EBL: Greece

Showing posts with label Greece. Show all posts

Monday, July 20, 2026

Michael Knowles Odyssey Review

EBL: The Odyssey

Michael Knowles's take is not too far from my own (although I missed the Dante connection to this script). He might be on to something about this film. I concur that casting Elliot Page was very intentional. I thought it a huge distraction (and mistake), but perhaps that was exactly the point. Nolan is does not do his films by chance. It is Nolan's film, but I did not like the choice.

There is nothing terribly controversial or original about Helen of Troy "abduction" being a pretext to Agamemnon's ambition and greed. You can read that in the original Homer and it is a theme that comes out in other works on this topic.

WFB: Podhoretz review: Gushing over the top fan boy drivel. Odysseus's own hubris contributes to pissing off Poseidon and the resulting curse. That Odysseus is responsible for his own ten year Odyssey is hardly a new idea (hanging out with Calypso for years in the original poem--even if he felt guilty about it-- is hardly something his long suffering wife would have approved of). Guilt over the sack and rape of Troy is also not exactly a new idea. That the vision of Athena that comes to Odysseus periodically is one of the victims of Troy emphasizes this. I liked the movie, but just not as much as J-Pod did. Eewww. J-Pod wants to come off as clever. I am glad he liked the movie (good for him), but his review says more about himself than the film (and not in a good way).

EBL: Stephen Fry on the Illiad and Odyssey, The Odyssey: Oh Dear, The Odyssey firestorm gets worse... and The Odyssey

Instapundit: Podhoretz Odyssey Review (eww) and Nolan missing the point

AoSHQ: Morning Report 07.20.26

The greatest warrior who ever lived was told, after his death, that he should be happy.

His answer is one of the most devastating things ever written...

Achilles had been given a choice while alive: a long, quiet, forgotten life at home, or a short one at Troy that would make… pic.twitter.com/uIS1N8Brxk
— James Lucas (@JamesLucasIT) July 18, 2026

Sean Bean is a perfect Odysseus ❤

🎥© Troy (2004) pic.twitter.com/EfV5scwHh5
— Sarahh (@Sarahhuniverse) July 18, 2026

Friday, July 17, 2026

The Odyssey

The Odyssey

Not terrible, but what a lost opportunity. Far from great. It would have been better without the casting distractions. Lupita Nyong'o as Helen of Troy was the least of it, but Elliot Page...oh well. Mr. Nolan might have thought this casting choice clever (there is a reason for the choice beyond transitioning), but casting Elliot Page hurts the movie. It could have been much better.

The dialog was also odd, mixing in American style speech. The writing and dialog wasn't consistent and it took you out of the moment.

Victor Davis Hanson nails the ignorance behind Ms. Nyong's comments

EBL: Nolan missing the point, Michael Knowles Odyssey Review, Stephen Fry on the Illiad and Odyssey, The Odyssey: Oh Dear, The Odyssey firestorm gets worse... and The Odyssey

Boston Globe: 2.5 stars for The Odyssey

State of the Day: Ellen Page's manface

Time: Another reason for despair

Instapundit: The Odyssey, Reviews, and First Reviews

AoSHQ: Morning Report 07.17.26

A year from now and Nolan's Odyssey wil only be known for the controversy around its casting.

It simply isn't good enough to have sticking power culturally.

Meanwhile you go to any bar in America and everyone can recite this movie word for word. https://t.co/ZtucTy0Bi3 pic.twitter.com/RbVwPruDns
— bumbadum (@bumbadum14) July 17, 2026

Rule 5 and FMJRA