Boring melodrama for baby boomers - Spartacus (1960) Discussion

[–] cfwente 8 years ago

"Ppl throw the word 'classic' around way too much", maybe, because there are so many differing opinions about what the word "classic" means. Your opinion and mine, for example, differ a good deal. Ask five people and you'll get five different definitions.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

No that's not true. A classic is something that gets passed through each generation. Like The Shinning for instance that's a movie my children have watched and thoroughly enjoy it. Hence the cable networks play it nonstop. Only time you'll see Spartacus playing is like 2am on a channel that shows commercials. Why? Totally different demographics they are targeting after. Why? It's a generational movie. Not a movie that can go through time. It was different for its time I'll give it that. But there's been way better movies of that genre made. I already gave you two of them.

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[–] jstang411 8 years ago

Spartacus (1960)
The Shining (1980)
Braveheart (1995)
Gladiator (2000)

I like all those flicks, but seems we have a way to go before we can decide that Spartacus has not stood the test of times while the others you mention have.

My guess is all will.....and hear we are discussing Spartacus which came out 55 years ago.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

Where do you rank Spartacud out of those movies?

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[–] jstang411 8 years ago

Where do you rank Spartacud out of those movies?

"Spartacud" seems to detract from what would otherwise be a meaningful Q. But I'll answer anyhow...and if it helps wasn't alive when Spartacus came out.

I simply like my epics, so even if appreciate the Shining it is not one that have wanted to watch multiple times. So 4th in my personal ranking.

Spartacus, Braveheart and Gladiator are three of my all-time favorites. Choosing one over the other is like which child is your favorite.

* Braveheart is the most watchable overall, but that comes with not as much depth.

* Gladiator is the most grabbing...the fight scenes are off the charts.

* Spartacus has the most nuanced storyline and development (and is the one the other two clearly draw from)....and I'll take Heston's heart portrayal over the other two lead characters.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

The Shinning for me personally is in another league by itself. Why? It changed the horror/thriller game. It showed you didn't need an actual visual of evil but in a very unique way. Sure others tried but not like this. The Score alone and the cinematography very different. First off, what supporting character was better than Lloyd? Sometimes I need an imaginary bartender lol All seriousness The Shinning became bigger than just a movie it became a movement not only in the film industry but the new waive 80s pop culture with all of its references.

I'll give you Gladiator far as deph. Although I thought Phoenix and Crowe complimented each other really well as hero and villain.

Braveheart? Where do we start? The music alone crushes Spartacus. Aside from Yusef Lateef "love theme" The battle scenes were as if you were there fighting alongside. The movie as a whole had so much more emotional feelings. This has nothing to do with time periods. I can watch a James Cagney's Public Enemy or Hitchcock's "the birds" that'll crush anything made today. Just did not care for Spartacus. I thought it was a movie that was good for its time so ppl overrate it. The fighting scenes are comical watching them. Very reminiscent of West Side Story. That's your opinion and I respect it. You actually had a discussion about it unlike others.

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[–] jstang411 8 years ago

The Shinning for me personally is in another league by itself. Why? It changed the horror/thriller game.

Could not have more respect for the movie on that front, but then brings us back to personal taste as far as gendre and that what is a "classic" or "revolutionary" movie -- or maybe just a favorite to watch -- is in the eye beholder.

Like I said...horror ain't my preferred watch, but could not have more respect for The Shining for the ground it broke (or it simply as a movie). Sorta of the same as how I appreciate Citizen Kane, but will choose Casablanca to watch over it as "time goes by."

And in the ground-breaking category from a gendre in my youth was a fan of will offer two movies, even if guessing they aren't your cup of tea.

Animal House -- broke ground for about every over-the-top college stupid comedy that came after.

Porky's (and yes this is just to make my point here) -- you might not even be familiar with the silly thing, but it was revolutionary in its own way. In the NFL they talk about a big name's "coaching tree".....man does that movie have one as well. Whether you like the high school high-jinx movies from that tree or not, it is significant from a cinematic historical perspective.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

Porkys? Let's just say that was my introduction to manhood as a boy lol it was as if I was sneaking into my old man's Porn stash. That's how provocative it was for the time. Definitely a groundbreaking film.

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[–] jstang411 8 years ago

And that time was just when you saw Porky's. So ground-breaking for you, even if it seems only mildly risqué now. Sure had a lot of buzz for that overall at the time.

Me and my buddy got my Mom to drop us to watch whatever PG movie started showing in a two screen place about half-an-hour before. We then snuck into Porky's...they only checked ID's when you bought tickets. We were the coolest kids in school the next Monday.

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[–] liscarkat (18429) 5 years ago

There is nothing generational about whether a movie is a classic. There are countless black-and-white movies from the 1920s through 1950s that the great majority of people under sixty can not sit through, yet they are absolute classics. The same also goes for most color films of that period. Whether or not succeeding generations in general appreciate a movie, it's the assessment of more sophisticated movie lovers over time that defines which movies are classics. By that criterion, "Spartacus" has definitely made the grade. As for "The Shining", it has settled into near-obscurity four decades after it's release, while "Spartacus" is still frequently referred to and discussed six decades after it was in theaters. "Braveheart" usually comes up in comedic parody, or as a joke about Mel Gibson.

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[–] christomacin (4656) 4 years ago

As for "The Shining", it has settled into near-obscurity four decades after it's release

What planet have you been living on the last 40 years? The fact that you actually think that calls into question how factual your initial assertions about what's "dated" and what isn't are in the first place.

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[–] Apollo_Tweed 8 years ago

Your so-called "classic" Braveheart" wouldn't exist without Spartacus - Mel Gibson has even admitted it's influence from this film.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

Tom Brady paid homage to Drew Bledsoe... your point? My point: Braveheart runs circles around Spartacus. "My Braveheart" I don't receive any publishing royalties. Just simply giving my opinion of the movie. It was boring and overrated as some sought of classic. More like a "cult classic"

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[–] cfwente 8 years ago

I repeat, it depends upon your definition. Subjectivity plays a large part in this, as your comment -- "Just simply giving my opinion of the movie. It was boring and overrated as some sought of classic." -- demonstrates (and the comments of others). And . . . what's wrong with that?

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

No people like yourself hold movies from your generation as classics just because. The movie was good for its time. Nothing more. You have yet to tell me why it's such a compelling classic. I gave you my reason. Let's actually have a conversation rather than your condescending cut and paste one liners.
Hope I made myself clear.

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[–] cfwente 8 years ago

"Hope I made myself clear."

Crystal.

"The movie was good for its time. Nothing more."

Well ... that's one very subjective view. Of course, there are others, as I noted.

"You have to tell me why it's such a compelling classic."

Why must I do that? I never said it was (or wasn't) a classic, compelling or otherwise.

"Let's actually have a conversation ..."

I'd rather not have a conversation with you. Okay? I think it would be futile, considering this last post -- responding to things I never said in the first place? With you, it seems, remaining "condescending" amounts to being the more justified approach.

Btw, kindly tell me which "generation" is mine and how you came to know... I may have been misinformed.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

Listen guy or gal. Why get your undies all in a bunch? You don't have to tell me your generation I can sense it through your protection over the movie. Remind me of my old man telling me any music made after 1969 was no good.

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[–] cfwente 8 years ago

Pardon the "condescending" attitude, but it's fun in your case. And, there you go again -- pls. explain my "protection over the movie". I don't recall having done that, except perhaps, in your imagination -- which begs the question, why are your "undies all in a bunch"?

Btw, the only time I can imagine getting my undies all in a bunch would be if I had been your unfortunate "old man".

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

Lol that was actually a great comeback..and yes me and the old man didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things. He adores your Spartacus. All seriousness do you think Spartacus was some classic?

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[–] cfwente 8 years ago

I think Spartacus is a good picture. I appreciate the effort that went into it and, especially, the performances of the British actors. I should also mention, I like historical films (even when they aren't entirely accurate). But, if you were to ask me to list fifteen films which I personally consider "classics", Spartacus wouldn't be one of them. So ... I am essentially in agreement with you, though not necessarily for the same reasons.

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[–] vinidici 8 years ago

Yeah, man, not enough explosions, car chases, explosions, sex, explosions, profanity, explosions, insertion of actors of color, or explosions.

Secret Message, HERE!--->CONGRATULATIONS!!! You've discovered the Secret Message!

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

No he's right you're troll.I have my opinion is that a crime? So you go the typical predictable I must be a action fan route. All because I didn't care for a boring melosappy drama that could of easily been a play instead of a movie.

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[–] mmq1 8 years ago

My vote,

you're either a troll or a fool.

Pick your poison.

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[–] vinidici 8 years ago

If you are addressing me, you've really got me pinned between two negative alternatives! And perhaps you didn't grasp the sarcasm that I directed to the OP and his assessment of movies and persons older than himself.

Secret Message, HERE!--->CONGRATULATIONS!!! You've discovered the Secret Message!

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[–] mmq1 8 years ago

No, I certainly wasn't addressing you. lol.

Secret Message Here > Sarcasm rarely escapes me unscathed

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[–] Vesikko 8 years ago

If Gladiator is such a classic how come Fall of the Roman Empire 1964 where it rehashes most of its plotline from isn't?

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

Granddad is that you? Zzzzz with your "back in my day" talk

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[–] vinidici 8 years ago

Granddad is that you? Zzzzz with your "back in my day" talk

I love it when fools like you wax arrogant and disrespectful toward your elders; because it only means that you'll get your comeuppance sooner or later -- and all the better, if MUCH later, because by then:

(1) Your elders will no longer have to share this planet with you and your kind, having moved onto "yonder pastures," as it were; and

(2) In the event you'll still be sucking in oxygen, 30-50 years from now, you won't get any better treatment from the younger crowd of that future era than what you today are doling out to your elders.

Hey, far be it from me to make any effort to persuade you to mend your callow and insolent ways -- I actually PREFER that you just go on being the ageist little drip that you are; it'll make your future "comeuppance" that I mentioned, above, sting all the more!

Secret Message, HERE!--->CONGRATULATIONS!!! You've discovered the Secret Message!

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

You are the guy back in the late 90s who small business fail because he insisted Computers are a fad so he stuck to his Remington Rand Typewriter. Also mailing invoices to his clients through the US Postal Services. All because he insisted emails are not safe and a flash in the pan. Here's an idea for you. Find Doc and go back to "1955"

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[–] Vesikko 8 years ago

Are you that would-be brilliant movie maker who once again did not make it to a film school despite trying 3 years in a row?

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[–] vinidici 8 years ago

You are the guy back in the late 90s who small business fail because he insisted Computers are a fad so he stuck to his Remington Rand Typewriter. Also mailing invoices to his clients through the US Postal Services. All because he insisted emails are not safe and a flash in the pan. Here's an idea for you. Find Doc and go back to "1955"

Heh. You're forgetting that it was people older than you and me BOTH (most of them by now deceased) who made all that glorious new tech that you, if you could, would swim in like Uncle Scrooge swims in his swimming pool full of money!

Thanks for a VERY good laugh.

Have a nice day.

Secret Message, HERE!--->CONGRATULATIONS!!! You've discovered the Secret Message!

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[–] Trax-3 8 years ago

With all it's faults it's still better than Braveheart or Gladiator - those are rather silly movies, though far from bad. And no, I'm not a babyboomer.

Braveheart and Gladiator are classics that will translate to any generation.

These are not even old enough to truly face the challenge of transcending generations.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

Silly movies? Stop trying to impress your elders

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[–] Trax-3 8 years ago

From the historical perspective they are even sillier than Spartacus.

They are one step above The Patriot at best. And that is a very silly movie though still good in a guilty pleasure sort of way.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

Ohhhh. I get it you're offended by Mel Gibson. Just say that instead of beating around the bush.

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[–] Trax-3 8 years ago

I get it you're offended by Mel Gibson.

I sure as hell am not. I'm no disciple of PC. Apocalypto, for example, is a masterpiece and one of the best films of the 21st century so far.

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[–] Vesikko 8 years ago

I still wonder how someone so obviously ignorant and ageist can flat out state that Gladiator 'will resonate with any generation'. What if the Future Generations are exactly like you? They will likely only note how outdated the Glad's CGI looks like, looks even now.
I once had a flatmate who could not watch Wall Steet because the mid eighties desktops in it.

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[–] eddiehasskills 8 years ago

I'm sure going miss the sensitive fucboi's like yourself who get their panties in a twist over their favorite movies. OK you like Ap... that's like saying I have black friends. You already tipped your hand you're too late.

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[–] Trax-3 8 years ago

I like all the movies mentioned, liking something doesn't mean thinking it's great.

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