Apocalypto

[innerSpaceman]

I'm rushing out to see it as soon as I can, probably Sunday ... and I will make a point of going to the Cinerama Dome ... which I reserve for visually stunning films.

I don't know where on earth anyone could get the idea that this film would be boring. From what I understand, it's action-packed throughout ... as well as wonderfully acted and stunningly beautiful. The only reservation I personally have is its intense violence and brutality.

While not a scholar of the period, I have zero problem accepting that the Maya, near the depths of their decline, were a brutal and savage culture. What, the Aztecs had a monopoly on that? Far from having tupperware parties, I think the fact that so little record exists of their culture leaves it open to reasonable interpretation. Savagery among the pre-Columbian societies of central America is hardly a stretch, in my view.

As to not supporting Gibson ... well, I'd have to freeze stone cold in my tracks - never eating or driving or shopping again - if I wanted to refrain from supporing causes I abhor.

I felt silly for my self-boycot of Woody Allen movies for several years, and I don't intend to repeat that nonsense with Mel Gibson. I don't particularly like his work as a director. I though Braveheart was meh, and I can't bring myself to watch PotC sans Depp. I want to see Apocalypto on its merits alone as a fascinating adventure story set in a mileau where few films have tred, and with verisimilitude extending to the Mayan language spoken in the film. Perhaps its just a sucker's assumption on my part ... but why go to that trouble if you're going to create a film totally untrue to history?

If I can steal my stomach for the gore and violence, I will certainly be seeing this film ASAP.

[Sub la Goon]

What's Mayan is yours.

Seriously though, my view of Mel G is that he is bucking for the Oliver Stone award for out-of-control directing. His stuff just gets harder to watch and more egotistically skewed as time goes on. At least Tarantino started out that way and knows how to temper his excesses and not call too much attention to his own cleverness.

This probably will be a good movie to see in a large theater to show off the spectacle of it all. I will, however, wait for Netflix to snare this gem.