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Hello and welcome back to Thursday Movie Picks, the weekly series hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves where you share three movies to fit the theme of the week each Thursday.
Yay! It's Shakespeare's week! Actually, I am not that happy the reason being I haven't seen a lot of movies based on his plays. Let me rephrase that, I haven't seen a lot of good films based on his plays; therefore today I'm going with three films with great actors.
Macbeth (2015)
After receiving a prophecy that one day he will become king of Scotland, Macbeth is consumed by ambition and murders his king to take the throne. I really wanted to love this film but it was too flawed. But Michael Fassbender and Mario Cotillard give such great performances, I'd watch it again for them.
Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)
While two neighbouring gardens are at war, gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet fall in love. I must say the idea of recreating the play with garden gnomes wasn't that bad, but it turned out terrible. The main reason is because the writers had no idea where to focus. The story changes direction too many times. On the other hand, the cast is great. And for great I mean those actors are usually good; however, the script is so poor they can't save the film.
Hamlet (1990)
When the ghost of his father appears and tells him that he was murdered by his brother Claudius, Hamel starts planning revenge. I've seen this one a lot of years ago at English class so I don't remember much. It wasn't that bad, though. And I remember liking Mel Gibson as Hamlet.
The only one I've seen is Macbeth. (Not sure if I've seen that version of Hamlet) I thought it was pretty but kind of slow.
ReplyDeleteI agree, visually it was beautiful.
DeleteI ended up enjoying Gnomeo and Juliet, with the cast as a part of why I enjoyed it. I also went with Macbeth (although I chose it as a movie I would like to watch).
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you've seen Assassin's Creed, but if did and enjoyed it, I'm sure I'll like Macbeth as well.
DeleteLol, I've seen only Gnome and Juliet out of this list. Hah. But it was fun. I like how diverse the list is, like, you could make an animation based on Shakespeare.. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like I am the only one who didn't like it :|
DeleteI have only seen Hamlet and thought it was good. I remember when it came out and Barbara walters interviewed Mel Gibson. She was asking him some questions he didn't like and he recited something from hamlet about women and looked at her with daggers in his eyes. She even asked if he was directing this at her and he was sheepish and sly....I knew then I didn't care for him because he did not like to be called out on things. If you can find it you should check out that interview
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm going to google that.
DeleteAh! Another person who mentioned the name of the Scottish Play. It's bad luck to mention it! I did see bits of the Fassbender but I never finished it as I was too tired to finish. Haven't seen the others but Mel Gibson playing Hamlet did make me snort with dismissive laughter...even though I do like his films overall
ReplyDeleteGibson was good though.
DeleteThis Macbeth was so lean and mean, a really great adaptation. I need to see the Gibson Hamlet, it's kind of notorious for various reasons.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems like this Macbeth more than me.
DeleteSonia, I haven't seen any of these but I want to see Hamlet with Mel Gibson and Glen Close. Gibson is one of my favorite actors. He was great in Braveheart but I had hard time watching it because it was so sad.
ReplyDeleteIf you like Gibson Hamlet is a must.
DeleteI also loved Justin Kurzel's Macbeth for the visuals and performance of this darkest Macbeth adaptation!
ReplyDeleteI only loved those aspects.
DeleteColor me surprised that Gnomeo & Juliet has shown up a couple times this week! While it leaves a great deal to be desired it does show the flexibility of Will's work.
ReplyDeleteWhile I thought everyone else in the film was marvelous, Glenn Close, Alan Bates and HBC being the standouts, Gibson's shallow slick reading of Hamlet put me off that particular take on one of Shakespeare's masterworks.
Haven't seen this version of the Scottish play yet though it's on my list but I did chose yet another reworking of it.
There are so many possibles this week coming up with three favs was easy.
Hamlet (1996)-Kenneth Branagh adapted, directed and stars as the tortured Dane supported by a cast that is drawn from the cream of the British acting world with a few choice American stars pulled in for good measure. What makes this version stand out from the myriad others is Branagh’s decision to pull the play out of the dingy and poorly lit 14th century to the lush baroque 19th, resulting in deserved nominations for Art & Costume design, making it a far more vivid experience. That’s a great help since he has also chosen to present the entirety of the play’s nearly four hour run time. In a cast that includes Derek Jacobi, Julie Christie, Robin Williams, Gerard Depardieu and Judi Dench among so many others it’s difficult to choose any MVP’s aside from Branagh but Kate Winslet as Ophelia and Rufus Sewell as Fortinbras, the crown prince of Norway are memorable. It’s a challenging view but worthwhile.
Joe MacBeth (1955)-Updating the Scottish play to the criminal underworld of 1930’s America this violent take on the tale (it begins with the title character blowing away a crime boss then going directly to his own wedding) is an inventive twist on the material. Excellent work by Paul Douglas and Ruth Roman as the murderous mobster and his rapacious Lady M hold you rapt as the homicidal pair climb the ladder of success over an ever increasing pile of bodies.
Kiss Me Kate (1953)-The Taming of the Shrew moved into the world of the modern theatre and musicalized by Cole Porter. Famous stage star Fred Graham (Howard Keel) tries to dissuade his equally famous ex-wife Lilli Vanessi (Kathryn Grayson) to postpone her upcoming marriage so she can co-star with him in a musical updating of The Taming of the Shrew. She agrees reluctantly since their relationship post-divorce is as combative as their married life so it’s not smooth going. Add in several flies in the ointment including second lead Lois Lane(!) (Ann Miller) and some mobsters who are mistakenly putting the squeeze on Frank for a debt Lois’s boyfriend owes and it’s a wacky time backstage. Onstage though there are some amazing dance numbers performed by four of the best dancers of the 50’s (Miller, Carol Haney, Bob Fosse and Bobby Van) and great music sung by all including “It’s Too Darn Hot!” and “From This Moment On”. One of the great musicals, originally shown in 3-D.
Another superstitious person I see. Anyway, I'll check out your version of Hamlet soon.
DeleteHaven't seen Macbeth just yet, but I have seen the other two. I didn't love Gnomeo & Juliet, but I do think it's better than given credit for. I was entertained, at least. I also enjoyed Mel Gibson's Hamlet.
ReplyDeleteLove Macbeth - and quite like Gnomeo and Juliet - just a bit of fun and y'know, for kids! I'm not a Hamlet fan so I have tried to avoid all Hamlet films (apart from The Lion King).
ReplyDelete