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Did anyone see the new HBO series Rome last night. I thoguht it was great. It's about the period of time just before Ceasar became emporer, and all of the political scandal involved with his crowning. It's very cool. There is nudity and violence though, so I wouldn't recommend it for youngsters.
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I was only mildly impressed. It looks like it could be good, but the characters roles and relationships are not easily defined for the audience or are not easily recognizable (i.e. too many similar names and costumes).
Posts: 1480 | Registered: Dec 2004
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Me and Niki missed it last night, but I'm sure we will watch it sometime this week. We'll let you know what we think .
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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I don't have HBO, so I'm kind of hoping this one will stay popular enough to make it onto regular cable eventually.
Anyone able to compare it with BBC's I, Claudius? I really enjoyed I, Claudius, and they did such a magnificent job of it, it's kind of become my benchmark for Roman-esque mvies and shows.
Posts: 2849 | Registered: Feb 2002
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There's a new series all about the Roman Republic, and it's on a channel that I . . . don't . . . have!?Posts: 1814 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Hehe..Thanks Goo! I was away in Penn State taking classes all summer, so I didn't have much time to post.
My one question is:
Why British accents? Was it decided somewhere that if the ancient Romans spoke english, they would have British accents? I've seen this done constantly in other movies/shows about Rome.
Posts: 1401 | Registered: Jun 2004
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I assume it's the whole 'people with toff English accents sound aristocratic' silliness that seems to be everywhere you turn, i.e. Fancy Feast commercials, etc.. Since a lot of the characters were Roman patricians, I'm sure it made sense to the producer to cast a bunch of Brits in the roles.
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In my defense, from what little I caught of whatever that Roman epic was that was shown recently on network television, I remember a lot of the patricians having English accents. Posts: 13123 | Registered: Feb 2002
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A lot of these shows and films are made by the British. It doesn't make sense to criticize the British for having British accents.
Mind you, I wish we Americans would make more things like this, with our own actors. Roman patricians talking like Frasier. Cicero delivering his speeches in a Harvard accent. That would be cool. Posts: 1814 | Registered: Jul 2004
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I see London I see France I see Little_Doctor's underpants
*ducks and runs for cover* (come to think of it, probably should run under the covers, I'm a little punchy due to lack of sleep)
Posts: 3149 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Well, understand that it doesn't *really* bother me, Verily, but I'm pretty sure that the phenomenon of using English accents to represent sophistication or highbrow, so to speak, in America is real.
Of course it's silly to criticize Brits for having British accents, but I find it weirdly interesting that the phenomenon exists at all in America. I wonder why it does?
On the other hand, when I watch the BBC, I find that I rarely hear American accents. Maybe I'm missing the right shows, but I wonder why that is. Some kind of union thing, maybe?
Posts: 13123 | Registered: Feb 2002
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I saw it and it looked pretty good. I think they are goingto do well with the historical accuracy, unlike the ABC miniseries recently on TV. All of the key players are on screen. I liked the fact that Cato was not in his Senatorial Toga, apparently he really refused to wear one! I like that attention to detail.
HBO series typically have slowish starts. I will remain optimistic.
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*wonders if it would be foolish to add the price of HBO to his monthly cable bill for the sake of a show he's never seen*
Posts: 1814 | Registered: Jul 2004
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I've heard that after the first 4 episode, they halted production for a few months to re-tool the series. And while those first 4 episodes are "Good", apparantly the ones that follow are supposed to be significantly better.
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It's all part of a conspiracy within the BBC to take over the world, once they establish that English accents are superior to all others.
Example: Why do you think so many Jatraqueros use BCC as their news article source. Not because their news is accurate, I'll tell you that much. It's the accents. Brainwashing Scum!
Posts: 1401 | Registered: Jun 2004
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The U.S. has its own version of posh accents. National newscasters all have flat Midwestern accents, and you never hear Southern accents on the news. (Correct me if I'm wrong here, I hardly ever watch regular TV.)
On a different note -- how violent is Rome? I don't watch horror movies, but I can handle violence if it's part of a story (say, like on Deadwood.)
Posts: 2911 | Registered: Aug 2001
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quote: On a different note -- how violent is Rome? I don't watch horror movies, but I can handle violence if it's part of a story (say, like on Deadwood.)
Its nothing too gruesome, but it is realistic.
Out of the primary cast of important people (Ceaser, Pompeii, Mark Antony, Octavius Caesar, Brutus, etc) there is also a subplot starring a Roman army officer which is quite a violent subplot, as you would expect.
There was also one very bloody scene, but it was not human blood...
I would think that if you can handle Deadwood, Rome shouldn't be any problem.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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...and you never hear Southern accents on the news...
Basically true. There is a woman with a Southern accent who is on the Chris Matthews show that is on NBC on Sunday Mornings. But EVERYONE on that show interupts her CONSTANTLY. I just want to smack them, because she sounds intellingent, but she can't EVER finish a sentence.
Then you have James Carville sometimes on the Tim Russert show. I don't really now what to call his accent. I think it's southern. Posts: 524 | Registered: May 2003
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So, what is th deal? Is it a miniseries, or will it continue? What am I watching now? (I have watched about five episodes. In this last one, the very sexy Centurion has taken his job back and thumbs were removed from a different character.)
Is it on DVD yet? Could I get it for my dad?
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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Sounds like you're at episode 5. There are 7 more episodes in the first season. I envy you. You still have some awesome episodes to look forward to.
quote:HBO has renewed its epic drama series ROME for a second season, it was announced today by Carolyn Strauss, president, HBO Entertainment. Production of the 12-episode second season will begin next March, with the debut set for 2007.
"Although the first season of ROME is just underway, we're affirming our support for this exciting and ambitious series by preparing for a second season now," noted Strauss. "I'm delighted that critics and subscribers share our enthusiasm for the show."
The initial episodes of ROME have inspired legions of critical praise. TV Guide hailed it as a "feast for the eyes" and a "ripping good story," as well as a "shamelessly enjoyable historical romp." USA Today called ROME "as extravagant, enticing and chaotic as Rome itself," adding, "you may never want to leave." The Washington Post described the series as "ravishing and wickedly shocking," and "a feast for the senses that includes generous portions of food for thought." HBO
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Oh, my. Why is it that the death of Caesar gets me, no matter how many times I have seen or read about it? So sad. I am also sad that I have now seen the whole series, and have to wait for more. And Niobe. Don't even get me started on her! Poor Verenus! My poor, dear, sexy-as-it-is-possible-to-be Vorenus.
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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Yeah, I was shocked about Niobe. I really think Vorenus could have forgiven her. Of course he'd be angry at first, but he'd been gone for eight years and his pay had stopped coming! That's as good as telling her that he's dead! I think he would have come to understand that eventually and they could have gotten past it. I think Niobe acted too hastily.
Posts: 1814 | Registered: Jul 2004
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Verily, I was thinking. If they are going to continue the series, then maybe, just maybe, Niobe survived the fall? I mean, they could work that, couldn't they??? Maybe she was just unconscious?
Posts: 10890 | Registered: May 2003
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quote:Originally posted by Elizabeth: Verily, I was thinking. If they are going to continue the series, then maybe, just maybe, Niobe survived the fall? I mean, they could work that, couldn't they??? Maybe she was just unconscious?
Just check the cast list for the next season.
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