Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett in Robin Hood directed by Ridley Scott.

This Robin Hood is an ace movie about the infamous and legendary hero Robin of the Hood. At first you may think it is a movie about his exciting exploits as an outlaw alone, however, it is much more than that. It’s a movie that depicts who he was before he was the Robin Hood we all know and love, and what forces made him into the larger than life outlaw of Sherwood Forest. We also get to meet all our faves, Lady Marion, his merry men Little John, Will Scarlet, Friar Tuck, and of course, everyone’s favorite villain, King John the royal runt.

This is a movie about the origins of an outlaw beloved by the people. It is a story that is gritty and very true to the medieval way of life, real historical events expertly woven with intricate English folklore. I found it a refreshing take on a famous medieval tale that has been told a thousand times before.

Ridley Scott‘s version of Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett is out today on DVD! Woohoo!

~P.S.~ This movie has a strong message of fate coursing through it. What about you? Do you believe in fate?

The Quick and the Dead_Wikipedia

My earliest Russell Crowe sighting was in The Quick & the Dead. This movie was back in the day when Sharon Stone was a HUGE star. Sharon Stone was fairly fresh off Basic Instinct (if you can call 3 years fresh in Hollywood) and she was still pretty popular. Anyway, she was the headliner in this flick that starred old goodies like Gene Hackman, and young faces like Leonardo DiCaprio (boy, did he look young and fresh faced. He looked like such a wee babe!).

Now keep your eyes peeled…wait for it….and there! My first Russell Crowe sighting ever!

Russell Crowe as Cort in The Quick and the Dead

Russell Crowe played Cort, a reverend who used to be one of Herod’s henchman who Herod (played by Gene Hackman) forces to enter into the quick draw competition. I saw this movie in the theater, and back in the day, I would have darn near forgot that Russell Crowe was even on screen if it hadn’t been for the fact that he had a story line! I was a teen and hence I only had eyes for Leo D. (BTW, I love any excuse to use the word hence!) Isn’t it funny? When you’re young it’s all about looks. When you’re old(er), it’s all about substance. What does that say about me? Yeah!

Anyhoo, just 5 years later, RC would go on to win an Oscar. Amazing how quickly things can change. Who would have thought he would have been an Oscar winner? I know I never did. But as I said before, things have certainly changed. Now that I am a woman of substance, I only have eyes for Russell Crowe (unless he’s acting with Leo D. Then I have to split screen time evenly because they are both so stellar in the talent department.) because: a) he has amazing mad talent, and b) Virtuosity was easy on the eyes. (I have substance, really!)  Many of RC’s movies are on my Favorite Movie List. Truth be told, he’s one of my favorite actors. I am so not hearing the buzz that he is not as strong a box office buzz as he used to be, and YES I loved Robin Hood!

Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe has some of the best movie quotes of all time. Here’s a few you might be familiar with. Can you guess which movies these quotes are from?

“Are you not entertained?”

“Rise and rise again until lambs become lions.”

“There’s a click before the strike. Listen to the clock.”

“What we do in life echoes in eternity.”

“I have to believe that when things are bad I can change them.”

“Strength and honor.”

“At my signal, unleash hell.”

“There has to be a mathematical explanation for how bad that tie is.”

“Just because I’m carrying the joy of killing your family inside me doesn’t mean we can’t be friends.”

Can you guess which Russell Crowe movie is my favorite movie to date? Can you tell which quote is from the movie I’m stoked to see? Which 2 quotes are from movies he was in before he was the famous Russell Crowe we know and love today? One of those movies I just watched last weekend and I will be posting about it tomorrow. Can you guess them all? Leave your answers in the comment section! The person with the most correct answers will win a guest post on The Scribe’s Desk!

Russell Crowe in Robin Hood

Is anyone else saying, “Yay!”? Well, I remember the old Robin Hood (yikes! that was many moons ago!). You know the one with Kevin Costner and that catchy Bryan Adams song. (Loved that song! So did everyone else who got married that year.) Even though I loved that film, not everybody else did. In fact, in some circles, Kevin Costner was panned for everything from his hood to his higgledy piggledy English accent. Unfortunately, his credibility as a top box office draw went into decline with Waterworld and The Postman. No Dances with Wolves either of them, though The Postman was waaay better than Waterworld. Sorry, KC.

Kevin Costner in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves 1991

I also remember thinking KC’s version of the man in tights (remember that spoof flick with Carey Elwes, Robin Hood Men In Tights? LOL’s!) was really good. I mean, what was there not to love? You had Robin of the Hood himself, his merry men and a love story between Robin Hood and the fabled Maid Marian. It was a movie about the complicated relationships we have with the people in our lives, and how events in our lives can lead to one defining moment. It had a killer soundtrack (I still like to write to that score), and great actors, and more than a few good laughs. It was a movie about bravery, courage, sacrifice, swashbuckling action, fable, myth and lore. You got some back story on how Robert Locksley became champion of the poor — which was very intriguing because Robin Hood’s origins were shrouded in mystery. Even now there is intense scrutiny as to whether or not Robin Hood actually existed. The movie spawned a whole bevy of documentaries about Who really was Robin Hood? Those docs spoke of an actual real Robert of Locksley and pointed to the fact that the bandit of Sherwood Forest could in actual fact be real. For me, a history buff, it just didn’t get any better than that. AND, Costner’s Robin Hood movie was romantic! I was 15 and I still existed in a dreamy fog where love conquers all.

Cary Elwes in Robin Hood Men in Tights 1993

Yet even back then in the tenderness of my youth, I felt that there was something missing. There was a part of me that I am only familiar with now that wanted more. How can I not get more when my dream cast is in this reboot of Robin Hood? I get some serious shivers of thrilled delight and anticipation at the thought of watching the synergy these talented people will create on screen! I believe Ridley Scott, Russell Crowe and

Cate Blanchett as Marion Loxley in Robin Hood

Cate Blanchett (everything she touches turns to gold!) will give me the rush and satisfaction I’ve been yearning for in a Robin Hood movie. Why do I have faith? Let’s just say it’s because   Gladiator fit the bill for me in every way, which is another Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe collaboration. Was I not entertained? Oh, hell yes! Gladiator was gritty and honest and fierce, even excruciating at times, so I am hopeful for the same experience with this version of Robin of the Hood. I couldn’t define what I wanted when I was a kid, but I can definitely give voice to it now. History was a brutal place, humans fought hard for the civility we have now. When I step into my time machine and go to the movies, I want some truth in my epic historical fantasy depictions. I want to see the struggle, feel the pain and endure the sacrifice. I want to taste the triumph and revel in the glory. I want to feel like I was there. If we’re going to do a movie about rising up against tyranny, and the oppressed fighting for justice and equality, let’s do it then. Will I get what I’m looking for in this version? If I was a betting woman, I’d bet that this movie will be a kick a** Robin Hood flick! Not to say, however, that KC’s version doesn’t still hold a very fond place in my heart.

Anyhoo, that is my essay on my excitement to see Robin Hood. And to prove my point that there is still an intense interest in just who was this hooded hero?, History TV is airing a 2 hour documentary exploring the Robin Hood legend. Case closed. Robin Hood rocks. Can’t wait to see Russell Crowe’s Robin Hood break out that famous bow! Long live the outlaw! This is your Brighter Scribe signing off to watch the History Channel!

~”Rise and rise again until lambs become lions.” ~ Russell Crowe in Robin Hood

If you had to choose between these 3 movies:

Gladiator

Gladiator

A Beautiful Mind

A Beautiful Mind

and

3:10 to Yuma

3 10 to Yuma

which would be your favorite?

Want to do a fun poll? Leave a comment and let me know what your fave is! Once you see Robin Hood, do you think that will be your new fave?