FanFare

In director Baz Luhrmann's contemporary take on William Shakespeare's classic tragedy, the Montagues and Capulets have moved their ongoing feud to the sweltering suburb of Verona Beach, where Romeo and Juliet fall in love and secretly wed. Though the film is visually modern, the bard's dialogue remains. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Sep 30, 2024 - 19 comments

KING RICHARD is called upon to settle a dispute between his cousin HENRY BOLINGBROKE and THOMAS MOWBRAY. RICHARD calls for a duel but then halts it just before swords clash. Both men are banished from the realm. RICHARD visits JOHN OF GAUNT, BOLINGBROKE’s Father, who, in the throes of death, reprimands the King. After seizing GAUNT’s money and lands, RICHARD leaves for wars against the rebels in Ireland. BOLINGBROKE returns to claim back his inheritance. Supported by his allies, NORTHUMBERLAND and the DUKE OF YORK, BOLINGBROKE takes RICHARD prisoner and lays claim to the throne. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Aug 19, 2024 - 3 comments

The lovely Hermia is to wed Demetrius, but she truly cares for Lysander. Hermia’s friend, Helena, is in love with Demetrius, while other romantic entanglements abound in the woods, with married fairy rulers Titania and Oberon toying with various lovers and each other. Starring Kevin Kline, Calista Flockhart, Michelle Pfeiffer, Rupert Everett, Stanley Tucci, Anna Friel, Christian Bale (again!), Dominic West (again!), David Straitharn and various other actors. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Jul 25, 2024 - 8 comments

Winner of four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor. June's pick for the Shakespeare Movie Club. Starring Lawrence Olivier, Eileen Herlie, Basil Sydney, Felix Aylmer, Jean Simmons, Norman Wooland and many others. Directed by Olivier and adapted to a short 2h34m by Olivier and Alan Dent. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Jul 5, 2024 - 4 comments

I went back and forth on which to select, but settled on the 1999 version of A Midsummer Night's Dream [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Jul 5, 2024 - 0 comments

June pick will be Hamlet (1948) starring and directed by Olivier himself. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on May 26, 2024 - 0 comments

A 1989 British historical drama film written and directed by Kenneth Branagh in his feature directorial debut, based on William Shakespeare's history play of the same name. It stars Branagh in the title role of King Henry V of England, with Paul Scofield, Derek Jacobi, Ian Holm, Brian Blessed, Emma Thompson, Alec McCowen, Judi Dench, Robbie Coltrane, and Christian Bale in supporting roles. Nominated for 3 Academy Awards, but only won for Costume. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on May 24, 2024 - 16 comments

After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben's fiery attraction turns ice cold, until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Apr 28, 2024 - 5 comments

But which version? Olivier or Branagh? [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Apr 27, 2024 - 3 comments

'Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit.' Filled with a cast of unforgettable characters, Twelfth Night combines cruelty with high comedy and the pangs of unrequited love with some of the subtlest poetry and most exquisite songs Shakespeare ever wrote. The Globe revisits its award-winning Twelfth Night of 2002 with an all-male Original Practices production, exploring clothing, music, dance and settings possible in the Globe of around 1601. Mark Rylance reprises his performance of Olivia in Twelfth Night, 10 years after its original premiere at Middle Temple Hall and The Globe. This production was also on Broadway where Rylance won a Tony for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play in 2014. Shakespeare Movie Club pick for April. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Apr 1, 2024 - 2 comments

I'm thinking Twelfth Night, so that Midsummer Night's Dream can be done in July. Or As You Like It? [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Mar 17, 2024 - 4 comments

Film version of the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2012 production of Shakespeare's fast-moving thriller. A vivid story about a struggle for democracy, Julius Caesar is also a love story between two men united by an explosive act of political violence. The setting is a modern African state in which the tyrant Caesar is about to seize power. Cassius persuades Brutus to join the conspirators plotting an assassination. Featuring a distinguished cast of black actors, filmed on location and in Stratford-Upon-Avon. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Mar 17, 2024 - 5 comments

A murderous lust for the British throne sees Richard III descend into madness. Though the setting is transposed to the 1930s, England is torn by civil war, split between the rivaling houses of York and Lancaster. Richard aspires to a fascist dictatorship, but must first remove the obstacles to his ascension, among them his brother, his nephews and his brother's wife. When the Duke of Buckingham deserts him, Richard's plans are compromised. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Mar 17, 2024 - 13 comments

In this Shakespearean farce, Hero and her groom-to-be, Claudio, team up with Claudio's commanding officer, Don Pedro, the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick and Beatrice -- a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John plots to ruin the wedding. Was the January Pick for my Shakespeare Movie Club. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Mar 17, 2024 - 20 comments

I've already started on this and decided to share in case anyone wanted to join me. [more inside]
posted by fiercekitten on Mar 17, 2024 - 1 comment