David Harewood Movies
A South African mercenary and a Mende fisherman find their fates forever intertwined as they embark on a quest to obtain a rare and highly coveted pink diamond in director Edward Zwick's frantic adventure drama. Ripped from his family farm and forced to toil away in the sweltering South African diamond fields, Solomon Vandy (Djimon Hounsou) discovered an extraordinary rough stone of immeasurable value. Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a hired gun who specializes in the sale of so-called "blood diamonds" that are used to finance rebellions and terrorist organizations, and is currently serving time for smuggling. As a bloody civil war rages in Sierra Leone and Archer learns that Vandy has safely hidden the diamond in a place where no one would ever suspect, the pair enlist the aid of disillusioned American journalist Maddy Bowen (Jennifer Connelly) in recovering the treasure that has the power to save Vandy's family and provide the desperate Archer with a much-needed chance for redemption. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, (more)
- 1999
- NR
In this romantic comedy from Denmark, Sam (Tommy Kenter) is having problems with both his professional life and his marriage. His career as a film director has dried up and he's been forced to take work as an editor, while at home he can't shake the feeling that his new bride is having an affair. He loves her, and she seems to love him, but there were a lot of men in her past before they tied the knot and he's just not sure that she's being faithful. It turns out Sam's fears have a basis in fact, as she's started seeing a dentist who likes his sex rough. I Wonder Who's Kissing You Now was directed by Henning Carlsen, who draws strong and witty performances from his cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tommy Kenter, Marika Lagercrantz, (more)
A damaged relationship is stretched to its desperate limits in this drama. Anne (Emily Watson) and James (Tom Wilkinson) are a seemingly happy and prosperous British couple who divide their time between a flat in London and a house in the country. However, their marriage is not as contented as one might imagine, and for years James has turned a blind eye to just how deeply unhappy Anne has become with him. Their lives together reach a crossroads when Anne meets the handsome and charming Bill Bule (Rupert Everett); Anne becomes deeply infatuated with him, which only reinforces her dissatisfaction with James, but when the two become involved in an accident that kills another man, Bill drops out of the picture and James decides he must step forward to protect the woman he wed. Separate Lies was the directorial debut from screenwriter Julian Fellowes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Emily Watson, Tom Wilkinson, (more)
Anders Ronnow Klarlund's fantasy-action film Strings tells the tale of Hal Tara, the son of a slain ruler who sets out to settle the score with those who dispatched his father. Interestingly, all of the characters in the film are marionettes, explaining the title of the film to some degree. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James McAvoy, Catherine McCormack, (more)
Benedict Cumberbatch, Max Beesley, and Anamaria Marinca headline this chilling "Masterpiece" production concerning a brilliant mathematician, who is inadvertently drawn into becoming the public face of a massive database designed to track and control the citizens of England. Stephen Ezard is working in China when he receives word that his brother Michael, a benevolent aid worker, has been killed in Afghanistan by a landmine. Returning to England to attend Michael's funeral, Stephen is deeply disturbed to discover just how much his home country has changed since he left to work abroad many years ago. Over the course of those years, Stephen and Michael grew apart, and now the discovery that London has become a police state causes the reclusive genius to wonder just what the world is coming to. After falling in love with his brother's widow Yasim, Stephen is recruited by the government to be the spokesperson for a massive super-database designed to help the government follow the actions and movements of every man, woman, and child in England. As the conspiracy winds ever deeper, and Stephen's paranoia swells, he begins to suspect that no one is who they seem to be. His ability to trust completely eroded, Stephen realizes that it's too late for turning back, and that personal freedom is little more than a distant memory. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Benedict Cumberbatch, Anamaria Marinca, (more)
One of William Shakespeare's most powerful comedies has been given a bold cinematic adaptation in this film version of The Merchant of Venice. Bassanio (Joseph Fiennes) is a young and vital member of the aristocratic classes in 16th century Italy; however, Bassanio's impulsive nature and lavish lifestyle have put him deeply in debt, and he will need at least the pretense of a fortune if he is to win the hand of the beautiful Portia (Lynn Collins). Bassanio turns to his close friend Antonio (Jeremy Irons), a successful businessman, for financial help, but with much of his fortune tied up in a sailing expedition, Antonio can do little to help him. To help Bassanio, Antonio turns to Shylock (Al Pacino), a Jewish money lender who lives in Venice's Semetic ghetto. Antonio has often expressed his contempt for Shylock, who charges high rates for his loans, and Shylock clearly seems pleased at the ironic prospect of having Antonio as a customer; however, instead of interest, Shylock demands an unusual security on his loan -- though Shylock demands no interest, if Antonio does not repay the three thousand ducats in three months, Shylock will be entitled to a pound of his flesh. This version of The Merchant of Venice was directed by Michael Radford, best known for the international hit Il Postino, and was shot on locations in Venice and Luxembourg. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, (more)
- 2006
As directed by Brian Percival and adapted by scenarist Adrian Hodges from the bestselling period novel by Philip Pullman, the BBC production The Ruby in the Smoke recounts the 19th Century adventures of Sally Lockhart (Billie Piper), an aggressive and determined young Brit. Wielding a loaded pistol, fluency in Hindustani, and a fundamental knowledge of military maneuvers, Sally is anything but a typically submissive, Victorian Era girl. The tale finds her embarking on a quest to uncover the reasons for her father's premature death, and the reason why three seemingly harmless words from her mouth - "The Seven Blessings" - lead to the sudden demise of her father's associate. The film co-stars Robert Glenister, David Harewood and screen veteran Julie Walters as the vile Mrs. Holland. The film marks the first installment in a planned series of BBC productions based on Pullman's series of novels about Sally Lockhart. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Billie Piper
- 1999
Created by Rob Pursey and Barry Simner, the weekly, hour-long British series The Vice offered an uncompromisingly realistic view of the seamier side of crime and punishment. Ken Stott starred as Pat Chappel, chief inspector of the Metropolitan Vice Squad. Chappel and his team of operatives were dedicated to their work -- too dedicated, inasmuch as they frequently courted nervous breakdowns in tracking down their slimy criminal prey. Real-life vice cop Michael Hoskins served as the series' technical advisor. Debuting January 4, 1999, The Vice yielded over two dozen episodes, most of which were two-parters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Chancellor, Struan Rodger, (more)
