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Archive for May, 2011

Movie I should Love – or Hate?

Friday, May 20th, 2011

Immortals is coming to theaters soon. I should be excited right? Greek Gods and Goddesses? Men in manly skirts? Cool, epic settings and high drama.

So I watched this trailer and I thought, Huh… This could go either way: Love or Pass. At this point, I’m thinking Pass – which makes me sad.

And I’ll be honest and tell you why I think it’s a pass. There are a few actors that have this innate ability to kill a film. Sure, they might make an awesome flick now and then, but for the most part you see them and you feel that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach – you see them and know. Mickey Rourke is one of those actors for me. He is great when he’s in ‘his’ role (ie himself in different yet similar stories and scenarios). But putting him into a mythological backdrop as a king questing for a magical bow that will unleash the Titans (the Olympic Gods enemies) before it can be found by the Olympians champion Theseus.

The ‘young cast’ is very…. interesting. I mean, Kellan Lutz as young Poseidon doesn’t chase me off? BUT, Luke Evans as Zeus? Isabel Lucas as Athena – well, you can see my concern.

Anyway, I guess I’ll revisit once I’ve actually seen the whole movie. Until then, check this out – and let me know what you think… click here.

Tags: ancient greece, film, greek goddesses, greek gods, henry cavill, immortals, kellan lutz, movie, myths, Olympus
Posted in Greek Myths, Movies | 1 Comment »

Sword and Sandal Flicks (Pre-1990)

Monday, May 16th, 2011

Continuing on, here are some older film offerings worth your time.

The Robe - (1953) This is a TEAR jerker. Yes, it’s a little melodramatic but it’s so lovely that you’ll get lost in it. Jean Simmons is a vision, Richard Burton and Victor Mature are manly yet emotive. AMAZING music and feathery vibrant TechnoColor all add up to a wonderful classic.

Spartacus (1960) – If you haven’t seen this film, I’d like to know why not? Seriously – is it a GOOD reason?

Conan the Barbarian (1982) – Arnold – barely speaking English and scowling sternly (sometimes comically) in menace. Too fun!

Beastmaster (1982) – I don’t know how many times I watched this one on HBO. Sigh – Marc Singer introduced me to the beauty of muscles:

Jason and the Argonauts (1963) – Stop motion fun for the whole family. How often can you say that nowadays?

WARNING – High cheese alert

Tags: ancient greece, film, greek goddesses, myths, review
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Is THOR worthy?

Tuesday, May 10th, 2011

In a word: Yes! Yes, he is!

I LOVED this movie. It embraced a certain cheese without being remotely ‘bad’. It was quite simply an awesome (fairly family friendly) adventure movie. My kids, from 8-14, all loved it.

Chris Hemsworth is undeniably Gorgeous, but he gives Thor a little more than a jaw-dropping body (I am in no way diminishing the beauty of his physique mind you). To honor Mr. Hemsworth’s physical prep for this part, I give you this delightful feast for the eyes:

Ahem, I digress… This Thor learns that there is more to life than self glory. As he grows, we are proud of him. Hemsworth reveals Thor’s inner struggle without hamming it up. A single tear, a furrowed brow – powerful weapon’s used brilliantly by this manly actor. I admit, his turn in Star Trek (2009) made was an intense opening for this cinema redux. If it hadn’t been for his turn as George Kirk, it would have been a LOT harder for me to get into that one.

And then there was the supporting cast. In this one, the supporting cast was just that – supporting. This was Thor’s film – through and through. But the solid ensemble performers flushed out the story perfectly. I have no complaints about any of the performers, a rarity for me. I’m a huge fan of Natalie Portman, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard, and Ray Stevenson – and each were terrific!

I have only ONE complaint – and it’s minor. I wish Hollywood could create some unique bad guys. I’m so tired of the blended Lord of the Rings ‘monster/villain’. The ice giants didn’t do much for me, but they weren’t too scary for the younger viewers so I guess that’s something. The “scariest” monster was the fire robot – and I think a lot of that was the jarrign noise it made.

Kenneth Branaugh (who tends to get a little self absorbed when directing AND acting) did an exceptional job as a whole. The visuals, from space to Thor’s home planet, were stunning. They did not distract from the film, but helped the audience get lost in the experience.

Congrats Mr. Hemsworth – and all associated with this fun and feisty film! Hollywood - this is one SEQUEL I sincerely HOPE you make!

Posted in Movies | 2 Comments »

Sword and Sandal Films

Monday, May 9th, 2011

Since I’ve finished with the major Goddesses, I thought I’d jump a bit off topic – just a little bit mind you!

As I’ve mentioned a time or two in previous entries – I’m a bit of a movie-holic. With my muse firmly ensconced in Ancient Greece, I thought I’d pay tribute to some of my favorite recent Sword and Sandal epics. Not all of them are set in Ancient Greece, but they’re of the same vein.

Troy - 2004 – Watch Eric Bana’s turn as Hector. I know Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom are in it, but Bana steals the show. Interesting and useless side note – the seer that assures Priam (Peter O’Toole) of Troy’s victory is none other than King Arthur from the 1981 masterpiece Excalibur. The man has a voice like no other.

300 - 2006 – Yes, I admit I was mesmerized by Gerard Butler’s fluid physique and prowess. I admit it. But the sheer coolness of this gruesome, visually awesome flick is worth watching. And the soundtrack makes up part of my writing play-list.

Clash of the Titans- 1981 – CLASSIC! Seriously. Before we became numb from today’s seamless CGI and surround sound, this movie rocked. Yes, it’s high on cheese, but that’s part of a healthy balanced diet!

Gladiator - 2000 – There was no way I’d leave this off my list. My husband will watch this whenever it’s on TV, even though he could probably re-enact it he’s watched it so many times. But I understand why. Maximus is the kind of hero we all want and need to believe in. And the ending is so kick-butt – it inspired the ending of Medusa. Simultaneously sad and completely satisfying.

That’s all for now. I’ll come up with some pre-1980′s for next posting – there are so any wonderful (I mean both wonderfully good and wonderfully bad ) films in this genre! I’ll also suggest some sword and sandal TV offerings!

What are your favorites? And why?

Tags: 300, brad pitt, clash of the titans, eric bana, gerard butler, gladiator, greek goddesses, greek gods, movies, myths, orlando bloom, russel crowe, troy
Posted in Greek Myths, Movies | 3 Comments »

Who’s Who on Olympus – Goddess’ Wrap Up

Friday, May 6th, 2011

So far we’ve covered Athena, Demeter, Aphrodite, and Hera. Persephone was also mentioned – but other than being Demeter’s daughter and Hades wife, she’s not a big player. Unless we’re talking about my take on her story, that is

Moving along:

Artemis is the Goddess of the Hunt and Archery. She is like the Game Warden of her times, managing the population and welfare of the animals. She is often depicted with deer or hunting dogs. Like Athena and Hestia, remained a virgin – demanding that her followers did the same. If one of her attendants broke their vow of chastity, even unwillingly, Artemis would punish them. A bit of a wild child, she had an unforgiving sense of justice. She is the eldest twin sister of Apollo and played a part in several vengeance themed stories.

Hestia was one of the original Olympian gods. She was the Goddess of the Hearth, an embodied compassion, generosity and virtue.

Where Artemis and Athena enjoyed their freedom, Hestia preferred to stay out of the way - rarely leaving Olympus. She loved peace so much, she never took a suitor or husband. When both Apollo and Poseidon set to woo her, she refused them both and declared a vow of chastity to avoid any rivalry. Her temple was built in Rome, the Temple of Vesta. Selected and honored at a very young age, a priestess greatest crime was to break her vow of chastity. If she did, she was buried alive. Once the grave was sealed up, it was smoothed over and unmarked so none would know it was a grave. Since the priestess would not have been buried properly,the woman/priestess was denied access to the Underworld and roamed the world for all eternity.

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Tags: ancient greece, artemis, greece, hades, hestia, myths, olympians, Olympus, persephone
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Who’s Who On Olympus Part II

Monday, May 2nd, 2011

Continuing on with a run down of the Big Twelve – Olympians that is!

Athena – Goddess of Wisdom and War. Unlike Hera and Aphrodite, Athena chose to remain chaste – i.e. virginal. She was a mighty warrior, but she preferred to settle disputes through reason and intelligence. She was born, according to myth, fully grown – from her father Zeus’ head. Forcing herself into the world and Olympus, Athena did not back down from anything. For example, when both she and Poseidon wanted the city of Athens as one of the patron city’s, the two participated in a ‘test’ that allowed the people to choose their patron Olympian. While Poseidon created a spring/well to come into the city, Athena gave them the olive tree. And as the well/spring was salt water, the Athenians deemed Athena their patron. Athena is also thought to have been quite an inventor – creator of the war chariot, the flute, the trumpet, the yoke and bridle.

She is often depicted as warrior-like. At the very least, she appears on the ready for whatever trouble she might encounter.

Athena’s is most closely related to the owl, though the serpent is also equated to wisdom. In my story, she is a proud, frustrated deity led to believe the worst by her long-term adversary – Poseidon.

Demeter – Goddess of the Harvest and Fertility. Demeter was a well-celebrated goddess as her responsibilities led to the nourishment and livelihood of the better part of ancient Greece. She was not a chaste goddess, having numerous love affairs – with mortals and fellow Olympians alike. One such affair led to the birth of Demeter’s daughter: Persephone. The two were inseparable, appearing together more as peers than mother and daughter. When Persephone disappeared into the Underworld with Hades, Demeter was so distraught that crops failed and people suffered. Zeus intervened, putting Persephone on a sort of time-share between her mother Demeter and her husband Hades. One of the interesting aspects of those that worshipped Demeter were the Eleusinian Rites/Eleusinian Mysteries. Closely guarded, the details of this cult and it’s rituals were not recorded.

In my stories – I’m having great fun creating those rituals!

This is Demeter and her daughter, the lovely Persephone…

Tags: athena, athens, demeter, hades, myth, Olympus, persephone, poseidon, underworld
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Sasha Summers