Early word on Mel Gibson's "Apocalypto"? Very, very good.

[Pale Blue Dot]

Could the Jew-hater mad genius be on the short list for another Oscar?

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/apocalypto

[Rabrrrrrr]

1. What the hell is it about? I've heard something about a "lost city",

but then also have heard something about it being Biblical.

It's gotta be one or the other.

Don't do any spoilers - just let me know what the hell it's about.

[Pale Blue Dot]

3. Actually, it looks like an action movie

set in the ancient Mayan civilization. You see, this Mayan chief is just two days from retirement....

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. Is there an Incan ambassador with dimplomatic immunity who's

trading gold illegally?

:rofl:

Is it really about Mayan history in some way?

[Pale Blue Dot]

6. Yes, it is.

It turns out that the Mayan civilization was suicidal, but in a good way. Will they find a partner to ride with before it's too late?

Yes, it is about the Mayans.

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Is there a scene in which the Mayans metaphorically throw their shoulder out,

only later in the movie to realize that they need to do it intentionally to save themselves?

[Nevernose]

5. Excerpts from Rolling Stone (spoiler free)

Here's a thought: instead of rehashing Mel Gibson's Jew-bashing rants when L.A. cops got him on a DUI in July, let's stick to his movie. Apocalypto brings out what's unique and gripping in Gibson as a director. It's pure adrenaline -- a tremendously exciting chase movie, shot in Mexico, that just happens to be set in ancient Maya with dialogue spoken in Yucatec Maya, with English subtitles. Heck, you lived through Latin and Aramaic in Gibson's Passion of the Christ, so don't be a wussy. Actually, you'd better not be gore-shy, because Apocalypto is one brutal and bloody ride.
...
This being Gibson, there's more to the film than the rush. It's impossible not to see parallels to our own cultured civilization, one that knowingly destroys its environment and sends troops to Iraq as human sacrifices. Gibson has made a film of blunt provocation and bruising beauty -- it's breathtaking to watch a jaguar racing in the jungle alongside the man who is named after the beast. Say what you will about Gibson, he's a filmmaker right down to his nerve endings.
...

[bridgit]

2. sometimes it's the song & not the singer...

we're going :thumbsup:

[Pale Blue Dot]

8. I'll watch anything.

Hell, I saw Triumph of the Will in college.

I honestly believe that Gibson is completely insane, but that that's not necessarily a bad thing if you're a filmmaker.

[Rabrrrrrr]

9. Being insane certainly made Welles the god he was!

[Pale Blue Dot]

10. Also see Herzog, Werner nt

[bridgit]

11. at that level it's easy to accomplish no-less than two things in hollywood...

1, be a certifiable nut-bag while making a shit pile of money & 2, still make good films, and by that i mean you show up with a literal army of technicians all of which are more talented then, oh, say, Mel Gibson, for one; start shooting in a lush rain-forest with a script centered upon The Maya (a cool premise in & of itself) and viola!! it's oscar time

although i like him as a person, i feel the same way about Ron Howard (not that he's a nut bag)...especially his Da Vinci Code excursion :popcorn:

[Pale Blue Dot]

13. I have a special connection to Ron Howard

in that I look like, and have many of the personality traits of, Richie Cunningham.

That said, it's been downhill since Splash.

[bridgit]

15. sure i got'cha, your ref to Herzog above in these context is well taken...

;) :thumbsup:

[AlCzervik]

12. that was literally the longest movie trailer i've ever sat through.

i didn't think it would ever end.

[Christa]

14. I have no desire to see it

just the thought of crazy Mell makes me go :puke:

[spillthebeans]

16. Isn't that funny how the media manipulates the people

while glorifying the "Leader"