So interesting that you mentioned this film because when it was new to the rental market I watched it, and it was around this time that Mel had weird bigoted events in the news. I was indifferent and mostly ignorant of exactly what he did, and even so, I was skeptical and doubtful as well.

However, we liked Apocalypto so much that we started rewatching it with the director’s commentary. Mel was such a fucking ass that he ruined our enjoyment of the movie. He was incredibly disrespectful of the actors in the commentary. He was not so much disparaging of them, but he effectively communicated how unimportant they were to him and how they were nothing more than disposable objects to him.

Then I recalled those vague bad things I had heard about him in the press, and I thought, “Hmmm. Maybe this guy is a vile piece of shit.”

On the other hand, disturbed fuckheads can make great art. There might be good reason that in the old days, artists were kept on a leash by wealthy families.

Apocalypto is my biggest case for using death of the author to enjoy creative works. I don't like the guy, but that movie is a must-watch.