Favorite shakespeare

Based on: Hamlet (of course)

Audience: Shakespeare fans, or those who want to get deeper into Shakespeare.

Context: Original context.

Reason: This retelling of Hamlet is the most complete in cinema, and the cast is pretty incredible as well. Highly recommended for anyone who loves the play.

Based on: Hamlet

Audience: This one's for the Shakespeare fans, particularly those who know and love Hamlet already.

Context: Original context, from a side view.

Reason: Tom Stoppard is a Shakspearean scholar, and his knowledge shows in this and in his other Shakspearean movie, Shakespeare in Love. The comedy in this is top notch, and sold especially well by the stars, Tim Roth and Gary Oldman, who are themselves excellent reasons to watch this version.

Based on: Hamlet

Audience: Everyone who enjoys cartoons.

Context: Influence of Hamlet only, Savannah animal kingdom.

Reason: To be honest, I stayed away from this one when it was in the theatres, and didn't watch it until I was working at a daycare for a con. Then I fell in love. It's obviously not a one to one adaptation, but it is very close. And great for the whole family, unlike most Hamlet versions, or even any Shakespeare, really.

Based on: Macbeth

Audience: Comedy and mystery lovers.

Context: Modern day.

Reason: Definitely a fun adaptation, with Walken doing his best Walken impression.

Based on: As You Like It

Audience: Comedy lovers and those who like Japanese settings.

Context: European and Japanese culture mix.

Reason: An amazing cast mix of white, black, and asian actors, and directed by Branaugh, so you know it's well done.

Based on: Midsummer Night's Dream (duh)

Audience: Anyone interested in trying out Shakespeare.

Context: Original context.

Reason: To be honest, I've only seen two versions of this, but the star power in this one really works well. Especially Kevin Kline.

Based on: Much Ado About Nothing (duh)

Audience: Anyone who wants to enjoy Shakespeare.

Context: Original context.

Reason: Branaugh really does an excellent job with Shakespeare, and the cast in this is almost exceptional, aside from Keanu Reeves, who really needs to avoid period pieces, as he really doesn't pull it off well.

Based on: Much Ado About Nothing (duh)

Audience: Anyone who wants to enjoy Shakespeare, Joss Whedon fans.

Context: Modern day.

Reason: Though Americans do not have the Shakespearean background that the British do, but Joss Whedon did an amazing job pulling together a great group of actors, and not a one of them failed to pull off their part.

Based on: Othello

Audience: Less approachable than Shakespeare in Love, but definitely enjoyable for those who liked that movie.

Context: Original context, from a staging pov.

Reason: An excellent follow-up to Shakespeare in Love with a lot more realism added. This is England at the shift in the laws that finally allowed women to act. The play used in the story is Othello, and though there is blackface, it is period, and not exclusionary specifically any more than Billy being a woman. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys Shakspeare. I've certainly not seen a version of Othello I enjoy more. I only wish we'd actually gotten to see them do the full play.

Based on: Richard III

Audience: Hardcore history or Shakespeare fans.

Context: Mostly original context when shown.

Reason: I do not like this play, but I love the craft of working on a Shakespearean play, so this documentary calls to me despite the play used as the example.

Based on: Romeo and Juliet (of course)

Audience: Great for younger (teen) audiences for a first Shakespeare movie.

Context: Modern day.

Reason: This is hands down the best version of Romeo and Juliet that has been shown on the big screen so far. The casting was excellent, and Leo and Claire were perfect. Baz's version is truly brilliant, as it makes it approachable for almost anyone, even if they're not Shakespearean fan.

Based on: Romeo and Juliet (of course)

Audience: Fans of Romeo and Juliet.

Context: Original context.

Reason: If not for Baz's version, I would definitely say this was the best. Definitely a classic.

Based on: Romeo and Juliet

Audience: Musical fans who want to get into Shakespeare.

Reason: Wonderful translation, though I definitely think it's time for someone to redo this one.

Based on: Romeo and Juliet, along with a few moments from others.

Audience: Anyone who wants to enjoy Shakespeare, but has failed to understand it, also (forgiving) history lovers.

Context: Original and historical context.

Reason: The other Tom Stoppard on this list, and you can definitely see his knowledge come to the fore in this one. It's not a historical account by any means, and yet the detail is quite good, despite the Hollywood propensity to clean things up.

Based on: Taming of the Shrew

Audience: Anyone who doesn't generally enjoy Shakespeare, but would like to try some.

Context: Modern day, modern English.

Reason: Another I avoided in the theatres, despite the fact that bits of it were filmed here in Seattle, my hometown. The casting is excellent, and I love that Kat's friend is a Shakespeare nut. Lovely movie. Makes me smile and sniffle in one go. RIP, Heath.

Based on: Taming of the Shrew

Audience: As with West Side Story.

Context: Modern day, but also original context.

Reason: Another classic, and one that really doesn't get enough attention. The music in it is fun. Especially "Brush Up Your Shakespeare."

Based on: Tempest

Audience: Sci-Fi fans with a fondness for classics and Shakespeare.

Context: Futuristic context, modern English.

Reason: Because if you haven't seen it, you haven't seen the start of Star Trek. Classic movie, classic Sci Fi, and something every Star Trek fan should watch at least once.

Based on: Tempest

Audience: Classic Shakespeare fans who are willing to see new interpretations in the Bard's words

Context: Classic Shakespeare with a new twist--a female Prospero.

Reason: See all above, and add to that a stunning modern cast, and Shakespearean actors who truly love the Bard's words.