"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." - Twelfth Night, Act II, Scene V
Call me silly, but I like these updates of Shakespeare's works set in modern times with modern teens. A lot of Shakespeare's comedies, after all, were intended for such a young and innocent audience. Even Hamlet, everyone's favorite Dark Prince, was no more than a teenager, if we read the play for detail. I'd LOVE to see that updated properly. But for now, we've got movies like 'Ten Things I Hate About You' (The Taming of the Shrew) and 'She's The Man' (Twelfth Night).
Bean remembers a movie from the 80's called 'Just One of the Guys' that was one of her all-time favorites, apparently very similar to 'She's The Man'. And we have Will to thank for all of these films!
The plot is cleverly adapted from Twelfth Night, of course.
From imdb.com: "When her big brother decides to ditch for a couple weeks in London, Viola (Amanda Bynes) heads over to his elite boarding school, disguises herself as him, and proceeds to fall for one of her soccer teammates. Little does she realize she's not the only one with romantic troubles, as she, as he, gets in the middle of a series of intermingled love affairs."
This was a very cute and funny movie. At least to Bean and I. We get cracked up at small things that no one else would notice. Like this African American character's obviously canned laugh, or how Bynes lowers her voice in an attempt to sound like a guy. The funniest line in the whole thing, though, was, "This is a children's charity, God DAMN it!" The delivery on that line was priceless. Of course there was the requisite Hot Guy, who Viola naturally falls for. And if you know the play at all, you know the ruse all comes out in the end, and it all ends up nicely for our heroine.
I think it's awesome that 'Shakespeare in Love' ended with Will writing Twelfth Night, which was also the basis for part of the plot in THAT film. Let's face it; women pretending to be men is just a plot ripe for laughs. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a boy. Why? Because my brothers got to do things I didn't. Which I now realize didn't have to do with the fact that I was a girl as much as it had to do with the fact that I was fragile and ill a lot. But don't worry; I don't break. ;)
But anyhow...very cute movie. I'd recommend it.
Grade: A-
Hotness Factor: Plenty of Hot Guy shirtless. Woo Hoo!
Amanda Bynes: Adorable. From Nick at Nite, apparently.
In other news, I spent the weekend in Paradise, at mt parents' house in the country. We went up on the Drive, in the mountains. Why mankind decided to build buildings, I sometimes wonder. Nature is pretty perfect the way it is.
In still other news, I got 'Modern Love' in my head and thought about David and Shannon singing along and pondering the (baffling) lyrics. See how I am? I remember Other People's memories too, as well as my own. Although I've never met either one of them and have no idea what Shannon even looks like. Dang! I love my mind. It's truly...one of a kind. And yes, it IS a Super Power.
In still other news, Mom brings up Ann Coulter over the weekend and I laugh because I remember Thursday's Rant Against Ann Coulter. Mom and Dad decide, They Love Thursday. haha A more liberal Democratic family, it'd be hard to find, than us.
In still other news....I need to quit reading blogs! haha
(Not bloody likely.)
Have a great day....
6 comments:
Modern Love is a hard song to get out our your head. I've tried. ;)
Nice review... I actually haven't seen any of the Shakespeare "remakes" but I do remember one of my favorite episodes of "Moonlighting" was the classic "Taming of the Shrew" episode. Remember that one? CLASSIC. My favorite scene is when Bruce Willis shows up for the wedding on his horse, incredibly late (wearing sunglasses, natch) and as everybody glares at him he says, "Sorry I was late. The lights were against me." (or something to that effect.) ;)
I was going to mention the (best episode ever!) 'Moonlighting' version of 'Taming of the Shrew,' but you did it for me. Thanks! Yeah, that episode WAS classic! You need to check out '10 Things' and 'She's The Man.' Well, they might be a bit too 'teen' for you, but I loved them. '10 Things' had Heath Ledger before he went all...Brokeback.
And Thursday loves Martypants' parents because..
1) They think Ann Coulter also needs to be institutionalized
2) They have great taste in offspring
3) Clearly their love of list making made the rants on The Sensation Inside be the amazing rants that they are! :)
xoxoxoxoxo
Thursday!
1) Well, Yeah! My mom went off on Ann Coulter even more than YOU did! She said about Coulter, "Something isn't right with her!"
2) Aww, Thanks! I owe most of what I am to Mom and Dad
3) Actually, the list making is all me. It helps me organize. And I must organize. :)
First of all, I'm so thankful that you mentioned 'Ten things I hate about you' because I consider that movie one of my guilty pleasures. I used to own it but I lent it to a friend (former) and never got it back. It's nice to know that other adults actually like it. Taming of the Shrew is my FAVORITE Shakespeare play.
I must say that I have brought a variety of blog material into my conversations with friends. It's hard to explain one's relationship with other bloggers and conversations with them to those uninitiated in the blogging world.
I guess I need to read less blogs as well. I was immediately familiar with the references to David and Thursday's blogs. And, how do you NOT love David and Thursday. Your parents have good taste.
WIP: '10 Things' is a favorite of mine, as well. :)
"And, how do you NOT love David and Thursday." Well, Amen to THAT.
:)
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