Keneth Branagh/Shakespeare fans...

[LanternWaste]

Ken's finally doing another one. This time it's 'As You Like It'.

I noticed he hasn't been around in a while and found out that since 'Love's Labor's Lost' was a flop in the U.S. (hey-- I liked it! Doing Shakespeare as musical w/ Cole Porter tunes as the backdrop sounds bad on paper, but by golly! It somehow worked!) he must've taken a bit of a sabbatical. But he's back!

If you're not aware of his films, try Henry V (1989) as a good primer. You'll want to fight for the English at his side after listening to his soul-stirring Agincourt soliloquy.

:hi:

As You Like It:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0450972/

[Kerrytravelers]

1. He may been a heel in his person life, but he is one damn fine actor and filmmaker.

In my personal opinion, he is the best in interpreting Shakespeare. He keeps the integrity while making it assessable to a wider base.

Thanks for the heads up! I can't wait to see this one!

[WCGreen]

2. He was able to get Keana Reeves to act in Much Ado About Nothing...

I loved that one...

[Aristus]

3. Nope, sorry. Even Branagh couldn't get Keanu to act in "Much Ado".

Hell, I played Don John in a production of "Much Ado" once. Did a HELL of a better job. Keanu Reeves best acting in a serious role was in "Dangerous Liaisons." Everything else he's done bites.

[Shakespeare]

8. I saw that movie with a roomful of Shakespeare scholars; when Keanu uttered the line.....

..."I am not a man of many words," a huge round of applause broke out. :rofl:

Ballsy casting in that movie; I think Denzel Washington was marvelous as Don Pedro.

[DainBramaged]

25. Intelligence

Sometimes lacking when people decide profanity is a better means of communications than an intelligent discussion.

[Shakespeare]

26. Excuse me?

I'm not sure what your response has to do with my post.

[LanternWaste]

22. Agreed

When I saw him in MAAN, I could only think of the cartoon "The Critic" spoofing Reeves attempting serious Shakespeare...

"If you prick me, do I not bloweth chunks?"

Yeah... Reeves really reduced the film quite a bit from what it could've been.

[SteppingRazor]

5. I loved Branagh's Much Ado, but I must disagree...

watching Keanu say "it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain" was just cringe-inducing. The line sounded like he was going to add a "dude" onto the end of it.

[WCGreen]

7. I take that back...

[lildreamer316]

19. I love that one too!

ESPECIALLY Keaton!! Husband died when he was delivering his lines....and that's saying something!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. That is great news!

I absolutely loved him in Henry V! That soliloquy is the BEST!

I mean, I'm a pacifist.......and he made me want to sign up!

:kick:

[NV Whino]

6. Hot Damn!

I thought he had given up on Shakespeare. Good to see him back. I think he is the only person ever to cast an actual black man as Othello.

[Shakespeare]

9. Branaugh didn't produce or direct Othello, so he doesn't get credit for that.

Director Oliver Parker does, however. Branagh was Iago in the film, but that was the extent of his involvement.

[NV Whino]

13. Thanks for the info

I saw Branaugh, Shakespeare and I assumed. Still, Branaugh and Shakespeare go together like... well, William and Shakespeare.

[proud patriot]

10. Yay !

:woohoo:

[momophile]

11. I giggle with glee watching Kenneth and Emma in

'Much Ado." I agree that Keanu was dreadful, though.

[BreweryYardRat]

16. That one was awesome.

I've seen Branagh's "Ado" and most of his "Hamlet." The man's the best Shakespearean actor in a long time.

[CBHagman]

18. Then you've got to see him in Othello.

Branagh didn't direct (I think it was Oliver Parker who did), but he turned in a staggeringly good performance as Iago. For the play to work, Iago has to be an effective charmer and salesman, and Branagh is mesmerizing.

And do watch the rest of that Hamlet. Richard Briers really ought to have been nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his turn as Polonius.

[Shakespeare]

12. btw--you might be happy to hear that they're finally close to releasing Branagh's Hamlet on DVD

I'm on an academic Shakespeare listserv, and one of our members is involved in the project. Last I read, they're shooting for a release date of late spring/early summer. Sure took 'em long enough!!

[NV Whino]

15. Boy, ain't that the truth...

I have it on video, but I no longer have a VCR. I have looked for it on DVD for several years. Pretty amazing production.

[LanternWaste]

23. It's about friggin time!

It's about friggin time! That's been a sore hole in my DVD collection. Other than Hamlet, I think I've got all of Barannagh's Shakespeare (plus Dead Again-- a GREAT homage to film-noir)

[barb162]

14. Several years back when he was still married to Emma T.

I saw them perform King Lear and Midsummer N.D. They were wonderful and so was the whole cast in both plays.

[itsmesgd]

17. People call him an ass, but I think that Ken's pretty cool

I saw him when I was an extra in The Gingerbread Man. He drank Coors Light from the can from midnight to 5A during an all night shoot for Robert Altman.

Sorry, my fingers are tired from all the name dropping.

[CBHagman]

20. Okay, now you're just making the rest of us envious.

There is no envy smiley, alas. Mods?

Anyway, thanks for the anecdote. :hi: Which shots were you in?

[LanternWaste]

21. I can only imagine how COOL that must've been... n/t

I can only imagine how COOL that must've been...

[applegrove]

24. That is great news. I loved Much Ado.