David Tennant — MomStart

I have watched BBC America’s new version of Hamlet about three times since it arrived last month from Warner Brothers. Two of my all time favorite actors are starring in this play brought to DVD and TV by BBC. When David Tennant first decided to take a break from Dr. Who, he was cast as Hamlet on stage in the London Theater. I wanted to go see the performance live, but that was next to impossible since I live so far away and tickets would have been insane just to fly to London. So, when I found out they were going to make a DVD that I could buy I was ecstatic. I was even more excited when I found out that Warner Brothers was going to send me one to review free.

I’m a huge science fiction fan, that goes back to the beginning of Star Trek Next Generation. Patrick Stewart was a great captain of a spaceship named Enterprise, and now he’s well known for other movies like Xmen, but nothing has been as good him in this:

“Patrick Stewart as Claudius”

Synopsis: David Tennant and Patrick Stewart star in this critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece from Britain’s renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. No recent stage production in Britain has attracted the excitement and nearly unanimous critical praise as this Hamlet. Tennant’s interpretation was recognized as defining the role for a generation, and Stewart’s complex Claudius won the Olivier award, Britain’s highest stage honor. In this specially-shot screen version, filmed on location rather than in the theater, Tennant and Stewart reprise their roles. Dynamic, exciting and contemporary, it breathes new life into Shakespeare’s greatest play.

Featured Actors: David Tennant (Doctor Who), Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation), Oliver Ford Davis (Waking the Deadi), Penny Downie, Mariah Gale

DVD/Production Highlights:

Ø This title will have additional awareness as it premieres April 28, 2010 on PBS’s Great Performances

Ø Stars David Tennant (Doctor Who) as Hamlet and Patrick Stewart (X-Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation) as Claudius

Ø Based on the critically acclaimed Royal Shakespeare stage production

Ø Critics Praise include: “without a doubt, one of the finest productions of Hamlet I have ever seen, led by an actor of extraordinary courage and charisma.” – Daily Telegraph and “the finest TV production of Shakespeare… intense and frightening as any modern psychological thriller” Daily Mail

Available on DVD: May 4th

Official Site URL: www.bbcamericashop.com

Watching David Tennant and Patrick Stewart recite Shakespeare’s play Hamlet actually gave even more understanding to a production I already know and love. I remember watching another version and in some scenes I had no idea what was going on. I never before understood why Ophelia killed herself. I thought it was because Hamlet rejected her, but no, that was only part of her losing her wits, it was that Hamlet killed her father. How I could miss that, I have no idea. In this version I even wondered about Hamlet’s sanity myself. He seemed quite crazy, even though he was just pretending to be crazy. Seemed to me, losing his father pushed him over the edge too. I loved how they modernized it. Some of the outfits that David Tennant wore were insane. His muscle man shirt just cracked me up. You have to watch this movie to truly get the spirit of Hamlet.

Warner Brothers sent me a copy of this DVD to facilitate this review on behalf of BBC America.

I have ended up with extra copies of a few movies and TV series that we greatly enjoy here as a family. I have three BBC America Titles, Hamlet, Merlin, and 30th Anniversary Spot. I also have two children’s DVD’s Care Bears in Share-a-Lot in Care-a-Lot from Lionsgate, and NoonBory & the Super7 from NCircle.

Hamlet:

Enjoy the greatest performance of Hamlet. With David Tennant playing Hamlet and Patrick Stewart as The King and Claudius, what isn’t there to love. When I found out they were having this play in London, I wanted to grab the next flight to see it performed live. I can’t tell you how happy I was to see it be transformed into DVD for all to see. Watching this version made me understand things that I have never been able to understand before. Even my husband felt that the pentameter was perfect for dialogue. We’ve watched it twice together.

Synopsis:

David Tennant and Patrick Stewart star in this critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s masterpiece from Britain’s renowned Royal Shakespeare Company. No recent stage production in Britain has attracted the excitement and nearly unanimous critical praise as this Hamlet. Tennant’s interpretation was recognized as defining the role for a generation, and Stewart’s complex Claudius won the Olivier award, Britain’s highest stage honor. In this specially-shot screen version, filmed on location rather than in the theater, Tennant and Stewart reprise their roles. Dynamic, exciting and contemporary, it breathes new life into Shakespeare’s greatest play.

15.99

Merlin Season 1:

Another BBC America great TV series for those that love magic and mayhem because Arthur and Merlin are always in it. I’m really not sure how Merlin is going to keep his secret safe for any longer. He’s always using magic to save the day.

Merlin: The Complete First Season

Synopsis:.

As what Smallville did for Superman, Merlin is a new drama series that updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new audience. In a time before history began, the mythical city of Camelot was a fantastical realm and a dangerous world in which magic has been banned by the ruthless tyrant Uther Pendragon. When Merlin, a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers, arrives in the kingdom, he discovers his destiny and that of the kingdom’s young leader in waiting, Arthur, are inextricably linked.

39.99

Where’s Spot:

My children love Spot and what he’s getting into. In fact, when we went to the library we had to check out some Where’s Spot library books. I love that Where’s Spot was on Playhouse Disney, more people have a subscription to Disney than BBC America, we don’t have either right now so when Warner Brothers sent us a copy to review we were all quite ecstatic.

The 30th anniversary DVD of Where’s Spot has six episodes and what Miles loves is that every episode has a special song. My son loves to sing and when he gets a song in his head it’s a beautiful thing.

Synopsis:

This April, the BBC celebrates the 30^th anniversary of the ever-curious and always adorable puppy, Spot, with the DVD release - Where’s Spot? 30^th Anniversary Edition. Based on the signature lift-the-flap children’s books by Eric Hill, the classic TV show – which aired on The Disney Channel’s Playhouse Disney preschool block – follows the adorable children’s icon on everyday adventures as Spot and his friends play at the park, take their first nature walk and splash around in a rain puddle. Where’s Spot? 30th Anniversary Edition boasts six endearing episodes with Spot voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas (The Lion King, Home Improvement), and each episode is accompanied by its own special song. Additionally, the DVD contains three bonus episodes in which the beloved puppy voiced by actor Hayley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense, Pay it Forward), along with a reading of Where’s Spot by author Eric Hill and two interactive games.

7.99

Care Bears: Share-a-Lot In Care-a-Lot:

Learn some great lessons for children watching Care Bears: Share-a-lot in Care-a-lot from Lionsgate. See your favorite good guys like Share Bear, Grumpy Bear, and a not so nice friend Grizzle.

Synopsis:

Join the Care Bears for eight wonderful tales filled with sharing and caring delight! Whenever it’s the Care Bears welcoming Grizzle, Share Bear helping Harmony overcome her fears on Surprise Day, or McKenna learning the joys of giving at a Giving Party, the Care Bears discover that warmth and kindness bring friendship and fun! Get ready to journey into Care-a-lot for more charming Care Bears adventures!

11.99

Noonbory & the Super7:

Watching Noonbory & The Super7 with my kids was at first very confusing, then I realized, I was just asleep. It’s not boring to the kids, they love it. So when I woke up I found that it’s teaching the kids about their senses. Touch, Smell, Taste, Sight and Hearing, each represent a different character and then you have Noonbory who seems to be their leader. Kids loved it.

Synopsis:

When trouble is brewing or super silly villainy is taking place in the whimsical world of Tobalooba, it’s up to Noonbory and his sensational team of super-sensing problem solvers to save the day! Each of our superhero borys has a super sense, including sight, sound taste, touch, smell and of course, a little common sense and nonsense never hurts.

5.99

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I received these titles for my time in this post. All opinions expressed are my own.