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Author Topic: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.  (Read 5657 times)

Devil

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2012, 02:32:18 AM »
I didn't even know there were this many viking movies. Looking forward to see what you make of it!

I've tried to promote the first of the Raven flms here but with limited success. Been ages since I watched the follow-ups. As far as I recall they weren't quite as good. But the first one holds up pretty well, apart from the music which is a bit outdated.

There were actually quite a few more films I found when researching films for this but the ones I cut out were generally agreed upon to be rubbish. Depending upon how much fun I have with the Marathon I may add them but for the moment i'll go with the least shitty of them.

I'm looking forward to the Raven films. The few things i've heard is that they are fairly accurate to the Viking lifestyle(i.e. not as much raping and pillaging as we have been lead to believe)
~You never say, "I'm gonna fight you, Steve." You just smile and act natural, and then you sucker-punch him~

Devil

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #11 on: October 08, 2012, 06:36:43 PM »
A double feature this week as I tackle the star studded Prince of Jutland and the animated short The Saga of Biorn

 
Prince of Jutland(1994) Gabriel Axel - Hamlet: Prince of Denmark, loser of sanity, committer of regicide, matricide, friendicide and lovericide as well as all round scourge to high school english students. The famous Shakespeare play has seen countless performances and interpretations since it's initial debut sometime in the early 1600's(that's not me being lazy, historical records aren't clear on when it first was performed). This take on the legend however is based upon the Danish legend chiefly summarized by Saxo Grammaticus(which is a damn fine name for a writer) in the 13th century. Which in all honesty after a brief overview of it doesn't seem a whole lot more different than the Shakespeare version. So I guess that information isn't all that relevant but if nothing else at least you've learned something.

The film is bolstered by a strong cast including Christian Bale, Gabriel Byrne, Helen Mirren, Brian Cox, Tom Wilkinson, Andy Serkis and Kate Beckinsale(who made her big screen debut in the previous years Shakespeare adaptation Much Ado Abou Nothing). Though for all the difference it makes they could have been replaced by 10th grade drama students for the amount of gravitas they bring to their roles. Except Kate Beckinsale, she can stay

She can stay in all the films

Noble King Hardvendel (Wilkinson) enjoys nothing more than hunting, being adored by his subjects and a fruitful life of not being stabbed. His younger brother Fenge(played by the perpetually schemey looking Gabriel Byrne) however is a jealous, treacherous, scheming and stabby usurper to the throne. Early on he outlines his desire and belief that he is the rightful king, "Cause I want it" is basically how it's explained, in a hurried bit of exposition that manages to somehow throw in some entirely needless female nudity. I almost have to applaud the filmmaker for his complete unwillingness to fit the nudity into the plot in any way, it's like the editor accidently spliced in some soft-core porn. Upon witnessing the death of his father Prince Amled(Bale) and rightful heir to the throne descends into an instant mental breakdown complete with farm animal noises and hysterical laughing.


Not sure if scheming or headache

And herein lies the problem with the film. There are various shortcomings in the production quality, budgeting,etc. Hiring a few more extras would have made the scenes of the Kings funeral and the new Kings coronation seem a bit more regal and of importance as it stands it looks like they govern over a moderate sized village. And some awkward staging and editing including at least one scene that looked like the director yelled action and no one heard him or reacted for a few seconds. On a smaller film like this those can be overlooked(to an extent) if the content is engaging enough. While the source material certainly provides for an interesting story at the core of a tale like this is the characters and they are never really explored in any sort of meaningful way. Christian Bale gets to do the most with his character as he seeks revenge against his uncle and slips in and out his trauma induced insanity to play others against each other. But why is Byrnes character driven to murder his own flesh and blood to gain the throne? Because the story needs it. Why does Helen Mirren fall in love with the murderer of her husband? Because that's what the legend says what happened. Why is Kate Beckinsale so pretty? Because genetics are wonderful.


"Bogus analysis dude!"                                 "Like totally bro"

So little time is spent exploring the characters motives and passions. You know what they want or what they are doing but only in the most elementary of fashions. The source material explores the ideas of mental illness, revenge, betrayal and other now classic mainstays of modern fiction. Prince of Jutland gives us a basic tale of vengeance with little depth and even less visceral entertainment to make up for it. Plus this movie made me do more research on Hamlet than I probably did in high school, and that's just not cool.

Overall: 4/10



Well that was a roaring success to start this marathon  :-\





The Saga of Biorn(short film)(2011) -"Some might ask who is this viking and what made him throw a dwarf off a cliff?" thus begins The Saga of Biorn Another story from Denmark but this time in animated form and about 80 minutes shorter so if it's as bad as the last film it will be much less of a chore to get through. Spoiler: It's not.


"No you come down here"

Presented in a unique and beautiful looking art style our titular hero desires nothing more than a glorious death in battle so as to gain entrance to the fabled halls of Valhalla, which thanks to this film I learned is actually pronounced Valhöll in Old Norse. It's a funny yet somewhat touching tale as he seeks out a worthy opponent to hopefully best him in armed combat. Given it's short run time there is not much to say without spoiling the film. Suffice it to say I enjoyed it immensely both presentation and story wise and the ending produced a laugh along with a bit of commentary on the Gods of old and new.


"Biorn wants adulation!!"

The Saga of Biorn can be viewed Here

Overall: 8/10


Well going one for two isn't all that bad I guess.
~You never say, "I'm gonna fight you, Steve." You just smile and act natural, and then you sucker-punch him~

smirnoff

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #12 on: October 08, 2012, 08:55:00 PM »
Something about your review makes me trust your judgement.

If the 1 to 1 ratio keeps up for the duration I'd call that a big win. :)

1SO

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #13 on: October 09, 2012, 10:26:07 PM »
I watched The Saga of Biorn and agree completely. It's a winner.

Emiliana

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #14 on: October 10, 2012, 01:53:47 PM »
I found your review of Prince of Jutland very entertaining - although it is a pity that an entertaining review is the best thing you got out of the film (apart from Ms. Beckinsale's attractions ;)).

I am also grateful for the review as a Shakespeare enthusiast - I wasn't even aware of the film, and had I stumbled across it on my own, I would have been compelled to seek it out. Now I won't even bother, no matter how amazing the cast list looks. Hamlet without character motivation, stripped down to a simple revenge tale? No thanks. Come to think of it, I also don't like the idea of Bale as Hamlet.

I will check out Saga of Biorn, though - thanks for the link!

[edit: watched it now - pretty awesome! Not uncontroversial, but great fun.]
« Last Edit: October 10, 2012, 02:05:31 PM by Emiliana »

Devil

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #15 on: October 10, 2012, 09:38:18 PM »
Glad you guys liked The Saga of Biorn it was a pleasant discovery for me. Prince of Jutland was a bit of a slog but that just made the review that much more fun to write.
~You never say, "I'm gonna fight you, Steve." You just smile and act natural, and then you sucker-punch him~

Sandy

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #16 on: October 10, 2012, 10:55:41 PM »
Love The Saga of Biorn. Will skip Prince of Jutland.

See how easy you made this?

Dave the Necrobumper

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #17 on: October 11, 2012, 05:43:13 AM »
The Saga of Biorn is most enjoyable.

Verite

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #18 on: March 11, 2013, 01:08:23 PM »
The first three episodes of Vikings is available for online viewing at Hulu, IMDb, and The History Channel's site.  Gabriel Byrne  8)
« Last Edit: March 12, 2013, 12:15:41 PM by Verite »
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Devil

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Re: In the halls of Valhalla, where the films may live forever.
« Reply #19 on: March 11, 2013, 05:52:32 PM »
I heard about that show and meant to check it out. Then like most shows I mean to check out I forgot about it. Gonna have to give it a go, I've been wanting to get back into this marathon but haven't had time to write anything, maybe this'll kickstart things.
~You never say, "I'm gonna fight you, Steve." You just smile and act natural, and then you sucker-punch him~