If you’re a fan of Othello, Stage Matters has a series of film reviews looking at all the classic interpretations of the Moor, including Olivier, Wells, Laurence Fishburne (possibly included because of Branagh’s Iago), and even a BBC version with Anthony Hopkins that includes an Olivier anecdote.  The review, that is, not the film itself.

http://mikeymike.vox.com/library/post/shakespeare-music.html Everybody on this blog by now knows that I’m teaching my kids to memorize Shakespeare by singing it.  Now I’ve got a book to point to that says why that may indeed work better :).  “Music, Language and the Brain” specifically cites Shakespeare for his “wonderfully talented use of rhythm, imagery and auditory patterns.”

I just received an email that Studio 360, a public radio show hosted by Kurt Andersen, will be doing a bit on Hamlet this weekend (Nov 23).    The subject of the piece is actor Scott Shepherd and his experimental “duet” with Richard Burton’s Hamlet in the 1964 film. The show is also available as podcast, which is why it hit my radar to begin with.  In general I’m unfamiliar with the show.  Any fans out there?  Should I be subscribed?  Do they normally do Shakespeare sorts of things?

Many a high school essay has been written on the subject of revenge in Hamlet.   The boy spends the entire play waffling on the subject, and even at the end of the play it’s questionable whether he avenged his dad at all. Has much been written on Hamlet’s revenge of his mother’s death?  She’s poisoned, and he springs into action instantly, going so far as to kill the king right in front of everybody. What’s that say about his relationship to his parents?  He is the good son.  He does the right thing, as far as the revenge thing goes.  He’s just motivated to do it for his mom, but not his dad.  I”m just saying.

http://thewomandirector.podbean.com/2007/11/09/ophelia-learns-to-swim-trailer/ Naturally the title caught my eye.  The film in question is a comedy from director Jurgen Vsych (The Woman Director) and starring Julia Lee (Buffy The Vampire Slayer), now available on DVD.  From IMDB:  A wimpy girl turns Superheroine when she joins bankrupt Mother Nature, The Librarian & the Chocolatier to battle wealthy villains Virginia Svelte, Cosmetic Chick & The Doucher. It apparently has little to do with Shakespeare other than the title.  I do see a character named Hamlet, and “Ophelia’s Dad” is not listed as Polonius.  There’s no Shakespeare in the trailer.  But who knows, maybe it sounds interesting to somebody out there.  Or maybe it’s going to catch your eye like it did mine and you’re wondering if there’s a Shakespeare connection.