Apoceclipso

I have searched many reviews of and discussed Mel Gibson's Apoocalypto with many people and found that, perhaps because of all his manipulated history getting so much notice, they've all failed to notice his failure to understand, or willingness to manipulate, a solar system reality as observed and recorded by our most primitive of ancient relatives.

The hero, Jaguar Paw, is spared his sacrificial fate by the advent of a solar eclipse, which so startles the procession that he's able to escape into the jungle while men ordered to retake him leap over logs in hot pursuit — all by the light of the full moon! Exciting, huh?

National Geographic's review noted that the Mayans were well versed in the occurrence of eclipses, solar and lunar, and wouldn't have been so surprised, but failed to note that a full moon on the night of a solar eclipse was metaphysically absurd. Unless Gibson was trying to subtly suggest Jaguar Paw and his pursuers had been running for two weeks of night due to chewing coca leaves, I have to think Mel, his entire crew, his critics, his detractors and the man on the street are all oblivious to the obvious — as any domesticated creature can afford to be, never looking up at night and wondering. Gagging on gnats and swallowing camels.

To me it is another example of the invisible prison within which closed minds snuggle into Disneyland and without which original thought and art flourishes.