Master and Commander

[pyrsandponies]

So, I saw this Saturday night. I just posted a response to bean_sidhe's reaction, and being basically lazy, will cut and paste it to here, but I DO add to my comment, so, Um, I am not a bad eljayer, nope, not me.


bean_sidhe said the film is An explicitly accurate portrayal of sea battles.. uh, yes.

But I am afraid I am a film wimp who left deeply disturbed by all the GRAPHIC images. I seem to like my movies light and fluffy.

I agree, the film was well done. And thassalia is right -- it is a very MASCULINE film -- but given the subject matter, that was accurate, and therefore not offensive. In fact, a woman on the ship would have been so out of place as to be offensive.

That said, while I thought it was a good film, I can't say I over-much ENJOYED it. After the opening scenes I spent much of the movie tense, wondering when I would next need to close my eyes in anticipation of graphic surgical images or graphic battle scenes. see above, re: film wimp True to life it may have been, but I think I like a heavy dose of fantasy in my films.

I DID like the Doctor's character very much. And the young boy, Blakely. And the Galapagos island scenes were VERY cool. And there was some interesting story telling. And some beautiful music. And if the film wins awards, it will deserve them.



But I have once again been made aware of a few things.

1. My youthful desire to sail around the world -- a desire that was honest and true, and lasted for many years -- is fading fast. Horses don't sail well, and basically, I'd rather ride.

2. The navy is some warped. I understand the reasons for all of this. My Dad was a navy man, and made sure to instill the wonders of the service in my brain. And I *DO* get the need for discipline and order on a ship. But it just ain't for me. And it is a very MASCULINE ethic, this naval one. And though that makes sense on all-male ships, it does not surprise me that there have been problems incorporating women into certain branches of the service. I firmly believe it can and should be done. But I think fundamental changes in thought need to take place before it really works. I am glad these changes are taking place.

3. I like my movies with a good story, but also with less blood and gore. I can deal with blood and gore in real life with minimal problems -- I don't have issues until AFTER what needs to be done is done. But on film, no thanks. I see that arguments can be made for realism, I just don't need it in the films I watch.

4. I am very picky about the movies I enjoy. TV and books too. I'd rather not watch or read than watch or read something bad.



Finally, on another note, I played hooky from work this afternoon. It was brilliant and sunny and warm(ish), and after several days of intermittent snow and consistently cold weather, it was a welcome glittery day. So, I downloaded some files to my laptop to work on tonight, and I went riding.

One precipitating factor for the ride was the desire to try the saddle we had ordered. REaders will remember that Mom and I are searching for a new saddle. We had found a model we thought should work, and the tack shop ordered it in. It is a Bates Caprilli Dressage. And on a first ride, it seems LOVELY. The leather is beautiful, but more importantly, the saddle seems comfy for us and for the horse. We will need to do a more extensive ride in it -- the farrier is coming Wednesday to put on winter shoes with borium caulks for the ice and snow-pads to prevent snow build up in the feet, so we will be able to ride more then. Beau was slipping too much to do more than wander about today. But we had great fun, and the fresh air and sun felt GREAT.

So, all in all, a good day. I'll do a couple of hours work tonight, and all will be well! Plus, I am invigorated, so the work will be easier to do. A much better thing to do than to stay at work begrudgingly, accomplish little, and still not ride. I am so glad my boss gets this!

Comments

[blue71canoe.livejournal.com]

Good to know. Very good to know. Will wait for video where the possibility of fast forward exists!

F.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

You are a wise woman!

[suslikesturtles.livejournal.com]

I second Fi. Fast forwarding sounds like a good option. Or hiding under the pillow, another thing frowned upon in the theatres. ;)

Thanks for those thoughts. I do look forward to seeing it, though up to now, I'll admit, it was mainly because of Russell. Now I got some more reasons to want to see it. :)

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

It was the noises that bothered me far more than the imagery, I think. The thud and crack and sawing sound of bone. Shudder. That it was masculine didn't offend me at all, I do think it was accurate. I just thought it was interesting, the way that energy was portrayed, the chain of command, the friendships between men, their whole world exists pretty much apart from women.

[raithen.livejournal.com]

It was the noises that bothered me far more than the imagery, I think. Oh yes. The noises were icky too. I contemplated plugging my ears, but since we got there during the trailers and the theater was pretty full and I was therefore sitting by myself, and not with me familia, I felt that that might be a TOUCH obvious.

And I totally agree with you -- the way the energy and chain of command and stuff was portrayed was fascinating. I dare say it met certain idealistic dreams of my Dad's --he used to try and run his family based on a similar model. It never worked though, because he has two daughters, and no sons! And, since he is very cool, he has adapted. He still likes the ethos --or should I say mythos -- of these all male environments, though. He, needless to say, loved the film.

[electricland.livejournal.com]

Mm. Yes. Noises. crankygrrl and I did a lot of flinching and clutching at arms in those bits.

And as some reviewer or other said, "those who feel that every movie set in the 19th century should feature a protofeminist in a frilly dress are advised to go and watch Pirates of the Caribbean again."