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Spartacus: Vengeance on Starz - Page 6

post #151 of 429
2/14/12 at 5:15am
Wow, just wow to the last two comments. 'Rome' was in a whole 'nother class than 'Spartacus'. Seriously, not remotely the same ballpark. HBO and their European partners spent a reported $100 million building an authentic 3/4 scale reproduction of the Roman Forum and other sets. They hired some of the best acting talent around. It was far more "realistic" in terms of its portrayal of Roman life than the live-action cartoon that is this show. And I really like this show.

It's kind of like comparing 'Deadwood' and 'Hell on Wheels'. While I enjoy(ed) both of them, I'm under no illusions about which was/is the superior, more authentic work.
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post #152 of 429
2/14/12 at 7:25am
Rome was a great show. The tension built up over episodes. It wasn't always a blood and gore fest similar to The Sopranos and Boardwalk Empire.

Kevin McKidd as Lucius Vorenus and Ray Stevenson as Titus Pullo were awesome characters and worth following.

We used to have great characters in Spartacus too.
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post #153 of 429
2/14/12 at 7:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeny View Post

Kevin McKidd as Lucius Vorenus and Ray Stevenson as Titus Pullo were awesome characters and worth following.

Not to mention Ciaran Hinds as Caesar, James Purefoy as Mark Antony, and the lovely Polly Walker getting her kit off with some regularity. Top shelf talent all around.

Pity it only lasted 2 seasons. I guess the economics of such a vast production, even splitting costs with the BBC, just couldn't be made to work for any longer than that.
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post #154 of 429
2/14/12 at 7:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by archiguy View Post

Not to mention Ciaran Hinds as Caesar, James Purefoy as Mark Antony, and the lovely Polly Walker getting her kit off with some regularity. Top shelf talent all around.

Pity it only lasted 2 seasons. I guess the economics of such a vast production, even splitting costs with the BBC, just couldn't be made to work for any longer than that.

Yes, those three were great too and if they made more seasons I'm sure it would've been epic.
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post #155 of 429
2/14/12 at 11:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by audio/videoman View Post

Vengeance is still terrific, even if it's a half notch below s. 1 and the prequel.

By way of comparison, I'm making an effort to watch hbo's rome. I'm introducing myself in the same way I encountered Spartacus: in the middle of a season, watching an episode at random.

Rome is not holding up well at all.

1. The quality of the sets look very cheap, almost plasticky.

2. Spartacus is serious eye candy galore. Rome's actors are nowhere near as attractive. Most are downright homely.

3. the actors of Spartacus carry a burning fire in their souls, evident in their eyes, always; sometimes lurking and hidden, but always ready to snap and recoil in an instant, oftentimes unexpectedly. No such animalistic fire and intensity with Rome's cast.

4. the storyline of Rome seems tedious, moving slowly, deliberately, and meandering without end, direction or purpose. Every single moment of Spartacus is tense and meaningful.

Spartacus has surely overdone the CGI blood and gore by now, but the amateur-ish acting so far in rome makes this point nit picking and moot by comparison.

Rome is horribly over-rated. Enjoy 300, Gladiator and now, Spartacuuuuuus!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vipfreak View Post

Rome put me to sleep literally... That's how bad it was. You can't even compare it to any other period show or movie because it's an insult.

These are jokes, right?

Everyone has a right to their opinion, but Rome had well know actors, and an extremely expensive production. That is why they concluded it in a rush. It was anything but amateur, even if it wasn't to your liking.

Art
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post #156 of 429
2/14/12 at 11:59am
I think a Daytime Soap box had less talking... I could give a damn if they were season cast of people or not.
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post #157 of 429
2/14/12 at 12:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vipfreak View Post

I think a Daytime Soap box had less talking... I could give a damn if they were season cast of people or not.

Say what...scratching head ???

To each his own, but I think there's a generation gap...or two...in play here. Rome was a beautifully shot experience. Slower pace sure, but it had depth, great performances and a sense of realism. Historically, it was sort of accurate, they played tricks with the timeline to fit 15 years into 2 seasons and cover landmark events. However, the main characters were golden. Ceasar, Anthony, Octavian, Cicero, Brutus (was kind of a wimp, I agree), the ladies and Vorenus and Pullo are two of the greatest characters ever written (and played).
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post #158 of 429
2/14/12 at 12:32pm
"Rome" was an incredibly high production value .. HBO cancelled it because it was so expensive .. it was detailed, beautifully done, well acted and well received by the critics as well as the public ..

I wish they would do more seasons ..
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post #159 of 429
2/14/12 at 3:10pm
Glad to see Archiguy, Adpayne, Ron Temple and mgkdragn come to Rome's defense!!!

Also, I'll take this opportunity to say that I'm still enjoying Spartacus Season 2 despite the losses of Hannah and Whitfield. It's entertaining; just maybe not as interesting.
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post #160 of 429
2/15/12 at 12:57am
I agree that this season the show has it's problems, primarily with the lead being weak. I'm sticking with it. It's not like the first season started out like a house on fire. It took a few or more episodes before it started to hit its stride. This season there are new characters, and as others have pointed out they are not gladiators anymore, so that changes things slightly. The show does somehow look cheaper. I think the biggest mistake has been trying to cast someone who resembles the late Andy Whitfield. The true fans know the story, just get the best actor. There is no menace, no fierceness to this new Spartacus, and the chemistry with Katrina Law is non existent. The loss of John Hannah seems even bigger with no one to fill that void.I'm surprised that Craig Parker is so lame as Glabus or whatever his name is. He was very good in The Legend of the Seeker a couple of seasons back. At least Asher is back. Hopefully things will pick up and get better. The first season the show was renewed before it even aired. Has that happened with this season yet?
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post #161 of 429
2/15/12 at 5:49am
Put me on the list that Rome is better then Spartacus. It's not even close.
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post #162 of 429
2/15/12 at 6:23am
Not to switch topics, but if anyone's watching "Luck" on HBO--the female jockey who was riding Nick Nolte's horse in the first 2 episodes is none other than "Octavia" from Rome. Took me a little while to peg her and from whence she came...but I IMDB'd it and it was her.

Put me in the "Rome on HBO was awesome and is sorely missed" camp....
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post #163 of 429
2/15/12 at 9:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaypb View Post

Not to switch topics, but if anyone's watching "Luck" on HBO--the female jockey who was riding Nick Nolte's horse in the first 2 episodes is none other than "Octavia" from Rome. Took me a little while to peg her and from whence she came...but I IMDB'd it and it was her.

Put me in the "Rome on HBO was awesome and is sorely missed" camp....

Kerry Condon...Luck is hard to watch, but I hear it gets much better after ep 4.
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post #164 of 429
2/15/12 at 11:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jaypb View Post

Not to switch topics, but if anyone's watching "Luck" on HBO--the female jockey who was riding Nick Nolte's horse in the first 2 episodes is none other than "Octavia" from Rome. Took me a little while to peg her and from whence she came...but I IMDB'd it and it was her.

Apologies (see what I did there?) for muddying up this thread even more but...gratitude for that. I was wondering where I saw her before as well.

Even though this season can't compare to the first, Its still enjoyable to me. I'm kind of a gorehound, so that can get me by with a lesser plot, etc.

Art
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post #165 of 429
2/15/12 at 1:03pm
Spartacus better than Rome ?!?! I enjoy Spartacus, but Rome was on a whole other level. Amazing, subtle acting, great writing and amazing production values. I cant recall EVER seeing a better scene in a tv series than when Voreenus is watching Pullo fight opponent after opponent until he cant fight any more in that gladiator scene and then yells out 13!!!! and jumps in and helps his old comrad in arms to kill off that truly frightening last opponent. Man that was one amazing scene!
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post #166 of 429
2/15/12 at 1:11pm
All this Rome talk .. it's been years since I watched it .. just dropped the BD's in my Netflix Q .. time for a marathon weekend ..
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post #167 of 429
2/15/12 at 1:27pm
I enjoy both Spartacus and Rome. Love how they draw from historical events. How accurate they are is another thing but still entertaining.
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post #168 of 429
2/15/12 at 3:14pm
I'm beginning to like the Crixis character more than Spartacus given the performances. The new Spartacus is just too skinny to seem realistic as a superior gladiator.
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post #169 of 429
2/15/12 at 5:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by PMA View Post

I'm beginning to like the Crixis character more than Spartacus given the performances. The new Spartacus is just too skinny to seem realistic as a superior gladiator.

Yes, he looks preppy. Crixus OTOH looks like he could be on Friday Night Raw.
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post #170 of 429
2/15/12 at 5:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by smddoc View Post

Spartacus better than Rome ?!?! I enjoy Spartacus, but Rome was on a whole other level. Amazing, subtle acting, great writing and amazing production values. I cant recall EVER seeing a better scene in a tv series than when Voreenus is watching Pullo fight opponent after opponent until he cant fight any more in that gladiator scene and then yells out 13!!!! and jumps in and helps his old comrad in arms to kill off that truly frightening last opponent. Man that was one amazing scene!

Your post gave me chills. Thanks.
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post #171 of 429
2/17/12 at 5:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamieva View Post

put me on the list that rome is better then spartacus. It's not even close.

ditto!!
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post #172 of 429
2/17/12 at 8:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeny View Post

Your post gave me chills. Thanks.

Your very welcome! I still remember watching that episode when it first aired. I was literally out of my chair, arms up in the air yelling " YES!!" like I was watching my favorite athlete making an incredible once in a lifetime play. In retrospect, the reason it worked so well was because of the build up of the relationship and history between the two characters.
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post #173 of 429
2/18/12 at 8:19am
Thought it was a good episode last night. Lots of behind the scenes maneuvering by the main players. And next week looks to be a return to the arena, as well as the return of Gannicus.
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post #174 of 429
2/18/12 at 8:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddUGA View Post

Thought it was a good episode last night. Lots of behind the scenes maneuvering by the main players. And next week looks to be a return to the arena, as well as the return of Gannicus.

I did enjoy Ilythia's performance last night. She really is quite the psycho b**ch!

I felt bad for the gladiator that they mutilated for fun.

Ashur's role as military advisor to the Roman army in the mines and now forest seemed a little out of place.

Looking forward to the arena and Gannicus.

What exactly are the gladiators looking to do at this point? Catch a ferry over to somewhere and then what?
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post #175 of 429
2/18/12 at 9:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ToddUGA View Post

Thought it was a good episode last night. Lots of behind the scenes maneuvering by the main players. And next week looks to be a return to the arena, as well as the return of Gannicus.

Lots of conversations in hushed tones all right. How about Katrina going mucho hardcore in the fighting department? Girl knows how to use a blade.
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post #176 of 429
2/18/12 at 1:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cal1981 View Post

Lots of conversations in hushed tones all right. How about Katrina going mucho hardcore in the fighting department? Girl knows how to use a blade.

Yes. She can be downright savage if necessary. Good job. In contrast Ilythia is just a sociopath.
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post #177 of 429
2/18/12 at 8:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mikeny View Post

Yes. She can be downright savage if necessary. Good job. In contrast Ilythia is just a sociopath.

True but as they used to say in the distant land in which I was born "she's got some built "
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post #178 of 429
2/19/12 at 1:21am
Katrina and Ilythia get my nod this time. Great parts this episode.
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post #179 of 429
2/19/12 at 8:59am
After all the chatter about Rome I decided to check it out (and I've like Jason Kidd since Journeyman). I have to agree : Rome is great. I've only watched the first half of season 1 but it compares favorably to Blood and Sand. It certainly blows Gods of the Arena and Vengeance away. Good stuff.

As for Vengeance, in my eyes last night was further down the spiral. The show lost its soul with the loss of Hannah and Whitfield. I was hoping the writing that worked so well in Blood and Sand would carry through, but they have forgotten that we loved the characters because of their choices and actions. This season (and to some extent in the prequel, where the fate of most characters was pre-ordained) there's no weight to any actions. There's no moral or ethical ramifications to anything the gladiators do, and none of the Romans have any reason to be of any interest to us. There hasn't been a single "wow" moment this season. Just go back and look at the S1 forums here for my reactions to some of the great turns of events in Blood and Sand: things like Battiatus' and Ilithya's treachery to Spartacus, Varro's fate, Spartacus' choice in The Pits... I could go on. Sad to think that this season of the show has me nostalgic for the first.

At least I have 1.5 seasons of Rome to keep me occupied for a while! I would not be surprised if this was the last season of Spartacus
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post #180 of 429
2/19/12 at 11:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flambe View Post

After all the chatter about Rome I decided to check it out (and I've like Jason Kidd since Journeyman). I have to agree : Rome is great. I've only watched the first half of season 1 but it compares favorably to Blood and Sand. It certainly blows Gods of the Arena and Vengeance away. Good stuff.

As for Vengeance, in my eyes last night was further down the spiral. The show lost its soul with the loss of Hannah and Whitfield. I was hoping the writing that worked so well in Blood and Sand would carry through, but they have forgotten that we loved the characters because of their choices and actions. This season (and to some extent in the prequel, where the fate of most characters was pre-ordained) there's no weight to any actions. There's no moral or ethical ramifications to anything the gladiators do, and none of the Romans have any reason to be of any interest to us. There hasn't been a single "wow" moment this season. Just go back and look at the S1 forums here for my reactions to some of the great turns of events in Blood and Sand: things like Battiatus' and Ilithya's treachery to Spartacus, Varro's fate, Spartacus' choice in The Pits... I could go on. Sad to think that this season of the show has me nostalgic for the first.

At least I have 1.5 seasons of Rome to keep me occupied for a while! I would not be surprised if this was the last season of Spartacus

Like most serialized series, Rome really picks up in the back half of both seasons. You're in for a treat. As to your Spartacus comments, I'm forced to agree though I did think the last episode improved slightly. There's just a lack of compelling characters and the story is meandering.
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