Change Your Image
eastercoaster
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
Engineering an Empire: The Persians (2006)
Rare gem of a documentary
Hollywood has been clearly partial towards European & Egyptian history by making countless Greek, Roman, Troy, Vikings, Saxon, Carthaginian, Germanic, and Egyptian historical movies and documentaries, but not a single movie about ancient Persia. They don't even make a movie about emperor Cyrus the great's victory over Babylon because they will have to show what a just and compassionate ruler he was, putting all other European and Egyptian rulers to shame. They would also have to admit how emperor Cyrus the great freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity and allowed them to return to Israel where they rebuilt their temple.
It is very unfortunate that nobody in Hollywood has the guts to bring this beautiful part history to light.
This is the only American (or Western) television documentary that highlighted the glory of Persia. Peter Weller (RoboCop) did a fabulous job. A just watch for everyone especially Western audiences who have no knowledge about ancient Persia.
Songbird (2020)
Surprisingly Good Watch! Ratings Didn't Do Justice
The trailer was interesting. I postponed watching this for two days thinking it will be depressing to watch but finally I watched it and I really liked it. There was attention to detail. Actors did a good job. Production and cinematography is as good as any A movie. There are somethings that were shown in the movie that are actually unfolding as reality now. I liked it so much that I am recommending my family and friends to watch it too.
The Meg (2018)
Another China Propaganda Movie Through Hollywood
I have to admit, I couldn't watch the whole thing. It was just that terrible. It became clear from the beginning that this was a China funded movie to portray the fake glory and modernization of China through this Hollywood film. They did this with many other recent movies but not done as well as "The Martian". Poor Jason Statham must be financially desperate to work for such a movie. And that Chinese actress has pathetic acting skills. They could have made this as a spoof or comedy and done better.
300: Rise of an Empire (2014)
Historical misrepresentations and porn like sex scene spoiled the show.
While the actors did their best to put on a good show, and special effects were no less than any other big budget Hollywood movie, the historical lies and misrepresentations in this one, ruined this potentially great movie.
Some historical facts are shown as opposite of actual facts. Greeks had slaves, Persians did not. Persians actually had paid workers and soldiers. Persians even had workers insurance. Greeks instigated the wars with the Persian Empire. Darius, and Xerxes were not Persian "kings" as they repeatedly mentioned in the movie. They were the Persian "emperors". Darius's father Cyrus the great, was the first leader in the history of the world to come up with the noble idea of "Human Rights". His archaeological tablet of Human Rights is on display at the United Nations building in New York City. He was such a compassionate leader that even the people he conquered respected and greeted him. He was a liberator of slaves in countries he conquered, such as freeing of the Jews from Babylon. He is even mentioned in the Jewish Bible as the "angle" who liberated them. This movie does injustice to a great empire, their great leaders, and their heritage.
Fortunately, Hollywood movies are not the standard for historical facts, although members of the audience who are not aware of world history may believe this movie is factual. I don't understand why the movie makers of the "300" series are hellbent on creating movies based on fiction in the disguise of historical.
Nevertheless, if one turns off their history part of their brain, then this is a decent action movie. There is too much graphic killing and blood, and that sex scene was only entertaining in a porn way and totally unnecessary.
Battlefield Earth (2000)
A great movie heavily underrated.
I watched this movie for the first time in 2001 and went on to watch it several times repeatedly ever since. I never get enough of this movie. I was skeptical before renting this movie before watching it for the first time but while watching it, I was immediately gripped by it. The movie is great for those who like the idea of independence from tyranny or ruthless occupation, organizing a great revolution from scratch, winning a battle which had no chance and against all odds and also how humans from this planet can outsmart an advanced alien race with help such as re-education of one man in science-history-physics-language, everlasting human spirit to be free and unity amongst all humans for one cause.
Some critics fail to understand one more point about this movie. One of the possible reasons why Earthlings failed to defend against this alien invasion 1000 years before the time in this movie is because as most times, most Earthlings were divided into various governments, countries, regional powers, etc. Even today, if Earth were attacked by advanced aliens, we may have no chance to defend against them especially because we humans are always so divided as countries and groups. Most of our energy goes into greed, money making and useless conflicts instead of advancements.
I think the movie is very well made, the idea and concept are amazing and the urge to know what happens next never goes away. Although it's been more than a decade since this movie was made, the graphics and special effects are still amazingly advanced even for today's standards. Heck, there are major movies made these days which appear less advanced than this one. The alien vehicles, the simulators and lots of new ideas which were utilized in this movie are impressive, even with a few negligible factual errors on the part of Earth technology and weaponry. Yes, some directorial and cinematographically errors could be improved but overall the movie is good entertainment. If you are a true science fiction enthusiast, you will not be disappointed.