Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood"

[ukelelehip]

I watched RH tonight. It is oh so clearly a Ridley Scott movie, you know: battle scenes in period costume, Russell Crowe, dirt, etc etc.

Anyway, old Riddles must like the Rufus 'look', see here Oscar Isaac as King John:



Quite Fortinbras-ish, don't you think?

There's also another actor who plays some French officer who looks just like Rufus did in T+I.

[dreamer]

I can't wait to see it, as Ridley is my favourite director since always!
Not the same is Russel, but I think I'll appreciate Oscar! and I love William Hurt.
So you liked the movie too, yes?

[ukelelehip]

May 18, 2010 10:01:38 GMT dreamer said:

So you liked the movie too, yes?

Imho it was so-so. If you love Ridley Scott movies, you'll love this. I was hoping for more of a Robin Hood story which this really isn't. This is more of a Braveheart-type story. I mean, this is the first time I've ever heard of Robin Hood leading the English army in a battle against the French.

[dreamer]

I had this inkling seeing the trailers, I don't like war very much. We'll see.

[pitzel]

Uke wrote

(Imho it was so-so. If you love Ridley Scott movies, you'll love this. I was hoping for more of a Robin Hood story which this really isn't. This is more of a Braveheart-type story. I mean, this is the first time I've ever heard of Robin Hood leading the English army in a battle against the French )

Russel Crowe was on a late night TV talk show and stated that this was the Robin Hood story no one would recognize. He said it was quite different to all the Robin Hood stories before. He didn't say if it had any basis in fact but it did seem more interesting than the same old Robin Hood. Plus Russel Crowe is a bit old to my thinking to play the Robin Hood of lore. I understand this took place years later.

[dreamer]

Well, I saw it, I found it not so bad as I had supposed, on the whole I liked it and the story is original and probable IMO.

[rufluvr]

I have always been a big fan and have watched all the Robin Hood and Three Musketeer movies that have come out since I was knee high to a grasshopper. ;D I think it was an early indication of my love of period movies. I saw Robin Hood in the theaters not only because I love the story (& the humor and romance that are usually part of Robin Hood movies) but because I've been a big Matthew Macfadyen fan since Pride and Prejudice and he was cast as the Sheriff of Nottingham. The movie was okay, it well paced, but there definitely wasn't enough Matthew (or romance) in it for my taste. He had a very small role in it, but made the most of what he had and was funny. The depiction of it being a bit like Braveheart is true! For other Robin Hood fans I recommend the Robin Hood tv series that just had it's last season (which is the only season I haven't seen) That series is a lot more like the story of Robin Hood we are used to, with some good twists, stunts and a lot of humor. They very well depict how Robin went from fighting in the Crusades with King Richard the Lionheart to becoming an outlaw. The actor who plays the Sheriff of Nottingham is just great--so wicked and funny. They have a believable (athletic and youngish) actor play Robin named Jonas Armstrong. Best of all, the hunky Richard Armitage plays Sir Guy of Gisbourne. I didn't much like who they chose for Maid Marion, but you can't have everything.
I hope Ridley Scott releases and directors cut of Robin Hood, with more Matthew, but I doubt that will happen. I will just have to bide my time until his Three Musketeers movie comes out next year. ;D

[anniem]

Dec 2, 2010 21:49:53 GMT rufluvr said:

but because I've been a big Matthew Macfadyen fan since Pride and Prejudice and he was cast as the Sheriff of Nottingham. The movie was okay, it well paced, but there definitely wasn't enough Matthew (or romance) in it for my taste. He had a very small role in it, but made the most of what he had and was funny.

Agree with you there ! Have liked Matthew since Spooks and have seen him in the theatre twice and met him briefly for an autograph.

I agree with the critics re. Russel Crowes accent.

I preferred Kevin Cosner's version of Robin Hood and Alan Rickman was fabulous in that as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Was that film really as long ago as 1991 ??

[rufluvr]

Annie that was (gulp) almost 20 years ago now? Egads. That's just wrong. I'm not saying it's not true, it's just wrong. 'Cause that means I'm 20 years older now than when it came out, and that is just not acceptable. Hee hee.
How lovely that you've seen Matthew on stage--He's done quite a lot of theater post Spooks. Was is Frost/Nixon you saw him in? I had to settle for the movie version, which is better than nothing. I wish a genie could tell me what he really thought of acting onstage with Kim Catrell recently.
I've seen all the Spooks eps except the latest (seeked it out in the first place because of Matthew naturally). They've always continued with great and, ahem, attractive leading men so it's a pleasure to watch--mostly. However, I find Spooks (and the Law and Order series) can be tense and shows to watch too. All the prickly, gruesome and realistic problems of the world are being showcased in them, and frankly I don't really need that in my entertainment as I keep abreast of the real news and that's often quite enough, thank you very much.

I've seen Matthew in everything from his big roles (Perfect Strangers, Pride and Prejudice) to his small yet wonderful roles (Wuthering Heights, The Way We Live Now with the irrepressible Shirley Henderson) and always enjoy his performances. From what I've read, both Matthew and Rufus really enjoyed working and pal-ing around together during the POTE shoot. Not suprising that two such intelligent, circumspect and talented men hit it off. Of course if they didn't it could be quite the professional rivalry as I can easily see both of them competing for the same type roles. They have both stated they would like to do more quality comedy work--sadly, there's just not that much out there. Seems like the actors that get most of that kind of work have to write or produce it themselves, or (with luck) they will finally get cast in a successful one and only then come future comedic offers. Matthew was good in Death At A Funeral, but he was sort of the straight man in an ensemble cast of other crazies, and I don't know that it was that sucessfull at the box office, certainly not stateside anyway.

Well I hope Rufus gets an exciting role soon. Want to know something funny? Well, before the first Sex and the City movie was made, when they didn't know for sure if it would ever happen, but the rumours they were trying were in the media, I had the chance to meet Sara Jessica Parker and suggested she consider casting Rufus as a (her) possible love interest in the movie. She knew exactly who he was (pronounced Sewell correctly) and made some positive comments, but as we all know she never took my advice!

[anniem]

Dec 5, 2010 1:19:09 GMT rufluvr said:

Annie that was (gulp) almost 20 years ago now? Egads. That's just wrong. I'm not saying it's not true, it's just wrong. 'Cause that means I'm 20 years older now than when it came out, and that is just not acceptable. Hee hee.
How lovely that you've seen Matthew on stage--He's done quite a lot of theater post Spooks. Was is Frost/Nixon you saw him in? I had to settle for the movie version, which is better than nothing.

No, I saw him in Henry IV and The Pain And The Itch. I met him after a Q and A for the Pain and the Itch.

I like all you listed for Matthew, but I also loved him in Little Dorrit.

[rufluvr]

Little Dorrit was just great! What a happy ending.