Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Robin Hood" (2010)

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Robin Hood" (2010)

Characters/Actors: Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe), Marion Loxley (Cate Blanchett), William Hurt, Max Von Sydow, etc.

In this prequel to the "Robin Hood" we all know, in the 11th century, King Richard the Lionhearted has been off fighting in the Crusades for at least a decade. He is gradually making his way home while his ruthless but weak brother is serving as interim king, and is fighting the French en route. Richard is looking for an "honest Englishman", and the monarch said he found one in the intrepid archer Robin Longstride (Russell Crowe) [the future Robin Hood]; but when Longstride is encouraged to speak his mind, he and several of his cohorts wind up in the stocks awaiting punishment. Something happens, which I won't give away; so Robin and his men go free.

After making a promise to a dying man, Robin and his men don knight's armor and head to Nottingham, England to deliver the fallen soldier's sword to his widow, Marian Loxley (later maid Marian). The sword has an inscription, which paraphrased means: Nover give up "until the lamb becomes a lion". Robin pretends to be a knight and lives under the roof of Marian and her father or father-in-law (Max Von Sydow). Meanwhile, arrogant King John demands even the poor pay tribute taxes to him.

With the help of Robin and some largely disgruntled subjects, King John manages to foil an invasion by the French King, orchestrated by a treacherous friend of the arrogant king . In spite of this, John reneges on a promise to treat his subjects fairer and declares Robin "an outlaw" for the rest of his days. This movie was like an amalgam of "Braveheart" and "Gladiator". If you've seen either of those two movies, you know what's going to happen in this one. However, due to a strong cast, in my opinion, this movie was well worth spending close to two and a half hours seeing.

R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio 1943-2010

R.I. P. Ronnie James Dio 1943-2010

Ronnie James Dio, former singer of the band Rainbow; a short-lived incarnation of Black Sabbath, his short-lived solo band, and most recently Heaven and Hell (made up of most members of Black Sabbath except for Ozzy Osbourne), died this week of stomach cancer. This diminutive man with a powerful voice was best known for such songs as : "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules" as Ozzy Osbourne's replacement in Black Sabbath, "Holy Diver" as a soloist and many more. Most, if not all of his music dealt with good vs. evil and magic and such. He is perhaps notorious for inventing the two fingered "Heavy Metal Devil Horns " that many metal fans still use. I am a real fan of Dio and Black Sabbath. When I was in high school, for almost a year every Saturday I would listen to the entirety of Black Sabbath's "We Sold Our Soul For Rock n' Roll" album. I know that had all of Ozzy Osbourne's primarily supernatural songs, but I liked Dio's voice and songs as much as, if not more than Ozzy's music. Dio's most recent music, with the band "Heaven and Hell" was well worth purchasing. He will be missed. To quote Dio's most famous song from Black Sabbath : "The world is full of Kings and Queens, who Blind your Heart and Kill your Dreams, it's Heaven and Hell."

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Un Prophete"

Sci-Fi Bri's Movies: "Un Prophete" Rated R for violence, nudity, sexuality, drugs, etc.

Characters: Malik El Djabani (Tahar Rahim), Cesar (Niels Arestrup) In French with English subtitles

An illiterate young Arab named Malik El Djabani sentenced to serve a six year sentence in a French prison for assaulting a policeman becomes protected by an aging ruthless incarcerated gang leader, but there is a high price for this protection. Although Cesar (the gang leader) is never exactly friendly toward Djabani, he becomes Malik's mentor and introduction to the world of organized crime inside and outside the walls of the prison. Malik learns to read and write, but his true 'education' behind bars grooms him for power in the criminal underworld. Djabani even finds religion and friendship with a dying Moslem and several other fellow current and former convicts. Like a French version of "Goodfellas" with Moslem and "Corsican" prison gangs instead of Irish and Italian gangsters. This was an excellent movie in spite of nudity, sexuality, drugs, violence and other depravity. Unlike any other prison drama I have seen.