Shakespeare For Dummies

I usually do a post about my favorite films of that genre, but I thought I'll do something abit different. Where I talk about something that I love, but its not necessarily connected to films or the making of films, buts its connected to storytelling, which is something I love. 

People have have different reasons to like or hate Shakespeare, so we're gonna explore it. I feel with Shakespeare a real reason whether people like it or hate it, is learning about it in School now I was very fortunate to have a teacher who taught it to me in a nice way. This is where films come in, when I was about 15 in GCSE English we did a play called Romeo and Juliet. Which everybody knows, and my teacher introduced it more as a film and a story rather than being all "SHAKESPEARE IS THE SINGLE MOST INSPIRING WRITER IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE AND YOU WILL UNDERSTAND HIM AND LOVE HIM".  But we watched Romeo + Juliet with Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Baz Lurhman. That really helped as I saw Shakespearean work as plays, stories and films, rather than it being an amazing piece of literature. 

I also love films that aren't necessarily the greatest, and most eloquent of films. But they're good for Shakespeare Dummies, films such as '10 things I hate about you' or 'She's The Man' which is a retelling or Taming Of The Shrew and Twelfth Night although it doesn't have the original Shakespeare language but its good. For dummies, as one of the main reasons people say they hate Shakespeare is that they don't understand the language. So I guess changing it to real modern day is always good, I say 'real modern day' as Romeo + Juliet is a modern retelling but its the same language.

When you think about it, Shakespeare is a very teenage thing, like the whole 'she doesn't like him thing' or having a really bad breakup they're all teen related stuff. Also Adult related, I mean its all life, and you get alot of Drama that happen in them which I firmly believe we use still use now. You watch Coronation Street and you see the storyline of 'I'm cheating on my sister's boyfriend' kinda style, well Shakespeare introduced that sort of thing, of plots and twists and things we cal relate to. Also we still use quotations and certain phases, that were in some of his work that he invented.

Another thing that I love and what I want bought back is the BBC Plays during the 70s and 80s, (I think thats what they were called) because I love watching those during English, and I still watch them now occasionally on YouTube. They were done so beautifully, but I now that it wouldn't happen as its about quality. Its nice aswell watching them now as they're are actors in the plays that went on to do really well, and they also did Shakespeare previously. But I mean its just nice and funny to watch a young actor who is now a massive star.

I mean this is just a appreciation post for Shakespeare and why you should love Shakespeare, obviously I can't force people into liking something, but even if you don't like him, you should appreciate him. I'm gonna end this post with a quote from Hamlet.

"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”

—Hamlet in Hamlet

Favourite Movie Musicals

Last week I wrote my Favourite Biopics, this week I'm gonna write about my Favourite Movie Musicals. I say Movie because if I wrote about my favourite musicals, we'd be here forever, and plus Movie Musicals are slightly different to musicals on stage, completely different standard.

Sunshine on Leith

This musical is wonderful, the story is amazing I love the characters, and songs in mixed with the story, its a Jukebox musical where they use songs from, The Proclaimers. One of my favorite scenes is where Liz starts telling a story then she turns it into a song ('Over and Done with!') I love the Scottish vibe of it, its just a wonderful musical. It also got screened at Toronto Film Festival. Another of my favourite songs is 'I'm Gonna be (500 Miles) They way they did it, is so unique and wonderful. 

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Everyone knows this musical, but I was obsessed with this film for ages, I adore Magenta, she and Dr Frank N Furter are amazing, although with saying that everyone is amazing and completely owns there parts. I love that its such a cult movie aswell, where you see it being screened and people will dress up as the characters, and its wonderful how its this underdog thing where only theatrical people will take a part of it, but I love all the songs in it, every song you feel like you know all the words. Not to mention Tim Curry is such a talented actor.

Rent

This is a weird one, some people hate it and some people love it. I love it because again its this modern underground kinda thing. Its set in the 90s, its in New York you have lesbians, transgender woman, HIV. Its funny cus it was such a new concept back then, but now we don't see as a big deal. They had all the original cast from Broadway in the Film, which is very good as its done exactly the same just on Film. The songs are amazing, and with Idina Menzal its such an amazing musical, I love 'Take Me Baby Or Leave Me' 'La Vie Bohem' They're such amazing songs.

  

Singin In The Rain

Another musical I used to be obsessed with (and still secretly am) I honestly don't know anyone who hates this film. The dialogue is incredibly unique, the songs are beautiful annnnd it makes me want to do tap dancing! I love everyone in this film, its so witty! I love pretty much all the scenes with Lina and Don. I love all the songs in this film, they're all so catchy.

Meet Me In St Louis

This film is just beautiful, simply because it make Judy Garland look so grown up. Its also such a homey classic, kinda like how I feel when watching any Classic Old Hollywood Movie, thats a light Comedy or Musical. Its directed by Vincent Minnelli who pretty much is the king of directing classic musicals, The color is beautiful for 40s and even now. I just feel so warm and cosy watching this, and personally this is my favorite Judy Garland Film, like I love Wizard of Oz, I just feel like her Acting in this film was just amazing, and better than Wizard Of Oz as in that film. She's a girl and in this one she's a woman, and its completely different, but I love it.

Moulin Rouge

I love this film, its so beautiful and amazing. Just completely original, Not too mention the chemistry between Ewan Mcgregor, and Nicole Kidman is just beautiful. They have such beautiful voices aswell, and I love the eccentricity of the whole film. Baz Lurhman is one of my favourite directors, cus he really does pour his heart into it. Its so Theatrical, and whenever theres a party scene in any of his films, whether it be, this film or Romeo+Juliet, Great Gatsby you feel as an audience member feel as if although you're invited to that party. The songs they used in it are amazing and fit it well with the story. 

Annnnnd there are my favourite Movie Musicals so far. It will change of course.