
All the world is a Shakespearean stage for director Kenneth Branagh, who on a trip to Kyoto had the idea of setting this comedy among English merchants in 19th century Japan. The exotic milieu lends new mystery to the magic forest of Arden. (And it allows Branagh to work in some sumo wrestling.) But it's the strong cast, especially Bryce Dallas Howard as witty, strong-willed Rosalind, that gives this East-West fusion its flavor.
The new Elvis Costello television series, Stephen Colbert's Christmas Special and Chungking Express on DVD
The Monty Python Holy Grail on DVD, Gears of War 2 for the gamers, Bolt in movie theaters, and more
The good cheer of Happy-Go-Lucky, reliving the amazing life of John Lennon, cathing up with The Starter Wife on TV, and more
Greg Kinnear, in Flash of Genius, Richard Jenkins in The Visitor, Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married, and more
Jenny Lewis in the record stores, Dennis Lehane's The Given Day in bookstores, The Lucky Ones in movie theaters, and more
Ice Age vs. Transformers: It's a Draw!
Summer Reading List
The History of the Bikini
Ask Your Questions: The New York Times' Bill Keller
Cartoons of the Week