APOCALYPTO - Savagely Brilliant!!!

[JJ Irani]

Hi guys,

I know some of you have seen this movie about a month ago and our Padi even did a very good review on it....but to those who still haven't seen it, I say it's an absolute must!!

Mel Gibson has spared no details in bring to brutal life this story set in Aztec times. The entire film is in the Mayan language with English sub-titles.

Type-casting is absolutely superb. Makes you wonder how Hollywood managed to conjur up so many guys who look like the typical Mayan people.

What a great film, guys....sadly it will miss out on any Oscar nominations as it is not in the English language!!

BEST film I've seen in a very long time!!

JJ

[padi56]

The Aztec culture dominated the Valley of Mexico in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.While the Mayan a very much older civilisation and even today The Mayan culture has remained amazingly intact. Many of the Yucatan Mayans whose ancestors were hunters and fisherman. Now work in hotels and other tourist related businesses. More than 350,000 Mayans living in the Yucatan speak Yukatek Mayans and most speak Spanish as a second language, primarily learnt in school. So still plenty around for the movie,and agree great movie but quite blood thirsty in parts.

[Rockrolex]

Sorry, but I wouldn't give Gibson the time of day, let alone my money to see one of his movies.

[Southern Jessie]

I agree with Ed - I think Gibson is a moron who uses excess gore in his films like Verhoeven did except Verhoeven actually managed to make movies that will be remembered (Robocop, Basic Instinct, Total Recall)

Message to MG: watch some classic films of Hitchcock, Kubrick, Lean, etc and learn how to make a GREAT movie (you d!ckhead)

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Southern Jessie

I agree with Ed - I think Gibson is a moron who uses excess gore in his films like Verhoeven did except Verhoeven actually managed to make movies that will be remembered (Robocop, Basic Instinct, Total Recall)

Message to MG: watch some classic films of Hitchcock, Kubrick, Lean, etc and learn how to make a GREAT movie (you d!ckhead)

Well Shane at this time the Mayan religion was a complex system and they ritually practised human sacrifice and bloodletting.The greatest sacrifice was to have the victims heart removed. This would be achieved after several steps. First, the victim would be painted completely blue, then held over a rather uncomfortable table. This table arced his chest upward just as portrayed in the film. His hands and legs were held by minor priests, while the main priest would use a sharp stone to make an incision under his right ribs. He would then remove the heart while it was still beating again as portrayed in the film.After either of these tasks, he would be subject to decapitation. If he was a brave or valiant captured warrior, he would be rolled down the 365 temple steps to a waiting crowd,Where he would be devoured. His skin would be worn by a priest and danced in.Again as portrayed in the film it was IMO quite retrospective of these very brutal times.But would agree about Mel Gibson over all.

[Southern Jessie]

I agree that the rituals were bloodthirsty but in my opinion, suggestion and mental horror (leaving it to your imagination) are far worse than blatant gore. That's why books are far scarier than films.

Can MG actually make a good 'acting' movie like Eastwood has done with Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby?

[padi56]

Yes agree he does not have the same flair as Eastwood and Million Dollar Baby is one of my favourite films.But historicaly and from a pure scenic picture capture Apocalypto. IMO you will have to go a long way, too see, a more convincing cinematic evocation of another time and place, in such scope and meticulous detail.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes agree he does not have the same flair as Eastwood and Million Dollar Baby is one of my favourite films.But historicaly and from a pure scenic picture capture Apocalypto. IMO you will have to go a long way, too see, a more convincing cinematic evocation of another time and place, in such scope and meticulous detail.

Well, sorry guys, but I still think Mel Gibson is a tremendous Director. "Braveheart" did win him an Oscar.....but I guess we all have our opinions!!

[Edensknight]

Originally Posted by JJ Irani

Well, sorry guys, but I still think Mel Gibson is a tremendous Director. "Braveheart" did win him an Oscar.....but I guess we all have our opinions!!

Frankly, I have to agree with Padi and JJ. Mel Gibson has produced and directed yet another incredible motion picture effort. Braveheart (of which Gibson won Best Film of the Year and Best Director) happens to be a stellar motion picture event. Furthermore, the Passion of Christ, and, Apocalypto (Gibson's latest film efforts) are quite epic in proportion, and, abundant in socio-cultural historical detail. And, as an anthropological and archaeological enthusiast, I appreciate the attention to detail and culture that Gibson struggled attentatively to portray.

Moreover, despite the fact that Apocalypto was filmed in Yacatek Mayans (the spoken language utilized in the film), I think it is a shame that the film will not be acknowledged in the Motion Picture Academy Awards major categories. IMHO: Perhaps the Board of Govenors of the Academy Awards should revisit this stipulation, and, again, remember to merit achievement, and, not, inadvertently diminish effort and impact because an American producer-director merely wished to depict an ancient era with the highest reference and reverence to actual historical detail by researching and implememting an ancient language that many would never have the opportunity in their lifetime to ever hear.

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Edensknight

Frankly, I have to agree with Padi and JJ. Mel Gibson has produced and directed yet another incredible motion picture effort. Braveheart (of which Gibson won Best Film of the Year and Best Director) happens to be a stellar motion picture event. Furthermore, the Passion of Christ, and, Apocalypto (Gibson's latest film efforts) are quite epic in proportion, and, abundant in socio-cultural historical detail. And, as an anthropological and archaeological enthusiast, I appreciate the attention to detail and culture that Gibson struggled attentatively to portray.

Moreover, despite the fact that Apocalypto was filmed in Yacatek Mayans (the spoken language utilized in the film), I think it is a shame that the film will not be acknowledged in the Motion Picture Academy Awards major categories. IMHO: Perhaps the Board of Govenors of the Academy Awards should revisit this stipulation, and, again, remember to merit achievement, and, not, inadvertently diminish effort and impact because an American producer-director merely wished to depict an ancient era with the highest reference and reverence to actual historical detail by researching and implememting an ancient language that many would never have the opportunity in their lifetime to ever hear.

Well said, Knight!! I still say it was a tremendous motion picture!!

[Welshwatchman]

I am not sure if I am a fan of his film work.

But I sure know he manufactures a fine guitar.

[Edensknight]

Originally Posted by Welshwatchman

I am not sure if I am a fan of his film work.

But I sure know he manufactures a fine guitar.

Not to hi-jack this thread, BUT, I sure do love exquisite quality guitars. Gibson is a well known brand and distributor for folk, acoustic, and, electric guitars. However, I do appreciate a Ramirez Classical guitar (at least a 10 year waiting list for a custom Ramirez Concert Guitar who made Spanish Classical Guitars for the late great Andres Segovia); an Ovation Custom Legend Deep Bowl Acoustic, whereby, artists such as Neil Diamond, Peter White, Cat Stevens, etc., have used this guitar); and, a Charvel Electric Legend Model #6.