2010. Dir: Ridley Scott. Starring: Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt and Mark Strong. ●●●○○
Russell Crowe famously exclaimed "Are you entertained?" at the end of his first Gladitorial contest, and whilst I could answer a very definite yes when watching his first collaboration with director Ridley Scott here in Robin Hood I could only say that whilst I was entertained a little it was only sporadically during the film and probably not as much as I should be when watching the 'origin' tale of the bandit of Sherwood forest.
The film starts well with a frantic siege on a French castle, as the virtual bankrupt English King Richard pays for his return to Britain. We are introduced to a bunch of expendable knights and our heroes Robin Longstride (Crowe) and some Merry Men. Not only is this the best action scene in the movie, you can't fail with boiling tar and castle storming, but it also thankfully puts the Robin Hood legend into some historical context. Medieval fiefdoms essentially controlled large parts of the country with the King as only a figurehead that they report to is an important concept to put forward, as well as the appalling levels of violence and political unrest.
We also cut to London where Eleanor of Acquitaine (Eileen Atkins channelling Katherine Hepburn) is attempting to control her wayward son Prince John (the unfeasibly good looking Oscar Isaac) as he cheats on his wife and goads the French king into war. The French King who is in cahoots with John's childhood friend Sir Godfrey (Mark Strong) to attack England at it's weakest.
So far we've spent most of the film with the royal bit characters with Crowe only used as a blatant example of the british heart of oak, naturally historical accuracy helps to balance this out with Richard's untimely death and a number of convoluted twists leading Crowe back to England with the Crown (which he safely delivers to the new king) and the name and Sword of Nottingham's most influential knight.
On returning to the East Midlands he's persuaded by the cantakerous blind father of said deceased knight (Max von Sydow) and the widow Marion (Cate Blanchett) to take his place in order to prevent the state taking their castle - is this a thinly veiled support of Conservative plans to increase the Inheritance tax threshold - and to generally restore order to all of Britain.
On the plus side the script is more coherent than Kingdom of Heaven, Scott's last foray into the Middle Ages, but it does suffer from the same saggyness and lack of humour. At times we appear to be going in circles with superfluous battles and unnecessary plotting - why, for instance, does Robin's lineage have to be both significant to the plot and unknown to Crowe - and on the other hand supporting characters are given no chance to develop themselves. Why does Sir Godfrey want to help the French? Does John really believe the points he's making? Why does William Hurt consumate politician not think before he ever opens his mouth?
I said earlier that the first action scene is the best, I think it's even more fair to say the last is the worst. The invading French army land at some very big cliffs perfect to be rained on by British archers and proceed to just stand their whilst the repelling English army rides across the country to trap them on the beachfront. Of course every speaking character who's still alive joins them. Would it be silly to have Marion and Friar Tuck (a woman and an obese priest) turn up on the South coast to fight the French, of course it would, but there they are...
On the acting side Crowe tries too hard with a wavering accent so comes across the least impressive from the major performances, Blanchett gives a suitable sarcastic performance and Max von Sydow shines in his thankless role. Both Mark Strong and Matthew MacFayden (virtually cameoing as the Sheriff of Nottingham) desperately try to out Rickman each other with both of them coming short.
I suppose that comparison may even be the major issue with the film. Whilst it is a solid piece of film-making (Scott continues to make me believe he's just a hack for hire who lucked out in his early career) it has none of the sexual chemistry, derring-do or fun of either Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves or The Adventures of Robin Hood. The film may be making interesing points about Hood's place in history but it fails to entertain whilst doing it, and that, for such a wonderful folktale, is unforgiveable.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Robin Hood
Friday, 14 May 2010
Out this week (14/05/2010)
Some of you will be pleased to know that I am very excited about this weeks releases, probably the best selection we've had since early March. Not there there are many films to watch, it's just what there is looks very good. Whilst four foreign language films are battling in the arthouse circuit (2 from Isreal, 1 from Italy and one from South Africa that's partly in Afrikaans) the clear winner for the film of the week is the film I picked as the most looked forward to for 2010 back in January: Robin Hood
Eyes Wide Open
Our first Isreali film raises a lot of religious and political issues as two respected and learned male members of the orthodox Jewish community fall in love, ultimately showing how faith and homosexuality are not incompatable, but that society can make them so.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Lebanon
Equally as charged is the second, which follows four-man Isreali tank crew during the first Lebanon War in 1982. As the violence escalates out of control we remember it's grounded in the reality of the experiences of director Samuel Moaz
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Robin Hood
The reviews may be less positive than hoped for but it's true to say the latest adaptation of theEnglish legend of men in green tights - this time an origin story - has been high on my radar for a very long time. It's an absolute must see.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●●●●●○
Tromf
South African film concentrating on a trailer trash Afrikaaner family on the eve of the first democratic election following the end of Apartheid. Based on the novel by Marlene van Niekerk.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●○○○○○○○
Vincere
Italian film which Premiered at the 2009 Cannes film festival to great acclaim, especially for leading actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno playing Mussolini's secret wife, lover and mother of his son.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●●○○○○○
Once again I managed to miss a couple of films from last weeks releases. First up (Psych 9) was originally due to come out in February and got 2 blobs then - something I doubt I'd change and the second was:
Sus
Not exactly going for subtlety was this timely release of the film version of Barrie Keefe controversial play about Conservatism. Set on the eve of Margaret Thatcher's electoral victory it shows two corrupt and rascist police officers drunk with the thoughts of a Tory victory beat a confession out of a black suspect.
Runs like a Gay Excitometer: ●●●●○○○○○○
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Tuesday Trailers - Robin Hood
Now we're in April I can start to get really excited about films coming out in May, not least of which is my most anticipated film for the year: Robin Hood. I have my reservations about the general quality of Ridley Scott's work (he can never rise above his material) but this is a rip-roaring story with a suitably action packed trailer so I am definitely going to be there on opening night.
Robin Hood opens on 14 May 2010.
Monday, 18 January 2010
20 for 2010 - Robin Hood
And so, a full 17 days since we started, here is my most anticipated film for 2010, hitting the bullseye is Ridley Scott's Robin Hood.
Perhaps it's an odd choice, delayed due to wrong colour leaves and with a revolving door for the cast list (Sienna Miller as Maid Marian - ugh, Vanessa Redgrave as Eleanor of Aquitaine - dropped out) there was lots to make you worry. There was also the Ridley Scott factor. I am not a fan of Scott. Whilst he has made some of the greatest films of the 20th century I think that's more luck than judgement - when things go right they go very right, but when things go wrong they go very wrong.
Consider his previous collaborations with Russell Crowe:
2000 Gladiator
2006 A Good Year
2007 American Gangster
2008 Body of Lies
Even in this small selection we can see massive highs (Gladiator) and stinking lows (A Good Year) and the others were closer to misses than hits.
But I believe this will be another high water mark. The trailer conciously echoes the feel of Gladiator and with Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River, A Knighht's Tale) on scripting duties hopefully it will be tight and without the wandering passages Scott likes to include.
The cast is also top notch, Crowe remains one of my favourite actors. His performance in even the weakest of films manages to be packed with a nuance and power that few of his generation can manage. Cate Blanchett is the perfect Marian, with the right mix of haughtiness and gentility. Casting group of largely unknowns as the Merry Men and current go-to baddie Mark Strong in a villianous role only help.
Finally I will confess a deep and abiding passion for the tales of Robin Hood. As a child one of my most thumbed books was about this extraordinary figure from English folklore. I have since devoured every version of this story, from the superb Curtiz film (the best so far) to the current BBC afternoon TV series via Disney and Kevin Costner. It's no coincidence that I ran the Robin Hood marathon last year.
The competition...
Thank you so much to Alex, Tom and Andrew for participating. Unfortunately you all missed the mark. I can understand why you guessed the films you did, The Last Airbender, Harry Potter and Toy Story 3 all look like interesting projects, and are all big summer releases. I will probably see M. Night Shyamalan's latest, but probably grudgingly. Whilst I want the Potter films to do well, I've only seen one at the cinema after having hated the first book. Talking about hating I've avoided Pixar at the cinema since my excruciating experience at Monster's Inc - I don't want to talk about it - saying that I loved Wall-E when I saw it on video and Finding Nemo is now one of my favourite films of the last 10 years so I may try and go again.
I suppose I could have given more clues, although Robin Hood was my most talked about film in the News posts from 2009, and today's birthday was no coincidence...
Anyway as no-one won, but you're all good readers who frequently make nice comments, I'm going to award a draw. I'll send small packs of minstrels - a taster rather than a chance to gorge - to each of you. Please e-mail addresses to ben-j-thomas@hotmail.co.uk and I'll pop them in the post to you.
Cheers
Thursday, 14 May 2009
Cate Blanchett
Happy Birthday to
Cate Blanchett
40 today
Perhaps a moot point celebrating the birthday of a woman who doesn't appear to age but congratulations anyway. Cate's had a bit of a rough time over the last month, having heard her voice cut from Wes Anderson's Fantastic Mr. Fox. Luckily she still has Robin Hood coming up, so I'll still be seeing her in a cinema soon.
Saturday, 18 April 2009
Film News (18/04/09)
For a couple of days it was pretty touch and go whether I would have an article this week, the news from Hollywood has been so slow. Eventually we had one fantastic piece of news so I've coupled that with a couple of non stories and here we go:
Somewhere
The best piece of news is that Sofia Coppola will be directing another film about alienation and disconnection from society. This time starring Stephen Dorff (was it only last weekend I was drooling over him in Cold Creek Manor - is it a coincidence or is Sofia reading my mind) as a self centred actor (huh?) with Elle Fanning turning up for some love and life lessons from her father. Like the beautiful Lost in Translation, Somewhere will be predominantly set in a hotel: LA's Chateau Marmont.
I have been a fan of Coppola Jnr. since The Virgin Diaries, and this project should be right up her alley so count me in.
Robin Hood
Another week another casting for Ridley Scott's Robin Hood. This time it's William Hurt riding into the frame as William Marshall, 1st Earl of Pembroke, "Lord Marshal" and often described as greatest knight that ever lived. Now I'm looking forward to the man who made wearing a towel on his head de rigour pulling that one off.
Zero Theorem
In a possible attempt to draw attention away from Billy Bob Thornton's lack of musical career the plot for his next collaboration with Terry Gilliam has been released. It's all about a mathematical formula that can only be uncovered within your soul (and a pretty girl he meets in the 25th century version of online, and the noble son of his corrupt bosses). Sounds slightly barmy and unlikely to succeed to me - perfect for Gilliam, and with the futuristic setting it may even be a Brazil for the tens. Let's hope for no studio interference this time.
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Russell Crowe
Happy Birthday to
Russell Crowe
45 today
I don't care what anyone says, there is no way on earth I'd throw him out of bed. Yum yum. Plenty of chance to see Crowe in the next couple of years, too. First up is State of Play at the end of this month. Early reviews are good, even if it doesn't reach the heights of the BBC mini-series it's adapted from. Next year we have him in Lincoln Green for Robin Hood, and he's rumoured to be starring in the Aussie drama Dirt Music.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Film News (28/03/09)
I could give you more exuses as to why this post is late - but I won't, please just accept my humble apologies.
Robin Hood
It's definitely coming - the Ridley Scott version of the classic tale of men in green tights. After a six month delay due to the wrong leaves filming commenced this week with Russel Crowe as Robin Hood, Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian and Vanessa Redgrave as Eleanor of Aquitaine (it's the first time I've hears of Eleanor being wove into this story so it could be interesting to see how they handle one of the most charismatic women on th Middle Ages). No casting on the Sheriff of Nottingham or Friar Tuck just yet.
I grew up loving the stories of Robin Hood so I'll definitely be in the front of the queue for this one. My concern is that Scott isn't a great director, and never really outperforms his material. Although on the plus side it's been written by Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential, Mystic River), so there could be a good starting point.
Freedom Formula
Another week, another comic book/graphic novel adaptation (and this is the first of 2 I'm mentioning this week). This one isn't a million miles away from Iron Man in that it concerns a pilot in a fighting suit, although in this case he finds he can alter society dramatically. In a way I'm disappointed as it looks like Bryan Singer (Valkyrie, X-Men) has picked this up as his next project. I'm disappointed because he was due to make You Want me to Kill Him?, a much smaller picture about 2 boys who get together on a chat room and decide to kill off a bully - almost a cross between Elephant and Strangers on a Train and I'd much rather see Singer explore different aspects of cinema.
Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft
The second comic book adaptation, of a graphic novel which will only be published next week, is a blend of fact and fiction about the influential horror writer H.P. Lovecraft blending in his works of fiction, and themes of mental illness and writers block. If it works it could be a 30's set Adaptation.
True Grit
The Coen brothers have chosen thier next project, and it isn't Hail Ceasar, Surbicon or The Yiddish Policeman's Union. Instead it's a remake of the 1969 John Wayne starrer, True Grit. They will be working more form the book than the original film so there will be more focus on the girl seeking revenge for the murder of her father and the tone will also be potentially darker. So serious Coen it is. Saying that there still could be an opportunity for an aging actor, who's been ignored by the academy, to pull a great performance out of the bag as Rooster Cogburn. I'd like to see Donald Sutherland give it a go (so many good films, not so much as an nomination) but who do you think?
Untitled James Mangold Picture
Would you believe it's be 5 whole weeks since a picture was annouced with James Mangold involved. Well, not to worry here's another. This time it's a rom-com with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz, but apparently not Vanilla Sky 2. I'd like o see Tom do another rom-com, and Cameron used to be a great comic actress. I'd also love to see Mangold commit rather than keep dangling these projects in front of us, but I guees you can't have everything.
Untitled Woody Allen London Summer Picture
The crowded picture has now gained another familiar face in the guise of Nicole Kidman. The last time he had this sort of star power in a film was Everyone Says I love You - and I don't see that as a good sign.
Box Office News
Release Date News
Frozen River - Melissa Leo's Oscar nominated performance will finally get a UK release, nearly 12 months after it's release stateside on 10/07/09.
Away We Go - This curious baby on the way quirky comedy from Sam Mendes will be hitting our screens on 18/09/09. The trailer hasn't done much for me, but a lot of people are interested and it has a likeable cast.
Nine - The 8 1/2 musical with the extraordinary all star cast has chosen 27/11/09 as curtain up. I was worried that this wouldn't come out for ages after it hit the States (gotta love the Weinsteins) but it's looking like a day and date release so maybe they've worked out that we Brits love musicals.
Robin Hood - It's already had a mention once in this post, but you'll need to look out for Crowe hiding in the undergrowth on 14/05/10.
Salt - Anjelina Jolie will be vanquishing Russian Spies on 13/08/10. Good for her, eh?
Straw Dogs - I'd forgotten completely about this unnecessary remake from Rod Lurie, as I'd not heard anything about it since 2007. Apparently it's still on it's way, and due to be released on 17/09/10.
In less good news 2 films - Everlasting Moments (already trailered) and Vintner's Luck have both lost their release dates and are now in limbo. I can only hope it's because, in the first instance, the US release was too successful ($186k and counting) so they're rethinking their UK stratge, and in the second case it's being repositioned in the awards season. We'll see.
Box Office Report
Way out ahead from the February releases is Bolt, proving that kids films about Dogs are always a top seller here in the UK. Further down the scale at number 5 is Hotel for Dogs, as well, although I expect Gran Torino to take the fifth slot after this weekend. Still can find no reason for it's strange release strategy, other than it not appearing on this list. Bizarrely as it stands I've not seen any of February's top 5 (although I did recommned CCoBB as my pic of the week).
1. Bolt
2. He's Just not That Into You
3. The Curious Case of Benjamin Buton
4. Confessions of a Shopoholic
5. Hoel for Dogs
