HBO's ROME

[fett527]

I keep thinking how much he's grown up since Master and Commander: Far Side of the World.

Good movie that.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

When this turns up in the UK, it'll be interesting to see the focus on the violence and gore rather than the run of the mill nudity and sex. We get loads of that!

Yeah. I've seen a few eps of "I, Claudius" they ran one time on Trio while over at a friend's house...

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Another part of the writing and direction I enjoyed was how extremely competent they made the Roman soldiers appear. It was as disciplined as I have ever seen it portrayed and really showed how such warriors could make short work of much larger numbers of lesser-trained fighters.

That was the main strength of the Roman army: it's training and discipline vs the "barbarians" who had no organization or any training as far as being in an army went. Sure they had warrior training but it was more one-on-one training than as a unit like the Romans had.

 

[Darth K'Trava]

Seems like a strange thing to do - are they getting a poor response, and are trying to drum up more viewers? I liked it a lot so far.

IMO, if it wasn't on HBO, it might have more viewers. But then it'd have to tone down (from what I've read so far) on the violence and nudity.

I may have to wait for the DVD set to come out...

 

[Mark CMG]

This week . . .

"Stealing From Saturn" Episode #04.
Caesar seeks to consolidate his hold on Rome; Atia throws a party; Pullo delivers Quintus Pompey to Caesar. Adult Situations; Language; Nudity; Graphic Violence.

 

[Mark CMG]

That was the main strength of the Roman army: it's training and discipline vs the "barbarians" who had no organization or any training as far as being in an army went. Sure they had warrior training but it was more one-on-one training than as a unit like the Romans had.

Oh, yes, very true. But this show really, really does it up right. It's like watching a professional sports team (in the case of the army scenes) playing a high school varsity squad or a couple of professional boxers (in the case of when the two buddy-soldiers taking out the mercs/thieves) stepping into the ring and making short work of a handful of drunken brawlers. It really is an amazing difference in skill levels being shown but you don't feel as if it is exaggerated, just that it's simply remarkable to the nth degree.

 

[Fast Learner]

I agree, Mark. Somehow they manage to not make Pullo and Voreanus seem like supermen, just like really good soldiers. Normally that comes off fake to me, but here it seems really authentic and believable. Great stuff.

 

[Mark CMG]

I agree, Mark. Somehow they manage to not make Pullo and Voreanus seem like supermen, just like really good soldiers. Normally that comes off fake to me, but here it seems really authentic and believable. Great stuff.

Yup.


I'm looking at you, Brad Pitt's portrayal of Achilles in Troy (which is not necessarily inappropriate given it's a mythical character, afterall).

 

[Mark CMG]

This week's episode...

"The Ram Has Touched the Wall" Episode #05.
Caesar weighs Pompey's counteroffer; Vorenus must reconsider his career choices; Atia concocts a scheme to come between Caesar and Servilia. Adult Situations; Language; Nudity; Graphic Violence.

 

[fett527]

A little slow up until the sewer scene. Though the scene with Titus on the stairs was LOL. I'm still loving the show.