tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5929352816561809263.post5392969014973787709..comments2023-10-24T01:19:24.492-04:00Comments on Little Worlds : The Beauty of Ben-Hur – A 50th Anniversary TributeRichard Bellamyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5929352816561809263.post-46963064970268653032009-03-20T08:21:00.000-04:002009-03-20T08:21:00.000-04:00You know, there is an exchange I read on a blog - ...You know, there is an exchange I read on a blog - now I can't relocate it - and it trashed the film as one of the "worst Oscar wins" in Oscar history. One of the worst? That's saying a lot. And over the years I have wondered why critics are hard on it. One aspect is always religion, but I think the film is in no way heavy-handed on that topic. Another element is Charlton Heston bashing. Yeah, he was abhorrent post-Columbine, and I am not a member of the NRA, but, damn, he's great in some movies and he's great in this one. I never consider an actor's politics or public behavior when it comes to the movie. If the performance is great, it's great. Similarly, in the 60s, John Wayne was bashed for his sexism and warmongering. Now critics are seeing his artistry. I was always faithful.<BR/><BR/>One time I had <I>Ben-Hur</I> playing while I worked on my computer, and I caught myself thinking, yeah, this scene would be way shorter nowadays, and I hope the chariot race gets going soon - but then I looked. The volume was really low. And I noticed how beautiful and dark and moody it is visually.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the comment.Richard Bellamyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12397053921647421425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5929352816561809263.post-43415594681533251622009-03-20T00:38:00.000-04:002009-03-20T00:38:00.000-04:00You first saw Ben-Hur in a big movie theater in 19...You first saw Ben-Hur in a big movie theater in 1960, I first saw it around 1990 on a grotesquely squeezed pan-and-scan VHS. Yet we were both eight, and it worked its magic on me too. Since then, I've had cause to wonder if its critics are right about it, but I've always retained a fondness for the film. Perhaps I'm like St. Peter and you are the rooster crowing thrice before dawn to remind me of my betrayal.<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry Chuck, Willy, and Gore (though he apparently didn't think much of the film)! You were right - Ben Hur is a classic! Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa...!<BR/><BR/>Wonders in the Dark reviewed Ben-Hur recently, and there was an interesting discussion in which I took part (scrolling the comments I see some fascinating-looking ones that I must have missed before; I'll have to check it out again too).Joel Bockohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11238338958380683893noreply@blogger.com