16 episodes
As We Like It Jonathan Cox, Aven McMaster, and Mark Sundaram
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- TV & Film
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4.3 • 4 Ratings
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Examining film adaptations of Shakespeare movie by movie
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Episode 16: Michael Almereyda's Cymbeline
We review Ethan Hawke & Ed Harris's Cymbeline (2014), a movie that wasn't well received when it came out, but may offer interesting insights into the Shakespearean play it adapts. Is it a flat production of a poor play, as many critics said, or a philosophically coherent interpretation of work that offers us surprisingly existential insights into the violence of the modern world? Join us as we work through our reactions to this sometimes perplexing movie.
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Episode 15: Charlton Heston's Antony & Cleopatra
We discuss Heston's Antony, how little his Cleopatra gets to say, and the perils of rewording Shakespeare's text. And then we speculate about our dream casting for Antony & Cleopatra: who could be the power couple among current actors? Suggestions welcome!
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Episode 14: Westside Story
We discuss the classic musical adaptation of Romeo & Juliet, and how the music of Bernstein & the lyrics of Sondheim transform Shakespeare's play and its message.
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Episode 13: Slings & Arrows, Season 1 (Hamlet)
Aven & Mark introduce John to their favourite tv show about Shakespeare, Slings & Arrows. They discuss how it casts new light on Hamlet as a play and as a cultural force, its commentary on art and commercialism, Canada/US relations, and our connections to death--all while revelling in its deliciously funny dialogue.
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Episode 12: Zeffirelli's Romeo & Juliet
All four co-hosts convene to discuss the classic Zeffirelli version of Romeo & Juliet, with its young co-stars, beautiful architecture, lush scenery and costuming, and evocative score. Jon, Aven, Mark & John elaborate on the cuts to the text, the emphasis on the political threat of the feuding families, the ridiculousness of considering this a love story to be emulated, and the developments in cinematography and editing evident in this iconic movie.
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Episode 11: Kenneth Branagh's Hamlet
After a longer than usual break, we return with a longer than usual movie--and episode! John Kelly joins Aven and Mark to discuss this lavish, star-studded, and unabridged version of Hamlet. What is gained by filming the entire text? How does it enrich our understanding of Hamlet's character -- and does it make us like him more or less?
Customer Reviews
Great premise with lots of varied mileage
I've enjoyed this podcast for a year now. The varied perspectives on film and the texts is good, and the wide array of adaptations (from traditional to musical, from teen comedy to opera) gives a nice variety.
I have never wanted to jump through my iPod and join in the discussion more than during the most recent West Side Story episode.
I also want to thank Aven and Mark for introducing me to Slings & Arrows. We had it at my local library and I have binged the first two seasons.
I look forward to whatever episodes are to come (keep hoping for Peter Brooks' King Lear). The only flaw in this show is the wait between episodes.
Redundant, Shallow
The Branagh Hamlet discussion revealed the possibility that some of the commentators don't know much about Shakespeare. Give it a listen, you'll see. The Shakespeare-related knowledge level of the loquacious gentleman on the phone seemed particularly shallow.
For the Fassbender Macbeth, all we really hear, over and again, is that the poetry is missing. Unaccountably, none of the commentators had any opinion about the presence of the dead baby or the significance of Lady Macbeth witnessing the murders, which, among Macbeth films, is unique. One commentator admitted he had never seen a theatrical production of Macbeth.
I wondered why I was listening.