list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around Love's Labour's Lost on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/Love_s_Labour_s_Lost/140429/default.aspx Title: Love's Labour's Lost
Year: 2000
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Plot: Actor/director Kenneth Branagh sets his screen version of Shakespeare's play in the 1930s, adding such classic songs as "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "The Way You Look Tonight," and "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and staging it in the manner of a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical. The King of Navarre (Allesandro Nivola) and three of his noblemen (Branagh, Matthew Lillard, and Adrien Lester) have decided that they're wasting their time chasing women. They swear a solemn oath to spend the next three years avoiding the pitfalls of romance and improving their minds. No sooner have they made this agreement than they meet a French princess (Alicia Silverstone) and her three handmaidens (Natascha McElhone, Carmen Ejogo, and Emily Mortimer). The pledge is forgotten and the chase is on. Love's Labour's Lost also features Nathan Lane, Timothy Spall, and Paul Whitehouse. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 11
Number of Lists: 3
Number of blog posts: 2
Number of discussion threads: 4
SpoutRating: 2
]]>Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:30:30 GMTLove's Labour's Lost2000Kenneth BranaghActor/director <a href="/players/P____82784/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Kenneth Branagh</a> sets his screen version of Shakespeare's play in the 1930s, adding such classic songs as "They Can't Take That Away From Me," "The Way You Look Tonight," and "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and staging it in the manner of a <a href="/players/P____80113/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Fred Astaire</a>-<a href="/players/P____61099/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Ginger Rogers</a> musical. The King of Navarre (Allesandro Nivola) and three of his noblemen (Branagh, <a href="/players/P___196768/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Matthew Lillard</a>, and Adrien Lester) have decided that they're wasting their time chasing women. They swear a solemn oath to spend the next three years avoiding the pitfalls of romance and improving their minds. No sooner have they made this agreement than they meet a French princess (<a href="/players/P____65707/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Alicia Silverstone</a>) and her three handmaidens (<a href="/players/P___224913/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Natascha McElhone</a>, <a href="/players/P___136971/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Carmen Ejogo</a>, and <a href="/players/P___215854/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Emily Mortimer</a>). The pledge is forgotten and the chase is on. Love's Labour's Lost also features <a href="/players/P____40372/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Nathan Lane</a>, <a href="/players/P____67069/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Timothy Spall</a>, and Paul Whitehouse. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide11Tag Target (>10)3242http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t093585nxy2.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/Love_s_Labour_s_Lost/140429/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/groups/Coming_Soon/Time_Travel_Aliens_and_Biopics_New_movies_12/216/38083/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: SkyPilot
Post To: Coming Soon
Post Date: 12/8/2008 4:30:05 PM
Body: TIME TRAVEL: A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT Bad Guys Will Always Have Time Travel, so Good Guys Should Have It Too -- 5 Movies That Prove This Argument 1. Timecrimes (NEW) -- Watch the trailer. Read the review, listen to the interview. 2. Time Bandits (1981) -- Watch the trailer. My good friend Kevin (porcupine) loves this flick. That's good, because his parents named him after one of the characters. Would it be less cool if he were named after Kevin McAlister from Home Alone? Something to ponder. 3. Time Cop (1994) -- Watch the trailer. I remember this Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle was pretty violent and included some gratuitous nudity; I was only 13 when I saw it in '95, and that's all I remember. Are there fans who've seen it more recently? 4. Back to the Future Part II (1989) -- Watch the trailer. Remember how future Biff went back in time to give the gambling results book to 50's Biff, then 50's Biff became rich by never losing a bet at the horseraces? Who besides me wished they could do that? 5. And of course, there's the mo-fo'ing Terminator series. Man, I can't wait for Terminator: Salvation. Read the notes from the Comic-Con press conference. WHOA: KEANU REEVES, ROCKIN' IT 3. The Day the Earth Stood Still (NEW) -- Read about the press conference with Keanu and Jennifer Connelly. I won't lie, I'm excited for this one! Not only am I nuts about Jennifer Connelly, I also think Keanu could be fantastic at playing a non-human. (Just like how Swarzenegger was always best at playing a robot.) Recast the original, you might win a t-shirt. 2. A Scanner Darkly (2006) -- Really good movie from Richard Linklater. It's rotoscoped like Waking Life, but it has a story! It's funny and sad and paranoid (it's about narcs and drug addiction). The trio of Keanu, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. make it a buddy tragi-comedy. 1. Point Break (1991) -- Watch the trailer. Time to watch it again. When Hot Fuzz came out, I'm so glad they paid homage to this lovable turkey. CHE & OUR FAVORITE BIOPICS Che (NEW) -- Read Karina's review and the Steven Soderberg press conference. This is not one of Karina's favorite biopics. Find out why Karina's review pissed off older bloggers. What are your favorite biopics? I asked some friends at Spout about their favorites, and one said, "Does Braveheart count?" Here are some others they listed: 6. Gandhi -- Watch the trailer. I dig that Ben Kingsley. I haven't seen this though, what do you guys think of it? 5. Into the Wild -- Watch the trailer. Haven't seen this one either. 4. Evita -- The musical with Madonna. I don't know if I could handle it. 3. A Beautiful Mind -- Watch the trailer. Haven't seen it. 2. I'm Not There -- Watch the trailer. Careful with this one, because if you don't know a lot about Bob Dylan's life, the film will just be confusing and frustrating. If you do know your Dylan, this is beautiful and a real heart-breaker. 1. Amadeus -- Watch the trailer. This one I need to watch again. I remember it as an interesting movie for anyone who feels like a Salieri when they meet a Mozart. GOOD MOVIES THAT COME FROM PLAYS 3. Doubt (NEW) -- Watch the trailer. Great cast, with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. 2. My favorite Shakespeare movies: for the comedies, Love's Labour's Lost and The Merchant of Venice. For the tragedies, I really like Titus and Roman Polanski's Macbeth. How about you guys? 1. Rope (1948) -- Jimmy Stewart is great in this thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. It all takes place in one apartment. WEIRD-ASS LOOKIN' ANIMATED MOVIE Delgo (NEW) -- Watch the weird-ass trailer. OTHER NEW MOVIES You know something juicy about these? Hit us with it!What Doesn't Kill You -- ..."makes you ugly." That's the saying, right? Stars Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo, who play old friends trying to dodge gangs and a detective (Mark Wahlberg) in South Boston.Nothing Like the Holidays -- Watch the trailer. Alfred Molina! Where God Left His Shoes -- Stars John Leguizamo, who's trying to find an apartment for his family on Christmas Eve, after they've lived in a homeless shelter for a few months. Dark Streets -- Watch the trailer. I love that guy Elias Koteas. While She Was Out -- Kim Basinger's a housewife fighting for her life out in the woods (looks like some young men are trying to get her).$9.99 -- Stop-motion animation, starring Geoffrey Rush.
]]>Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:30:05 GMTSkyPilotComing Soon12/8/2008 4:30:05 PMTIME TRAVEL: A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT Bad Guys Will Always Have Time Travel, so Good Guys Should Have It Too -- 5 Movies That Prove This Argument 1. Timecrimes (NEW) -- Watch the trailer. Read the review, listen to the interview. 2. Time Bandits (1981) -- Watch the trailer. My good friend Kevin (porcupine) loves this flick. That's good, because his parents named him after one of the characters. Would it be less cool if he were named after Kevin McAlister from Home Alone? Something to ponder. 3. Time Cop (1994) -- Watch the trailer. I remember this Jean-Claude Van Damme vehicle was pretty violent and included some gratuitous nudity; I was only 13 when I saw it in '95, and that's all I remember. Are there fans who've seen it more recently? 4. Back to the Future Part II (1989) -- Watch the trailer. Remember how future Biff went back in time to give the gambling results book to 50's Biff, then 50's Biff became rich by never losing a bet at the horseraces? Who besides me wished they could do that? 5. And of course, there's the mo-fo'ing Terminator series. Man, I can't wait for Terminator: Salvation. Read the notes from the Comic-Con press conference. WHOA: KEANU REEVES, ROCKIN' IT 3. The Day the Earth Stood Still (NEW) -- Read about the press conference with Keanu and Jennifer Connelly. I won't lie, I'm excited for this one! Not only am I nuts about Jennifer Connelly, I also think Keanu could be fantastic at playing a non-human. (Just like how Swarzenegger was always best at playing a robot.) Recast the original, you might win a t-shirt. 2. A Scanner Darkly (2006) -- Really good movie from Richard Linklater. It's rotoscoped like Waking Life, but it has a story! It's funny and sad and paranoid (it's about narcs and drug addiction). The trio of Keanu, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. make it a buddy tragi-comedy. 1. Point Break (1991) -- Watch the trailer. Time to watch it again. When Hot Fuzz came out, I'm so glad they paid homage to this lovable turkey. CHE &amp; OUR FAVORITE BIOPICS Che (NEW) -- Read Karina's review and the Steven Soderberg press conference. This is not one of Karina's favorite biopics. Find out why Karina's review pissed off older bloggers. What are your favorite biopics? I asked some friends at Spout about their favorites, and one said, "Does Braveheart count?" Here are some others they listed: 6. Gandhi -- Watch the trailer. I dig that Ben Kingsley. I haven't seen this though, what do you guys think of it? 5. Into the Wild -- Watch the trailer. Haven't seen this one either. 4. Evita -- The musical with Madonna. I don't know if I could handle it. 3. A Beautiful Mind -- Watch the trailer. Haven't seen it. 2. I'm Not There -- Watch the trailer. Careful with this one, because if you don't know a lot about Bob Dylan's life, the film will just be confusing and frustrating. If you do know your Dylan, this is beautiful and a real heart-breaker. 1. Amadeus -- Watch the trailer. This one I need to watch again. I remember it as an interesting movie for anyone who feels like a Salieri when they meet a Mozart. GOOD MOVIES THAT COME FROM PLAYS 3. Doubt (NEW) -- Watch the trailer. Great cast, with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. 2. My favorite Shakespeare movies: for the comedies, Love's Labour's Lost and The Merchant of Venice. For the tragedies, I really like Titus and Roman Polanski's Macbeth. How about you guys? 1. Rope (1948) -- Jimmy Stewart is great in this thriller from Alfred Hitchcock. It all takes place in one apartment. WEIRD-ASS LOOKIN' ANIMATED MOVIE Delgo (NEW) -- Watch the weird-ass trailer. OTHER NEW MOVIES You know something juicy about these? Hit us with it!What Doesn't Kill You -- ..."makes you ugly." That's the saying, right? Stars Ethan Hawke and Mark Ruffalo, who play old friends trying to dodge gangs and a detective (Mark Wahlberg) in South Boston.Nothing Like the Holidays -- Watch the trailer. Alfred Molina! Where God Left His Shoes -- Stars John Leguizamo, who's trying to find an apartment for his family on Christmas Eve, after they've lived in a homeless shelter for a few months. Dark Streets -- Watch the trailer. I love that guy Elias Koteas. While She Was Out -- Kim Basinger's a housewife fighting for her life out in the woods (looks like some young men are trying to get her).$9.99 -- Stop-motion animation, starring Geoffrey Rush. http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Re_Recast_ROMEO_AND_JULIET_1996/563/37371/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: batboy
Post To: Filmgaming
Post Date: 11/17/2008 11:39:18 AM
Body: [quote user="SkyPilot"] definetley get leanardo decapreo back as romeo also get kate back as well With Romeo + Juliet (1996), Baz Luhrmann reminded everyone that underneath the poetry, Shakespeare was as badass as they come. Recast Romeo + Juliet (1996) or your favorite Shakespeare movie. If you prefer the tragedies, I recommend seeing Roman Polanski's gritty, hallucinatory Macbeth, or Julie Taymor's Titus. I think my favorite Shakespeare comedy is Love's Labor's Lost, which Kenneth Branagh sets during WWII. Branagh stages it like a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical, and replaces the traditional English folk songs with Frank Sinatra tunes. It's awesome. A t-shirt goes to the best recast, and the winner will be announced on Friday, Nov. 28. And by the way, Baz Luhrmann's Australia comes out on 11/26. Do you guys know anything about it? I mean, besides the fact that Hugh Jackman is frighteningly attractive with his shirt off? THE MONTAGUESLeonardo DiCaprio ... Romeo Dash Mihok ... Benvolio (Romeo's cousin) Jamie Kennedy ... Sampson (Montague thug) Zak Orth ... Gregory (Montague thug) Jesse Bradford ... Balthasar (Montague thug) Brian Dennehy ... Ted Montague (Romeo's dad) Christina Pickles ... Caroline Montague (Romeo's mom) THE CAPULETSClaire Danes ... Juliet John Leguizamo ... Tybalt (Juliet's cousin) Vincent Laresco ... Abra (Capulet thug) Paul Sorvino ... Fulgencio (Juliet's dad) Diane Venora ... Gloria (Juliet's mom) Miriam Margolyes ... Juliet's Nurse CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE Harold Perrineau ... Mercutio (Romeo's friend who curses both houses) Pete Postlethwaite ... Father Laurence Paul Rudd ... Dave Paris (Governor's son, trying to marry Juliet) Vondie Curtis-Hall ... Captain Prince (the policeman) [/quote]
]]>Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:39:18 GMTbatboyFilmgaming11/17/2008 11:39:18 AM[quote user="SkyPilot"] definetley get leanardo decapreo back as romeo also get kate back as well With Romeo + Juliet (1996), Baz Luhrmann reminded everyone that underneath the poetry, Shakespeare was as badass as they come. Recast Romeo + Juliet (1996) or your favorite Shakespeare movie. If you prefer the tragedies, I recommend seeing Roman Polanski's gritty, hallucinatory Macbeth, or Julie Taymor's Titus. I think my favorite Shakespeare comedy is Love's Labor's Lost, which Kenneth Branagh sets during WWII. Branagh stages it like a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical, and replaces the traditional English folk songs with Frank Sinatra tunes. It's awesome. A t-shirt goes to the best recast, and the winner will be announced on Friday, Nov. 28. And by the way, Baz Luhrmann's Australia comes out on 11/26. Do you guys know anything about it? I mean, besides the fact that Hugh Jackman is frighteningly attractive with his shirt off? THE MONTAGUESLeonardo DiCaprio ... Romeo Dash Mihok ... Benvolio (Romeo's cousin) Jamie Kennedy ... Sampson (Montague thug) Zak Orth ... Gregory (Montague thug) Jesse Bradford ... Balthasar (Montague thug) Brian Dennehy ... Ted Montague (Romeo's dad) Christina Pickles ... Caroline Montague (Romeo's mom) THE CAPULETSClaire Danes ... Juliet John Leguizamo ... Tybalt (Juliet's cousin) Vincent Laresco ... Abra (Capulet thug) Paul Sorvino ... Fulgencio (Juliet's dad) Diane Venora ... Gloria (Juliet's mom) Miriam Margolyes ... Juliet's Nurse CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE Harold Perrineau ... Mercutio (Romeo's friend who curses both houses) Pete Postlethwaite ... Father Laurence Paul Rudd ... Dave Paris (Governor's son, trying to marry Juliet) Vondie Curtis-Hall ... Captain Prince (the policeman) [/quote] http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Recast_ROMEO_AND_JULIET_1996/563/37326/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: SkyPilot
Post To: Filmgaming
Post Date: 11/14/2008 4:34:44 PM
Body: With Romeo + Juliet (1996), Baz Luhrmann reminded everyone that underneath the poetry, Shakespeare was as badass as they come. Recast Romeo + Juliet (1996) or your favorite Shakespeare movie. If you prefer the tragedies, I recommend seeing Roman Polanski's gritty, hallucinatory Macbeth, or Julie Taymor's Titus. I think my favorite Shakespeare comedy is Love's Labor's Lost, which Kenneth Branagh sets during WWII. Branagh stages it like a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical, and replaces the traditional English folk songs with Frank Sinatra tunes. It's awesome. A t-shirt goes to the best recast, and the winner will be announced on Friday, Nov. 28. And by the way, Baz Luhrmann's Australia comes out on 11/26. Do you guys know anything about it? I mean, besides the fact that Hugh Jackman is frighteningly attractive with his shirt off? THE MONTAGUESLeonardo DiCaprio ... Romeo Dash Mihok ... Benvolio (Romeo's cousin) Jamie Kennedy ... Sampson (Montague thug) Zak Orth ... Gregory (Montague thug) Jesse Bradford ... Balthasar (Montague thug) Brian Dennehy ... Ted Montague (Romeo's dad) Christina Pickles ... Caroline Montague (Romeo's mom) THE CAPULETSClaire Danes ... Juliet John Leguizamo ... Tybalt (Juliet's cousin) Vincent Laresco ... Abra (Capulet thug) Paul Sorvino ... Fulgencio (Juliet's dad) Diane Venora ... Gloria (Juliet's mom) Miriam Margolyes ... Juliet's Nurse CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE Harold Perrineau ... Mercutio (Romeo's friend who curses both houses) Pete Postlethwaite ... Father Laurence Paul Rudd ... Dave Paris (Governor's son, trying to marry Juliet) Vondie Curtis-Hall ... Captain Prince (the policeman)
]]>Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:34:44 GMTSkyPilotFilmgaming11/14/2008 4:34:44 PMWith Romeo + Juliet (1996), Baz Luhrmann reminded everyone that underneath the poetry, Shakespeare was as badass as they come. Recast Romeo + Juliet (1996) or your favorite Shakespeare movie. If you prefer the tragedies, I recommend seeing Roman Polanski's gritty, hallucinatory Macbeth, or Julie Taymor's Titus. I think my favorite Shakespeare comedy is Love's Labor's Lost, which Kenneth Branagh sets during WWII. Branagh stages it like a Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers musical, and replaces the traditional English folk songs with Frank Sinatra tunes. It's awesome. A t-shirt goes to the best recast, and the winner will be announced on Friday, Nov. 28. And by the way, Baz Luhrmann's Australia comes out on 11/26. Do you guys know anything about it? I mean, besides the fact that Hugh Jackman is frighteningly attractive with his shirt off? THE MONTAGUESLeonardo DiCaprio ... Romeo Dash Mihok ... Benvolio (Romeo's cousin) Jamie Kennedy ... Sampson (Montague thug) Zak Orth ... Gregory (Montague thug) Jesse Bradford ... Balthasar (Montague thug) Brian Dennehy ... Ted Montague (Romeo's dad) Christina Pickles ... Caroline Montague (Romeo's mom) THE CAPULETSClaire Danes ... Juliet John Leguizamo ... Tybalt (Juliet's cousin) Vincent Laresco ... Abra (Capulet thug) Paul Sorvino ... Fulgencio (Juliet's dad) Diane Venora ... Gloria (Juliet's mom) Miriam Margolyes ... Juliet's Nurse CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE Harold Perrineau ... Mercutio (Romeo's friend who curses both houses) Pete Postlethwaite ... Father Laurence Paul Rudd ... Dave Paris (Governor's son, trying to marry Juliet) Vondie Curtis-Hall ... Captain Prince (the policeman) http://www.spout.com/blogs/spoutblog/archive/2008/9/29/35698.aspx Post By: SpoutBlog
Post To: SpoutBlog on spout.com
Post Date: 9/29/2008 6:01:10 PM
Body: It’s not definite yet, but it looks like Oscar-nominated actor/director Kenneth Branagh will be taking the helm of Marvel Studios’ comic book adaptation Thor. Most young moviegoers know Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart (from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), but he’s otherwise better known for primarily directing films of Shakespeare’s works. He also tends to cast mostly trained Shakespearean actors, although he has been known to include an Alicia Silverstone or a Matthew Lillard in his ensembles. Additionally, he’s been known for odd casting choices, such as Robert De Niro for the Monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Who will he cast this time in the Asgardian ensemble that will make up the film? It might not actually be totally up to him, but if it is, it might look a little like this: Kenneth Branagh as Thor/Donald Blake I know what you’re thinking. He’s old. But he’s only five years older than Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr. and only 3 years older than Brad Pitt, who recently was rumored to be at the top of Marvel’s wish list. Anyway, he’s cast himself as Hamlet, Dr. Frankenstein and Henry V. So, it would be fitting if he cast himself in the lead here, too. The only issue, of course, is that the script now apparently features Thor’s alter ego, Donald Blake, and he’s reportedly written as a med student, not a full-on doctor. Oh, and for Thor, Branagh will have to beef up tremendously. Or not. If he actually got away with playing the character, he could probably also get away with not giving in to the whole height and muscle problem. Keanu Reeves as Loki Branagh previously cast Reeves in the Shakespeare adaptation Much Ado About Nothing, and after more than 15 years, it’s time for them to work together again. Plus, Reeves is fully capable of being a nasty trickster and he should certainly be taking on more villain roles. Ian Holm as Odin Now that Branagh is linked to the film, past rumors that Brian Blessed already was cast as Odin make more sense. And Blessed is actually who will likely get the part, especially if Marvel is paying attention to the movie blogs and message boards today. But maybe he could cast Holm, who also acted in Branagh’s Frankenstein and Henry V. Sure, he’s way too short, and he doesn’t have that monstrous voice that Blessed has. But doesn’t he just have a more fatherly look to him? Brian Blessed as Volstagg With Holm as Odin, Blessed will then have to take on the part of this member of the Warriors Three. He may not be fat enough, but he’s loud enough. Another great choice would be Branagh’s co-star from Harry Potter, Robbie Coltrane. Why? Because he also played Falstaff in Branagh’s Henry V, and according to Wikipedia, Stan Lee likely based Volstagg on that Shakespeare character. Jude Law as Fandral This other member of the Warriors Three should be played by someone along the lines of Errol Flynn, who clearly was Stan Kirby’s model for the character. And Law, who recently starred in Branagh’s Sleuth, portrayed Flynn in Scorsese’s The Aviator. He may be too big a movie star for the supporting part, but Law should probably be demoted a bit, anyway. Kevin Kline as Hogun Rounding out the Warriors Three is this long-mustached fellow, and Kline, who appears in Branagh’s As You Like It, is always great with mustached characters (think The Pirates of Penzance and A Fish Called Wanda). Kline needs to be in a superhero movie, anyway, badly. 20 years ago, he would have been a perfect choice for a character like Tony Stark, but now he is due for at least a supporting role. Gemma Arterton as Sif She’s about to break out big time with the latest 007 film, Quantum of Solace, and Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla, which will put her in a perfect position to show off her Shakespearean talents and her other assets as Thor’s Asgardian lover. Emily Mortimer as Jane Foster If indeed the Earthly side of Thor is shown in Branagh’s film, his nurse and temporary girlfriend should also make an appearance. The best pick is Mortimer, who previously worked with the director on Love’s Labour’s Lost. Unfortunately, she’s more likely to be played by a younger actress, some flavor of the month a la Arterton. Robert De Niro as Absorbing Man The reported villains in Thor are Loki, Karnilla, Malekith and Thrym, but I’ll keep wishing for an appearance from former boxer Carl “Crusher” Creel. Not only is he a cool villain with cool powers, but he’d make for some cool special effects. Give him a cameo at least? And in the part cast De Niro, who could make up for his role as the Monster in Branagh’s Frankenstein. Surely I’m not the only person who’d like to see Bobby D shave his head and swing a wrecking ball around. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog
]]>Mon, 29 Sep 2008 22:01:10 GMTSpoutBlogSpoutBlog on spout.com9/29/2008 6:01:10 PMIt’s not definite yet, but it looks like Oscar-nominated actor/director Kenneth Branagh will be taking the helm of Marvel Studios’ comic book adaptation Thor. Most young moviegoers know Branagh as Gilderoy Lockhart (from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets), but he’s otherwise better known for primarily directing films of Shakespeare’s works. He also tends to cast mostly trained Shakespearean actors, although he has been known to include an Alicia Silverstone or a Matthew Lillard in his ensembles. Additionally, he’s been known for odd casting choices, such as Robert De Niro for the Monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Who will he cast this time in the Asgardian ensemble that will make up the film? It might not actually be totally up to him, but if it is, it might look a little like this: Kenneth Branagh as Thor/Donald Blake I know what you’re thinking. He’s old. But he’s only five years older than Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr. and only 3 years older than Brad Pitt, who recently was rumored to be at the top of Marvel’s wish list. Anyway, he’s cast himself as Hamlet, Dr. Frankenstein and Henry V. So, it would be fitting if he cast himself in the lead here, too. The only issue, of course, is that the script now apparently features Thor’s alter ego, Donald Blake, and he’s reportedly written as a med student, not a full-on doctor. Oh, and for Thor, Branagh will have to beef up tremendously. Or not. If he actually got away with playing the character, he could probably also get away with not giving in to the whole height and muscle problem. Keanu Reeves as Loki Branagh previously cast Reeves in the Shakespeare adaptation Much Ado About Nothing, and after more than 15 years, it’s time for them to work together again. Plus, Reeves is fully capable of being a nasty trickster and he should certainly be taking on more villain roles. Ian Holm as Odin Now that Branagh is linked to the film, past rumors that Brian Blessed already was cast as Odin make more sense. And Blessed is actually who will likely get the part, especially if Marvel is paying attention to the movie blogs and message boards today. But maybe he could cast Holm, who also acted in Branagh’s Frankenstein and Henry V. Sure, he’s way too short, and he doesn’t have that monstrous voice that Blessed has. But doesn’t he just have a more fatherly look to him? Brian Blessed as Volstagg With Holm as Odin, Blessed will then have to take on the part of this member of the Warriors Three. He may not be fat enough, but he’s loud enough. Another great choice would be Branagh’s co-star from Harry Potter, Robbie Coltrane. Why? Because he also played Falstaff in Branagh’s Henry V, and according to Wikipedia, Stan Lee likely based Volstagg on that Shakespeare character. Jude Law as Fandral This other member of the Warriors Three should be played by someone along the lines of Errol Flynn, who clearly was Stan Kirby’s model for the character. And Law, who recently starred in Branagh’s Sleuth, portrayed Flynn in Scorsese’s The Aviator. He may be too big a movie star for the supporting part, but Law should probably be demoted a bit, anyway. Kevin Kline as Hogun Rounding out the Warriors Three is this long-mustached fellow, and Kline, who appears in Branagh’s As You Like It, is always great with mustached characters (think The Pirates of Penzance and A Fish Called Wanda). Kline needs to be in a superhero movie, anyway, badly. 20 years ago, he would have been a perfect choice for a character like Tony Stark, but now he is due for at least a supporting role. Gemma Arterton as Sif She’s about to break out big time with the latest 007 film, Quantum of Solace, and Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla, which will put her in a perfect position to show off her Shakespearean talents and her other assets as Thor’s Asgardian lover. Emily Mortimer as Jane Foster If indeed the Earthly side of Thor is shown in Branagh’s film, his nurse and temporary girlfriend should also make an appearance. The best pick is Mortimer, who previously worked with the director on Love’s Labour’s Lost. Unfortunately, she’s more likely to be played by a younger actress, some flavor of the month a la Arterton. Robert De Niro as Absorbing Man The reported villains in Thor are Loki, Karnilla, Malekith and Thrym, but I’ll keep wishing for an appearance from former boxer Carl “Crusher” Creel. Not only is he a cool villain with cool powers, but he’d make for some cool special effects. Give him a cameo at least? And in the part cast De Niro, who could make up for his role as the Monster in Branagh’s Frankenstein. Surely I’m not the only person who’d like to see Bobby D shave his head and swing a wrecking ball around. Originally posted on:SpoutBlog http://www.spout.com/blogs/jimbell/archive/2007/4/15/7118.aspx Post By: JimBell
Post To: JimBell Blog
Post Date: 4/15/2007 10:33:00 PM
Body: Love’s Labours Lost (2000) is Kenneth Branagh’s creative adaptation of one of William Shakespeare’s least successful plays. Branagh perspicaciously chooses to treat the troublesome play completely light-heartedly. He moves it to the 1930s and puts in wonderful show tunes (e.g., “They Can’t Take That Away From Me”) complete with good Broadway choreography. Also, cute black and white newsreels keep a modern audience abreast of a confusing play. I loved the goofiness. But I was conscious that some of the dancers couldn’t act very well, and some of the actors could not deliver Shakespeare flawlessly. I was bothered by how difficult the dialogue was to follow in some of the slapstick comedy scenes. And none of the cardboard characters amount to people we care about. Still, when we complain about formulaic Hollywood movies, here is one at the opposite end of the spectrum. Branagh understands Shakespeare so well that he left out 50% of the lines and went for the spirit rather than the letter of the play. It helps if you view it in the same spirit. Long after seeing the movie, I remember some of the scenes of pure delight.Jim Bell
]]>Mon, 16 Apr 2007 02:33:00 GMTJimBellJimBell Blog4/15/2007 10:33:00 PMLove&rsquo;s Labours Lost (2000) is Kenneth Branagh&rsquo;s creative adaptation of one of William Shakespeare&rsquo;s least successful plays. Branagh perspicaciously chooses to treat the troublesome play completely light-heartedly. He moves it to the 1930s and puts in wonderful show tunes (e.g., &ldquo;They Can&rsquo;t Take That Away From Me&rdquo;) complete with good Broadway choreography. Also, cute black and white newsreels keep a modern audience abreast of a confusing play. I loved the goofiness. But I was conscious that some of the dancers couldn&rsquo;t act very well, and some of the actors could not deliver Shakespeare flawlessly. I was bothered by how difficult the dialogue was to follow in some of the slapstick comedy scenes. And none of the cardboard characters amount to people we care about. Still, when we complain about formulaic Hollywood movies, here is one at the opposite end of the spectrum. Branagh understands Shakespeare so well that he left out 50% of the lines and went for the spirit rather than the letter of the play. It helps if you view it in the same spirit. Long after seeing the movie, I remember some of the scenes of pure delight.Jim Bell http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/love/MemberTagFilms.aspxlove
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