaprio as Alexander the Great is woefully miscast. Still I don't know of anyone else in their mid-20's who would be better. Alexander was more than a general, he was a fighter who lead his cavalry into the thick of the battle. Leo is an "unimpressive" soldier.

Agreed. Compare:

sprucemoose3311 · August 11, 2003, 15:33

brad pitt is currently filming, so is colin ferrill, russell crowe, and leo. theres actually a third alexander the great planned but it probably doesnt have a script yet.

Az · August 11, 2003, 15:39

This looks like a job for "The Rock"

st_swithin · August 11, 2003, 15:41

Gandalf the Great White Terminator!! HAHAHA!! That's hysterical!

LTEC! · August 11, 2003, 15:54

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Originally posted by paiktis22

Agreed. Compare:

For that face, I'd cast Sean Penn.

Japher · August 11, 2003, 15:55

I'd cast Owen Wilson... just for the nose and stupid expression

LTEC! · August 11, 2003, 15:56

Bereta_Eder · August 11, 2003, 15:56

Yeah Sean Penn would be ok I'd think.
Who is Owen Wilson and does he have sideburns?

Wernazuma III · August 11, 2003, 15:57

I think I just have to name a few (there are many more) things which annoyed me most about Gladiator:
1. The battle: First: We're not in Vietnam! All those fire shells, stupid, stupid, stupid. Secondly, Roman legionaries using their spears as pole arms instead of throwing them at the Germanics who like complete dumbasses have nothing better to do than run in those short sticks

2. Commodus killing Mark Aurel, the wise emperor who wanted to give "power back to the people" and restore Republic (see point 3)
3. It's all about "the Republic" and "the people". In the movie it is portrayed as if Republic=American style Democracy and Senate=US senate and this is intended! The senate in Rome was not comparable to the US senate, damn it! Someone says in the end "We had a dream of Rome, of liberty!"

Couldn't they just say that they mean America? It was all that bigotted pathos about "freedom" and "liberty" and "democracy" which I hate about America, because those words are so omnipresent. that the words have become ideologic weapons and are misused even in historical scenarios where they don't apply.
4. THAT freaking kid! Again, American from toes to the hair. A spoilt brat. I could almost hear the American slang, even though the movie was dubbed! I don't know why "cool kids" in blockbusters always have to be such brats (Star Wars) Definitely, that little monkey didn't fit to Rome.

That's just what still springs to my mind, although it's quite some time since I've seen it.

st_swithin · August 11, 2003, 16:01

I'd like to see DiSaprio as the Magic Pudding - a remake of the Australian classic.

Bereta_Eder · August 11, 2003, 16:05

Although Penn has something between a french nose and a greek nose but you cant have everything.

But I was thinking more in the lines of a truely great new actor like edwart norton but then again alexander was not a really complicated character like tragedy heros are

he just butchered and conquered driven mainly by a deep rooted feeling for revenge against the persians. not much complexity apart from a brilliant military mind from what they say those who know

Japher · August 11, 2003, 16:10

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Who is Owen Wilson and does he have sideburns?

Can't find a decent picture; he was in Shanghi Knights, Behind Enemy Lines, Meet the Parent, amongst other things... more comic.

Japher · August 11, 2003, 16:19

He's on the left

Bereta_Eder · August 11, 2003, 16:20

hmmm havent seen any of them.

in any case this doesnt look so promising

Bereta_Eder · August 11, 2003, 16:21

X post.

nice pic

i see who you mean now. he could play him i guess, he's more burly! than the others two.

Az · August 11, 2003, 16:22

Sean Penn would indeed fit very well. good thinking LTEC.

Japher · August 11, 2003, 16:23

I think he'd (Owen) look like the painting if he pulled his hair back...

He was also in I Spy and The Royal Tannenbaums

st_swithin · August 11, 2003, 16:24

I vote Owen Wilson - the man has range, talent, and style - three things of which neither colin ferrill, russell crowe, NOR leo dicarpio do NOT have even one.

Plus he's really, really, really good-looking. What more could you want?

Proteus_MST · August 11, 2003, 16:26

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Originally posted by Japher

He's on the left

AT least the Nose shows similarities to Alexanders Nose on the Mosaic

Bereta_Eder · August 11, 2003, 16:28

maybe chucky cha.... forget it

Japher · August 11, 2003, 16:30

I think Jakie Chan is trying to get the lead role in a movie about Davie Crocket!