300
Legendary Pictures
Directed by:
Zach Snyder
Written by:
Zach Snyder (screenplay)
Kurt Johnstand (screenplay)
Frank Miller (graphic novel)
Starring:
Gerard Butler
Lena Headey
Dominic West
David Wenham
Vincent Regan
Rating: 8.4
I have a group of friends who have a rather strange ritual. Every two months or so, they hold what they’ve come to call “Braveheart & Beer Night.†You think I’m joking, but I’m not. They’re serious. When I first heard of this glorious event, I figured that they gathered together to watch different epic war movies and revel in the same manufactured plots that have made folks like Jerry Bruckheimer rich beyond my wildest imagination. But they don’t – my friends are more than content to drink good beer as they watch Mel and the boys romp around the Scottish Highlands rebelling against the perpetually encroaching English (those pansy lowlanders with their hosiery and silly monarchs).
And I find it kind of curious that they don’t expand their horizons a bit more. Think of the options they could explore – Gladiator, Master & Commander, The Patriot, Troy, Alexander, and Kingdom Of Heaven. The list could go on an on, all of them wallowing in the same general plot layout: virile main character battles against all odds (both internal and external) with a jagged, depressing, yet noble and righteous outcome where the main character often personally suffering a tragic end. Everything is this passionate mix of heart-rending demise and uplifting personal sacrifice for the greater, communal good. It’s the stuff of myth, legend, and Hollywood formula (my personal favorite is Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan – tell me you don’t cry as Spock speaks his final words to Kirk). Why do these films keep being made over and over again? Because we’ll fill theaters over and over again. Read the rest of this entry »
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Crash!
And with a resounding,
Deafening, thunderous
Avalanche of noise,
All is shattered.
Old behaviors find their way back to the fore.
The easy smiles,
The forced niceties,
The friendly pretense
All mask what is really there:
A sea of angst, hurt, and painful misunderstanding.
Nevertheless,
The cloak slips easily onto her shoulders
With little resistance.
It’s such a comfortable garment to wear.
APN.
Copyright 03/10/2007
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Even if you don’t think these clips are hilarious, I do.
But what makes me sad is that I think I’m going to actually start liking Peyton now…. Dang it Peyton — why’d you have to go and be funny on national TV….
Oh well…. Enjoy!
[youtube]NZpPf-q2_es[/youtube]
[youtube]8G5VwMITuAk[/youtube]
[youtube]RONetPLDGBI[/youtube]
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She called & she cried,
Hoping for an answer
That’s nothing like
The one he’s told her before.
He starts to rot inside,
Knowing that every rope,
Every beam, every heart
Has burned until there’s nothing more.
And they awoke
From a horrid slate
Of broken, waking dreams.
Flash blinded.
Lives capsized.
Nothing as it seemed.
She thought they has been
On the same stream,
Using the same rudder,
Reading the same set of directions.
But at every turn,
With every single chance,
He crafted a new map to make
A quick escape. Damn the friction!
And they looked up
Far from daybreak
Filled with violent screams.
Lighting strikes.
Fires ignite.
There would be no peace.
Two sailing ships.
Two sets of sails.
A fight broke out over their course
And neither would prevail.
She wanted to go one way
And he just didn’t want her.
But breaking ties is brutal
And the wakes & reefs mean danger.
APN
Copyright 03/04/2007
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Well, I figure that since I’ve already exposed my musical soul here, I decided that I would repost my list & invite the rest of you to chip in with the Top 5-10 (or more if you’d like) songs in YOUR music collection (whether iTunes or old-school) that you’re embarrassed to say are there, but you just can’t get enough of.
To start things off (& to get the conversation flowing), here are Top 5 (with some explanation):
“Lead Me On” - Amy Grant: I’ve always carried a torch for Mrs. Gill (or is Vince now Mr. Grant??), and this is simply my favorite song off her best album. I make no apologies for my love for Amy Grant. It’s too bad that Christians hated her for so many years — this woman actually knows how to write a honest song about her faith without watering it down for radio play and easy record sales.
“Toxic” - Britney Spears: This is simply a killer track with a driving beat. Even if the girl has gone wacko, it doesn’t diminish how great this song is as a single. The dark, minor key string swells mixed with a solid guitar riff mixed with a vinyl airline stewardess outfit — is there anything wrong with that?
“Somebody Told Me” - The Killers: This band is the definition of hipster guilty pleasure: ’80s synth lines, emo-style lyrics filled with whiny jealousy, tons of radio play, and it’s STILL a song that you can’t shake from your head. Mr. Flowers — leave Jersey to The Boss and return to Las Vegas while you still can.
“Fix You” - Coldplay: Admit it folks. Just go ahead and admit it. We’ve all sung along with Mr. Martin when he launches into the big vamp at the end of the song. In fact, if you’re too afraid to do it yourself, I’ll sing with you this time. “Tears stream down your face….â€
“Kiss Me” - Sixpence None The Richer: Forget all of those worthless teen movies & how overplayed this song became on the radio and high school proms for about 2-3 years around the turn of the millennium. This was always a fun, breezy, lighthearted song about idealistic young lovers from a deep and talented band that too many people didn’t appreciate because they only know this song. But still, I love this song….
Anyone else?!? Who wants to expose themselves for the whole world to see? Who will join me in liberating their musical libraries!
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