Week 8

Comedy: She’s the Man (2006)
A modern recreation of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, where a high school girl pretends to be her brother to prove that she can make the boy’s soccer team. Amanda Bynes is hilarious in this movie, she always has that great mix of physical comedy and good lines and here she delivers yet again.
NOTE: My mom thought this movie was so funny she went out and bought her own copy!

Romance: Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Shakespeare’s comedy about a young couple in love who are torn apart by scandal and another couple drawn together by their mutual hatred for each other. This is my favorite of Shakespeare’s comedies; it’s funny and sweet, and in true Shakespeare form, it fits no particular genre.
NOTE: This is directed by Kenneth Branagh who is sort of a Shakespeare expert and the cast is amazing: Kenneth Branagh, Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, Emma Thompson, Kate Beckinsale, and Denzel Washington.

Kid Appropriate: Fly Away Home (1996)
A film about a young girl who’s sent to live with her father after her mother’s death and the two form a family as they share and save a family of geese by teaching them to fly south. This film is beautiful; the story is inspiring, the scenery is gorgeous, and music is an excellent complement to the visual spectacle.

Guy Appropriate: Gladiator (2000)
The story of a soldier who lost everything and became a slave and thru slavery defied the emperor by becoming the greatest gladiator in history. This film is amazing and well put together; the cast, scenery, script, and the chorography of the fights all perfectly fit into the film’s idea.
NOTE: It’s good but it’s very long and bloody, so be prepared.

Must See…SHAKESPEARE FILM: As You Like It (2006)
Another Shakespeare comedy, this film is about a girl forced to flee to the country and to protect herself, dresses as a man and in this apparel meets her true love (who thinks she’s a guy). I didn’t care for this play when I read it but it was a Kenneth Branagh film so I thought I would try it. It changed my mind about the story; its funny, sweet, and it was really interesting how Branagh took the story and set it against an Asian culture background.

Coming Soon: Penelope
Released: February 29, 2008*
A fantasy story about a girl cursed with the nose of a pig and her family’s quest to find a hansom prince willing to kiss her and break the spell. This film looks really good; it looks funny and interesting and the cast is amazing: Reese Witherspoon, Christina Ricci, James McAvory, and Catherine O’Hara.
http://www.penelopethemovie.com/

Don’t Bother: From Justin to Kelly (2003)
A movie based around the original American Idol singers. Okay, so this was on TV one day and I try not to judge a book by its cover so I decided to watch this movie; waste of time! I like Kelly Clarkson as a singer but this movie was so bad I don’t even remember the plot I just remember it was sooo cheesy and the music wasn’t classic musical material (more like passable music material).
*Information from http://www.comingsoon.net/