Sep 19 2006

Rome - Season 1

Published by Fence under TV

Dir: Michael Apted, Julian Farino, Allen Coulter, Alan Poul, Timothy Van Patten, Steve Shill, Jeremy Podeswa, Alan Taylor, Mikael Salomon.
Writ: Bruno Heller, John Milius, David Frankel, William J. MacDonald, Alexandra Cunningham, Adrian Hodges.

  • Kevin McKidd - Lucius Vorenus
  • Ray Stevenson - Titus Pullo
  • Polly Walker - Attia of the Julii
  • Ciarán Hinds - Julius Caesar
  • James Purefoy - Mark Anthony

it has been four hundred years since the founding of the Republic, and in that time Rome has grown into a mighty power. But military might, and subjugated lands don’t mean everything is happy at home. While Gaius Julius Caesar has been off subduing Gaul, the senators back home have been growing more discontented. And while at first his co-ruler of Rome, Pompey, isn’t willing to oppose him, slowly he comes around until conflict is inevitable.

But Rome is much more than a history lesson, though all attempts have been made to ensure that this show is as historically accurate as possible, because the writers and creators have made the central story revolve around two ordinary men, soldiers Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus.

The show itself is fantastic. It looks fantastic, set design, costumes, weapons. All look authentic. And the actors are even better, each and everyone seems so suited to their characters, I’ve reviewed most of the episodes already, so I won’t repeat myself.

The DVD has a number of special features. One flashes up historical facts as you watch the episode, giving you wonderful information, such as the name of some sexual positions. There are also a number of commentaries. These were interesting, but not spectacular, and in certain cases it would have probably been a lot better had they had two people do the commentary, rather than having just the one person.

There is also a bonus disc of documentaries, and again, they are all entertaining and informative. But nothing I’d really be bothered to watch twice. Still, the actual episodes themselves are great, and even without any extras at all, it would still be worth buying.

Tags: 10 Stars, Adrian Hodges, Alan Poul, Alan Taylor, Alexandra Cunningham, Allen Coulter, blood, Bruno Heller, Chicken and Lamb, Ciarán Hinds, David Frankel, historical fiction, James Purefoy, Jeremy Podeswa, John Milius, Julian Farino, Julius Caesar, Kevin McKidd, Lucius Vorenus, Michael Apted, Mikael Salomon, Polly Walker, Ray Stevenson, Roman Empire, Rome, Rome season 1, Steve Shill, Timothy Van Patten, Titus Pullo, violence, William J. MacDonald

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Nov 04 2005

Rome - The Stolen Eagle

Published by Fence under Moving Pictures, TV

    Ep # 1.01

  • Kevin McKidd - Lucius Vorenus
  • Ray Stevenson - Titus Pullo
  • Ciarán Hinds - Gaius Julius Caesar
  • James Purefoy - Mark Antony

Publicity for this has certainly been building up the sex and the violence, and this first episode did live up to that. Then again, opening with Julius Caesar in Gaul there was bound to be more than a little death and bloodshed. The opening battle shows the disciplined manner of Roman fighting, all the legion fighting as one, effeciently and in concert. But there is always one, isn’t there, and in this case it is Titus Pullo. Drunk, he fights his way through the line and into the midst of the Gauls, forcing his commander Lucius Vorenus to mount a rescue. Don’t think that Pullo is grateful, instead he is insulted when Vorenus orders his “drunken soldier” back into line and decks him. Thereby earning himself a whipping and some time in prison, only being released when Mark Antony sends Vorenus to find Caeser’s stolen eagle, the symbol of the glory of Rome.

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Tags: Ciarán Hinds, death, fights, James Purefoy, Kevin McKidd, Ray Stevenson, Rome, Rome season 1, soldier, The Stolen Eagle, violence

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Jul 19 2005

Vanity Fair

Published by Fence under Moving Pictures

Dir: Mira Nair
Writ: Matthew Faulk, Mark Skeet, Julian Fellows based on the novel by William Makepiece Thackery

  • Reese Witherspoon - Becky Sharp
  • Gabriel Byrne - The Marquess of Steyne
  • Jonathan Rhys Meyers - George Osborne
  • Romola Garai - Amelia Sedley
  • James Purefoy - Rawdon Crawley

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. This is not a good film. To be honest it isn’t even worth discussing, apart from two aspects. There is wonderful look of the costumes, but it isn’t enough to keep you watching for the three thousand hours this film lasts. Okay, so it is really only 141 minutes, but by the end you really will be wondering why you bothered.

The other thing, well, that’d be James Purefoy. Yummy. Not only does he look very well, but the character is a lovely fella who deserved a lot better than he got. And he does smoulder very well.

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Tags: 2 Stars, based on book, Bored Now!, crap, Gabriel Byrne, James Purefoy, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Julian Fellows, Mark Skeet, Mira Nair, Ramola Garai, Reese Witherspoon, Vanity Fair, William Makepiece Thackery

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