Rome
January 8th, 2007
After December’s mad movie binge, we’re catching up with some TV. This HBO show, which carries the names of John Milius and Michael Apted in the credits and is shot in Cinecitta, improves vastly on the production values of I, Claudius, though not necessarily on acting and drama. It begins earlier–season one tells of Julius Caesar’s rise and fall from the Battle of Alesia to the Ides of March. Interwoven with the familiar tales of the powerful are the stories of two common legionnaires, which adds an element of surprise to recorded history. Blood flows freely, betrayal, lies, murder and literal backstabbing are as common as dirt, and there’s incest, too. Cleopatra (who doesn’t much resemble Liz Taylor) has only been in an episode or two so far, but I’m sure we’ll see more of the drug-addled conniver when season two starts on January 14. ***
[tags]tv, rome, hbo, 3 stars, history, italy, julius caesar, vercingetorix, cleopatra, michael apted, john milius, blood[/tags]
Entourage
January 4th, 2007
Breezy fun. For anybody with a passing interest in the lives of celebrities, the workings of the entertainment machine, and the conspicuous consumption of women, cars, and multimillion dollar houses formerly owned by Marlon Brando, this show is pure catnip. Over three short seasons, Vince and the boys have slowly revealed a little too much integrity to be entirely believable, but it doesn’t matter: the real star of the show is hopped-up super agent Ari Gold (Jeremy Piven). ***
[tags]tv, hollywood, celebrities, agents, 3 stars, hbo, california, los angeles, comedy, turtle, drama[/tags]
