If you've seen it, your reviews here

[ultimatefan]

Sparta was the first nation state to institute nude athletics and oiling there bodies as a way to enhance male beauty. The idea of the "ultimate male" is identified in kouros in ancient Greek art. Kouros has long been understood to have homoerotic and pederastic undertones which became prevalent again in the work of Michelangelo during the renaissance.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartan_pederasty

And the comments about the spears and swords being symbolic of sexual penetration is grasping at straws as well. There was so much "penetration" because thats how those weapons were designed for use - to stab a victim. Nothing more, nothing less.

Hey Sandman, long time no see.

Yeah, it´s kind of an insecurity thing, I guess... I mean, it´s well-known that Ben-Hur, which was written by Gore Vidal, has a strong homoerotic subtext, but it doesn´t prevent it from being the powerful epic that it is. And like any subtext, it can be there or not, it´s up to each one to interpret.
Well let's see, did you notice that Queen Gorgo said the same thing to Theron when she stabs him that he said to her when he "stabbed" her? The sword and spear as phallus, and thus as an object of power, was a pretty heavy handed metaphor throughout.

I really don't get why this bothers the people who like the movie. Are people afraid of liking something that was homoerotic? Is it really that big a deal? Is it hard to think of strong alpha-males as having any remotely "gay" quality to them?[/QUOTE]

 

[ultimatefan]

Sparta was the first nation state to institute nude athletics and oiling there bodies as a way to enhance male beauty. The idea of the "ultimate male" is identified in kouros in ancient Greek art. Kouros has long been understood to have homoerotic and pederastic undertones which became prevalent again in the work of Michelangelo during the renaissance.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartan_pederasty

And the comments about the spears and swords being symbolic of sexual penetration is grasping at straws as well. There was so much "penetration" because thats how those weapons were designed for use - to stab a victim. Nothing more, nothing less.
Well let's see, did you notice that Queen Gorgo said the same thing to Theron when she stabs him that he said to her when he "stabbed" her? The sword and spear as phallus, and thus as an object of power, was a pretty heavy handed metaphor throughout.

I really don't get why this bothers the people who like the movie. Are people afraid of liking something that was homoerotic? Is it really that big a deal? Is it hard to think of strong alpha-males as having any remotely "gay" quality to them?

[/QUOTE]
Hey Sandman, long time no see.

Yeah, it´s kind of an insecurity thing, I guess... I mean, it´s well-known that Ben-Hur, which was written by Gore Vidal, has a strong homoerotic subtext, but it doesn´t prevent it from being the powerful epic that it is. And like any subtext, it can be there or not, it´s up to each one to interpret.

 

[Erzengel]

I just got back from seeing 300 and have to say that my expectations keep getting met and then some for these Non Marvel and DC movies become. Sin City, V for Vendetta, Road to Perdition, and now 300.

I wish Studios, Directors, etc. would take a point from these movies.

Beautiful, well acted, I love this movie. I think everyone involved did a stellar job.

 

[crazy sock]

I say this in all honesty. Don't be a punk and assume I'm doing this out of spite for the filmmakers or whatever. I spent 10 dollars on this so I have a RIGHT to say what I have to say.

DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE.

It's a shallow cartoon more than a movie. You won't care what happens. You won't give a crap about the one spartan guy's keanu reeves lookalike son.

I walked out of it, I was so bored of all the repetative videogame violence. It's a dumb badly made movie with a few cool parts here and there. And that's my unbiased view of it.

Take it or leave it.

I think practically the exact same way....except about the GR movie instead.

 

[GSFOR]

Hey Sandman, long time no see.

Yeah, it´s kind of an insecurity thing, I guess... I mean, it´s well-known that Ben-Hur, which was written by Gore Vidal, has a strong homoerotic subtext, but it doesn´t prevent it from being the powerful epic that it is. And like any subtext, it can be there or not, it´s up to each one to interpret.
Well let's see, did you notice that Queen Gorgo said the same thing to Theron when she stabs him that he said to her when he "stabbed" her? The sword and spear as phallus, and thus as an object of power, was a pretty heavy handed metaphor throughout.

I really don't get why this bothers the people who like the movie. Are people afraid of liking something that was homoerotic? Is it really that big a deal? Is it hard to think of strong alpha-males as having any remotely "gay" quality to them?

[/quote]
I don't know about it being homoerotic, I think you gay guys are reading too much into the movie. It was revenge when she said that. This is a battle I will never win. All I can say stop putting your won spin on what certain things in the movie represents.

 

[GSFOR]

Hey Sandman, long time no see.

Yeah, it´s kind of an insecurity thing, I guess... I mean, it´s well-known that Ben-Hur, which was written by Gore Vidal, has a strong homoerotic subtext, but it doesn´t prevent it from being the powerful epic that it is. And like any subtext, it can be there or not, it´s up to each one to interpret.
Well let's see, did you notice that Queen Gorgo said the same thing to Theron when she stabs him that he said to her when he "stabbed" her? The sword and spear as phallus, and thus as an object of power, was a pretty heavy handed metaphor throughout.

I really don't get why this bothers the people who like the movie. Are people afraid of liking something that was homoerotic? Is it really that big a deal? Is it hard to think of strong alpha-males as having any remotely "gay" quality to them?

[/quote]
I don't know about it being homoerotic, I think you gay guys are reading too much into the movie. It was revenge when she said that. This is a battle I will never win. All I can say stop putting your OWN spin on what certain things in the movie represents.

 

[Sandman138]

GSFOR, first, to the best of my knowledge ultimatefan is straight and queer doesn't mean gay, it means I don't find myself fitting into any of the common nomenclature for sexual orientations, so neither of us are putting our "gay agenda" to work. I must question how much you know about Greek culture in general. Because it's common knowledge that they practiced such things as pederasty and sodomy. This is not to say that they were gay, but they weren't always heterosexual. The Spartans had an erotic approach to combat and altheticism (the Macabee's had a huge problem with this tradition as they did not want to be nude in the gymnasiums). This movie brought that to the screen whether your want to acknowledge it or not.

 

[GSFOR]

GSFOR, first, to the best of my knowledge ultimatefan is straight and queer doesn't mean gay, it means I don't find myself fitting into any of the common nomenclature for sexual orientations, so neither of us are putting our "gay agenda" to work. I must question how much you know about Greek culture in general. Because it's common knowledge that they practiced such things as pederasty and sodomy. This is not to say that they were gay, but they weren't always heterosexual. The Spartans had an erotic approach to combat and altheticism (the Macabee's had a huge problem with this tradition as they did not want to be nude in the gymnasiums). This movie brought that to the screen whether your want to acknowledge it or not.

Thank you for the quick history lesson... I know a lil about greek history. Like I said we chose to see what we wanna see. I will not lie when I saw the movie for the second time I kind saw what you were talking about, stelios and what's his name. I cussed you out in my mind for putting that thought in my head. On that note I am going to see it again, and I will love it the same. I just love the visuals and the cliche lines. Loved them all.

 

[Heretic]

huh huh huh huh he said "queer"

I havent seen the movie yet, but all Im expecting is a paper thing concept and a bunch of video games fight scenes. That doesnt mean I'm going to like it. If the story sucks then I'll come back in here and trash it. I'm basically going to go see it for 2 reasons
1.I pay for all comic book movies at least once.
2. I want Watchmen to get the full treatment it deserves.

300 is merely a stopping point to Watchmen in my mind. I hope it's good, but I doubt I'll like it much.

 

[Spider-Who?]

Sparta was the first nation state to institute nude athletics and oiling there bodies as a way to enhance male beauty. The idea of the "ultimate male" is identified in kouros in ancient Greek art. Kouros has long been understood to have homoerotic and pederastic undertones which became prevalent again in the work of Michelangelo during the renaissance.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spartan_pederasty



Well let's see, did you notice that Queen Gorgo said the same thing to Theron when she stabs him that he said to her when he "stabbed" her? The sword and spear as phallus, and thus as an object of power, was a pretty heavy handed metaphor throughout.

I really don't get why this bothers the people who like the movie. Are people afraid of liking something that was homoerotic? Is it really that big a deal? Is it hard to think of strong alpha-males as having any remotely "gay" quality to them?

Yes, I know all about the societal actions between those of the same sex in ancient greece and rome even - both Greece and Rome hold a large part of my heart, so the links are not needed. However, it is not historical FACT that I am argueing against. I am argueing against what was displayed ON FILM.

True, it is hard to not argue that swords and spears can be seen as symbols for penii. Both the weapon and the organ are constructed for similar purpuses (granted much different results). But that is not to say that whenever a solider killed an opponent, he thought to himself "i symbollicaly ****ed this man". And that is the idea some of these posters are tyring to imply. I see no reason for the battles to smbollize this - it is a battle and swords and spears will be used in such fashion with no sexual undertones. If the movie dipicted this in some way, to let the viewer know then I wouldnt be argueing.

With that last sentence in mind, I will agree with you concerning the killing of the traitor. He raped her, said a line, she stabbed him, repeating the line, ergo symbolism that was MEANT to be.

With the subject of the two soldiers being buddy buddy, I have already said my piece. Yes, in sparta, it was common for a BOY to find a lover in a MAN, inorder to become a better man, solider, citizen, and the same went for the females. However, in this MOVIE, the soliders in question were ALREADY past the age of this to occur, and were similar in age. And in the movie, there was no sexual undertone during their diaoluge, nothing but the basic rule that in a war movie, you gotta have the two buddy soliders for comic relief. THAT was the intent of the two soliders. If you were hoping for more, I'm sorry, there was nothing in the movie to imply "hey, these guys are homosexual". You are grasping at straws.

It is not due to insecurity that I make these points. I am merely pointing out the logic. You are saying 2 + 3 in the movie equals 5, and I am saying, "where did you see the 3 in the movie"?

 

[Mr. Socko]

Some people just don't understand that this was not a direct translation of the Spartans. Many of the warriors were homosexual and battled completely naked but that doesn't mean it's the same in the movie.

I guess some people missed the 30 foot elephant and hunchback of Notre dame...

 

[Movies205]

I got just what I was expecting: two ours of absolute homoerotic, misogynistic, alpha-male absurdity. It's a pretty pornographic movie, whether it's beautiful women forced into sex with ugly men (to the point where Miller changes the Pythia from a priestess to a group a lecherous old leper men) or just men killing each other with spears, there is hardly a scene in the movie where somebody isn't penetrating somebody else. There are a few moments of decent drama, but the movie had us all laughing quite a bit more than feeling any powerful emotions. Which is fine, because for the most part the movie doesn't take itself all that seriously. Just revel in the massive orgy of flesh and blood and chest pounding and you might just enjoy yourself.

Oh god I was afraid I was the only one who thought this... I knew I could count on you buddy... My problem with the film is I can't buy it... If your a king, even Sparta, and there's an army that's 100x bigger than yours, and all he wants is some tribute, why would you bother fighting? Like it seems too silly to me that these people would lose there lives. But I dug the overall aestestic and battle sequences that was cool. But like most Frank Miller's stories they are like the darkest parts of a man's soul come to life.

 

[ILikeYourCoat]

Are you kidding? He didn't just want some tribute. He wanted to take over Greece, then use the Greeks and the rest of his assembled army to take over all of Europe. The Greeks stopped him from doing so. If it wasn't for what the Greeks did, Western civilization may never have achieved what it did.

 

[Sandman138]

Yes, I know all about the societal actions between those of the same sex in ancient greece and rome even - both Greece and Rome hold a large part of my heart, so the links are not needed. However, it is not historical FACT that I am argueing against. I am argueing against what was displayed ON FILM.

True, it is hard to not argue that swords and spears can be seen as symbols for penii. Both the weapon and the organ are constructed for similar purpuses (granted much different results). But that is not to say that whenever a solider killed an opponent, he thought to himself "i symbollicaly ****ed this man". And that is the idea some of these posters are tyring to imply. I see no reason for the battles to smbollize this - it is a battle and swords and spears will be used in such fashion with no sexual undertones. If the movie dipicted this in some way, to let the viewer know then I wouldnt be argueing.

I was never trying to say that the characters themselves were thinking something like that. I will say that many shots seemed sexual in nature to me. For example that quick cut of the three spears going through people, when we see them with the blood dripping from their tips... that struck me as very sexual and a post-coital metaphor. When Xerxes meets with Leonidas, there was definitely sexual tension going on.

With that last sentence in mind, I will agree with you concerning the killing of the traitor. He raped her, said a line, she stabbed him, repeating the line, ergo symbolism that was MEANT to be.

If you come out and say it, it isn't subtext.

With the subject of the two soldiers being buddy buddy, I have already said my piece. Yes, in sparta, it was common for a BOY to find a lover in a MAN, inorder to become a better man, solider, citizen, and the same went for the females. However, in this MOVIE, the soliders in question were ALREADY past the age of this to occur, and were similar in age. And in the movie, there was no sexual undertone during their diaoluge, nothing but the basic rule that in a war movie, you gotta have the two buddy soliders for comic relief. THAT was the intent of the two soliders. If you were hoping for more, I'm sorry, there was nothing in the movie to imply "hey, these guys are homosexual". You are grasping at straws.

Except that Astinos was "too young to have felt the warmth of a woman" and Stelios was obviously an experienced warrior, one of Sparta's best. You think they would have gotten away with showing pederasty as blatantly and accurately as it occurred in history? Their dialog seemed flirtatious "you fought well... for a woman" being a bit of a double entendre... and then the big one:

Stelios: "Perhaps I was so far ahead you couldn't see me."
Astinos: "More likely offering your backside to the Thespians."
Stelios: "Jealousy does not suit you, my friend."

Add to that some affectionate glances at each other during their big fight scene, and I must ask you... how the hell did you not pick up on that?

It is not due to insecurity that I make these points. I am merely pointing out the logic. You are saying 2 + 3 in the movie equals 5, and I am saying, "where did you see the 3 in the movie"?

Well, there is your 3 for you.

 

[Golgo-13]

I don't understand where all these 'pornography' labels are coming from with some of you guys . This movie was very sparing on the nudity and sexuality for what it could have been. It was R Rated for crying out load, and i've seen way more explicit nudity, violence and full blown sex (minus penetration) in other movies with similar ratings.

It's like some of you are unnecessarily nitpicking. What did you expect to see?

It's a battle movie. Battles are violent, duh.

Men, back then were considered dominate. And woman were considered nothing more than sex objects, baby and home makers. That's how it was. So 'the chest pounding' testosterone of yester-years has it's place in the movie.

And lastly, the nudity. All we saw was a few nipple shots of the oracle being ravaged by that Leper, and Queen Gorgos breasts. Very limited nudity if i do say so.

 

[Movies205]

Are you kidding? He didn't just want some tribute. He wanted to take over Greece, then use the Greeks and the rest of his assembled army to take over all of Europe. The Greeks stopped him from doing so. If it wasn't for what the Greeks did, Western civilization may never have achieved what it did.

Sorry, I don't pretend to be a Greek Scholar... I know very little of it's history outside of movies. So when I watch this movie, I watch it with what it gives me. I suppose that the argument could be made that the guy was a tyrant but the movie never gives me that bit of information to really feel it. Secondly, the narration was so heavy handed, it's like the director was trying to tell you waht to feel. I enjoy the film, but I don't think it's amazing.

 

[ILikeYourCoat]

I didn't know much either, but I Wikipediaed the Battle of Thermopylae, and it tells you all this stuff. It's interesting that a few decades later, the Spartans actually got assistance from the Persians to war against Athens in the Peloponnesian war.

 

[Movies205]

I didn't know much either, but I Wikipediaed the Battle of Thermopylae, and it tells you all this stuff. It's interesting that a few decades later, the Spartans actually got assistance from the Persians to war against Athens in the Peloponnesian war.

When this semester over, I plan on reading The Peloponnesian War by Thucydides...

 

[Sandman138]

Men, back then were considered dominate. And woman were considered nothing more than sex objects, baby and home makers. That's how it was. So 'the chest pounding' testosterone of yester-years has it's place in the movie.

I've said about all their is to say about your other arguments. So I'll talk about this one. The Oracle was certainly not a sex object in Greek society she was one of the most respected people in Greece, as she communed with Apollo who was held in high regard by the society at large. Women in Sparta received as much physical and academic education as men, were able to practice pollyamory
(thus the whole "Gorgo's a ****e" thing would not have been an issue), were able to own property, and went where they pleased. The movie actually did a decent job of showing this, but when the misogyny sneaks in, it's obviously Miller, not your idea of history.

 

[Mr. Socko]

I don't understand where all these 'pornography' labels are coming from with some of you guys . This movie was very sparing on the nudity and sexuality for what it could have been. It was R Rated for crying out load, and i've seen way more explicit nudity, violence and full blown sex (minus penetration) in other movies with similar ratings.

It's like some of you are unnecessarily nitpicking. What did you expect to see?

It's a battle movie. Battles are violent, duh.

Men, back then were considered dominate. And woman were considered nothing more than sex objects, baby and home makers. That's how it was. So 'the chest pounding' testosterone of yester-years has it's place in the movie.

And lastly, the nudity. All we saw was a few nipple shots of the oracle being ravaged by that Leper, and Queen Gorgos breasts. Very limited nudity if i do say so.

Exactly.

And people are just taking this movie too seriously! It's an adaptation of Miller's book not the actual events!!!!!!!!

 

[Golgo-13]

^Key word being movie, ppl!

 

[GunBlade]

Spoiler

Suprisingly, it stayed far closer to actual history than I thought, especially the combat techniques which was very accurate. Cinematography is insane. Oh and sexy Gerard Butler's ass shot unf unf unf.

 

[Mr. Socko]

The ******ed guy with the hump had a pretty sweet wizard hat in the last scene, don't ya think?

 

[Arshes13]

All I can say is... WOW! This was an outstanding adaptation, and my husband and I absolutely loved it. There are some moments missing from the inspiration, The 300 Spartans, but the effects and acting more than made up for it; ie. the strength of the Spartan Queen, Gorga, in the absence of her husband, the "fight in the shade" quote, and of course the blood, decapatation and nudity (boobs for the guys, Spartan six-packs for the girls... and blood and guts for all). My husband and I don't go out to see movies unless they're worth it, and this is definitely worth it. t:

 

[chesslover]

Is there any chess in this movie? <crosses fingers that there is and that the movie will come to the ******ed theater in town here>