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David McK (3547 KP) rated Excalibur (The Arthurian Chronicles, #1) in Books
Oct 26, 2024 (Updated Oct 26, 2024)
King Arthur.
There's no proof he ever existed, with the 'original' (for want of a better word) imagining of him being all Medieval style, Knights on horses, shining armour, lances etc (think the film 'Excalibur').
More recently, that's shifted to post-Roman Dark Ages, in the period between the Romans leaving Britain and the Saxon invasion.
Which is very much the time period in which this novel is set, (re)imagining Arthur to belong to this period (and all that entails), and with Merlin as a Druid rather than a Wizard.
This also 'brings in' several notable characters from the Arthur story alongside both Arthur and Merlin - Guinevere, Kai, Igrainne and Uther all make appearances here - but there is one notable absence (Lancelot) who, I presume, will appear in later books.
Well worth a read.
There's no proof he ever existed, with the 'original' (for want of a better word) imagining of him being all Medieval style, Knights on horses, shining armour, lances etc (think the film 'Excalibur').
More recently, that's shifted to post-Roman Dark Ages, in the period between the Romans leaving Britain and the Saxon invasion.
Which is very much the time period in which this novel is set, (re)imagining Arthur to belong to this period (and all that entails), and with Merlin as a Druid rather than a Wizard.
This also 'brings in' several notable characters from the Arthur story alongside both Arthur and Merlin - Guinevere, Kai, Igrainne and Uther all make appearances here - but there is one notable absence (Lancelot) who, I presume, will appear in later books.
Well worth a read.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Gosford Park (2001) in Movies
Oct 6, 2018
A pretty good period drama with a touch of Whodunit? about it similar to an Agatha Christie film. Great largely all English cast, location, costumes. A lot of effort went into the production of the movie, noticeable in the attention to every detail. Has a slight twist as you would expect but may be a bit too slow for some.
Nicholas Stoller recommended The Ice Storm (1997) in Movies (curated)
Sarah (7799 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies
Dec 29, 2019
Dull
I've never been a big fan of period dramas aside from a few exceptions, and I'm afraid to say this definitely isn't one of the exceptions.
This has a great cast but aside from Saoirse Ronan, nobody really gets their chance to shine. Even Margot Robbie seems drastically underused which is a shame. This film looks great, the costumes are very well done and the landscapes and scenery are beautiful, but this is really the only thing this film has going for it. Despite being based on an interesting period in history, it is beyond dull yet plows along at a very quick pace. It lacks in any real detail and just comes across a little confusing and uninteresting. I struggled to get into this at all and by the end just found it irritating, which is a little sad considering the talent in this.
This has a great cast but aside from Saoirse Ronan, nobody really gets their chance to shine. Even Margot Robbie seems drastically underused which is a shame. This film looks great, the costumes are very well done and the landscapes and scenery are beautiful, but this is really the only thing this film has going for it. Despite being based on an interesting period in history, it is beyond dull yet plows along at a very quick pace. It lacks in any real detail and just comes across a little confusing and uninteresting. I struggled to get into this at all and by the end just found it irritating, which is a little sad considering the talent in this.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Ooh... You Are Awful (1972) in Movies
Sep 7, 2020
More lowest-common-denominator farce from the British film industry of yore. A con man who specialises in disguises, trying to locate the big score he and his dead partner made, must track down a group of women each of whom has vital clues to its whereabouts tattooed on her backside, while being pursued by the Mafia and London gangsters.
Nearly as horrendous as it sounds: some of these films make late-period Carry Ons look quite sophisticated. The plot takes a long time to get going and doesn't end up reaching anywhere worth the trip, despite the presence of various familiar faces from film and TV of the period. Has a weird sort of innocence to it despite all the smut, and Emery is a good enough comic to raise a few laughs even from material as thin and questionable as this. But, in general, oh dear.
Nearly as horrendous as it sounds: some of these films make late-period Carry Ons look quite sophisticated. The plot takes a long time to get going and doesn't end up reaching anywhere worth the trip, despite the presence of various familiar faces from film and TV of the period. Has a weird sort of innocence to it despite all the smut, and Emery is a good enough comic to raise a few laughs even from material as thin and questionable as this. But, in general, oh dear.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Mary Queen of Scots (2018) in Movies
Aug 29, 2020 (Updated Aug 29, 2020)
Saoirse Ronan (1 more)
Costumes and locations
Queen takes Queen
This isn't the type of film I normally watch but the cast swung me. It's the type of film that will win awards for the costume department and production. Saoirse Ronan really carries the film and without her I would score it a bit lower. Margot Robbie is sadly under used in this.
Tied up in a political, religious and royal game of real life chess as to whom will be heir to the throne of England. There is plenty of scheming and treason by both Royal courts. It's interesting but also at times a little dull. If you like slow period dramas you'll love it, if not you're not missing much.
Tied up in a political, religious and royal game of real life chess as to whom will be heir to the throne of England. There is plenty of scheming and treason by both Royal courts. It's interesting but also at times a little dull. If you like slow period dramas you'll love it, if not you're not missing much.
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