movie review: 300

I constantly remain a bit behind on the current movie scene for two reasons: because I enjoy catching up on classic films (negating any extra time I had for current movies), and because most movies today (excepting foreign and indie films) lack the charisma, charm, and creativity of their more senior counterparts. However, this weekend I watched 300 and thought it deserved a critique.

In terms of its political agenda, be warned that it was clearly made by a republican. This does not automatically disqualify it from my liking, however. In fact, republicans often, of course, have good things to say. But I digress. Patriotism is a core theme in this movie, from the senseless killing of messengers to the blind buttresses of both the bodies of the soldiers and the bodies of the defeated in attempt to "defend the homeland". Second point: the post-structuralists and feminists out there, other-izing also formulates much of the atmosphere and ideological standpoint of 300. The Spartans are portrayed as fierce, battle-hungry people with a strange aura of normality, while the invading Persians are strange, mystical, illogical, and epitomize "otherness" to the Spartans. Another point: I thought it was a joke at first, but in this movie the characters actually said things like "freedom isn't free" and "we are free men fighting against the oppressed and the tyrants". Umm... sounds familiar, right?

In terms of its quality as a movie, there are three things which sincerely bothered me from the outset: the cinematography, the anachronistic dialogue, and the melodramatic acting. First, let's face it: according to this movie, Sparta's weather sucks. I don't recall actually seeing the sun or the sky once. Just murky, dark rainclouds that only seem to release their moisture once. Of course, one could argue that this adds to the feeling of the movie, but it simply makes the audience long for the conclusion of the movie. This, added to the incredible amount of make-up to simulate the filthiness of not having bathed for months, seemed to be over the top. Second, the dialogue was written well, except in a couple places. However, nothing really makes me feel that these are real people instead of actors trying to portray something. For instance: for some reason they felt it necessary to send Xerxes' voice through a voicebox to make it seem scary, and he still only says things like "I am kind"- five times. The dialogue even becomes anachronistic when the soldiers call the war general "sire"- a term which is British, and didn't even appear until the middle ages. And then all the stuff about free men and freedom and patriotism and all that junk.... Third, the actors are at times so incredibly melodramatic that it becomes laughable. The manner in which they interact, their facial expressions, the over-the-top battle scenes (such as a launch off the general's back, just to kill one opposing frontman), need I continue? After a while we find ourselves saying "coooome ooooooooon".

I gave this movie 3/5 stars because it was very entertaining, the writing was mediocre (not bad), and the special effects were superb.

gaiwan

for those of you who don't know, this is a gaiwan. the tea leaves are loose inside, and you pour the tea from this into a pitcher, and then to your cup.

update

Well, I've turned into quite the boring blogger. My last post was May 5 to tell you about a burrito, and that was nearly 2 months ago! So here's the post that of course you've been wanting.

First of all, I can't figure out what's wrong with either (1) my resumé or (2) the way I'm presenting myself to potential employers. You see, I'm stuck in a low-level, dead-end, non-related (to my studies) internship working with coworkers who don't know the difference between "Asia" and "Vietnam", between Salvadore Dalí and children's finger-painting. They refuse to move more than 2 blocks without driving, and believe that they are being efficient when they only make one trip to headquarters (instead of multiple because they forgot something).

But I've applied to many open jobs, with no responses. None! I even sent my resumé to a friend who was asking her friends to fill an open temporary position, and as soon as I sent my resumé, she stopped e-mailing me! uugh....

Secondly, I'm feeling passionate about two things right now: reading and tea. During the school season there is no time for pleasure-reading. I occasionally sneak in a couple pages on the bus, but by the time I get to open the book again, I've already forgotten what happened last. But since school has dismissed I've read 3 books with one more in about a week. They were: The Book of Embraces by Eduardo Galeano, As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner, The Sirens of Titan by Kurt Vonnegut, and this I loved so much that I'm now reading Slaughterhouse Five by Vonnegut. After this I plan on working on Multitude: War and Democracy in the Age of Empire by Negri & Hardt- a required text for a class I wasn't able to take this spring.

As for teas, several tea blogs have ignited a passion in me for exploring that world. I currently have about 15 teas, but they are mostly old and have long lost their interest in life. My birthday is tomorrow, and I childishly hope to receive a gaiwan or high-quality green tea. Maybe I'll post another tea review in the near future......

Third, and lastly, I got a pair of kick-ass sandals that I want to try out, as soon as you don't sweat balls by walking out your front door. I"m thinking of going back to either Palomar Mountain or Mission Trails. Can't drive too far away, either.

Cheers, and think about my next couple blogs: a tea review, "reasons i am anti-religious pt. 2", & "reasons i am a vegetarian/pescatarian/feegan/socially & environmentally aware eater".