Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Unlikely Persian Prince


 The Verdict:
 GO SEE!

REVIEW:
Jake Gyllenhaal seemed like the most unlikely actor picked to play the video gamed based character, Prince Dastan, aka, the Prince of Persia, in the film Prince of Persia: Sands of Time.
Gyllenhaal, known best for his homosexual role in Brokeback Mountain and his earlier work in the weird Donnie Dark--- playing an action hero doesn't fit.
With his big, blue puppy dog eyes and Mr. Nice Guy personality, Gyllenhaal doesn't ooze toughness one bit--- but his role as Dastan proves otherwise.
Decked out with long hair, a buff body and wearing gladiator type gear highlighting his new body, Gyllenhaal certainly has the look of a warrior. He carries swords and knows how to use them, and leaps around the screen effortlessly as if he's flying in most scenes. He's got the role of Prince Dastan down pat.
But with Prince of Persia being a Disney film, casting Gyllenhaal as the prince was probably a risk. Given some of his other roles, could he appeal to younger audiences? Gyllenhaal himself gives off a good guy aura and his portrayal of Dastan is likeable. He is the hero of the film and that would make him more than A-ok with the smaller filmgoers.
Gyllenhaal is joined by the relatively new actress Gemma Arterton (Quantum of Solace) who plays the beautiful, headstrong Princess Tamina, the accomplished Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Shutter Island) as evil Nizam and Alfred Molina (Chocolat) a greedy ostrich racer. Persia is produced by blockbuster producer Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Carribean series, National Treasure series) and complemented with a perfect action felt score by Harry Gregson-Williams (The Chronicles of Narnia, Kingdom of Heaven).
Prince of Persia starts off to a slow start, but once it picks up, the action doesn't stop. As unlikely as Gyllenhaal comes across for the role of Dastan, he proves he was meant to play the Prince of Persia.


Trailer:
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810041991/video

*The Stars:
Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Ben Kingsley, Alfred Molina

~Director:
Mike Newell

~Music:
Harry Gregson-Williams

~Rating:
PG-13

~How Long:
1 hr. 55 mins.

~Opening:
5/28/10

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Russell Hood


 The Verdict:
 GO SEE!

REVIEW:
Even given a great director (Ridley Scott, Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven) and a strong lead actor as the legendary archer Robin Hood (Russell Crowe, Gladiator, 3:10 to Yuma), "Boring" was the first thought that popped into my head. Was I wrong.
I envisioned someone younger as Robin Hood--- Orlando Bloom came to mind especially--- not someone as rugged as Crowe. Crowe was perfect however. He played Robin Hood as a tough guy with tenderness too. Bloom would have aced the soft parts of Hood's character but not his warrior moments. Crowe's big moment near the end, displaying Hood's perfection in his archery skills on his nemesis takes the cake.
Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth, Notes on a Scandal) was wonderful as the hard working, stubborn and sometimes amusing Lady Marion. She and Crowe shared great chemistry together as a pair thrown together involuntary as husband and wife, who eventually fall in love.
Max von Sydow (Minority Report, Shutter Island) providing comedic relief as a blind old man, William Hurt (A History of Violence, Mr. Brooks) the sympathetic character, Mark Strong (Body of Lies, Sherlock Holmes) making an excellent villian and sorta newcomer Oscar Isaac (Body of Lies) as the heartless new king, help make the cast outstanding.
With a beautiful, powerful score (Marc Streitenfeld, American Gangster, Body of Lies) to complete things, Robin Hood is a great action filled epic worth seeing.



Trailer:
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810077954/video

*The Stars:
Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong

~Director:
Ridley Scott

~Music:
Marc Streitenfeld

~Rating:
PG-13

~How Long:
2 hrs. 11 mins.

~Opening:
5/12/10