Frank Miller's 300

Film Title: 300
Year: 2007
MPAA Rating: R
Length: 117
Film Genre: Action / Art / Drama / History / War
Director: Zack Snyder
Producer(s): Frank Miller, et. al.
Writers(s): Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad and Michael Gordon (screenplay); Frank Miller and Lynn Varley (graphic novel)
Players:
Gerard Butler as King Leonidas
Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo
David Wenham as Dilios
Dominic West as Theron
Vincent Regan as Captain
Rodrigo Santoro as Xerxes
Plot: The mighty Persian Empire demands defiant Sparta's allegiance, but King Leonidas will not bow to King Xerxes rule. The million man Persian Army marches against tiny Sparta and King Leonidas takes 300 of his bravest men to challenge them. Loosely based on the true story of the Battle of Thermopylae which took place in 480 BC.
Acting: The acting is certainly over-dramatised in 300, but that is expected (if not necessary) in the portrayal of a graphic novel. Butler, Regan and Wenham stand tall above the rest of the cast as the three main Spartan warriors.
Cinematography: Amazing! See Visual.
Visual: One of the grand visual spectacles of cinematic history! Blood looks like paint on a canvas, helping to drop the uber-violent content. The use of slow-motion and high-contrast desaturation make this movie a heart-pounding thriller and a stunning visual masterpiece. Costume was - for the most part - incredible, especially the many cultures represented in the diverse Persian Army (Chinese, Arab, African and European warriors were all represented). Surreal backgrounds and sets help maintain the feel of a graphic novel. A grainy film technique finishes off the visuals, solidifying 300 as the new benchmark for FX techniques.
Audio: Very good.
When I watched it last: One night prior to review.
What to watch for: Jaw-dropping visual effects; a great story told in the most incredible, sensory-numbing fashion.
What to watch out for: Nudity; Sexual Content including one sex scene and an implied orgy; Surprisingly goes without cursing; Blood and Gore with several decapitated bodies and severed limbs.
IMDB Rating: 8.4 out of 10
Roger Ebert (Chicago Sun-Times) Rating: 4 out of 4 stars (Richard Roeper); "This is a film that never, not for one second, considers taking its foot off the accelerator."
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.5 out of 10; Without the nudity and sexuality, I would consider this one of the best films I've ever seen. If blood and sex bother you, don't watch this one. If you love graphic novels and can handle the rough nature of the film, this is the movie for you.
--Reviewed by Brady

Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas)

Film Title: Joyeux Noel (French) / Merry Christmas (USA)
Year: 2005
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (originally R, but was changed on appeal)
Length: 116 minutes
Film Genre: Drama / War / History / Foreign
Director: Christian Carion
Producer: Christophe Rossignon
Writer: Christian Carion
Players:
Benno Furmann as Nikolaus Sprink
Diane Kruger as Anna Sorensen
Guillaume Canet as Lieutenant Audebert
Alex Ferns as Gordon
Daniel Bruhl as Horstmayer
Gary Lewis as Father Palmer
Plot: The recounting of a Christmas truce on the front lines of World War I. Scottish, French and German soldiers share the joy of Christmas, much to the chagrin of their commanding officers.
Acting: The three unit commanders - Scottish Gordon, French Audebert and German Horstmayer - are a superb onscreen trio, but one character stands out from the rest. Gary Lewis' Father Palmer is the true hero of a story filled with heroes.
Cinematography: Not much to brag about, but there is nothing to complain about either.
Visual: There are not a lot of special effects, but probably because the movie is set in World War I.
Audio: Sweeping war-movie music with ebbing symphonies are interpersed throughout the film. The singing in the film steals the show though. Sorensen and Sprink make up a performing duo on and off the stage. The couple are a soprano and a tenor in German opera and share a love interest. They entertain the amassment of troops and bring an emotion to the front line that has been suppressed by the hate which surfaces in war.
When I watched it last: Last Night
What to watch for: Lewis' sermon.
What to watch out for: A bedroom scene with very brief nudity; some blood (it is a war movie, or at least a movie that occurs during a war).
IMDB Rating: 7.7 out of 10
Roger Ebert Rating: 3 out of 4 stars; "[T]his moment of peace actually did take place, among men who were punished for it, and who mostly died soon enough afterward. But on one Christmas, they were able to express what has been called...the brotherhood of man."
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.3 out of 10; Though I didn't write much on this film, it is definitely a must see, especially near Christmas time.
--Reviewed by Brady

Glory

Film Title: Glory
Year: 1989
MPAA Rating: R
Length: 122 min
Film Genre(s): Action / Drama / History / War
Director(s): Edward Zwick
Producer(s): Pieter Jan Brugge
Writer(s): Robert Gould Shaw (letters). Lincoln Kirstein (book)
Players:
Matthew Broderick as Col. Robert Gould Shaw
Denzel Washington as Pvt. Trip
Cary Elwes as Maj. Cobot Forbes
Morgan Freeman as Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins
Plot: Col. Robert Shaw leads the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer infantry, a regiment of Black solders led by white officers. The film tells the story of the regiment and their role in the Civil War.
Acting: All four of the major players of this film give incredible performances. Matthew Broderick gives a stunning performance as Col. Shaw, a solder who reluctantly at times maintains his role as the regiments commanding officer but never wavers in his devotion to his men. Cary Elwes also gives a top notch performance as Maj. Forbes. Elwes plays well against Broderick's sense of duty and brings humanity and compassion to the leadership. Both men shine as the regiments commanding officers. Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington give knock out performances. Freeman is amazing in his role as the Sgt. Maj. and Washington really brings some emotion and power to the film. (Washington received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for this film)
Cinematography: Cinematographer Freddie Francis won the Academy Award for his work on this film and rightly so. His presentation of the battle scenes are simple yet amazing. Francis uses a lot of close up shots on the title characters, this adds to their performances, he has the uncanny ablility to capture every ounce of their emotion.
Visual: The costumes and set pieces reflect the time period. The special effects and battle scenes are on par with other movies set in this time period.
Audio: This movie also won the Academy Award for Best Sound. The score and sound effects for this film are great.
When I watched it last. During the review
What to watch for: All four of the major characters deliver jaw dropping performances. The scene where Washington is disciplined for dessertion will stir your heart.
What to watch out for: Some of the battle violence is gruesome. Exploding heads are a little shocking. Some language.
IMDB User Rating: 8.1 out of 10.
Roger Ebert Rating: 3½ out of 4 stars
The Cinema Standard Overall Score: 8.7 out of 10. An amazing war film with tons of heart. An incredibly moving film about hope, heriorism and history. If you haven't seen this movie before now punch yourself (Jason punches himself)
--Reviewed by Jason