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Just curious: How many of you folks out there have any idea what The Last Legion is about? I'm not trying to tricky or snarky here, I am genuinely curious to see how clear it has been made by the trailer and TV spots that the movie is... well, let's put it this way: I saw it tonight, and I was a tad surprised by the tone of the piece, and its obvious literary inspiration.

there's a movie called the last legion?

a big ouch for invasion.

Midnight Superbad was a madhouse. This film is going to be a monster.

Joe, I read a review of The Last Legion that says it mixes Arthurian legend with the fall of the Roman empire. How, um, does that work?

Sounds like that bad Clive Owen King Arthur movie from a few years ago, which was also about Arthur and the Romans in Briton.

I'd never heard of this Last Legion film before. Nowhere on the net. Strange.

Another great job by Weinstein advertising their product. Not only was The Last Legion poorly advertised, but the marketing for the film was shitty. A terrible trailer reminscent of the Bruckheimer stiff King Arthur a few years back and a one-sheet that looks like a 300 rip-off.

Rob - Some of the Arthurian legend stories depict Arthur as a descendant of the former Roman conquerers... which relates to the "historical" Arthur, placed around 450-550 AD, is also popularly thought to be descended from Romans.

I can't yet be more specific than this -- my Variety review isn't up yet -- but: Have any of you picked up anything in the ads that might indicate to you that this movie could have more in common with Robert Louis Stevenson than Frank Miller?

Oh good, a Roman/Arthurian version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

No idea what Last Legion is. Never heard of it. Not one poster, or tv spot. If it's some kind of Arthurian Legend movie, it's a pretty safe assumption that everyone will pass on it, unless it has a giant star in it (which i'm assuming it doesn't). I would think the public has had enough of these types of movies, which are mostly horrible. And if Harvey didnt spend any money on marketing/promotion it's b/c he knows it sucks. why waste more money.

Joe; uh yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeessss, but I am not going to go see it. Nevertheless; I am curious as to how SUPERBAD plays with everyone else whose not online being deluged with ads.

OK, here's the thing: Last Legion is at heart an old-fashioned adventure story that echoes Treasure Island and Kidnapped. And I was frankly amazed to realize this after being exposed to ads that led me to expect the Wal-Mart version of 300. Even more surprising: The action scenes are cut in such a way as to suggest that maybe, just maybe, the movie originally was intended as family-friendly fare. (The movie was shot in 2005, long before 300 appeared.) I'm not saying this is a great movie that has been sabotaged by bad marketing, or that it ever had potential for breakthrough success. But it does strike as weird that a movie that could have connected with some folks is being sold as something it most certainly isn't -- something that the folks who might have enjoyed it likely won't go see.

BTW: Here's my Variety review.
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117934446.html?categoryid=31&cs=1

Well, the Weinstein Company, blows balls Joe. How could they ever come up with a marketing campaign that represents the true essence of that film? I mean... gah.

I think the bigger issue is what the hell happened to Ben Kingsley? Someone needs to do a piece on Sir Ben's superior ability in choosing pretty awful projects. BloodRayne, Thunderbirds, A Sound of Thunder -- YUCK.

IOIOIOI, I don't know if I'd use "blows balls" as an insult. I mean, whenever someone blows my balls, I am grateful. And I always say thank-you.**

**Wisecrack based on a classic routine by Lenny Bruce. No copyright infringement intended.

*"HIYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"*- Ed McMahon all rights reserved. Buy Alpo. That is all.

Any word on The Invasion? 21% on rotten tomatoes. Ms. Kidman seriously needs to pick better projects. I don't understand how she can command such high salary when none of her movies has made a lot of money.

You really don't like Kidman do you? This is the third time in the last few days you mentioned her.

I'd be inclined to think Oliver Hirschbeigel (sp?) had something different than the finished product implies.

According to Fantasy Moguls, Superbad did $11 million - which is actually more than Knocked Up!

Wow, Apatow is having one heck of summer. I know there was a lot of hype, but I did not see this one doing $100 million - how many times can lightning strike? It should do $30 million, this weekend. Apatow is now A-list and I can see him getting an Oscar nod for one of these films, now.

According to Fantasy Moguls, Superbad did $11 million - which is actually more than Knocked Up!

Wow, Apatow is having one heck of summer. I know there was a lot of hype, but I did not see this one doing $100 million - how many times can lightning strike? It should do $30 million, this weekend. Apatow is now A-list and I can see him getting an Oscar nod for one of these films, now.

Actually, I use to like Ms. Kidman. It's just that she's done really, really bad movies since The Others and Moulin Rouge (The Interpreter, Bewitched, the list goes on). Come to think of it, I can only think of 3 movies that are good - To Die For, The Others and Moulin Rouge. I'm hoping Australia would stop her bad-movie streak.

I discussed this in the other thread but what about The Hours? Or her amazing performances in (the amazing films) Birth and Dogville? And you don't have any faith in Margot at the Wedding or The Golden Compass?

And, well, The Interpreter gets a bad rap, I reckon. It's not like it was even that critically reviled. It's at 59% at RT and something like 66% cream of the crop.

You should also check out Dead Calm, Flirting and, if you haven't seen it, Eyes Wide Shut. All great films with great performances by Nicole.

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