Written, produced and directed by Brian Helgeland, A Knight's Tale (2001) is an original and powerful medieval comedy/epic. After the death of his master mid-tournament, a peasant squire dons his armor and wins the match. With the help of his friends, and forged documents created by Geoffrey Chaucer, he manages to impersonate a noble knight and make a career study of jousting… all the while falling in love with a lovely maiden. Criticized for it's use of modern Rock & Roll music in a medieval period film, the mixture actually works quite well in this anachronistic case. Heath Ledger is great in the lead role. Shannyn Sossamon is beautiful as his love interest. Paul Bettany is a scene-stealer as Geoffrey Chaucer. The supporting cast is good as well, including Mark Addy, Rufus Sewell and Alan Tudyk.
Heath Ledger: A Knight's Tale
Heath Ledger: A Knight's Tale
Heath Ledger: A Knight's Tale
Paul Bettany as Geoffrey Chaucer: A Knight's Tale
Shannyn Sossamon: A Knight's Tale
Shannyn Sossamon and Heath Ledger: A Knight's Tale
Paul Bettany as Geoffrey Chaucer: A Knight's Tale
Shannyn Sossamon: A Knight's Tale
Heath Ledger and Shannyn Sossamon: A Knight's Tale
Heath Ledger: A Knight's Tale
: A Knight's Tale
Shannyn Sossamon: A Knight's Tale
Heath Ledger and Shannyn Sossamon: A Knight's Tale
Shannyn Sossamon and Heath Ledger: A Knight's Tale
: A Knight's Tale
Paul Bettany as Geoffrey Chaucer: A Knight's Tale
Shannyn Sossamon and Heath Ledger: A Knight's Tale
Directed by Terry Gilliam, The Brothers Grimm (2005) is a creative and exaggerated portrayal of legendary folklorists Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm. The story casts the brothers as conmen in early 19th Century French-occupied Germany, duping villagers into paying them to expel fake witches. However, when a real evil queen sorceress, dormant for 500 years, seeks to steal the youth from young girls in a nearby town… the phony exorcists must summon real courage to face a genuine fairy tale curse. Many references to famous fairy tales are present, including Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, the Gingerbread Man and Snow White. The set designs are artistic and stylish, adding a unique twist on historic medieval architecture. Matt Damon and Heath Ledger are an odd but good pairing as the Brothers Grimm. Lena Headey is tough in her supporting role. Monica Bellucci steals the show, though, looking radiant and enticingly sexy as the beautiful youth-obsessed Queen. Peter Stormare costars.
