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Rishi
Reviews
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Clever, sappy
In this "historical" movie, Shakespeare is imagined as a young playwright in England falling in love with nobility, which prompts him to write Romeo and Juliet.
One of my favorite things about the movie were the references to Shakespeare's other plays and his time period. For example, when Shakespeare sits down in the psychiatrist's chairs, he's thinking about "words, words, words" (a reference to Hamlet). Also, Shakespeare talks to a young boy who loves blood and finds his name to be John Webster (writer of "The Duchess of Malfi" and other plays).
However, though the few references were quite clever, I didn't really feel there were enough of them. Though many of the jokes would be lost on a lot of the audience, fans of Shakespeare would really appreciate them.
Also, I think the movie shifted from being a clever period comedy with biting satire into a sappy love story and then leaves me with a mixed feeling at the end (in some ways, following the progression of Shakespeare's own plays.) Still, the sap does get a bit overwhelming at times. Rating: 7.
A Bug's Life (1998)
Cute, though predictable film
This film depicts ants locked in a mortal struggle with their oppressors, the grasshoppers.
The animation was superb, and probably the strongest part of the film. How often can you say that every frame in a movie is spectacular?
The acting was adequate. However, in many of the roles, it seemed as though better actors may have been available. Though I think Dave Foley and Julia Louis-Dreyfus are great actors, almost anyone could have been cast in their roles and done a solid job. Some performances were brilliant, such as Phyllis Diller as the queen and David Hyde Pierce as Slim, but for the most part, the acting was forgettable.
As for the plot, it was mostly predictable. There were a couple of interesting twists, such as the construction of a fake bird, but the story was extremely formulaic.
Still, the movie was worth seeing. Some classic moments, including false "outtakes" at the end with actors flubbing lines, etc. but overall, the movie was just solid with occasional flashes of brilliance. Rating: 6.