Spartans! Prepare for glory!!

As you can tell, I've seen the new movie 300. And boy, what a ride! I'm not sure what impressed more: the sumptuous visuals that were an incredible feast for the eyes; the make-no-apologies and take-no-prisoners attitude of the filmmakers, who just went for it and put this fanboys' dream movie out there; or the fact that this isn't just an incredible story - it's a TRUE story, albeit a highly stylized one as told by director Zack Snyder. Either way, this is certainly the first standout film of 2007, a gutsy, visceral experience committed to celluloid like no movie in a long time.

So, do you think he liked it guys?

Well, sure, it was a lot of fun, and I got completely caught up in it. I've got this thing for the little guys vs. big guys, last stand types of movies, especially true ones. Heck, I've been so pumped about this movie that I'm almost as excited about The History Channel's specials (aired the same week the film opened) about the actual battle of Thermopylae (especially the documentary Last Stand of the 300 - check it out if you get the chance). Long story short, 300 is a fun movie that grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let you go until the very end.

I read Frank Miller's graphic novel just before I saw the movie and I was immediately impressed by the unique style of artwork that popped out of the panels of the pages. I was also struck by the sense of deja vu that I felt reading the book. I recognized right off some of the very images and sound bites from the movie trailer. That made me think that this could be an interesting adaptation. I loved Sin City, so I was intrigued by the possibilities here. I was very happy to see that the movie wasn't a linear adaptation, but that, in fact, the filmmakers "filled" out the storyline with some welcome set up in the first act, as well as provided some expanded characterization and subplots, particularly with Queen Gorgo and her attempts to sway the council to support Leonidas in his cause for Sparta.

And while many believe that 300 is modern allegory for the Iraq War, I believe the filmmakers weren't aiming for such topical relevance (although it could be argued that, intended or not, the film is topical AND relevant, given the coincidental parallels between film and current events), but instead were instead attempting to tell a compelling story in a unique way. In any case, it's up to the individual viewer to decide.

That's my opinion. What's yours? Feel free to post your thoughts. And if anybody's seen the IMAX version, I'd love to hear how it looks in that format.

Until next time,

Kevin

Welcome to The Reel Blog!

If there's one thing you need to know about me from the get-go, it's that I LOVE movies. Been a film fan since I was a kid, and love to discuss the cinema (and TV, too). So be prepared to hear and be heard on all things film-related. I'm totally devoted to learning and living the craft of filmmaking, so I'm not just a fan, I'm also a writer and director. I've done a few little projects and am currently working on some bigger ones.

So, in short, on this blog we'll talk about all kinds of things: what I'm up to, as well as the latest movies and film news that's worth knowing. And that just for starters. But this only works if you talk, too. So share your thoughts, comments, and questions, and let's have ourselves a little conversation. It's more fun that way.

In the near future, you'll be able to find your way directly to this blog from my web site, www.the-reel-mccoy.net. We're currently re-tooling the site, and you won't want to miss anything that will appear in version 2.0. You'll be able to take a look-see at all kinds of film-related goodness, including several projects that I wrote and directed. Plus, you'll be in the know on what I've got cooking at the moment.

That being said, I'm going to end this post for now. But don't worry, I'll be back in the very near future to add my two-cents worth on the Oscars (I know, I know, I'm only a week and a half late on that one), as well as the new, uber-cool movie 300 (which I saw last night at a sneak preview here in Atlanta).

Until then...

Kevin