| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Montgomery |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 18:25:35
Anyone see the first episode of Rome, Season 2? It was really good. They've kept up the action and emotion. I heard that this show is too expensive to produce, so we'll probably only get two seasons. But, man, it's good.
EM :) |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| ChocolateLady |
Posted - 01/20/2007 : 07:40:55
quote:
Originally posted by Conan The Westy
quote:
Originally posted by ChocolateLady
I've been reading the Colleen McCullough "Masters of Rome" books and right now I'm reading the last one which starts with Julius Caesar's trip to Egypt and Cleopatra.
I love that series and have read it 4 or 5 times. I think her interpretation of the story of Spartacus was inspired. She fleshes out the characters and the holes in the ancient records beautifully.
Four or five times? Well, this dyslexic is just plodding through "October Horse" for the first time (I think that's her last one). They're not easy going but the are about as accurate historically as possible. That's why I hated watching Gladiator - so many inaccuracies that could have been easily avoided. If this TV series is only as accurate as that, I'm not sure I could watch it.
Those books are so accurate that on my very first visit to Rome, we went into the Forum (on Sunday - no guides, no entrance fee, no pamphlet). After only a few steps, I started pointing things out to him and telling him what was where and which buildings were for what, and how that building was built. I got it all from the McCullough books which made me quite a good tour guide!
(And I hated history when I was in school.)
|
| Conan The Westy |
Posted - 01/20/2007 : 03:14:33
quote:
Originally posted by ChocolateLady
I've been reading the Colleen McCullough "Masters of Rome" books and right now I'm reading the last one which starts with Julius Caesar's trip to Egypt and Cleopatra.
I love that series and have read it 4 or 5 times. I think her interpretation of the story of Spartacus was inspired. She fleshes out the characters and the holes in the ancient records beautifully. |
| Stalean |
Posted - 01/20/2007 : 00:14:06
quote:
Originally posted by Rovark
There's a series here in the UK called "Time Team", which consists of a bunch of archaeologists who have 3 days to dig a site. 
I watch it just so I can sit here and rant at the telly. 
Asked why I watch it if it annoys me so much, all I can say is "It's fun"   
It's certainly better than going out and ranting at a real person. We all need to let off steam--what better way than stupid reality shows.  |
| Rovark |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 22:55:27
There's a series here in the UK called "Time Team", which consists of a bunch of archaeologists who have 3 days to dig a site.
I watch it just so I can sit here and rant at the telly.
Asked why I watch it if it annoys me so much, all I can say is "It's fun"
|
| Montgomery |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 20:00:16
I guess I should have paid attention in history class (instead of constantly humming cartoon songs in my head) and then I would know that this nuance or that is not historically accurate. I just think it's entertaining.
But, then again, I also watch Top Chef, which no one would comment about on another thread.
I work in advertising, so being up on current culture is kind of part of my job. (That's what I tell myself, any way). I do find reality TV amusing. And I like disgusting horror movies (and good ones). I watch a great many things. I can't help it. It's fun.
  
EM :) |
| Rovark |
Posted - 01/19/2007 : 19:54:46
quote:
Originally posted by Whippersnapper
quote:
Originally posted by ChocolateLady
Tell me, is this TV series at all accurate? I've been reading the Colleen McCullough "Masters of Rome" books and right now I'm reading the last one which starts with Julius Ceasar's trip to Egypt and Cleopatra. I'm asking because those books made watching the movie Gladiator make me scream in agony at all the historical mistakes. So if this ever gets to Israel, I want to know if I'll be enjoying it or yelling at the screen?
It's historically very accurate with a huge dramatic licence. Essentially the emphasis is on entertainment rather than education.
True, pretty much all you see on the screen has some historical basis.
However, watching the first programme of the the first series, I just felt I was waiting for the next knowingly unpleasant or gross-out moment but-it's-ok-'cos-they-actually-did-this-in-those-days piece of smug cheesey soap opera.
I was expecting a market vendor to wander in selling "Dormouse-On-A-Stick! Get 'em while they're hot!" in a vaguely pythonesque way. 'cos Romans really did eat Dormouse you know.
Having studied archaeology at Uni, I figured, I know this, now entertain me. But it never did.
Gladiator however entertained me. Colossally. It's the whole "suspension of disbelief" thing. I can forgive a certain dramatic licence, providing it's done well.
Rome just never hooked me. I'm probably in the minority as most people who stuck with it seemed to really enjoy it.
. |
| Stalean |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 22:46:03
quote:
Originally posted by Se�n
I watched the first episode of the first series, and couldn't 'switch off' the varied UK accents (I seem to remember some Cockney) and mannerisms. The whole show "felt" like an episode of Coronation Street... in Roman fancy dress. So I quit. I checked it out again a few episodes later for about 15 minutes and had the same reaction, so I quit again, this time permanently. 
Mind you, I seem to have the same reaction to most stuff on TV. When it comes down to a choice between B-grade TV series (and all TV series are B-grade to me) or movies, then movies win hands down.
Although I don't think ALL television is B-grade, I do agree with you on "Rome." I just couldn't take it either. And now, because so much of HBO is crap anymore, I don't have the option--we decided to cancel. |
| ChocolateLady |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 12:40:20
quote:
Originally posted by Se�n
I watched the first episode of the first series, and couldn't 'switch off' the varied UK accents (I seem to remember some Cockney) and mannerisms. The whole show "felt" like an episode of Coronation Street... in Roman fancy dress. So I quit. I checked it out again a few episodes later for about 15 minutes and had the same reaction, so I quit again, this time permanently.
Oh, dear... Did you see the Ray Winstone Henry VIII mini-series? While I think Ray Winstone's a very good actor, I couldn't help wondering how a King of England got such a low-brow accent. It really ruined the series for me. |
| Whippersnapper. |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 11:52:27
quote:
Originally posted by ChocolateLady
Tell me, is this TV series at all accurate? I've been reading the Colleen McCullough "Masters of Rome" books and right now I'm reading the last one which starts with Julius Ceasar's trip to Egypt and Cleopatra. I'm asking because those books made watching the movie Gladiator make me scream in agony at all the historical mistakes. So if this ever gets to Israel, I want to know if I'll be enjoying it or yelling at the screen?
It's historically very accurate with a huge dramatic licence. Essentially the emphasis is on entertainment rather than education.
|
| Sean |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 07:54:11
I watched the first episode of the first series, and couldn't 'switch off' the varied UK accents (I seem to remember some Cockney) and mannerisms. The whole show "felt" like an episode of Coronation Street... in Roman fancy dress. So I quit. I checked it out again a few episodes later for about 15 minutes and had the same reaction, so I quit again, this time permanently.
Mind you, I seem to have the same reaction to most stuff on TV. When it comes down to a choice between B-grade TV series (and almost all TV series are B-grade to me) or movies, then movies win hands down.
Edit: I changed 'all' to 'almost all', every year or two I find something worth watching, e.g., The Sopranos. |
| ChocolateLady |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 06:38:27
Tell me, is this TV series at all accurate? I've been reading the Colleen McCullough "Masters of Rome" books and right now I'm reading the last one which starts with Julius Ceasar's trip to Egypt and Cleopatra. I'm asking because those books made watching the movie Gladiator make me scream in agony at all the historical mistakes. So if this ever gets to Israel, I want to know if I'll be enjoying it or yelling at the screen? |
| turrell |
Posted - 01/18/2007 : 02:20:01
In the real history, Octavius had to leave Rome and amass large areas and groups of people before he assumed power - I hope we'll see Pullo and Vorenus become important parts of this task. I imagine Vorenus will continue to rage through a few episodes and eventually come to his senses - I like how he is following a similiar arc to Pullo's character last year and its nice to see the mirror image role reversal. |
| Montgomery |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 18:38:48
quote:
Originally posted by turrell
Yeah - I read an interview with the Producer and he said this is the last season - I imagine we'll get to Octavian assuming power (in about 17 years) and probably get into Jesus time too - its a good pulpy show and I love the interplay between Pullo and Vorenus - Pullo is a truly great cinematic creation.
I agree, Pullo is great. I wonder what will happen with Vorenus, now that his family is gone.
EM :) |
| turrell |
Posted - 01/17/2007 : 18:29:04
Yeah - I read an interview with the Producer and he said this is the last season - I imagine we'll get to Octavian assuming power (in about 17 years) and probably get into Jesus time too - its a good pulpy show and I love the interplay between Pullo and Vorenus - Pullo is a truly great cinematic creation. |
