Constantine

[Dream Walker]

Saw this movie on TV today, no particular surprises... mostly because I have seen the movie about 50 times haha. It's premise is best described as Xtian but its substance is certainly the occult and deamonology etc.. I am not sure why I like this movie so much as it its not mind blowing in any major way but I could watch twice in a row and not be bored. But, be fore warned it is a Keanu Reeves movie and I get the feeling that most either love him or hate him.

[Michele]

Saw this movie on TV today, no particular surprises... mostly because I have seen the movie about 50 times haha. It's premise is best described as Xtian but its substance is certainly the occult and deamonology etc.. I am not sure why I like this movie so much as it its not mind blowing in any major way but I could watch twice in a row and not be bored. But, be fore warned it is a Keanu Reeves movie and I get the feeling that most either love him or hate him.

 

I have not seen it, and I am not good with history, lol, but I beliee it was COnstantine who was responsible for consolidating the empire by putting Xtianity in the forefront. For him it was a political move, I believe, but it had a great impact on the religious shape of things today. I would really have to look more into it - that is simply what has been told to me by one of our attorneys who is a history buff. I would probably find the movie quite interesting.

 

M

[CelticGypsy]

I have not seen it, and I am not good with history, lol, but I beliee it was COnstantine who was responsible for consolidating the empire by putting Xtianity in the forefront. For him it was a political move, I believe, but it had a great impact on the religious shape of things today. I would really have to look more into it - that is simply what has been told to me by one of our attorneys who is a history buff. I would probably find the movie quite interesting.

 

M

 

 

Yeah ya would M. It's a great movie. I never get tired of watching it. In regards to Constantine I : By the early christian era, Roman emperors were routinely identifying themselves with the sun god and all of his symbols: Cross, eagle, fire, gold, lions, and so on. Constantine I, whom conventional history hails as the first christian emporer, was actually a worshiper of the sun god, whose image he placed on his coins, dedicated to the " invincible sun, my guardian ". This symbol is a centered dot encompassed by a circle. I'm inclined to believe that when this particular emporer rose to power it intiated or gave a spark to the patriarchel thinking as man discounted the moon and the phases, to worship the sun.

 

Regards,

Gypsy

[winter night]

I love this film, so thanks for all the history which makes it even more interesting!

 

I think Keanu Reeves receives a hard press sometimes, but he was made for this film and the Matrix films too. :chakrahearts:

[Dream Walker]

Constantine was indeed the emperor who called together the Council of Nicea which essentially unified much of Xtianity. But CG is right about his initial sun worship and it is theorized that his conversion to Christianity was due to politics. Interesting theory as well CG... Got me thinking haha.

[Aloe]

I've done a lot of reading and study on Constantine over the years, but I haven't seen this movie - due to the Keanu factor. <_< I've never cared for his acting. But.. I may have to get over it and check out this movie anyway. If CG says its good that's enough for me to set aside my Keanu distaste and give it a shot. lol

[Guest Elfyd]

All,

 

Apart from all of you recognising the historical and Xtian importance of Emperor C you must know that this film was supposed to be based on the Vertigo comic titled "Hellblazer". The main protagonist in Hellblazer was a character called John Constantine who of course had good old Demon blood intermingled with his human type red-stuff. This is about as close as the film gets to the comic, as is typical with Hollywood they have to change something or everything they get their hands on. It is like reading "Under the Tuscan Sun and the watching the film, the only connection is the location and the name of the lead character!

 

I think we all know the damage done at the Council of Nicea, if only Xtians would recognise all of the history involved and the deceit since, one can only wonder.

 

Keanu has a place in films, there are a few roles and scenarios to suit him, Constantine was one of them, the others being Matrix (not the third) and Speed. At least it was not Nick Cage, how anyone can get so many starring roles playing themselves is beyond me, the guy has one expression. Reminds me of Don Mclean, when asked "What does the song American Pie MEAN to you?" his answer was, "That I will never have to work again."

 

FFFF

 

Elf

[Jevne]

All,

 

Apart from all of you recognising the historical and Xtian importance of Emperor C you must know that this film was supposed to be based on the Vertigo comic titled "Hellblazer". The main protagonist in Hellblazer was a character called John Constantine who of course had good old Demon blood intermingled with his human type red-stuff. This is about as close as the film gets to the comic, as is typical with Hollywood they have to change something or everything they get their hands on. It is like reading "Under the Tuscan Sun and the watching the film, the only connection is the location and the name of the lead character!

 

I think we all know the damage done at the Council of Nicea, if only Xtians would recognise all of the history involved and the deceit since, one can only wonder.

 

Keanu has a place in films, there are a few roles and scenarios to suit him, Constantine was one of them, the others being Matrix (not the third) and Speed. At least it was not Nick Cage, how anyone can get so many starring roles playing themselves is beyond me, the guy has one expression. Reminds me of Don Mclean, when asked "What does the song American Pie MEAN to you?" his answer was, "That I will never have to work again."

 

FFFF

 

Elf

 

Thank you for this clarification, as prior to your post, Elf, I had no need to chime in. While interesting to read about, mythology and history (one in the same, I think) are not subjects that I study. I just do not have time for pleasure reading, these days. That being said, sometimes a movie is just a movie, and the producers do not always have some loftier purpose in mind (at least not beyond making money).

 

I love the movie, Constantine, and watching it again last night. The role certainly suits Keanu with his wry expressions and sarcastic tone. Who else could be so flippant about being a demon hunter? Such a personality would not fit, if he were playing a "normal" person.

 

Jevne

[winter night]

I love the movie, Constantine, and watching it again last night. The role certainly suits Keanu with his wry expressions and sarcastic tone. Who else could be so flippant about being a demon hunter? Such a personality would not fit, if he were playing a "normal" person.

 

Jevne

 

I totally agree Jevne, I think Keanu comes into his own in these roles, because he is impersonable, Its like when he place Neo in the Matrix (I loved the third film!) it was because he was so wooden (but in a good way) that he was convincing.

 

As for NIcholas Cage, he was good in Raising Arizona - his others films, not so much....;)

[Aloe]

How funny, I hear the name "Constantine" and immediately assume it must be about the historical Constantine I.

 

Demon hunter type movies don't really appeal to me, but that's due to some personal issues with wannabe "demon hunters". :censored:

[CelticGypsy]

That being said, sometimes a movie is just a movie, and the producers do not always have some loftier purpose in mind (at least not beyond making money).

 

I love the movie, Constantine, and watching it again last night. The role certainly suits Keanu with his wry expressions and sarcastic tone. Who else could be so flippant about being a demon hunter? Such a personality would not fit, if he were playing a "normal" person.

 

Jevne

 

 

I love the symbolism of it also, the spear of destiny, the capturing of an entity within the confines of a mirror, the usage of water to access a portal, just to name a small few. The lacing of spiritual to physical, kept my attention. I also am inclined to believe, that the Character well played by Keanu with the dry wit, took some of harsh impact from the ordinary unknowing viewer of these certain parts of the movie.

Regards,

Gypsy

[Dream Walker]

No one could play this role better than Reeves, no one is more sardonic than him!

[MissBotanicals]

I really like this movie, it's good stuff! I like Keanu Reeves too, though his acting isn't the best but he suited this role!

[Cara Dack]

I enjoy this movie as well.

 

John Constantine also appeared in a few Neil Gaiman graphic novels, I'm not a huge comic/graphic novel fan only ever read Neil Gaiman but maybe someone else knows the link behind this. He seems to have taken on a persona outside of the comic he was created in.

[Guest Elfyd]

John Constantine was created by the great Alan Moore. In my opinion Alan Moore is the greatest writer in comic/graphic novel history, even Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison will attest to this. Neil Gaiman's works are many, his stuff carries so much lyrical and etherial content, his seminal work is the Sandman series, although many of his kid's stuff (Coraline, The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish etc.) is well worth trying. Neil's surrealistic forte' is seen in a film called Mirrormask, this has become on of my favourite films of all time. Grant Morrison's works incidentally are timged with magic, he is after all a chaos magic practitioner.

Constantine began in Swamp Thing #37 (second series 1985) this was Alan Moore's idea of "Sting" in comic form although his origins are multi-faceted. He popped up from time to time in other titles before getting his own title (Hellblazer) although Moore has not written any of the regular title having been taken on by many authors since and it now closing in on 300 issues.

Recent issues of Hellblazer have reaffirmed this creation as a strong example of horror/supernatural/magic in comics with some interesting storylines and art. Many of the contributers are British (like Gaiman & Morrison).

Hopes this helps.

FFFF

Elf

[Cara Dack]

John Constantine was created by the great Alan Moore. In my opinion Alan Moore is the greatest writer in comic/graphic novel history, even Neil Gaiman and Grant Morrison will attest to this. Neil Gaiman's works are many, his stuff carries so much lyrical and etherial content, his seminal work is the Sandman series, although many of his kid's stuff (Coraline, The Day I Swapped my Dad for Two Goldfish etc.) is well worth trying. Neil's surrealistic forte' is seen in a film called Mirrormask, this has become on of my favourite films of all time. Grant Morrison's works incidentally are timged with magic, he is after all a chaos magic practitioner.

Constantine began in Swamp Thing #37 (second series 1985) this was Alan Moore's idea of "Sting" in comic form although his origins are multi-faceted. He popped up from time to time in other titles before getting his own title (Hellblazer) although Moore has not written any of the regular title having been taken on by many authors since and it now closing in on 300 issues.

Recent issues of Hellblazer have reaffirmed this creation as a strong example of horror/supernatural/magic in comics with some interesting storylines and art. Many of the contributers are British (like Gaiman & Morrison).

Hopes this helps.

FFFF

Elf

 

Thanks :)

 

I'm a huge Gaiman fan, you are probably the only other person I have spoken to that likes Mirrormask!

[Guest Elfyd]

I think that everyone with an open mind should watch Mirrormask. The film is an artistic masterpiece with a strong message (Pan's Labryrith has something similar) and anyone who likes "indy" films will love this. Bah Humbug on not like this!

FFFF

Elf

[Oneironaut]

I agree, thumbs up to Neil Gaiman. Sandman was my main introduction to comics/graphic novels (I never was into the superhero characters, so naturally I had little interaction with comics as a child as they were the basic staple of the comic industry), and Gaiman's literary works are great; I still laugh outloud at times when remembering the hellhound from Good Omens.

 

I liked the movie Constantine as a stand alone feature, but from reading many (not all) of the story lines from the Hellblazer comics over the years I do feel they could have done alot more with it, or perhaps even spread it out as a series of movies. Instead "they" (screenplay writer/director/whomever) crammed so much into the background to make it a visual feast for the average movie attendee that it missed out on what could have been an in-depth story with more substance.

One change I just can't get over though: Djimoun Hansou (sp?) acted out the "movie version" of Papa Midnite very well, but damnit, Midnite was a guy that slaughtered his sister and bound her spirit into her own skull for his pleasure & divination...I just can't look at Djimoun's portrayal and see that

:huh:

 

/rant off

[Michele]

Lol - I'd assumed this thread was about the Constantine who converted to xtianity... didn't realize it was a fiction. Will have to see if the library has it...

 

M

[Cara Dack]

I do hate it when they skim over important background information and make a film that doesn't really plumb the depths of the original storyline. I might read some of the original graphic novels.

 

Elf - I find a lot of people just don't get Mirrormask, but I have had the same problem with other books and films that I really like but they are a bit screwed up for average people!

[Michele]

I just picked this up from the library and will hopefully get a chance to watch it over the long weekend (as well as bleach down the porch, clean out the back bed-room, work on some non-mundane things I am doing, fix the broken curtain rod (thank you crazy-kitties), wash the sheets, go see mum, weed the vegi-patch..... oh hell, I'm tried already!!!)

 

M

[CelticGypsy]

I just picked this up from the library and will hopefully get a chance to watch it over the long weekend (as well as bleach down the porch, clean out the back bed-room, work on some non-mundane things I am doing, fix the broken curtain rod (thank you crazy-kitties), wash the sheets, go see mum, weed the vegi-patch..... oh hell, I'm tried already!!!)

 

M

 

I think you will like it M. May I suggest to watch it with "words" I watch all my movies with words, so I can really get what the people are saying. Besides my 94 year old MIL ( Mother In Law ) is hard of hearing so we adjust for her benefit as well. Saves on the speakers of the telly. lol.

 

Regards,

Gypsy

[Gramayr]

You've got me wanting to watch it again, it is a good film - will have to look out for it on the telly and record it :)

[Cara Dack]

I watched this again today actually. After I failed to find Mirrormask or Coraline!

[Whiterose]

I watched this again today actually. After I failed to find Mirrormask or Coraline!

 

 

Blah! Coraline scares the shit outta me! I can watch 13 ghosts, but not that one. I watched it one time and had nightmares for weeks...at 21....lol. My kids will not be watching that. lol.