Travis Simpkins

Saturday, December 30, 2017

Centurion (2010): Romans Battle the Pict Tribe in Ancient Britain

Written and directed by Neil Marshall, Centurion (2010) is loosely based on the 2nd Century A.D. massacre of the Ninth Legion in Caledonia. The plot follows a Roman soldier, behind enemy lines in the British Isles, facing annihilation after the Empire's failed conquest of the territory. The guerrilla warfare utilized by the Picts of Alba, and the Roman's futile defense against the onslaught, provides an interesting and exciting historical context of the region two thousand years ago. The bloody battle scenes are quite graphic, but are fitting for the material. The cast does a fine job, including Michael Fassbender, Dominic West and Olga Kurylenko.

Centurion. 2010: Olga Kurylenko

Centurion. 2010: Michael Fassbender

Centurion. 2010: Romans Battle the Pict Tribe in Ancient Britain

Centurion. 2010: Olga Kurylenko

Centurion. 2010: Michael Fassbender

Centurion. 2010: Romans Battle the Pict Tribe in Ancient Britain

Centurion. 2010: Olga Kurylenko

Centurion. 2010: Romans Battle the Pict Tribe in Ancient Britain

Centurion. 2010: Michael Fassbender

Centurion. 2010: Olga Kurylenko

Centurion. 2010: Michael Fassbender

Centurion. 2010: Olga Kurylenko

Centurion. 2010: Michael Fassbender

Centurion. 2010: Olga Kurylenko

Centurion. 2010: Romans Battle the Pict Tribe in Ancient Britain

Centurion. 2010: Olga Kurylenko

Centurion. 2010: Michael Fassbender

Centurion. 2010: Romans Battle the Pict Tribe in Ancient Britain

Centurion. 2010: Olga Kurylenko

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.