Chicago – One of the most popular opinions among modern audiences is the notion that television shows have become consistently better than films. This is partly because many of the year’s best movies are relegated to urban art houses, while shows like “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” are available on small screens nationwide. Yet I’d argue that there’s just as much derivative dreck on TV as there is in mainstream multiplexes.
Two recent shows on Starz illustrate this principal in exquisite fashion. Both “Camelot” and “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” are the latest rehashes of ancient tales that have nothing new to bring to the table, besides a smattering of gore and nudity to better portray the “reality” of their oft-romanticized subject matter (while simultaneously boosting ratings). Neither show emerges as anything more than an inferior imitation of past hit films. One show is a complete rip-off, while the other registers as HBO-lite.
Two recent shows on Starz illustrate this principal in exquisite fashion. Both “Camelot” and “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” are the latest rehashes of ancient tales that have nothing new to bring to the table, besides a smattering of gore and nudity to better portray the “reality” of their oft-romanticized subject matter (while simultaneously boosting ratings). Neither show emerges as anything more than an inferior imitation of past hit films. One show is a complete rip-off, while the other registers as HBO-lite.
- 9/15/2011
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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