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Summary: a helpful book
Review: This book is very helpful, at least for me. I gave the firstbook I bought to my friend because she needed to write an essay. andnow it's my second time that i am ready to buy this book!
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Summary: Much Ado About Branagh
Review: The only thing wrong with this movie is Kenneth Branagh who is guilty of the unpardonable sin of over acting. Normally I enjoy watching Branagh act but in Much Ado About Nothing he hams it up and over acts so bad as to make his character (Benedick) unrealistic. All the other actors such as Emma Thompson, Keanu Reeves, Robert Sean Leonard, and Denzel Washington are excellent. Michael Keaton has a minor supporting role but his peformance is sincere and enjoyable making his character real and not an exaggeration like Branagh. The cinematography is great - having been filmed on location in Italy. The music is pleasent and timely enough. The script is well written as the movie is well directed. Much Ado About Nothing is an excellent film. However it is sad that such an otherwise excellent version of Shakespeare's play is ruined by such a bad actor like Kenneth Branagh.
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Summary: Kenneth Branagh is God's gift to Shakespeare
Review: If there's one thing Branagh does well, it's to bring Shakespeare to the screen in supreme form. I adored this film. I've never enjoyed Shakespeare as a reading experience... the Bard's work was intended to be a performance, not a series of small novels.Like most folks who weren't alive in Shakespeare's time, I don't always understand the King's English of that era... but the superb acting, beautiful wardroabes, breath-taking vistas and terrific direction bring this play to life in picture-perfect fashion. Shakespeare for the common man without sacrificing the story. Sometimes tragic, but mostly hilarous - anyone with a sense of humor will get a kick out of this wonderfully executed film.
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Summary: Shakespeare should be seen, not just read
Review: This is a great movie to introduce children to Shakespeare. It's silly plot had us laughing out loud with Benedict and Beatrice trading witty insults and while friends and family were tricking them into declarations of love for each other. Meanwhile, Beatrice's cousin, Hero, finds true love with one of Benedicts cohorts, the count. At the same time the prince's brother John plots against the match. He suceeds in slandering Hero and having her publicly attacked and rejected on her wedding day. All appears lost, but it can't be... this is a comedy, not a tradegy. Branagh, Thompson, and Keaton are wonderfully funny. They made us care about this silly story.
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Summary: A Witty Comedy
Review: Shakespeare is undoubtedly one of the best playwrights of all time. This comedy of his is full of plots of mistaken identity and misunderstandings, which are all corrected with a comic flair. The witty verbal war between the characters make this an outstanding example of Shakespeare's command over the English language. I have given it 4 stars, however, because of certain plot inconsistencies, that I feel could have been fixed.
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Summary: If only I had learned Shakespeare this way.
Review: Had I learned Shakespeare this way I just might have pursued that English degree I should have pursued rather than being scared of Shakespeare. I love this film. I love the scenery. The acting. Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton. The subtle touches of humor. The joy in watching the evident, but denied love between Branagh and Thompson's characters. This is a brilliant film with a brilliant cast. I would recommend this film even to non-Shakespeare fans. Fifteen minutes into it you'll have the language down and you'll absolutely love the rest of the film.
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Summary: WANT TO BE BLITHE AND BONNY? WATCH THIS MOVIE!
Review: This movie is amazing. The title is complete irony. It makes one think: 'Well, why watch it if it's a bunch of fuss over nothing? Why waste my time?' But there's another ironic statement; for time is wasted doing something else INSTEAD OF watching this movie. Relax! Step back into time with this movie as your catalyst, into PURITY. Purity of heart, soul, mind and most importantly tongue for with the tongue the heart, soul and mind are revealed in truth. SOME ADVICE - WATCH IT TWICE! AND BY SO DOING CONVERT ALL YOUR SOUNDS OF WOE INTO HEY NONNY, NONNY! IF YOU ARE STILL READING THIS YOU ARE AN INTELLIGENT AND SENSITIVE PERSON WHO WILL ENJOY THIS MOVIE MASTERPIECE IMMENSLY! IMPECCABLE ACTING, CINEMATOGRAPHY, DIRECTING, COSTUMES, SOUNDTRACK, ETC.. I DO BELIEVE SHAKESPEARE HIMSELF WOULD BE PLEASED.
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Summary: Benedick, Love on! I Will Requite thee!
Review: I can think of millions of adjectives to tell you how great this movie is. I shall not, however, force you to read them all, but rather, refer you to a wonderful volume of knowledge called a dictionary in which you can find for yourself all the positive, enthusiastic words you like, ALL of which will apply to this movie. This movie is my all-time favourite. Whenever I am feeling blue, I watch this movie and by the time the rousing opening scene has, alas, come to its end, I am already radiant with happiness and brimming with anticipation. Ken's, 'Much Ado' is a pleasure from beginning to end. Every single aspect of this movie, from the fabulous Tuscan location to the rousing musical score, is an absolute cinematic delight. I implore those of you who have been missing this film from your lives to go and rent it now; even better, zip through Amazon and place a copy in your shopping cart. It will be the best video/DVD investment you ever make. Thank you sooooooo much, Ken for putting together this gem of a film. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
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Summary: Rich In Comedy, Drama, and Characters
Review: While the laughs in this play do not quite equal "The Comedy of Errors," this play offers a well developed serious side as well. Don John is interesting as the villain who simply can not tolerate people's happieness. While this is rare, it DOES exist. Hero is fine as the docile and submissive woman who grants Claudio a merciful and blessed 2nd chance. Beatrice is captivating as the quick witted woman who can not be outspoken and is intelligent enough to recognize Don John's mischief. The priest is striking as the man who can spot Don John's evil and offers an intelligent plan that brings salvation to the end of the play. Dogberry offers some welcome comical touches as the bumbling but also effective officer. Benedick is wonderful. First he is a bumbling character who can not stand women. He is quickly outwitted by Beatrice and he falls for Don Pedro's and Claudio's plan to get him and Beatrice together. He offers a hilarious soliloquy on the perfect woman. But he is not a weakling. When Hero is wronged by Don John's evil, he boldly resigns from Don Pedro's service and challanges Claudio to a duel. But leave it to Shakespeare to resolve everything and offer us a happy ending. Great comedy, a sudden dilemna, beautiful language, and a happy ending make this play another of Shakespeare's triumphs!
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Summary: Wonderful... Even if English is your 2nd language...
Review: English is a 2nd language to me, and Shakespeare is as difficult as it can get. Yet, this is the movie that introduced me to actual readings of Shakespeare. True, I watched the movie with captions on, but I enjoyed every moment of it. The story is delightful and the acting is wonderful. After the movie I read the play. All the jokes are there, but the way the actors play it out, emphasize certain points, the tone of their voices, their looks make all the difference. (I should not forget wonderful musics and scenery). I watched it over and over again for 2 days, and probably will continue to do so...
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