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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

Moonlight starring Alex O’Loughlin, Sophia Myles and Jason Dohring

Posted on November 14, 2010 Written by ripitup

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Moonlight starring Alex O'Loughlin, Sophia Myles and Jason Dohring.
Moonlight starring Alex O'Loughlin, Sophia Myles and Jason Dohring.

Characters, General Plotline and First Episode

Mick St. John (Alex O’Loughlin) is an 80-something vampire, going on early 30s. He is living in L.A., where hundreds of vampires exist, unknown to many humans. The vampires care about secrecy, and usually if someone is going to drink human blood, it is voluntary. These vampires can’t be killed with wooden stakes. You either need to chopping their head off or set them on fire. Sunlight hurts, but they don’t burst into flames. They prefer the shadows, but going out in the sunlight won’t kill them if they are careful.  Let’s face it; California is a refreshing update to a Vampire’s address.

Mick is a good guy, working as a private investigator. His best friend is one of the oldest vampires around – Josef (Jason Dohring), a rich businessman, in his 400s and going on mid 20s. Josef is a lot more into all things pleasurable and of course, money.

Mick’s existence is pretty uncomplicated, until a big part of his past catches up with him. 25 years ago, he has saved a little girl’s life. Her name is Beth Turner (Sophia Myles). She is now working as an online journalist and dating a lawyer-Josh- from the D.A.’s office (Jordan Belfi). She runs across Mick at a murder scene. A young woman was murdered, with bite marks in her neck. When Beth sees Mick, she knows he is so familiar but can’t make it out yet. Mick only discloses that he is a P.I. While working on the case, their paths cross again. Mick has watched over her for years and seems to have developed a major crush for the adult Beth. And despite being in a happy and steady relationship, Beth is strangely drawn to Mick as well.

The pilot episode comes to a big finale with Mick saving Beth’s life and earning her trust.

As episodes continue, we see the attraction growing between the two. They love working together but Mick is doing his best trying not to get too close. After all, he is a single vampire, and she is a human with a boyfriend. But of course shortly Beth will discover Mick’s secret and this will bring them even closer. However the current complications are multiplied when a freelance photographer comes into the picture, who carries an uncanny resemblance to Mick’s vampire ex-wife/sire Coraline (Shannyn Sossamon – 40 Days 40 Nights, A Knight’s Tale). And even though she seems to be having a lot in common with Mick and Coraline, she is human…

Moonlight starring Alex O'Loughlin, Sophia Myles, Jason Dohring & Shannyn Sossamon
Moonlight characters & actors: from left- Coraline (Shannyn Sossamon), Mick St. John (Alex O'Loughlin), Beth Turner (Sophia Myles) and Josef Kostan (Jason Dohring)

Verdict:

Moonlight has been my favorite vampire-related thing so far, movies and TV series included. It has the great mixture of mystery, action, thrilling factors, romance, friendship and entertaining one-liners. It is a shame it only lasted for 1 season. But unlike the many shows that overstated their welcome, Moonlight offers 16 excellent episodes. The acting is fine and Australian Alex O’Loughlin’s American accent is more than convincing. And a good American accent never goes to waste for an actor, as he is now also playing an American again, this time in the new Hawaii Five-0 TV series.

If you like vampires, give Moonlight TV Show a shot. Unlike the Twilight franchise, Moonlight has a much more unisex audience. But of course it is far away from the sexual and gory scenes of True Blood. You’ll enjoy Moonlight; especially if you like the new generation vampires who are harder to kill, look prettier and don’t burst into flames. But don’t worry, again- unlike Twilight’s ever-pretty, shining under the sun vamps, Moonlight vampires go extremely pale in the face & eyes and show fangs when they want to do their vampire things. They don’t shine in the sun either.

Guest star: The Mentalist’s FBI Agent O’Loughlin, The Ugly Truth’s Colin – Eric Winter- guest-stars for 4 episodes.

8/10 – for all episodes. The music rocks too.

Other Vampire Shows and Trivia

The Vampire Diaries starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Movie Vampires feat. Stuart Townsend, Gerard Butler, Tom Cruise, Kate Beckinsale, Robert Pattinson & More

 

All Posts on Alex O’Loughlin

  Alex O’ Loughlin Trivia

The Back-Up Plan starring Alex O’Loughlin and Jennifer Lopez

Hawaii Five-0 starring Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan

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Filed Under: TV shows Tagged With: Alex O'Loughlin, eric winter, jordan belfi, mick st john, moonlight, moonlight mick and beth, moonlight tv series, moonlight tv show, Shannyn Sossamon, sophia myles, Twilight, twilight movies, twilight vampires, vampires

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