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[birdlover]

Yes Linda, I am TeacherDara (I am a special education teacher, hence the name) at the Gladiator forum. I guess I am busted, right?Jeanne has been our Alexander guru there for quite awhile. She has been great to have around. She is alot like the people here on this forum, very, very knowledgeable. If you want to talk about the movie (or Alexander for that matter) stop in and join the madness, sometime. We do have a lot of fun.As far as the music goes, I think Warner Brothers introduced that piece mostly for marketing purposes. I am sure we will be seeing it with one of the main trailers for the film very soon (I have read either early to mid-August). They more than likely want audiences to get their first real glimpse of the film (besides the rough trailer we have all seen)with an "epic sweep" quality to it. So they wanted something "grand and epic" sounding. I think that the piece did the trick.The rest of the soundtrack may sound a whole lot different, who knows? It is due to be released on October 19th.Dara

[marcus]

I'm inclined to believe it's one of those situations when the appropriateness of the music will only become apparent when we see the movie. There are some films where, if you hear the music in isolation, it sounds exactly right (I've been listening to the soundtrack to "Pirates of the Caribbean" in the car, and it's one of those); on the other hand, if I'd listened to (most of) the "Gladiator" soundtrack without seeing the film first, I'm sure I would have been unsure about it. But in the context of the film as a whole I think it was wonderful!I'm always undecided about Vangelis, anyway - but I'm sure he can come up with the goods. Whatever one might think of Oliver Stone, I can't believe he'd mess up on the music!All the bestMarcus

[birdlover]

Good point about the music, Marcus. I had a similar (but opposite) experience with Troy. When I saw the film, I actually didn't think the soundtrack fit in the film all that well. But I bought the soundtrack and listened to it by itself and I really liked it.I agree with Marcus, I think for Alexander, we will have to see how the music fits into the film before we really know if it works or not.Marcus said:"Whatever one might think of Oliver Stone, I can't believe he'd mess up on the music!"Or the film for that matter. I think both will be fine, in the end.Dara

[jan]

HI Dara,Yes, that is correct. Jason O'Brien's website contains Oliver Stone's message boards, and thanks for the info about Dreamworks Gladiator. I will check that out. I enjoyed the variety of opinion on the soundtrack. Just have to wait and see, but I imagine that it will be a plus for the oscar nominations.Choosing between Macedonian and Greek sounds versus Persian, Egyptian, or others would be a challenge for any musician, so it will be interesting to see what he has done.The movie is complete, from what I have read.Tonight is the Steve Pressfield commentary on the Battle of Gaugemela on History Channel, and I am looking forward to seeing how that is done.In Steve's book on Alcibiades, he mentions how the Spartans did an overkill deliberately on Alcibiades to turn the Athenians against him, and I asked Steve if that doesn't seem to be happening to Alexander now also. So many movies, films, t.v. shows, and books seem like a lot of Alexander too. Makes me wonder. I guess I hurt his feelings when I asked him about it. Hope not.Well, Dara, I very happy with your response to the question about the scene where Alexander is being carried out as the author seemed to say it was a spoiler scene, and I wondered if he hadn't meant that Stone was twisting and turning the story. So I am happy to know that he hasn't done that after all. I know his movie will feature dance scenes from both Roxanne and Bagoas, as indicated by his characters list. That will be entertaining, and probably annoying to the tried and true who want to stick to authenticity, but Hollywood goes for the eye appeal and box office attraction. I am crossing my fingers that the movie will be well received, and awarded many nominations. Stone deserves to be recognized for tackling such a great subject with such intense effort!

[birdlover]

Hi janet,I think some are afraid what Stone will do with Alexander. But from I have read he has been wanting to make a film about Alexander since film school. So this is a subject that means a lot to him (so no conspiracy theories here, we hope). I read an interview with Val Kilmer that said that Stone was striving hard to tell the truth about Alexander, as well. So there are indications that are positive, here. I give Stone and A for effort, as well. I hope it pays off big for him.There was a good interview with Oliver Stone from the LA Times (January 2004) about the making of the film. Did you see it or anyone else? It gives a good picture of Stone's motivation for wanting to make a film about Alexander. If you have not seen it I can post a link (but, I don't want to be repetitive, if it has already been posted on this forum).About the dancing, the "tried and true" may be a bit annoyed, but the dances sound like they may be interesting. Here is a a link to a short article from the choregrapher, Piers Gielgud that explains a little bit about the dance in the film (scroll half way down the page for the article):http://www.constellation-change.co.uk/p ... 45.htmDara

[jan]

Hi Dara,Thanks for the info about the LA Times article. I would like the link if you have it as I have not seen anything here about it. I have read about the choreography.I just saw another version of the soundtrack, this time with a water scene, and the same musical score. It is on the Oliver Stone Message Board site for anyone interested.I don't think it sounds anything but probably a theme for the movie. It doesn't sound a bit western to me, but only a lot Vangelis, like Chariots of Fire. So who knows what will be the accompanying music for each scene? Most movies have so much variety in the musical scores that I gather this may be the theme music.I meant the "tried and true" classical scholars who want movies to be historically correct. History channel has a special program devoted to the differences between the actual history and the "reel" history. It makes it fun that way for historians to object to Hollywood, and nitpicking has a special site for things that go wrong in the filmmaking department.I have not visited dreamworks yet. I have always suspected that if Gladiator won that a movie on Alexander should be able to win acclaim also.And nobody is better than Oliver Stone for controversy as they say. Only the death scene? On Military History Online, someone commented that the death scene will probably be the source of controversy. I wonder...Nobody there knew who Colin Farrell is, and I just found a new poster through Oliver's message board. I like it far better than the first poster. There is an irony in all of this...sorry to make a bad joke but the joke about Colin's comments on his nude scene in his movie seem to be coinciding with the three minutes of musical score here. I caught the joke!What aspect of special education do you teach? Slow learners, physically handicapped? I used to teach English and Journalism to the Gladstone Gladiators in Azusa, California. I knew Gladiator would get an Oscar. How could it not? Especially since one of my students was a kid by name of Russell Best. Best actor,,,come on now.So who is Colin Farrell anyway?Jan

[amyntoros]

I do check into the Gladiator forum quite frequently, but I've never posted to date. (Jeanne is an academic who is far more knowledgeable than myself when it comes to A's history.) So I stop by, check out the news, and enjoy the posts. Maybe one of these days I'll introduce myself over there. Now if I could only remember the password I used when I first registered... :-)Linda Ann

[birdlover]

Hi Again jan,Watch that Colin Farrell kid, he's a goodie! I have confidence in Oliver Stone & him. He may be as good as Russell someday, soon.My question is how can they be talking about the film (on Military History Online)and not know who is in it? Thats a bit odd. Obviously, not movie people, here. I don't think there is anything unusual about Alexander's death. I think Stone followed Fox's book, but you never know.Is the poster you are talking about on the official site for the movie? I saw that one. I like it. BTW, I teach physically handicapped children. It's a great job. I really enjoy it.Here is the link to the article from the LA Times on Oliver Stone from the Gladiator board (I originally posted it). It is the 7th and 8th post down from the top of the page.http://www.dreamworksfansite.com/gladbb ... ber=22Dara

[birdlover]

Hey Linda,Stop on by and say "hello". We have had quite a few people stop by. I say the more the merrier!!Dara

[jan]

Hi Dara, Thanks so much. I loved that article. Don't agree with all of it, but it is interesting to see how Hollywood thinks. Strange it didn't appear on the OS messageboard either.Hope Colin is as good as you say. I saw him in Tigerland. He did well in that movie. Maybe Stone is great at directing and will pull the talent from Colin. I watched History Channel's Decisive Battles last evening, and it made me want to see the movie. The discussion was about the Battle of Gaugemela. Scenes from Stone's movies seem to include the battle with King Porus. I bet the movie will be exciting at best. Looks like you are having fun in your fan website. Can't wait to hear what you think after the movie is finally released. No date has yet been set for Europe, has it? Do you know?Jan

[jan]

Dara,It has been a lot of fun to discuss the film here so I will see about getting onto the boards at the fansite. Thanks so much for helping out.Jan

[birdlover]

Hi,I am glad that you liked the article, for the most part. What part didn't you agree with? Just curious. I just like the fact that it gave a good picture of Stone's desire and motivation for making the film.As far as Colin is concerned, I have seen him in at least four or five films and I am pretty sure he will do fine with Alexander (don't come after me, if I am wrong. I guess people know where to find me, now). He is getting rave reviews for his latest film. "A Home At The End Of The World". That is a positive sign going into Alexander, which will be his next film that will be released. Stone does bring out the best in his actors and I think Colin Farrell will be no exception. I think I would be a bit more concerned if this film was in any other directors hands. But Stone is one of the best out there. He definetely knows what he is doing.I did see Gaugemela on the History Channel. I really liked it. It makes me want to see the film, as well. And yes, Stone does include the battle with King Porus in the film. That will be terrific to see on screen.I also want to know what you think about the film, as well. I will most definetely let you know. As for the U.K. release dates, I have read both December 3rd and December 24th. I have not seen a firm date, as yet. The imdb.com website has a list of release dates for various places around the world. You can find those on the Alexander movie page that they have there.Thats it from, here. Your welcome for the article, by the way, anytime.Dara