This was a great entry, John. The insight into “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern” really puts things in perspective for me (pun intended) in regards to some recent role-playing events in which I’ve been involved.

I got very tired of trying to defend the originality of it’s take on it, and how well I thought they did. And yes, Mercutio rocked.

Oooh, did you know Claire Danes is our kind of people? She did the intro to one of Neil Gaimens’ Sandman graphic novels back in the day, I think it was ‘The Doll House’.

At the time, it was pretty surprising to me, in a ‘wow a beautiful Hollywood actress who enjoys Sandman and isn’t afraid to admit it, damn’ kind of way.

Why am I not surprised that you like Moonlighting BBB. Hmm, can’t see much use for a bee form though.

Shakespeare, in all its guises, is fundamentally about people. He was the finest character writer the world has ever seen imho and his observations were written with an elegance that we seem to have lost in our modern age. A fine source of inspiration for anything with MMO in the title. However, I would much rather have Falstaff or Bottom as my role model than the tortured prince of Denmark!

I have been fortunate in that I have lived in both Stratford-upon-Avon and London and have therefore been able to see many of his plays performed live. This is without doubt, the best way to see Shakespeare, as it was originally intended, as entertainment for the washed and unwashed masses. If you ever get the chance to see a play at the new Globe theatre it really should not be missed!

Also, I second the mention of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo & Juliet. A stunning film which, while coming under the category of a modern interpretation, is completely faithful to the original play. It also features Harrold Perinneau (of Lost Fame) as a cross-dressing Mercutio. Pure genius :)

I’ll certainly pick up R&G are Dead but Mel Gibson…as Hamlet? It boggles the mind.

P.S. First comment, but long time reader. Great blog and keep up the good work!

Rosencrantz and Guildernstern are dead is a fantastic play, and film as well. (First time I saw it was being performed by our high school theatre class, and… I’m biased. It was wonderful. I actually like parts of it better than the movie.) Verbal tennis is still one of my favorite scenes.

Heads, by the way.

I do like the connection you made to the roleplaying scene, and it’s true. One doesn’t have to play a big role in the pre-existing story, but could take a small, insignificant role that comes out to something large, in itself. A very good point you’ve made, BBB!

Then you throw in the best Moonlighting episode at the end. Sweet.

My point was that there some incredibly over the top ways some movies or plays I’ve seen have shown actors delivering their lines, notably the hammy Hamlet in R&G Are Dead, who has to have one of the funniest “I’m an actor overacting Hamlet” delivery of lines I’ve ever heard.

And in Mel’s Hamlet, I felt that the very natural delivery of some seriously difficult dialogue was remarkable.

Hmmm, I see my Netflix list is growing today, woot!