Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Of Warriors and Heroes

I admit to being a bit reclusive and a homebody, something amplified by the winter months, but makes for great movie watching nights. My dvd "hoard" contains a much-loved and familiar list of titles, often with winter themes to match my own outdoor world. One such title is King Arthur with Tristan (Mads Mikkelsen) and his hawk taking the lead as favorite characters! He was also mesmerizing in Vahalla Rising which I watched a few months ago.
Tristan prepares for battle.
Needless to say, I'm excited about Starz Network's release of Camelot coming in April, with a preview February 25th!!! Also on my viewing list: Beowulf & Grendel, Attila, Lion in Winter, Name of the Rose, my annual rewatch of LOTR, BBC's Ivanhoe miniseries. Should keep me busy and inspired for a few weeks to come.
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22 comments:

  1. ValeriannaJanuary 4, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    I recently scrolled back through your film recommendations and made a list to order from the library. I watched the Lion in Winter, and Ivanhoe. I was really impressed with Ivanhoe, it felt really raw and gave me a real sense of the times, unlike a lot of hollywood films of the period which seem sort of glitzy. Lion in Winter was also good, Glen Close was amazing. Intense story, however... gosh, those royal competitions for the throne, yikes!

    Happy cold winter nights watching films, I've taken to bringing my laptop down to the living room to watch films by the wood stove. Though I have a much bigger screen upstairs, there's nothing quite like a cozy fire to enhance the film ambiance!

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  2. Medieval MuseJanuary 4, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    Varerianna - You hit the nail on the head with Ivanhoe - it did have a sense of reality; I think because it is so quiet, giving intimacy to each scene. Did you notice most scenes have no soundtrack? No big over-the-top special effects - very refreshing.

    Oh how I miss the wood-stove-days of my youth. Your place sounds divine.

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  3. HermesJanuary 4, 2011 at 10:09 AM

    I liked this film for all its faults though Centurian is better, though much more violent. I watch a lot of films too and love historical ones like The Other Boleyn.

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  4. Donna~Q~January 4, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    Great list of films! Just the ticket for any long, cold winter's night...

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  5. Medieval MuseJanuary 4, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    Hermes - I have Centurion on my Netflix queue and may bump it up. The description sounded very much like this version of King Arthur. Loved both The Other Boleyn book and movie. Phillipa Gregory is fantastic.

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  6. Medieval MuseJanuary 4, 2011 at 11:56 AM

    Donna - and my list will grow, I'm sure. Still hope Vision comes to a theatre near me.

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  7. WOLJanuary 4, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    When you mentioned "The Lion in Winter" -- I thought of the one with Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor of Aquitaine. A favorite of mine is "A Man for All Seasons" The 1966 verson with Paul Scofield as Thomas More. Are you familiar with "The Thirteenth Warrior" with Antonio Banderas? There's a film with Charlton Heston (an oldie) called "The War Lord" you might like if you haven't seen it. (you'd probably also like his "El Cid" too) One of my favorites is "Ladyhawke" (Rutger Hauer on a Friesian!) Another favorite is "Excaliber" with Nigel Terry as Arthur and Helen Mirren as Morgana. I watch movies reclined on the couch with my furry leopard print throw on -- held down by kitties lest it wander off!

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  8. Aaron-PaulJanuary 4, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Valhalla rising is a stunning film isn't it, I shall check out this King Arthur film now you have enlightened me :-)

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  9. Medieval MuseJanuary 4, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    WOL - I do believe we share both viewing pleasures and methods! The original "Lion and Winter" gets viewed along with the newer one. Also love 13th Warrior, Excalibur (Helen Mirren is perfection) and Ladyhawke. Will search for "The War Lord" - thanks for the recommendation.

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  10. Medieval MuseJanuary 4, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Aaron-Paul - YES!! The description online was a bit confusing and I sort of guessed that One-Eye was captured (or wounded) during a Viking raid on a village in the Highlands. Even the violence in it seemed so personal and intimate but worked for the theme and tone of the film and I never felt it was just for effect.

    King Arthur is very glossy by comparison, but certainly worth a viewing.

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  11. WOLJanuary 4, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    http://www.amazon.com/Warlord-Charlton-Heston/dp/B00000F5UV

    This is a remarkably accurate film for its time (1965)

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  12. JenniferJanuary 4, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    I love your winter movie list and I wish that we lived closer so we could imbibe and drool over men while watching movies. Valhalla Rising has now been added to my "must see" list!

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  13. Medieval MuseJanuary 4, 2011 at 3:17 PM

    WOL - thanks for the link. Found part of it on YouTube and it is fantastic.

    Jno - Vahalla Rising is an instant one on Netflix. Happy Apple-tv streaming:)

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  14. RowanJanuary 5, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Some films here that I haven't seen, think I'd better join one of the online DVD hiring things and try some of them!

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  15. mermaidenJanuary 5, 2011 at 12:34 PM

    i love Tristan in this film, and really dislike Lancelot!

    (my middle son's name is Tristan :D )

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  16. Medieval MuseJanuary 5, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Rowan - do you have Netflix in the UK? If so, I give it a thumbs up!

    Mermaiden - What a great name to give your son. I'm with you. I love Ioan as an actor, but found Lancelot prissy and not accessible as a character.

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    I still have yet to watch Valhalla Rising! Trying to hold out for a viking movie night but I may give in, if it doesn't happen soon.

    King Arthur is an awesome movie, I watched that not long ago, in October :)

    The son of that invading warlord guy reminds me of....techno viking (without the dancing) :)

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  18. Kirsten SteenJanuary 7, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Any chance you can give me more info on this version? I can't find it with his name on Netflix. Can't wait to see some of these!
    Bon Weekend,
    Kirsten

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  19. Medieval MuseJanuary 8, 2011 at 5:19 AM

    Lostcitadel - Can't wait to compare notes with you and that movie is worthy of a Viking Movie Night.

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  20. Medieval MuseJanuary 8, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    Kirsten
    So sorry and remiss of me in blogging to not provide a link:(
    Here is the imdb on the King Arthur movie:
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0349683/
    I might add that the soundtrack is very good too.

    and Vahalla Rising
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0862467/

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  21. jerilandersJanuary 8, 2011 at 6:51 AM

    I have netflix and now a new list of winter viewing, thank you very much! Already gone through the LOTR series..twice since Dec. and most everything else I own. I must have a movie in while I am working on my drawings, and it has to be one that inspires.

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  22. Medieval MuseJanuary 8, 2011 at 7:00 AM

    Jeri - wonderful!!! Netflix is probably the best bargain in the world. I just finished my annual rewatch of the LOTR series too. If only I could go live with the people of Rohan.

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