tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730513615909994019.post1182304527717926718..comments2024-03-29T07:22:38.372+00:00Comments on Pop Classics: Spartacus Gods of the Arena: PaterfamiliasJuliettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730513615909994019.post-83739227122800632622011-04-09T16:11:42.463+01:002011-04-09T16:11:42.463+01:00'Five star graphic cheese' - that's a ...'Five star graphic cheese' - that's a really good description, fits it perfectly!<br /><br />I do like 'Gratitude' a lot, though the short dialogue can become almost distracting sometimes.<br /><br />The fight sequences are good, but I'm still convinced they're holding themselves back a bit so far, in preparation for the finale... ;) My favourite fight sequence so far is easily the rain-drenched fight between DSG and the other Doctore.Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730513615909994019.post-42354888971415472972011-04-09T15:31:12.697+01:002011-04-09T15:31:12.697+01:00I've been loving this series. It's so over...I've been loving this series. It's so over the top and yet authentic. I think the fights are fantastic. The slo-mo, fast-mo combined with this episode's enthusiastic girl spectator falling into the arena and scrambling out and then Crixus's hilarious backward flip (complete with upsidedown-cam) into the audience. I had to replay that and watch it three times. <br /><br />I love the new look beefed up gladiators. They WERE really stocky in Roman times, and the casual nudity, again: so authentic. <br /><br />I love the clever comic book panel editing and fast cutting: sideways one moment, bird's eye view the next. This really is what a comic book should look like on film. <br /><br />I love the dialogue, still fresh and original, while still being cheesy. I love the way they say 'Gratitude' which is so close to 'Gratias'. <br /><br />I loved last week's urine-cam and the silhouettes and most of all I ADORED Batiatus's patently evil sideways look at the very end of this episode. Almost as good as the final frame of the original Taking of Pelham 123 when Walter Matthau opens the door and looks in again. It made me bark with laughter. <br /><br />Five star graphic cheese!Caroline Lawrencehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07249424644829463560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730513615909994019.post-52276225710229663382011-04-05T23:37:20.062+01:002011-04-05T23:37:20.062+01:00I know - I just lost half an evening to its Hunger...I know - I just lost half an evening to its Hunger Games pages and haven't read the above linked Important Haircut page lately (there might be new edits!) :)Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730513615909994019.post-32569670133081701572011-04-05T22:14:42.302+01:002011-04-05T22:14:42.302+01:00I'm sure this is a fascinating and exremely in...I'm sure this is a fascinating and exremely interesting review - unfortunately, I can't actually give a definite opinion on that, due to the presence of a TV Tropes link in the fifth paragraph... ;)Gemmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730513615909994019.post-13306828768182174542011-04-05T18:48:43.622+01:002011-04-05T18:48:43.622+01:00Arenas were usually temporary structures at this t...Arenas were usually temporary structures at this time, so it was probably re-built several times, though architecture isn't really my area, so I don't know for sure.<br /><br />I am enjoying it - it's just harder to be funny about when it starts being serious! The rape scenes are really unpleasant, which is a good thing dramatically, but not much fun to watch, and of course there's a sense of impending doom to the whole thing - but that was true of the original as well!Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5730513615909994019.post-84867577833699869522011-04-05T18:39:14.205+01:002011-04-05T18:39:14.205+01:00Great recap Juliette! In amonmg all that wonderful...Great recap Juliette! In amonmg all that wonderful detail, I am wondering if you are enjoying the show - don't be afraid to let us know how you feel! <br /><br />This series definitely has some different emotional elements than the original series, but it is still very much in the 'Blood and Sand' style. <br /><br />Also, from an historical perspective - is it about right that the Capuan arena was being (re?)built at this time, or is that inaccurate?<br /><br />HAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02091875643921165081noreply@blogger.com