Movie Review for Hamlet 2 (2008)
Movie Everyday - 30th Aug 2008
Andrew Fleming: Click Poster to Purchasedigg_url = 'http://movieEVERYday.blogspot.com/2008/08/movie-review-for-hamlet-2-2008.html';Review #675 of 365Movie Review of Hamlet 2 (2008) [R] 92 minutesWIP™ Scale: $12.50Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, COWhen Seen: 22 August 2008 @ 5:10 pmDVD Release Date: Unscheduled (please check back)Throughout the Credits: scenes of Hamlet 2 opening on BroadwaySoundtrack: Download now from - or - order the CD belowDirected by:
Andrew Fleming (Nancy Drew)Written by: Pam Brady (Hot Rod) •
Andrew Fleming (Nancy Drew)Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Steve Coogan (Tropic Thunder) •
Catherine Keener (Into the Wild) • Joseph Julian Soria (Saturday Night Special ) • Skylar Astin (debut) • Phoebe Strole (Descent) •
Melonie Diaz (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints) • Arnie Pantoja (Sydney White) • Michael Esparza ( I Know Who Killed Me) • Natalie Amenula (The Virgin of Juarez) • Marshall Bell (The Astronaut Farmer) •
David Arquette ("In Case of Emergency") •
Elisabeth Shue (Gracie) review lite• website• trailer• premiere photos• spoiler• 2cOrNot2c? In the scheme of things, normally, it's a bit easier to rate a comedy on its success of being comedic or a drama being dramatic. Holy moly, though, properly reviewing Hamlet 2 proves nearly impossible. Is it an outrageous farce with a deep and ironic message or is it trying to be a dramatic portrait of the human condition of an artist that's funny due to its irony? Maybe it's both, maybe it's neither. Possibly only co-writers Pam Brady and
Andrew Fleming know for sure. The story is broken up in to acts, like the play. In the first, via voice over and scene director
Andrew Fleming introduces the main character, former television commercial actor Dana Marschz (
Steve Coogan), who's the most hapless film character since Napoleon Dynamite. Despite trying for month, Dana cannot seem to connect the dots in getting his spouse, Brie (
Catherine Keener) pregnant. With money tight due to their subsistence on his high school drama teacher's salary, they take in a boarder,
Gary (
David Arquette) who doesn't say much. With no money for a new car, Dana roller skates to school. On the first day of the new term, he finds his class has fallen victim to school board cuts of other art electives, causing a sudden flooding of his class wit students. This is a huge disappoint to Rand (Skylar Astin) and Epiphany (Phoebe Strole) who've been the leads in every single one of Marschz's film to stage adaptations the most recent of which was Erin Brockovich”poorly reviewed by the 12-year old, high school, stage critic. These two things, the scathing review and the newly packed class eventually inspires Dana to worker harder at getting Brie pregnant and to write his own original musical. The result of his efforts is a rock musical called "Hamlet 2" and is, go figure, a sequel to Shakespeare's play. Not to worry, Brie asked him too, "Doesn't everyone die at the end of Hamlet?" To which he replies with the enthusiasm of cage separated, hormonally induced, gravid frogs, "I have a device." Of course, "Hamlet 2" turns out to be an impossibly challenging musical endeavor with the main song having been called "Rock Me Sexy Jesus"”it would take too long to explain that part--among other controversial consequences. …Hamlet 2 truly artistically great or just art for art's sake for Pete's sake? Through the process of attempting to ready his class to perform it, Rand has issues with the way Laertes has been written, but mostly the way that a new comer has been cast in the expanding role of Octavio (Joseph Julian Soria), Epiphany learns alternatives to the expression "you people" and Brie turns up pregnant at last”the latter only after a visit to the fertility clinic now staffed by the fed-up-with-Hollywood nurse Elizabeth
Shue (Elizabeth
Shue). The climax of the film coincides with the climax of the class performance of "Hamlet 2"0--a raucous musical number--and, probably, the one instructively brilliant part of the film. Final analysis posits and obvious paradoxical question: is Hamlet 2's "Hamlet 2" truly artistically great or is it just art for art's sake for Pete's sake? Does the "play" within the film represent genuine catharsis for the characters / actors / writers or is the rest of the movie around the "play" simply a "device" to connect disparate ironic characters and drive them to the climax? The only way to ever know might be to spend a few months in group therapy with the writers, director, cast, and crew. One thing not so perplexing is that the delightful inhabiting of Dana Marschz by
Steve Coogan has finally given this incredible and zany British actor a role that fully taps his many talents. Literally, this film is pretty much all him. Skylar Astin and Joseph Julian Soria stood out as well in their own ways.
Catherine Keener's seen better roles and films, as has Elizabeth
Shue whose appearance in the film is supposed to serve as some cosmic element but really doesn't do too well at that. Hamlet 2 surely is quite funny, and it's tragic and sad as well in spots. It's best when "Hamlet 2" finally gets to the stage; yet, unfortunately, we get to see far too little of it due to all the controversy in the town of Tucson regarding its performance and the subsequent defense by the ACLU. Hamlet 2 mostly will deserve what it gets. As far as masterpiece independent films go, most are not going to give Hamlet 2 it's due, rather they're as likely to pour on it's just deserts, and it mostly will deserve what it gets. Alternate PostersClick to PurchaseSend This Review To a FriendBack to Top | W.I.P. Scale™ | Most Recently Reviewed Films | Films of 2005 | Films of 2006 | Films of 2007| Films of 2008Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]Related Products from Amazon.comOther Projects Featuring Hamlet 2 (2008)Cast Members
Steve Coogan•
Catherine Keener• Joseph Julian SoriaSkylar Astin• Phoebe Strole•
Melonie DiazArnie Pantoja• Michael Esparza• Natalie AmenulaMarshall Bell•
Elisabeth ShueDirector
Andrew FlemingWritersPam Brady•
Andrew FlmingAmazon.com WidgetsReview-lite Hamlet 2 (2008) [max of 150 words] Holy moly! Properly reviewing Hamlet 2 proves nearly impossible. Is it an outrageous farce with a deep and ironic message or is it trying to be a dramatic portrait of the human condition of an artist that's funny due to its irony? Maybe it's both, maybe it's neither. Possibly only co-writers Pam Brady and
Andrew Fleming know for sure. One thing not so perplexing is that the delightful inhabiting of bad actor turned bad drama teacher, Dana Marschz, by
Steve Coogan has finally given this incredible and zany British actor a role that fully taps his many talents. Hamlet 2 surely is quite funny, and it's tragic and sad as well in spots. It's best when the play within the screenplay finally gets to the stage; yet, unfortunately, we get to see far too little of that. Send This Review To a Friend
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Interview: British Comedian Steve Coogan Rocks Sexy Jesus Character in ‘Hamlet 2’
CHICAGO– Steve Coogan is a British comedy icon. Forging a career from creating an array of characters, though, he’s not as well known in America (except to BBC cultists).He brings this talent for characterization to the lead role of an American high school drama teacher in the new film “Hamlet 2”. Coogan adds some peculiar quirks to the depiction of the clueless soul who seemingly will do anything to project his dramatic “vision”.“Hamlet 2” star Steve Coogan in Chicago on July 30, 2008.Photo
Hamlet 2 (Second Opinion)
Hamlet 2
Starring: Steve Coogan, Catherine Keener, Joseph Julian Soria, Melonie Diaz, David Arquette, Elisabeth Shue, Phoebe Strole, Skylar Astin, Amy Poehler
Directed By: Andrew Fleming
Written By: Andrew Fleming, Pam Brady
Release: 2008
Grade: B-From a young age Dana Marchz (Coogan) wanted nothing more than to be an actor. He was in a few commercials, but never made it upon realizing that he wasn’t very good. Well you know what they say: those who can’t do teach. So Dana follows this and becomes a hig
Who Should NOT See Hamlet 2 (2008)
• Fans of Catherine Keener
• Fans hoping this will revitalize Elizabeth Shue's career like Being John Malkovich revived the career of John Malkovich.
plus 8 other types who shouldn't see it AND
plus 9 types of people who SHOULD SEE HAMLET 2.
2cOrNot2c.net takes its unique movie review style and applies it properly to this un-sequel to Hamlet starring: Steve Coogan • Catherine Keener • David Arquette • Elisabeth Shue
Movie Review: The Rest Was Silence, but Then Came the Sequel
“Hamlet 2” belongs to the school of free-for-all satiric farce whose creators ball up wads of ideas, apply chewing gum and hurl them against the wall to see what sticks. If the style smacks of desperation, enough of the jokes cling to make “Hamlet 2,” directed by Andrew Fleming, intermittently funny.
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Hamlet 2 / *** (R)
"Hamlet 2" (R, 92 minutes). British comedian Steve Coogan stars as the harassed flywheel of a drama teacher in a Tuscon high school. Threatened with a shutdown of his program, he desperately stages a sequel to "Hamlet," using a time machine to bring back all the characters, as well as Jesus and Einstein. Manic and funny, with a perfect cameo by Elisabeth Shue, as herself--sort of. Rating: Three stars.
‘Hamlet 2’ rocks with racy musical numbers
"Rock Me Sexy Jesus." "You're As Gay As the Day is Long." "Raped in the Face."These aren't insults. They're song titles from the new film "Hamlet 2," which opened over the weekend.The movie follows an eternally optimistic but marginally talented high school drama teacher as he mounts an ambitious musical sequel to "Hamlet" that he hopes will save the school's drama department. The irreverent songs come as choreographed musical numbers in the student production, which closes the film.Story continues below ?a
On the Travers Take: Reviews of “Hamlet 2,”“The Rocker”
What’s funnier: Steve Coogan as an out-of-place drama teacher penning his own bizarro high school musical in “Hamlet 2″ or Rainn Wilson living out his rock & roll dreams with a band of confused kids in “The Rocker”? Peter Travers tackles both films in his weekly video podcast at the Travers Take.
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CHICAGO– For “Tropic Thunder” star and Chris Tucker protégé Brandon T. Jackson, the fictional Booty Sweat literally is his Hollywood calling card.The Red Bull-like energy drink is a scripted creation of writer, director, producer and star actor Ben Stiller in the new comedy. The film’s talent list, which includes both “A”-list actors and up-and-coming actors, is longer than two or three typical films today combined.Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller, left) and Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr., right) a
"Hamlet 2" | Focus Features Hopes: Blithe Comedy + Well-Known Entertainers = Late Summer Hit - indieWIRE
In a key scene halfway through "Hamlet 2," a downtrodden Arizona high school theater teacher named Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan), whose raunchy, quasi-autobiographical play has raised the ire of the local community, gets his confidence boosted by Cricket Feldstein (Amy Poehler), a fiery representative from the American Civil Liberties Union. With a twinge of excitement, Cricket explains that the school's attempt to suppress his work constitutes a First Amendment violation, and he stands a good chance of winni
"Hamlet 2" | Focus Features Hopes: Blithe Comedy + Well-Known Entertainers = Late Summer Hit
In a key scene halfway through "Hamlet 2," a downtrodden Arizona high school theater teacher named Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan), whose raunchy, quasi-autobiographical play has raised the ire of the local community, gets his confidence boosted by Cricket Feldstein (Amy Poehler), a fiery representative from the American Civil Liberties Union. With a twinge of excitement, Cricket explains that the school's attempt to suppress his work constitutes a First Amendment violation, and he stands a good chance of winni
Film: To Be, or to Be Broad, in Service of ‘Hamlet 2’
Despite appearances in many movies, Steve Coogan, the star of the indie comedy “Hamlet 2,” is scarcely known in the United States.
A Night Out With | Elisabeth Shue: Adventures in Acting
Hanging out with Elisabeth Shue, who tries to explain her new film “Hamlet 2.”
A Night Out With | Elisabeth Shue: Adventures in Acting
Hanging out with Elisabeth Shue, who tries to explain her new film “Hamlet 2.”
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"Hamlet 2" Review
Movie: Hamlet 2 * Official Site * Trailer
In Theaters: August 29, 2008
Runtime: 92 minutes
Directed by: Andrew Fleming
MPAA Rating: R for language, including sexual references, brief nudity, and some drug content
Gecko Rating:
There’s no doubt that English comedian Steve Coogan is a brilliant actor. In fact, if not for him, this movie would flounder [...]
FEATURE - A Mirthful Mancunian - FilmStew.com
Flawed characters have made Steve Coogan a star in his native England. This summer, the Manchester native is aiming to broadside the U.S.
Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan return for "Night at the Museum II"
The cast continues to come together for the highly anticipated sequel to “Night at the Museum.” We knew the film, subtitled “Escape from the Smithsonian” once again starred Ben Stiller, this time alongside newcomers Hank Azaria and Amy Adams, but now we know some other familiar faces are returning, plus who the villain is.
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Tropic Thunder (2008) -"Nobody Goes Full Retard."
Stars Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson and Steve Coogan.
Due out August 13th.
Marsden, Keener, Morgan "Nailed"
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The trio are in final negotiations to star opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Jessica Biel in David O. Russell's romantic comedy "Nailed," written by Russell and Kristin Gore.
Marsden will play small-town the boyfriend of Biel's character Alice, a naive waitress who gets a nail shot into her head, causing erratic and outrageous behavior. She heads to Washington to fight for better health care and ends up falling for a clueless n
Insert Caption: Hamlet 2
Filed under: Fandom, Contests, Insert CaptionWelcome back to another edition of Insert Caption -- the game where we definitely rock it with sexy Jesus all night long. Last week we asked you to strap in Statham-style and race to be the first one to knock us over with a caption for an image from the flick Death Race. Congrats to all three of our winners -- your thirst for speed, prison humor and bald men is quite inspiring to us all.
1. "You sank my battleship!!" -- Jason F.
2. "Unfortunately, the Death St
Stars in Rewind: A Retro, Silent Hamlet
Filed under: Classics, Trailers and Clips, Stars in Rewind
The unthinkable has happened -- Steve Coogan treaded on William Shakespeare's grave and created the super-saucy Hamlet 2. But as the film continues to expand its screening reach, I thought I'd go back in time -- way, way back in time, beyond many of the Hamlet films that have graced our Shakespeare-insatiable eyes.
The above film was not meant to be a comedy, but you have got to see the silent version of Hamlet above. The music alone is peppy en
