Saturday, August 25, 2012

Engl 100 Essay Review - Game of Thrones, Blog #1


“Society bristles with enigmas which look hard to solve. It is a perfect maze of intrigue.” – Honore de Balzac. The Game of Thrones epitomizes this image magnificently. A game that screams with enigmas and  mazes of intrigue that gives the viewer no other choice but to become enthralled.  TV Guide movie reviewer, Matt Roush, highlights the same sentiment in his article, “Roush Review: Grim Thrones Is a Crowning Achievement.” The series is based on the book by George RR Martin titled,  A song of Fire and Ice. To keep the focus on the story line,  Martin became the co-executive producer of The Game of Thrones. Roush captures the audience with his review in such a way that even the harshest critics would find themselves front and center of this “political and psychological” mind play fantasy drama.

Roush introduces the series to the reader by presenting the title of episode one, “Winter Is Coming.” The title foreshadows a possible slow-moving action sequence throughout the drama. He points out that the title of episode one is misleading. He indicates that the series, in contrast,  is a dynamic and heated cinema. Roush expresses his admiration of the series by stating  “the real magical wizardry…in the rich storytelling, embroiling a bounty of memorable characters young and old in a fatalistic free-for-all of dynastic mayhem.” This statement provides insight to the reader that the upcoming season  contains an array of treats to cater to a variety of viewers. Though the familiarity of this rustic epic in Roush’s telling of this tale in its “honor, family, treachery, revenge and heroism” that viewers of epic cinematography seek out, it gives its uniqueness in its maze of family and relationship  interests, quick to kill action of possible main characters, and  mirroring of the time in its less than colorful imagery makes the season  one that keeps its viewer coming back for more, as Roush views points out.

            The coming of time in this epic Roush places an emphasis that the mole that other epic films place women, men and children in will not be found in this series of episodes. Instead Roush points out that the awe-factor is highlighted in the placement of tomboyish daughters, rebelling lords and ladies that give respect towards out casted family, even to adoption of animals in which normally would be killed but are saved by the standing up of a child against his powerful and well respected father. Scenes that Roush highlights only Game of Thrones has the strength to risk in its ground breaking script that he foresees will motivate his readers to engage their minds in this alchemy of converging brilliance.

            I found Roush’s review to be very engaging and informative. I began  enjoying the series Game of Thrones since it first aired on television…I absolutely loved it from the start. The rustic nature and original but unique appeal has a great refreshing appeal to me. Imagery that is realistic (cold, wet, dirty landscape) to the time places me in the trance of the fictional series that very well could be a realistic history is as addicting as Roush foretold it would be. I also enjoyed  the ease of understanding the family names that the scripts gives by using today’s age names such as Robert, Ned, Jaime, Jon…this made the story line more relatable to me. As going along with the realism…I also disliked the some of the scenes due to the pleasure of the realism of the actors and scenes. I disliked some scenes because it held some characters that the producers “wanted” me to dislike. Joffrey Baratheon, for example, is a character that I disliked in the first episode due to his self centered mentality, evil intentions, and constant sadistic actions. In contrast, I most enjoyed the intelligence of Tyrion Lannister. He engaged my interests due to his dwarfism. He made himself improvise and heighten his abilities to diligently accomplish more than a man twice his size could achieve. Tyrion used his intelligence to service his cruel world of giants and bullies…a trait that I highly respected in this character.

            If I never heard of  the series, Roush’s review would really encourage me to give a close watch to this epic fantasy. The way in which the review explained the similiarities, differences, and mood  of this dark yet enlightening offering of entertainment is exactly how I would’ve explained the series to engage others into what I so look forward to viewing. For others to read this review the link at http://www.tvguide.com/news/roush-review-thrones-1031879.aspx#disqus_thread can take the interested  person there. To overcome themselves with realism yet lost in fantasy…I would highly recommend the advice of Roush as he speaks of Tyroin Lannister, “This dwarf has game — and so does this fabulous dark fable. Dig in.”

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