After slowly making our way through the available episodes of Showtimes’s Tudors, and nearing the end of the second season, we decided to take a brief break and watch The Other Boleyn Girl. How could a movie starring both Natalie Portman and Scarlet Johansson fail? Well, epically.
At least compared to the story told in Tudors. While the movie has some great, arguably more historically accurate costumes, that’s about where the movie’s merits end. Casting in Tudors is much better, and the story itself is far more historically accurate than what we see in the The Other Boleyn Girl. Hell, even the Natalie in Tudors plays the role of Anne Boleyn better than Portman, as Dormer comes across as not only more conniving, but is sexier to boot (and that’s saying a lot, since we’re Portman fans).
While the near soft-porn from Tudors’ first season may not be expected by new viewers, it certainly depicts King Henry in the proper light. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers may look younger, but he seems to fit the role of the King much better than the almost-too-creepy King played by Eric Bana in The Other Boleyn Girl. Maybe that’s because Rhys-Meyers is great at playing somewhat twisted characters, and the real King Henry was no doubt somewhat twisted.
Sure, Tudors presents itself in a way that is more appealing to a television audience: the actors are generally good-looking by today’s standards, and the costumes are more minimalist, but the script is solid, accurate, and really makes one wonder how the Tudor dynasty wasn’t torn apart by critical observers. In the end, Tudors is an exemplary television series that should make Hollywood embarrassed. And, thankfully it’s on Showtime, because god knows HBO would have cancelled it by now seeing as it’s just so damn good.
Similar Posts:
- The King of the Hill is dead. – In what can only be blamed on the retardation that is FOX, King of the Hill somehow managed to last…
- Apple TV disappoints. Again. – When Apple TV first hit shelves, I had a couple things to say, the gist of which involved the device…
- The one time “authentic” means “lame”. – Why wouldn’t a child of the 80s find a modern G.I. Joe movie fantastic? Given the veritable success …
{ 4 comments }
I agree with you. The Tudor’s is an exceptional TV series. Probably one of the best TV series I’ve seen that deals with Merrie Old England’s past. My wife and I recently watched the complete series as well and were immediately hooked.
Other English TV series that I’ve enjoyed that deals with historic England are Robin of Sherwood, Sherlock Holmes and Brother Cadfael.
All right, all right. Fine! You already got me. I put this in my queue earlier today. If it sucks, though, I’m blaming you and you’re reimbursing me for my time lost.
Best series? I don’t believe it, the acting sucks totally. What makes you think its one of the best?
@Wolfshead – Unfortunately, we were rather unimpressed with the BBC’s version of Robin Hood, if that’s the one you’re talking about. We’ve heard very good things about Sherlock Holmes, though, and will need to seek it out.
@Azor – Do you have a suggestion for a better historical series on England?
Comment by linking this page in a tweet. Or, tweet @WyldKard.
{ 1 trackback }