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The Awesome X-Men: First Class with James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon & Rose Byrne

Posted on June 7, 2011 Written by ripitup

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X-Men: First Class starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon & Nicholas Holt
X-Men: First Class starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon & Nicholas Holt. Image via morfingen.com.
  • Warning! This review has been written for the people who have seen the X-Men movies (If you haven’t seen X-Men movies, there might be spoilers)

 

X-Men: First Class is the prequel to the X-Men series. We go a couple of decades back, to a time when Magneto was Erik (Michael Fassbender), and Professor X was Charles (James McAvoy), and he could walk… We get to see how the mutants were recruited by Charles to help save the humans from the common enemy Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), a man with a couple of mutants in his charge. Shaw is trying to destroy as many humans as he can because this makes him stronger, and Erik cares more about taking his revenge than helping others.

Here is how the story starts:

1940s

–          The smart and telepathic Charles is born to rich but absent parents. He is living in a mansion when he meets Raven (Jennifer Lawrence), the girl who would later become Mystique. Raven had occasionally planned to hide her true (blue) colors, but Charles reveals his secret, as well as hers, befriends her and keeps treating her like a sister as they grow up.

 

–          Erik loses both parents to concentration camps, and is kept alive by Shaw for his ability to control and move metal, an ability that surfaces when he feels extremely upset and angry. When Shaw kills Erik’s mother to guarantee the necessary amount of rage, he gains a very powerful enemy.

 

–          Fast forward over a decade. Charles becomes a professor whose specialty is mutation, a specialty he uses to pick up girls. However, he becomes aware of the common enemy, and the existence of not-so-friendly mutants when CIA agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) pays him a visit, demanding an explanation about mutants. While most of the CIA isn’t that cooperative and understanding, an agent played by Oliver Platt takes Charles to the special unit he has built, where Charles and Raven get to meet the mutant Hank (Nicholas Hoult) and start recruiting other mutants to help America, and Russia against Shaw. Will they be able to prevent a nuclear war and stop Shaw? What will break Charles and Erik’s bond? And how will each of the mutants feel about conformity or individuality and uniqueness?

 

**

 

X-Men First Class is indeed a first-class prequel. It carries the right amount of emotion and character development (for the main characters), the glorious kind of action and terrific acting on all parties. To be honest, I wasn’t really excited to see it after seeing the trailer. But I am so glad that I did. The movie works so well on so many levels that the trailer just doesn’t do it justice. The movie also has fun references to the X-men movies, as well as 2 great cameos* (read below to spoil the surprise a little) from the X-Men cast.

*Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine/Logan, is sitting in a bar when Erik and Charles show up, trying to introduce themselves. The other mutants have been interested, whereas Logan replies “Fuck Off! “ And orders another drink.

*Erik is drawn to Raven, but he finds her too young. When he sees her in his bed, he says “Maybe in a few years…” That is when Raven turns herself to Rebecca Romjin- who has played Mystique in the series.

*

The bottom line is: See this movie! It has a great cast, a great story and great effects. The cameos, and the other fun references to the X-Men movies are just bonuses!

Currently rated at 8.3 on IMDB.com. A heartfelt 9 from me. Can’t wait to see it again. It also made me want to re-watch the X-men movies.

Fun Notes:

– X-Men first class was directed by Matthew Vaughn, who also directed Stardust, Layer Cake and Kick-Ass.

– One of the co-writers & co-producers is Bryan who directed the first two X-Men films.

 


**

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: action, adventure, bryan singer, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon, matthew vaughn, michael fassbender, movies, nicholas hoult, rebecca romjin, Rose Byrne, x-men first class, x-men first class cast, x-men first class movie, x-men first class trailer

3 Movies with “Tristan” Protagonists feat. Legends of The Fall, Stardust, Tristan & Isolde

Posted on December 24, 2010 Written by ripitup

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The first time I heard the name “Tristan” was when I watched Legends of the Fall, starring Brad Pitt. I had found Tristan to be a pretty cool and unique name back then. I also love the movie so it stayed with me. Later I saw the movie Tristan & Isolde, a lovely romantic adventure/drama starring James Franco. Then came Stardust, and Charlie Cox’s Tristan.

Enjoy 3 movies that all have Tristans as their leading characters. The order is random.

 

1) Movie: Tristan and Isolde

Actor playing Tristan: James Franco

Tristan & Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, Henry Cavill & Mark Strong.
Tristan & Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, Henry Cavill & Mark Strong.

Directed by Kevin Reynolds, 2006’s Tristan & Isolde co-stars Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, Henry Cavill & Mark Strong.

James Franco plays Tristan, a man raised by Lord Marke (Rufus Sewell) after an Irish attack left Tristan an orphan. Based on the legend, Tristan and Isolde is a powerful love story. When Briton Tristan is presumed dead, Irish princess Isolde (Sophia Myles) takes care of him. They fall for each other but they have to part. Unfortunately, their “reunion” comes in the least desired format: Tristan unknowingly has “won” Isolde as a bride for his Lord Marke. How can the two stay apart? Yet how can be together?

 

Tristan is a great soldier, friend, leader and lover. He is generally very loyal, in fact he would have gladly have died for Marke but the fact that he fell for Isolde before she married Marke complicates things. Tristan feels tremendous guilt and is thorn between his love for Isolde and his love for Marke.

Read Tristan and Isolde Detailed Review featuring Plot Trivia and James Franco Links

2) Movie: Legends of the Fall  Brad Pitt

Actor playing Tristan: Brad Pitt

 

Legends of the Fall starring Brad Pitt, Julia Ormond, Aidan Quinn, Anthony Hopkind & Henry Thomas

 

Directed by Edward Zwick and co-starring Anthony Hopkins, Aidan Quinn, Julia Ormond & Henry Thomas, Legends of the Fall is an epic romance/drama/war whose story covers many years.

Brad Pitt plays Tristan Ludlow, a young man living in 1900s America with his father –former soldier William (Anthony Hopkins), his older brother Alfred (Aidan Quinn) and his younger brother Samuel (Henry Thomas). Tristan is the free-spirited, rebellious and adventurous one. Alfred is rational and responsible and they both dote on their youngest and more fragile brother Samuel. Things are fine until Samuel brings home his beautiful fiancé Susannah (Julia Ormond). Both Alfred and Tristan are attracted to her, but this doesn’t become an issue until World War I breaks out. The boys go off to fight, and Samuel doesn’t survive. Upon their return, Tristan and Susannah start a passionate romance, totally frowned upon and envied by Alfred. Tristan is not happy, however – he needs to go off into the wilderness, to find himself and get over the death of his brother. But will Susannah be able to wait him forever?

 

3) Movie: Stardust

Actor playing Tristan: Charlie Cox

 

Stardust starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Mark Strong & Sienna Miller
Stardust starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robert De Niro, Mark Strong & Sienna Miller

Charlie Cox’s Tristan lives in a village that neighbors a magical kingdom. In fact, his existence is due to the fact that his father Dunstan (young Dunstan is played by Ben Barnes) crossed over to the magical kingdom, met a witch’s slave and fell in love with her. Tristan is desperately in love with Victoria (Sienna Miller), a spoiled girl who is more interested in money and title. Tristan decides to win her heart by bringing her a fallen star but to his disbelief, the star is actually young beautiful woman called Yvaine (Claire Danes). He has to go through a journey with Yvaine and at first they can’t really get along. But this is a journey full of unexpected twists, full of pirates, witches, crown-crazed princes and more.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn and based on Neil Gaiman’s graphic novel, 2007’s Stardust has one impressive cast including Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Robert De Niro, Mark Strong, Rupert Everett, Ricky Gervais, Sarah Alexander (Susan of Coupling), Ben Barnes, Sienna Miller and Henry Cavill. Interestingly enough, both Henry Cavill and Mark Strong co-star in both Tristan & Isolde and Stardust.

  • Read 20 Reasons to Love Stardust for detailed review: plot trivia, review, photos and links

 

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: aidan quinn, Anthony Hopkins, Ben Barnes, Brad Pitt, brad pitt legends of the fall, Charlie Cox, edward zwick, henry cavil, Henry Thomas, James Franco, julia ormond, Kevin Reynolds, legends of the fall, legends of the fall cast, legends of the fall film, legends of the fall movie, Mark Strong, matthew vaughn, movies, Sienna Miller, Stardust, stardust 2007, stardust cast, stardust movie, tristan and isolde, tristan and isolde movie

20 Reasons to Love Stardust- feat. Michelle Pfeiffer, Claire Danes, Robert De Niro & Charlie Cox

Posted on January 22, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Stardust starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro
Stardust starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro. Image via amazon.

Stardust is- hats off- one of the most entertaining, beautiful, fun and impressive movies I have ever seen. The story is based on a novel by Neil Gaiman. It is an advanced fairy-tale for adults which children can enjoy as well. It is complicated, original, life-like and lovely. Complete with witches, kings, throne-thirsty princes, stars, pirates…The whole works. Yes, I am extremely positively biased because I love absolutely everything about the movie. Hang around and see if you agree.

1. The Novel: Neil Gaiman

The story is based on Neil Gaiman’s novel.

2. The Story: Jane Goldman – Matthew Vaughn

Little English village Wall is bordering next to a magical kingdom called Stormhold. While Wall is a typical English town with typical humans, Stormhold has witches and weird stuff going on. Right now, the main question for the King and the remaining sons (3 sons have been murdered by their brothers) is who will own the crown. The king-to-be is supposed to acquire the jewel, which flies out the window and into the sky. The sons start chasing the star while trying to get rid of each other.

The jewel causes a massive reaction in the sky, causing a star (Yvaine) to fall down- in the form of Claire Danes, wearing the jewel.

Tristan Thorn is young man has to get the star to show to his beloved Victoria. Victoria is a spoiled young woman who is merely using him. Tristan and Yvaine have to start an unwilling alliance, since she needs Tristan’s magical candle to go back home. How Tristan came to possess the candle has a beautiful story of its own.

But of course things are more complicated: 3 sister witches need to get the star. One of them goes out to get it- they need to cut out the star’s heart and eat it, to restore beauty and youth. The journey is full of adventure, surprises, interesting characters, dangers, romance and fun.

3. Direction: Matthew Vaughn

Vaughn is a British director who previously directed Layer Cake with Daniel Craig. Haven’t seen it yet, but I fully intend to. Of course has nothing in common with Stardust, apart from Vaughn himself. But I don’t care if he doesn’t direct anything I like ever again. Stardust is perfect and Vaughn deserves a lot of credit for that.

4. The whole movie crew: Especially production, cinematography, effects and make-up.

Amazing. If you saw the movie, you know what I mean. If you haven’t, wait till I go over the cast members.

5. The Score:

Just right. Adds to the magic, action and romance.

 

THE CAST

 

6. Michelle Pfeiffer

Michelle Pfeiffer in Stardust
Michelle Pfeiffer in Stardust. No worries, we see both versions in the movie. Image credit: People.com

She is the witch out after our star. She is just breath-takingly beautiful and cunning. Michelle Pfeiffer is brilliant as the main villain. She has always been my favorite actresses and one of the women I find truly gorgeous. She is a woman to be envied and admired.

7. Robert De Niro

Robert De Niro in Stardust
Robert De Niro in Stardust. If you thought Jack Sparrow was interesting…

You have never seen him De Niro this. I watched tens of movies of him and I thought I had seen all his faces. I was wrong. His performance as the captain of a lightning- catching pirate ship (now, that sounds like a great job) is just hilarious. Without him, the movie would just not be half as good.

8. Charlie Cox

Charlie Cox in Stardust
Charlie plays Tristan. And I thought all the good looking men were born in the 60s…Shame on me.

Cox Plays our male lead Tristan. He makes a perfect transition from the naive boy to the smart guy- getting only more handsome with the captain’ touches to his image. He grows wiser but remains nice and romantic. The result? Eye candy and lovable character all in one. Cox is growing up nicely. I previously watched him in Casanova. Period pieces and swords just become him…

9. Claire Danes

Stardust- Claire Danes with Charlie Cox
Claire Danes is lovely as Yvaine.

She is just adorable as the star Yvaine. She shines (both literally & metaphorically) throughout the movie. She has the truest observations about mankind. She is pretty and I totally forgave her for boring me to bits in Romeo + Juliet (I dislike the movies as a whole, not just her as Juliet)

10. Ben Barnes

Ben Barnes has a small part as Tristan’s father’s youth. He conveys innocence, curiosity and fascination perfectly. I wish he had a bigger part but hey, the film-makers worldwide seemed to agree with me that Ben is a great actor so he went on to get leading parts in The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Kasbian, as Prince Kasbian and Easy Virtue. They also seem to agree that Ben is just as beautiful as a man can get since they cast him as Dorian Gray in Dorian Gray.

11. Mark Strong

Mark Strong in Stardust
Mark strong rocks as the ambitious prince after the jewel.

I had first seen Mark Strong in Body of Lies starring Russell Crowe and Leonardo di Caprio. He played his accent so perfectly; I could swear he wasn’t a native English speaker. He is English however and he is a marvelous actor. He can make you forget you saw him in any other role. He truly becomes his character. He is perfect as the King’s smartest, most cunning and charismatic son. He also makes one badass villain in Sherlock Holmes.

12. Henry Cavill

Henry Cavill in Stardust
Henry Cavill in Stardust

When I found out that the guy playing Victoria (Sienna Miller)’s arrogant jerk of a boyfriend- who also seemed really awfully blond and stupid- was the same gorgeous Henry Cavill who stars in The Tudors next to Jonathan Rhys Meyers. Wow! Kudos to making department for making Henry repelling. That takes talent.

Henry Cavill in the Tudors
Henry in The Tudors. Now, that’s the Henry Cavill we are used to.

13. Sienna Miller

Sienna Miller in Stardust
Sienna Miller as Victoria. Tristan’s journey starts because of her.

I don’t know why people think she can’t act. I think she gives whatever the role requires. She plays the beautiful and superficial Victoria just right. I also loved her as Casanova’s true love in Casanova.

14. Kate Magowan

Kate Magowan in Stardust
Kate Magowan in Stardust

Well, Tristan owes his existence to her. Literally. She is one of the key characters. I can’t imagine anyone else for the part. She is pretty, strong and determined.

WITH

15. Peter O’ Toole

He has only about 5 minutes as the king but who cares? He is Peter O’Toole and we love to see him on the screen.

16. Rupert Everett

Same 5 minutes goes for Rupert, but he really is good for an idiotic prince.

17. Nathaniel Parker

He play’s Tristan’ s father. Aside from the best father figure one can have, I think he is a good choice for Ben Barnes’ grown-up version. However I can’t see Ben turning into him in 18 years. Maybe 36? But hey- I guess it was tough being a single dad during those times…

18. Ricky Gervais

Always funny to see him. I especially enjoyed his part this time I saw Stardust- having recently watched The Invention of Lying and Ghost Town.

19. Ian McKellen

How is that for a narrator?

20. Seriously? You need more reasons? You have got to be kidding me!!!

7.9 from IMDB, voted by over 87.000 people. Not bad, but I voted it a 9, just for the record. What are you waiting for? Let the magic begin. I think I saw it 4 times already. And no, I am not done with the movie yet.

The trailer is below.

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6_gBg4XjWk[/pro-player]

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: adventure, Ben Barnes, Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, fantasy, Henry Cavill, Mark Strong, matthew vaughn, Michelle Pfeiffer, movies, Robert De Niro, romance, Sienna Miller, Stardust

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