I had not planned to watch three films set in Greece but that's how it worked out. So here's what I watched over the last few days on dvd:

300- The Hot Gates don't get any hotter! I remember reading the Boston Globe review for this film and thinking it sounded wonderfully weird. It does mix a little weird in with the testosterone which works fine because this film is a comic book come to life. 300 is a rowdy anthem to the 300 Spartans who fought and died at Thermopylae and really in celebrating them, to all warriors who fight and die for freedom, liberty, and country...get it? I would have to say this is a guy movie as it features guys doing heroic guy stuff and the women in it are there to sex them up, be loyal, and stay home and watch the kids. The good guys are all very very good and the bad guys are all very very bad. It's a real popcorn film and I have no problem with that. I really enjoyed it but I will admit I like these sword and sandal flicks and it is a much more exciting film than The 300 Spartans. I recommend this to all the guys here. The other thing that was interesting about this film is it's pretty much all computer graphics. I think this works fine for bringing a comic book to life or when you are working in the realm of fantasy but I'm a bit old fashioned when it comes to the settings in a film. I like to see real places because I think they become a character in the film and give the film more of an atmosphere you can feel. 300 is basically a video game so the images work fine but I always felt as I was watching it that nothing was real which, for me at least, saps some of the drama from the experience. This thing is like being inside the head of John Milius during a wet dream so drama really isn't a big factor and really we know the outcome going in (if you know about Thermopylae or have seen The 300 Spartans). This film is about the fight and I'm sure it's already been added to the list of films they show Marines to pump them up, it's perfect for that. This is the guy version of a "chick flick" and hey, what's wrong with that?

The Magus - Woody Allen once said of this film that if he had his life to live over again the only thing he'd change would be that he wouldn't see The Magus. Now there are some bad films out there and The Magus might not be a great film but I think it's a good one. It's pretentious, convoluted, and confusing maybe but it's also interesting, beautiful to look at (the Greek Island and a young Candice Bergen-wow!) and has a good cast. I think the big issue for this film is it's based on a celebrated John Fowles novel and when a film is based on a popular book it'll always get bashed by those who love the book. I never read the novel so to me the film was just an interesting and beautiful ride. Billy Williams did an amazing job with the photography on this. I think Michael Caine once said this was the worst film he was ever in...he must have said this before he made Jaws-The Revenge. I liked this film and I'd love to hear comments on it from anybody who has seen it or read the book. It's an odd one but worth watching.

Tempest - This is a reworking of Shakespeare in a modern setting with modern characters. It's got John Cassavetes as the central character giving a great performance and surrounded by an outstanding cast. I've seen this before but it finally has been released on dvd so I had to see it again. Love this film. Everybody should see this one.