film recs: jack davenport...
It's probably common knowledge that I'm a movie crack. Also that I usually don't go for the Hollywood heartthrobs but prefer the underrated, really talented sort of actors. And that I love good movie discussions and can never get enough movie recommendations.
Well, today I had an idea that more or less combines all those things. I'm going to make a list of film recs for my favourite actors! That way I can also revive all my actor tags, which have been neglected so shamefully over the past few years. :D And maybe I'll do the one or the other movie picspam again as well.
I'm going to start with one of the actors of my very first LJ fandom.
Jack Davenport
(Born 1 March 1973 in Suffolk, England, UK)
Title: The Moth
Year: 1997
Jack plays: Robert Bradley
Other notable cast members: Juliet Aubrey, Rupert Penry-Jones
Summary: In 1913 Northumbria, Robert Bradley is offered a new home by his uncle after his father dies. He befriends a young girl called "The Moth" by everyone, and a mutual attraction develops between him and the young girl's sister, Sarah. However, social differences and Robert's family and reputation stand in their way.
Why I love the film: First of all, it's Jack's first film, and he's incredibly young and adorable in it, especially because he talks with a very strong Northumbrian accent. And considering the story, it's always nice to see a film that defies traditions and social rules.
Title: Fierce Creatures
Year: 1997
Jack plays: a student zoo keeper
Other notable cast members: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Robert Lindsay, Michael Palin
Summary: A massive corporate conglomerate, run by a shrewd and cruel tycoon, purchases a failing London zoo. To bring more business into the zoo, its new manager decides to do away with all the animals except for the fierce ones, because he thinks those attract the public.
Why I love the film: Because it has superb actors, a hilarious story, lots of funny scenes (especially those with John Cleese), and is simply one of the best comedy films ever. Also, Jack Davenport's mother, Maria Aitken, is playing a support role. ;)
Title: The Cookie Thief
Year: 1999
Video: on youtube
Jack plays: A man
Other notable cast members: -
Summary: A silent duel for a bag of cookies at a station.
Why I love the film: The joke might be obvious from the beginning, but Jack makes the simple process of eating cookies look incredibly sexy. XD
Title: The Talented Mr Ripley
Year: 1999
Jack plays: Peter Smith-Kingsley
Other notable cast members: Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Summary: In late 1950's New York, Tom Ripley, a young underachiever, is sent to Europe to retrieve a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy, named Dickie Greenleaf. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures.
Why I love the film: To be honest, I hate the film. *ducks tomatoes* No, but seriously, I can't watch it without cringing repeatedly at most of the members of its star cast. The only reason I own this film and watch it occasionally is Jack Davenport - not because it's Jack, but because he's playing the most wonderful person to ever walk this planet, whose only flaw is that he falls in love with Tom Ripley.
Title: Gypsy Woman
Year: 2001
Trailer: youtube
Jack plays: Leon
Other notable cast members: Neve McIntosh, Nick Brimble
Summary: Leon is an unscrupulous, snobbish lawyer whose current job it is to prevent the widow of a construction worker to go to court against his former employers. The problem? She's a gypsy, and he gradually falls under her spell.
Why I love the film: It's always hilarious when a rather snobbish character is put in awkward situations ("He's shagging my arm!" XD), and Jack is playing that role so well. Also, the chemistry between Jack and Neve McIntosh is just awesome. It might not be a film to win a lot of awards, but watching it makes you smile and laugh and feel good, and I think that's one of the best things a film can do to you.
Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Year: 2003
Jack plays: Commodore Norrington
Other notable cast members: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Jonathan Pryce, Keira Knightley, Kevin McNally, Mackenzie Crook, Orlando Bloom
Summary: The pirate Jack Sparrow was moored on a deserted island by his former first mate and crew. In his pursuit to get his ship back, he is suddenly involved in the abduction of a governor's daughter, a battle against undead pirates, and cursed Aztec treasure.
Why I love the film: It's got pirates, dashing Navy boys, and gorgeous ships. What else does one need? :D No, but seriously, it's got an exciting, absorbing story, is beautifully filmed, and the cast is marvellous. Well, maybe with the exception of Orlando Bloom. I still believe that Will Turner would have been a lot less annoying if, let's say, Alex O'Loughlin had played him. ;) Overall, it shows how much work was put into the making of this film.
Title: The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant
Year: 2005
Jack plays: Lieutenant Ralph Clarke
Other notable cast members: Romola Garai, Alex O'Loughlin, Sam Neill
Summary: A young woman is transported to the New South Wales penal colony in 1788.
Why I love the film: I generally love films involving ships and sea voyages, and it was very enjoyable to see Jack in yet another "uniform" role. Ralph Clarke, though not as honourable as Norrington, definitely has appeal, and in the end I found myself rooting for him (and the law) instead of Mary Bryant. Also, the miniseries, which is the largest ever made in Australia, has a great cast, a good mix of established actors and unknown talents, who all work together perfectly.
Title: Pirate Radio / The Boat That Rocked
Year: 2009
Jack plays: Dominic Twatt
Other notable cast members: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Nick Frost, Chris O'Dowd, Katherine Parkinson, Rhys Ifans, Kenneth Branagh, Talulah Riley
Summary: A period comedy about an illegal radio station in the North Sea in the 1960s.
Why I love the film: Because it's just so much fun. The cast is excellent, full of established, talented comedians, and the contrast between the "boat that rocked" and the politicians who want to abolish it is just hilarious. It's not often that a film makes me laugh so hard.
Other Jack films I've seen but didn't include in the list:
»The Bunker (2001): A film about an army bunker in which strange things happen. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, so I didn't rec it, but I found it rather enjoyable.
»The Libertine (2004): To be honest, I don't remember much of the film, but I might add it to my rec list after having seen it again.
»Marple: The Body in the Library (2004): It is good as a standalone but not very good as a Miss Marple film. Geraldine McEwan isn't the problem; I quite like her portrayal of Miss Marple. What I don't like, however, is when producers and scriptwriters change the original plot and make the culprit someone else. Not even the lesbian couple can make up for that.
»The Wedding Date (2005): The problem I have with this film is that it's incredibly boring and pointless. Jack's scenes are funny, but I just couldn't find anything of interest in the other characters.
Jack Davenport also plays lead roles in the TV series "This Life", "Ultraviolet" and "Coupling", which I can all recommend muchly.
What do you think? Have you seen any of these? Did you like them? Have you seen any that I haven't seen? I want to know everything! XD
Well, today I had an idea that more or less combines all those things. I'm going to make a list of film recs for my favourite actors! That way I can also revive all my actor tags, which have been neglected so shamefully over the past few years. :D And maybe I'll do the one or the other movie picspam again as well.
I'm going to start with one of the actors of my very first LJ fandom.
Jack Davenport
(Born 1 March 1973 in Suffolk, England, UK)
Title: The Moth
Year: 1997
Jack plays: Robert Bradley
Other notable cast members: Juliet Aubrey, Rupert Penry-Jones
Summary: In 1913 Northumbria, Robert Bradley is offered a new home by his uncle after his father dies. He befriends a young girl called "The Moth" by everyone, and a mutual attraction develops between him and the young girl's sister, Sarah. However, social differences and Robert's family and reputation stand in their way.
Why I love the film: First of all, it's Jack's first film, and he's incredibly young and adorable in it, especially because he talks with a very strong Northumbrian accent. And considering the story, it's always nice to see a film that defies traditions and social rules.
Title: Fierce Creatures
Year: 1997
Jack plays: a student zoo keeper
Other notable cast members: John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Robert Lindsay, Michael Palin
Summary: A massive corporate conglomerate, run by a shrewd and cruel tycoon, purchases a failing London zoo. To bring more business into the zoo, its new manager decides to do away with all the animals except for the fierce ones, because he thinks those attract the public.
Why I love the film: Because it has superb actors, a hilarious story, lots of funny scenes (especially those with John Cleese), and is simply one of the best comedy films ever. Also, Jack Davenport's mother, Maria Aitken, is playing a support role. ;)
Title: The Cookie Thief
Year: 1999
Video: on youtube
Jack plays: A man
Other notable cast members: -
Summary: A silent duel for a bag of cookies at a station.
Why I love the film: The joke might be obvious from the beginning, but Jack makes the simple process of eating cookies look incredibly sexy. XD
Title: The Talented Mr Ripley
Year: 1999
Jack plays: Peter Smith-Kingsley
Other notable cast members: Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Summary: In late 1950's New York, Tom Ripley, a young underachiever, is sent to Europe to retrieve a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy, named Dickie Greenleaf. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures.
Why I love the film: To be honest, I hate the film. *ducks tomatoes* No, but seriously, I can't watch it without cringing repeatedly at most of the members of its star cast. The only reason I own this film and watch it occasionally is Jack Davenport - not because it's Jack, but because he's playing the most wonderful person to ever walk this planet, whose only flaw is that he falls in love with Tom Ripley.
Title: Gypsy Woman
Year: 2001
Trailer: youtube
Jack plays: Leon
Other notable cast members: Neve McIntosh, Nick Brimble
Summary: Leon is an unscrupulous, snobbish lawyer whose current job it is to prevent the widow of a construction worker to go to court against his former employers. The problem? She's a gypsy, and he gradually falls under her spell.
Why I love the film: It's always hilarious when a rather snobbish character is put in awkward situations ("He's shagging my arm!" XD), and Jack is playing that role so well. Also, the chemistry between Jack and Neve McIntosh is just awesome. It might not be a film to win a lot of awards, but watching it makes you smile and laugh and feel good, and I think that's one of the best things a film can do to you.
Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Year: 2003
Jack plays: Commodore Norrington
Other notable cast members: Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Jonathan Pryce, Keira Knightley, Kevin McNally, Mackenzie Crook, Orlando Bloom
Summary: The pirate Jack Sparrow was moored on a deserted island by his former first mate and crew. In his pursuit to get his ship back, he is suddenly involved in the abduction of a governor's daughter, a battle against undead pirates, and cursed Aztec treasure.
Why I love the film: It's got pirates, dashing Navy boys, and gorgeous ships. What else does one need? :D No, but seriously, it's got an exciting, absorbing story, is beautifully filmed, and the cast is marvellous. Well, maybe with the exception of Orlando Bloom. I still believe that Will Turner would have been a lot less annoying if, let's say, Alex O'Loughlin had played him. ;) Overall, it shows how much work was put into the making of this film.
Title: The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant
Year: 2005
Jack plays: Lieutenant Ralph Clarke
Other notable cast members: Romola Garai, Alex O'Loughlin, Sam Neill
Summary: A young woman is transported to the New South Wales penal colony in 1788.
Why I love the film: I generally love films involving ships and sea voyages, and it was very enjoyable to see Jack in yet another "uniform" role. Ralph Clarke, though not as honourable as Norrington, definitely has appeal, and in the end I found myself rooting for him (and the law) instead of Mary Bryant. Also, the miniseries, which is the largest ever made in Australia, has a great cast, a good mix of established actors and unknown talents, who all work together perfectly.
Title: Pirate Radio / The Boat That Rocked
Year: 2009
Jack plays: Dominic Twatt
Other notable cast members: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Nick Frost, Chris O'Dowd, Katherine Parkinson, Rhys Ifans, Kenneth Branagh, Talulah Riley
Summary: A period comedy about an illegal radio station in the North Sea in the 1960s.
Why I love the film: Because it's just so much fun. The cast is excellent, full of established, talented comedians, and the contrast between the "boat that rocked" and the politicians who want to abolish it is just hilarious. It's not often that a film makes me laugh so hard.
Other Jack films I've seen but didn't include in the list:
»The Bunker (2001): A film about an army bunker in which strange things happen. Might not be everyone's cup of tea, so I didn't rec it, but I found it rather enjoyable.
»The Libertine (2004): To be honest, I don't remember much of the film, but I might add it to my rec list after having seen it again.
»Marple: The Body in the Library (2004): It is good as a standalone but not very good as a Miss Marple film. Geraldine McEwan isn't the problem; I quite like her portrayal of Miss Marple. What I don't like, however, is when producers and scriptwriters change the original plot and make the culprit someone else. Not even the lesbian couple can make up for that.
»The Wedding Date (2005): The problem I have with this film is that it's incredibly boring and pointless. Jack's scenes are funny, but I just couldn't find anything of interest in the other characters.
Jack Davenport also plays lead roles in the TV series "This Life", "Ultraviolet" and "Coupling", which I can all recommend muchly.
What do you think? Have you seen any of these? Did you like them? Have you seen any that I haven't seen? I want to know everything! XD