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May. 10th, 2005 11:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rhienellethOn the BenandJen pregnancy rumor: It hasn't been confirmed yet by either star or their reps. Nor by a doctor, or best friend, or soon-to-be-grandparent, or anyone else "in the know". So why is my f-list filled with S5 pregnancy spec? Just wondering.
Since it rained here all weekend, my fun activities were limited to indoor things. (Since my 'outdoor fun' would have consisted of yardwork had it been sunny, I'm not at all sad about this.) Saw Kingdom of Heaven, was surprised and impressed. Orlando Bloom has some good acting chops. I'm not saying his previous roles haven't been good -- but this was definitely more difficult material, and he pulled it off well.
Don't expect historical accuracy. Since Mark has studied a great deal of history (he could have added it as a minor in college, probably), and the Templars are a particular interest of his, he was extremely disgusted with the first half of the movie. Templars were the first order of monastic knights ever created, and ultimately the most powerful. They were created to guard the lives of Christians on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. They had no need to create wars or become kings themselves, because they became wealthy and politically powerful as a unit, and eventually were so powerful they answered to no one, no King, except for the papal throne. And after that, their power and influence was such that the King and Pope conspired together to destroy them. Not because they were evil, but because they were pretty much incorruptable, and also had enough political power to defy either throne if necessary. Also, they were a self-governing body. They lived by a strict code, a secular set of rules, including one that allowed them to have no communication with women, including thier own mothers and sisters. If a knight templar broke one of the rules, he was tried by his compatriots and expelled from the order. I can only assume that acts such as those depicted in the movie would have met with even worse punishment. From everything I've read, the knighthood policed its own ranks, and did it thoroughly.
But, forgetting for a moment that Ridley Scott made the Templars out as the villains of this piece, the movie was entertaining, in that Gladiator kind of over-the-top way. Saladin was portrayed as I believe he really was in life -- intelligent, charismatic, honorable, but merciless when necessary. I loved all the "good characters", and the actors who played them were outstanding. (Liam, Jeremy, David, Eva Green, and even Edward Norton from behind his mask.)
I did notice a certain similarity in Orlando Bloom's performance to Russell Crowe's in another such epic, and can only assume that Ridley Scott looks for certain things in his heroes. (I could literally draw corellations while watching the movie, imagining how Scott must have directed almost word for word the same to the actors: "Now in this scene, she (the female lead) is going to offer herself to you in the most appealing way, but you're going to remain stoic and unmoved." And later: "I want you to look at these stalks of wheat/cherry blossoms as if they hold the meaning of all life...good...hold that...cut!" Almost humorous, really. The good news being, if you enjoyed Gladiator, you'll likely enjoy Kingdom of Heaven.
And believe me, if the movie was good enough that Mark enjoyed it even with the historical inaccuracies, then it was damn good.
Since it rained here all weekend, my fun activities were limited to indoor things. (Since my 'outdoor fun' would have consisted of yardwork had it been sunny, I'm not at all sad about this.) Saw Kingdom of Heaven, was surprised and impressed. Orlando Bloom has some good acting chops. I'm not saying his previous roles haven't been good -- but this was definitely more difficult material, and he pulled it off well.
Don't expect historical accuracy. Since Mark has studied a great deal of history (he could have added it as a minor in college, probably), and the Templars are a particular interest of his, he was extremely disgusted with the first half of the movie. Templars were the first order of monastic knights ever created, and ultimately the most powerful. They were created to guard the lives of Christians on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. They had no need to create wars or become kings themselves, because they became wealthy and politically powerful as a unit, and eventually were so powerful they answered to no one, no King, except for the papal throne. And after that, their power and influence was such that the King and Pope conspired together to destroy them. Not because they were evil, but because they were pretty much incorruptable, and also had enough political power to defy either throne if necessary. Also, they were a self-governing body. They lived by a strict code, a secular set of rules, including one that allowed them to have no communication with women, including thier own mothers and sisters. If a knight templar broke one of the rules, he was tried by his compatriots and expelled from the order. I can only assume that acts such as those depicted in the movie would have met with even worse punishment. From everything I've read, the knighthood policed its own ranks, and did it thoroughly.
But, forgetting for a moment that Ridley Scott made the Templars out as the villains of this piece, the movie was entertaining, in that Gladiator kind of over-the-top way. Saladin was portrayed as I believe he really was in life -- intelligent, charismatic, honorable, but merciless when necessary. I loved all the "good characters", and the actors who played them were outstanding. (Liam, Jeremy, David, Eva Green, and even Edward Norton from behind his mask.)
I did notice a certain similarity in Orlando Bloom's performance to Russell Crowe's in another such epic, and can only assume that Ridley Scott looks for certain things in his heroes. (I could literally draw corellations while watching the movie, imagining how Scott must have directed almost word for word the same to the actors: "Now in this scene, she (the female lead) is going to offer herself to you in the most appealing way, but you're going to remain stoic and unmoved." And later: "I want you to look at these stalks of wheat/cherry blossoms as if they hold the meaning of all life...good...hold that...cut!" Almost humorous, really. The good news being, if you enjoyed Gladiator, you'll likely enjoy Kingdom of Heaven.
And believe me, if the movie was good enough that Mark enjoyed it even with the historical inaccuracies, then it was damn good.
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Date: 2005-05-11 05:35 am (UTC)Really? I saw it first on the Sunday night news out of Seattle, then on Monday, both Entertainment Tonight and Access Hollywood were talking about how she was three months along and the baby was expected to arrive in November.
If it's not true then MANY news services are going to have egg on their face because they spoke of it like it was a done deal. Now, if you'll excuse me I need to go and throw up. Sorry, but I find Ben Affleck repellent. It's a personal thing.
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Date: 2005-05-11 04:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-05-11 05:07 pm (UTC)