Russell Crowe in Robin Hood

Is anyone else saying, “Yay!”? Well, I remember the old Robin Hood (yikes! that was many moons ago!). You know the one with Kevin Costner and that catchy Bryan Adams song. (Loved that song! So did everyone else who got married that year.) Even though I loved that film, not everybody else did. In fact, in some circles, Kevin Costner was panned for everything from his hood to his higgledy piggledy English accent. Unfortunately, his credibility as a top box office draw went into decline with Waterworld and The Postman. No Dances with Wolves either of them, though The Postman was waaay better than Waterworld. Sorry, KC.

Kevin Costner in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves 1991

I also remember thinking KC’s version of the man in tights (remember that spoof flick with Carey Elwes, Robin Hood Men In Tights? LOL’s!) was really good. I mean, what was there not to love? You had Robin of the Hood himself, his merry men and a love story between Robin Hood and the fabled Maid Marian. It was a movie about the complicated relationships we have with the people in our lives, and how events in our lives can lead to one defining moment. It had a killer soundtrack (I still like to write to that score), and great actors, and more than a few good laughs. It was a movie about bravery, courage, sacrifice, swashbuckling action, fable, myth and lore. You got some back story on how Robert Locksley became champion of the poor — which was very intriguing because Robin Hood’s origins were shrouded in mystery. Even now there is intense scrutiny as to whether or not Robin Hood actually existed. The movie spawned a whole bevy of documentaries about Who really was Robin Hood? Those docs spoke of an actual real Robert of Locksley and pointed to the fact that the bandit of Sherwood Forest could in actual fact be real. For me, a history buff, it just didn’t get any better than that. AND, Costner’s Robin Hood movie was romantic! I was 15 and I still existed in a dreamy fog where love conquers all.

Cary Elwes in Robin Hood Men in Tights 1993

Yet even back then in the tenderness of my youth, I felt that there was something missing. There was a part of me that I am only familiar with now that wanted more. How can I not get more when my dream cast is in this reboot of Robin Hood? I get some serious shivers of thrilled delight and anticipation at the thought of watching the synergy these talented people will create on screen! I believe Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe and

Cate Blanchett as Marion Loxley in Robin Hood

Cate Blanchett (everything she touches turns to gold!) will give me the rush and satisfaction I’ve been yearning for in a Robin Hood movie. Why do I have faith? Let’s just say it’s because   Gladiator fit the bill for me in every way, which is another Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe collaboration. Was I not entertained? Oh, hell yes! Gladiator was gritty and honest and fierce, even excruciating at times, so I am hopeful for the same experience with this version of Robin of the Hood. I couldn’t define what I wanted when I was a kid, but I can definitely give voice to it now. History was a brutal place, humans fought hard for the civility we have now. When I step into my time machine and go to the movies, I want some truth in my epic historical fantasy depictions. I want to see the struggle, feel the pain and endure the sacrifice. I want to taste the triumph and revel in the glory. I want to feel like I was there. If we’re going to do a movie about rising up against tyranny, and the oppressed fighting for justice and equality, let’s do it then. Will I get what I’m looking for in this version? If I was a betting woman, I’d bet that this movie will be a kick a** Robin Hood flick! Not to say, however, that KC’s version doesn’t still hold a very fond place in my heart.

Anyhoo, that is my essay on my excitement to see Robin Hood. And to prove my point that there is still an intense interest in just who was this hooded hero?, History TV is airing a 2 hour documentary exploring the Robin Hood legend. Case closed. Robin Hood rocks. Can’t wait to see Russell Crowe’s Robin Hood break out that famous bow! Long live the outlaw! This is your Brighter Scribe signing off to watch the History Channel!

~”Rise and rise again until lambs become lions.” ~ Russell Crowe in Robin Hood

Angelina Jolie Too Old?

This is by no means breaking news, but rumor has it that Kristen Stewart is wanted for Wanted 2 instead of Angelina Jolie. (I know they say AJ declined, but admit it! When you heard the news, you thought, “What? AJ’s too old? Well, that’s what I thought, so I’m running with it…) I wonder if AJ is beginning to feel the awful effects of the AGE-ISM affliction that seems to have society by the ***** mhmm? (Cough, cough!) What is this notion that says as a woman, once you are past a certain age (over 30! *GASP!* 28 in some regions we won’t mention) AND have children, the gods help you, but you are OLD? Bring on the denture cream, what? Such foolishness. And so, so sad. I mean, wasn’t it just last year that AJ was being proclaimed as one of the most beautiful women in the world? Oi-yi-yi! The gods help us mere mortal women then. SHEESH! I say!

Kristen Stewart Wanted!

Anyhoo, it’s reminding me that the days of Brad/Tom/Angelina/Halle as Hollywood icons is rapidly coming to a CLOSE. Alas, the light of these stars is fast waning, sure to fade into distant memory like those of the ancients, Cary Grant and Errol Flynn. I remember listening to the elders (namely the generation that came before me, like parents) speaking with awe and nostalgia of the glory of days gone by. I remember thinking, “Cared about who? In like Flynn? Boring!”. I would silently proclaim (so as not to appear rude) I will never be old and get nostalgic. Well, little did I know that the shriveled hand of age touches us all; even those who shine the brightest cannot escape its bony grasp.

Now it seems, I am old and the stars of my esteemed era are now being thought of as “the stars of old.” (Except Johnny Depp. I don’t think he has an expiration date.)

But, really. Are women too old once they reach 30? Are women over 30 who have children just way too old with too much pitney* to be considered tempting screen sirens? Should said women only be offered or pursue roles that portray them as wise matrons or lonely spinsters? I think ageism sucks severely. What do you think?

*too much pitney = a whole boatload of trouble and baggage

Dr Grace Augustine

Did you ever notice how every time Jake extends his hand to shake

Eytukan

in friendship and greeting he gets dissed? First Dr. Augustine pshaws his olive branch and then the Na’vi freak out when he dares to try and lay hands upon their leader. Sheesh! Can’t a guy get a break!

~P.S.~ Check out this really cool Wiki!

Lara Croft Tomb Raider_The Cradle of Life

So I was revisiting Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life the other day, a flick where Angelina Jolie searches for the legendary Pandora’s Box, and something tickled my brain and gave me pause. I found it interesting that both in the age of antiquity and in some of the minds of modern day, women are the vehicles responsible for the fall of man. Of course we all know the original sin story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden and the snake and apple. It is probably the most famous of all women are the root of all evil stories. I think there is even a creation movie lost somewhere in the Hollywood archives depicting this cataclysmic moment in time.

In the Pandora myth, the story goes that Pandora was the first woman on Earth, created by Hephaestus in answer to Zeus’ command. It was a command meant to be a punishment for man’s gain of the secret of fire from Prometheus who stole fire from the gods. Zeus’ vengeance came in the form of Pandora, a beautiful ‘evil’ destined to torment all of mankind. (And Prometheus did not escape unscathed. He too suffered the wrath of Zeus in his own separate and terrible punishment tailor-made especially for him by Zeus himself. Prometheus is later rescued by Hercules himself, ultimately escaping punishment, but that is another story.) Many talents were bestowed upon her by the gods like beauty from Aphrodite, a talent for music from Apollo, and the handy gift of persuasion from the generous Hermes. She was also possessed of a great curiosity, a trait given to her by the long suffering and oft maligned Hera.

Prometheus having his liver eaten out by Jacob Jordaens circa 1640

Now Zeus placed in Pandora’s keeping a jar (which over time has become a box for some reason) with strict instructions not to open it, but of course she couldn’t restrain herself and she did indeed open it, to the ruin of all. All the evils of the world came pouring out of this box once opened and despite Pandora’s efforts to reseal it, it was too late. The only thing left in the box was Hope, which I find to be quite apropos since hope can be the most elusive of all emotions. But I ask, if Pandora was flawed, didn’t a dude create her based on the decree of another dude? So who really was responsible for the orchestration of man’s downfall? Can you blame Frankenstein for being Frankenstein? Or does the blame really lie with the mad doctor who created him? Hello, Zeus. It seems to me that Zeus had it out for mankind from the get go, and Pandora was a more than suitable scapegoat. Diabolical if you ask me.

I do find the antiquated theory that women seem to be responsible for everything that has gone wrong with the world a very interesting one indeed. Even more interesting is the counter-theory that all these women being responsible for original sin myths and fables are created by men and are the direct result of man’s fear and envy for the many gifts and talents of women — one of them being the miraculous power to give life. These theories have been debated hotly amongst many interested in such things, and it is a debate that will most likely continue to be debated as long as there is a battle amongst the sexes.

Pandora by John William Waterhouse 1896

Yet consider this, a wise man once said, “When you point the finger of blame there are always three fingers pointing right back at you.” Funny how that works, don’t you think? So does that mean that the root of all evil question needs to be reexamined? Anyone can see that the fight started between Zeus and Prometheus , even if you refer back to Hesiod’s Theogony . (BTW, is it just me who thinks Hesiod really seemed to have it out for Pandora? One can presume that Hesiod did not seem to hold women in very high esteem.) In the Greek Tragedy Prometheus Bound it is deduced that Prometheus does seem to be responsible for man’s plight, but that tidbit seems to have been overlooked. Blaming Pandora seems to be much more intriguing.

Yet there is another take on the origins and evolution of Pandora. There is an antediluvian belief that she is all-giving, a fecund and nurturing Earth Mother, that she is life. Isn’t it interesting then that James Cameron would name his lush Na’vi planet Pandora? The Pandora of myth was ‘a beautiful evil’. Here again on Pandora the planet we find the concept of dangerous beauty. It was no coincidence that Cameron would name one of the most memorable planets in fantasy fiction after this mythic personage.

James Cameron's beautiful Pandora.

Even though the Pandora of myth loosed all evils upon mankind, isn’t the fact that she managed to retain hope within that vaunted chest a kind of balance against those woes? And wasn’t Eywa all about balance? Eywa, the Na’vi’s female deity and mother of all things on their magnificent planet is at once both terrible and beautiful. Balance.

Jake asks for the help of Eywa.

As in the myth, the humans do indeed open a Pandora’s box of wonder and peril when they happen upon this planet and begin mixing the DNA of the indigenous with that of mankind. At points in the movie it does seem like there is no hope and that there is nothing left but to despair. Yet in the end Eywa, the All Mother and goddess of the Na’vi, bestows the great gift of her mercy and enables Jake to bring his new people to victory. And isn’t that the hope for help that Jake prayed for?

What’s your take on the original sin theory and the fall of man? Do you think Pandora is responsible? Who do you think is at fault? Do you know any other original sin myths? Regardless of whose to blame for the fall of man, the Pandora myth makes for interesting film fodder.

Daniel Craig is James Bond

Did you know that Ian Fleming, the creator of 007, wrote a short story called The Quantum of Solace published for the first time in 1959 in a women’s magazine? In that short tale, James Bond only has a small role as a guest at a dinner party. Who would have ever thought that Bond, James Bond himself could ever play a bit part, except if Jinx ever got a movie? The movie Quantum of Solace is a complete departure from the short story wrote by Ian Fleming. The story actually takes place in Bermuda, and seems to be less of an action thriller and more of an exposition on human nature. The escapades Daniel Craig (the current reigning Mr. Bond and the best Bond to date by my estimation, and believe me, I love Sean Connery) takes us on in the movie, does not resemble in the least the original short story. Despite the exodus from the original, the movie is a wild ride, let me tell you, with the requisite number of dead bodies left in 007′s wake. I wonder what Ian Fleming would think?

~P.S~ Did you know that Ian Fleming also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?