You know movies. Please don't doubt yourself. The actual diaologue in the movie is horrendous. It is a movie about special effects imo. I don't think much else was even thought about other than how to win an award. The new Woketopia has no children, just robots that would prefer everyone remain celibate to focus on themselves, especially the women. They'd rather die out than live in their crumbled world. They have no passion and politics consumes their every breathing moment. It's sick. And sad. Don't apologize to them. Not ever. They'll get over it.
Omg your point on celibacy is so on point. What a sad state of society. I’m out having a drink with my friend and said to him how can I date? Most women have no desire, especially the liberal ones. And I love in Massachusetts so it’s extra blue and many are lesbian! I’m doubly screwed!
Same with my son. He had to go to Ireland to finally meet a girl. She flies her 4x a year for now. They have really screwed up the millennial and some Genz women.
I know and I probably met half a million of them! LOL, But I'm a globetrotter and polyglot and it twas difficult to relate. America has become very insulated from the rest of the world. No CA are not all bad, but I found the one I need here in Turkey.... And the issues Sasha discusses aren't present here, Happy for that... I watch from afar... Love you guys...
My son is married to a horrible narcissist who doesn’t want children, I am first heartbroken and then angry. My husband must be rolling over in his grave. God rest his soul.
This is one of many nightmares moms have about their children
I hope he changes his mind someday and will find someone who wants children. Men have the benefit of waiting so much longer than women. Don't give up hope just yet.
It’s his self centered daddy’s princess who doesn’t want kids. I resent her so badly. My family has great genetics to pass on. Looks like generations end here and now. Thanks for the kind words.
That's why I think it's always better (and what nature prescribes for homo sapiens) for a friendship to happen first, before full-on sexual relations. Also, oxytocin is released in the female brain (and in the male, but to a much less extent) that "glues" them to the person they have a physical relationship with (whether partner or child or close friend) and that glue "clouds" and influences thinking sometimes. And it's painful when it breaks/rips a part.
BradK, try some sipping tequila instead? My go-to lately has been El Cristiano, Extra Anejo 3YR. Pair it w/ an ice-cold Victoria lager. Ok, I’m getting thirsty
Thanks, Stone. I figured that The Odyssey would be trash out of the gate. So I skipped that part.
That said, I thought I'd see if the AI-generated "most beautiful women" generated shared Hollywood's proclivities. Yup. To wit: no women wearing burkas in Islamic countries, the UK babe looking like she is from the Middle East and the American woman looking decidedly like Halle Berry. If the latter was intentional, fair enough.
Judging by the results displayed, however, there are a lot of DEI subroutines wandering around in that code. An intentional distortion of the present and warning for the future.
I agree with you, though I wonder if the people who programmed this are happy that it produced exactly the kind of results they wanted to project -- regardless of reality. To them, it might have been a success, no?
Probably, but art shared is for the audience, not the creator. Self-indulgent creators become irrelevant to society at large. We realize that nobody who looks at that list objectively believes it for a minute.
No kidding. The teaser sample, the Russian, not bad. England, probably true today, tant pis. The Swede, I was married to one better. The 2,700 year history of them, fashion makes the woman, it seems. I know one in person, and the chemistry sparks.
Yeah I think that video was created as a joke. Sasha, I know you have to say Lupita is beautiful or you would be tarred and feathered. But, if you truly believe that we have different ideas about beauty. No hair, no boobs I'm out.
I think she's beautiful. Her hair is a mess, but a lot of women struggle with their hair. I you think that's "no boobs"..... That's why women get boob jobs......
Nolan also based this on the Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey and, although I haven’t read that version, from some of the reviews I’ve read it’s full of political and feminist garbage(I guess I’m being redundant, sorry 😜)
Thank you Sasha for the review. I have read a lot of the ancient texts- Herodotus, Tacitus, I’ve studied Roman History, and I wanted to see this movie but won’t now that I am clear it’s woke. I will donate that money I would have spent to the North Texas Food Bank.
Sexy is like funny, it's either there or it isn't. You can't argue with someone to convince them something is funny when it isn't and you can't tell them who to be sexually attracted to. Deep down everybody knows this, who they find attractive doesn't necessarily conform to whom they are told they should find attractive. There is nothing wrong with Nyong'o's face but it's not going to drive men mad and make them launch ships. It just isn't and to pretend otherwise is silly.
The science of attractiveness is physiometrics. There are people who research this and write papers on the topic. The studies have to do with ratios of physical attributes: face, hair, shoulders, bust, waist, etc. The ratios of the "ideal" female or male are not the same for each culture. But for a culture, like western culture, it is the same for hundreds of millions. It is hard wired into us by evolution, so not possible to deny, even if a film director tells us so. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3130383/
It’s kind of ironic that Hollywood even chose to make a movie about a poem that deals entirely with the consequences of hubris.
But then again, I’m sure they aren’t even aware of that, in their ignorant and superficial co-opting of all things meaningful, beautiful or of any virtue or value.
Sasha Stone, you did it again. You dispense your wisdom and insight with such good cheer. Clips from Helen Andrews and VDH put a lot of meat on the bones of your analysis and studied opinion. I enjoy especially the spot you give your detractors proving their lack of intelligence with your special brand of what I can only call charm. Brava to my favorite pundit. Thanks for your tremendous effort to produce such enlightening and enjoyable content.
I made one comment on another blog, which is the casting of Helen of Troy, Lupita Nyong'o, is just wrong in historical terms (not that the Odyssey is real, but it IS Greek pseudo-history, so its characters should be played by Greeks or Turks, as Troy is in Anatolia). I made the observation that casting her as Greek is as offensive as casting some white dude as Othello. Just don't do it. I have heard the special effects are outstanding. I love the story and like almost everyone, read it in high school. I will probably see it for those effects and hold my nose over the woke elements. My wife and I just watched the 7 seasons of "Younger" which was amazingly woke. And it was filmed in 2014 to 2020, which were not yet peak-Woke years (Peak Woke occurred with the Summer of Love, 2020). But, it was tongue-in-cheek and so bearable. Choose your battles.
So basically Nolan's Odyssey is a totem to the genocide that feminism is committing by destroying sexual desire and the production of children.
How ironic that the most iconic work of Western literature has been mangled into promoting the genocide of western civilization.
I never ever bought "the male gaze" as a problem. Obviously sexual attraction is what makes the world go on.
Ever notice that male art praises beauty, while feminist art is a bunch of felt vaginas squirting blood?
Male art turns outward (get it?) adoring the female form. Feminist "art" is myopic and self-pitying.
I taught the Odyssey a few years ago. To deny Circe's seduction is basically to ruin the story. And of course some female student had to complain (believing herself to sound oh so intellectual) that "all of the women are sex objects?"
"What about PENELOPE?" I asked. "PENELOPE is the hero of the story!"
PS I have never seen anything more ridiculous and emblematic of Leftist stupidity than the images floating around of "Elliot" Page. This person cannot be taken seriously. It's sad -- she submitted herself to a freak show. She is a freak. That is a fact, not an opinion.
This movie is only for woke people who have never read the Odyssey. Classist professor Victor Davis Hanson has a great commentary on this movie version. https://victorhanson.com/the-odyssey-hullabaloo/
I would rather spend my time re-reading The Odyssey than spending time with this version.
I’ll be going to theater to see this, because my daughter just read Odyssey in her University class and invited me to go with her. So the together time over some sodas and popcorn is what will make it worth it. I understand Nolan changed up the beginning (no Phaeacia) and replaced w/ something else. Which is too bad as this flirtatious part with younger woman and kindness of her parents to Odysseus being one of best parts of the poem.
I read the Odyssey many years ago (probably in college, since when I was there in the late 80's and early 90's, the woke hadn't fully taken over yet though it was starting). Based on that I already knew I had no interest in seeing this. I did watch the trailer and it just looked, well, boring. I think Victor Davis Hanson makes the best point by showing that the story emphasizes powerful women, but I guess Hollywood and Nolan didn't want to focus on that, but on pandering to the woke crowd, who to be fair, are their only audience now. I haven't seen a movie in a theater since at least 2015, and that was only because my son wanted me to take him. I don't remember the last time I really enjoyed a movie at the theater, but probably it was the Lord Of The Rings movies.
I do not quite follow this juxtaposition: "Helens throughout history depict women that men today might not find all that attractive . . . often depicted with bare breasts and in sexually provocative poses." I would have thought bare breasts and sexually provocative poses universal and timeless male attractors. Although I guess I have read articles about the possible decline in male testosterone in the current generation of males.
You know movies. Please don't doubt yourself. The actual diaologue in the movie is horrendous. It is a movie about special effects imo. I don't think much else was even thought about other than how to win an award. The new Woketopia has no children, just robots that would prefer everyone remain celibate to focus on themselves, especially the women. They'd rather die out than live in their crumbled world. They have no passion and politics consumes their every breathing moment. It's sick. And sad. Don't apologize to them. Not ever. They'll get over it.
Omg your point on celibacy is so on point. What a sad state of society. I’m out having a drink with my friend and said to him how can I date? Most women have no desire, especially the liberal ones. And I love in Massachusetts so it’s extra blue and many are lesbian! I’m doubly screwed!
Same with my son. He had to go to Ireland to finally meet a girl. She flies her 4x a year for now. They have really screwed up the millennial and some Genz women.
I moved to Turkey and got married *Ex Californian, a state that is 900 miles long and 1 inch deep! They're beautiful here and are real women. Come!
There are still some great women in California. There are millions of women here they can’t all be bad
I know and I probably met half a million of them! LOL, But I'm a globetrotter and polyglot and it twas difficult to relate. America has become very insulated from the rest of the world. No CA are not all bad, but I found the one I need here in Turkey.... And the issues Sasha discusses aren't present here, Happy for that... I watch from afar... Love you guys...
I consider being “insulated from the rest of the world” to be a very good thing.
I am very happy to be insulated among all the advantages of being an American and living in America.
Good for him.
Yes they really have!
My son is married to a horrible narcissist who doesn’t want children, I am first heartbroken and then angry. My husband must be rolling over in his grave. God rest his soul.
This is one of many nightmares moms have about their children
I hope he changes his mind someday and will find someone who wants children. Men have the benefit of waiting so much longer than women. Don't give up hope just yet.
It’s his self centered daddy’s princess who doesn’t want kids. I resent her so badly. My family has great genetics to pass on. Looks like generations end here and now. Thanks for the kind words.
Debby I’m so sorry to hear that 😞
I appreciate that! I really do, certain friends don’t understand how important it was, especially to my late husband. Thanks again!
This is why we have the concept of divorce. Eventually, your son may seek that remedy.
Sad to hear, but I’m glad your son found a good woman elsewhere.
JJ, I believe what your saying, as I have 3 sons and can see what they've gone through…and none married yet but we have a wonderful grandson even so.
Don't give up on love and marriage.
Realize your values.
Its natural to to focus on the “exterior” but really, in the end, its what's on the inside of a person that counts.
So true!!! Beauty fades but ugly lasts forever.
That's why I think it's always better (and what nature prescribes for homo sapiens) for a friendship to happen first, before full-on sexual relations. Also, oxytocin is released in the female brain (and in the male, but to a much less extent) that "glues" them to the person they have a physical relationship with (whether partner or child or close friend) and that glue "clouds" and influences thinking sometimes. And it's painful when it breaks/rips a part.
Sounds more like NOT screwed. Expand your horizons.
Or not screwed.
Even if they NEVER GET OVER IT…I have two words for them…and it ain’t Merry Christmas!!!
Uhh, maybe the husband should have asked a couple of questions before the wedding and you probably would’ve known what her viewpoint was.
I don’t know how any man could get married without knowing that his wife to be did not want to have children.
"The only rule of Woke Hollywood is you can't talk about Woke Hollywood"
Thank you for that, Sasha. I just spit out a perfectly good mouthful of single malt Scotch on my poor keyboard.
BradK, try some sipping tequila instead? My go-to lately has been El Cristiano, Extra Anejo 3YR. Pair it w/ an ice-cold Victoria lager. Ok, I’m getting thirsty
Fortaleza Añejo, or even the Blanco if you're on a budget. Smooth as a baby's bottom.
Thanks, Stone. I figured that The Odyssey would be trash out of the gate. So I skipped that part.
That said, I thought I'd see if the AI-generated "most beautiful women" generated shared Hollywood's proclivities. Yup. To wit: no women wearing burkas in Islamic countries, the UK babe looking like she is from the Middle East and the American woman looking decidedly like Halle Berry. If the latter was intentional, fair enough.
Judging by the results displayed, however, there are a lot of DEI subroutines wandering around in that code. An intentional distortion of the present and warning for the future.
Big AI fail.
I agree with you, though I wonder if the people who programmed this are happy that it produced exactly the kind of results they wanted to project -- regardless of reality. To them, it might have been a success, no?
Probably, but art shared is for the audience, not the creator. Self-indulgent creators become irrelevant to society at large. We realize that nobody who looks at that list objectively believes it for a minute.
No kidding. The teaser sample, the Russian, not bad. England, probably true today, tant pis. The Swede, I was married to one better. The 2,700 year history of them, fashion makes the woman, it seems. I know one in person, and the chemistry sparks.
The French, Russian and Italian all looked alike! Not true!
You are more well-travelled than I am, but I will take your word on the subject. :-)
Yeah I think that video was created as a joke. Sasha, I know you have to say Lupita is beautiful or you would be tarred and feathered. But, if you truly believe that we have different ideas about beauty. No hair, no boobs I'm out.
Guys everywhere may concur with you sentiments and send along a hearty "breast wishes."
😂😂😂
I think she's beautiful. Her hair is a mess, but a lot of women struggle with their hair. I you think that's "no boobs"..... That's why women get boob jobs......
Homer is spinning in his grave.
Nolan also based this on the Emily Wilson’s translation of the Odyssey and, although I haven’t read that version, from some of the reviews I’ve read it’s full of political and feminist garbage(I guess I’m being redundant, sorry 😜)
Thank you Sasha for the review. I have read a lot of the ancient texts- Herodotus, Tacitus, I’ve studied Roman History, and I wanted to see this movie but won’t now that I am clear it’s woke. I will donate that money I would have spent to the North Texas Food Bank.
Sexy is like funny, it's either there or it isn't. You can't argue with someone to convince them something is funny when it isn't and you can't tell them who to be sexually attracted to. Deep down everybody knows this, who they find attractive doesn't necessarily conform to whom they are told they should find attractive. There is nothing wrong with Nyong'o's face but it's not going to drive men mad and make them launch ships. It just isn't and to pretend otherwise is silly.
The science of attractiveness is physiometrics. There are people who research this and write papers on the topic. The studies have to do with ratios of physical attributes: face, hair, shoulders, bust, waist, etc. The ratios of the "ideal" female or male are not the same for each culture. But for a culture, like western culture, it is the same for hundreds of millions. It is hard wired into us by evolution, so not possible to deny, even if a film director tells us so. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3130383/
Jodie Turner Smith would have been a much better choice. She can be mesmerizing.
It’s kind of ironic that Hollywood even chose to make a movie about a poem that deals entirely with the consequences of hubris.
But then again, I’m sure they aren’t even aware of that, in their ignorant and superficial co-opting of all things meaningful, beautiful or of any virtue or value.
Brilliant.
When AI destroys the high barrier to entry in filmmaking, stupid casting decisions will be irrelevant.
Helen of Troy casting - stupid.
What’sherface as male Greek warrior - stupid.
Zendaya as a Greek Goddess - stupid.
Maybe this movie will make money, but it left a lot of meat on the bone.
Sasha - if it clears $750 million, $100 to your favorite charity.
Sasha Stone, you did it again. You dispense your wisdom and insight with such good cheer. Clips from Helen Andrews and VDH put a lot of meat on the bones of your analysis and studied opinion. I enjoy especially the spot you give your detractors proving their lack of intelligence with your special brand of what I can only call charm. Brava to my favorite pundit. Thanks for your tremendous effort to produce such enlightening and enjoyable content.
I made one comment on another blog, which is the casting of Helen of Troy, Lupita Nyong'o, is just wrong in historical terms (not that the Odyssey is real, but it IS Greek pseudo-history, so its characters should be played by Greeks or Turks, as Troy is in Anatolia). I made the observation that casting her as Greek is as offensive as casting some white dude as Othello. Just don't do it. I have heard the special effects are outstanding. I love the story and like almost everyone, read it in high school. I will probably see it for those effects and hold my nose over the woke elements. My wife and I just watched the 7 seasons of "Younger" which was amazingly woke. And it was filmed in 2014 to 2020, which were not yet peak-Woke years (Peak Woke occurred with the Summer of Love, 2020). But, it was tongue-in-cheek and so bearable. Choose your battles.
So basically Nolan's Odyssey is a totem to the genocide that feminism is committing by destroying sexual desire and the production of children.
How ironic that the most iconic work of Western literature has been mangled into promoting the genocide of western civilization.
I never ever bought "the male gaze" as a problem. Obviously sexual attraction is what makes the world go on.
Ever notice that male art praises beauty, while feminist art is a bunch of felt vaginas squirting blood?
Male art turns outward (get it?) adoring the female form. Feminist "art" is myopic and self-pitying.
I taught the Odyssey a few years ago. To deny Circe's seduction is basically to ruin the story. And of course some female student had to complain (believing herself to sound oh so intellectual) that "all of the women are sex objects?"
"What about PENELOPE?" I asked. "PENELOPE is the hero of the story!"
PS I have never seen anything more ridiculous and emblematic of Leftist stupidity than the images floating around of "Elliot" Page. This person cannot be taken seriously. It's sad -- she submitted herself to a freak show. She is a freak. That is a fact, not an opinion.
This movie is only for woke people who have never read the Odyssey. Classist professor Victor Davis Hanson has a great commentary on this movie version. https://victorhanson.com/the-odyssey-hullabaloo/
I would rather spend my time re-reading The Odyssey than spending time with this version.
I’ll be going to theater to see this, because my daughter just read Odyssey in her University class and invited me to go with her. So the together time over some sodas and popcorn is what will make it worth it. I understand Nolan changed up the beginning (no Phaeacia) and replaced w/ something else. Which is too bad as this flirtatious part with younger woman and kindness of her parents to Odysseus being one of best parts of the poem.
I read the Odyssey many years ago (probably in college, since when I was there in the late 80's and early 90's, the woke hadn't fully taken over yet though it was starting). Based on that I already knew I had no interest in seeing this. I did watch the trailer and it just looked, well, boring. I think Victor Davis Hanson makes the best point by showing that the story emphasizes powerful women, but I guess Hollywood and Nolan didn't want to focus on that, but on pandering to the woke crowd, who to be fair, are their only audience now. I haven't seen a movie in a theater since at least 2015, and that was only because my son wanted me to take him. I don't remember the last time I really enjoyed a movie at the theater, but probably it was the Lord Of The Rings movies.
"Young Washington" is really really good. I'm going to see it again, if I can find a theater that still has it.
I do not quite follow this juxtaposition: "Helens throughout history depict women that men today might not find all that attractive . . . often depicted with bare breasts and in sexually provocative poses." I would have thought bare breasts and sexually provocative poses universal and timeless male attractors. Although I guess I have read articles about the possible decline in male testosterone in the current generation of males.