300 movie

10-Mar-2007

[The_Reader_David]

But who'd want to shop at a Spartan store? I'd think a Corinthian store would have a lot better selection and be a lot more fun to shop at.

[Larry Lucido]

So do you go for the columns or the leather? :-)

[Polybius]

Hmmm. As I recall, it wasn't the Athenians who encouraged homosexuality in their military; that was a Spartan thing.

"Boy loving" (as opposed to "man loving") refers to pederasty which the Athenians were quite fond of.

Athenian pederasty

As far as I am concerned, if an entire army of adult male warriors is willing to die to the last man on the battlefield to protect my country and they leave the boys and the rest of us straight guys alone, whatever buggery they engage in with each other is fine with me.

Those Spartans saved Western Civilization at Thermopylae and I salute them regardless of what they did with their "bothers in arms" the night before the battle.

[Sgt Duck]

I agree with your input. We need to look at this film and look at parallels to today. I loved the movie and the message. Hopefully more people will go see this movie and understand the parallels. The politician played his part to a t just shows politicians haven't changed in 2500 years. For those who haven't seen it go see it.

[Mr. Jazzy]

Sorry for the parental gender confusion. I salute you. You must be a strong woman to have taken your son to the film and engaged in a discussion of the principals of freedom,honor and commitment that the Spartans demonstrated as depicted.

The EGA is shorthand for "Eagle, Globe and Anchor", the symbol of The United States Marine Corps. Recruits at boot camp are not allowed to call themselves Marines or wear the emblem of the Marine Corps until the day before the graduation ceremony. On Family Day, the recruits form up and march onto the parade deck (asphalt marching area) in front of stands filled with family members, friends and well wishers. They march for the assembled visitors and receive from their Drill Instructors three things: 1)The symbol of the Marine Corps, an Eagle Globe and Anchor pin to wear on their uniform 2) A handshake and 3)The verbal acknowledgment from the DI for the FIRST time that the recruit is no longer a recruit, but a Marine.

Many a tear is shed in this moving ceremony. Hard to put it into words. Something that must be experienced.

If you son chooses to become a Marine, he will have to earn the EGA. If your son becomes a Marine, YOU will have the HARDEST job in the Corps, being a M.O.M. . . .

Mother Of a Marine.

Best wishes to you and your son.

[LS]

OK, saw this today and loved it. Absolutely concise telling of the classic story, without being corny. Persians=bad, Greeks=good, Spartans=best of the Greeks. (Course, the "boy-loving" Athenians might disagree).

It accurately depicts phalanx warfare, and consolidates everything Victor Davis Hanson says about "western way of war" vs. non-western in a 90 minute movie. Fantastic.

[LS]

1) It's a movie. As such, it's not trying to cover every base.

2) It was fantastic.

3) It's a movie.

4) It consolidates the "western way of war" vs. the non-western, with its reliance on gimmicks, sheer numbers, and slave soldiers, better than any I've ever seen.

5) It's a movie.

[LS]

Sorry, this is oodles better than "Gladiator," and both I and my teenage son hated "Sin City." Loved this one.

[longtermmemmory]

actually any adult caught with a boy was stoned to death. Especially around the time of Pericles. It is literally etched in stone.

Adults who were caught were banished for life.

In a society dominated by agrarian production, you don't have much use for those who don't know what goes where and with who.

[longtermmemmory]

there were no metrosexuals at Thermopylae

[finnman69]

The initial phalanx charge was really interestinf and probably very accurate. It really reminded me of NFL linebackers colliding, only with shields and spears.

[ChessExpert]

I just saw the movie. If the words "live free or die" make sense to you, then this movie will make sense to you. I don't know about the history (ignorance, not doubt). But as a story of (military) character, or the lack thereof, it can hardly be beat. It has good, memorable lines, and lots of action. The cynics will criticize the dialog. In my view, truths have been uttered before, untruths are novel. There are tons of battle scenes and lots of killing. It is a war movie, after all. I found the tactics to be interesting and understandable. Huge, unfamiliar beasts were bigger than in real life. Perhaps that is how it would have seemed in an age before zoos, etc. Did someone say "ripping good yarn?" Well, they were right. It's inspiring too. Parallels for today? That is for each to add, as he/she wishes. It's no chick flick, but the queen is admirable.

[Ciexyz]

This film is still #1 at the box office. Long may it reign!

[ChessExpert]

I hope you like the movie.

[Ciexyz]

It was an amazing, awe-inspiring movie. Never saw anything like it on the big screen. Closest to it was an adult cartoon series on Alexander the Great made by Tokyo Pop -- a graphic novel cartoon, I believe there were a dozen episodes. It was called the Alexander Project - Reign the Conqueror.

[ChessExpert]

America wants Europe to stand and fight for freedom. Radical Islam is kinder, and only asks Europe to kneel in submission.