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Dangerous Beauty starring Rufus Sewell & Catherine McCormack

Posted on February 18, 2011 Written by ripitup

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Dangerous Beauty starring Rufus Sewell & Catherine McCormack
Dangerous Beauty starring Rufus Sewell & Catherine McCormack. Feat. Jacqueline Bisset, Naomi Watts & Oliver Platt. Image via cinemanow.com

Marco (Rufus Sewell), a handsome and fun-loving guy from an established Venice family. And life is going just fine for him – especially after he falls in love with his sister (Moira Kelly)’s friend Veronica (Catherine McCormack).

Veronica and Marco are crazy about one another. But their happiness lasts only until Marco’s father reminds him that he has to marry according to his station; that is marrying to a girl with parents with the right background. Marco accepts this, devastating Veronica.

Veronica is intelligent, beautiful, modern and elegant. She is also a poet and a romantic. But since her pen wouldn’t feed her or her family, her mother (Jacqueline Bisset) comes up with the most shocking career option: being a courtesan. Although she is outraged by the idea, sleeping with men for money sounds better than living in a convent. So after some training, Veronica turns into the perfect seductress

Of course Marco is shocked and he is disappointed, especially when he is one of the very few men in Venice who is rejected by her – the other one being his own cousin Maffio (Oliver Platt).

Now, Marco is stuck in an unhappy marriage, still madly in love with Veronica. Veronica still isn’t over him and as events unfold, they will find it impossible to stay apart. But Maffio has sworn for revenge and when war strikes, Veronica might just lose all the power she has and witness the whole country turn against her, except for Marco…

The movie is a lovely, romantic period drama with wonderful performances from both Rufus Sewell and Catherine McCormack. Oliver Platt is always fun to watch, even when he plays the jerk.

Naomi Watts has a supporting role as Marco’s wife. The scenery, costumes and the art direction are simply beautiful. It is romantic and thought-provoking. Catherine’s character Veronica is really inspiring. She really had the guts to question the hypocrisy of her time.

It is especially recommended for the fans of period dramas and Rufus Sewell. You might remember Catherine McCormack from her short but very important role in 1995’s Braveheart.

Also on Naomi Watts

The International starring Clive Owen & Naomi W   atts

The Painted Veil starring Edward Norton & Naomi Watts

Also on Rufus Sewell

Tristan and Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles and Rufus Sewell

The British Actors We Love feat. Rufus Sewell, Colin Firth, Daniel Day Lewis

The Woodlanders: A Gorgeous Rufus Sewell in an Awful Movie

In a Savage Land with Rufus Sewell

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence: Fun romcom with Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes

Vinyan starring Rufus Sewell

The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: Braveheart, catherine mccormack, dangerous beauty, dangerous beauty movie, drama, jacqueline bisset, Naomi Watts, Oliver Platt, period movie, romance, Rufus Sewell, Rufus Sewell movies, the international movie, The Painted Veil

The Tourist starring Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie & Paul Bettany

Posted on December 11, 2010 Written by ripitup

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The Tourist starring Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie & Paul Bettany
The Tourist starring Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie & Paul Bettany. Feat. Rufus Sewell, Timothy Dalton & Raoul Bova.

Paris, France. Elise Ward (Angelina Jolie) is a mysterious, beautiful woman with the Scotland Yard after her.  The Yard is really after Alexander Pearce, who owes quite a sum in tax money. The investigation is run by John Acheson (Paul Bettany), who is obsessed by catching Pearce. His chief Jones (Timothy Dalton) is not all that pleased with how much the case is costing them.

Pearce is rumored to have gone under severe plastic surgery, so no one has a clue what he looks like. Knowing this, he sends Elise a note. He tells her to get on the train to Venice and sit down next to a guy that has his built and height. Elise picks Frank Tupelo (Johnny Depp). Tupelo is a math teacher from Wisconsin and is mesmerized by Elise’s beauty. Elise seems to like Frank too but she is more interested in using him get to Alexander, the love of her life.

This encounter leads them to a luxury hotel suite in Venice, and some fun action happening on the water…

The Tourist is a fun romance/adventure that has a pretty impressive cast. Hell, even the mysterious English guy following Elise around is played by Rufus Sewell and the Italian man chatting up Elise at the ball is the famous Italian actor Raoul Bova.

Now, I was expecting the movie to have a similar pace and action/romance/comedy ratio with Knight and Day starring Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. It doesn’t. It starts like a spy movie, but quickly turns into a romance film. You might feel the movie drags for 10 minutes or so, when Johnny Depp is acting like a bewildered love sick puppy, but worry not. The movie picks up pace, the funny situations become more apparent and fun boat & roof chases follow…

But let’s not call it a drama/thriller like IMDB did. It is a romantic adventure. And it is a little slower than Knight and Day.

But all in all, it is a fun movie. It combines the genres that I like, presents them at the adorable Venice setting and well, an adorable cast. Sure, it could have been faster, sexier and/or funnier. And it might not have interested me that much without such a cast. But it is what it is.

7/10 from me.,

The Tourist Trailer

[pro-player width=’530′ height=’253′ type=’video’]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XtbLezJtMg [/pro-player]

Other Posts on Johnny Depp

Benny & Joon starring Johnny Depp, Aidan Quinn, Mary Stuart-Masterson & Julianne Moore

Johnny Depp: Top Eight Movies

Six Celebrities That Aged Really Well

Johnny Depp A Kind of Illusion – review for the book on Johnny Depp

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Beyond Borders starring Angelina Jolie and Clive Owen

Actors, Getting Naked and Their Take on Nudity

Playing by Heart starring Angelina Jolie, Sean Connery, Dennis Quaid, Ryan Phillippe, Madeleine Stowe

Other Posts on Paul Bettany

Firewall starring Harrison Ford, Virginia Madsen and Paul Bettany

6 Hollywood Couples: Gorgeous, Glamorous and Happy Together

Other Posts on Rufus Sewell

Tristan and Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles and Rufus Sewell

The British Actors We Love feat. Rufus Sewell, Colin Firth, Daniel Day Lewis & Ralph Fiennes

The Woodlanders: A Gorgeous Rufus Sewell in an Awful Movie

In a Savage Land with Rufus Sewell

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence: Fun romcom with Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes

Vinyan starring Rufus Sewell

The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: action, adventure, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, movies, Paul Bettany, raoul bova, romance, Rufus Sewell, the tourist, the tourist movie, the tourist trailer, timothy Dalton

Tristan + Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell & Henry Cavill

Posted on November 26, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Tristan and Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, Henry Cavill and Mark Strong
Tristan and Isolde starring James Franco, Sophia Myles, Rufus Sewell, Henry Cavill and Mark Strong. A Kevin Reynolds film, 2006. Image via sinemablog.com

Britain, Dark Ages. Britain consists of several tribes, not united. Ireland is a lot stronger, and the Irish King is more than determined to keep it this way.

British young Tristan (Thomas Sangster – The Last Legion, Love Actually) father is for unison, and he wants Marke (Rufus Sewell) to be a king, as Marke is the strongest of the lords. However a meeting in favor of the unison gets interrupted when the Irish attack. Many are killed, including Tristan’s parents. Marke loses his hand, but manages to save Tristan’s life. Despite the losses, Marke orders that they rebuild. He loves and treats Tristan as he does his own son, Melot.

Years later, Tristan (James Franco) and Melot (Henry Cavill) grow up to be good fighters, soldier and friends; although Melot is upset that Marke seems to favor Tristan when it comes to leadership.

After another Irish attack takes place, Tristan manages to help save many lives but ends up poisoned. The poison makes Tristan appear dead and his “body” is sent out to the sea- ending up on the Irish shore. He is found by Princess Isolde (Sophia Myles) and her maid Bragnae (Bronagh Gallagher) find Tristan. Despite Bragnae’s concerns, Isolde hides Tristan and nurses him back to health. Her time with Tristan is the only time Isolde is happy, as her father the king is forcing her to marry one of his obnoxious soldiers. The only mistake Isolde makes with him is that she hides her real name. The two fall madly in love, but she doesn’t leave with Tristan when he goes back.

Back home, Marke is more than happy to see Tristan alive and well. Complications arise when as Marke’s trusted soldier and in favor peace, Tristan goes to Ireland and wins a tournament, so that Marke can marry the princess. But of course the princess turns out to be Isolde, and both their worlds come crashing down. Despite his love for Marke, can Tristan stay away from Isolde?

**

That wasn’t the entire plot summary, just the first third of the movie. Sorry, I got carried away but I just love Tristan and Isolde. It is a lovely period film with fine actors. I have always been a major Rufus Sewell fan and the movie has an additional bonus that is Mark Strong. I wouldn’t have picked another Tristan or Isolde. Both James Franco and Sophia Myles are pretty, passionate and emotional enough for their roles, although Henry Cavill is fun to have around as well.

The only part I don’t like about this love story is that, well, it turns into a tragedy because how foolishly Tristan and Isolde both act. Isolde should have told him her real name, at least when they parted. Or she could have just gone with him. It is not like her life was happy without him there. Or Tristan could have told Marke in the beginning. Or they could have just run away… Instead, they have to act all stupidly, thinking they are being heroic and self-sacrificing. ..Yes, I am more into happy romance stories but Tristan and Isolde is a good enough story, despite the unnecessary tragedies two of the main characters bring on themselves.

You need to see it, if you like a good period romance with fine acting and a decent story.

Franco is good at portraying different characters. I can’t wait to see his  127 Hours. You might remember Sophia Myles as Beth Turner from Moonlight.

Currently 7 on IMDB. 7 sounds just right. Directed by Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, The Counte of Monte Cristo.)

Other Posts on Rufus Sewell

The British Actors We Love feat. Rufus Sewell

The Woodlanders: A Gorgeous Rufus Sewell in an Awful Movie

In a Savage Land with Rufus Sewell

Martha, Meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence: Fun romcom with Monica Potter, Rufus Sewell and Joseph Fiennes

Vinyan starring Rufus Sewell

The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Rufus Sewell and Jessica Biel

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: action, adventure, Bronagh Gallagher, drama, Henry Cavill, James Franco, Kevin Reynolds, Mark Strong, movies, romance, Rufus Sewell, sophia myles, story of tristan and isolde, Thomas Sangster, tristan and isolde, tristan and isolde movie, tristan isolde, who were the characters of tristan and isolde

The Woodlanders: A Gorgeous Rufus Sewell in an Awful Movie

Posted on February 22, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Rufus Sewell in The Woodlanders
Rufus Sewell in The Woodlanders.

What? I am not going to like ever movie just because Rufus is there. If you want to see good, entertaining Rufus films, check out:

  • In a Savage Land – Beautiful epic, far-off island, true romance: https://pinartarhan.com/blog/in-a-savage-land-with-rufus-sewell/

 

  • Dark City– Rufus Sewell stars with Jennifer Connelly and William Hurt. From Alex Proyas, director of another brilliant (if not better) cult film The Crow

 

  • Martha, meet Frank, Daniel and Laurence:Co-star is Joseph Fiennes- fine little romcom: https://pinartarhan.com/blog/martha-meet-frank-daniel-and-laurence-fun-romcom-with-monica-potter-rufus-sewell-and-joseph-fiennes/

 

  • Dangerous Beauty:Beautiful, romantic period drama, set in Venice. Starring Catherine McCormack and Rufus, with Oliver Platt, Jacqueline Bisset, Seymour and Naomi Watts as bonusses.

 

  •  The Illusionist– the graceful handsome lead is played by Edward Norton. The baddie is Rufus. Great mystery/drama/romance/thriller. There’s also Paul Giamatti: https://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-illusionist-with-edward-norton-and-jessica-biel/

 There are of course more good Rufus films, but the ones above happen to my favorites. Having  that gotten out of the way, here’s the plot of The Woodlanders (which will probably let you know why I didn’t like the movie):

 Giles (Rufus Sewell) and Grace were childhood seethearts. They grew up together and being the nice and honest guy that Gile is, her father did approve of their love. But when Grace comes back home as an educated young woman, her father thinks she can and should do better than a woodsman. This breaks Giles’ heart but he can’t do anything abo?ut it, since Grace doesn’t seem merely bothered by her dad’s decision. In fact, she is enjoying the charms and the attention she is getting from a doctor. She marries him but as it turns out, her husband isn’t all that great and well, she still loves Giles…

OK. Pros and cons. Cons first:

Cons

1)      Everything about the plot. Never mind having been told the same story over and over again, there is nothing fun or allutring in the way it was told. Parent wants better for daughter, ending up preventing her happiness. Yeah, yeah…

2)      The actors. Yes, Rufus can act and he does. But the leading actress is playing Grace is so plain, boring and unattractive. Frankly, Ugly Betty would have made a better Grace, as Ugly Betty (I don’t even mean the real life version of America Ferrara). At least she has principles and a brain and character! It is not even if she chose money- he is just a doctor. Not a rich fellow, and an ugly one at that. And there you have Giles. Gorgeous and nice. Well, one flaw of Giles: he couldn’t get over Grace. How can you not get over Grace??? She isnt pretty, nice or intelligent. Well, I am guessing unhappiness serves Giles right- for being such an idiot.

the woodlanders with rufus sewell
Rufus Sewell wastes his talent in a bad movie. It is based on a book and I am betting the book is a hundred times better. But it is of course worth watching for Rufus fans (at least the scenes with him). Look at the guy, for goodness' sake!

 3)      The ending. Oh please…I wasn’t asking for a “let’s ride towards the sunset” type of ending but this is even worse.  

Pro:

 1)      Rufus Sewell is really pretty here. I mean he is so pretty, he would still be the pretty one even if they had cast a beautful actress as Grace.

 …..

That is it. Eye candy for Rufus fans. Why do you think I watched the movie despite the plot (though the fast forward button came in handy)? Come on, that doesn’t make me any more superficial than guys who watch Megan Fox for her “acting”.

 3/10 for the movie

10/10 for Rufus youth and beauty

1/10 for the rest of the way the cast looks

6.4 on IMDB, but then again only 234 people have voted. I ain’t gonna vote. I can’t do that to dear Mr. Sewell…

IMDB: Never mind. Not many have voted anyway.

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Filed Under: Movies and Actors Tagged With: In a Savage Land, Rufus Sewell, Rufus Sewell movies, The Illusionist, The Woodlanders

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