Finally! Someone got monsters from Greek mythology right!
I’ve studied Greek myths most of my life and watched every good (and bad) film depicting them I could get my hands on. I have to say the Ray Harryhausen stop motion such as “Clash of the Titans” and “Jason and the Argonauts” are some of my favorites. The monstrous Titans were diverse in scale and power just like in the original stories. The Gods were well crafted too; they showed their mortal failings. Zeus also threw lightning bolts, unlike in another recent film depicting the gods, “Immortals”.
The visual effects in “Wrath” were better than 2010’s “Clash of the Titans”. The story was a little better, too. The writers did change the myth a bit, but that’s to be expected. It was a fast-paced action-filled spectacular that is sure to grab your attention.
(Possible Spoilers)
On a more personal note, I want to see more Gods. I have favorites and I seldom see them in film.
Artemis and Athena are two I’d love to see explored on film. Athena was depicted in “Immortals”, but she wasn’t the Athena of myth. They chose not to depict the masterful, powerful, wise goddess – the goddess you want in command of your army. Instead, she was written as an obedient daughter. Hot, but submissive.
The film also has a lot of battles, but they never depict the goddess of the hunt. Artemis is a capable warrior, but absent from all of these films.
I would just love to see all of the gods done justice in the same film. Perhaps it’s a tall order, I’m not saying it would be easy to write all of those characters (and do it well), but it would be worth the effort.
Monthly Archives: March 2012
The Hunger Games
I will first admit to loving the books. I was reluctant at first, fearing it would turn out to be a futuristic Twilight. I started the first book and was hooked before the end of the first chapter. I’m halfway through book two and can’t read fast enough.
The movie, in my eyes, had a lot to live up too. So let’s begin…
Casting
The casting was perfect with the exception of Donald Sutherland. I just don’t buy him as evil, sinister and heartless President Snow. They were dead-on with Stanley Tucci as Caeser Flickerman. It was like he was channeling Richard Dawson from the old Family Feud (who played a similar character in “Running Man”).
I think Jennifer Lawrence did a bang up job as our reluctant heroine Katniss Everdeen. She portrayed the character with the vulnerability and strength that comes when your back is against the wall.
The biggest surprise in casting was Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy. I had always envisioned an older man with a bigger gut who looked more like a disaster, kind of like a Madeye Moody from the Harry Potter books. It didn’t take long for me to buy in to his portrayal as the former Hunger Games victor who treats his PTSD and constant torment of having to watch children he trains year after year die in the arena with gallons of alcohol.
Oh, and did you recognize Lenny Kravitz as Cinna? I have to admit, I knew I knew him, but I couldn’t place him until I looked up the listing on IMDB.
Story
The story was dead on. The director did a good job of subtly packing in a lot of back story through text on the screen and setting the scene for District 12 from the outset. You see the establishing shots of District 12, Katniss’ home, and can immediately recognize it as the poor Appalachia community and home of crushing poverty it is.
A scene by scene retelling is impossible as with every novel turned movie. I understand this and it is rare that a movie outshines the novel; the only exception I can think of was “Gone With the Wind”. I find it impossible for a movie to ever reach the emotional depth of the written word. The director did, however, do a good job blending scenes and condensing the timeline without degrading the story.
I whole-heartedly recommend seeing this terrific adaptation.
I really, really, really recommend reading this exciting trilogy. The intensity can cause extreme anxiety. I recommend you refill your Paxil prescription before opening the book.
And ha! The spell check wants to change Katniss to “Catnip”. I wonder if Suzanne Collins found that out and went with it for Gale’s affectionate nickname for her?
Meet John Carter Review
Meet John Carter is a wonderful modern science fiction adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs novel Princess of Mars the first of the John Carter books. The scope was big and sweeping and in 3D it simply transported you to the surface of Barsoom (Mars). I did at first think that it seemed a bit melodramatic and had some tired out conventions. I then realized something very, very important it was Edgar Rice Burroughs that created many of those conventions. His books were considered pulp science fiction when they were published. The film even for all its amazing special effects still brought me back to watching the old Flash Gordon serials (no I’m not that old I have them on DVD).
I don’t know whether it was the nostalgia or the sheer fun of the film, but I totally enjoyed it and hope to see another in the near future.
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs
Edgar Rice Burroughs born in 1875 was a visionary of science fiction writer. His most famous creation was “Tarzan the Ape Man” but like many novelist his greatest novel wasn’t his first. A Princess of Mars was published in1917 and was the first of his Barsoom (Mars) series. The story set is set on a Mars that is dying and whose imagery makes you think of the old west. A red tinted mesa and scrub brush landscape fills the imagination as it sets the stage for civil war veteran John Carter’s adventures. The Barsoom series has helped shape the writing of Ray Bradbury inspired scientist like Carl Sagan to search the stars for extraterrestrial life.
Burroughs didn’t only imagine other worlds he imagined other ways to do business. He, against the advice of publishers and other experts, capitalized on the success of Tarzan by syndicating a Tarzan comic strip, license merchandise, and adapt it to the screen. I whole heartedly suggest if you haven’t seen Tarzan and his Mate you Netflix it ASAP. It is wonderful in direction and pushes the boundaries of what you thought was acceptable in early Hollywood.
He didn’t stop at fiction. He lived in Hawaii during the Second World War and became the oldest war correspond in the war.
He died in 1950 in California after writing more than 70 novels.
-Disney’s Meet John Carter bases on Mr. Burroughs creations opens this weekend-
Grimm Has Never Looked Sexier
I have recently come across a great comic series Grimm Fairy Tales by Zenescope. I know that it has been around for years but its new to me. I will admit right off the bat the Zenescope artist depiction of characters like Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella as vixens and temptresses was a great hook. The story is very complex and hard to follow for someone new to the tales. I cI have recently come across a great comic series Grimm Fairy Tales by Zenescope. I know that it has been around for years but its new to me. I will admit right off the bat the Zenescope artist depiction of characters like Snow White, Red Riding Hood, Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella as vixens and temptresses was a great hook. The story is very complex and hard to follow for someone new to the tales. I can discern from where I came in there are two or three realms or dimensions earth, fairytale world, and darker one. There is of course an ongoing battle of good versus evil too. The hero’s and anti-hero’s are all “highborn”, I’m not sure what that means other than they are not human but look it… and are incredibly hot. The art work is amazing though. I found even if the story didn’t make sense because of being a late comer you could tell it was a rich, deep, well written plot with many variables. The art work alone is wonderful. The characters are really interesting takes on classic heroines. The Cinderella in this universe is a sociopath working for the big bad, who wheedles a sword and likes the dried blood on her skimpy outfit. I do have to say I’m partial to the interpretation of Red Riding Hood as a psychologist, with her own problems and that was before she was dragged into the world of the supernatural. I really like this series and once I get caught up I think I might love it. an discern from where I came in there are two or three realms or dimensions earth, fairytale world, and darker one. There is of course an ongoing battle of good versus evil too. The hero’s and anti-hero’s are all “highborn”, I’m not sure what that means other than they are not human but look it… and are incredibly hot. The art work is amazing though. I found even if the story didn’t make sense because of being a late comer you could tell it was a rich, deep, well written plot with many variables. The art work alone is wonderful. The characters are really interesting takes on classic heroines. The Cinderella in this universe is a sociopath working for the big bad, who wheedles a sword and likes the dried blood on her skimpy outfit. I do have to say I’m partial to the interpretation of Red Riding Hood as a psychologist, with her own problems and that was before she was dragged into the world of the supernatural. I really like this series and once I get caught up I think I might love it.
