Having read Stephen Pressman's engaging Gates of Fire, I watched 300 and couldn't help but make unfavorable comparisons (although I have no doubt the pictures in the original graphic novel are pretty). However, PZ may have changed my mind on this issue.
Apparently, what I saw as mindless, over-hyped doggerel, was actually a complex parody of the creation/evolution debate. I actually get a little thrill picturing PZ in tight spandexy underwear and a cape hidden beneath his white lab coat. Tammy and Elaine, maybe we can find some pictures like that and put them on our blogs.
4 comments:
Oh that was pretty funny. I am entertained. Really, I had not quite taken that meaning. Don't know how I could have missed it though, now that is has been pointed out to me. I might remind PZ however, the story (nor the movie) ends with the dying of the noble 300 but with the uprising of all of Sparta herself leading to the defeat of Persia and Xerxes at the Battle of Salamis. So, not to worry Galant PZ... there is still hope for the godless liberals to slay the opressive Creationists.
I took a simpler interpretation for I am a purist: the Greek abandon in total adoration for all that is male. Doggerel you say? Absolutely! The Greeks would have had it no other way. And that, is what I meant by the movie capturing the Greek essence.
Upon reconsideration, I believe doggerel is an insufficient descriptor since in the movie the actors had not strapped on oversized leather phalli. Had the Greeks made the movie, all the 300 would have been wearing such accoutrements -- whacking one another with them, stuffing them into each others mouths, and bending each other over during battle scenes while slaying their enemies. Your right. The movie IS crappy...
I am desperately questing for such pictures as we speak! YOU'RE the artist, though, Erin! Draw us something delicious, dammit, and post it on your blog.
May the thought of nerdy spandexy-goodness inspire you!
Yes, Erin, draw us something delicious!
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