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Much Ado About Nothing [1993]

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Richard Briers, Michael Keaton, Robert Sean Leonard, Keanu Reeves
directed by: Kenneth Branagh

May 21, 1999
Flicking through my recommendations on Amazon today I came across this. Well I bought it when it first came out on DVD so thought I would add my voice to those other reviews about the quality. I won't say to much about the film. For me it was very, very enjoyable. Well acted (a pleasure to see so many British stars mixed with those from across the pond), well directed (the scene where Beatrice and Benedict are 'captured' by the trap is superb), with good music and wonderful scenery.

Such a shame then that the DVD is so sloppily put together. In Mono only! No scene selection. No 'making of'. No directors' comments. Surely the time has come for a new edition?

I have most of Kenneth Branagh's work and enjoyed ... Read More:

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Henry V [1989]

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Paul Scofield, Judi Dench, Emma Thompson
directed by: Kenneth Branagh

June 17, 2002
Shakespeare's Henry V is lavish, poetic and dramatic. The plot is simple: Young Henry V lays claim to the French throne and invades France to claim it. The rag tag English army make their way through France conquering city after city. On their way to Calais, they are met by superior, better equipped and better trained French army at Agincourt.

The English, aware of their inferior numbers and training, begin to despair. Henry V, the leader that he is, inspires his men in the famous words:

If we are marked to die
We are enough to do our country loss
And if [we are] to live the few men the greater share of honour
God's will I pray thee wish not one man more
He who outlives this day will stand a-tiptoe ... Read More:

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Mary Shelley's Frankenstein [1994]

starring: Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham-Carter, Aidan Quinn
directed by: Kenneth Branagh

March 08, 2004
This is an awful adaptation. It bastardizes the essence of Shelley's novel. While the novel nurtures a moral dilemma at its heart, this destroys it. (This cannot be demonstrated better than when the monster rips out Elizabeth's heart, serving as an apt metaphor for the film ripping out the heart of the text). The sympathy for the monster which Shelley really draws on is completely undercut in the film by the monster's portrayal as a cold blooded murderer wanting an unjustified amount of revenge...it ignores the reasons behind his sadness, ignoring the carefully crafted manipulation which Shelley plays with the reader's own preconceived ideas.
Among the monstrosities are the changing of the monster's final speech when Victor had died, which should have been ... Read More:

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Love's Labour's Lost [2000]

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Geraldine McEwan, Emily Mortimer, Richard Briers, Carmen Ejogo
directed by: Kenneth Branagh

September 11, 2000
I thought this was just good fun, as did my girlfriend. I'm neither an expert on Shakespeare or on dancing, but this obviously does not appeal to the purists so I'm expecting to get unhelpful votes. But what is so wrong with some experimentation especially if it gets people involved in Shakespeare. I thought the cast danced and sung well enough. However, I am biased as I really like Cole Porter songs and anything to do with the 1930's,

I would agree though that the actor playing the King was a bit limp, and Branagh would have been better cast in that role.

Some of the comedy was on the slapstick side and a bit clumsy but hardly dull.

I liked the way the war footage was spliced in at the end.

You might not like this if you want ... Read More:

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Rabbit Proof Fence [2002]

starring: Everlyn Sampi, Tianna Sansbury, Laura Monaghan, David Gulpilil, Ningali Lawford
directed by: Phillip Noyce

September 15, 2003
after having watched the new Australian PM say "sorry" to Native Australians juxtaposed with a new (white) Australian saying "sorry?they should be thanking us for giving them schools and education etc" I rented this with the expectation of obtaining an understanding of the policies employed and the emotions involved from 'real' australians. I can only echo a previous comment that this falls a bit flat and seems a bit of a'cop out'. i can understand viewers empathy but there was not, for me, the huge emotional involvement in the characters that I expected.All in all a disappointment although i'm sure there is a fantastic film in these stories if someone has the time to portray this abhorrent reality properly. By the way,in my (limited)experience the attitude of the white australian quoted ... Read More:

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Hamlet (2 Disc Special Edition)

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Julie Christie, Billy Crystal, Gerard Depardieu, Charlton Heston
directed by: Kenneth Branagh

September 24, 2007
This is a Shakespeare play about the prince of Denmark and tragedy surrounding the family. Many people want to say the prince Hamlet is indecision yet he outmaneuvers just about everyone and has depth of vision. Now watch as Hamlet discovers who killed the king, his father, and how he attempts to get his revenge.

The only negative thing I could think of this Kenneth Branagh interpretation is the costume period is not what I was brought up on in the other versions and books. Jack Lemmon was sort of a distraction.

Now that being said, I never knew how good Hamlet could be until I saw the Kenneth Branagh version. For some reason I never noticed the missing dialog in the other versions until I was treated to the complete dialog in this version. The filled in parts give the ... Read More:

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Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets [HD DVD] [2002]

starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Maggie Smith, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh
directed by: Chris Columbus

November 12, 2007
This is a Shakespeare play about the prince of Denmark and tragedy surrounding the family. Many people want to say the prince Hamlet is indecision yet he outmaneuvers just about everyone and has depth of vision. Now watch as Hamlet discovers who killed the king, his father, and how he attempts to get his revenge.

The only negative thing I could think of this Kenneth Branagh interpretation is the costume period is not what I was brought up on in the other versions and books. Jack Lemmon was sort of a distraction.

Now that being said, I never knew how good Hamlet could be until I saw the Kenneth Branagh version. For some reason I never noticed the missing dialog in the other versions until I was treated to the complete dialog in this version. The filled in parts give the ... Read More:

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Walking With Dinosaurs : Complete BBC Series [1999]

starring: Kenneth Branagh, André Dussollier, Avery Brooks, Resa Karim
directed by: Jasper James, Tim Haines

May 15, 2000
I watched this series on TV when it came out and remembered it as an enjoyable documentary series with CGI dinosaurs and landscapes that looked very real. I recently wanted to get something that would interest my young children so I bought this DVD. My decision has turned out a very good one as "my brood" is completely hooked on dinosaurs and want to watch the series over and over again. It has also prompted me to read up more on some of the different species. There appears to be some controversy over size of the different dinosaurs, such as Liopleurodon, but that's not a really big deal for casual enthusiasts like myself. Therefore it is highly recommended for people of similar background in the subject.

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Peter's Friends [1992]

starring: Kenneth Branagh, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Emma Thompson, Phyllida Law
directed by: Kenneth Branagh

November 19, 2001
I have seen this film once and it was one time too many. Sure it is well acted and there are some fine performances, but it is utterly depressing and without hope.

The characters seem embroiled in a sense of impending doom and whilst I do not ask for happy clappy Disney traits in all films, this one lack anything of note. It is not funny in any way shape or form and should be avoided at all costs.

If you like Stephen Fry, buy the Blackadder series or a Bit of Fry and Laurie.

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Wild Wild West (widescreen version) [1999]

starring: Will Smith, Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Salma Hayek, M. Emmet Walsh
directed by: Barry Sonnenfeld

February 21, 2000
When I was a kid I loved the original tv series. It used to be shown very late at night on what was then I.T.V. However, this awful travesty of a film is an insult to me and the thousands of other fans across the globe of the original tv show. It completely lacks the charm, humor and heart of the old show, that if you know anything about it, was created every week by writers, cast and crew that truly loved what they were doing. If you want to know the true and horrifying origin of this celluloid debacle check out the dvd of AN EVENING WITH KEVIN SMITH VOLUME 1. Your jaw will drop!