Shakespeare on Film
There have been countless film adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, many of them outstanding. My favorite is Laurence Olivier’s Richard III – Olivier produced and directed the film in addition to playing the part of Richard. It is available in The Criterion Collection’s library of great British films.
One aspect of Shakespeare’s greatness is his ability to depict evil. Macbeth shows a good and honorable man, corrupted by his ambitions, whose life spirals into evil. In contrast, Richard’s monologue in the opening scene of Richard III lays bare his malevolence. Richard orchestrates the destruction of every obstacle between himself and the throne, including the murder of his brother. Cunning and skilled, he reaches his goal, but he is gifted only to destroy, not to build or protect, and his life unravels towards a grisly end.
This is one of Olivier’s great dramatic roles; you can’t tear your eyes away from him when he is on the screen.
- Jack Jr.
Studio Ghibli Picks
In Tuesday’s post I included a story about legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki, arguably Japan’s Walt Disney. Studio Ghibli, which he helped found, has had a profound impact on some of the biggest names in American animation as well, particularly at Pixar. I really like Studio Ghibli movies and can’t recommend them highly enough. So, I thought I’d very briefly mention a few of their best.
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind predates Studio Ghibli, but is essentially considered a Ghibli film. Miyazaki went to great effort to get the movie made and it was released in 1984 to critical acclaim. My personal favorite, though it is a bit dated.
Princess Mononoke is probably the most famous Ghibli film and might be the best entry point if you’ve never watched one.
My Neighbor Totoro is one of my kids’ favorite movies. It’s pure childhood wonder. Some Ghibli films deal with heavy themes (like the two entries above) but this one is just delightful.
Spirited Away was released in 2001 and remained the highest grossing film in Japan until 2020. It also won the Academy Award for Best Animated Picture that year, and is considered one of the greatest films of all time. This one is really special.
Howl’s Moving Castle is strange, visually stunning, funny, and unexpectedly moving. In other words, it’s a Studio Ghibli movie. Another Hoey household favorite.
My final plea is that if you watch any of these, you watch them in the original Japanese. I know some people don’t like subtitles, but in my opinion something gets lost when you don’t watch a movie in its original language.
- Jack III