Thursday, August 30, 2007

The movie that is ROME



These are two epic films worth watching. Actually it's one film in two seasons. Generally speaking according to wikipedia, the term "epic" refers to movies that have a large scope, often set during a time of war or other conflict, and sometimes taking place over a considerable period of time and usually has a historical setting. The title itself speaks plenty. As we already have some general historical idea (from history subject in school) of what happened in Rome, it is quite easy to grasp the bits and pieces of the movie. This background allowed me to dwell more on details and concentrate on concepts that are new to me.

Unlike the dreary history books ... this movie has added drama and twist to history. Mind you, this movie is not for children. I am watching this after my kids went to bed. It's pretty much an adult movie as far as I'm concerned. The graphic violence, corse language, scenes of nudity and sequences of an adult nature are uncomfortable enough for me to be seen by my kids.

The complete first season of the daring, ground-breaking and controversial historical drama is composed of 12 episodes. Once I started watching, it's was soo hard not to finish them all. This movie has caused me alot of sleepy days at work (for staying up so late). The following is a summary from Play.com:

The year is 52 B.C. Four hundred years after the founding of the Republic, Rome is the wealthiest city in the world, a cosmopolitan metropolis of one million people; epicenter of a sprawling empire. The Republic was founded on principles of shared power and fierce personal competition, never allowing one man to seize absolute control. But now, those foundations are crumbling, eaten away by corruption and excess. After eight years of war, two soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo unwittingly become entwined in the historical events of ancient Rome. A serialized drama of love and betrayal, masters and slaves, husbands and wives, Rome chronicles a turbulent era that saw the death of a republic and the birth of an empire.

My favorite character is Titus Pullo. Check him out! He's so pure at heart (and so cute!!).

The second season has just been released. I'm on the first disc containing two episodes. I was better prepared this time because i only borrowed one disc. But then i am so eager to go back to Blockbuster to borrow the rest.

Synopsis of season 2 (from Amazon.com):

The year is 44 B.C. Julius Caesar has been assassinated and civil war threatens to destroy the Republic. In the void left by Caesar's demise, egos clash and numerous players jockey for position. The brutally ambitious Mark Antony attempts to solidify his power, aligning himself with Atia, but coming to blows with her cunning son Octavian, who has been anointed in Caesar's will as his only son and heir. Meanwhile Titus Pullo attempts to pull his friend Lucius Vorenus out of the darkness that has engulfed his soul in the wake of personal tragedy. For once again, the fates of these two mismatched soldiers seem inexorably tied to the fate of Rome itself.

Brilliant!!

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