Game Of Thrones S1 Blu-ray Review

Game Of Thrones – The Complete Season One

Showrunners – David Benioff & DB Weiss

Staring – Sean Bean, Mark Addy, Lena Headey, Michelle Fairley, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, Harry Lloyd, Jason Momoa, Aiden Gillen, Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner, Richard Madden, Isaac Hempstead-Wright, Kit Harrington, Jack Gleeson, Rory McCann and many many more…

Summers span decades, winters can last a lifetime, the great houses of Westeros like nothing better than playing their games. And the biggest game of the all has begun, the battle for the Iron Throne itself. From the south where the heat breeds plots and can cook a man alive, to the far north where a 800 foot wall protects the Seven Kingdoms from the dark that lies beyond.

 Kings, Queens, Knights and Lords, liars, renegades and honest men, all have a  part to play in the game of thrones.

I’d read the books by the time the first episode of season one of Game Of Thrones aired. It’s an ambitious undertaking, turning a series of – so far – five books into a series for TV. It would be ambitious turning what many view as the modern generations Lord Of The Rings into a film series, but TV, and only ten episodes per season?

Whatever David Benioff and DB Weiss are taking I hope they never run out. They’ve managed to condense an epic book into a ten, sixty minute episodes, and not only have they managed it but they managed to do it so it appeals to fans and newcomers alike.

With a main cast that would swamp most films, brilliantly backed up by a supporting cast that seemed at some stages to employ every notable character actor in England, the series unfolds excellently, introducing the viewer to Westeros and its people without missing a beat.

Wit a cast this size it could be easy to overdo things meaning the actors become swamped and disappear into the scenery. But they don’t, everyone has their moment to shine. Characters jump full blown and expertly visualised from the page.

Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleeson) is suitably slimy, Sandor Clegane (Rory McCann) is the Hound, King Robert Baratheon (Mark Addy) is larger than life and twice as loud, Lord Eddard Stark (Sean Bean) is as cold as the North and loyal to the end.

Added to these there was standout performances from Maisie Williams as feisty Arya Stark and Peter Dinklage as the Imp, Tyrion Lannister.

As a fantasy series it delivers, there are mysteries, legends and dragons. As a serious piece of drama it excels on multiple levels, drawing in people who would not normally go anywhere near anything with fantasy in the description.

Season 1 was the best drama on TV in 2011, adapting the first book to perfection.

 

Game Of Thrones S2 – Full Episode Titles List & S3

The full list of titles for S2 of HBO’s Game Of Thrones has been posted online.

1: The North Remembers
Already aired: 1 April 2012 (US) – 2nd April (UK)

2: The Night Lands
Already aired: 8 April 2012 (US) & 9th April (UK)

3: What is Dead May Never Die
Airdate: 15 April 2012 (US) & 16th April (UK)

4: Garden of Bones
Airdate: 22 April 2012 (US) & 23rd April (UK)

5: The Ghost of Harrenhal
Airdate: 29 April 2012 (US) & 30th April (UK)

6: The Old Gods and the New
Airdate: 6 May 2012 (US) & 7th May (UK)

7: A Man Without Honor
Airdate: 13 May 2012 (US) & 14th May (US)

8: The Prince of Winterfell
Airdate: 20 May 2012 (US) & 21st May (UK)

9: Blackwater
Airdate: 27 May 2012 (US) & 28th May (UK)

10: Valar Morghulis
Airdate: 3 June 2012 (US) & 4th June (UK)

HBO have already renewed the show for a third season – not as some had hoped third & fourth – with filming no doubt due to start again in the Autumn and run through to the end of the year. No confirmation on when it will air, but it’s expected April 2013. Already confirmed – by George RR Martin himself – episode seven will be penned by Martin himself and has the running title of Autumn Storms, though this may not be the actual title of the episode.

It is expected that S3 will cover the first half of the third book in A Song Of Ice And Fire, A storm Of Swords. ASoS is half as long again as A Game Of Thrones so it was always expected they would have to split it over two seasons. Where the split will happen is anyone’s guess, there are several major events in  the third book, any which would make an excellent season cliffhanger.

And anyone interested why – considering the amount of posts I make about the series – I’ve not posted any reviews, I will be, but will do them in batches.

HBO And The Big Game Of Thrones S2 Push

With a week to go (in the UK, the US would have seen it last night) until S2 of Game Of Thrones premiers on Sky Atlantic, HBO have released two new videos featuring the new characters and new locations coming up in the next ten weeks.

Stannis Baratheon, Mellisandre, Davos Seaworth, Lord Balon Greyjoy, Maergery Tyrell, Qhorin Halfhand…

And we go beyond the Wall, to Qarth, the Riverlands and points between

A Call To Arms – Game Of Thrones S2

It’s war. Many lay claim to the Iron Throne of Westeros, across the Seven Kingdoms the banners have been called and men are marching.

But who do you support, where does your sword stand.

House Baratheon? But King Stannis or King Renly?

Or does your heart belong to the North and you bend the knee to King Robb Stark?

What about the Lannister’s? They always pay their debts, but is King Joffrey worthy of your loyalty?

Or does your heart answer to the call of the sea and you’re one of the Ironborn and follow King Balon Greyjoy?

Or do you follow the path of the dragon and bend the knee to Queen Danearys Targaryan?

 

 

Another Game Of Thrones Trailer – “The More You Love”

HBO have released another trailer for S2 of Game Of Thornes.

This one concentrates on the relationships within the series and features some of the fantastic female characters.

 

 

 

 

 

HBO Release Another Game Of Thrones S2 Trailer

HBO have released another trailer for season 2 of Game Of Thrones.

There are some scenes already seen, but there is also a lot of new material. I especially like the glimpses we get of the George RR Martin penned episode entitled Blackwater. 

Those that have read the books know’s what happens, and its looking like a TV budget will do it proud.

April 1st Is Comming.

New Game Of Thrones S2 Trailer

At midnight on Friday 24th HBO released the second trailer for season two of Game Of Thrones. Initially it was only available to HBO-Go subscribers, but now it has been released to the world.

If some of the snippets are anything to go by, it looks like the promise of more action this year is being fulfilled.

 

 

HBO Releases New Images From S2 Of Game Of Thrones

POSSIBLE SPOILERS ahead if you’ve not read A Clash Of Kings.

HBO have released a set of new images from the second season of Game Of Thrones. Amongst the familiar faces there are some good shots of the major new characters introduced.

First up is a shot of Bran Stark with Hodor.

Next is a shot of Arya Stark, you will see she has her hair shot (it was cut off by Yoren in episode 9 Baelor), if the series follows the book I’m guessing the boys behind her are part of the troop she is travelling north with heading for the Wall. She has assumed the identity of Arry, a boy. One of the group is Gendry – one of Robert Baratheon’s bastards who was last seen when Eddard Stark visited the blacksmith where he worked.

This is the first image we’ve seen of Lord Balon Greyjoy – Theon’s father – he’s played by British actor Patrick Malahide. Balon is lord of the Iron Islands and Theon is sent back home with a letter from Robb Stark requesting the Iron Islands side with the North and bow to Robb as their King.

Another first image and this time of Brienne of Tarth – played by Gwendoline Christie. Brienne is a masculine looking woman who is skilled with a sword. She becomes a member of King Renly Baratheon’s Rainbow Guard (an alternative to the Kingsguard).

Catelyn Stark.

Cersie Lannister

A forlorn looking Daenerys Targaryan. I’m guessing this shot is from the journey across the Red Waste enroute to the eastern city of Qarth.

Another shot of Daenerys, based on the recent trailer I’m guessing this is taken outside Qarth.

The Onion Knight Lord Davos Seaworth – played by Liam Cunningham. Davos is a former smuggler and sworn sword to King Stannis Baratheon.

King Joffrey Baratheon.

Jon Snow, again based on the recent trailer I’m guessing this shot is from the Night Watch’s ranging beyond the Wall.

Melisandre of Asshai – played by Clarice van Houten – and King Stannis Baratheon – played by Stephen Dillane. Melisandre is a priestess of R’hollr and seems to have a strong influence of Stannis and his bid for the Iron Throne.

King Renly Baratheon.

King of the North Robb Stark.

Sansa Stark, this appears to have been lifted from the recent trailer where she is at the mercy of King Joffrey.

Theon Greyjoy, judging by his armour – it looks like the Kraken sigil of his house – I’m guessing this is a shot with Theon back on the Iron Islands.

And lastly, no set of promotional images could be complete without the Imp Tyrion Lannister, now sporting his badge of office as Hand of the King.

Less than two months until the season premier, my times going slow.

Looking Forward To 2012

There is a lot to look forward to in 2012; it seems every year the range of genre on offer just gets stronger and stronger. So here is my list of what I’m looking forward to in the coming 12 months.

Books

The Wind Through The Keyhole by Stephen King – A new novel set during King’s Dark Tower sequence, said to cover events between Wizard And Glass and Wolves Of The Calla. I have some trepidation about this, for me the series went downhill after Wizard and lost its way. But King is still a fantastic writer and so this is on my list. Due out in April.

The Great North Road by Peter F Hamilton – A standalone epic set on a colony world. This is said to be Hamilton’s biggest book in a long while (an estimated 250,000+ words), and with it being nearly two years since Temporal Void it should be worth the wait. Comments he has made on his website hint that his next project is a return to the Void, with a new trilogy but set on a different planet and not including any previously seen characters. Due out in October.

Republic Of Thieves by Scott Lynch – The third title in The Gentlemen Bastard sequence. This book has been a long time coming – Red Seas Under Red Skies came out five years ago – due to Lynch’s health problems affecting his ability to write. At the end of the second book readers were left on a cliffhanger, with Locke Lamora having ingested a poison and the only antidote gone to the grave with its creator. Due out in October.

A Red Country by Joe Abercrombie – The third standalone set in the universe created with The First Law trilogy. According to posts on Abercrombie’s blog this novel will have the feel of the Old West, leading some commentators to speculate that this tale will be either set in the far south and feature Ferro – last seen at the end of Last Argument Of Kings demon possessed and bent on revenge against the Gurkish, or possibly set in the Old Empire with its frontier-like towns. No firm release date has been put out yet, Gollancz say late 2012.

The World Of Ice And Fire by George RR Martin, Elio Garcia and Linda Atonsson – Garcia and Atonsson run the popular Westeros.org website, and they have been working on this companion book the Martins A Song Of Ice And Fire series for some years. Martin himself has given a lot of input and time to this project; and the book is said to include extensive histories of the Seven Kingdoms, new maps – including a World Map, that may not include not yet seen regions around Asshai and the Jade Sea – and exclusive artwork by Ted Nasmith. Due out late 2012.

Dangerous Women edited by George RR Martin and Gardner Dozios – A new collection of short fantasy from some of the biggest names in the genre. Highlight for me will be the fourth Dunk & Egg story called The She-Wolves (or possibly The She-Wolves Of Winterfell), detailing Ser Duncan and Egg’s adventures in the Stark stronghold some eighty years before A Game Of Thrones. Due out late 2012.

 

TV

Supernatural S7 – The last half of season 7 started airing on January 6^th in the US. The CW has ordered an additional episode making this season 23 episodes long. Whether the plan is to go out with a bang – there is as yet no news if there will be an 8^th season – or they plan something extra special. This season has been a rough ride for fans, with the Winchester’s facing a threat that is seemingly unstoppable, the loss of Castiel and death of father-figure Bobby Singer.

The Walking Dead S2 – The second season is halfway through its run in the US and scheduled for Channel 5 in the UK during the summer. This was the breakout hit of 2011 with its premier breaking cable TV records.

Game of Thrones S2 – Due to be aired in April in the US – with a next day airing in the UK – the second season covers events in the second book of George RR Martin’s series, war has erupted in Westeros and five kings lay claim to the Iron Throne. Season 2 has an even bigger cast than the first and a lot more ground to cover for the writers in ten episodes. Highlight for me, episode nine called Blackwater written by Martin himself.

Downton Abbey S3 – Yes you’re reading that right, the third season of this brilliant period drama is scheduled for the autumn. Said to be set in the early 1920s – and said to be the last series as writer Julian Fellows only ever envisaged three – it will probably cover the slow demise of the aristocracy in England, and hopefully tie up what happens to Bates.

 

Films

John Carter – Pixar releases its first live action film. This is a lavish film version of Tarzan creators Edgar Rich Burroughs Barsoom books. The trailer looks great, with plenty of action and a heroic looking hero, stars Taylor Kitsch as John Carter. Due out in March.

Wrath Of The Titans – This sequel to Clash Of The Titans sees the hero Perseus embark on a quest to the underworld to rescue Zeus from his brother Hades. Sam Wothington stars as Perseus. Due out in March.

The Avengers – Joss Weadon writes and directs what must be the most ambitious project of the year. Bringing together the superhero team of Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye, Black Widow and the Hulk to do battle against Loki and an as yet un-known threat to Earth (though most people think it’s the Skrulls). Due out in May.

Snow White And The Huntsman – Based only on the trailer I’m giving this a go. It looks dark and moody, and has no singing animals. Due out in June.

Prometheus – Ridley Scott returns to the genre he defined with his Alien/not-Alien prequel. Due out in June.

The Dark Knight Rises – The third, and last, in Christopher Nolan’s re-booting of the Batman legend. Going on the trailer and teaser poster I’m hedging my bets that this will end with Bruce Wayne/Batman broken and in traction. Due out in July.

Expendables 2 – Stallone, Swarzenegger & Willis on screen together. What else does any red blooded man want? Due out in August.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – This needs no introduction, Peter Jackson back where he belongs in Middle Earth. Gandalf, Elrond and Golem return for this tale of lost treasure, a dragon, a battle between five armies, Oh… and a ring. Due out in December.

“Cold Wind’s” S2 Game Of Thrones Trailer Air’s

HBO have aired the third trailer for season 2 of Game of Thrones, which is due to premier in April.

The voice over is that of Stephen Dillane who is playing the as yet unseen third Baratheon brother Stannis.

Not much given away in this trailer, it is very atmospheric but, part of me feels it falls short of the S1 trailers.