The Baker
Chromophobia
The Escapist
Life
The Situation
Keane- On July 20th Joseph Fiennes and Adrian Sturges will participate in a special BAFTA Latitude
Festival screening of The Escapist. The event will take place at Henham Park in Southwold and will include a discussion of the film with Jason Solomons. Thanks to Dotty for sharing the BAFTA announcement:
“…On Sunday evening (20 July), BAFTA is delighted to invite British actor Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, Running with Scissors) and hot emerging producer Adrian Sturges to talk on stage with Jason Solomons about their prison-break film The Escapist. Shot on a minimal budget in just a handful of locations, this film is a credit to the talents of the ensemble cast and the imaginative vision of first-time director Rupert Wyatt…BAFTA would like to thank: Vertigo Films for permitting us to screen The Escapist…”
- Click here or here (subscription required) for Ben Brantley’s New York Times review of Ibsen’s Rosmersholm starring Paul Hilton and Helen McCrory. He describes the Almeida Theatre production as a “gripping revival” and says that “Mr. Hilton and Ms. McCrory are quietly magnificent, transforming melodramatic plot turns into natural steps in two people’s unwitting and dangerous self-discovery.”
- Thank you to Jen for updating us on upcoming Australian broadcasts of Damian Lewis films:
» Stormbreaker, Saturday 19 July at 1:10 PM on MovieNetwork
» Keane, Tuesday 08 July 12:00 AM on World Movies
» Keane, Tuesday 08 July 10:55 AM on World Movies
» Keane, Wednesday 16 July 11:35 AM on World Movies
» Keane, Thursday 17 July 3:00 AM on World Movies
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Jul 30 - The Escapist screens in Wellington, New Zealand Aug 01 - The Escapist screens in Wellington, New Zealand Aug 06 - The Escapist screens in Dunedin, New Zealand » More |
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Launched: July 13, 2006. Staff: Kathy and Selene Users online: Disclaimer: Damian-Lewis.com is an unofficial and non-profit fansite. All media content are copyright of their respective owners. No infringement is intended. » More |
Welcome
Welcome to Damian-Lewis.com, a website dedicated to British actor Damian Lewis known for his work in Band of Brothers, Keane, and The Situation. Damian-Lewis.com is also the off-site for Damian Lewis Yahoo! Group (DLYG), where you'll find the latest news and the largest collection of Damian Lewis fans on the web. Please have a look around and enjoy the group's extensive gallery and media section!
News and Updates
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
- Today the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences announced the semi-finalists for “Best Actor in a Drama” Emmy Award and Damian Lewis was not listed! This despite the fact that his portrayal of Detective Charlie Crews in Life is mesmerizing and the most powerful US television performance in years! He’s absolutely brilliant!
- A new review of The Escapist states:
“…This is a film that achieves on a variety of levels. Firstly, it does entertain and things certainly do not go as planned throughout. Secondly, it explores some worthy themes in fraternity and freedom. However, it is its non-preachy portrayal of the soul-destroying futility of incarcerating people beyond the point where they have hope for another life that has to be the film’s most powerful and lasting legacy. This film may well not prove to be another Shawshak Redemption in terms of mass popularity. However, it still resonates in its own way about retaining one’s humanity and dignity despite being incarcerated for many years.” - The region 2 DVD for Chromophobia starring Damian Lewis is available in the UK, France, and Greece.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Spoilers!
- Click here for a video interview with Damian Lewis, Sarah Shahi, and Adam Arkin from the NBC Universal Upfront in New York City on May 12, 2008. The interview was conducted by Kristin Dos Santos and featured on her June 22nd E! Online “Watch With Kristin Show.”
Thanks to The Path to Zen (a terrific new website dedicated to Life starring Damian Lewis as Los Angeles Detective Charlie Crews) for this partial transcript of the clip that describes plans for Season 2:
Sarah Shahi: “I know it picks up… It’s like a month after where we left it, but there’s still, like the conspiracy stuff gets bigger and deeper, like that hasn’t gone away, right?”
Damian Lewis: “Yeah, they’re still committed to the idea, they want revelation, they don’t want to leave the audience hanging on for the whole series, every three or four episode there’ll be an exciting new piece of information, so I think at the beginning of this season we’ll see some of the characters that were established last season.. gone. They’ve moved on… they’ll be moved past in term of their relevance to the plot, you know, we’re going on to bigger fish.”
- None of the supporting cast members of Life [Sarah Shahi (Dani Reese), Adam Arkin (Ted Earley), or Brent Sexton (Bobby Stark)] have been selected as semi-finalists for the Emmy Awards.
Still no word about semi-finalists for the leading actor award but the final list of nominees will be announced on July 17th.
- Anton Bitel reviewed The Escapist for musicOMH.com and said:
“…With its grim portrait of incarcerated life, its daring escape plot and its redemptive story arc, The Escapist aligns itself to any number of prison-break films. At the same time, however, the narrative’s constant flipping forward and back makes it more like a puzzle movie, as viewers are left struggling to fill in the gap between where events are now and where we know they are going. Some highly energised editing ensures that the film remains thrilling from start to finish, while the stillness of Cox’s extraordinary central performance lends the film the gravity that is so necessary for the dramatic impact of the final scenes.
Ultimately, The Escapist impresses as a recognisable genre film while also breaking free of its generic confines by suggesting that escape is, over and above having the right team and the right tools, a state of mind. Here, the visceral, the intellectual and the spiritual all come together, elevating The Escapist beyond merely escapist entertainment, and offering something that any viewer can dig.”
- Irish journalist Joe Griffin had this to say about The Escapist:
“And, for the most part, a strong film it is. The casting against type is very effective- Joseph Fiennes is surprisingly convincing, and almost unrecognisable, as the, surly, hooded boxer. And the aforementioned Damian Lewis, so good in `Band of Brothers’, immediately convinces in his unlikely role as the prison’s big fish…
…Shown as the surprise film at this year’s Dublin International Film Festival, `The Escapist’, though not perfect, is a tough, solid little thriller and a promising debut for its director.”
- Box Office Mojo reports that Rupert Wyatt’s film The Escapist ranked 24 out of 59 in box office sales for films showing in cinemas in the UK and Ireland last weekend.
- According to IMDb Gareth Lewis’s hilarious film The Baker (produced by and starring Damian Lewis) will be released in Greece on July 17, 2008. It is not yet known if this indicates a special screening (e.g., a film festival) or a theatrical release. The film is currently available on Region 2 DVD in the UK.
- During an interview with ComingSoon.net the acclaimed British actor Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter films spoke about Helen McCrory who will portray his wife Narcissa in the next two Harry Potter movies:
“I am very excited. (To reprise the role.) Also, the woman who is playing my wife I’ve been a fan of for a very long time. In fact, one of the great things about going to do “Harry Potter” at all is that a lot of people who are my acting idols I see sitting in make-up chairs beside me. To get to do scenes with Gary Oldman and Richard Harris, Michael Gambon and now Helen McCrory, who I’m a big fan of – it’s fabulous.”
- This New York Times editorial by Ben Brantley discusses the Almeida Theatre production of Ibsen’s Rosmersholm starring Helen McCrory which runs through July 5th.
Sunday, June 29, 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?”
Saturday, June 28, 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.
Thursday, June 26, 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.
Tuesday, June 24, 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.”