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Joss Whedon's Much Ado About Nothing
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Wasn't expecting him to do this but Joss Whedon is writing and directing an adaptation of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing starring his Firefly/Serenity actors Nathan Fillion (Mal Reynolds) and Sean Maher (Simon Tam).
Should be interesting.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2094064/
Should be interesting.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2094064/
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I think I'd watch this just for the people involced.
Haven't seen the Buffy/Angel series which is why I didn't tag them should do though seeing as I like everything else Whedon has done.
I can't wait to see this.
Conversely to the last poster, I always found it to be one of Shakespeare's most engaging plays - some great comic moments alongside the darker love story. It's fair to say it's a simple story, and the principe story hangs on a rather unlikely plot development (from a logical point of view), but I wouldn't call it one of his lesser plays at all.
Gah, I'm so envious, I missed out on tickets to that and was absolutely gutted. I'm looking forward to the film a ridiculous amount. Probably my two favourite worlds colliding in Whedon and Shakespeare
Yeah, I'm really lucky to have a friend who has the happy knack of most always managing to get tickets to things like this, how he does it I do not know! I saw the Joss Whedon q&e tickets come and go in seconds before I could even log in lol!
I'm guessing I will have to wait until its on DVD
Whedon's more of a cult figure, he's not actually that famous. But he is doing shit loads of publicity over here...
The Daily Mail review says "Whedon’s new version of Much Ado — which has its UK premiere today — is charming, funny and wonderfully entertaining. It even appeals to those who would normally reach for their gun at the mention of Shakespeare."
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2339295/Much-Ado-About-Nothing-Chris-Tookey-explains-certain-hit.html
So it might be quite fun!:)
Having read some reviews including this one I might see this film, if at least when it comes out on DVD. Though I wasn't massively keen on The Avengers I do like Joss Whedon as a writer.
Here's a full list of where it is screening, maybe there is somewhere near you Motthus.
http://muchadofilm.co.uk/in-cinemas/
The most impressive element of this adaptation is how Whedon has managed to bring something fresh and new to a story that has been told and retold many times down the years while still staying true to the source of material.
While Branaghs adaptation was impressive for the scale and ambition that he bought to the piece, Whedon takes is more intimate and personal, but equally accomplished, approach (if not slightly more so, due to being more innovative).
I think what helps is that Whedon has always been terrifically gifted when it comes to characterisation, and this helps to ensure that even less prominent characters feel quite well fleshed out.
In particular, the comedic elements to the story are triumph, the use of body language and non-verbal communication to convey thoughts and action in certain scenes was particularly impressive, with special props to Alexis Denisof, who makes for a wonderful Benedick.
The casting is nearly all around perfect, however one niggle for me is around the casting of Conrade - it's an interesting twist but not wholly successful, the first scene aside.
I'd also suggest that at times the comedy is almost too effective in so much as it rather overshadows some of the darker elements to the story.
However, these are fairly minor niggles,and I can safely say this is going to feature pretty high up in my own personal film of the year list
9/10
So the q&e - it was great fun, Whedon remains such a down to earth and relatable guy who will happily poke fun at himself. He is also honest and upfront about the frustration he has had with production companies, Fox in particular.
There was a really charming moment at the end which we have been politely been asked not to elaborate on, but no doubt the video of said moment will be out there eventually, till then my lips are sealed
I'm not usually interested in Shakespeare but I like the look of this. If anyone can make The Bad accessible then Joss can.
I just love the idea of him continuing to make these low budget films with his Repertory Company of regular actors alongside his blockbusters - although the review in the Independent called them a "cast of unknowns"!
I chortled at that line, too.
Much Ado is a very good way for Joss to start doing these films. It's one of Shakespeare's more accessible and enjoyable plays, IMHO.