28/31
In this universe, Christianity does not exist
The city of New Rome faces a duel between Caesar Catiline, a brilliant artist who champions a utopian future, and greedy mayor Franklyn Cicero. Between them is Julia Cicero, whose loyalties are divided between her father and her lover. Francis Ford Coppola wrote the screenplay in the early 1980s, but the film was shelved, partly due to his financial debts. Pre-production finally began in 2001 after 30 hours of second-take filming and a table read with Paul Newman, Uma Thurman, Robert De Niro, James Gandolfini, Nicolas Cage, Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Edie Falco, and Kevin Spacey, but the project was abandoned after the September 11 attacks because a scene in the script (page 166) “anticipated” attacks. Coppola abandoned the project entirely in 2007, and did not begin development until 2019. At 9:40 p.m., Catiline’s character utters the phrase “Holy Jesus Christ!” in awe. However, in-universe, the city of New Rome comes from a culture based on Roman mythology (example: 54:47, Sacrifice of Vesta; 1:55:51, someone says “The Will of Cronus,” or at 1:56:49, a statue of Saturn is prominently displayed, while there are many other depictions of Roman deities). There is no reason why Catiline would have used the phrase “Holy Jesus Christ!” in this context.
Julia Cicero: Yes
Caesar Catiline: *You* want to help me? And, well, I… well, I want to learn. Caesar Catiline: And you think a year… of medical school gives you the right to explore the riches of my Emersonian mind? Julia Cicero: Does it give me the right? Caesar Catiline: Yes. Julia Cicero: [scoffs] Does it give me the right?
Caesar Catiline: Yes!
Julia Cicero: Does it give me the right? Caesar Catiline: YES! Julia Cicero: You have no idea about me! Do you think I’m nothing more than a socialite? Caesar Catiline: No, nothing, but I reserve my time for people who know how to think. About science. And literature, and… architecture and art.
Julia Cicero: Good!
Do you think I’m cruel and selfish and insensitive? That’s what I am. I work without caring what happens to either of us. So go back to the club, find out all about it, and follow the people you like. I will. Caesar Catilina: Come back when you have more time! The “Ultimate IMAX Experience” version of the film features questions asked live by the actor during a filmed press conference. Appears in Amanda the Jedi Show: MEGALOPOLIS is my nightmare | Explained (2024).
The performances are very good, but they demand a pathless plot and lack of setting
My Pledge By Grace VanderWaal Performed by Grace VanderWaal Courtesy of Columbia Records Permission of Sony Music Entertainment Produced and arranged by Kris Kukul. I really admire the story and purpose, but the portrayal of the younger generation was almost unbearable, I had to laugh. Some scenes were just weird; actors walking to different parts of the room for no reason, as if I was watching a Cirque Du Soleil show without the beauty of arthouse cinema, the flashy and exaggerated depiction of the rich as if they were stupid pigs, and the overall direction was bizarre and unpleasant to watch. I really feel like Coppola didn’t have anyone to tell him; “Hey, that’s stupid.” From Alien: Romulus to Road House, take a look at some of our favorite posters from 2024.