New on DVD: Much Ado About Nothing

Buffy Summers

Buffy Summers

Yataro
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By Katherine Monk, Jeff Heinrich

Much Ado About Nothing

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Two years ago, multimedia wunderkind Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Toy Story, The Avengers) spent two weeks at his family's swish Santa Monica home digitally shooting this modern adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy, in black and white. It's a delightful piece of ensemble cinema that preserves the play's dialogue but updates the dress and decor, including a nighttime pool party scene. Beatrice and Benedick, the sparring ex-lovers around whom the story revolves, are played by Texas-born TV star Amy Acker (Angel, Alias, Dollhouse) and polyglot bearded hunk Alexis Denisov (Buffy, Angel). Helpfully, there are English subtitles on the Lionsgate Blu-ray (also available on DVD), but Quebec francophones beware, no French ones, only Spanish. Extras include two commentary tracks with director and cast, a 22-minute making-of, a six-minute travelogue and a music video. JH

Source: Montreal Gazette
 
Bought it on my way home from work last night. Not so much in the way of extras on the UK release, apart from a few limited edition 'art cards', but I enjoyed the movie anyway, one of my favorites.
 
Buffy Summers said:
How visual is it? Is it worth getting it on Blu-Ray?
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I wouldn't say so, It's not like they had a massive budget so I can't imagine the camera was the best camera.

Plus it's in black and white, so I'd imagine that would take away from it.

It is quite a visual movie though, there's a lot of attention to the directing and shots so it might be worth it.
 
I tried to pick up a copy at lunch today at Best Buy, but they only had the Blu-Ray and I don't have a Blu-Ray player. So, I had to just buy the new Joan Jett CD and be satisfied with that.

Looks like I'll get Much Ado from Amazon. So much for trying to support brick-and-mortar stores.
 
I'm still in two minds whether to get this or not. I enjoyed it in the cinema and it was funny but, not sure I'd watch it over again.
 
Buying it, buying it, buying it... just finished it (was late to watch it cause I'm always leery of favorite plays/books being turned into movies) and I loved it. It was one of my biggest casting happy's ever to see Nathan Fillion as Dogberry and Reed Diamond as Don Pedro. Well done, Joss, well done. Can't wait to watch it again 😀
 
I just watched this this past week on Netflix.

Nathan and Tom cracked me up! As well as the scenes of Beatrice and Benedick trying to be stealthy!
 
Taake
Taake
ditto :)
Well finally watched it this evening with @nightshade ... we had giggles, serious bits, expectant deaths, and concentration!!

Can't speak for @nightshade, but I loved it and will watch it again 🙂 I enjoyed it better than I expected to to be honest.
 
nightshade
nightshade
I'll watch it again, but might be a while, or be more awake!
I love Joss and I love Shakespeare but I keep putting it off. I think it is one of those things that I have to be in the correct headspace for. It is also on Netflix as well so will give it a whirl at some point.
 
Faith said:
I love Joss and I love Shakespeare but I keep putting it off. I think it is one of those things that I have to be in the correct headspace for. It is also on Netflix as well so will give it a whirl at some point.
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I did the same. I put it off for ages, partly because I wasn't in the right headspace and partly out of fear of what it would be - I mean combining two things you love should equal awesomeness but lets face it... that doesn't always happen.

When I finally saw it I loved it so much! I hope you do too but I do think it's a good idea to wait for the right mood, that really makes a difference. 🙂
 
Honestly, I have a hard time understanding the Shakespeare language so I didn't completely follow everything in this film, but I kept watching it because of the parts with Amy and Alexis. so I didn't hate it.
 
I love Much Ado About Nothing! (Never seen the Joss interpretation, but I was part of a theatre class when I was in my late teens and I got to play Hero) One of my favorite Shakespeare plays.
 
I was so afraid of watching this because of how horrible Shakespeare adaption can be, how much I love this play, and how much I like people involved with this. I got the bluray and I think it was worth it. I was afraid I'd see Fred and Wesley while watching, but they sold their parts, in my opinion. It was Benedick and Beatrice. I was very pleased with the outcome, especially the little things that can make or break a performance.
 
Yeah think Josh did a really good job with this and the casting was great too. I just love that he did this so fast in his down time from Avengers too.
 
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