Cinema is Dope

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With character names like One Two (Gerard Butler) and Mumbles (Idris Elba), you get the feeling Guy Ritchie is returning to his flashy crime/grime comedy roots with RocknRolla.

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Gerard Butler fresh off his chest beating performance as King Leonidas in 300 returns as a crafty mobster in Guy Ritchie’s, RocknRolla.

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RocknRolla could be a true return to form for Guy Ritchie in what might be the surprise hit of 2008. Here he is o the set of the film directing Jeremy Piven, Ludacris, Idris Elba and Gerard Butler. Watch the trailer over at the newly launched official website (view here).

SYNOPSIS

From writer/director Guy Ritchie comes “RocknRolla,” in which he revisits the seedy, offbeat landscape of modern day London that he explored in his critically acclaimed films “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch.”

When a Russian mobster orchestrates a crooked land deal, millions of dollars are up for grabs, and all of London’s criminal underworld wants in on the action. Everyone from a dangerous crime lord to a sexy accountant, a corrupt politician and down-on-their-luck petty thieves conspire, collude and collide with one another in an effort to get rich quick.

Gerard Butler (”300,” “Nim’s Island“) stars as One Two, a street-smart mobster who has learned to play both sides of the fence. Two-time Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson (”Michael Clayton,” “In the Bedroom“) stars as the ruthless head mobster, Lenny Cole, part of London’s old mob regime, which is quickly losing ground to the wealthier foreign mob. Thandie Newton (”Run, Fatboy, Run,” “The Pursuit of Happyness“) stars as One Two’s love interest, Stella, a smart and sexy accountant with ties to the underworld. Idris Elba (”28 Weeks Later,” TV’s “The Wire“) stars as Mumbles, One Two’s partner in crime and best friend. Chris “Ludacris” Bridges (”Crash,” “Fred Claus“) and Jeremy Piven (TV’s “Entourage“) star respectively as Mickey and Roman, two Americans trying to break into the music scene in London. Rounding out the main cast are Mark Strong (”Sunshine“) as Archie, Lenny Cole’s right-hand man, and Toby Kebbell (”Control“) as Johnny, a British punk rock star.

Guy Ritchie directed “RocknRolla” from his own screenplay. The film is produced by Joel Silver, Guy Ritchie, Susan Downey and Steve Clark-Hall. Steve Richards and Navid McIlhargey are the executive producers, with Lauren Meek serving as associate producer.

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More immaculate behind the scenes photography from Eastern Promises that really show off the spirit that was on its set during filming. Of special note check out the scowl on Vincent Cassel’s face (just off camera and in the bottom left of the frame) as Viggo Mortensen and Armin Mueller-Stahl engage in a heated discussion. This might have been the best overall ensemble cast of actors put into one film for 2007 cinema.

Related Coverage:
::: 2007 TIFF—Eastern Promises (Michael Guillen)

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These rare behind the scenes black & white photographs of Viggo Mortensen on the set of Eastern Promises are quite impressive and I’m glad to be able to display them for its growing legions of fans. So many behind the scenes pictures display more workmanship rush to get a shop versus trying to capture what is going on in artistic terms.

Related Coverage:
::: 2007 TIFF—Eastern Promises (Michael Guillen)

(Read more…)