"Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar," Sigmund Freud is purported to have once said, cautioning that not everything has a deeper, hidden meaning to it. Well, sometimes a blockbuster blood-soaked action flick is just that, a blood-soaked, special effects-laden action flick.
Just try telling that to cynical, left-wing European journalists.
According to Entertainment Weekly, everyone from gay interest groups to foreign journalists have engaged in armchair psychoanalysis of director Zack Snyder's screen adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel "300.":
The studio had banked on how well sword-and-sandal movies play abroad, but when 300 was unveiled at the Berlin Film Festival in February, the filmmakers got some hostile reactions from journalists. ''I was getting bombarded with political questions,'' says Snyder. Some Europeans saw Leonidas' lone-wolf march against the Persians as an allegorical defense of President Bush's incursion into Iraq. ''When someone in a movie says, 'We're going to fight for freedom,' that's now a dirty word,'' says Snyder. ''Europeans totally feel that way. If you mention democracy or
freedom, you're an imperialist or a fascist. That's crazy to me.''
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Comments Policy
'Free' is a four letter wor
March 11, 2007 - 16:27 ET by bigtimer'Free' is a four letter word if you are a leftist...anywhere in the world.
Pathetic...but true.
Are you allowed to say that
March 11, 2007 - 19:55 ET by GeorgeTAre you allowed to say that word? Be careful who you say the "f-word" around.
Not amazed...
March 11, 2007 - 16:37 ET by PabloHoneyNot even amuzed anymore. I haven't seen the movie, but the Euro's sure are showing their colors. Blind with hatred for USA.
Everything is supposed to hav
March 11, 2007 - 16:41 ET by BlazerEverything is supposed to have subliminal political messages in it these days dontcha' know? It cant' be just a movie
. "You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Tell me about it. I saw &qu
March 11, 2007 - 17:02 ET by Ken ShepherdTell me about it. I saw "Tears of the Sun" back in early 2003 with some friends, all libs, and they whined that it was a pro-Iraq war movie. Of course it was made well before the lead-up to the Iraq war and had nothing to do with Iraq, but they found an outlet for their ire at the Bush administration in a Bruce Willis action flick.
Tell me about it Shepard. I
March 11, 2007 - 17:20 ET by BlazerTell me about it Shepard. I once read on the net a few years back about an interview George Lucas gave during the filming of his last movie, where he was asked by a reporter in the SW saga, if the Empire represented Conservatives, and the Rebel Alliance represented Liberals.
He said it was just a classic story about good versus evil, and didn't invent it for political reasons. He said it was just a movie, it was just fantasy, hoped Conservatives, and Liberals alike enjoyed it, and he had no desire to see it construed to have political implications. Just another example of the Lib MSM looking for hidden meaning, and soundbytes.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Yeah. Now to be fair, there
March 11, 2007 - 18:57 ET by Ken ShepherdYeah. Now to be fair, there were probably conservatives and Republicans in 1980 who said that The Empire Strikes Back was an apropos movie for the Carter era with the Soviets on the march and U.S. influence at a nadir under Carter's watch.
Of course then Ted Kennedy turned around a few years later and tried to use Star Wars as a term to scoff the Strategic Defense Initiative. Of course that failed miserably as the American people rightly determined that we should try our darndest to have the best in space age technology to secure our country from attack.
But yeah, action movies should be an escape from life, not saturated with hidden political meaning. It's mostly liberals, however, who can't seem to find any area of life that's a refuge from politics. It's the whole "personal is political" mantra I heard from my some kooky profs in college.
I'll always laugh when I he
March 12, 2007 - 10:14 ET by Challenger GrimI'll always laugh when I heard that reviewers were talking about all the "political" messages within the LOTR movie (yes, it was 1 movie in 3 parts, argument over). One even pointed out the title of part 2 as 'evidence' (the two towers). Of course, the facts that 1) the movies were based upon books that had been written MANY decades ago - which would make Tolkien a better prophet than Nostradomus for the commentators points to float and 2) The movies themselves had been in production for quite awhile before 9/11 and even the Iraq war.
As for my review of 300. I have only this to say: "It quite possibily is the only movie that can contend with Predator and Die Hard as the penultimate guy flick. Though I will say, it is a movie completely lacking in any possible subtlety."
Ken--Oh the times, oh the mores!
March 11, 2007 - 17:15 ET by misterbillI went to the entertainment link. I can only share an older moviegoers opinions.
Orlando Bloom amd Brad Pitt together or apart will never fill a screen like Kirk Douglas. Bloom was too weak acahracter to carry a film of that type. He was a highly unlikely offspring of a man like Liam Neeson. Brad Pitt--all I can tell you isI don't think I have ever seen one of his flicks. Tho' not especially a Russel Crowe fan, he exhibits the manliness that fans expect from a hero. Add to all of that, no bad language, no drugs, no new slanguage, my heavens how can you expect an under 40 to go see those films??
An unlikely occurrence, but if some old shots of Brigitte Bardot in her ancient history movies had been dubbed in, even I would have gone to those other newer flicks.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
''Europeans totally feel that
March 11, 2007 - 17:44 ET by kafkakaefer''Europeans totally feel that way. If you mention democracy or
freedom, you're an imperialist or a fascist."
As one of the few europeans on this site I have to say that this is a prejudice and simply not true.
"Hegel says somewhere all great events and personalities in world history reappear in one fashion or another. He forgot to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce."
The Eighteeenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852) sect. 1, Cf.
Perhaps you could give us s
March 11, 2007 - 17:49 ET by lnthompPerhaps you could give us some insight into the European press reaction to the movie '300', and why they seem to feel the use of the phrase "fighting for freedom" seems to bother them so much.
Lee T.
U.S. Navy (ret.) / Hillsboro, Oregon
I have enough money to last me the rest of my life. Unless I buy something.
I love the fact that these so
March 11, 2007 - 18:04 ET by USA4freedomI love the fact that these so called "intellectuals" that can weave a political statement into the fabric of a movie. Oh, how.. cutting edge, innovative, so..so..avant-garde!
Yet these same "intellectuals" probably could not tell you how many people are in the Senate, or name 5 Supreme Court judges.
The left so.. wants every thing to be about Bush. I hear that if you play the Beatles song Revolution 9 backwards you will hear Vice President Cheney say: Bin Laden wears crotch less panty hose– proof of the hatred of our government towards these people, of the religion of peace.
I have gotten to the point I watch little TV, read very little news papers, or take in any movies. If you want to tear down my great country, you can do it with out my dollar! You want cutting edge? Go make your films in China and complain about their government!
News paper circulation down
Weekly Newspapers Time, Newsweek etc down
ABC, CBS, NBC, MSMBC way down, CNN way, way down
Movies for the most part down
Fox News Up
O’ Reilly up
Right wing talk radio up.
I’m not sure but some where in Business 101 it would tell you not to piss off half of your potential viewers every night!!!
In sports, winning half your games only gets you early draft picks....
America is best described by one word, freedom... Dwight D. Eisenhower
Boy-lovers
March 11, 2007 - 17:56 ET by Tito the NormanThose Euro's are a bunch of philosophizing boy-lovers.
At least Athens joined the Spartans. Looks like Euro will go Muslim instead.
"The Truth is absolute.", Pope Benedict XVI
Philosphizing boy-lovers? A
March 11, 2007 - 17:58 ET by kafkakaeferPhilosphizing boy-lovers? Athens Spartans? Just looking for sense in your post. Please help me.
"Hegel says somewhere all great events and personalities in world history reappear in one fashion or another. He forgot to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce."
The Eighteeenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852) sect. 1, Cf.
You know, Greek love.Sheesh
March 11, 2007 - 18:08 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsYou know, Greek love.
Sheesh!
A day without NewsBusters is like a day without sunshine.
Yes I've got that. But what
March 11, 2007 - 18:10 ET by kafkakaeferYes I've got that. But what the hack has that to do with today And Europe becoming "muslim" as you claim?
"Hegel says somewhere all great events and personalities in world history reappear in one fashion or another. He forgot to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce."
The Eighteeenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852) sect. 1, Cf.
I made no claim in referenc
March 11, 2007 - 18:14 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsI made no claim in reference to Eurabia (which has already gone muslim).
D
A day without NewsBusters is like a day without sunshine.
You have a good phantasy my
March 11, 2007 - 18:19 ET by kafkakaeferYou have a good phantasy my friend.
"Hegel says somewhere all great events and personalities in world history reappear in one fashion or another. He forgot to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce."
The Eighteeenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852) sect. 1, Cf.
Hows the weather over there i
March 11, 2007 - 18:23 ET by BlazerHows the weather over there in Eurabia kafka?
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Sorry kaka
March 11, 2007 - 18:36 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsOops, I should have said Eurabia.
Sorry
D
A day without NewsBusters is like a day without sunshine.
You should read something n
March 11, 2007 - 22:03 ET by kafkakaeferYou should read something nonfictional.
"Hegel says somewhere all great events and personalities in world history reappear in one fashion or another. He forgot to add: the first time as tragedy, the second as farce."
The Eighteeenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852) sect. 1, Cf.
Well, Herr Beetle is back!So
March 11, 2007 - 22:11 ET by NL207Well, Herr Beetle is back!
So what is this about Europe and Islam?
How long did it take for German authorities to finaly expel the Caliph of Koeln in spite of the fact that he was openly indulging in political activity prohibited as part of the terms of his asylum and was demanding that Germany cede sovreignty over a part of Nordrhein-Westfalen to him and his followers so they could impose Sharia there?
Touche' NL207, I think herr k
March 11, 2007 - 22:17 ET by BlazerTouche' NL207, I think herr kafka needs to brush up on Mein Koran.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
I saw this movie, and WOW. It
March 11, 2007 - 18:23 ET by balboaI saw this movie, and WOW. It's beautifully done, spectacular visuals. And holy cow is it violent. But I really enjoyed it.
Not ONCE did I think "Oh, hey, this applies to the world today because..." Who needs the added aggravation of trying to figure out how everything relates to today's world affairs? Enjoy the movie. It's good stuff.
Balboa, thanks for the movi
March 11, 2007 - 18:43 ET by DontFeedTheTrollsBalboa, thanks for the movie 'review'. I too will watch this one. Keep 'em coming!
D
A day without NewsBusters is like a day without sunshine.
300 Movie
March 12, 2007 - 07:09 ET by fosstenI have to agree with Bal. Excellent movie, inspiring. The women were gorgeous, the men built like, well, Greek gods. Made me want to go out and kill Persians.
Where do they find these women with the extra-long nipples anyway?
Seriously, there's no way to ignore the parallel with today's current events. Time and again history has shown the muslims continually trying to conquer the world. Time and again free men have pushed them back. We are living in another of those times.
Edit: Disclaimer in Announcer Voice: This movie not suitable for young children, most women (especially spouses who accompany their stupid husbands), and men with a testosterone count lower than 400.
I just saw the movie this eve
March 11, 2007 - 22:20 ET by GalvanicI just saw the movie this evening, and it delivered pretty much what I expected. Cinemagraphically, it's sort of 'Ancient Greece Meets Lord of the Rings.' Lots of exaggeration in the comic book/graphic novel tradition. Extremely violent, even by today's standards, with some gratuitous sex scenes. I found it entertaining, but not Academy Award Best Picture material. No deep or hidden message here -- just Good vs. Evil.
But the fact that at least some Europeans viewed it as a euphemism for the US and the war on terror, is interesting. Afterall, the legacy of the 300 Spartans --- and indeed, the numerous wars undertaken to throw back repeated Persian incursions --- was the deliverance of Classical Greece from the threat of destruction, and the preservation of the roots of European/Western civilization.
Perhaps the European critics would do well to revisit European history and re-absorb the lesson of the 300.
Maybe thats why the Europeans
March 11, 2007 - 22:34 ET by BlazerMaybe thats why the Europeans hate it Galvanic. 300 is a sad reminder of days gone by, and forever lost. Welcome to the E.-EWW!
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
No! Not lost. Tell me wha
March 11, 2007 - 22:39 ET by NL207No! Not lost. Tell me what else you can think of that is so clearly remembered after 2500 years. I can think of only one other event: The Passion of Christ, and that was only 2000 years ago. How many historical movies could you make with a title like '300' and everyone would immediatey know what you were describing? Leonides and his bodyguard will live forever.
What I meant by lost NL was n
March 11, 2007 - 22:47 ET by BlazerWhat I meant by lost NL was not the history, but the spirit. Those days have long gone by. Our friends across the pond are too far gone into their European capitulation model. Europe is behind enemy lines.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
Not all of them are lost. T
March 11, 2007 - 23:05 ET by NL207Not all of them are lost. The people there are being oppressed by these socialist governments. They don't even know that is what is happening. For example, discuss with any native German the issue of Turkish membership in the EU. You will discover very quickly that a majority of the German people reject this idea vigorously but a majority of the political leadership there thinks it is the right and proper thing to do. The only German states that openly oppose it are Bayern and Baden-Wurttenberg. The moment any popular resistance finds a leader, that leader will be labeled a neo-Nazi as soon as he or she first opens their mouth in opposition.
Not to say i dont' feel sorry
March 11, 2007 - 23:19 ET by BlazerNot to say i dont' feel sorry for them NL, but Turkey is probably the most benign Muslim state, and a secular one at that, at least the closest thing to a functioning Democracy the Muslim world will ever have.
The problem in Europe is massive immigration mostly from Muslim countries, and the fact that Europeans just dont' breed anymore, and Muslims breed like rabbits.
Sad to say,but I believe western civilization in Europe will see it's demise before the end of this century.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
I'll have to second that no
March 12, 2007 - 00:57 ET by The PresbyterI'll have to second that notion. As my favorite character in BraveHeart (The Irishman) would say "They're fooked".
On another blog I read, there
March 11, 2007 - 22:39 ET by BlondeOn another blog I read, there was a trailer and discussion about this movie. I wish I could find it to post the link.
One of the commentors there was Greek, and gave a fabulous explanation of what the legacy of the "300" means to the Greeks, to this very day. It was a seminal event in their history, and remains hugely important in their culture.
I wish I could find it...alas, that site has no search feature that I can find. I've been paging through the last several weeks and can't find it.
blond--
March 11, 2007 - 22:47 ET by misterbillAmong many things the legacy of the 300 includes the birth of the Marathon, when Pheidippides ran 26 miles to tell the Athenians that the Persians had been defeated. One form of the legend has it that he collapsed and died after delivering the news. (That is the main reason why I have never entered a Marathon. Hee hee!)
Thanks, mb. I learn somet
March 11, 2007 - 22:55 ET by BlondeThanks, mb.
I learn something new here every day.
I have been searching and searching for the thread on that blog (Blackfive)...it was a couple of weeks ago. The Greek commentor was hugely educational.
Glad to see you back here, friend.
blond
March 11, 2007 - 22:58 ET by misterbillThank you for the warm words. It is amazing how, even though the annual rainfall is lower than average, we seem to be growing a huge crop of trolls already.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
Come on, mb!It's global raini
March 11, 2007 - 23:01 ET by BlondeCome on, mb!
It's global raining...followed by out-of-control lib troll proliferation.
I think it's because Rush has mentioned NB's a couple of Friday's in a row. You notice alot of them have brand new sign-ons (the trolls).
My wife is furious with me---
March 11, 2007 - 23:12 ET by misterbillMy wife is furious with me---she had just washed the floor and I left a carbon footprint on it. Drat!
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
PS
March 11, 2007 - 23:14 ET by misterbillPS have you noticed the companies starting up where you can "buy" carbon footprint relief. I guess that's good old capitalism at work just like all the Year 2K comapnies that made a fast buck and disappeared.
An ugly American is one who does not support his country.
Y2K,Speaking of which...did a
March 11, 2007 - 23:25 ET by bigtimerY2K,
Speaking of which...did anyone or everyone's time automatically change on their PC, mine didn't..will it do that on it's own when it was regularly scheduled to do that in two to three weeks from now.....just curious if anyone knows.
I don't think it will bother me one way or the other for any reason that would be important, just haven't heard if we are supposed to do anything or not.
Thanks.
Btw...I wished they would leave mother nature and time alone...
Congress...Geesh!
They waste more time than any body I know...besides all the pain they inflict on us constantly with more and more laws.
time change
March 11, 2007 - 23:41 ET by gfrrmanBt, surprisingly my Mac adjusted the time change on its own. I thought I would have to manually do it but was happy to see it did it on its own. Hopefully yours will do the same.
gfrr,Thanks for the info. I p
March 11, 2007 - 23:53 ET by bigtimergfrr,
Thanks for the info. I probably have to learn how to do that too...dang it all!
Later...Have a good night to all those left...
Sorry, but that's wrong MB
March 12, 2007 - 12:01 ET by tbeemerMarathon predated the Battle of Thermopylae by about 10 years or so. It occured during the first Persian invasion, attempted by Darius. The story of the 300 occured during the second invasion, attempted by Darius' son, Xerxes.
Tom
One form of the legend has it
March 12, 2007 - 14:53 ET by GalvanicOne form of the legend has it that he collapsed and died after delivering the news.
A more recent version says that, after delivering the news, he signed a multi-million drachma endorsement deal with NIKE, made a rap video, and fathered a child by Britney Spears.
Completely agree that it's no
March 11, 2007 - 22:45 ET by balboaCompletely agree that it's not Best Picture material. Academy will probably recognize it for visual effects. Every frame looks like it was painted onto the reel.
As for Europe, you know it's not like the Bush Administration commissioned this work.
Interesting story: U of Albany basketball coach had his team watch this movie the day before playing Vermont on Vermont's home floor for the conference championship...
...Albany won.
Bal - Bush rewrote the history books and 'created' the event.
March 12, 2007 - 08:31 ET by acaiguanaBal - Bush rewrote the history books and 'created' the event.
Otherwise, it would never have happened.
Don'tcha know?
ACA
...
Quoted from: 'Acaiguana Notes from the Bomb Shelter' (soon to be a movie at theaters near you)
Patton's lone-wolf march thro
March 12, 2007 - 05:22 ET by ThisnThatPatton's lone-wolf march through the hedgerows musta really been of poor taste to the Frenchies (is that another "F"-word?).
I remember the watching the
March 12, 2007 - 05:47 ET by old croI remember the watching the original when it came out to regular tv. "THE 300 Spartans" made a huge impression on me as a young pre-teen. I undoubtedly believe it shaped my present day concepts of bravery, duty, honor and sacrifice. I can still to this day remember marveling at the courage of the "300". I can only hope that some other young "minds filled with mush" will be similarly impressed upon. Alas, the rating is too violent for a young man, just at the time these concepts should be forming. I am sure good parents abound that will let a little of "reality" and "history" shape their young charges. As an aside, I also remember playing with little soldiers at this age. You know, setting them all up then knocking them down, I wonder what a young Freud would make of that?
Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and justice and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.
Sun Tzu
Brings to mind David Geffen &
March 12, 2007 - 08:26 ET by ucBrings to mind David Geffen >> "those Clintons lie so well and so easily." (paraphrased) Which state should we expect Hillary to wear sandals and try to wield a sword in?
Hillary, about your JFK image making attempt >> It is Bill (your leader) we need our constitutional protection from, not the Pope.
"How easy and well they lie."
Libs
March 12, 2007 - 09:17 ET by iveseenitallPlease don't expect many liberals to understand a movie like this. It's about "courage", something most of them lack.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Courage, honor, self-sacrific
March 12, 2007 - 13:17 ET by PeskyDaneCourage, honor, self-sacrifice... believing in something bigger than yourself. Concepts completely lost on the libtards.