300

[J-Proof]

I can get over the so-called homophobia because I'm comfortable with myself and other bodies. Being an art student subjected to drawing nekkid people will do that to you.

Oh man - you bring back glorious(?) memories of art school.... the naked homeless people that were paid to fill in for last-minute model cancellations.... All the guys gawking at the ballerinas that modeled for us... Repressed female teachers eager to touch the muscular male models.... Ah.... those were the days....

But seriously, I didn't see much in the ways of homophobia in this movie. You had a bunch of men sleeping on top of each other, and they maintained their straightness.

I guess you could say Xerxes sort of resembled a gay man, but I didn't really read it that way. He looks like a mirror image of the comic-book character, really...

As for Leonidas's "shaded buttcrack" -- Again, nothing I haven't seen right before jumping in the shower every morning... and as far as having to draw nude models in art school, "shaded buttcracks" were in no short supply.... and they came in /all/ different shapes and sizes....

PS - Slow mo rules!!

[BathTub]

Lengend Film Communal Shower? 

[PsypherPunk]

But seriously, I didn't see much in the ways of homophobia in this movie.

Yeah, I'm hard pressed to remember anything that made me think along those lines.

I too used to draw nekkid ladies in an evening art class. Sadly, no ballerinas but some very robust women. Shudder.

[J-Proof]

But seriously, I didn't see much in the ways of homophobia in this movie.

Yeah, I'm hard pressed to remember anything that made me think along those lines.

I too used to draw nekkid ladies in an evening art class. Sadly, no ballerinas but some very robust women. Shudder.

Oh we had some gorgeous models... the ones who were in theater and ballet were very nice [/borat]. But yes, on average, most of the models were not jaw-dropping -- and most were far from it (not to say they weren't beautiful/handsome in their own ways).

We noticed that they all had quirks... one of our female models was very pretty, though covered in hair....

[RandyMistie]

Covered in hair?  Wow... that might beat my story...

We once had a male model that was holding a standing postion, kind of like a "David" pose.  Well, about 5 minutes into the sketching, and right when I was sketching out the "area" I noticed a long line of... fluid... slowly drool out of "it".  The model never even flinched, but I was HORRIFIED!!!  I froze in mid charcoal stroke and almost had a biological stroke.

I quickly composed myself and just went on, internally debating whether or not to ask if he was alright or if he needed to see a doctor or something... Then another student reminded me afterwards that it just may have been a "sexy" time for him... and then I got scandalized all over again... I was pretty naive in college...

[J-Proof]

Covered in hair?  Wow... that might beat my story...

We once had a male model that was holding a standing postion, kind of like a "David" pose.  Well, about 5 minutes into the sketching, and right when I was sketching out the "area" I noticed a long line of... fluid... slowly drool out of "it".  The model never even flinched, but I was HORRIFIED!!!  I froze in mid charcoal stroke and almost had a biological stroke.

I quickly composed myself and just went on, internally debating whether or not to ask if he was alright or if he needed to see a doctor or something... Then another student reminded me afterwards that it just may have been a "sexy" time for him... and then I got scandalized all over again... I was pretty naive in college...

....

EWW.....

[Justin]

Homophobia? Propoganda, racism, sexism?

The Spartans dismiss the Greeks as "philosophers and boy-lovers."  Then they make fun of them for sending potters and painters into battle.  And who is it that keeps whining all through the movie and wants to retreat while the big, manly Spartans fight to the death?  The Greeks.  So basically, the pussies and cowards in the movie are artists, faggots, and people who think.  And in the end, the proud and noble Spartan warriors are left to die by a corrupt government that didn't want to send them additional troops or go into battle in the first place.  There's also the line "Freedom is not free."  I couldn't get the thought that this movie was pro-Iraq War out of my head almost the entire film.  I completely agreed with that CNN article that was posted.  As for the racism...maybe.  The Iranians are, of course, as full of shit on this one as Puttin was on the whole "Dobby" thing.

All that being said, I enjoyed the movie's artistry and action.  No one in my theater cheered, clapped or roared, though.  To quote Penny Arcade's "Tycho," I liked it, but it didn't change me on a molecular level.

[Pak-Man]

300 was written before Bush was even in office, and the war itself (Alegedly) took place millenia ago. I've noticed that every successful movie that was released since Bush's reign that takes place in any kind of war situation has been branded pro or anti-Iraq. I think we all just need to realize that however shocking/wonderful  this war may seem, it's a tale as old as time itself. :^)

[Douglin]

Very well put pakky.  I was thinking of posting similar sentiments on this thread when I came across this quote from the director on Wikipedia:

Snyder himself dismisses ideological readings, suggesting that reviewers who critique a "graphic novel movie about a bunch of guys...stomping the snot out of each other" using words like " 'neocon,' 'homophobic,' 'homoerotic' or 'racist' " are "missing the point."

see. the point of the movie is snot stomping...duh.

[msmpls]

Homophobia? Propoganda, racism, sexism?

The Spartans dismiss the Greeks as "philosophers and boy-lovers."  Then they make fun of them for sending potters and painters into battle.  And who is it that keeps whining all through the movie and wants to retreat while the big, manly Spartans fight to the death?  The Greeks.  So basically, the pussies and cowards in the movie are artists, faggots, and people who think.  And in the end, the proud and noble Spartan warriors are left to die by a corrupt government that didn't want to send them additional troops or go into battle in the first place.  There's also the line "Freedom is not free."  I couldn't get the thought that this movie was pro-Iraq War out of my head almost the entire film.  I completely agreed with that CNN article that was posted.  As for the racism...maybe.  The Iranians are, of course, as full of shit on this one as Puttin was on the whole "Dobby" thing.

and the entire Persian Army was basically portrayed as a militant gay pride parade

[Justin]

I enjoyed the film, as I said.  I was just trying to point out where all the remarks about homophobia and propaganda were coming from.

On a completely unrelated note, I can't wait for Batman vs. Al Qaeda.

Look for a key word Miller uses.  Starts with "P", end with "ANDA", but it isn't "panda".

[msmpls]

Holy Terror is "a reminder to people who seem to have forgotten who we're up against."
right. because all of those people who've been living in holes for the past 6 years may have forgotten who our enemy is.
Christ, does the GOP have Miller on the payroll or something?

BTW-has anyone seen the classic "Gremlins from the Kremlin" cartoon? Reminds me of the good old days when children were brainwashed by the media...oh wait....

[J-Proof]

okay okay okay....

This movie obviously can't try to appeal to everyone or else it'd be a non-existent movie. I understand people are p-oed cuz this movie could possibly be a Pro-War-in-Iraq movie, but honestly....

I have so many personal moral views that are abandoned and shot down by thousands of movies every year, and I still watch them and enjoy them for what they are -- no fussing etc. Cuz quite frankly, freedom of expression is universal, and not limited to people who are against the war.

That being said, I now understand the homophobia claims. Thanks for enlightening. But obviously, you can see how much of an affect it had on me and a couple other people who couldn't remember those instances throughout the movie lol.

[Pak-Man]

and the entire Persian Army was basically portrayed as a militant gay pride parade

            (AHHHHH! WE'RE FALLING AND WE LIKE MEN!)--

[torgosPizza]

I've never seen gay pride parades that had naked, writhing women sex slaves in their tents. Very strange gay pride parade indeed.

And Pakky you had it right on. 300 was written before any Iraq War, so Justin - sorry, but that theory doesn't hold up for me.