Monday 25 March 2013

What I'm watching...

Finally got round this evening to watching part of "John Carter of Mars" and how delighted  I was by it. I read all the books in my teens,had the TSR rules and Hinchcliffe(?) figures many,many moons ago. I still have the second half to go but so far so good ,can't wait to finish it. What did you chaps think?
Finally a snap shot of some of the Duchy dvd collection .Click on the picture to enlarge and let me know what you think.

16 comments:

  1. I loved it and rave about it to anybody that will listen. To me it is a future classic. The only jarring note was Zodanga the walking city. Far too silly and they missed a chance to show lovely canals.

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    1. Were you tempted to game the conflict? I was, but I fear it is a period too far,with too many on the go already!

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  2. I have been gaming Barsoom for years with large Black hat miniatures and Peter Pig armies in 15/18mm. Just no cool airships.

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  3. I used to play the original TSR Barsoom rules but have been using HOTT for sometime just doubling or tripling the armies. I am now starting to play around with Hail Ceaser. I also have the Martian Empires rules but to be honest I have never used them.

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  4. Are the Peter Pig figs still available?

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  5. Not seen it yet, but my friend Speckled Jim is a fan of the books and film and is painting some of the Black Hat martian figures. Some good material in your collection. Tales from the Green Valley (Stuart Peachey was in my old Knot regiment, a jolly nice chap), Conan (no better fantasy film) and Brotherhood of the Wolf (I remember a rather fetching lady spy wearing a tricorn and little else).

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    1. i've not seen the newish Conan but this one still stands up as a great film.

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    2. In my humble opinion, don't bother... :o) I'm not sure they've captured the essence of Conan on film yet.... the new one is better than Arnie, but I haven't finished the new one yet and I've tried three times..!

      PS. No "Day of the Jackal"? "Bridge too Far"? Bravo on Hamish though...!

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  6. I've not seen the film yet but I love the period. I have noticed some very good films in your collection especially A Daughtman's Contact. I love that film and the music within it too.

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    1. Draughtsman's Contract is a great film and visually stunning.I love the Michael Nyman music as well.

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  7. Several good films in your collection. Yes, I managed to catch "John Carter" in the theatres before it left. I was pleasantly surprised and loved it. I'm a longtime ERB fan and really enjoyed the Barsoom books many years ago. Rather formulaic but fun adventures, and good world-building. Also used to play the John Carter boardgame "back in the day" with friends. We would dream about a Barsoom movie and who could play which parts.

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  8. Any collection that has 'Judge John Deed', 'Blackadder's Christmas Carol' and 'The Brotherhood of the Wolf' in it must be worth trawling through for other fascinating treasures.

    Although the 'Kingdom of Heaven' is an OK movie, I find the historical brothers Ibelin much more engaging and sympathetic. When pressed by the people of Jerusalem to command its defence after Hattin, Balian wrote to Saladin in apology for violating an agreement made earlier for a safe conduct for his famil. Saladin was moved to accept the apology and continue honouring the safe passage.

    I like that sort of thing. These days, the likes of Balian of Ibelin and Humphrey of Toron (and Salah ed Din, himself worthy and recognising worth when he saw it) are rare leaders: we are stuck with too many of the likes of Reynald of Chatillon, Gerard of Ridfort, and Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem - out for themselves and everyone else can go hang. Sorry.

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  9. I'm not a huge "Kingdom of Heaven " fan but I watched it thought it ok and worth retaining.
    I really ought to read up a bit more- haven't read much since Runciman and the splendid novel "Knight with armour."
    Can't go far wrong with Blackadder & I thought I wa sthe only person who watched/liked John Judge Deeds...

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  10. My wife and I love the John Carter of Mars movie. Neither of us have read the books, but we did enjoy the whole flavour of the piece. Your collection looks eclectic - Blackadder, Gladiator and Shakespeare in love. Some of my favourites. =)

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  11. Alan, Yes the Peter Pig figures are still available. I recommend the PP for Red men and Black Hat for Green men.

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