InsaneJournal

Current mood:	cheerful
Entry tags:	life, movie reviews

Happy Halloween + Cinema Rec
Went with friends to see the movie version of the very popular semi-historical novel "Die Päpstin" yesterday night. It basically takes the rumours about "Pope Joan", which have been around since the 13th century, at face value, tweaks events here and there and gives them some extra action. The result is surprisingly gripping. Fairly close to the book (if not so much the historical sources), we see Johanna's life from childhood on and follow her on the stony way to papacy. The actress makes a believable cross-dresser, and the other performances are good as well. The are a few eye-rolling moments best described as Mary-Suish (which was only to be expected), and some historical (the horses don't even surprise me anymore, but... huge stone castle east of the Rhine? In the ninth century? Really?), as well as logical (not a single field anywhere? what do people eat? why can't people wash their faces but their armour shines?) inaccuracies. Overall, the depiction of the era is realistically nasty, and the half-decayed glory of Rome well-evoked. (Yes, their Vikings were appropriately horn-less as well -- to the point where some of my friends didn't get that they were supposed to be Vikings.) The film also manages to condemn religious fanaticism and the failings of the church as an institution, without being disrespectful to religion itself. I know, cinema is really fucking expensive these days, but this movie is definitely worth it! Especially if, like me, you have a thing for the earlier middle ages, and the general lack of interest in the period (by historians and movie makers alike) makes you sad. I went in with low expectations, so it was definitely a great surprise!

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To everyone who celebrates it: Happy Halloween! I'm so-so about the holiday, but it's a good excuse to get all nostalgic with the black nail polish and too much eyeliner and some satanistic-looking old band shirt or other: J, A and I are going to party! Just like in the old days* when everyone was still living close by. And a good thing too: I'm in the mood for fast car rides and some really cheesy heavy metal to sing along with tonight!

* (i.e, until two years ago)