Alexander

Post by **Alynna Lis Eachann** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 7:48 am

Thoughts? Comments? Hot, pokey sticks in eyes to make the pain go away?

I actually liked Alexander a good bit... except, inevitably, for the dead horses. Definitely a darker film, with themes not suitable for the happy-movie-goer type. I'm glad somebody was able to push some of these themes at a mainstream audience, even if the movie played like a bad, borderline NC-17 slashfic.

Post by **danlo** » Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:58 pm

As a history major I'll have to eventually see it, but I'll probably wait till it's on DVD (Thanks Santa!

). I think "epics" have to be very careful about their time of release. Summer is usually a good time for them and I think it came out too soon after Troy. I'm sure it's excellent filmmaking I just don't get why Hollywood and the press is so down on Oliver Stone. Is it his politics, his lifestyle or the conspiracy theories he's, supposedly, so obsessed with?

I liked Platoon and JFK no matter what others say...

Post by **kevinswatch** » Sun Jan 02, 2005 4:41 am

Yeah, the movie was really interesting. I got a good sense of history watching the movie. Of course, I don't know how much is accurate or not...heh. But yeah, it had a lot of good parts. And yeah, it was definately a lot darker then something comparable, like Troy. Troy was a lot more mindless action. My only problem was how long it was...heh. If I had known it was three hours going in, I would have prepared myself better, heh.-jay

Post by **Chrysalis** » Sat Jan 08, 2005 9:56 pm

I watched it this evening. I did enjoy it but was't sure how accurate it was from a historical view point. It has received a few bad reviews here in the UK, it wasn't as 'nice' as Troy so I can sort of see why. The battle scenes were impressive, except for the animal injuries shown, quite gory. (not that I usually mind gore actually)
I didn't really like how the film switched from time to time but I suppose they had to or it would have been even longer.
I found it interesting how they tried to show different relationships between Alexander and other characters. At times I did wonder if Colin Farrell had been the best choice for lead but overall not a bad film.
I did enjoy Troy more though.

Post by **The Leper Fairy** » Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:51 am

It was soooo freaking long!

I liked it at the beginning but it got to a point where

Spoiler

I was depressed when he didn't die

I'm glad I saw it... don't want to ever see it again though.

Post by **Dragonlily** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 5:47 am

I'm watching my DVD of the Director's Cut for the second time, this time with Stone's commentary. The commentary version has multiple advantages. It strings together, into a narrative, the historical points that were hit patchily in the movie. It identifies key characters whom I never could sort out in the movie.

In the movie without commentary, I thought there were 2 strong points. Angelina Jolie was scarily good as Alexander's mother. And there is a shot of maybe two seconds in which Alexander on his horse and an Indian king on his elephant face off in battle – a second or two that left me with goose bumps. But as a movie, it’s cluttered by too many facts left out for too little time.

Post by **Usivius** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 1:39 pm

6 out of 10.
over acted
over directed
over scored

great people making this movie, but fatally over done...

Post by **Alynna Lis Eachann** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 6:12 pm

Usivius wrote:6 out of 10.
over acted
over directed
over scored

great people making this movie, but fatally over done...

I do agree on these points. On the whole, it really was over-the-top.

I would like to see it with the commentary, though. I'd love to get a better handle on how accurate it was in regards to actual events. I suppose I'll have to break down and rent it.

Post by **Worm of Despite** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 6:55 pm

I never knew they could make enemas in the movie format, but Oliver Stone has outdone himself.

Post by **dlbpharmd** » Fri Dec 23, 2005 7:59 pm

Lord Foul wrote:I never knew they could make enemas in the movie format, but Oliver Stone has outdone himself.

I turned it off after 20 minutes - ridiculously boring.

Post by **Damelon** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 12:35 am

I rented it a couple of months ago. I didn't think it was as bad as the critics said it was. But I do have an interest in history. It seemed to be fairly accurate, from what I remember of Alexander's life. If you want to read about Alexander's life, Plutarch covers the subject pretty well.

Post by **Dragonlily** » Sat Dec 24, 2005 2:29 am

Mary Renault's fictional series on Alexander is outstanding:

FIRE FROM HEAVEN
THE PERSIAN BOY
FUNERAL GAMES
though the last was after Alexander's death and a lot less lively.

All authors who write fiction about Alexander know they will have to be measured against Mary Renault.

Post by **Marv** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 11:44 am

And the award for the gayest movie of all time goes toooo.....

Why does Alexander The Great, a born horse rider, have the spindliest legs I've ever seen? I've known a few people that ride horses and they have thighs like you wouldn't believe!

Fri Feb 20, 2009 2:53 pm

I really like Colin Farell's acting, and there's quality in alot of the dimensions here, but the script and plot editing are atrocious: * 1/2 out of ****

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Alexander

Alexander