STACK #145 Nov 2016

visit stack.net.au

DVD&BD FEATURE

BEGINNER’S GUIDE

What's so ominous about the phrase "Winter is coming"?Who is this Jon Snow and why does he know nothing? And why is everyone so in love with this HBO fantasy series? Allow us to explain... Words Scott Hocking

when the series begins). There are plenty of other minor houses and players, with the most duplicitous being brothel owner Peter Baelish (aka Littlefinger). The first thing you'll love about the show is the ringtone-friendly opening theme (by composer Ramin Djawadi) and the superb title sequence, the latter an animated 3D map of Westeros (and also Essos to the east) that adds new locations to the geography as they are introduced. The second is the well drawn cast of characters who will become your friends and foes over the course of a projected eight seasons. You'll quickly choose a favourite, whether it's the bastard Jon Snow (Kit Harington), the Mother of Dragons Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), the rebellious Arya Stark (Maisie Williams), the diminutive Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), or if you have a thing for bad boys, the Kingslayer Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). You might even decide to name your children after them, as many have. Don't become too attached to them though – a lot of

WHAT TO EXPECT

#8 - GAME OF THRONES HBO's Emmy-laden adaptation of George R.R. Martin's best-selling multi-book saga A Song of Ice and Fire is, simply put, a swords and castles epic set in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, where feuding families compete for control of the realm. And they will stop at nothing to sit on the Iron Throne. Know this: "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die."

The world of Westeros is modelled on the Dark Ages and historical conflicts like the War of the Roses, which means lots of treachery, political intrigue, blood feuds, shifting allegiances, and no small amount of gratuitous flesh and blood – Game of Thrones is R-rated for a good reason. Yes, it also has dragons and sorcery, but if you’re the type who runs a mile at the mere mention of hobbits, dwarves and wizards, fear not. GoT might feature these fantasy staples – as well as an army of ice zombies – but it's not The Lord of the Rings . The fantasy elements are almost incidental; it's the power play, politicking and unforgettable characters that will have you well and truly hooked. The major players in the game of thrones are the Starks (noble northerners), the Lannisters (rich tyrants), the Targaryens (dragon-blooded tyrants), and the Baratheons (who are ruling

P resents

The Compl ete Se a sons 1-6

THE MOST EMMY ® -WINNING DRAMA IN HISTORY

R 18+ Restricted to 18 and over While stocks last

©2016HomeBoxOffice, Inc.All rights reserved.HBO® and related servicemarks are theproperty ofHomeBoxOffice, Inc. DistributedbyRoadshowEntertainment.

201610051_Game_of_Thrones_S1-6_Contour_Ad_STACK_DPS.indd 2-3

NOVEMBER 2016

28

jbhifi.com.au