Film: 2000s

Jump to: 2000 * 2001 * 2003 * 2004 * 2005 * 2006

Note: Plot summaries focus on Alun Armstrong's character and may contain spoilers.

 

2000

Harrison's Flowers
Release Dates	23 September 2000 (San Sebastián Film Festival); 15 March 2002 (US)
Role	Samuel Brubeck Supporting role; about 5 scenes.
Also Starring	Andie MacDowell as Sarah; David Strathairn as Harrison; Elias Koteas as Yeager Pollack; Adrien Brody as Kyle Morris; Brendan Gleeson as Marc Stevenson
In 1991, Sarah Lloyd works at Newsweek with her husband Harrison - a photojournalist who travels to hot spots and war zones around the globe. Returning from an assignment, Harrison tells his boss Samuel Brubeck that he wants out so he can be with his family. Brubeck persuades him to wait until he can be replaced, reminding him he's under contract. He sends Harrison on a short assignment to Yugoslavia to cover what is at first thought to be minor ethnic skirmishes. Harrison is presumed killed, but Sarah refuses to believe he's dead and sets out on her own to find him. In Yugoslavia, she joins up with a group of journalists who help her. Back home, Brubeck receives photos from Sarah depicting the terrible reality of the situation in Yugoslavia.
My Rating	2½ out of 5 stars. Grim depiction of events, but the story was a bit farfetched.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD available on Amazon. Region 2 (UK) DVD available on Amazon UK.
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One last assignment	Just ethnic skirmishes	Bad news

 

Proof of Life
Release Dates	8 December 2000 (US); 2 March 2001 (UK)
Role	Wyatt One scene at around 35 min.
Also Starring	Russell Crowe as Terry Thorne; Meg Ryan as Alice Bowman; David Morse as Peter Bowman; David Caruso as Dino
In a volatile Latin American country, Peter Bowman is working on a dam project as part of an oil pipeline deal when he is kidnapped for ransom. Hostage negotiator Terry Thorne is called in, but when it turns out Peter's employer failed to pay for insurance against kidnapping, the company's new owner balks at meeting the ransom demands. Terry returns on his own to help Peter's wife Alice and they form a bond while working toward Peter's rescue. Wyatt is another hostage negotiator on the verge of retirement who is in the country for one last job. Terry meets Wyatt and another colleague, Dino, in a bar for a chat. Terry and Dino later join forces to rescue Peter and another man, but Wyatt is not seen again.
My Rating	3 out of 5 stars. Pretty enjoyable, though Alun's barely in it.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD available on Amazon. Region 2 (UK) DVD available on Amazon UK.
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	Umbrella drinks and a senorita	Old time's sake

 

2001:

The Mummy Returns
Release Dates	4 May 2001 (US); 18 May 2001 (UK)
Role	Baltus Hafez Supporting role throughout.
Also Starring	Brendan Fraser as Rick O'Connell; Rachel Weisz as Evelyn; John Hannah as Jonathan; Arnold Vosloo as Imhotep; The Rock as The Scorpion King; Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Lock-Nah; Patricia Velasquez as Meela Nais/Anck Su Namun
British Museum curator Baltus Hafez and his cult concoct a plan to resurrect Imhotep in order to kill the Scorpion King and use his army to rule the world. First they need the Bracelet of Anubis which will awaken the Scorpion King and his army. Baltus sends a gang of thieves to find the bracelet, but they are beaten to it by Rick and Evelyn O'Connell and their son Alex, who take the treasure back to London. The cult follow them, bringing the body of Imhotep with them. At the O'Connells' house, Baltus mistakes Evelyn's brother Jonathan for Rick and is amazed to see that he has the Sceptre of Osiris. The chest that contained the bracelet is empty, so the cult kidnap Evelyn. At the British Museum, Baltus performs the ritual to raise Imhotep from the dead. The cult plan to sacrifice Evelyn to speed Imhotep's rejuvenation, but Rick rescues her and they escape on a double-decker bus. Realising that the boy Alex is wearing the bracelet, the cult's minions pursue the bus and seize Alex. They take Alex back to Egypt, intending to use the bracelet to guide them to Ahm Shere, where the Scorpion King will awake in seven days. The O'Connells follow them, helped by clues left by Alex. Imhotep tries to stop them by raising a tidal wave in a canyon, but the O'Connells persevere. As they approach Ahm Shere, Baltus notices the remains of soldiers from different armies throughout history. Rapacious pygmy mummies attack, and Baltus tells two of his minions that they must sacrifice themselves for him. The minions fail to comply but are eaten anyway. Alex is rescued by his father who races with him to the temple so the bracelet will not kill him at the end of the seven days as foretold. Baltus finds the discarded bracelet and puts it on. He inserts his arm into a hole in the wall and awakens the army. But when Baltus pulls his arm out, the flesh has been eaten away. Wandering around in shock, Baltus ends up in the middle of a fight between Rick and the Scorpion King. The Scorpion King grabs Baltus, who calls out to Imhotep for help, but Imhotep is indifferent to his plight. The Scorpion King tears Baltus asunder. Rick slays the Scorpion King with the Sceptre of Osiris and he and his family escape, but Imhotep - betrayed by the woman he loves - falls into the underworld.
My Rating	2½ out of 5 stars. Not as good as the first one, but watchable. A flamboyant costume and a gruesome death scene for Alun.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD and Blu-ray available on Amazon. Available to watch on Amazon Instant Video. Region 2 (UK) DVD and region-free Blu-ray available on Amazon UK.
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Baltus Hafez	Book of the Dead	Camel ride
Tidal wave	That's gotta hurt	Behind you!

 

Strictly Sinatra
Release Dates	29 June 2001 (US); 9 November 2001 (UK)
Role	Bill Collins Large supporting role
Also Starring	Ian Hart as Toni Cocozza; Kelly Macdonald as Irene; Brian Cox as Chisholm
Glasgow lounge singer Toni Cocozza and his keyboard player Bill Collins perform Sinatra tunes to inattentive audiences in half-empty clubs. One night they get a request for "In the Ghetto" from a gangster. Toni wants to refuse since it's not Sinatra but Bill thinks there might be trouble if they don't. Afterwards, the gangster wants a word with Toni and he's invited for a drink. Bill warns him not to get involved, but Toni is taken in by the stories one of the gangsters tells about meeting Sinatra. He agrees to do one favour, and then another, and soon he's in over his head. After a disastrous TV talent show audition, the producer tells Toni to find another career. Toni mentions this to his gangster friends and suddenly the producer has a change of heart. When Bill finds out, he tells Toni he wants nothing to do with it and quits. Toni continues on his own but success eludes him. A drug deal gone wrong puts his life in jeopardy with the gangsters. Nevertheless, Toni makes a scheduled appearance at a party for a gangster's wife because he thinks his girlfriend Irene might be there in danger. While Toni sings "My Way," Bill fires a gun he finds in Toni's coat pocket. Toni and Irene escape in the confusion. Bill gets away after a close call with a gangster in an alley, and Toni and Irene move to New York, New York.
Notes	Also known as Cocozza's Way. Alun with a Scottish accent and a limp.
My Rating	2½ out of 5 stars. Weak story, but Bill was an appealing character and the friendship between the two men was nicely done.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD available on Amazon. Region 2 (UK) DVD available on Amazon UK.
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Special request	Don't sup with them	Supermarket day
Doesn't mean you'll win	Just funny	Breaking up the band

 

2003:

It's All about Love
Release Dates	18 January 2003 (Sundance, US); 13 February 2004 (UK)
Role	David Supporting role; about 5 scenes.
Also Starring	Joaquin Phoenix as John; Claire Danes as Elena
In a near-future world on the verge of collapse, John learns that his estranged wife Elena, an elite figure skater, has been cloned by her manager David so her profitable career can continue without her. John and Elena are targeted for elimination, but the hitman, following the description he was given, ends up killing all her clones in an ice rink massacre, much to David's annoyance. Meanwhile, lots of other bizarre things were going on that I don't even pretend to understand.
My Rating	0 stars. A famously bad film. Alun with a very good American accent though.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD available on Amazon. Region 2 (UK) DVD available on Amazon UK.
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Paradise Found
Release Date	3 March 2003 (Australia)
Role	Camille Pissarro Supporting role; about 6 scenes.
Also Starring	Kiefer Sutherland as Gauguin; Nastassja Kinski as Mette Gauguin
Paul Gauguin is working as a stockbroker in Paris when he bumps into Camille Pissarro while chasing a pickpocket. He admires the painting Pissarro is carrying and astonishes the painter by paying 200 francs for it. When Pissarro discovers that Gauguin is an amateur painter, he encourages him to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. Pissarro and his family live on slender means, but he tells Gauguin that art is more important than money. Gauguin leaves his job in a dramatic fashion, much to the dismay of his wife Mette, who must move out of their opulent home. Tired of struggling to make ends meet. Mette takes the children and goes back to Copenhagen. Pissarro tells his friend that there's a high price to pay for an artist's vision and advises him to follow Mette. Gauguin tries working as a salesman but quits in frustration and tells Mette he must leave to pursue his art. He travels to Tahiti, where he is inspired to paint in a new style. He returns home to exhibit his work, which the public treats with derision. Pissarro - who has since found success and prosperity - supports his friend but doesn't understand what he calls the ugliness, brutality and garishness of the work. Mette finally does understand her husband and encourages him to return to the South Seas.
My Rating	2 out of 5 stars. Interesting subject matter doesn't quite translate into an interesting film. Props to Alun for acting through that distracting beard.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD available on Amazon. Region 2 (UK) DVD is out of print. New and used copies can sometimes be found on Amazon UK.
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Who'd want to steal a Pissarro?	A rare natural talent	Déjeuner chez Pissarro
The artist touches the soul of the world	The price is too high	Nouveau chapeau

 

2004:

Van Helsing
Release Date	7 May 2004 (US & UK)
Role	Cardinal Jinette One scene at around 14 min.
Also Starring	Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing; Kate Beckinsale as Anna Valerious
After dispatching Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in Paris, Van Helsing of the Knights of the Holy Order goes to the Vatican to report to Cardinal Jinette. The cardinal is annoyed that Van Helsing broke the rose window of Notre Dame and that he called unwanted attention to their secret order, which has protected humankind from evil for centuries. Van Helsing became part of the order after he was found on the church steps with amnesia. The cardinal gives Van Helsing a new assignment in Transylvania, where a brother and sister are the last remnants of a family dedicated to defeating Count Dracula. If they fail, their souls will languish in purgatory because of a vow made by their ancestor. Before Van Helsing sets out, the cardinal gives him a mysterious scroll with a message and an insignia matching Van Helsing's ring.
Notes	Alun Armstrong also provided the voice of Cardinal Jinette in the animated short film Van Helsing: The London Assignment (2004).
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD and Blu-ray available on Amazon. Available to watch on Amazon Instant Video. Region 2 (UK) DVD and Blu-ray available on Amazon UK. Available to buy or rent on iTunes.
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We do not exist	We cannot let them slip into Purgatory	So you're sending me into hell

 

Millions
Release Dates	14 September 2004 (Toronto Film Festival); 8 April 2005 (US); 27 May 2005 (UK)
Role	Saint Peter One scene at around 45 min.
Also Starring	Alex Etel as Damian; James Nesbitt as Ronnie
Seven-year-old Damian finds a bag containing £229,520. At first he thinks it's a miracle but he later realises it came from a robbery. With only a week to go before the UK converts from pounds to euros, Damian wants to find a way to do good with the money before it becomes worthless. He communicates with a variety of saints, always hoping to see his late mother, Saint Maureen. One night while stuffing money into envelopes for charity, Saint Peter appears and warns him not to tick the boxes to get on the charities' mailing lists or he'll be besieged. Saint Peter is aware that the money was stolen, being as he is the patron saint of keys, locks, and general security. He starts to tell a story, which Damian readily identifies as the miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. Saint Peter replies that the real miracle was not a magical increase in the amount of food, but that the people spontaneously shared their own food with each other. He tells Damian that sometimes something that looks like a miracle turns out to be dead simple.
My Rating	5 out of 5 stars. Charming film, great scene.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD available on Amazon. Region 2 (UK) DVD available on Amazon UK.
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Don't tick them little boxes	I'm on the door	Loaves and Fishes
Keeper of the keys	Jesus was a bit taken aback	I'll have a word upstairs

 

2005:

Oliver Twist
Release Dates	30 September 2005 (US); 7 October 2005 (UK)	You hardened scoundrel
Role	Magistrate Fang One scene at around 47 min.
Also Starring	Barney Clark as Oliver; Ben Kingsley as Fagin; Edward Hardwicke as Mr Brownlow; Patrick Godfrey as Bookseller
When Oliver Twist is arrested for a theft committed by the Artful Dodger, he is brought before Magistrate Fang. The Magistrate accuses Oliver of shamming when he faints and sentences him to 3 months hard labour, but he is interrupted by a bookseller who witnessed the crime and insists the boy is innocent. Annoyed by this development, the Magistrate turns on the victim, Mr Brownlow, who accidentally carried off a book from the store in the commotion. The bookseller declines to press charges against Mr Brownlow, and the Magistrate exasperatedly clears the court. Mr Brownlow takes pity on Oliver and brings him to his home.
Notes	Alun Armstrong also appeared in a 1999 TV version of Oliver Twist as Agnes Fleming's father Captain Fleming.
My Rating	4 out of 5 stars for the courtroom scene - great stuff, albeit brief.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD available on Amazon. Available to watch on Amazon Instant Video. Region 2 (UK) DVD available on Amazon UK.

 

2006:

A Ticket Too Far
Release Date	29 July 2006 (Rushes Soho Short Film Festival)	No picture of Alun available, but here's Joe looking quite like him.
Role	Dad
Also Starring	Joe Armstrong as Ray; Mark Gatiss as Marshall
Ray prepares for his first day as a traffic warden - one of the most hated officials on the planet. His Dad is mortified by his son's career choice and worries they'll have to move out of the neighourhood just when he's finished the garden to his liking. As Ray heads off in his uniform, Dad cuts short Mum's goodbye and pulls her inside so they won't be seen. Fortunately, after a day of training with the Marshall, another career opportunity comes Ray's way.
My Rating	5 out of 5 stars. A lost gem.
Notes	Alun Armstrong plays his son Joe Armstrong's father in this 14-minute short film.
Availability	A short clip (without Alun) can be seen at the website of composer Mark Revell.

 

Eragon
Release Date	15 December 2006 (US & UK)
Role	Uncle Garrow A few brief scenes between 9 and 14 min., plus "playing dead" at around 28 min.
Also Starring	Ed Speleers as Eragon; Chris Egan as Roran
Eragon lives with his Uncle Garrow and cousin Roran on a farm. Garrow says his sister left Eragon with him in a hurry without explanation. Garrow's son Roran leaves home to avoid being drafted into the king's army, but Eragon is happy where he is. Eragon finds an egg that hatches a dragon, and the King sends his minions to reclaim it. Uncle Garrow is slain (off screen), and Eragon and the dragon flee.
Availability	Region 1 (US) DVD and Blu-ray available on Amazon. Available to watch on Amazon Instant Video. Region 2 (UK) DVD and Blu-ray available on Amazon UK.
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Your day will come too	Roran's departure	Last embrace