Aven & Mark are joined by a guest host, John Kelly, to discuss Orson Welles's adaptation of several plays into the story of Falstaff. A stylish, moving, and fascinating piece of cinema, it gives us lots to discuss about the plays, the characters, and the Welles's connection to Falstaff himself.
Episode 9: Verdi & Zeffirelli's Falstaff
We explore some of the history of opera in our discussion of this filmed version of Franco Zeffirelli's production of Verdi's Falstaff at the Metropolitan Opera. A comic romp with some lovely music and lavish staging, the show provides some interesting insight's into Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor, on which it's based.
Episode 8: Kenneth Branagh's Henry V
Join us this month as we watch Kenneth Branagh's Henry V, an excellent adaptation of this history play which proves startlingly relevant in the aftermath of the Brexit vote. His first movie as director, Branagh delivers a sharp and thrilling adaptation of the play.
Episode 7: River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves in My Own Private Idaho
In this episode, Mark, Aven, and Jon watch and discuss Gus Van Sant's 1991 indie classic My Own Private Idaho. A visually stunning and inventive movie, it incorporates the story of Henry IV Parts 1 & 2 and Henry V into a tale about love and loss among the gay escorts in the Pacific Northwest.