The Sundance Film Festival hit, Hamlet 2, arriveth in theaters nationwide this week.  An irreverent comedy from the co-writers of Team America: World Police and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, the film stars Steve Coogan (Night at the Museum) as eccentric high school drama teacher, Dana Marchz.  Marchz is a failed actor and what he lacks in the talent department, he makes up for with passion for his art and the desire to inspire his students.

When his stage adaptation of “Erin Brockovich” flops and receives harsh reviews from the ninth grade drama critic, the principal of Tucson’s West Mesa High School threatens to shut down the drama department.  Marchz rallies his ragtag group of students and hopes to save the program with a sequel to the Shakespearean classic “Hamlet,” which he ingeniously coins “Hamlet 2.”  Like the film itself, the inappropriately hysterical play which explores what would happen if “Hamlet” didn’t end with the death of the entire cast, is a huge hit with the community.  Despite opposition at almost every turn, with the help of Elisabeth Shue (playing herself) and an ACLU representative (Amy Poehler), freedom of speech and artistic expression prevail.

In a summer of raunchy comedies, this film stands out for its true originality.  While often outright offensive and tip-toeing the line between stupidity and insanity, the film proves to be hilarious and oddly genuine at heart.  In an impressive feat, Coogan somehow makes this loser lovable and the audience roots for him from start to finish.  Elisabeth Shue provides the film’s more subtle humor and shines playing herself, but in the form of a character who left the superficial world of acting to become a nurse.  The film’s highlight is the climatic performance of “Hamlet 2,” which brings down the house with musical numbers like “Rock Me Sexy Jesus.”  The story drags a little on its way to this impressive finale, but once you accept the preposterous and profane world that director Andrew Fleming (Nancy Drew) has created, you can appreciate Hamlet 2 for being inappropriately endearing.  As Shakespeare wrote in the original “Hamlet,” “though this be madness, yet there is method in’t” and the same is true for this wacky, but funny film.

That Girl says: Like it!  While Hamlet 2 may not be for everyone, fans of Napoleon Dynamite and Christopher Guest-like comedy will enjoy this off-beat laugher.  As for the rest of us, like the patrons of the play in the film’s finale, we’ll just be ‘simultaneously horrified and fascinated.’

Release Date:  August 27th, 2008 (Wide)
Running Time:  92 minutes
Rated:  R
Company:  Focus Features
Cast:  Steve Coogan – Dana Marschz
Catherine Keener – Brie Marschz
David Arquette – Gary
Amy Poehler – Cricket Feldstein
Elisabeth Shue – Herself
Director:  Andrew Fleming
Official Site: http://filminfocus.com/focus-movies/hamlet-2/movie-splash.php

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In summer of 2005, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants opened in theaters to a modest $9.8 million.  Based on Ann Brashares’ best-selling series, the studio expected to draw fans of the books, but certainly not fans of the relatively unknown cast.  So why make a sequel to a film that only grossed $40 million?  Well, fast-forward three years and take a look at the cast now.  Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel are all grown up and blossoming into full-blown stars.

Best known for her roles on General Hospital and Joan of Arcadia, Golden Globe and Emmy-nominee, Amber Tamblyn, was one of the more well-known of the girls when the original film was released.  Since then, she has continued her jump from the small to the big screen, starring in The Grudge 2. She will next be seen with Amy Poehler in the comedy Spring Breakdown and recently wrapped on the remake of 1956 noir classic Beyond a Reasonable Doubt, starring opposite Michael Douglas.

At the time of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants’ release, America Ferrara was only recognizable for her role in the critically-acclaimed indie film Real Women Have Curves.  However, in 2006 Ferrara landed the lead in the ABC pilot for Ugly Betty, which has become one of the most popular shows on television and thrust this 24- year old into the spotlight.   Over the last two years, Ferrara has been honored for her portrayal of “Betty,” including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and an additional Golden Globe nomination.  She is also up for another Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, which will be presented at the Primetime Emmy Awards on September 21st.

In 2005, Blake Lively was a true unknown, considering the original film was her first shot at a leading role.  Since then, Lively has become a household name as she has gone on to star in the hit series Gossip Girl, as privileged prep school girl, Serena Van Der Woodsen.  The role earned her two Teen Choice Awards: Choice TV Actress and Female Breakout Star.  Among her upcoming projects is the romantic drama New York, I Love You and The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, in which she stars with Keanu Reeves and Julianne Moore.  (Lively will be back in the role of Serena in the second season of Gossip Girl premiering September 1st on the CW.)

After making her television debut on Gilmore Girls in 2000, Alexis Bledel was by far the most recognizable of the original film’s cast.  In addition to seven seasons on the hit show and several Teen Choice and Young Artist Award wins and nominations, Bledel also played a lead role in Frank Miller’s Sin City.  She can soon be seen starring in the feature comedy The Post-Grad Survival Guide, set for a 2009 release, and is currently filming The Good Guy.

Despite the moderate success of the first film, with a cast that has gone on to become so accomplished in such a short time, it is no surprise that Sisterhood would warrant a sequel or that this time the girls would trump the pants.  This is perhaps most evident in the films’ marketing and posters.  The one-sheet to the 2005 film featured a young girl wearing jeans with a small picture of the four girls sticking out of her back pocket.  This time around, the poster is composed of only the four girls’ faces.  Though the jeans still play a central role in the story, they now function as a vehicle to connect the girls as they learn more about themselves as individuals.

In just a week in theaters, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 has grossed more than half of the original film’s total box office and will surely surpass its predecessor by the end of its run.  While this film may not have seemed like a shoe-in for a sequel, a cast of smart, strong, and recently successful young actresses, is certainly luring young women into theaters.  After all, those dirty old jeans may be so three years ago, but talented female role models will never go out of style!

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