Anybody that can translate Shakespeare visually and keep me watching for two hours is certainly doing their job..
Kudos....
yes, i agree thank you. I really enjoyed this movie. i love modernized Shakespeare. This does a fine job I think and really keeps you engaged.
shareI agree with you. I can't believe how many people actually disliked this movie.
shareyea i thought it was incredible well directed and acted. i think people dont like it because its more abstract than normal, but its so much better than the update of romeo and juliet, that movie was just dribble
sharei thought this was better than romeo and juliet, this film had more of an edge to it
shareBut they butchered shakespeare!!! It was like watching the most pretentious director ever trying to turn Citizen Kane into a musical on ice. Bad idea!
Conquer through strength AND submission.share
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No, Shakespeare took an established story line and added beautiful dialogue, side plots and comic relief. There's a difference.
Conquer through strength AND submission.share
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I'm supposed to be worried about being less intellectual than someone who can't even spell warning?
Conquer through strength AND submission.share
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If you're "bowing out" and being more mature, why did you feel it necessary to respond? Just asking.
Conquer through strength AND submission.share
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Granted this is an ancient post by standards, but I thoroughly enjoyed your very witty banter in this thread about Hamlet. You have a sharp mind and quick tongue. I do hope you've ventured out into more prose. You're brilliant.
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Sic vis pacem para bellum.
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Yes, it absolutely was. I wasn't sure you'd still be around these parts.
But I loved your writing so much, I just had to comment.
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Sic vis pacem para bellum.
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Permit me to add further coinage to the scale. Please keep me in mind with regards to your writing as I would enjoy seeing what else you cultivate for prose in that clever mind. I'm surprised, albeit quite pleasantly, that you are still around. I definitely "get" your sense of humour and find it biting in the best of ways.
While watching "Hamlet" last night and coming across your posts, they livened up some other somewhat circuitous banter.
PS: Diggin' on your sig line too.
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Sic vis pacem para bellum.
"Congratulations! ... Surely, sir, you win the fabled Internet."
That was brilliant. :D I lol'd. So thanks.
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Ha, you should see what Olivier did to Shakespeare. No Fortinbras, not even a Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Everyone butchers Shakespeare. Hamlet would be a four-hour ordeal otherwise. Yes, I think Branagh's overwrought, uncut version is an ordeal. I much prefer this version.
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Think cynical thoughts.
I have seen four film versions of Hamlet and I have to say, I thought this one was awesome. However, I completely understand why others wouldn't like it. One of the reasons I love Hamlet so much is because it is open to such wide interpretation. I think people see it the way they want to see it. This version of Hamlet fits really well with much of MY interpretation, which is probably why I liked it so much. I have never like the whole Oedipul thing with Hamlet and Gertrude, I like how sad Hamlet truly seemed.
There are things I don't like. I thought Ophelia, Polonius and Laertes all seemed really awkward, but I thought everyone else was perfect.
Anyway, that's my two cents.
I'd say this version was a daring attempt at updating that didn't work completely but did have some very good moments and interesting ideas. And I thought Liev Schreiber's Laertes really stole the show, but then I almost always think that about Schreiber.
Things I paricularily liked:
- Polonius tucking money into Laertes' jacket; so very "Dad".
- Laertes stealing one of Ophelia's little butterfly combs when saying goodbye to her. I've always suspected he was a little fonder of his sister than he should be.
- the "get thee to a nunnery" rant being done in part as a series of angry phone messages.
- Claudius slugging Hamlet in the gut. I didn't realize it until I saw that scene, but I've waited for years to see a Claudius to that to Hamlet.
- Laertes pulling a gun at the end of the duel. A lot of people hated that but I thought it was very effective, esp. coming after Hamlet's "bring your best violence" line.
I agree Jaderyn.
This is just one of many, many interpretations and an easy target for those quick to turn up their nose.
I haven't read or listened to Shakespeare for quite a few years and it took me about half an hour to finally get into sync with the dialogue.
Bill Murray was a risky choice, but he worked for me and kind of perfect for a "risky" production.
Julia Stiles, I often have doubts about her acting skills, but I really like her in this role; understated and perfect as tragic victim; collateral damage.
Sam Shepard - perfect.
I like all the performers.
Liked the soundtrack.
Visually, this movie was stunning.
Loved the architecture.
This final act, which I think has got to be awkward to pull off in a modern translation, I thought was very good - pretty tight.
I had trouble adjusting to this film in the beginning, but I worked at it - stuck with it - and felt rewarded for my efforts.
From about the half-way point I began to fall under the film's spell; lyrically driving toward it's inevitable conclusion.
Loved it!