29 June 2008
- If you have seen The Escapist with Damian Lewis be sure to rate it and comment about it on IMDb and other film sites. Here are some recent viewer comments for the UK/Ireland release of the film:
Sharply directed and intense, The Escapist is a triumph!
20 June 2008
Author: Tim Morrisson from London (9 stars)
“One of the best British movies I’ve seen in years, this has it all- a strong cast with Brian Cox turning in the performance of a lifetime - all restraint and pent-up frustration - a script that twists and turns and keeps you guessing and puzzling until the very end… and after! Grim and intensely atmospheric, the film develops into something quite unusual for the genre, and redeems its characters and even its battered viewers in the last act. It shows that a crime movie from the UK doesn’t have to be all flash and swagger, it can have intelligence, sensitivity, originality.”
A fantastic and intensely enjoyable film
21 June 2008
Author: hjw-6 from United Kingdom (10 stars)
“Only a handful of films have ever been awarded a 10/10 for me - this is one of them…
I went to see it last night on the first showing in Cardiff and enjoyed it so much that I went with a friend this afternoon to see it again. My friend also agrees with my feelings! …This film ticks all the boxes for me. Strong characters played by talented actors. A complex but ultimately rewarding plot. An intense and superb soundtrack…”
Grim realism and comic-book adventure meet in this superb prison break drama
28 June 2008
Author: Robert_Woodward from United Kingdom (9 stars)
“Rupert Everett’s new film, The Escapist, is a gripping prison break drama. Beginning in explosive fashion with the instigation of the escape attempt, the film switches back and forth between two chronologically distinct narratives: the story of the escape and the story behind the escape. The result is an inspired combination of grim realism and comic-book adventure…”
The Escapist Review
28 June 2008
Author: joecunningham14 from United Kingdom (9 stars)
“…A strong British cast is rounded off Damian Lewis whose chilling portrayal of Rizza, the prison’s top convict, is reason to see the film alone…If ‘The Escapist’ achieves nothing else it should secure Brian Cox more leading roles in the future…. It will also hopefully lead to more opportunities for Wyatt, a promising young British talent. Not that this film itself is to be forgotten as just a stepping stone, it is a thrilling ride throughout; flashes to the break-out attempt ensure things continue at a strong pace, never losing grip of your attention. The final scenes are touching and your jaw will hit the floor as the penny-drop moment finally arrives. Ultimately, Wyatt has created a fine example of British cinema that is surprisingly refreshing, proving once again that everybody loves a good prison break…”
- Fans of Life are working to entertain us as we impatiently wait for new episodes:
» Britphile7 has created this “angry Charlie Crews” picspam.
» Snyde1023 has posted a new music video called “Life – Fine Again”.
» Unicorn23’s comments about Life include: “…why do I consider it the best new show this past TV season? Three things: 1) superb acting by almost everyone especially by the two leads Damian Lewis and Sarah Shahi, 2) surprisingly excellent writing and storytelling, and 3) great use of music. What else can you ask for?”
28 June 2008
- The Escapist with Damian Lewis is currently playing in cinemas in the UK and Ireland and has been selected as the “Editor’s Choice” by MyFilms.com; click here to find a cinema near you.
- Click here for a video interview with director Rupert Wyatt that includes clips from his award-winning short film with Brian Cox titled Get the Picture.
Wyatt said that it took 3 years to raise the financial backing for The Escapist. He also spoke about the differences between making short films and features and about collaborating with Daniel Hardy on the script for The Escapist. He said he wants to create a feature film based on Shakespeare “Sort of The Godfather meets Shakespeare meets action movie!” 
- Melinda reported that a 50-foot high banner of Damian Lewis as Charlie Crews in Life is currently being displayed behind a Universal Studio building in Los Angeles - sounds like a photo opportunity!
Here are Melinda’s directions:
“Crews on over 
to the corner of La Brea and Wilshire. There’s a short building right on the corner, opposite the Tar Pits, which belongs to Universal. Behind it (if you’re looking at it from the Tar Pits corner) is an Actor’s Guild building. At the back part of the Universal Building, Charlie Crews is hanging out with Patricia Arquette and some people from Heroes. Just a huge banner of each character.”
- Spoiler warning! Click here for casting information for episode 2.04 of Life.
26 June 2008
- Click here to view pics of Damian and Sarah filming Life on the streets of LA. Many thanks to Dryope!
- Box Office Mojo reports that The Escapist opened in 67 theatres in the
UK and Ireland last week and ranked 17 of 61 films in box office sales for the weekend of June 20 - 22.
- This review of The Escapist says:
“…It is a pleasure to watch a film that allows the actors to develop their personalities, refuses to clarify every plot point several times and shows an interest in visual impact: the underground scenes are vividly expressionistic. The moral lessons are discreet, and the tension between the poetic intentions of the story and the harsh context develops into a gripping drama. Engaging and compassionate, The Escapist is a challenging yet refreshing alternative to the blockbuster.”
- The top ten semi-finalists for best drama and best comedy Emmy Awards were announced today and Life is not a semi-finalist.
No news yet about the individual awards but the complete list of nominees will be announced on July 17th.
- A new NBC/Universal press release reveals that the network will begin tracking online viewing for rating purposes starting in July - so be sure to watch (and re-watch) episodes of Life on Hulu,
NBC.com, Amazon Unbox, Global TV and other legitimate, Internet venues.
- Click here to take part in the “Charlie Crews (caps and icons) Challenge.”
- Additional information has been disclosed about the Blu-ray edition of Band of Brothers that will be released later this year:
“…the content will be ramped up with digitally restored episodes, presented in DTS sound, and including new bonus material such as picture-in-picture commentary with the surviving members of Easy Company, as well as existing bonus material such as the Interactive Field Guide featuring timelines, maps, soldier profiles, and much more…”
- Click here for a new Damian Lewis slideshow posted on YouTube by 66FaNaTiCo65.
24 June 2008
Spoilers!
- Click here for a larger scan of this article in the June 30th issue of TV Guide that reveals some of the changes we can expect to see in the second season of Life starring Damian Lewis.
- TVGuide.com’s Matt Roush says that it’s unlikely the networks will rerun season one episodes of returning series such as Life this summer.
- This IGN review of The Escapist with Damian Lewis says:
“… it is the structure of the film that really marks The Escapist out as something unique - director Rupert Wyatt begins midway through the escape and then cuts back-and-forth between the break-out and the events leading up to it. Initially it seems a puzzling and confusing decision, but as the film wears on the dual narratives inform and enlighten each other.
- This viewer’s comments about The Escapist include:
“… the ‘leader’ of the cell block is played by the wonderful Damian Lewis who I became a big fan of after Band Of Brothers. He has considerably less screen time here but for me, his chilling stares, and few words were some of the most memorable for me after the credits rolled…
… The Escapist really is a revelation in regards of modern cinema. It just reels you into the story from the get go and takes you on a bleak ride through the dark underbelly of the prison, metaphorical in its tone, Rupert Wyatt really has crafted something wonderful here.”
Your Highness
Life
The Escapist
The Baker
