Jason And the Argonauts (2000)

Movie Review

Directed by: Nick Willing

It has an eye-catching and interesting form of event and gives the viewers a determination in life towards ancient Greece.

         It started a group of soldiers invaded his father’s kingdom by his uncle, Pelias. A guard escaped Jason after he watched his father die at the hands of Pelias. After 20 years, he returned to retrieve his right. He was given the task to find the Golden Fleece and he entreated the other Greeks including Orpheus and Hercules. They were called Argonauts because they sailed with Jason in the ship Argo. After so many adventures they reached the land of Fleece. Jason was aided by Medea. He returned to the kingdom, he was fooled by Pelias so he killed his uncle and retrieves his kingdom back. The film is about bravery, finding one’s destiny, leap of faith and his love for his family.

        At first, I thought Orpheus was white or maybe it was really what I've expected. Jason London, being Jason, portrayed his role well. He was handsome and well built. Jolene Blalock, being Medea, gave her character a mysterious and fierce look that suits Medea's face. Brian Thompson who played the role as Hercules has a big body like how I imagined Hercules would be. Olivia Williams was really beautiful and did well portraying a goddess. The movie features a great choice of characters.

        I've seen at least two of the films stunning visuals effects sequences like the harpies that look realistic and the giant of the sea, Poseidon. Some animations were poorly made. The transitions were fine. The twist was also good like Medea tricked Pelias and wanted to marry him to protect the Golden Fleece.

 

       Some noise were not good, especially the bulls noise because it’s not realistic at all. The harpies were fine. Passing through the rocks were okay. When a character talks, the background music doesn't overlap. The music is good as well as the background music.

        Since it’s not an advance high technology movie were mostly today’s movies shows a realistic effects. I don’t expect from a 2000 film. It would be better to remake this film, but the movie was really great.

Jason and the Argonauts (2000)

Cast: Jason London, Frank Langella, Natasha Henstridge

Director: Nick Willing

Review:

Nick Willing failed to impress me with this movie.

The first part of the movie was dragging for me as it was both too slow and too fast paced. Scenes were poorly executed and the characters were also not introduced properly.

In this movie, one of the greatest adventures in Greek mythology comes to life. Jason, the prince of the kingdom of Ancient Greece, watched his father die at the hands of his own uncle, Pelias. He escapes death, flees his home, and returns twenty years after to reclaim his right to the throne. When Pelias knew that Jason will return, he now wants him dead, but Jason pleaded to save his life through going to a perilous quest, to bring the most coveted gift from the gods to his uncle – the Golden Fleece. He forms the Argonauts, and together, sail the boat Argo to get the Golden Fleece.

The movie's principle is to believe and take a leap of faith. Even if the quest was quite impossible for them, as none of the Argonauts knew how to sail a ship, they still went through their journey and became successful.

Jason London handled his character, Jason, fine. London's looks suited Jason as a young man that looks well like a prince. Hercules, played by Brian Thompson, definitely brought justice to his character. His buff physique really gave me the idea that he really is the divine hero of of the gods. One thing that caught my eye though, was that the actor for Orpheus was black, no racism intended. I think it just did not suit Orpheus' description or just did not suit my standards for Orpheus since we did a puppet show on his story.

The transition of the scenes, like I said, wasn't well done, most especially on the first few minutes. The introduction of the characters wasn't vivid to me, and made me think hard on who is who, or which is which. Something that was off too was that their animation for the gods, Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon were poorly made. Their faces always zoomed in and out, which made them look more comedic, rather than to look scary and powerful.

As to the sound engineering of the movie, I hadn't had much problems with it, as each sound effect was suitable for each scene, like stormy sounds when Zeus was angry and wanted to trouble Jason.

Being left with that, I'll move on it's cinematography. The setting, like deserts, temples, and etc..., showed that it really was from the olden times. Lighting made it also feel old and neutral.

But even with the movie's shortcomings, it was somehow able to tell the story well, and I could also recommend it to people who are to lazy to read his story. This movie could be for people who are more enthusiastic in watching something rather than reading from something.

Only God Can Give Meaning In Your Life

The title that I gave to it was actually a verse from the book of Jeremiah 29:11 in the Bible. I just heard this in our 4th year highschool retreat. When I heard it, there's a question suddenly came to my mind,"What is my purpose on this world?". I try to think deeply about it but nothing works. But I try to read books and there is a book that answered my question, "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.

The book talks about why God created us and how to know your meaning in life. When I read it, I got interested to it. It took me 1 month to read it because of my busy schedule but I've learned a lot about it. And I found the answer in this book. That God created us because He want us to use and preserve His creations for the other generations will see it. It changed my life. This book gave a new perspective in my life. I've learned how God truly loves us. It gave me a determination to be a follower of God by joining christian youth organizations, helping my grandmother in her church. My grandmother was a loyalty member in her church. 

Now I know my wants in my life. I want to finish my educations, I want to fulfill my dreams and especially to always praise God even I have work, family, kids to raise up. Because of His blessings that He gave to me. I want to correct my sins and trying my best to make it right. 

Hope we have the same Life verse. And I'm sure that you will be inspired to this blog especially the book, "The Purpose Driven Life". 

Adoráte Reverentia

          "Who would you remember best, 10 of the most successful people in the world, or 10 people who have been a great part of your life?"

          Our pastor asked us this. Thoughts came rushing in my mind. I only knew some of the most successful people in the world. Why should I know them, or should I even know them? And of course, names of people whom I loved and people who loved me popped one by one. If I could write it down, I might get a long list of people's names.

          I guess it's the people who actually care for you that makes all the difference.

          The topic last Sunday was companionship. The pastor kept telling us that supporting each other, especially the members of the church, is very important. He kept on reminding us that unity and oneness in the church makes it all better, most especially, in times of great need.

It suddenly came to me that I haven't been thinking about other people, and that includes my family. I have been selfish the past few weeks. This could be another reminder from God that for Him, thinking about what others feel and keeping each other up is very important.

          Considering that I haven't been going to church for a while now too, this worship experience was somehow really fulfilling. The praise and worship service before the message also helped in strengthening my bond with God again, that I could feel Him again. Plus, that day's message aided in forming and keeping me a better person for God.

        God is really good. We as Christians should worship God, in both Spirit and in truth. God does not really need our worship, but this is our primary duty to Him as His children.

        God bless you all!

Worship Experience

         Last Sunday, I heard about what the priest shared about forgiveness and being humble. What I feel about it, is that in one way or another, a simple deed, may it be big or small, could hurt a lot of other people. Some, could have broken the very soft of friendship and trust.

         Even worse, the other stay only when they needed you and only because they needed you. It hurts, doesn't it? Thought of this happening could possibly bring others down. Many people down it sadness, anger,resentment and even vengeance due to aces of distrust.

We have to lose grip of all this. We have to let go of sadness, anger, resentment and vengeance, we have to forgive. This doesn't change the fact that we were offered nor do we deny the person's obligation on this act, but the thing is why not give it as a try? Forgiveness doesn't literally excuse the person caused could make your life forever but it does not mean that you have to forever grieve about it. It's all that forgiveness helps you got on with your life will less sorrows.

         God's forgives sinners Himself, whether sin is big or small. He forgive our every sin. Why don'y we do the same? Yes, we were hurt, we were offended but still, why not forgiving? In this case, not forgiving could cause a bigger conflict and could resolve to crush the emotions of each side. Not forgiving simply cause more grief the longer we keep on doing so, we hurt, but why keep on being hurt? Forgive, it may not be easy but it sure is worth it Go on with your lives with forgiveness and stay humble. God bless us all.

Live A Life Of Love

This blog is all about what I experienced in our retreat of my Senior Highschool life.


Our retreat was at Cappuccino's Retreat Center in Lipa, Batangas. I didn't expect how beautiful the place was. Then, we went around the place and we have a quite fun with the whole 4th year batch.

After that, we have our session with the speaker. The speaker told us about God's love. When I heard the question, "What on Earth am I here for?", I was liked thinking deeply about it. Then the speaker said a verse, "Only God can give you meaning in your life.(Jeremiah 29:11)". I felt that the question on my mind was answered. That through God, you will know what is your purpose on this world. And through Him, you will feel what TRUE LOVE is.

One of the activities that day was sharing our life's story. Each of us had a paper and there were questions/phrases that were needed to answer. One of the phrase was,"The thing that is important to you". I felt a little bit sad because I remembered my grandmother. One time, I was in my province, my cousin, grandmother, and I, went to a mall to buy some groceries and souvenirs for my cousin. We bought clothes, accessories, and food. When we went to the shoe section, my grandmother asked me, "Do you want a new pair of shoes?" then I said,"No Ma but my shoes were little old so I'll just repair it.". Then after that, my grandmother tried to find some shoes. I thought it was for my cousin but it was for me. I just thank my grandmother because I was very shy for what she did for me. Then after they know my story, some were shocked, some felt sad for me. Next day, the speaker told us about love and relationships. I've learned that TRUE LOVE waits. And we should know that God will always love us.

Well, this is my retreat experiences. Hope that you liked it and have the same experiences that I've experienced in our retreat. THANK YOU FOR READING!

Retreat Experience

Nowadays, teenagers in our generation are walking away from God. I keep on asking myself, "Why is this happening?" Maybe they experienced a lot of problems that they start thinking, "God doesn't care about me." The keep on asking "Why? God? Why?"


In our generation, we experience a lot of sufferings. Behind everyone's smiles are pain and sorrow. They lack the love that they deserve, that's why they go into a relationship to experience and feel complete.


What I've really learned and what really struck my life and beliefs is that God never really left. He was always there all along. We just thought that whenever we go through a problem, he's making us suffer. But no, He is always there. That' why in everything that we do, we should offer it all to Him.


I realized that I was very lucky. I really felt blessed. Yes, I was really sad. My classmate's stories really touched my heart. But there's just one thing that really made me more thankful; I was still blessed after all. I never experienced all their hardship, and I know that God will take care of me. He will never leave me, and neither anyone of us.


The retreat that happened last September 18, 2013 was a great experience to open up with God. They made us remember that Jesus died on the cross just to save us because He wants us to feel His love. God make me feel that everything has its own purpose in life.