Cameron H.

I remember that on the DVD release of this there was a deleted scene explaining the mistaken identity scene, so this is quite possible.

The gang derided this movie, and other Shakespeare adaptations set out of their historical context, but lauded Branagh's Hamlet. I just wanted to point out that Branagh's version of Hamlet also updated the time period of the play from some time in the Middle Ages to the 19th Century -- so it wasn't exactly period appropriate either. And while I didn't have a problem with Branagh's age in this movie, I would point out that my Film Lit Professor hated Branagh's Hamlet specifically because he felt like Branagh was too old for the role -- which I don't necessarily disagree with. Also, Kevin Kline has done two Shakespeare film adaptations: A Midsummer's Night Dream and As You Like It. I'm not sure which movie Jason was thinking of as both are comedies. A Midsummer's Night Dream came out around the time as Much Ado, but As You Like It was directed by Branagh.

I actually didn't re-watch the movie for this episode as I've watched it numerous time, and I'm pretty well-versed in it. For me, Love's Labour's Lost makes sense in the overall scope of what Branagh was doing at the time. It was mentioned in the episode, that Branagh thought of himself as "the guy" to update Shakespeare for this generation. The idea was to make Shakespeare's plays more accessible to your average viewer, that they weren't just dusty old words in a text book, but vibrant stories that encapsulated a full range of genres. Branagh was pointing out that Shakespeare wasn't writing for the educated elite, but for the commoners. He was making commercial entertainment for the masses that had more in common with Michael Bay, Nora Ephron, and Mel Brooks than Ingmar Bergman. Branagh's illustrates this throughout his career. He started out making Henry V, an action movie. He then moved on to Much Ado About Nothing, a Rom-Com. Afterward, he did a grand, historical epic with Hamlet. Love's Labour's Lost is Branagh showing Shakespeare doing screwball comedy. It's supposed to be closer to Bringing Up Baby, than Macbeth. It's not meant to have much of a plot. It's pure farce. There's no deeper meaning to it.

Me trying to enjoy this episode as they criticize a film I genuinely enjoy:

Slip into the past for some Modern Love. We watched:

Is Andrew Lloyd Webber a thief? Are cats human sized? These questions and more are answered on this week’s mini! Paul offers up advice on the Help Line, goes through Corrections and Omissions from Cats, and announces next week’s movie. Get tix for upcoming live-streamed shows and listen to the Transformers For Charity episode over at https://www.hdtgminfo.com/ Subscribe to Unspooled with Paul Scheer and Amy Nicholson here: http://www.earwolf.com/show/unspooled/ Check out The Jane Club over at www.janeclub.com Check out new HDTGM merch over at https://www.teepubli…wdidthisgetmade Where to Find Jason, June & Paul: @PaulScheer on Instagram & Twitter @Junediane on IG and @MsJuneDiane on Twitter Jason is Not on Twitter

To clarify, I think the ending is meant to be a huge bummer, so if they wanted to give Jackson some kind of a happy ending, they would have. There would have been a picture or a woman with him at the end. The feeling I get from the end of the movie is that this was the first time he had left America since he was discharged.

I...don’t think so.

Because canonically he’s from Nebraska!!! It’s integral to his character!

I think this would work better for me on a second watch. "Modern Love" was introduced kind of gradually, so when it kicked in, I was ready for it. When the first slide on the guitar hits for "Free as a Bird" hit, I found it pretty jarring. If I knew it was coming, though, I think I would appreciate it more.

One of my favorite bits was the moment where the dudes are in the tent and one of them is like, "Don't talk about the food you want to eat or about your past, otherwise you'll be the first to die." Then they all proceed to do just that and are immediately killed. I like meta moments like that. The entirety of Saving Private Ryan can be mapped out this way.

I have to agree, especially when so much of it relies on knowledge of Shakespeare. Like, as a writer, Shakespeare's pretty unassailable. So, really, that just leaves the actual filmmaking and casting, and, meh, I don't hate either in this case. I'm not saying it's my favorite Shakespeare adaptation ever, but it's certainly not HDTGM, Garbage Pail Kids/The Peanut Butter Solution terrible or anything. Personally, I found it to be pretty ballsy of both Branagh and the actors to stretch outside of their comfort zones. Overall, I think it works.

I didn’t hate the Gibson Hamlet as much as I thought I would. I heard about Hawke’s Cymbeline about a year ago. From the description, it seems to be about a Son’s of Anarchy type motorcycle gang. I’m curious.

Unsurprised. We talked about this movie a while ago in our Musical Mondays thread. When I was in college, also an English major (*high five*) a theater major friend of mine introduced me to it. As I recall, her feelings about it were mixed. Personally, I have always enjoyed it. I don’t think it’s supposed to be a highly polished movie or anything, just Branagh having fun after his exhaustive production of Hamlet. I find its flaws charming rather than detrimental.

I believe it was @EvRobert. And you’re right. The answer is always Rockula.

I haven't listened to the mini-episode, but I just learned what next week's movie is and I am outraged! I love Love's Labour's Lost!

This is a really cool idea!

Does everyone want to share their cat name? I’m Piddledimple the Literary Cat.

I said something similar in my Letterboxd review. I feel like this movie would have been better with either practical costumes (like the stage show) or been a full on CG animated movie. Like, you’re watching this movie for the dancing, and ultimately, even the real stuff looks fake.

Yeah, I think Phantom would definitely fall into “Thank God this Got Made” territory.

While I respect that Jason doesn't like Musical, here are three suggestions that HDTGM should honestly cover: (Because it's gross and I think it would blow Jason and June's minds.) (A Cannon film and all that entails) (A legitmately amazing cult classic)

Cool!

How about Wednesday at 6? Is that cool?