Advantages: You know the story so can enjoy the prose
Disadvantages: Elizabethan English so not user friendly

...Milton's Paradise Lost is a great poem. Unlike many retellings of the fall of man it is not overly moralistic and does not seem to cast Satan in a particularly bad light. Milton's prose is superb and the fact that many of his phrases are now in common use is a testament to his durability. Some readers may find the Elizabethan English difficult but this becomes less of a problem the more you read. The poem is very much like Homer's Ilyiad in that it is a story rather than a collection of small pieces. It is split into smaller chapters (books) and this makes it more managable. A vague idea of christian theology and ancient myths also helps, although the footnotes of most editions should explain most of the references. Milton's descrption is great and the sympathy he arouses for both man and the fallen angels is remarkable... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Pacino as Satan
Disadvantages: Can't think of any

...Devils Advocate (1997) Dir - Taylor Hackford Stars - Al Pacino, Keanau Reeves, Charlize Theron Florida defence lawyer Kevin Lomax (Reeves) has never lost a case and soon attracts attention from further afield when an elite New York law firm, run by John Milton (Pacino) ask him for their help to select a jury. Overwhelmed by the life of luxury offered to him and his beautiful wife (Theron) Lomax quickly accepts a permanent position within the company and moves to New York. At this point it becomes clear that this no ordinary court room drama a la John Grisham. There is more about the hugely enigmatic Milton than meets the eye. Lomax's wife begins to become quickly disatisfied with her lot and begins to see things....demons. Lomax is so engrossed in his own success that he does not see the signs until it is too late. Milton is Satan... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good place to learn to drive
Disadvantages: Depressing shopping mall

...I was looking forward to my first trip to Milton Keynes. I had this image of a dynamic modern shopping centre with all types of shop under one roof and within a reasonably compact area. But what did I find? A tatty very ordinary shopping mall twenty minutes walk from the station, set in an unbelievably depressing system of roads. The only decent store, John Lewis, keep to their outdated habit of closing on Sundays AND Mondays, when most stores now open seven days a week. Supermarkets are some distance from the main centre, no fun at all if it is raining. The bus station is fifteen minutes away, and one of the most disgusting places I have ever seen. The only thing going for this miserable town is that its wide roads and sparse traffic would make it a great place to learn to drive (to get away from it as soon as possible). Some years ago... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Classic literature; challenging
Disadvantages: Difficult to grasp; Lengthy

...John and Bill (a.k.a John Milton and William Shakespeare) were both Ben Elton’s of their time. You might think that Shakespeare and Milton are old cronies who wrote in funny English which no one can understand, hundreds of years ago, about love and boring wars. Well, breaking news here, they both also had a wicked sense of humour and questionable morals? They were Damion Hirst’s of their times. Controversial. We love controversy and we, as a human race, are curious enough to want to find out what all the fuss is about. Then more likely than not, we’ll judge the controversy for ourselves and say, “What the hell was all the fuss all about?". So why talk about Bill when I’m supposed to be just talking about John? People are more likely to have read or watched a William Shakespeare play, than read Paradise... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very well laid out area with plenty to see
Disadvantages: Will probably take more than a day to see it all

...Milton Keynes area is East of Buckingham. The new town was originally meant to house about a quarter of a million people in 1991.It takes in several villages,Woughton, Simpson and Loughton as well as Stony Stratford, on the A5. Stony Stratford is where the" cock and ball "story came from, as it has a cock and ball inn.It is rich in history but like alot of areas, has been subject to fires in the 18th century. In Milton Keynes itself there are still a few very nice thatched cottages to be seen, dating back to about the 17th century also there is churches, one of which has a good south doorway and porch. The town area is set out very well. Travel into and out of town can become a bit hetic on some of the road areas.The central train station is at Elder gate, Near to the main street Midsummer boulevard... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: It's classic makes you feel intelligent
Disadvantages: It's a bit hard

...This is a review of the first two books of the epic poem. Most people would shout at me at not reading the other ten, but can you blame me? I had to study this at A-level and I found it rather boring especially the 1st book. The setting the story to come and Milton proving himself to be a greater writer than Homer or Virgil. The 2nd book I found much more entertaining, adventure, the supernatural and much more fun all around. The poem tells us of the downfall of Satan and crew and therefore the making of hell. The book is full of epic similes; mini-stories to help keep our attention, which are fun and makes us learn more. Fantastic imagery and some of his own inventions Miltonic verse and Miltonic expression. Not that interesting. All sounds complicated, the studing of it is, but the reading once you have got over the language is quite... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Al Pacino at his best
Disadvantages: None I can see a great movie

...of ghouls and eventually has a complete mental breakdown. All this seemingly being down to Kevin's new boss John Milton (Al Pacino). This is arguably Pacino's film, his portrayal of John Milton is very convincing, he plays him over the top, aggressive but very charismatic which in a way I would expect, after all we soon find out that John Milton is in fact Satan, not only that he is Kevin's father. It's a typical Good Verses evil film and for a time you truly believe that in this one evil will win. The ending has a huge twist so even though I would love to say I wont, go watch the film ******Technical Info******* Rated 18 Devils Advocate Running time approx 138 mins Directed by Taylor Hackford Cast: Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron, Judith Ivey, Craig T. Nelson, Jeffrey Jones, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Connie Nielson The DVD... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A great English epic
Disadvantages: none

...coming first and the verb coming after. Milton follows many classical examples by personifying characters such as Death, Chaos, Mammon, and Sin. These characters interact with the more traditional Christian characters of Adam, Eve, Satan, various angels, and God. He takes as his basis the basic biblical text of the creation and fall of humanity (thus, 'Paradise Lost'), which has taken such hold in the English-speaking world that many images have attained in the popular mind an almost biblical truth to them (in much the same way that popular images of Hell owe much to Dante's Inferno). The text of Genesis was very much in vogue in the mid-1600s (much as it is today) and Paradise Lost attained an almost instant acclaim. John Milton was an English cleric, a protestant who nonetheless had a great affinity for catholic Italy, and this duality... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: SUITABLE FOR THE DISABLED VISITOR/UNDER ONE ROOF
Disadvantages: CAN GET VERY BUSY ESPECIALLY AT CHRISTMAS

...As a resident in Milton Keynes I visit the Centre MK on a regular basis, and thought I would update you on what's happening. Firstly the Centre MK is all on one level, which makes it easier for wheelchair users and mums with buggies to get around. The Centre is split into 4 main shopping areas and 2 leisure areas: The original part which is about 1/2 a mile long with two main walk ways either side with Marks and Spencer one end and John Lewis the other. A large square area near to John Lewis called Middleton Hall is where the Christmas displays & exhibitions take place. The Christmas display always delights young and old. The Food Hall which is adjacent to the main building on the open market side contains mainly Supermarkets and some specialist food & wine stores. The theatre area is the place to go if you want restaurants... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: poetry
Disadvantages: dull poetry

..."Milton was of the Devil's party without knowing it," William Blake. In the movie National Lampoon's Animal House, an English Literature professor nicely underplayed by Donald Sutherland admits he finds John Milton's Paradise Lost heavy going. "I think Milton is just as boring as you do," he tells blank-faced students during a lecture. "Mrs Milton thought he was boring too." It's a scene which neatly sums up John Milton's popular reputation today - dull and unreadable. In part it's a cross of his own making as a strait-laced Puritan who seemingly knew everything except how to have fun. Saying that, his life did have its moments; he went blind and composed poetry at night by calling out lines to his trusty servant, he advocated divorce at a time when it was deeply unfashionable, he approved of the execution of Charles I and he... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful