Long ago, I read a comment by Johnny Depp that he got sick of playing that character.  I was never impressed by that franchise, and never understood why it was so popular.  Different strokes, I guess.

When Florida still belonged to Spain the USN had to go into (currently Jacksonville) and clear out a nest of pirates.

Quote from: the_antithesis on September 03, 2023, 02:04:38 PMHowever, I never liked the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and I especially hated Jack Sparrow.

I kinda liked what they were going for - an antihero without a plan and such persistence, cunning, and phenomenal luck that he somehow manages to come up on top.

When the writers made him the hero, they really messed up, not only because he's not a hero but because making him the pov kills his mystique.

Also, and maybe my gaydar is off, but how is he a gay character?  He's quickly established as a cad with all the working ladies at the house of ill repute at the pirate-friendly port.  He also galavanted with Elizabeth that night, though he seemed to be more into the rum than her (it wouldn't have worked out between them anyways)

Sure, he's not very muscled, has an odd outfit to say the least, and isn't a very serious person, but none of those things are particularly gay-coded or straight-coded, right?

I like Jack Sparrow for a number of reasons. Just look at his introduction into the first movie. You see him sailing into port, looking proud and capable. He grabs the rope and jumps down, and we see not only is his ship tiny, but it's also sinking. He's constantly in these ridiculous situations that contrast well with his high opinion of himself. He has absolutely no shame, and can spin anything into a positive.

"You are without a doubt the worst pirate I've ever heard of."

"But you HAVE heard of me."


Also, funny story. Disney executives didn't like Johnny Depp's execution, because they thought he was acting gay. I'm pretty sure his character is just meant to be perpetually drunk. Of course, they changed their tune when the movie released, and Jack Sparrow was the movie's most popular character.

I don't mind Jack Sparrow and I liked the dark filthiness of the sets. I found Orlando Bloom boring to watch for some reason. I would like it better if the movies were more historical and less supernatural; simply because the subject matter is interesting enough to me. I still thought the ghost ship was pretty cool. We live along the 'treasure coast' so finding artifacts is not uncommon here after a hurricane or big winter storm.

Now, "Master and Commander" was pretty great, IMHO. There was a TV series based on C. S. Forester's fictional Lt Hornblower and I recall enjoying that as well.

Sparrow was a jackanape.

Quote from: Cassia on September 05, 2023, 03:46:55 PMNow, "Master and Commander" was pretty great, IMHO. There was a TV series based on C. S. Forester's fictional Lt Hornblower and I recall enjoying that as well.[/color]

I read the Hornblower books while I was in high school (Class of '69) while living in a small (pop. ~7,000) town in Indiana. I nearly killed the librarians with requests for definitions of nautical terms that weren't readily available in "Wide Spot", Indiana.)

Read Hornblower and the Hotspur followed by Starship Troopers.

As I recall, the most successful pirate was a Chinese woman...

Quote from: Gawdzilla Sama on September 05, 2023, 03:47:31 PMSparrow was a jackanape.

Had to look that one up--but, yeah, I have to agree.

Quote from: Cassia on September 05, 2023, 03:46:55 PMI don't mind Jack Sparrow and I liked the dark filthiness of the sets. I found Orlando Bloom boring to watch for some reason. I would like it better if the movies were more historical and less supernatural; simply because the subject matter is interesting enough to me.

I liked the supernatural aspect of it, since sailors in general and pirates in particular have historically believed in all sorts of superstitions and tall tales, though they should've kept it ambiguous.  Like a pirate went overboard and said he was saved from drowning by a mermaid and there's naught nearby but manatees, that would be a fun little wink to the history-savy audience.

Quote from: Mike Cl on September 05, 2023, 07:26:01 PMHad to look that one up--but, yeah, I have to agree.

The word was era-appropriate.

Quote from: Hydra009 on September 05, 2023, 07:50:28 PMI liked the supernatural aspect of it, since sailors in general and pirates in particular have historically believed in all sorts of superstitions and tale tales, though they should've kept it ambiguous.  Like a pirate went overboard and said he was saved from drowning by a mermaid and there's naught nearby but manatees, that would be a fun little wink to the history-savy audience.

If you tattoo a roster on one ankle and a _____ on the other you'll never drown.  (Long time since I thought of that one.)

Quote from: Cassia on September 05, 2023, 03:46:55 PMI don't mind Jack Sparrow and I liked the dark filthiness of the sets. I found Orlando Bloom boring to watch for some reason. I would like it better if the movies were more historical and less supernatural; simply because the subject matter is interesting enough to me. I still thought the ghost ship was pretty cool. We live along the 'treasure coast' so finding artifacts is not uncommon here after a hurricane or big winter storm.

Now, "Master and Commander" was pretty great, IMHO. There was a TV series based on C. S. Forester's fictional Lt Hornblower and I recall enjoying that as well.

The movies are based on the original Disney ride of the same name. It included skeletons who were affected by some cursed treasure.

Quote from: Hydra009 on September 05, 2023, 07:50:28 PMI liked the supernatural aspect of it, since sailors in general and pirates in particular have historically believed in all sorts of superstitions and tall tales, though they should've kept it ambiguous.  Like a pirate went overboard and said he was saved from drowning by a mermaid and there's naught nearby but manatees, that would be a fun little wink to the history-savy audience.

The legends are fine and all, but I just get tired of the onslaught of made-up bullshit we are subjected to everyday which when compared to natural mysteries, just tend to represent human fears and paranoia.

Take the legend of Sleepy Hollow. I don't need the legend to be true to appreciate it. In fact, I would have loved if a goofy, scientific Johnny Depp character came to town and just debunked the whole thing and found there was simply a murderer. Instead, we have a resurrected headless dude running around and he can't go onto church grounds. Fuck that, LOL.

Speaking of Hunter Biden, I'm watching a movie called Hunter Killer, with Gary Oldman.

Pretty good so far, but I haven't yet finished it.