Category Archives: Movie Review

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Troy

Troy is one of the most interesting and a the same time most adventurous movies related to literature. The movie was based in Homer’s work which is “The Iliad”. It gives us a glimpse of how ancient Greeks survived, on how the alliance was built with the other ancient Greek city states and how their way of leaving affected their decisions and motivations.

The main characters of the movie are Brad Pitt as Achilles, Eric Bana as Hector, Orlando Bloom as Paris, Diane Krugar as Helen, Brian Cox as Agamemnon, and Brendon Gleeson as Menelaus. The conflict started after the peace settlement of the Trojans and the Sparta. Helen went with Paris back to Troy and that made Menelaus furious. He asked his brother Agamemnon to get his wife back and at the same time to kill Paris. Agamemnon sees this as an opportunity to destroy and conquer Troy. Agamemnon then asks for the help of Achilles to join them. Achilles joined because he wanted to be known during his generation. When Menelaus army reached Troy, they were confronted by Hector’s army. Menaluas challenged Paris in a duel and whoever wins would have Helen back. Hector feels pitiful and he killed Menelaus instead.

Brad Pitt did a great job acting as Achilles. I was very impressed with the acting skills of Eric Bana as Hector. He showed the different sides of Hector like being a man, a leader, a son, and a brother.

I didn’t like the part where Achilles wasn’t able to fully express his love to Briseis and he wasn’t able to save her when Sparta conquered and destroyed Troy. I like the scene where Hector tries to protect his brother from Menelaus.

The lesson or the moral teaching of the movie is that, how one’s action or decision can affects the lives of others. Like for example, when Helen went with Paris despite the peace settlement that was agreed and talked about. The whole Trojans were affected and some were killed.

A lot of students who are interested in English literature would enjoy watching this film, together with your family, who would understand the different conflict that arises between city states.

My score or rating for the movie would be four out of five.

Thea Cyndrille B. Obzunar is a fourth year student and is currently studying at Palm Crest International School in Riyadh, K.S.A. She loves and appreciates people who care for her. Her hobbies are playing different sports like badminton and table tennis. She also plays the guitar and a little bit of keyboard.

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“The Secret of Islands”

MOVIE ANALYSIS: “ODYSSEY”

A long journey could have lots of excitement through different experiences that you may encounter. Using an enormous ship with lots of crew with you, it might be a fabulous time travelling with the wind. “Odyssey” by Andrey Konchalovskiy that was adadpted from Homer’s epic conveys an adventure and marvelous insight for people that loves voyage. It is about pleased on what you have. Unassuming that things are given to you with a purpose and you must also learn on how to use it correctly. Bragging will only bring you down; therefore, learn know where to stand.

Movie launched about the year of 1997. Protagonist king of the movie named Odysseus with his fellow crew went on an expedition to go to the city of Troy. The film goes as they won the battle in Trojan War with his brothers Agamemnon and Menelaus. As a proverb “Curiosity killed a cat”, one of his fellow crew made a mistake that let them move away from Ithaca. Making their trip longer than what they expected. Years passed and his son Telemachus thought of searching for his father than letting his mother marry again in replacement for a new king. He then encounters the goddess of wisdom, Athena helping him along his own journey in search for his father.

Strong charisma and personality to climb the highest mountains, fight beasts and enemies, I can say Odysseus played by Armand Assante did a wonderful job. Greta Scacchi her wife in the film or Penelope also gave her best as she shown us the true meaning of marriage, love and hope. Telemachus his son, acted by Alan Stenson also deserves to be recognized with his effort. Despite his age as an actor with the other casts, it didn’t become a hindrance for him to act and let us see that he is worth it. As you watch this film, I assure you that you would also observe their greatness and expert towards their roles. They have the passion in acting.

As the movie starts, I was deeply surprised that he, Odysseus himself was carrying his wife into a small house to deliver the baby. Moreover, I wondered why he delivered it by himself. I liked it since not any man could do it. Honestly speaking, in other films you would see them walking in circles and biting their nails until they make sure that the baby is safe or it will cry that would mean that it is over. In addition to that, I also liked the setting wherein he showed his love and care for his crew as they waited for him in the Underworld. It really implies brotherhood and a thing that says, “Nobody gets left behind”. One more thing that made me smile despite the difficulties of him getting back to Ithaca was his perseverance and determination that was showed in the last scenes of the film; he got his kingdom back along with his family. However, the only thing I hate about it was his attitude of being easily hooked by women.

Poseidon said, “Without gods men are nothing”. And since I only have one God then I’ll say, “Without God we are all nothing.” That is one of the major lesson I learned in this movie. Poseidon was correct about this, because we humans are worthless without God. We may execute so many efforts in life, but if it is not according to His will, He will not allow it. I guess aside from this, people will learn patience, like what Odysseus did when he already came inside his palace dressed like a beggar. Hope and loyalty, like what Penelope did as she waits for her husband to come back.

This movie contains scenes that may not be suitable for young audience for it contains morbid scenes and love scenes. Therefore, parents or guardians should be with their children. PG-13. This film let us visualize some of the things that Homer wanted us to imagine.

Out of 100, it is 96.

Trisha Mae R. Labsan is currently studying in Riyadh, K.S.A. She is a senior in Palm Crest International School. She is originally from Bulacan, Philippines. She was raised in the Philippines and graduated in kindergarten. Her plan is to graduate high school with something worth giving for her parents. Besides writing stories, she is delighted with cooking and reading novels or anything that desires her attitude. Right now, her only purpose is to study hard and don’t let distractions stand in her way.

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“Troy” The Trojans Got Horsed



During our English class our teacher let us watch a movie called “Troy”. I just seen the movie and I am not really interested in Greek themed movies. It was set on the ancient times of Trojans and Sparta where the Trojan war is going to happen. It was an action movie full of warriors and archers trying to fight for what they believe in.

The movie stars Orlando Bloom as Paris a Trojan Prince who have fallen in love with Diane Kruger as Helen the wife of a Spartan King Menelaus who is being played by Brendan Gleeson. Now Paris and Helen fell inlove and Paris took Helen to be his wife in Troy. Now his brother Hector who is being played by Eric Bana needs to hep his brother for its treachery on the Spartans. King Menelaus now seeks help to his brother King Agamemnon played by Brian Cox to get his wife back from paris and so the war begins. Now the Spartans summons there greatest warrior Achilles played by Brad Pitt a demi god to fight the Trojans.

Now Brad Pitt did a good job the character really suits him and how he acts was great. Orlando Bloom however didn’t really fits the role as Paris he kind of feels like always overreacts the scene which makes his character weak all throughout the movie. I think Eric Bana,Diane Kruger and Brian Cox did very well in the movie they kind of build there character specially Hector. I don’t think they’ve given Brendan Gleeson enough screen time because he is not really a memorable character in this movie.

Since this movie was release back in 2004 I didn’t really expect that this will be a good movie but to my surprise it really got beyond from what I expected. The cast was great, the story is great even the cgi is great from its age. The way they show the fight scene was fantastic how they portray the war between the Trojans and Spartans is incredible. I think the movie is excellent except that the of the way the character of Briseis was built I think she is not really an important part of the movie but all in all the movie did a great job.

I think the moral of the story is don’t get lust ruin your life like what Paris and Helen did. They let million of lifes to be ruin because of there love for one another. Another thing is don’t be impulsive like Achilles when he killed Hector because it will lead you to something you will be guilty about.

If you’re a big fan of greek mythology and literature Im sure you will love this. But I Highly recommend this for everyone who are 13 and above specially high school students who loves action and a great story line. I wouldn’t recommend this to a younger audience for it contains partial nudity and violence. I would rate this a PG 13 movie and a 9/10 for its great story line and action scene.

Ronneal F. Cantos is 16 year old boy and a 4TH year student studying at Palm Crest International School. Living in Riyadh but was born in the Philippines.

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“Troy” will take you to the ancient times

Some people dream on experiencing the time when kings and queens are everywhere. A time were war is a symbol of success and bravery in a kingdom. If you are one of those people who would like to experience how life was before, then one should watch “Troy”. It would take you back to the ancient times with the help of a great cast, stunning effects and an awesome story line.

This movie is all about how the love of Paris for Helen turns into a tragic story. Paris (Orlando Bloom) fell in love with Helen (Diane Kruger), the face that launched a thousand ships. Helen is also the wife of King Menelaus (Brendan Gleeson). Paris sneaks out Helen from Sparta and took her to Troy. They get married soon. This became the beginning of a very tragic war. The main characters of the story are Achilles, Hector, Paris, Helen, King  Menelaus and Agamemnon.

The cast of this story did extremely well. Achilles is one of the most interesting character played by Brad Pitt. He did a good job delivery a very realistic acting. His fighting scenes were also great; However, Hector is the main star of this story. Eric Bana’s performance was simply breathtaking and amazing. He stole the spotlight from Brad Pitt. Eric Bana delivered his lines realistically and he conveys his emotion very well. Brian O’ Toole (King Priam) also delivered a stunning performance. He is a really great actor that can express emotions realistically. Brian Cox (Agamemnon) together with Brendan Gleeson (Menelaus) and Sean Bean (Odysseus) also performed well; However Helen wasn’t portrayed well by Diane Kruger. She did not convince me that she is a person that launched thousand ships. But then again, almost everyone did well so it’s still good.

This movie involves war scenes that is simply breath taking. I really like the effects used in this story. Everything seems realistic. The music of the movie also made the scenes dramatic. I love every detail of this movie. Even the costumes are great. The thing that I didn’t like in this movie is the love affair of Achilles and Briseis. I feel that the love affair is quite irrelevant and useless.

From this story, we can learn not to be impulsive in making decisions because it may turn out to be something tragic.

I would highly recommend this movie to people who loves epic stories. This movie is recommended for adults looking for action and adrenaline rush. This movie would be rated R because of the scenes that are too brutal for kids to watch.

Scale of 1-5:
4.5 out of 5

Jenalyn R. Ramos is a student currently living in Saudi Arabia. She is originally from Philippines. She is studying in Palm Crest International School.

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“A face that launched thousand ships”

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When you are in a battle, there is a chance of fifty percent of you getting alive after it or not. If you think about it, it can be a battle between individuals, between states just to get power and wealth. A movie entitled, “Troy” that was inspired from Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey made me wonder why does it has to end in a tragic way wherein thousands of people suffered. The show tells us of how the two city states destroy each mankind to win against the other. It is all about love, power, wealth and great heroes. This movie is one of the greatest hits, mostly about fighting. It tells us both too much and too little about what is going on and keeps reminding us about who the characters are and why their fate are entangled.

The epic war film was released in the year 2004. Starring Menelaus, who was the king of Sparta, who wants to get Helen back from Paris, who was a prince of Troy. With the help of his brother Agamemnon, a king of Mycenae who have his eyes on Troy ever since. The leader of Myrmidons, Achilles was present making up his decision to join the battle and be remembered.  Hector, another prince of Troy is considered to be the best warrior of the Trojan will be the cause that will mark the beginning of the downfall of Troy. It embarks the cruelty of people to win and conquer places despite the presence of innocent people.

A prince of Troy, Paris took Helen away from her kingdom that result warfare with the Spartans. With thousands of ship arriving towards the castle of Troy, a duel was set before a war urged. Paris declaring to fight against the husband of Helen and thus whoever wins keeps Helen. Things didn’t go well and off came the Trojan War. Another prince of troy that is considered as the great warrior was Hector. Being worried about their defeat, he dashed up and looked for Achilles, a great leader of Myrmidons. Accidentally killing Patroclus, cousin and student of Achilles, Hector instructed his wife about the way things will happen, knowing that he would die. The conflict launched as they entered the castle using the Trojan horse. Burning everything and killing everyone. However, at the end of the show a coward would be called a hero.

It is intricate to give comments about the attitude and behavior of each person however, I didn’t like the way king Priam believes so purely about the priest verbalizing the future. The way he trust them is just like he accepts everything they say. Also, I didn’t like the way Achilles dragged Hector with his feet tied up. I feel wretched as I imagine myself being the father of Hector. It was too much harsh. In addition to that, the way Achilles died was quaint for me although I understand why he breaks down. Unfortunately, the only three things that I liked in the movie was, one; when Achilles gave the wish of the king; including the twelve days of mourning and giving back his son and niece. Two, when he looked for Briseis hurriedly as they he came in. Three, the successful escape of the Helen and the wife of Hector together with the other villagers and Aeneas, a lad who would continue the story in Homer’s other stories.

The idea of the film is to let people understand the value of its own belongings. It might be a precious item, a valuable location or a cherished individual. In addition, we must able to protect, save and use it into progress and development. We shouldn’t allow anyone taking it for no reason and taking it for his own advantage. In life, there are certain things that we must do first and sacrifice ourselves to get the gold. Moreover, there will be a time that all of these points will fade and diminished. It is up to you to nurture it and take care of it until the time comes to an end. To relate it in real life, we must all be thankful enough of what we have. Stop the cruelty, stop the morbidity, stop the discrimination, and stop the violence. We should all live equal and help one another stand on its own feet to experience what others encounter.

The motion picture is PG-13, teens and kids are allowed with warnings coming from their parents to understand the meaning of the film. It is strongly recommended that the presence of guardians is present to avoid negative effects and influence of it to children when it comes to the scenes of morbidity and nudity.

I enjoyed watching epic movies so to rate it 1 to 10, I think I will give it 8. I will make it a perfect score, If Achilles didn’t die.

Trisha Mae R. Labsan was born on October 7, 1996. She studied in the Philippines from nursery to grade 5 and moved to Saudi Arabia and continued her studies. She is in senior level today and she enjoys reading fantasies, epics, mythologies and other stories that will widen her vocabulary. She has a passion in playing different sports and activities, like volleyball, swimming under the sea, dancing on stage and exploring around the world. Right now, she considers herself who is too young to be called a woman but to old to be called a miss.