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Reviews
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)
The audience knows what to expect and that is all they are prepared to believe...
I first saw the film version of R and G are Dead over a year ago, it is a set text on my course and our prof showed it because we live in the middle of no where civilization-wise and had no other way to understand the action. In a class with 21 16-19 year olds trying to catch the witty banter so important to the play was an irritating struggle so eventually I gave up and focused on just reading it and understanding the main techniques Stoppard used. Then last week my other English prof offered to show the film again, I jumped at the chance and yesterday I got to see it all the way through without interruptions. I loved it from top to bottom, everything was perfect, I was upset that I had been denied the experience a year ago but was delighted that I had that second chance to see it. The three things that I think make the film so wonderful are: the acting, the connection between R and G, and the script it self drawn so well from stage to screen. Scene that are partially Hamlet, partially R and G worked so well, the Shakespearian actors meshed so well with the more modern R and G which gave everything a congruity, from one scene to another nothing was lacking. The sensation of being lost was conveyed so well by Tim Roth and Gary Oldman, the way they always wind up in the same room in the castle and just shrug it off was spectacular, it really conveyed the sense of absurd reality. I was in awe of how well the two actors worked together, they seemed combined, just as intended in the play, and played off each other beautifully. The play itself came alive on screen, certain lines just seemed to stick out and summarize Stoppard's whole idea behind it. The chief tragedian's line I quoted as the title to this comment was spoken beautifully by Dreyfus and the later line about all the directions on a compass encapsulated the main ideas of the play excellently... All in all it was a wonderful experience and I adored it, I am so happy I finally got my chance to see this wonderful film and I suggest to anyone that if they can see this film and be open to it, it certainly isn't standard (which is the idea of absurdism) but it is wonderful and enjoyable. Also don't be scared to laugh at it, some people consider it high art or comparable to Shakespeare and think laughing is unwarranted, this is ridiculous there are scenes which are laugh out loud funny and they should be laughed at, nothing is above being laughed at in theatre, so relax and enjoy... one note though, read Hamlet first if you haven't or watch the film so you get the general idea, R and G are Dead makes no sense without a background knowledge of Hamlet, but I would suggest skipping the Kenneth Brannagh twelve hour snooze-fest version... but that is for another comment...
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
A superb film, See it if you can!
This film was over-hyped to begin with so I had some worries about whether it would live up to it, so many people were interested in going just to see Heath Ledger playing a gay guy, or to see something they felt was taboo until now. Seeing the film dispelled all my worries and over came the hype, the film is simply marvelous and the run up to it was drowned out by the simple beauty of a love story exquisitely told. Though the film moves slowly it is by no means boring, the acting fills up the space and the beautiful filming makes up for the sparse dialog. None of the hype could even touch the film once it started, every aspect was flawless and drew me in easily. After leaving the theater my friends and I couldn't say much about the film, we had no complaints and no vocabulary to explain what we had seen. Nothing in this film is the 'oscar buzzed' hype of Hollywood, it is too simple and frank for that, films don't seem to come out too often that really show people the way they are. This film does everything a good film should, see it if you can; I don't think any other film this year will touch you like this one.
A Damsel in Distress (1937)
Why?
I first saw this movie years ago and have continued to view it several times a year when I have an opportunity. It is on my list of favorite movies along with some of the classics. Should anyone tell you it is foolish or outdated, ignore them... this movie is for anyone who enjoys laughing and music. The dancing isn't as important in this film as in other Astaire movies so the comedy and acting shine through. See this movie if you can, it may be light but it is still completely amusing. So I know that many people hate black and white films, they think old movies can't really be funny, this movie should make them change their minds. No one I know can watch this movie without being at least mildly amused. The only problem with the film: Fred Astaire singing without dancing. He may be a great performer and capable singer but it just isn't fascinating and leaves a big hole in the middle of the story. The comedy gets a bit cliché at times but the vaudevillesque performances of G burns and G Allen are just perfect for the piece and can satisfy anyone looking for some easy laughs. Give this film a chance even if you don't like old movies, this movie can appeal to the ridiculous in any one.
Hamlet (1996)
Wasted talent, wasted time
I am tired of watching Kenneth Brannagh waste valuable money and film on useless re-tellings of Shakespeare. The play itself may be beautiful but there is no need for this over done fiasco of a masterpeace. Once again the director has taken a sledge hammer approach to a play meant instead to be subtle, if only Mr. Brannagh could take some valium before coming to work one might not be quite so violated by his acting. This movie is a waste of time, money and intelligent actors, perhaps the idea was to shock a modern viewing audience, but few people needing shock value are willing to sit for more than two hours watching men speak in verse. Save your time and read the play instead, your imagination will do the play more justice.