Titus

Rating:
Summary: Astounding!
Review: The amount of energy, talent and creativity that goes into this groundbreaking debut from Julie Taymor is astounding. Never has Shakespeare seemd so avant garde. Yet, for all it's grandurer and stomping about, it manages to be honest and relevant, a commentary on modern society as well as the human condition. Work like this can not be missed or ignored.

This DVD presentation also offers the best making of docmentary I've ever seen. No, it doesnt focus on the amazing sets, exotic locations, SFX, or any other such extraenous material, but instead focuses almost entirely on the acting process. We see the cast (wearing jeans and sweatpants), in rehearsals, discussing their characters, learning accents, picking apart the story and figuring out how best to translate it, blocking scenes and practicing fighting techniques. It's an incredible glimpse into the creative process and goes to show how much was put into this film. Having done much preforming myself, I found it to be most illuminating and refreshing to see such a focus on the most human aspect of creating a film. I even find myself watching the documentary more than the film itself!

Rating:
Summary: Wild, Haunting & Distrubing
Review: Titus is one of the films I wanted to see for so long and have now gotten a chance. This was a very impressive film to me, but I was also a bit shocked and disturbed that this film had a lot of erie images.

The first scene that got to me the most is when Lavinia was taken away with Tamora's 2 sons. The twigs and the blood really made me feel extremely sorry for her. Also the violent feast fight (The Matrix style at the end of the film gave me a little giggle)

The Cast acted beautifully and flowed so well in the movie, which is why this film makes it what it is. Anthony Hopkins gives us some of Hannibal Lecter charateristics in this movie (mostly at the end). Jessica Lange is seductive and looks very raidiant as always.

The music fitted perfectly, the filmaking style of director Julie Taymor is excellent! I like the way she used tigers, lions, owls etc. in this film that gives us the feeling of rage, anger and terror in each charcter.

In all I thought this film should have been a bit more well know, so that everyone could have experienced such a strong movie and play from William Shakespear.

Rating:
Summary: Most Fun Shakespeare Adaptation
Review: Polanski's "Macbeth" is still my personal favorite (why isn't THAT on DVD!?!), but this was a real treat. Taymor turns the play's liabilities into assets, and the actors have a ball. It's not a perfect film or a particurlarly deep one, but its a joy to look at and listen to. A long movie, that doesn't seem like one.

This kind of thing doesn't always come off. It helps that the filmmakers have the horse-sense to cast good actors as opposed to, say, talentless teen-idols, Hollywood action stars with something to prove, or self-important Shakespeare-hacks working their way through the canon. (You know who I mean!)

Highly entertaining, and that's all it really wants to be. Probably hated by people who either take things too seriously or not seriously enough.

Rating:
Summary: Yeehaw!
Review: ...

The story is brilliant and applies today as much as it did when it was written. The script is beautiful if you can understand more than half of it. The acting is superb, especially Hopkins. The costumes, sets and haircuts are insane and should not be looked too hard since they are eye candy just as they should be.

In my opinion, justice was done to one of Shakespeare's best tragedies...

Rating:
Summary: Visually striking; makes the best of the plot
Review: I agree with the other reviewers who have pointed out that there are narrative creaks and groans inherent to Titus Andronicus, so enough said on that. The performances are fantastic, and the individual who plays the Moor is especially good -- his understated menace a welcome counter to Hopkin's bluster and rage (the banquet scene though is darkly hilarious). However, this is worth watching as much as anything for the film-making. The juxtaposition of classical Roman archictecture (at the Forum and the Palatine) with the Mussolini-era Fascist architecture of suburban Rome is fascinating, as is the use of vehicles and uniforms either directly connected to, or reminiscent of, fascist regimes in the 1930s. The use of color and space is fantastic. And, there are a variety of small details that add some humor when you catch them: the sons of Tamora play an Italian video game where one delivers pizza on a moped, and have a dartboard with Titus' picture on it; the radio microphones, in place of the old style "RKO" or "BBC" letters have "SPQR" -- for (if memory serves) "Senatus Populi Quirites Romani." It's a horrifying story, more emotionally than anything else, but visually so dramatic that you won't be able to look away.

Rating:
Summary: A powerful vision
Review: Here in France, we're not familiar with Julie Taymor's work and "Titus" was given a very limited, woefully short release in Paris earlier this year. The DVD has allowed me to catch up on one of the most powerful interpretations of a Shakespeare play that I have ever seen (and having been raised within spitting distance of Stratford-Upon-Avon, I've seen a few in my time). This DVD edition is particularly worth getting for all the insightful extras that it contains. Julie Taymor is an articulate, passionate and, above all, incredibly coherent lady. I can't wait to see her take on the life of Frida Kahlo. The performances are astounding. Hopkins towers over the whole production but he finds his match in Jessica Lange's perfect Tamora (the American accent may grate on British ears at first but even that has its justification in Taymor's approach - and it works). Equal praise to Alan Cumming, Harry Lennix and the touching Laura Fraser. The artwork by the geniuses working at Cinecittà is worthy of the rest. It's tragic to think that few directors use these guys' talents anymore. "Titus" may shock some people with its violence but simply because it strikes closer to the bone than any Hollywood "shoot 'em up" spectacular. This is violence that hurts and it's too bad that more directors don't have the guts to tackle it.

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: I have never seen a movie as glorious as this one! That's all I will say for now,you must watch it.......... a woman directed it! And she really out did herself!

Rating:
Summary: Style almost overwhelming substance....
Review: ....but not quite.

In movies like this one, where the historical setting is
wrenched into some quasi 20th century setting, some things
work well and some things jar horribly and simply don't fit.

As an example of the former, I think the depiction of the
returning soldiers is masterful. Roman soldiers on motorbikes?
Well, it works for me.

As an example of the latter, Tamora's sons playing on their
arcade video games, this just seems contrived.

Killing the nurse with the pool cue on the other hand - that works.

So I suppose it is a tight line the director has to walk in an
adaptation like this and I think Ms Tamor acquits herself well.

Towering over this movie is Anthony Hopkins portrayal of Titus.
One of the great acting performances of Shakespearean cinema.

And Jessica Lange? Who would have thought? Marvellous.

Rating:
Summary: Shakespeare's Bloodbath
Review: 3 Hands severed. 1 tongue removed. 1 devestating rape. 25 children killed. And thats just the main course, wait'll you see dessert. (Hannibal Lecter would be proud.) Julie Taymor's TITUS is based (very faithfully) on William Shakespeares bloodiest tragedy, TITUS ANDRONICUS. Will's first hit with audiences, the goriness over time has marred the story and many labeled it Shakespeare's "WORST". If this is indeed his worst, then give us more. Taymor adds incredible artistry and vision with stunning performances giving the show deserved respect. (As in her stage production of the LION KING, Taymor takes risks at every turn and, like KING, 75% of those risks are well worth it while 25% are rather annoying...) Like the best Shakespeare films, Taymor shows such respect and care to the dialogue that even those unfamiliar with the bards work, can follow the story. ANTHONY HOPKINs offers up a very quiet, nuanced and peaceful killing machine. And JESSICA LANGE and ALAN CUMMING are appropriately despicable and hateful as the 'sore winners'. The 2-DVD set additionally offers a video tape of a Taymor seminar as well as making of footage and a scene specific commentary. The Sound, Musical score (by Taymor's husband Elliot Goldenthal) properly enhance the haunting images so crisp on DVD. DEFININTELY NOT FOR EVERYONE (Especially the faint of heart.)!

Rating:
Summary: The Heavens Doth Weep at High Art at its Grandest
Review: Beautifully symbolic and intricate scenery almost seems to interact with each individual character and all characters together as if it were a character in and of itself.

The movie chooses a deliberately slow pace to give the audience a chance to contemplate in depth the human aspects of revenge, wrong-doing, sin, grace, forgiveness, and the almost supernatural role of the tribune (for a few examples).

Jessical Lange (though she does suprisingly well) is probably the weakest actor. Anthony Hopkins will make you weep with his "When the Heavens Doth Weep" and his pleading towards the stones. Though he does fall into some rhthymic patterns of speech that will distract you with its resemblance to Dracula, overall his performance is stunning. Harry Lennix is a perfect villian, never faltering in his role or using giggles and leers as a crutch.

There is a shocking amount of violence in this movie. So please be warned. P>Overall, this movie was excellent in scope and granduer. It is a must see for all lovers of Shakespeare's work, this play must be one of his best and most thought-provoking.