Ashur | Mahdi Ahmed

Posts tagged ‘Ashur’

SEASON FINALE AND A TEST SCREENING

The finale of season two of television series SPARTACUS ends with a rip-roaring conclusion with promise of more blood and carnage in season three. I mean, would the senate of Rome keep quiet after what Spartacus and his warriors did to Glaber and his legion? Spartacus even killed Varinius, another decorated praetor? Spartacus’ final words of the last episode were, ‘Let Rome sends their legions. We will face them. And see all follow Glaber in death.’

Liam McIntyre shines as Spartacus, the strategic leader who leads his ill-fated warriors to victory when all hope is lost as they find themselves trapped on top of the Vesuvius volcano, to where they fled when they were outnumbered by Glaber and his legion. Spartacus’ final speech to his disheartened warriors was stirring. He delivered it with aplomb, just as a true leader would.

‘The Romans hold numbers far outweighing our own. Yet they have revealed time and again fatal flaw. That they believe the Roman way is the only one. Just as they believe that there is only one way to leave this mountain. We shall teach them that we forge our own paths. And nothing in this world is impossible, when heart and mind are put towards it. Brace rope, let us begin a lesson forever remembered. The sound will mask descent. The gods bless us with good fortune. Free men create their own. We are all gods this night. And the Romans shall feel our wrath.’

Andy Whitfield would be smiling as Liam bravely took over the reins of the series after his untimely death.

Though the season ended on a triumphant note, it was sad to see Mira die as she was one of the bravest female characters I have seen on both TV and screen. If Lieutenant Ellen L. Ripley was for Aliens or Sarah Connors was for Terminator, Mira was for Spartacus. Though not realized by Spartacus, Mira played a huge role in shaping his destiny. I still believe that Mira was the reason Spartacus became a true leader. In the final battle he probably found strength when Mira was killed. He sure is a man who fought for the women in his life.

Mira may have died, but to see Naevia fought so bravely against Ashur was an elation even though the final beheading was a little bit overly graphic. But I was rooting for her. Naevia was another strong female character who would not succumb to the evil that men have done to her or the tragic circumstances that occurred in her life. To see her stand up on her feet even that symbolically in a sword fight with the man who undid her is something to be treasured. With her powerful reply to Ashur when he degrades her infront of Crixus and her fellow warriors, I wanted to finish him off too. I may have liked his evilness but at that point I really cursed him.

‘My death will not heal the scars you bear. Nor erase of my **bleep** inside of her, or all those that followed,’ Ashur attacks Naevia with ill words.

‘No. It will not. But it is a **bleep** start,’ cries Naevia. Rest is Ashur’s history.

The series has left me like someone possessed. I’m a true fan now. The series has toppled FRIENDS from my favorite TV series list after staying on top since 1994. I can’t wait to see the third season of Spartacus which starts next month.

To fill the void left by Spartacus, my wife and I started watching GAME OF THRONES last night. Many of our kin and friends recommended it. My wife did watch the first two episodes of the first season. I don’t really know what happened after couple of minutes into the first episode.

Ravee and I met at L’Aquila this evening. Ravee will be getting the final audio files of INGILI (Finger) from Mohamed Ikram, composer and sound designer of the film tonight. We are planning to have a test screening next week with limited invitees. Ravee has already booked a place. I’m excited to hear the comments on our first experimental movie.

Cheers!

SADNESS

My wife and I are already sad that the second season of television series, Spartacus titled Spartacus Vengeance is drawing to what looks to be an epic conclusion. We’re left with only four more episodes to watch. But we seek consolation from knowing that the third season is just around the corner that kick starts next year around late January, that’s next month. And also next month starts my favourite reality show, American Idol season 12. Amongst the judging panel for the new season has Mariah Carey. I don’t think I can ever stop my eyes from getting glued… on the screen, I mean.

Just as I expected, with each episode of the second season of SPARTACUS, Liam McIntyre who now plays the title character is beginning to sink his teeth into his character as he slices, dices and cuts Romans into bits and pieces as he fights for the freedom of slaves and his vendetta to kill Glaber. And Liam also gets to make out with Mira, every time in slo-mo with warm lighting. In my opinion it’s Mira who is transforming Liam into a man to fill the shoes left by Andy Whitfield as Spartacus.

The fifth episode is an edge-of-your-seat thriller as Spartacus, and his fighters ravage the coliseum to free Crixus, Oenomaus and Rhaskos from execution. We were literally on the edge of our seat. At one point, I had to stop my wife from jumping into the screen to aide Spartacus.

Also, one thing I noticed from season two is that in almost every episode I have seen so far, Spartacus gives a repetitious speech to inspire his few in numbers ill-fated freedom fighters. If only there’s a little build-up to these speeches. But his speeches on slavery and freedom would give The Great Emancipator a smile.

The episodes I have watched so far continues to explore more on other characters and their plight that are becoming more interesting and important. Crixus’ character at times seems to take over the role of the protagonist as his cause to find Naevia moves the narrative forward in every direction and even after reuniting with her confronts unexpected hurdles as he keeps fighting them. Doesn’t that sound more like a protagonist?

And then there’s my Lucretia whose evil planning made the Romans and people of Capua believe that she is divine. Jupiter will be laughing. But to see her and Ashur part ways have made me worrisome. They were such a great evil pairing. But I have a feeling Lucretia will have more surprises for Ashur under her sleeve. Look what she did to Quintus’ father, Titus in the six-part prequel.

Leaving blood and gore aside, the producers of INGILI (Finger) which includes Ravee, Munavvaru and I have set our focus on releasing the film as soon as possible. The completion of colour grading has been fast-tracked. We have even thought of releasing the film in the island of K. Gulhi first. The film was shot entirely in that island. We have also thought of either donating the ticket sales of the shows in K. Gulhi to its people or give them shows for free of charge. But we’re just brooding over these options presently.

I leave for now. I got to support Arsenal as they play this very moment against West Brom. Luckily Arsenal is leading by a goal scored by Arteta from the spot.

Cheers!

OF LILY AND VENGEANCE

Since first of this month, I have been out of town and on vacation with my family, thus my short absence from posting anything at all. It was a well spent three nights at Lily Beach Resort and Spa, thanks to my sister for taking us with her. Her job at the mentioned resort’s main office comes with such rewarding benefits. A career change did cross my mind fleetingly. But I’m sure I’d be fired the very next day for spending too much time away from my job, most probably typing out my next screenplay under the shades of the coconut palms at the fringe of the long stretch of white sandy pristine beach that gets caressed slowly by the soothing waves generated from the crystal clear blue sea, with the help of the wind that is. And then there’s my pina colada by my side, which of course is non-alcoholic. Brownie points I do seek.

During the entire trip when my son was walking on anything but the sand which was like the whole resort had a full infrastructure of sandy roads and beach all around except for the wooden deck of the open air restaurants and the room we stayed in, I was busy shooting with my Nokia N8. And at times I shot while carrying my son who I knew wanted to give me some tips on handling the camera but then decided it was best to do it when he grows up and when I’m too old and unable to refute him. He had that look, you know? Anyway, I will be compiling a music video of this trip just like the one I did when my family including my sister’s took a trip to Island Hideaway in August this year. All in all I always do a music video of all my family trips.

Soon after we returned home on Tuesday, I met with Ravee at L’Aquila that evening. But before we sat down for a coffee, we met actor and editor, Abdulla Muaz and reconfirmed his commitment to do the color grading of INGILI (Finger). He asked us to drop the film’s project at his studio at our earliest.

Mohamed Ikram, music composer and sound designer of INGILI joined us while Ravee and I were having coffee. Ikram didn’t order a coffee though. He went for some kind of newly promoted fruit juice in a can.

Last night, my wife and I started watching the second season of SPARTACUS titled SPARTACUS: VENGEANCE. We didn’t mind filling our eyes with blood, gore and sex straightaway. Without those elements, there’s no SPARTACUS. Speaking of whom, we felt that Liam McIntyre as the replacement of Andy Whitfield looked too young like in the very first episode Mira tries to put some sense into his thick skull by telling him that they needed a leader not some angry boy who can barely piss without splashing everyone. That sums up our new Spartacus. But I have faith in Liam and I’m sure he’d make Andy proud as he will set his feet firmly on the character as the season progresses.

I guess for the very reason, the first two episodes of the second season which I have seen so far were crafted wisely, as the narrative of both episodes delves deeply into other characters especially Glaber and Oenomaus respectively.

And then there’s Lucretia. I almost sprung out of my seat to see her returned and give enough reasons for my wife to frown. Her appearance really was a joyous surprise. She’s like a phoenix to be reborn from the ashes. And to see Ashur reappear as well at the end of the second episode felt that the much needed evil is once again restored. And to realize that he and Lucretia are scheming together mean that everyone around them are in for a real treat. Can’t wait to find out what they are up to.

Cheers!