Remember when Russell Crowe was sexy? Well, Rusty is going back to those ancient days of Rome and channelling a little Gladiator love in Ben Hur—The Stadium Spectacular. The show is a massive live production based on the Hollywood movie that will be held at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on October 22 and 23. The $15 million live adaptation will feature a cast of 200, a full-scale chariot race and a sea battle in the stadium-turned-Roman amphitheatre. Russell will be the narrator for the production, but there’s no word on whether he’s donning a skirt and sandals for his new role.
The beautiful Cate Blanchett is having a busy month—she's been shooting a commercial with Kevin Spacey in Potofino Italy and then she wowed at the Cannes Film Festival. Cate and Russell Crowe were out in force to promote their film Robin Hood. The lovely Melburnian also appears on the cover of Wmagazine, along with the headline, "Practically Pefect in Every Way..." Check out what Cate has to say about her career, her co-stars and her public persona.
Cate on her inaccurate public perception: “I’m so misunderstood! I’m not focused on what other people think of me. Some people get you and some people don’t and to spend your life trying to make people understand how deep and complex and varied you are—I think that way lies madness.”
On the co-star who has made the biggest impression on her as an actress: “It would have to be Geoffrey Rush. But also Hugo Weaving. And then the incredible experience with Judi [Dench]. And it was also amazing to work with Max von Sydow. And John Turturro—”
Certainly, Robin Hood is a figure we all know very well; most people associate him with at least one of the actors who've played him, like Kevin Costner or Cary Elwes. And the latest inhabitant of the icon is Russell Crowe, who takes his turn at avenging the poorin this year's Robin Hood. However, this version of the legend isn't just different because the actor has changed. No siree. In many ways, this is definitely not the Robin Hood we're used to. The main difference is that this is a prequel, a recounting of how a common archer named Robin Longstride became the man who stole from the rich to give to the poor. This film is serious and high-minded (read: there's not one chuckle in there), with director Ridley Scott clearly aiming to make this the most epic version of the tale. Scott has the ideal ingredients, namely star power: Crowe, most memorable for his heroic performance in Scott's Gladiator, and leading lady Cate Blanchett. But despite this careful mixture, something went wrong in Nottingham, making Scott's Robin Hood overlong and uninspiring. To see why I didn't love the movie, read on.
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The main difference is that this is a prequel, a recounting of how a common archer named Robin Longstride became the man who stole from the rich to give to the poor. This film is serious and high-minded (read: there's not one chuckle in there), with director