BOTH SIDES OF "300"

That new historical blockbuster (on which Victor Davis Hanson served as consultant) tempts critic Andrew Sarris back into the multiplex, bag of popcorn in hand:

  My late mother Themis was a Spartan, as were her two brothers—my uncles—Leonidas and Sophocles. (How much more ancient Greek can one get?) I have neither seen nor reviewed most of the first-week box-office champions in recent years, because, in most instances, it would be like shooting fish in a barrel; and I must report that "300" was as pathetically puerile as I had expected. Yet I can’t say that it wasn’t at least minimally entertaining. Indeed, there was a subtextual strangeness about the spectacle that would have made the ghost of Leni Riefenstahl nod in recognition.

The New Culture Forum's Marc Sidwell had a terrific time: "Freedom, Beauty, Excellence and Reason are all celebrated here..."  His review did not go down well with Sunny Hundal at Pickled Politics: "I've never read so much tripe in my life." As for the Iranian response, an anti-Hollywood petition is being circulated. Global Voices offers a round-up which includes this observation from a blogger:

293 people petitioned for the release of political prisoners in Iran. 4,083 people petitioned for the release of women activists who were recently jailed in Iran. 5,108 people have pushed to release Ahmed Batebi from jail, torture, and death. But of course 6,153 care that a movie based on a comic book demeans their Iranian pride.

Yes, as ever, the movies trump real life.

Comments

[mikek]

Two Nazi references in one review about a comic book movie. Hmmm.

Here is another interesting review for a movie about cartoon Ninja turtles:

http://filmcritic1963.typepad.com/capsules/2007/03/tmnt.html

[Mike]

I loved it. Superb entertainment. Slate saw it as political. Yep. Cried like a girl at the end.

The funniest review is by Nathan Lee in the V Voice
http://www.villagevoice.com/film/0710,lee,75993,20.html

[mikek]

There is no crying in Sparta fake Mike.

[Gabriel]

If anyone takes five minutes to inspect the constant stream of bile about Jews (note, not zionists - they only do that when talking to morons in the west, Jews) this looks even more ridculous.