Alexander

I watched Alexander yesterday. I was fascinated enough to barely notice time passing until, before I knew it, it was time to insert the 2nd DVD to finish the movie. It wasn't a stellar piece of work but I enjoyed the entertainment. I admit to being distracted by Colin Farrel's mullet-look in the 2nd half of the movie, when he depicts Alexander the Great several years into his position as King. For an Irish lad, he definitely has potential for pulling off the beer belly country hick thing....or possibly even go the other way and be a surfer dude. Of course, he did play a bisexual character so maybe that was the reason for his...uh...fashions. Regardless, the mullet just seemed wrong. Alexander's male lover, played by Jared Leto, was a surprise. I don't often see Leto acting after My So Called Life ended, and I thought he had switched gears with joining a band, 30 Seconds to Mars. Note: I don't actually follow his career but a friend in Arizona has been gaga over him since he was a teenager and she told me about his band (which is actually not that bad).

Anyhow, if you have several hours to waste and don't mind questionable recreations of the lives of historical figures (the writers admitted that they had to guesstimate on many details), then I'd pick up this one...on a $1 or $2 rental night though.

My conclusion on Alexander the man is that he was seriously wacko and sought only to pursue his dreams/visions despite the number of his men who died during the war campaigns. You have to wonder if the places he established (the libraries of Alexandria, etc) were enough to balance the loss of life. I thought it was sick that his generals fought over not only the empire after Alexander's death but also possession of his body. What difference did it make where his body was buried?? Does having his burial in your part of the empire make your claim more ligitimate? Ewww! It's the desert! Just bury him...quickly!