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Robin Hood Film through the Century Part 2

Robin Hood (2010)

The most recent Robin Hood film also takes different approach on how to deliver it. It is presented as a prequel to all of the well-known swashbuckling adventures of Merry men of Sherwood Forest. Directed by Sir Ridley Scott, it tells the story of  Robin Longstride (Russel Crowe), a mere archer of Richard the Lionheart’ crusade. After a long series of fortunate event, Robin, who never knew about his heritage, forced to play as Earl of Nottingham’s son and wife of Marion (Cate Blanchett). Meanwhile, Richard’s demise in France made his brother, John, as the King of England. He is proved to be a ruthless and tyrant, who forcing a taxation over Englishman to prevent bankruptcy. Unbeknown to John,  his new advisor and best friend for years is a French spy, planning to divide England  and prepared for France invasion. The rest of the story is just history. Interesting enough, the films took a Magna Carta as a important element of the Longstride’s Legacy and give a lot of morality advice about democracy and freedom.

Other notable Robin Hood’s Films

Robin Hood Disney (1973)

The animated feature released in the US on November 8, 1973. The film use animal personas to represent each of Robin Hood’s characters, the story itself is no different than standard Robin Hood features. One of the films in Disney animated classics, Robin Hood is apparently low on budget because we could see footages from previous Disney’s movies.

The Zany Adventures of Robin Hood (1984)

This is one of the two existed Robin Hood parodies, other than The Men in Tights (1993). it stars George Segal, Morgan Fairchild, Roddy McDowell, Janet Suzman and directed by Ray Austin. To be honest, the parodies seems like half-hearted, only worth mentioning in its bank robbing scene and interaction with Jewish moneylender to gain money for Richard the Lionheart’ ransom.

Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Produced and directed by comedic legend Mel Brooks, the film mainly parodied the event in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves movie. The comedy stars Cary Elwes, Isaac Hayes, and Dave Chappelle. Like all Mel Brooks movie, you could see all of his menace and famous anachronism, including naming of the characters, Exit signs, and “it’s good to be the king,” line. It is also directly mock Costner and Flynn appearance in previous Robin Hood movies by the line, “Unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent!” and shadow fighting parody.

See also Robin Hood Films History part 1

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Robin Hood Film through the Century Part 1

The cliché of British heroic outlaw with their green tights who rob the rich to feed the poor is probably the most popular folklore since medieval era. As tradition, any good story is always a good material for an epic movie. That is why Hollywood (and Bollywood) brought us many film about the kind-hearted felon.

The original story of Robin Hood is about one Earl (Nottingham, Locksley, or Loxley of Nottingham depend on its version), good friend of Richard the Leonheart and a nemesis of Prince John, Richard’s brother. Tyran of John forced the Earl to take refugee in Sherwood Forest and opposed John corruption as thieves, protecting common folks and try to restore Richard on his throne.

From Robert Frazer til’ the recent Russel Crowe, here are the list of Robin Hood films through this century, some of it even set standard of modern movies.

Robin Hood (1912)

Although there are two British silent movies that precede this movie, it is the most memorable on its time. Directed by Étienne Arnaud and Herbert Blaché, and written by Eustace Hale Ball, Robin Hood features brief superimposing of animal image to reflect each of the character’s personality and morality. The effect is probably spectacular in 1912, but I cannot imagine if one decided to use the same effect these days. Copy of 30 minutes duration film has been restored and kept in the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Robin Hood (1922)

Still in the era of the silent movie, this Robin Hood is the first movie which has a Hollywood premiere and have a million dollar budget, largest in 1920s era. Written, starred, and produced by Douglas Fairbanks, and directed by Allan Dwan, it has become a legend in Robin Hood film history. Many of its elements still adapted by modern movie and become a standard in almost every Robin Hood films ever produced. Interesting Fact, Alan Hale, Sr.  Is probably the best Little John ever as he reprised his role in two more film, The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) and Rogues of Sherwood Forest (1950).

The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

The picture stars Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Basil Rathbone, and Claude Rains. 1938 Robin Hood is the first Warner Studios movies which used the three-strip Technicolor process and have 2 million budgets. For Warner however, the movie was a great trade. Back then when movie ticket was only 25 cents, it grossed 4 million, and it gives Warner a great star, Errol Flynn. For enthusiast like us, it gives the first legendary arrow splitting. Even the Mythbuster cannot reanimate the technique.

Robin and Marian (1976)

While the previous movies tells about swashbuckling adventures of Robin, this film explore the romance and drama but without expelling its adventurse element. This is, in my humble opinion, the most emotional Robin Hood movie ever produced. Even Costner’ movie cannot match its epic story. Stars Sean Connery (Robin Hood) and Audrey Hepburn (Maid Marian), Robin and Marian tells the story about aging Robin Hood and his struggle against old friend, loyalty, love, and moral standards. Though some would not like the ending, it’s still worthy to watch.

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Maybe, the most memorable things about this movie is OST by Bryan Adams, aside from Morgan Freeman’s appearance and Sean Connery’s cameo. The film itself is loosely based on British TV’s Robin of Sherwood. It is pretty unfocused and violent, its atmosphere is dark, unsuitable for children who still mesmerized by Disney’s Cartoon, but for those who born in the 80s and grew up in the 90s this is undoubtedly the best Robin Hood movie.

To be continued to part 2

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Ten Coolest Robots in Film

We saw many robot on television and film on the last two decade. Some of them good, some would be bad for human’s health but overall they are handy. They could hold your light saber, make a phonecall, and destroy it. We will give you the top 10 robots in movie and television

1. R2-D2 & C3PO from Star Wars Series

You cannot spell artoo without threepio as they are partner in crime just like starsky and hutch, or whatever. both of this robot is one of five main character to be appeared in all six star wars series. Threepio is a protocol droid, designed to serve human as information center or translator to anticipate difference in culture between species in the universe, and Artoo is utility druid, it can do anything mechanical and store your lightsaber. Both of this character provide humor relief in gripping situation.

2. Maschinenmensch from Metropolis

Played by German’ actress Brigitte Helm, this robot is one of the most famous movie icon. Her blank face and lady’s curve has been a subject of fascination and disgust for years. The maschinenmensch has many names given to her for years: Parodi, Ultima, Futura, Robotrix, (fake) Maria and Hel.

3. Fembots from Austin Powers

Fembots are the name of group of sexy Gynoids made by Frau Farbissina to seduce and kills Austin Powers. In the movie, Austin do male striptease, taking them beyond the limits of their sex and cause their heads explode.

4. Robocop from Robocop

Robocop is series of sci fi movies start on 1987 directed by Paul Verhoeven. It was set in Detroit which crime rates are sky high. Murphy, police officer which murdered brutally reanimated as a super human cyborg know as robocop. While he is dramatically slow poke, his armor is strong enough and don’t let me start on his hand gun (cannon?).

5. The Terminators from Terminator Series

From our mighty governor till sexy vixen T-X, these terminators has amused us for years. Catchphrase “I’ll bhe bhack,”, showed up naked, and inventing cool way to cock your shotguns. Definitely going in the list.

6. Optimus Prime from Transformers

Two word, Transforming animation.

7. Wall-E from Wall-E

Movie with no dialogs but very touching and unbelievably entertaining. Wall-E was a common garbage processor robot in deserted earth, one day a spaceship landed and he met the love of his life.

8. Johnny Number 5 from Short Cirquit

First of all, this guy’ name is catchy, like Mambo no. 5 or something like that. Second, he is bleeding and could impersonate Bruce Lee. The movie Short Cirquit itself is a sci fi comedy released in 1986 and Johnny was voiced by Tim Blaney. The movie was good and pretty funny.

9. Classic Gort from The Day The Earth Stood Still

While the remake was suck, old Gort still define the ice cold in robots. He never talks and shoot deadly ray from his eyes, not to mention that he is actually an intergalactic police-robot.

10. Data from Star Trek

Lieutenant Commander Data is a character in Star Trek: TNG serial and in four TNGs movies. Created and designed by Doctor Noonien Soong, data is and excellent android with high computational ability in his positronic brain. Though I would never understand what’s that means, Data is chief operation in USS Enterprise-D and E.

New Kids Movies This Year

Five Upcoming Release

Five big title for kids are scheduled to be released this year, check out this great titles.

Cat and Dogs, The Revenge of Kitty Galore

Bringin' the Woof to this war

The ongoing war continues! Long battle between two species continued when Kitty Galore return to get revenge to the canines with their hi-tech feline army. The movie itself began its production since September 2008 and directed by Brad Peyton. It stars Chris O’ Donnel (Girly Batman Era), Jack Mc Brayer (30 Rock), Roger Moore (James Bond), and also feature voices from Alec Baldwin, Joe Pantoliano, Michael Clarke Duncan, Katt Williams, and Bette Midler. Check it out in your nearest theatre on July 30, 2010.

Furry Vengeance

Directed by Roger Kumble (The Sweetest Thing), Furry Vengeance will bring Brendan Fraser, a real estate developer to face threat against angry animal lead by a raccoon whose home destroyed for human housing. It is scheduled to be released on April 30, 2010.

The Karate Kid

Can I just wash your car Mr. Miyagi?

Jaden Smith will stars the new karate kid along with Jackie Chan playing the 12-year-old Dre Parker who could’ve been the most popular kid in Detroit, but his mother’s career move bringing him to China. Dre immediately falls for his classmate Mei Ying – and the feeling is mutual – but the class bully, Cheng, is in his way. With no friends in a strange land, Dre has nowhere to turn but maintenance man Mr. Han, who is secretly a master of kung fu. As Han teaches Dre that kung fu is not about punches and parries, but maturity and calm, Dre realizes that facing down the bullies will be the fight of his life. Check this movie on June 11, 2010.

Ramona and Beezus

Based on Beverly Clearly’s popular children’s book, Ramona and Beezus features wonderful casts with Selena Gomez playing Beatrice “Beezus” Quimby, Joey King as Ramona Quimby, Sierra Mccormick as Susan, Hutch Dano as Henry and Jason Spevack as Howie. Tells the story about the (mis)adventure of two sister, Ramona and Beezus. In theaters on July 23, 2010.

Toy Story 3

The amazing pixar’s toys is back. This time the story revolved when Andy has to go to college and the toys is sent to the daycare. Toy Story 3 will feature all of their casts including Tim Allen and Tom Hanks. Will be released on June 18, 2010.

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10 Craziest Movies Ever

Well, this list actually shows movies about lunatics and the less fortunate up there, but I think the title looks catchier than “10 Best movies about mentally challenged people”.

10. Blue Velvet (1986)

Intrigued after finding a human ear in his front yard, Jeffrey Beaumont, who was just returned home discover that everything in his his perfect county is never what it seems.

Crazy moment: Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper)’ expression when he crouches and yelling “Baby wants to fuck! Baby wants to fuck Blue Velvet!”

Crazy Facts: The director, David Lynch, at first found it hard to find an actor who wants to play Frank Booth because he was so explosive and disgusting. Dennis Hopper on the other hand, loved it. He even said, “I’ve got to play Frank because I am FRANK!”

9. Identity (2003)

Bunch of people who seems like total strangers trapped in a motel after a chain of accidents. But when each one of them ends up getting murdered, the shroud of connection between them starts to uncover.

Crazy moments: Children road kill and murder by baseball bat in the mouth.

Crazy facts: Full name of the motel’s guests are Edward Dakota, Samuel Rhodes, Paris Nevada, George York, Alice York, Timmy York, Larry Washington, Caroline Suzanne, Virginia Isiana, Lou Isiana, and Robert Maine. The movies itself has several version of endings to cover the real ending to public.

8. Rain Man(1988)

About Raymond Rabbit (Dustin Hoffman), an idiot savant who suddenly got himself tons of legacy wealth. His little brother, Charlie (Tom Cruise), upset because his unknown brother got all the money and decided to kidnap his brother out of the asylum. Their unique adventure starts from there.

Crazy moment: Raymond enters Charlie’s room to watch TV while his brother was having sex.

Crazy fact: Raymond’s blabbers about flight accidents’ statistics ends up in editorial cut after flight companies threaten to sue, except Qantas which at the current time has zero accident.

7. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)

We all know that Di Caprio is one of the great actors now. But back when Titanic was a boom, most of us guys hated him. After watching this movie, I knew that he is good, even before Blood Diamond. Johnny Depp as Gilbert was also outstanding.

Crazy moment: Your momma so fat; you have to burn the house when she died to avoid neighbors mocking because there is no way you are going to get her out of it. Not necessarily intended to diss somebody, that is what exactly happen when Gilbert’s mother died.

Crazy fact: Leo’s acting was so convincing it made everyone watching this movie believe that the actor behind Arnie Grape is mentally challenged in real life. No wonder he got his first Academy Award nomination.

6. Forrest Gump (1994)

Born with low IQ does not necessarily mean that you will be miserable for the rest of your life. Forrest Gump (Tom Hanks) teaches us that. Meeting three American President, teaching Elvis to dance, being in a talk show with John Lennon, a war hero, and successful businessman prove that he is no pushover.

Crazy moments: Running across America only because he feels like running, beating Jenny boyfriend because she wasn’t into making out in the car.

Crazy fact: We knew that Tom won best actor in Academy Award, but do you know that the movie also won best special and visual effect? Although we could never see a troll or a spaceship, their department’s hard work brought us JFK, Nixon, Ford, Elvis, Lennon, Lieutenant’s legs, and beautiful flying feathers.

5. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Kubrick brought us the story of Alex (Malcolm mcDowell), charming psychopath whose hobbies are classical musics, rape, and senseless violence. Together with his gangs the Droogs menacing a peaceful city.

Crazy moment: Alex beat someone to dead with a penis statue.

Crazy Fact: We saw Darth Vader in this movie, without his mask though (hint: bodyguard).

4. Psycho (1960)

An unfortunate runaway girl with a lot of stolen money stays in Bates Motel. Bates family is a little bit off and she find her doom there.

Crazy moment: although it sounds so cliche now, the bathroom scene surely scares the craps out of our parents back there.

Crazy fact: the only film which has a remake with no difference besides colors and actors. Gus van Sant is the one who remade this movie in the 90s, starring Julianne Moore.

3. 12 Monkeys (1995)

Centuries ago, if somebody suddenly came out of nowhere and talks about end of days, he will bestowed as a messenger. Now? everybody will lock him in the asylum. The question is, what if all that he said is true?

Crazy moment: First human who trust James Cole (Willis) is Jeffrey Goines (Pitt), ironically the man who later inspired to start Animal Rights movement.

Crazy facts: When James Cole hurting himself, we could see shadow of a hamster run around in the background. In real life, the hamster just won’t move. It take all day just to shoot that one scene,

2. Taxi Driver (1976)

The most refreshing lunatics we could see in a movie with the coolest name ever, Travis Bickle (De Niro), is a taxi driver. Fail in getting his dream girl, he plan to shoot Presidential candidate. Fail in the murder attempt, he saved minor prostitute from street thugs. The whole film was just crazy.

Crazy moments: Half naked Bickle looking in the mirror while holding his gun and uttering, “You talkin to me?”

Crazy facts: Paul Schrader write the script based on his real life experience. He was extremely depressed, never talk to anyone, regular attendant of porn cinema, and obsessed with firearms.

1. Fight Club (1999)

Some said that this movie was about stupid adults who like to beat the crap out of each other, while some said this was about rebellion against capitalism, globalization, and other smart words. Either way, it sure is fun to watch the enigmatic Tyler (Brad Pitt) teaching people on how to live while making bombs from soaps.

Crazy moment: Smacking your own body to pulp in front of your boss.

Crazy fact: Chuck Palahniuk, writer of the novel, get the idea for Fight Club after getting his ass kicked in a camp site.

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Defendor, Review on the Underrated DVD

Defendor is the newest dark comedy movie we will probably not going to see on the cinema. It is low-budget debut of Canadian director Peter Stebbings. Though it is stated to be released on North America, no publisher apparently want to bring this brilliant movie to big screen. Amazon said that the DVD will be officially released on April 13th, 2010.

Defendor tells a story about Arthur Poppington (Woody Harrelson) a mentally challenged man and his delusional dream of being a superhero, created a enigmatic persona called Defendor, with an o. With no superpower and relying solely on his courage in fighting crimes, Defendor patrol the nights, helping the helpless and innocents. Chain of luck bring him to fame and finally get him close to Radovan Kristic, a kingpin whom he believe killed his mother when he was a little boy.

The film told in flashback as Arthur getting psychological exams from a psychiatrist regarding his assault charge on his prostitute friend’s father. While superhero movie gives us the similar formula about regular guy discovering amazing abilities and having a spandex (or metal) alter ego in fighting crimes, Defendor simply touch our heart with Woody’s character. His chemistry with his co-star Kat Dennings is amazing. Not to mention the uniqueness of each of the thugs, will surely please you.

Our "super"hero

A mentally challenged with unlimited courage, sincerity, and honesty to set his town straight give me the feeling I never get before when watching a superhero movie. Arthur’s struggle tells us that even an idiot could make a difference and although it was meant to parody a typical superhero in classy way, It gives us something worthy to watch. It is too bad no publisher would release this great super hero movie into cinema. Do not say that you are a superhero movie fans before watching Defendor. Buy it Here

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Quote of the Day

Hope springs eternal in the human breast: Man never is, but always To be Blest

-Alexander Pope-

Bedtime Stories

Bedtime Stories movie poster

Director   : Adam Shankman

Producer : Adam Sandler, Andrew Gunn, Jack Giarraputo

Writer      : Matt Lopez, Tim Herlihy

Starring   : Adam Sandler, Courteney Cox, Guy Pearce, Richard Griffiths, Keri Russell, Russell Brand, Teresa Palmer, Lucy Lawless

Newest family-comedy from Disney Pictures, Starring Adam Sandler as Skeeter Bronson a hotel handyman who was the son of the hotel owner before it was bought by hotel Moghul, the obsessive compulsive Mr. Nottingham(Richard Griffiths). He thought he was destined to be the hotel manager, but reality bites. Another guy, Kendall (Guy Pearce), Chosen by Mr. Nottingham to manage the new hotel. Meanwhile, Skeeter’s sister (Courtney Cox) asked him to take care her  two children because the local school will be closed soon and she has to find a job in AZ. Things start to get interesting when those two cute pests asked him to tell bedtime stories and most part of the stories comes true next morning. From gumball rain till free ferrari, skeeter tries to used the children ability for his own fortune but things not working out so well for him.

This is the first collaboration between Happy Madison and Disney Pictures and most of us still remember how weird Zohan was (i loph u Emmanuelle Chriqui, haha…) but… Everybody waiting for something like Click again. Well, bad news ladies and gentlemen, we wont get Clicked out here. Unless you are the ultra sentimental dudes, the whole thing in this film is comedy, slapstick, and rudehumor. Any family drama inside is just an extra, not worth mentioning. Good news is, for Sandler movie fans… you’re goin to get the (usual) whole Sandler experience. The prank, stupid habit(s), the impossible stunts, the cameo (Schneider and Russel Brand). Well this isn’t an actual good news, we already expected this stuff… but yeah, whatever. Anyway, it was a good ride. Go to the cinema now and you wont have the feeling that you’ve wasted $2 (Indonesian price).