Apocalypto & Mel Gibson

stevengregory

stevengregory

Joined
Aug 20, 2006
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I just came home from seeing Apocalypto, Mel's new movie about the decline of Mayan civilization. I was very impressed, on every level, with this film. The story was excellent, as was the acting from all characters in the movie. I was drawn in and became very emotionally invested with all the characters, hoping for the best for all of the sympathetic people and wanting justice for the worst of them. This movie, even though the dialogue is in a tongue unknown to almost all Americans, is mesmerizing, fast paced and beautifully filmed, with an excellent musical score. I doubt that anyone who sees it will be disappointed, check it out.

On another note, I saw Mel being interviewed on Fox and Friends this morning, along with the young, unknown star of the film, who seemed to be somewhat nervous. He doesn't seem to be the same old Mel that he used to be. I got to wondering if his drinking problem is really severe, or if he's maybe losing it on some level. He was acting strangely, even considering that it was only 4:00 AM in California, when the interview took place. It's too bad. He's turning into a great film-maker, so I hope he keeps his act together and doesn't suffer anymore meltdowns, public or otherwise.
 
Gibson has made some really good [fictional] movies. I especially enjoyed watching some of the bloopers and behind-the-scenes pranks from them. He seems very energetic and has a great sense of humour.
 
I just don't understand why he makes the flicks and doesn't dub em in english, oops, Americanish. I mean I like a good flick but I aint wasting time readin the sub-titles and missing the action.
 
L6steel said:
I just don't understand why he makes the flicks and doesn't dub em in english, oops, Americanish. I mean I like a good flick but I aint wasting time readin the sub-titles and missing the action.
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I think the success of this movie -- success which defies virtually all of Hollywood's wisdom about how to make a successful movie -- is very encouraging because it shows that Americans still do appreciate intelligent movies. Hollywood seems to think that most Americans have about a third-grade mentality. This movie shoots well above that level. In this way, it is respectful of the audience. And people like being respected.
 
I can't stand dubbed-in-english versions of films, personally. I get used to reading the subtitles, and really do not notice them after a while.

Mel Gibson might be a crazed alcoholic & anti-semite, but I like some of his films. I will probably catch this one on DVD. Personally, I think he does his best work behind the camera.
 
L6steel said:
I just don't understand why he makes the flicks and doesn't dub em in english, oops, Americanish. I mean I like a good flick but I aint wasting time readin the sub-titles and missing the action.
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What Gollnick said, plus once you get used to reading subtitles, they almost become subliminal.

Besides Hollywood only knows 3 accents, the Goodies = American, The Baddies = British, everybody else zpeaks ze WW2 fake German.
 
Besides Hollywood only knows 3 accents, the Goodies = American, The Baddies = British, everybody else zpeaks ze WW2 fake German.
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Easy enough for any 3rd grader to understand... :p
 
Ironballs said:
Any blue face paint?
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Well...yes! that and much more. Apocalypto is an excellent movie that compares well with what Hollywood use to be, before they became risk adverse corporate drones making nothing but sequels, remakes, and formula flicks. The film is action packed, alluring, well shot, and credible; with excellent acting (consider that the actors know their audience will not understand the script and must rely on body language to convey the story). This is one of the best films I have seen in a long time. It proves that there is a lot more to making a good film then hiring a Tom Cruise to mug in front of a camera.

It is amazing that despite the entirely alien setting, the characters are easy to identify with, often humorous, and likable enough (both "good" and "bad" guys) to draw our interest. A very respectable film of the kind which is bound to quake the Hollywood landscape.

n2s
 
Trout Tamer said:
Easy enough for any 3rd grader to understand... :p
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A few years back (1980) there was an excellent light comedy called The Gods Must be Crazy, which followed an aboriginal tribes first encounter with modern technology in the shape of an empty Coca Cola bottle. That film was also done in the local language and managed to work without getting tangled up in subtitles. Mel seems to have borrowed from that film, and injected plenty of action, drama, and story as a bonus. Take Gods Must be Crazy + First Blood + The Naked Prey and you begin to get into the right frame of mind.

Knife content: I predict a small resurgence in obsidian collector bladeware - like this one.

pma054.jpg


Cool!

n2s
 
Rat Finkenstein said:
Mel Gibson might be a crazed alcoholic & anti-semite, but I like some of his films.
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The vast majority of the "stars" of the entertainment industry are freaks in some way. So he's a bit alcoholic? At least his drug of choice is legal. So his religious beliefs are a little weird? How about Madona? How about Tom Cruise and all the other Scientologist stars? And then there's Shirley McClain (sp?) and Carlos Santana. Throw in a few satanists, season with plenty of hedonists, add a generous heap of egotists, and you've got our entertainment industry... a real fruit salad. Mel's just one of the crowd.
 
Gollnick said:
The vast majority of the "stars" of the entertainment industry are freaks in some way. So he's a bit alcoholic? At least his drug of choice is legal. So his religious beliefs are a little weird? How about Madona? How about Tom Cruise and all the other Scientologist stars? And then there's Shirley McClain (sp?) and Carlos Santana. Throw in a few satanists and you've got our entertainment industry. Mel's just one of the crowd.
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Well put Chuck.
Alright the guy spews racial and anti Semite remarks when loaded to the gills. He has repeatedly apologized over and over again. But because he is a orthodox Catholic the media wants to crucify him. I guess if your a scientologist etc. those are cool "O.K." religions..:rolleyes:

Hollywierd..
 
Gollnick said:
I think the success of this movie -- success which defies virtually all of Hollywood's wisdom about how to make a successful movie -- is very encouraging because it shows that Americans still do appreciate intelligent movies. Hollywood seems to think that most Americans have about a third-grade mentality. This movie shoots well above that level. In this way, it is respectful of the audience. And people like being respected.
Click to expand...


This seems to be a problem with the American enertainment industry in general. Whether it's movies, TV or music, the big-wheels seem to push the same old garbage down the throats of the public year after year, stifling inovation and imagination in the creative aspects of their respective industries. I agree with Chuck, also that they treat us all as if we're in elementary school, assuming a very low level of intelligence. This movie sets a higher standard for the viewing public, in that the viewer is expected to be able to read sub-titles and watch the film at the same time and, believe me, the sub-titles do not detract from the film one little bit. Also, if you feel like you might not be able to identify with individuals of a cummunity removed from our own by hundreds of years in time, thousands of miles in place and with a culture entirely foreign to ours, rest assured that these people will become very real to you and you will care deeply about them and their plight.

All verbal foolishness aside, regarding his drunken tirade against the Jewish community, which is unacceptable, Gibson sets new standards with the last two of his films and I do hope he keeps it up. I'm tired of Rocky #93 type of movies, "slash the stupid high school kids" type of films and "monsters coming out of the mirror at you" flicks. This is something completely different than what you've seen before.
 
I need to go see this movie. I agree with the comments above about our culture in general being geared towards the lowest common denominator. They try to make things that everyone can understand and hopefully like- the problem is, most people are a great deal more intelligent and sophisticated than the dumbest among us. I'm an artist myself, so I kind of live in an ivory tower, but I think (some) people really respond when you challenge them. I know I do.

If people are given a challenge, many will rise to meet and appreciate that challenge. It is absolutely possible to make a great, smart movie. Unfortunately, most movies that start out as smart, great movies are watered down by entertainment executives desperately grasping for every possible dollar. When the well-written and intentioned movie is finally released, it has become a stupid caricature of what it could have (should have) been. Very few smart movies actually make it through, and those that do are either sissy chick flicks, or are totally misunderstood and misrepresented by the critics, and fail.

From what I'm hearing, it sounds like Apocalypto may be one of those rare films that manages to buck the trend towards total stupidity and irrelevance. This probably has a lot to do with Mel Gibson spearheading the project and ponying up his own dough in exchange for creative control. If he's managed to make a great movie, who really cares if he's crazy and/or a bigot. Lots of great artists have been crazy scumbag lowlifes. (Jackson Pollock and Pablo Picasso come readily to mind) People should be judged by the quality of their creations and their actions, not by their words and personal opinions. I'll take a scumbag/bigot who makes great works over a well mannered sheep who creates nothing any day. I don't think Mel Gibson is convincing anyone to hate Jews, so who gives a rat's ass what he rants about when he gets drunk?
 
I was in Catemaco, Mexico while they were filming, in fact I was in the same hotel as some of the crew, they all seemed like a fine group of people, though I never saw Mr. Gibson.

It was interesting how the locals mentioned that some could get in the film as extras if they had the proper look, he he, too bad I have too much Spanish blood and a thick white beard...

I've seen a trailer of the film somewhere (TV I think), looks good, It did not fit too well with the idea that I have about how real characters from that time and place would look or speak, but I guess that happens in just about every film.

Luis
 
I look forward to the movie. He's a good guy, who said the wrong thing. He apoligized. You can believe him or not.

Water has passed under the bridge, he wants to move on, but others cannot and are still focused on the past.

Move along.
 
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