Two Movies - New 300 and Blue Jasmine by SHINYGOODGUY

CINEMA

Two Movies - New 300 and Blue Jasmine

POSTED BY: SHINYGOODGUY
UPDATED: Monday, April 14, 2014 19:57
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Monday, March 17, 2014 4:39 AM

Recently went to see the new 300 movie. It's been described as a "side" sequel, basically a simultaneous story about another battle with the hordes of the evil God/King Xerxes.

It was entertaining enough with lots of battle scenes, blood, be-headings, simulated rapes, and general pillaging & plundering by the baddies. Eva Green was quite good in her role as Artemisia (a female warrior) who commanded Xerxes naval fleet. She made the movie interesting snarling and spewing venum at the hero (who's name I forget). There was some cool battles in the open sea not far from the Greek city/nations of Sparta and Athens.

There was some mention of politics regarding the price paid for freedom, but what I found somewhat interesting was a speech by Queen Gorgo (Lena Heady) of Sparta (who's husband bravely died in the first 300 movie - gotta love those Spartans). The brief speech revolved around isolationism and the cost of standing by and doing nothing while hideous evil doings are being inflicted upon innocents. Good people must fight for freedom and stem the evil tide, or else. But, like I said, it was very brief. Still, all in all, it was very entertaining - if you like sword and sandal epics.

Blue Jasmine

I had nothing to do the other day, so I decided to rent Blue Jasmine. I did so mainly because I'm a Cate Blanchette fan and I heard she was fantastic in this movie (for which she won Best Actress). The story was loosely based on the Bernie Madoff white collar crime/ripoff which landed him billions. But this story centered around "Jasmine" who's husband chiseled and defrauded millions from anyone with cash to invest in his real estate firm.

I was quite surprised that I actually liked this movie from start to finish. Cate Blanchette was phenomenal as the title character (she definitely deserved that Oscar), who was a cross between Sarah Palin and Kim Khardasian, a busy-body socialite who cared little what her husband was doing as long as she was swimming in fashionable clothes and flying first class. Like I said the story revolved around her life before, during and after her crook of a husband was caught by the FBI. It was very well written, showing the shallowness of the ultra rich through the eyes of Jasmine.

You actually get to witness the meltdown of a socialite who can't cope with being just another poor working stiff when the government confiscates all the ill-gotten property. We see her struggle to cope as she goes to live with her poor working-class half sister in San Francisco. Blanchette's performance was powerful and sad at the same time. She just couldn't help herself as she desperately and futilely maneuvered, manipulated and lied to regain her status. It was quite something to see as she disintegrated into a nervous breakdown. The acting by everyone in this movie was solid with nary a false note. It was a well-paced, solid drama and a peek into the psychosis of a delusional character and a commentary on the mentality of the ultra rich. One of Woody Allen's best screenplays in quite some time. If I didn't see his name associated with this film, I would not have known it was one of his, because absent is his usual "schtick" (It had a Alexander Payne vibe to it).

Really unexpected coming from Allen. I recommend it. By the way, it's not very long, only about an hour and 40 minutes. That is, if you're into drama.

SGG

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Monday, March 17, 2014 11:24 AM

ECGORDON

There's no place I can be since I found Serenity.

I have no interest in the 300 sequel, but agree wholeheartedly with your review of Blue Jasmine. It and Midnight in Paris are the only Allen films I've seen in decades, but enjoyed both of them, and Blanchett is perfect. Sally Hawkins also did a great job as her sister and deserved her nomination. I haven't yet seen 12 Years a Slave, so I can't say if her performance was any better than that of Nyong'o.

Only thing I didn't like about it was Chili (Bobby Cannavale) and his friend.

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Monday, March 17, 2014 3:24 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

I agree EC, Sally Hawkins was Blanchett's sparring partner in every way. My definition of solid Oscar-worthy performance is when the character and story take over, and you get involved, as the proverbial fly-on-the-wall, forgetting the actor and director altogether.

Blanchett and Hawkins were having a conversation, much like I would imagine Van Gogh and Monet would discussing the finer points of impressionistic painting. Subtle brushstrokes suggesting movement, vibrance and passion without a hint of bravado. It was masterful, without being overstated, a nuanced performance. And, even though Ginger's brief fling with Al was predictable, the anguish and hurt she displayed was so life like that i wanted to reach into the film and give her a hug. Woody did a great job writing these two characters.

Which brings me to, and I, once again, agree with you wholeheartedly regarding Chili. I thought that Cannavale's choices were over the top and detracted from the overall story. Luckily he wasn't on screen too much. I'm not sure if Woody wrote it that way, or if Cannavale decided to portray his character's journey true to life. It seemed a bit cartoonish. It may well be a bit of both. It was the only flaw I found in this movie. Allen may well have spent some time in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn observing his character in his natural habitat. But the total disdain that Jasmine had for Chili and his kind was totally palpable. Sandy was good, but Cate devoured that role and may give Streep some competition for most noms. We'll see.

As an aside, Sally Hawkins is cute (and sexy). I found myself watching her as much as Cate Blanchett. She totally deserved her Oscar nomination. I too have yet to watch 12 Years. At some point I'll get around to it. I also must make time to screen Midnight in Paris, I've heard good things.

SGG

Quote:
Originally posted by ecgordon:
I have no interest in the 300 sequel, but agree wholeheartedly with your review of Blue Jasmine. It and Midnight in Paris are the only Allen films I've seen in decades, but enjoyed both of them, and Blanchett is perfect. Sally Hawkins also did a great job as her sister and deserved her nomination. I haven't yet seen 12 Years a Slave, so I can't say if her performance was any better than that of Nyong'o.

Only thing I didn't like about it was Chili (Bobby Cannavale) and his friend.

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Monday, April 14, 2014 7:57 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

I watched Apollo 13 in the theater with a friend who was born in early 1950s. He was not impressed with the story line and indicated the suspension of disbelief was not convincing for him. I asked how he thought history should be rewritten. Turns out he was not aware it was a factual story.
Same thing recently when kids complained at the 100th Anniversary of Titanic that the film only came out in the last 2 decades - they didn't think there was an actual Titanic which actually sunk. This was more understandable with Cameron falsifying most of the content of actual facts of the real event, and it's importance in maritime history.

I generally give more slack for factual films, and I found both of these historical films entertaining. They seemed much more accurate than Braveheart.

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