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Post by ando on Oct 27, 2024 2:01:53 GMT
 A Double Life (1947, George Cukor)
Ronald Colman got an Oscar for his performance as a leading Shakespearean actor who lets his parts go to his head - in a homicidal way. Long passages, a few repeated, are featured in the narrative which apparently “bored” the dunderheads on iMDB who (I guess) went in expecting Colman to deliver lines from Pulp Fiction. Obviously, fans of The Bard’s verse will get the most enjoyment from a viewing and Colman’s superb in his particular style of acting. Shelly Winters provides a nice cameo, too. Everyone else is playing “type”. The style also seems somewhat flat-footed for Cukor. Wonder what Hitch would have done with it. Still, for Shakespeare lovers, it’s a must watch. |
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Post by ando on Oct 30, 2024 22:55:04 GMT
Just a couple of days to catch this free on YouTube… 
All Is True (2018, Kenneth Branagh)
An imagined dramatization of the final days in the life of Shakespeare. I remember wondering if this was mostly Branagh’s (as well as Dame Dench & Sir Mckellan’s) swan song film performance of a Shakespearean role - and that there was far too much emphasis on the role of the playwright’s son, who had died decades before. I certainly didn't understand the connection to All Is True, the (alternate) title of the Bard's last play about Henry VIII (the infant/future Queen Elizabeth also makes an appearance) where he was billed as primary author. What I thought Branagh got right was Shakespeare’s determination to restore his family honor after his father’s fall from grace and a vengeance against old creditors who found themselves in debt to the wildly successful son. Perhaps I was too critical about the filmmakers’ ultimate intentions, though. Watching it again tonight. |
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Post by ando on Oct 30, 2024 23:28:51 GMT
Just a couple of days to catch this free on YouTube…
All Is True (2018, Kenneth Branagh)…
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Post by ando on Nov 5, 2024 18:24:34 GMT
Judi, Judi, Judi…
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Post by Swithin on Nov 6, 2024 16:09:01 GMT
Wow, that looks like it was a ton of fun. Barely recognized McKellen there. Thanks! I can't stand McKellen. He makes me ill. I have my reasons but perhaps not go into to much here. The short of it is that his portrayal fail because of his face and personal appearance but mostly due to his awful renditions. The only thing I have remotely liked was the movie Richard III, I manage to get through that without wretching. His Iago in a RSC production in the 80s I believe, was absolutely deplorable. I'm late in responding to this -- sorry. I'm surprised at your feelings about McKellen. Have you seen him on stage? Sometimes, unlike in the movies, distance on stage lends enchantment. I've seen him on stage many times and have almost always enjoyed his performances. Here's what I've seen him in, on stage: The Wood Demon (early version of Uncle Vanya, a very young McKellen played the title role, which morphed into the role of Astrov in Uncle Vanya.) The Way of the World (Lady Wishfort's footman) Dr. Faustus (title role) Pillars of the Community (Karsten Bernick) Bent Henceforward Napoli Milionaria The Duchess of Malfi (Bosola) King Lear (Earl of Kent) Coriolanus Wild Honey Venice Preserv’d Every Good Boy Deserves Favour Cowardice Player Kings (Falstaff) |
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Post by ando on Nov 12, 2024 19:18:52 GMT
I can't stand McKellen. He makes me ill. I have my reasons but perhaps not go into to much here. The short of it is that his portrayal fail because of his face and personal appearance but mostly due to his awful renditions. The only thing I have remotely liked was the movie Richard III, I manage to get through that without wretching. His Iago in a RSC production in the 80s I believe, was absolutely deplorable. I'm late in responding to this -- sorry. I'm surprised at your feelings about McKellen. Have you seen him on stage? Sometimes, unlike in the movies, distance on stage lends enchantment. I've seen him on stage many times and have almost always enjoyed his performances. Here's what I've seen him in, on stage: The Wood Demon (early version of Uncle Vanya, a very young McKellen played the title role, which morphed into the role of Astrov in Uncle Vanya.) The Way of the World (Lady Wishfort's footman) Dr. Faustus (title role) Pillars of the Community (Karsten Bernick) Bent Henceforward Napoli Milionaria The Duchess of Malfi (Bosola) King Lear (Earl of Kent) Coriolanus Wild Honey Venice Preserv’d Every Good Boy Deserves Favour Cowardice Player Kings (Falstaff)  Didn’t see his late 60s Richard II? It was one of the productions that put him on the map (as they say). BBC produced something like a film reproduction in 1970. Been meaning to watch it. Thanks. |
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Post by Swithin on Nov 13, 2024 13:05:29 GMT
Didn’t see his late 60s Richard II? It was one of the productions that put him on the map (as they say). BBC produced something like a film reproduction in 1970. Been meaning to watch it. Thanks. Thanks for that link, no, I haven't seen that production. I like Richard II, I've seen Jeremy Irons play the role in a 1986 production at the RSC/Stratford, in a beautiful, traditional production. I've also seen Derek Jacobi play it (he was good but too old at the time); Fiona Shaw (excellent as Richard); Peter MacNicol in Central Park. There's a very good BBC production (2012) as part of The Hollow Crown series.  Ben Whishaw as Richard II ![]() |
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Post by ando on Nov 15, 2024 21:10:38 GMT
Ben Whishaw as Richard II ![]() Thanks; I didn’t enjoy Whitshaw’s portrayal of RII - far too fey for my taste. I get that as a character he’s a rather affected monarch - in love with himself - but Ben’s choices created an unsympathetic and rather inert figure to me. The language wilted between his teeth. Sorry. Perhaps I’ll feel differently in 20 years.  |
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Post by ando on Nov 15, 2024 22:49:44 GMT
Ben is pretty good here as Brutus. But then you have to rise to occasion with this speech:
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Post by Swithin on Nov 19, 2024 5:32:02 GMT
Ben is pretty good here as Brutus. But then you have to rise to occasion with this speech: I saw that production, it was excellent. I'm in London at the moment, Ben is in Waiting for Godot, which I probably don't have time to see. I did see Ian McKellen in a wonderful Noel Coward tribute program, which also featured Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Patricia Routledge, Hugh Bonneville, and many others. |
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Post by ando on Nov 19, 2024 18:18:29 GMT
Ben is pretty good here as Brutus. But then you have to rise to occasion with this speech: I saw that production, it was excellent. I'm in London at the moment, Ben is in Waiting for Godot, which I probably don't have time to see. I did see Ian McKellen in a wonderful Noel Coward tribute program, which also featured Judi Dench, Derek Jacobi, Patricia Routledge, Hugh Bonneville, and many others. Have a wonderful time! Ben must be playing Estragon (the “lighter” of the two main characters). Go see it if you can. Help to extend that run so they can bring it to New York!  Cheers. |
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Cheers.