Films/DVD Asylum

I took a hit for you. You can pass on Centurion (2010)

24.63.121.26

ArdRi

unless you like throw away neo-modern dialog spoken by 6th c. undeveloped stock characters and an overabundance of extremely graphic and gory battle scenes with quarts of splashing red stuff both from CG and Props,decapitations galore etc... just another standard dark ages cookie cutter conflict of opposing forces flick. This time its Rome vs. The Picts! A tedious, bloody snore fest. NEXT!!

The 13th Warrior was a Masterpiece compared to this.

Follow Ups:

RE: at least I didn't pay to watch..... - user510 12:53:47 11/25/10 (0)
'HDnet MV' showed this movie for a couple of nights (free). So I watched. Otherwise it was an 'on demand showing' with a ridiculous high price attached. I read a couple of reviews prior to watching, so my expectations were appropriately lowered.
Curiously, I wondered why anyone would cast Olga Kurylenco in the role of Etain, the mute and psychologically wounded huntress/warrior. I think she is far more effective in roles like Nika, the prostitute on the run in the movie 'Hitman'. Sex kitten, yes. Barbarian she-warrior? No. Not really. She did work, with great energy, the role, but was unable to suspend my disbelief. Perhaps it is that she is simply too light.
My reason for posting to this thread isn't to defend this movie, but rather defend why I might be interested in adventure tales from this period in history.
The only historians from the time were Roman. The various tribes being conquered by the Romans did not have much of a tradition for writing chronicles. Therefore all we really have from the period are relics dug up by archeologists, the writings of Roman historians, and the writings of a couple of Christian monks from later time periods who were attempting to chronicle some of the pagan folklore, (from a Christian perspective), before all of it became forgotten. (Geoffry of Monmouth and Bede) This scarcity of factual evidence paves the way for myths and legends about seers and witches to flourish.
As noted in the op, "The 13th Warrior" is an example of a dark age adventure flick that succeeds. (I think it does) While this one, Centurion, is entirely forgettable.....and write this in an attempt at closure for having watched.
Probably, the interesting thing about the time period from which this story comes, is that Rome came to realize that it had over-reached its ability to govern when they conquered Britain. Hence Hadrian's wall....to keep those unruly and difficult Picts out. I'd like to think that it would be possible to construct an interesting movie around the struggle between the conquered Celts and the oppressive and efficient war machine that was Romes. Perhaps another retelling of Boudica?
I had hoped for something a little more interesting, rather than just the ultra violent chase that the movie is.
I continue to look for good movies from this time period. One that almost succeeds is "The Last Legion". A flick that attempts to preface and prepare the way for the King Arthur legend by explaining the origins of the sword Excalibur. Pure fantasy. Unnecessary. But well enough produced and with at least one interesting lead character. A far more convincing she warrior named Mira, played ably by Indian actress Aishwarya Rai.

-Steve

Thorens Rules

Edits: 11/25/10 11/26/10 11/26/10
The Brits are reliving their glory days of beating up on somebody . . . - mr grits 16:54:53 11/21/10 (1)
like the Romans. Remember the recent film with Clive being a Roman legionnaire whose exploits became the basis for King Arthur? Ugh.

Share a bowl of grits with someone you love tonight.
- Just learned they're remaking Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - ArdRi 20:37:33 11/22/10 (0)
  I was looking at The Mayor of Casterbridge because I'm feeling rather .... sore about Life in general and recalled Ciar�n Hinds' compelling performance. Hinds has such a potent ability to embody pain. The deep abiding pain of disappointment and the difficulty of lasting limitations I wonder how he can forget it when leaving work and enjoy his sucess..
  I hate to be a pessimist but how can anyone think they can improve on the Original with Sir Alec Guinness?
  I cite the latest "Sherlock" series they've churned out which left me wondering why..
  
  Edits: 11/22/10
You shouldda let AuPh screen it - I am sure he would find many redeeming values to it - Victor Khomenko 08:51:14 11/21/10 (0)
He did in LoTR...

Sigh...

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Kimber Kable