Travis Simpkins: Disney

Saturday, April 21, 2018

National Treasure (2004): Freemasons and the Knights Templar Treasure

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, and produced by Walt Disney Pictures, National Treasure (2004) adds a family-friendly element to the museum heist and treasure hunt genres. The story centers on Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and cryptographer who is on a quest to find the world's most valuable treasure… collected over centuries by Secret Societies and the Knights Templar, and then taken to the US and hidden by the Freemasons in the 18th Century. Clues and Masonic Symbols lead Gates to the conclusion that the Founding Fathers made a secret treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence. Now, Gates must steal the document from the highly secure National Archives before the bad guys get it first. An implausible storyline doesn't hinder this fun tale… traveling from Washington D.C. to Philadelphia to New York and Boston. Full of adventure and history, the film is entertaining and a cut above the usual dull family fare. The cast does a good job, including Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Harvey Keitel, Sean Bean, Christopher Plummer, Justin Bartha and Jon Voight.

Christopher Plummer: National Treasure. The Freemasons

The Secret lies with Charlotte: National Treasure. The Freemasons

: National Treasure. The Freemasons

The Declaration of Independence: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Freemason Symbol: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger: National Treasure. The Freemasons

George Washington Medal: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage and the Declaration of Independence: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Freemason Symbol: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Jon Voight: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Harvey Keitel: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Freemason Symbol : National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger: National Treasure. The Freemasons

The All Seeing Eye: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Nicolas Cage and Harvey Keitel: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger and Nicolas Cage: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Freemason Symbol: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Ancient Treasure: National Treasure. The Freemasons

Diane Kruger, Nicolas Cage and Jon Voight: National Treasure. The Freemasons

"National Treasure"- movie trailer

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017)

Directed by Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017) is the fifth installment in the popular swashbuckling franchise based on the Walt Disney Studios concept. This story finds Captain Jack Sparrow in search of the Trident of Poseidon while being pursued by the brutal and undead Captain Salazar. As in the previous films, the action is fast-paced and the CGI effects are top-both throughout. The 18th Century atmosphere and references to horology and astronomy are both fascinating and entertaining. The cast does a great job, including Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Javier Barden, Brenton Thwaites, Kaya Scodelario. Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley and a special cameo by Paul McCartney of the Beatles.