Romeo and Juliet (1996)

We had to watch this in English class, i had already seen the movie many times before and found it fairly enjoyable. I don't see it as the best Baz Luhrman film (that's a toss up between Australia and Moulin Rouge - I don't like Strictly Ballroom as much as those), it's okay.

Bringing Shakespeare (words and all) into the modern day is hard and this movie certainly shows the strain. Quite simply it seemed like it was trying too hard to make people like it, if something is set in modern day many people wont want to listen to language from the late 1500s. But this is sort of like a charm for the film. I like to believe it plays out like a dream, the way it was shot, the surreal colour and modern setting coupled with Shakespearean language all seem so strange and imaginative that it can't be real.. A dream that many people want. Yes not everyone wants to die at the end but the whirl wind romance and dying for love is romance at it's finest. It looks and feels like a dream that is so distant from reality that it should  lose all cohesive meaning. But the meaning is still there.... it's strange, i know.

The acting wasn't revolutionary. I don't like Leonardo Di Caprio in a lot of things(What's eating Gilbert Grape is about the only thing i like him in because Titanic was boring), but i thought he was really good to look at in this and although the Shakespearean language sounds foreign coming from him, he at least is able to show real emotion for Juliet- Which is all we need from Romeo anyway. Most of the actors (except for the older cast members) sound like Di Caprio when they deliver their lines.

Claire Danes plays Juliet. I haven't seen her in many things, but i think she did great in this. In fact as far as acting goes in this movie she was probably the best. Her delivery seems more natural than Di Caprio's which is certainly obvious in the balcony scene. It's as though she reacts in much the same way a modern girl would react, only in different words. If that makes sense. In any case she was good.

Pete Postlethwaite plays Father Laurence and i just thought i'd say that i like the scenes with him the most. But then, he was good in everything.

Romeo and Juliet is timeless and without realizing it, we see movies following the same/similar plot all the time, i think it's safe to say that Romeo and Juliet is the most remade title in history. Shakespeare was a good writer, he had to have been to be create such a lasting story. However i think i like Hamlet the most because everyone dies. I'm morbid like that. West Side Story will forever be my favourite reworking of Romeo and Juliet but this comes a close second.

I have a sneaking suspicion that Shakespeare is also the most over-analysed writer in history. But that's another story. Maybe i just think that because i hate analyzing things for English because my teacher is overly pretentious.

"If love be rough with you, be rough with love. Prick love for pricking you and beat love down" Mercutio (Harold Perrineau), Romeo and Juliet.

My top 5 uses of Judy Garland songs in other shows/movies

After watching the Judy Garland biopic i have been inspired to write down my top 5 uses of her songs in other TV shows and movies. i think her songs were great especially the ones in her movies so that's why i'm writing this, because i like her music and movies.

5. Australia. (2008)
This movie has been treated unfairly and is highly underrated, i personally loved it and thought that while it wasn't a masterpiece it was certainly worth the watch. The film referenced The Wizard of Oz a lot and the use of Somewhere over the rainbow was practically mandatory. Nicole Kidman sings it to Nulla a young half cast boy who has just lost his mother. It was a nice scene and although Kidman's voice isn't the best ever it certainly suited the moment. The other times the song was used in the movie was when Nulla  plays it on the harmonica and when he see's the Wizard Of Oz at a theatre and looks wondrously at it. The movie isn't for everyone but it seems to prove that the song is. I couldn't find the scene from Australia in good quality so i got the original version from the Wizard of Oz instead.

4. House (2004-?)
This is the one that inspired the list. I admit i never really watched the show because it usually clashed with other shows that i liked more, however i took the time to watch Hugh Laurie's rendition of 'Get Happy' from Summer Stock (1950). it was twisted, looked awesome and Hugh Laurie can sing! He must play Henry Higgins in the remake of My Fair Lady. I loved it, but how could i not? It has to be one of the catchiest songs ever. Has to be. Trivia! Hugh Laurie played Vincent Minnelli in th Judy Garland Biopic i reviewed.

3.  Home Alone (1990)
'Have yourself a merry little Christmas' was used on the soundtrack only it was sung by Mel Torme and not Judy Garland.  i am not going to lie to you... i heard this version first. It came out 6 years before i was born and we happened to have it lying around the house so my brother and i watched it. Ever since then i have had a vivid memory of the song in my head and but it was never replaced by the Judy Garland version (damn you nostalgia!!!) Couldn't get the Home Alone version so i got the original from Meet Me In St Louis. Sorry the video is so long i couldn't find a shorter one.

2.  Glee (2009 - ?)
I like Glee, in fact i'd go so far as to say that i'm a gleek. I think it's over hyped and some episodes are better than others but overall i love the show. The duet between Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) was no short of amazing and really cool. I heard the song once or twice before i heard it on Glee but the show really reminded me why it was cool. The song was: Get Happy/ Happy Days Are Here Again, which was sung by Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand on the Judy Garland show back in the sixties. I have to ask though: what it is it with me and 'Get happy'?!

1. The Simpsons. (1989 - ?)
In a The Treehouse of Horror X Homer and Bart are on a spaceship headed for the sun, Rosie O'Donnell starts to break into song with everyone else (except Homer and Bart). Bart tells Homer: 'don't worry dad, we'll be dead in five minutes'. Homer answers: 'not fast enough!' and presses eject. The song in question was The Trolley Song from Meet Me In St Louis, undoubtedly THE catchiest song ever, i sing it all the time (it annoys me friends to know end). I think it's just awesome, even if Homer and Bart do not.

The shows/movie aren't really in order of how good they are but these are just my favourite uses of the songs put into random spots, if i missed any good ones feel free to tell me in the comments. I Just though i'd point out that i am a terrible writer and if some parts don't make sense tell me.

"if we can just get someone to pay you for scratching your butt we'll be on easy street" Bart Simpson (Nancy Cartwright), The Simpsons.