I decided not to compare an extremely modern film such as Hawke or Tennant's with Olivier's because I think that the Hawke and Tennant versions was too big of a stretch (as I do not think it is an accurate representation of what Shakespeare would want) and Olivier's for me is not appealing because I think the relationship between Gertrude and Hamlet is taken too far, as they are seen making out!  While I know the director of the Olivier version is attempting to illustrate the extremely close and intimate relationship between the mother and son, it seems extravagant.  Also, I personally am not a fan of black and white films, as films with color allow an audience to truly see the emotion that an actor attempts to display.

Second Hamlet film post:  I think that in my essay I will focus on the Jacobi and Branagh versions of the film.  I think that these will make for an interesting essay because they can easily be contrasted.  Jacobi's version is plain and simple, with a dark castle setting.  On the other hand, Branagh's version has a bright court wedding setting, with bright red and white outfits.  Jacobi's is older, while Branagh's is relatively more modern.  Also, I think that the acting in both films is fantastic, but with a few twists.  In Jacobi's version, Gertrude is hostile and less submissive and Hamlet is aggressive and sarcastic in his facials expressions and tone.  Also, both films depict Claudius as a man trying to teach Hamlet a lesson about grief and death.  He is putting on a show in both.  Also, the symbolism in Branagh is great, as Hamlet is the only character wearing black in the wedding scene, which shows that he is far from ready to move on from his father's tragic death.

First Hamlet film post:

Wow,  there is a huge difference between reading Hamlet aloud in class and watching it on a screen!  Now, I can see how directors envision the individual scenes looking, what emotions they want the actors to show, and how they want the audience to perceive the characters.  What I found most interesting, was how the Ethan Hawke and David Tennant films were modern.  Hawke's setting was in a city and involved computers, while in Tennant's film, we saw his monologue through a security camera.  I think that if the modernization of Hamlet will attract a younger audience, then by all means directors should so so.

Wrap up post for Hamlet:

Well, that escalated quickly.  Hamlet dies by means of Laertes' sword and Laertes by means of Hamlet's sword.  Gertrude dies by drinking the poisoned wine cup in which Claudius intended for Hamlet to drink out of.  Claudius dies by Hamlet making him drink out of the poisoned cup and then subsequently stabs him.  Claudius' death is fitting for a man who stirred up so much commotion in which there was no real need for.  What I found most intriguing is that Claudius lied even when about to die.  He claimed that Gertrude fainted from the sight of blood on the ground from the fight between Hamlet and Laertes.  I guess the saying that when someone dies, they reveal their true colors is correct after all.

11/13 blog post:

The final scene has arrived.  Claudius has arranged an array of ways he could kill Hamlet.  If he wins the fencing match with Laertes, Claudius will slip poison in the shape of a pearl in his celebratory wine cup, and he also has arranged for Laertes to receive a sword that has not been "filed" down.  It seems only fitting that after Hamlet wounds Laertes, he reveals his plan with Claudius to kill him (Hamlet), and then Hamlet FINALLY kills the cold blooded murderer of his father, Claudius.  However, with all of this violence, three innocent lives have been taken: Ophelia, Polonius, and Gertrude.  Ophelia potentially killed herself due to Hamlet's murder of her father Polonius and Hamlet's poor treatment of her(even though he loved her more than 40,000 brothers combined, he had to keep his cover of not being sane).  Gertrude's death lays completely on Claudius' shoulder, although in the best case scenario, Gertrude lives on to carry the family legacy and preside over Denmark.  Even Hamlet got what he deserved in this play, DEATH, and a painful one at that.

Veteran's Day Weekend post:  

I am excited to see ow the play is turning out, as things are developing quite rapidly.  Hamlet has returned from his "death voyage" to England, much to the surprise of Claudius who ordered Rosencrantz and Guildenstern to behead him.  Also, Laertes has returned from his adventures in France and is enraged to hear about his father's death and how he was not given a proper burial.  He storms the Claudius' castle, only to be manipulated in to eliminating his father's killer himself, Hamlet.  Also, due to the unexpected passing of her father, Ophelia either drowned by accident in a pond or committed suicide.  I am interested to see which side Laertes will take, as his current side (Claudius' side) is the side of evil.  Also, Gertrude is slowly but surely distancing herself from the king at Hamlet's orders, yet will she listen to him?

11/7 blog post:

It is official, Hamlet, driven by his stepfather, has gone mad!  The exchange he had with his mother was quite intense!  I was quite surprised that Hamlet not only killed Polonius (who he referred to as a "rat"), but that he did not kill the Claudius when he was praying.  It seems that Hamlet will in fact go to hell, so why worry about his fate?  Also, after months and month of anguish building up in Hamlet's head, he finally speaks his mind.  He consistently references his mother's sexual behavior (which is quite disturbing) and criticizes her for hastily marrying her former husband's brother and that she has ashamed him.  However, it seems that Hamlet now has Gertrude on his side and will not stop his pursuit of revenge against Claudius for the cold blooded murder of Hamlet Sr.

11/6 blog post:

I am excited to see how the play is going to end, even though we have three acts to go.  I think that by playing "mad" to keep his cover, Hamlet is slowly starting to become a bit crazy himself.  How can Hamlet possibly expose his father's murderer?  As stated by Claudius' "yes men" Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, the public would sigh a deep sigh if he were to somehow abandon his post.  Perhaps this is a foreshadow of the evil king's death in the end.  This would be the ideal ending, as the evil would be substituted for the good, the unintended heir ceding the throne to the correct heir to the throne.  Also, I am curious to see how Hamlet's relationship with Ophelia plays out, as Hamlet has to keep his cover, but yet not wanting to drive her too far away.