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Apocalypto, one of the best movies of 2006
All the credit for this blog goes to Anurag Kashyap. This piece would not have happened if not for what Anurag wrote about his meeting with Danis Tanovic.
Anurag quoted Danis as saying that “Apocalypto was the greatest film of the year … but one drunken outburst from Mel Gibson and no one said anything great about the film.”
I was very fascinated by the idea of the film ever since Mel Gibson announced it, and read all reports put out on it in print and on the Internet. And was eagerly waiting to watch it.
And for once, the wait was worth it. Though I would have loved to watch the movie in a theatre, I had to be content with watching it at home … on a bootleg DVD. But no regrets.
‘Apocalypto’ is one of the best movies of 2006, and would have got a handful of Oscar nominations if not for Mel Gibson’s drunken rant. And look at what happened. It did not have any nominations in the major categories — Best Film, Direction or Cinemtography — and got nominations for only Makeup, Sound Editing and Sound Mixing categories. And it didn’t take a genius to figure out that it would not get any awards from the Academy. (And to think this is the same Academy which gave five awards to “Braveheart,” out of the 10 categories for which it was nominated.)
The movie is a visual treat, and a great adrenaline rush. Ok, it is in an obscure language but then I would have watched it in any language. So what it is as critics pointed out “historically incorrect” and abounds in cliches as some others said, I think it is one of the best chase movies I have ever seen.
Mel Gibson’s political beliefs don’t make any difference to me. And it doesn’t matter to me if he is “anti-Semitic.” I will watch any movie he makes (and in whatever language) because he is a very brave filmmaker and knows how to tell a story.
Just makes me wonder. Didn’t the same Academy applaud the director of “The Pianist,” Roman Polanski, even though he was convicted for raping a 13-year-old girl. And to think Mel Gibson had to face so much flak for just a drunken rant?
13 Responses to “Apocalypto, one of the best movies of 2006”
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Venky,
I agree with u man Apocalypto is not only one of the best movies of 2006…it is one among the best in cinematic history.
I mean guys just watch out this movie and you will know what a true genius Gibson is.
If u are fucked to listen people saying that my movie is different…watch out this movie and you will get to know the real meaning of word DIFFERENT.
And dicks at Oscar’s have really screwed up this time by not nominating this movie…I mean it doesnt get more creative than this one.
They gave awards to a copied film like DEPARTED…which is an insult to the creativity of guys behind films like Apocalypto.
Just cant put into words the greatness of this film…saw this movie two times in one go…CREATIVITY AT ITS BEST.
DONT MISS THIS FILM AT ANY COST.
roman’s pianist came 15/20 years after his supposedly unholy act…
mel’s rant was recent
+ 35% of academy is JEWISH…
JMD - Manan Singh KATOHORA
Hi Manan,
Just because Gibson screwed doesnt make him less genius…I agree he made mistake but not while directing this film.
The film is flawless and these assholes should “STAND UP AND BOW TO GIBSON” for this film.
Hi,
Apocalypto is not a good movie, i admit it is beautifully shot and wonderfully acted but what was he tryin to say .. why does he show the missionaries coming in the end .. does he mean to say that after the missionaries came in all the barbarians became good souls ..
i think thatz what was wrong with the movie ..
Havent seen the film yet. still waiting
Venky, wish u had written a bit longer piece on this. its too small ya.
Dhiraj,
You are missing the poing about the missionaries. In the movie, the missionaries represent “modern civilisation,” and Jaguar Paw turns his back on it by going in deeper into the forest, where few people will be able to reach.
This is because his tribe was taken captive, his village plundered and the women raped and slaughtered by men from a supposedly “superior and civilised” tribe, who knew how to build palace-like structures and huge temples but still enslaved people.
Jaguar Paw symbolically rejects “modern civilisation” by preferring to take his family deeper into the jungle.
Mel Gibson was actually commenting on the present condition of the world by that statement.
Now I am curious to see this film.
Everyone I know who has seen it says it is absolutely horrible, but the opinions here differ so much that I will now break down and rent it.
Thanks to you guys!
@ - Manan, I am interested in how you came up with your figure of the Academy being more than 35% Jewish.
You did bring up a good point that Roman Polanski’s past crimes are water under the bridge due to time (although there are other factors that are better suited for another comment), but Mel Gibson has in the past made other religious comments that make him unfavourable in the eyes of many, myself included.
This was not his first rant, just the first one that was made in conjunction with a crime on a slow news day…
Polanski has kept quiet and has continued to make good movies.
Time and circumstance are kind to him - and I am not arguing if this is right or wrong.
But, will Gibson be able to do follow Polanski’s footsteps and do the same?
t!
If you notice, I did not mention anything about his religious rants. Neither did I mention Mel Gibson’s “The passion of the Christ.” One reason being I did not think that was a great movie; second being religion does not have much play at the Oscars as opposed to his recent rant.
Though the point about whether Gibson will continue making good films like Roman Polanski … only time can tell.
dude, you missed the whole point. What was so great about the movie?? you didnt even mention it.. As per the blog above, you have talked only about the visuals of the movie.
Does that make it the best movie of 2006. Or is it because Mr kashyap said so..
= Mr. Birendra Singh…
It’s obvious that you come here with a pre planned agenda.
Following are snippets for other readers to see what you wrote on various posts in the few hours you sat on PFC.
“Does that make it the best movie of 2006. Or is it because Mr kashyap said so..”
“What ever Mr Kashyap says, becomes word of god for the people out here. If he says Departed is shit, nobody questions him. When he wrote Apocalypto is the best movie, a blogger when ahead and praised the movie like anything.”
= Sure that’s what you would like to see. There has been much criticism about Anurag’s work too… but you don’t wanna see that… do you Mr. Singh?
“Mr kahsyap is being regarded as the ultimate promoter of free speech, but just have a look around this forum and you will find messages being deleted with a warning that the author may be banned from posting further messages.”
- Obviously you are one of the banned commenters crying like a child because his toy has been taken away. And FYI, comments can only be deleted by a select few editors of PFC and not by the authors themselves. So please… quit crying over shit that doesn’t exist. By the way are you in Politics? You should be… to create something out of emptiness seems to be your forte.
I’m not even gonna ask a naive commenter like you to stop judging the author of this post who’s previous works it is obvious you have not read, as you sat your fat ass on the chair and spent considerable time on PFC just to target Mr. Kashyap’s post.
It is also obvious where you come from though we at PFC have no time or inclination to spend energy on egg heads like you who should be visiting their psychiatrist before visiting PFC…
Criticism towards authors is always welcome here, but if a sick mind starts puking his shit here it’s time to kick ass.
If you are not happy with the thoughts and expressions of people here… please do walk towards pages run by Mr. Jha or Mr. Adarsh where you may find solace.
@ Venky - My comment was more a response to Manan’s comment than your post, but both are very interesting conversation starters about what happens when an actor (or other famous persons) personal life has a negative effect on their professional career.
When does a transgression become a career killer?
But, Gibson’s “drunken rant” was all about religion.
The two can’t be seperated.
He has a history of insulting all who don’t share his family’s Opus Dei worldview, and his drunken rant may be the transgression that may be “his” career killer.
Should it be?
Should a filmmaker be judged on their films, and not on their personal lives?
Are they different?
These are the questions that your post and the comments leave open for discussion…
[Admin Note: MK, Please restrain from publishing personal details of other commentators here. As much as we want idiots like BK to know that their "personal attack" on authors will not be tolerated, we still do not want to publish personal details of the ass holes. We send personal e-mails to assholes and report abuse to the concerned authorities]
Peace.
As the # of visitors increase, there are always ppl like these..
Hard work ahead for you mods!