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The Woodlanders: A Gorgeous Rufus Sewell in an Awful Movie

Posted on February 22, 2010 Written by ripitup

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.

Pride and Glory with Edward Norton and Colin Farrell

Posted on February 18, 2010 Written by ripitup

Pride and Glory with Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jon Voight and Noah Emmerich. Raymond (Norton) has already lost his love to help protect other cops. He doesn’t want to do the same mistakes but how the hell do you do the right thing when the wrong involves your brother( Emmerich) and brother-in-law (Farrell) ?

When 4 NYPD cops die during an operation, it is especially devastating for Jimmy Eagen (Colin Farrell). It is not exactly an emotional trauma, though. Jimmy and his remaining corrupt group of cops have to clean up the mess before it is too late. However things are going to be much harder; since Jimmy’s father-in-law (Jon Voight) – unaware of his involvement- insists that his son Raymond takes the case. Though unwilling, Raymond (Edward Norton) starts looking into events, and it doesn’t take long before he realizes that there are cops involved behind the crimes and the cops might be too close to home. Is Ray’s brother, also a cop, Francis (Noah Emmerich) involved as well?

Forget about the movie’s name, plot summaries you might read and definitely stay away from the trailer. When I first saw the trailer, I thought: “Shit, another corrupt cop story with family issues thrown in”. Seemed to cliché, too overdone. But the fact is, the movie is much more than any of its promotional elements suggests. It is strong, grabbing and despite all the familiar themes, it stands on its two feet and ends up impresses you. Characters are complicated and they are all flawed.

Colin Farrell puts in a good performance. Edward Norton is in his usual element, although maybe playing Jimmy would have been more fun. Noah Emmerich is just outstanding as Francis- the brother who should have paid more attention to the cops under him, but was too busy taking care of his dying wife.

All in all, this is a good movie with solid performances. There is too much swearing that might distract you from time to time, but considering the characters, it suits them.

It doesn’t have one dull moment in it and the drama is just as exciting as the action.6.7 on imdb. Deserves a 7, at the very least.

All Movies with Edward Norton:

Leaves of Grass

Kingdom of Heaven

Down in the Valley

25th Hour

Fight Club

The Illusionist

The Painted Veil

American History X

Primal Fear

The Incredible Hulk

Death to Smoochy

All Movies Featuring Colin Farrell

Pride and Glory review – starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell

5 Movies to Watch on Fast Forward

3 Romantic Roles of Edward Norton

Posted on February 12, 2010 Written by ripitup

Yes, we know he can play a psycho, a gambler, a man who is going to jail the very next day or he can just star in the cult film Fight Club. It is so easy to get used to this diversity and we are not exactly surprised when he plays the nice, romantic fellow occasionally. But of course being Edward Norton, even his romantic parts are very different from each other. So here is a list of three (very) good movies and links to its reviews:

* Keeping The Faith

Edward Norton has directed this lovely comedy where a rabbi and a priest reunite with their old childhood friend (Elfman) and eventually both fall in love with her. Both these guys are very popular, modern and fun. But of course Norton’s character Brian Finn isn’t supposed to date. Or flirt. Or fall in love. Oops…

You can read the review below:

http://www.articlesbase.com/movies-articles/keeping-the-faith-with-edward-norton-jenna-elfman-and-ben-stiller-1852125.html

The Painted Veil

It is sad, romantic, touching, powerful and poetic. It is well-done in every way. Not your typical love affair either. An unfaithful wife (Watts) is forced by her doctor husband (Norton) to go the most dangerous place (1920s, political chaos- combined with a cholera epidemic) in China. But maybe they were both too quick to judge and despise each other? Produced by Norton and Watts. A must-see. To find out more about the film (no spoilers there either):

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-painted-veil-with-naomi-watts-and-edward-norton/

The Illusionist

The Illusionist takes you to a magical Vienna with fine cast: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell.Romantic, mystical, mysterious and lovely. For the review:

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-illusionist-with-edward-norton-and-jessica-biel/

Would love to hear what you think of these movies. You can comment here, on their individual pages.

The Illusionist with Edward Norton and Jessica Biel

Posted on February 9, 2010 Written by ripitup

The Illusionist with Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti and Rufus Sewell. I take this magician over The Prestige's two competing ones any day...

When Eisenheim was a young boy, he had two life-defining experiences. First, he met a magician that opened his eyes to a mysterious and alluring world. Second, he became best friends and fell in love with a girl called Sophie, who was way above his social class.

When he grows up (Edward Norton), he comes back to Vienna. He starts putting on sold-out shows that amaze and entertain everybody. His success intrigues the chief police (Paul Giamatti) and pisses the hell out of the crown prince (Rufus Sewell) who is usually quick to expose any “magic” and he has the services of the chief at his disposal.

The Illusionist, Edward Norton — Edward Norton as Einsenheim. He is just...well..magical.

Eisenheim isn’t intimidated by either of them. He is extremely frustrated to realize that he still has deep feelings for Sophie (Jessica Biel), who is expected to marry the crown prince.

I dare not say any longer- I am scared to give any spoilers.

Why should you see this?

* From the moment this movie starts, it takes, it takes you in. Edward Norton is absolutely amazing and graceful as the smart, talented and romantic Eisenheim.

Paul Giamatti in The Illusionist. He creates more than enough trouble for Eisenheim and Sophie.

* Paul Giamatti is just brilliant as the police who we can’t tell whether he is going to go all evil on us to serve the prince or he will respect intelligence, love and true character.

Rufus Sewell in The Illusionist — So you are telling me there is a mysterious movie with a beautiful setting and a clever script and the cast has Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti. I have nothing against Jessica Biel- she is lovely. And you also have Rufus Sewell as the bad guy? Boy, I love this movie!!

*Oh, the Crown Prince is evil. The performance of Sewell is really cool as usual. Shame that he had to cover his face with all the mustache and beard but hey, all the (male) charm and beauty belongs to Edward Norton here.

What you need to know about the movie is that, it is a smart)drama/ thriller/romance. I love it much, much more than The Prestige. Prestige plays all its smartypants cards to soon, drives up your expectations- only to disappoint in the end. This movie does not have one irrelevant line or scene. It might have fewer twists but it never disappoints. I’d say at 7.7 on IMDB, it is underrated.

Other Edward Norton

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/the-painted-veil-with-naomi-watts-and-edward-norton/

Other Giamatti

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/shoot-em-up/

https://pinartarhan.com/blog/duplicity/