November 2009 Archives   30 November 2009 Upcoming Starz Special - Spartacus Behind The Scenes Starz has a page up for an upcoming look at behind the scenes on Spartacus. Go behind the scenes and on the set of the Starz Original series "Spartacus." Click here for more News submitted by Barbara Davies     29 November 2009 AUSXIP Spartacus Site Updates IMDb has been updated with all 13 episodes of Spartacus. Includes credits but some titles are missing http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442449/episodes Updated the following sections on AUSXIP Spartacus Episode Guide http://spartacus.ausxip.com/epguide/ Cast / Character Page http://spartacus.ausxip.com/castinfo.php Added Other Characters (other than the main characters) which include Gladiators, Slaves, Citizens of Capua and Thracians http://spartacus.ausxip.com/castinfo2.php If you would like to read my reviews of Episode 1 and 2 you can do so here - THEY DO NOT CONTAIN SPOILERS. Click here to read Episode 1 - The Red Serpet Review http://spartacus.ausxip.com/2009/11/spartacus-blood-and-sand-season-1-episode-1-review.html Click here to read Episode 2 - Sacramentum Gladiatorum Review http://spartacus.ausxip.com/2009/11/spartacus-blood-and-sand-season-1-episode-2-review.html For what it's worth...I think this show is FANTASTIC! I wouldn't automatically recommend it (even if Lucy was in it) on ausxip unless I thought it was a great show and this is a great show. Having said that I wouldn't have watched it if Lucy wasn't in it but she is and I did and it's INCREDIBLE. People to watch because they will be HUGE stars: Andy Whitfield, Erin Cummings, Viva Bianca - VERY impressed. I'm not mentioning Lucy because, well, it's a no brainer. Lucy is AWESOME in this (yes I am biased...big surprise!) As I said in my reviews; there isn't a dud character or actor amongst them and that is a very rare thing indeed. Even the supporting characters are interesting! and no, Starz is not paying me to say that <vbg> Tune into Starz on 22 January and see if I'm right.       28 November 2009 New Andy Spartacus Episode Still on Starz Site Spartacus S1 Episode 1 The Red Serpent official episode page is now online with a promo pic of Spartacus with Sura. At the moment that's all there is. Click here to view     27 November 2009 New Andy Spartacus Photo On Official Spartacus Site The official Spartacus site has new cast photos and this one is another Spartacus shot. Check out the rest of the photos here!     26 November 2009 Shirtless Man of the Week: Andy Whitfield Chicago Now has a review after seeing episodes 1 and 2 Shirtless Man of the Week: Andy Whitfield of 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' Chicago Now - 24 November 2009 Nothing gets my blood pumping like a good sword-and-sandals story--except maybe the shirtless dudes wearing the sandals and wielding the, um, swords. That's why Andy Whitfield of the upcoming "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" is my latest Shirtless Man of the Week. The Aussie plays the title character in Starz network's new original drama, which premieres on Jan. 22. Read The Review     22 November 2009 Spartacus Blood and Sand Season 1 Episode 2 Review Spartacus Blood and Sand Season 1 Episode 2 Review Sacramentum Gladiatorum by MaryD "I burn for no cause but my own" ... Spartacus to Batiatus Spartacus gets an introduction to life in the Ludus, we see more of Batatius and Lucretia, introduced to the rest of the Gladiators in the Ludus and away we go. Many thanks to Starz Entertainment for the chance to review this episode. If I spoil this episode, lots and lots of people will be unhappy. I've been playing 'let's see how long I can go without seeing episode 2'. I've lasted two days. Not bad. Having just finished watching this episode I will make this prediction. There will be a great deal of artwork produced by fans from this show (and I'm not talking about naked people). The visuals in this show are incredible. The last time I had this creative reaction to a tv show was Xena. Read My Review     20 November 2009 Spartacus Blood and Sand Season 1, Episode 1 Review Spartacus Blood and Sand: Season 1 Episode 1 The Red Serpent Review by MaryD   I'm writing this review (without spoilers) after watching the first Spartacus: Blood and Sand episode via Starz. Many thanks to Starz for giving me the opportunity. Betrayed by his country. Beaten into slavery. Reborn as a warrior. Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a graphic and visceral account of Rome's most famous gladiator. When he's separated from the love of his life, Spartacus is forced into the gruesome and bloodthirsty arena, where a grisly death is primetime entertainment. Spartacus must fight for survival, befriend his enemies and play politics in this new world of corruption, violence, sex and fame. He'll be seduced by power and tormented by vengeance. But his passion will give him the strength to prevail over every obstacle, in this modern and uninhibited tale of death, honor and endurance. Starring Australian actor, Andy Whitfield (McLeod's Daughters) as Spartacus, Lucy Lawless (Xena: Warrior Princess) as Lucretia, John Hannah (The Mummy, Four Weddings and A Funeral) as Batiatus and Peter Mensah (300, The Incredible Hulk) as Doctore, this unique mix of live action, graphic novel effects and brutal battle sequences is set to make Spartacus: Blood & Sand an epic television event. All the media hype has been that Spartacus Blood and Sand had sex, violence, nudity, blood and more violence and did I mention the sex and nudity? Does it? Yes it does and I'll address those without any spoilers before going into detail about my thoughts on the various characters. Read Review (does not contain SPOILERS)     20 November 2009 Andy's New Movie "The Clinic" US sales company The Little Film Company has picked up sales rights to The Clinic, a low-budget privately-financed debut thriller from Australian director James Rabbitts. It is about a group of women fighting for their lives and the lives of their offspring and the cast includes Tabrett Bethell and Andy Whitfield, both soon to be seen in the US series Legend of the Seeker and Spartacus respectively, and Sophie Lowe (Beautiful Kate), billed as one of Australia's hottest rising talents. Rabbitts and producer Samuel Pinczewski have worked together on commercials, short films and music clips under the Great Southern Land Entertainment banner since meeting at a private Sydney Film School. They are now working on a second feature, The Aurora Stone. Financier Bob Marcs, producer Jonathan Shteinman, veteran distributor Richard Sheffield stood behind the pair as executive producers and are big believers in their talent. The film will be released in Australia under Sheffield's Polphony Entertainment next year. A significant number of Australian filmmakers, usually men, are trying their hand at genre films now that there is an investment system in place that does not require direct government involvement. Instead they can use the producer offset to claim back 40 per cent of expenditure. The film was entirely filmed on the flat farming landscape around Deniliquin in New South Wales. Source     13 November 2009 Spartacus To Get a Second Season! Erin Cummings has posted on her Twitter account that Rob Tapert (unofficially) announced to the cast and crew that Spartacus will continue for a second season! That's excellent news! Only a couple more months till we see the start of Season 1. Starz must be overjoyed with the finished product to commit to a second season. Congratulations to Rob, the cast and the crew of Spartacus Blood and Sand. "ErinLCummings: Cast/crew photo for Spartacus today in NZ-very emotional, especially when Rob (unofficially) announced that Spartacus will have a season 2!!"     Read More Archives