300 (2006)

Prepare for IMAX Glory


THE PLOT (9 stars – Excellent)
Great adaptation!  Almost precise with Frank Miller's 1998 comic material.  Most illustrations are accurately translated in silver screen.  As Spartans strategically fight against Persians, this is one war epic that is truly unique, original and entertaining.  Well-edited, no dull moment.


THE PERFORMANCE (8 stars – Very Good)
Good cast - from the brave queen, crazy warriors, desperate Ephialtes, to eccentric Xerxes.  Traitor Theron is the most convincing.  Butler's Leonidas is effective on battles especially the dramatic ending.  Minor nuisance on bit “slur”, trying hard voice of narrator Wenham.


THE PRODUCTION (10 stars – Perfect)
Everything is perfect!  From visuals, lyrical lines, cinematography, to action sequences (enjoys the slo-mo effect - it gives more depth and drama to scenes).  Every image, every fiber is crisp and crystal clear.  Thanks to IMAX!  A feast to the eyes.



OVERALL SCORE
(9 + 8 + 10) / 3 = 9.00
9/10 points = Excellent



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Jeremy Wheeler)
     = 3.5/5.0 stars (based on 41 users)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 1,200 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B+ stars (based on 4,480 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Sean O'Connell)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on users)

5.  IMDB
     = 7.8/10.0 stars (based on 261,690 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 51/100 points (based on 35 critics)
     = 7.0/10.0 points (based on 890 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 68/100 points (based on critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (based on critics)
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 2,545 users)

9.  Rotten Tomatoes
     = 60/100 points (based on 223 critics)
     = 90/100 points (based on 1,307,172 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = B (based on 13 critics)
     = B (based on 97,908 users)



THE GIST
Without focusing on the gory part (of course, what would you expect in a war film?), this flick is an instant classic.  As if I'm watching a 100 year-old movie.  :)



EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"Give them nothing...

but take from them everything."

- Leonides

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Exotic" Xerxes

3.  TEASER SCENE

 - "Come and get them!"

4.  MOVIE TRAILER



5.  NUMBER TRACKER

Production Budget                                $65.0 M
--------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross               $210.6 M
Foreign Gross                  $245.5 M
--------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                                 $456.1 M
--------------------------------------------------------
Profit                                                  $391.1 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

MTV Movie Awards, USA
Winner:                    - Best Fight
Nominated:              - Best Movie
                               - Best Performance (Gerard Butler)
                               - Best Villain (Rodrigo Santoro)
                               - Breakthrough Performance (Lena Headey)

People's Choice Awards, USA
Nominated:             - Favorite Action Movie

SAG Awards, USA (Screen Actors Guild)
Nominated:             - Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble
                                 in a Motion Picture

Saturn Awards, USA
(Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films)
Winner:                   - Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film
                              - Best Director (Zack Snyder)
Nominated:             - Best Actor (Gerard Butler)
                              - Best Costume
                              - Best Make-Up
                              - Best Music
                              - Best Special Effects
                              - Best Supporting Actor (David Wenham)
                              - Best Supporting Actress (Lena Headey)
                              - Best Writing

Teen Choice Awards, USA
Nominated:             - Choice Movie Actress:  Action Adventure (Lena Headsey)
                              - Choice Movie: Action Adventure
                              - Choice Movie:  Rumble (The Spartans Vs. The Immortals)

A Very Long Engagement (2004)

Love Waits, Love Hopes

THE PLOT (6 stars - Above Average)

Young lady waits and hopes for the return of her fiancé soldier from the bitter end of war.  Her constant search and perseverance succeeds, despite of disability and discouragements.  I like how she whispers challenges to herself and beats them.

THE PERFORMANCE (7 stars - Good)

In some parts, acting is a bit theatrical and vulgar and in some parts, a bit dry. Lead actress Audrey Tautou’s performance is controlled and reserved. Meanwhile, her lover Gaspard Ulliel, gets little exposure over a war that's vividly portrayed.

THE PRODUCTION (8 stars - Very Good)

Daring shots and executions, depicting the loom scenarios of the World War I.  Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet captures the dark side of battlefield with art.  Cinematography is at its best, visualizing the quiet beauty of the lighthouse and scenery of France.

OVERALL SCORE
(6 + 7 + 8) / 3 = 7.00
7/10 points = Above Average



OTHER CRITICS

1.  All Rovi
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Derek Armstrong)

2.  Amazon
     = 4.5/5.0 stars (based on 125 users)

3.  Box Office Mojo
     = B (based on 228 users)

4.  Film Critic
     = 3.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by Chris Barsanti)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (reviewed by users)

5.  IMDB
     = 7.8/10.0 stars (based on 29,999 users)

6.  Metacritic
     = 76/100 points (based on 39 critics)
     = 8.1/10.0 points (based on 38 users)

7.  MRQE
     = 75/100 (based on 152 critics)

8.  MSN Movies
     = 4.0/10.0 stars (based critics)
     = 4.0/5.0 stars (based on 129 users)

9.  RottenTomatoes
     = 77/100 points (based on 142 critics)
     = 84/100 points (based on 22,881 users)

10.  Yahoo Movies
     = B (based on 5 critics)
     = B (based on 2,660 users)



THE GIST

Picturesque battles and majestic vistas overshadow the emotions which supposed to be the heart of the movie.  Squeezing too much style and elegance diverts viewers' attention leaving them at lost.  :(

EXTRA STUFF

1.  CAUGHT QUOTE

"Tears say what you can't say."

- Sylvain

2.  INTERESTING CHARACTER

"Stubborn" Mailman

3.  TEASER SCENE

- Childhood days

4.  MOVIE TRAILER

5.  NUMBER TRACKER 

Production Budget                          $56.6 M
---------------------------------------------------
Domestic Gross             $6.5 M
Foreign Gross              $63.6 M
---------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Gross                            $70.1 M
---------------------------------------------------
Profit                                            $13.5 M



6.  ACCOLADES (BEST AND WORST)

Academy Awards, USA (Oscars)
Nominated:                  - Best Achievement in Art Direction
                                   - Best in Cinematorgraphy

BAFTA Awards, UK (British Academy of Film and Television Arts)
Nominated:                 - Best Film Not in the English Language

Golden Globes, USA
Nominated:                 - Best Foreign Language Film