O
O (****)- this movie takes Shakespeare's "Othello", modernizes the language, sets it in a prestegious private school, and throws in a healthy dose of guns, drugs, and basketball. Surprisingly, however, the plot stays almost scene-for-scene the same as in the origional play. None of the drama, action, or tragedy are lost in the "translation", and it's a testement to the origional text that the story can be put in today's society and seem just as poingnat as it must have been in the 1500s. If you don't already know, the plot follows the story of a man twisted by hatred and jealousy (played by Josh Hartnett, who does a lot better here than he did in the atrocious "Pearl Harbor") who skillfully manipulates his friends and enemies so that by the end no one gets away clean. This movie was actually not released for about a year after being completed because the ending was considered too controversial in the wake of the Columbine shootings, but never you fear: the violence is neither gratuitious or glamorized. In fact, unlike most films these days, the violence used in "O" is completley necessary in the story, and is carried over pretty much directly from "Othello" (albiet with guns, not swords). The Bard would have been proud.
O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (****1/2)-a Cohen brothers movie about three escaped convicts who go on numerous adventures throught the old south. according to the opening credits, the film is based on Homer's "The Oddessy". I don't know the story that well, but other than the Sirens, the Cyclops, and the general plot (guy goes on long journey trying to be reunited with wife) I couldn't really see many connections between the classic epic and this movie. Still, though, it's a very, very good film. George Clooney stars as Ulysseys Everett Washington, a well educated, fast-talking adventurer who is forever worrying about his hair. Sadly, I don't remember who the actors are who play his two friends, but they are both very good as well. Better then Clooney, if you ask me, but then again they're very different characters, so it's hard to compare. This movie also has quite a few songs. So many, in fact, that it's almost like a musical. Well, not really, but you get the idea. A lot of singing. The writing is great, and the plot is pretty unpredictable, which is rare these days. In fact, movies like this at all are rare these days. Go see it.
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