Travis Simpkins: Angelina Jolie

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001): Angelina Jolie, Archaeology and the Illuminati

Directed by Simon West, based on the popular video game series, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) finds Angelina Jolie as a fantasy brought to life with stunning action and effects. The story concerns Lara Croft's quest to recover two pieces of an ancient triangle of light that can control time when placed together during planetary alignment. Masonic symbolism is prevalent, including the use of the All Seeing Eye, the Pyramid, the red cross of the Knights Templar, Light in the context of Freemasonry... and the casting of the Illuminati as the villainous secret society. Much like in the Indiana Jones series, archaeology and looting are popularized and glorified for mass market consumption… but with an entertaining and humorous edge. Angelina Jolie is beautiful and agile in her role, performing her own tough stunts. Daniel Craig appears in a supporting role. The rest of the cast is good as well, including Jolie's father, Jon Voight.

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie and Daniel Craig

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie and the Iluminati

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Daniel Craig

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie and Daniel Craig

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie and the Illuminati

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie and the Illuminati

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie and Daniel Craig

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: Angelina Jolie

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Alexander (2004): Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie and Rosario Dawson. Alexander the Great

Co-written and directed by Oliver Stone, Alexander (2004) is a much better film than some would lead you to believe. Although the theatrical release was a bore and tanked at the box office, Oliver Stone made amends in his revisions, and subsequent cuts of the film are much more cohesive and entertaining. Epic in length and scale, the battle scenes and CGI work are amazing. Alexander the Great and his far-reaching ancient conquests are brought to life in style… battles, pillaging and all. The costumes and sets are well-designed, even down to the golden leaf crown worn by Philip of Macedonia that has caused so much provenance, restitution and looting debate in recent years. Angelina Jolie is ravishing as Queen Olympias. Rosario Dawson is sultry as Roxana. The rest of the cast is good as well, including Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great, Jared Leto, Val Kilmer, Anthony Hopkins, Christopher Plummer and Jonathan Rhys Meyers.