by Madeline Miller

Ecco

In shops now

I’m a little late to the party on this one. It’s been a minute since I read “The Iliad” and I never did see Brad Pitt’s “Troy,” so most of the particulars of the Trojan War have escaped my head. But when I saw all the buzz about Madeline Miller’s debut novel, which revisits the classic tale foiled by the unexplored love story between Achilles and Patroclus, I was curious to have another look.

Achilles is certainly the hero we all know from our Greek mythology readers in high school. We are surely less familiar with the man who was his greatest love, Patroclus. Miller uses “The Illiad,” “The Odyssey” and “The Aeneid” as a solid foundation for her novel, tracing the boyhood friendship of these two young men. Achilles is the son of a goddess and a mortal man, while Patroculus is an exiled young prince, who becomes his closest companion. As they grow older, their friendship slowly morphs into a deeper love, which carries them across kingdoms and ultimately to the city of Troy for a war that will last for a decade and test their resolve as men before they meet their ends.

To be clear, this is not the “gay retelling of the battle of Troy.” There is a love story here which carries us through the novel, but it is told with such emotional honestly and restraint that it doesn’t feel marginalized or at all niche-y. Ms. Miller (who specialized in adapting classical tales for a modern audience at Yale School of Drama) has given us a dramatic, accessible and affecting work, which brings the story of Achilles to light for a new generation. While the origins of this tale are built from Homer’s strong action-based narrative, she is able to fully complement that aspect with rich and layered characters who you will not want to part with in the final pages. Ms. Miller is most assuredly one to watch.

This article also appears on JP’s List.

Warner Bros.

In cinemas nationwide tomorrow

Nicholas Sparks. I know. I know. While the best-selling novelist’s many books may drive many a young woman to a coquettish snicker, for so many of us out there in the dark (the boys, especially) we see these trailers coming down the line and just think: Not another one.

What we have to remember though – even those of us who are so mature that scenes of kissing and touching don’t make us giggle uncomfortably – is that these movies do bring good tidings. Whether its the talent like Ryan Gosling, Diane Lane, Richard Gere or Kevin Costner, or the love stories we can’t resist like “The Notebook” or “A Walk to Remember,” there’s good stuff in the Sparks bottle. Often times it gets snuffed out by the longing looks and predictable plot points, but director Scott Hicks (“Shine,” “Snow Falling on Cedars”) has found a way to showcase the emotional storyline of a soldier returning from war and a young woman still recovering from the loss of a loved one.

Zac Efron turns out a surprising and restrained performance while newcomer Taylor Schilling (NBC’s ‘Mercy’) proves that she is absolutely one to watch. Blythe Danner offers a loveable if supporting turn as grandmother who is at once a complete caretaker and free spirit. In the choices of script and direction, these characters find moments to surprise us in a most conventional love story format. Chivalry and courage come from different places than one might expect in “The Lucky One.”

Aside from a dramatic and rather sudden Hollywood movie ending (a deus ex machina if ever there was one), this ranks right up there with “The Notebook,” and is a film that transcends the usual date night calling.

HBO

Season premiere Sunday @ 9p ET

When I received the first four episodes of the new season of “Game of Thrones” on my desk I basically had an apoplectic fit. The wait and all the buzz have undone me, but I am happy to report that the return of the epic series will most certainly not disappoint.

I am not going to spoil anything, but I will tell you why the new season is absolutely exquisite:

1. Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister. If you thought he was fierce before, you are in for a real treat. I know that it wouldn’t be as special if Tyrion was in every scene, but the turn he takes in season two makes me wish he were. I may have actually applauded his dialogue once or twice while watching by myself.

2. There are a bunch of new people in the post-Ned Stark days. I would be lying if I said it was easy to keep track of them all, but I have the family tree booklet from the season 1 DVD and there are several online resources (including videos) to help keep track of it all. If we’re being honest, I thought the show was complicated enough before, but more players on the chess board just ups the stakes. If you need a season 1 recap, HBO has one at the ready.

3. War is coming. While the promise of a juicy battle at the end of the season is certainly exciting, what happens in the interim actually makes me wonder just how dark and vicious things are going to get. If the actions of Prince Joffrey are any indication, the season is going to be extremely hard to watch because of the brutality inflicted upon the characters we have come to know and love.

And even though I’ve seen them all, you know I’ll still be recording these gems and watching along with America every Sunday night. Hopefully for many years to come.

Disney Blu-ray

In shops now

Such, such joy. If you saw my review of the film then you know how much I loved it. But now that it lives in the house with me, it’s even better. For a movie as wonderful as this, I really don’t need bonus features, but this one has some good ones:

Most importantly – the soundtrack. Of course there’s ‘The Muppet Show theme’, but also ‘The Rainbow Connection’ and the new and lovely ‘Life’s a Happy Song’ and the Oscar winning tune, ‘Man or Muppet.’ A digital soundtrack should be included in every DVD set. Just saying.

Also you’ll find “The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History),” “Scratching the Surface: A Hasty Examination of The Making of ‘The Muppets,’” Deleted Scenes, Screen Tests, Unreleased Spoof Trailers and more.

All these special features will make you snicker and smile because they are so wonderfully Muppet-y. But really they’ll just want to make you watch the movie all over again. Which is completely fine by me. I may even put it on a loop, so come on over.

HBO Home Entertainment

In shops now

Considering that this series has four different Entertainment Weekly covers this week, it certainly needs no additional publicity from me. But if you are a fan of this show, which returns next month, the unwrapping of the DVD will lead to much hyperventilating.

Among the delicious tidbits here in the bonus department, you’ll find: ‘Making Of,’ From the Book to the Screen,’ ‘Creating the Show Open,’ and seven audio commentaries. The Blu-ray boasts additional pieces: ‘Complete Guide to the Westeros,’ ‘Anatomy of an Episode,’ and something about ‘Hidden Dragon Eggs’ which sounds like a lot of work. Each disc is labelled with the episodes you’ll find on it and just the vague “bonus features” – so each one has a full menu, but don’t get too comfy because you may have to change discs. But really it’s a small price to pay and the ones I’m partial to are all on disc 5, FYI.

If you are already a fan then you don’t need me to sell you. If not, it’s time to give it up and join the nerds. It’s not an easy mythology to dive into, but the DVD set will help you immensely. There’s even a family tree you can refer to. Delightful.

Fox Home Entertainment

In shops now

Tarsem’s “The Fall” was a film I probably saw half a dozen times. Not only was it breathtakingly beautiful, but the simple magic of that story is the kind of thing that makes you want to spend a sunny afternoon folded into a library window with a pile of books. Expert storytellers like Tarsem tap into unknown nooks and crannies of your imagination, and his latest two films, “Immortals” and “Mirror Mirror” most certainly make you believe in magic.

In the DVD commentary as part of this release, we hear his colleagues discuss the process of bringing the film to the screen, and how the vision was “Caravaggio meets Fight Club.” In his biggest role to date, Henry Cavill of ‘The Tudors’ fame plays a fully-ripped Theseus, who must battle men and titans alike to fulfill his destiny of becoming a god high above. The Blu-ray completely brings the epic-ness of the story front and center. I watched it with full surround sound and enjoyed it so much more than I would have had I go to see it in cinemas.

The disc also has some informative features like ‘It’s No Myth’ which has professors of classic literature putting Theseus’ story in context for a contemporary audience. There’s also an alternate opening and endings, deleted scenes, and a multi-part feature called ‘Tarsem’s Vision’ which looks at special effects, stunts, sound and more.

All in all, it’s a great little package for a film that seemed to be here one minute and gone the next. It did make over $225 million when it was all said and done. And now that the noise that comes with releasing a movie is over, we can actually sit down and enjoy it. And Tarsem will amaze you every time.

The classic doc rolls out onto Blu-ray on 3 April. It’s about time we had another look…