Have you seen them?

Do you love the Bard? Here are 11 film adaptations that you might like


Published on July 17, 2025


Credit: Jeremy Yap

William Shakespeare’s plays are among the most represented and reimagined literary works in history and have been viewed through many different cultural lenses and adapted to multiple formats. Today, let’s have a look at 11 Shakespeare adaptations to film!

Romeo + Juliet (1996)

Credit: Max Kleinen

Let’s start with a well-known modern classic. Baz Luhrmann's 1996 adaptation of Romeo and Juliet sets this beloved play in modern-day Verona Beach, New York, instead of the Italian city of Verona, with Montagues and Capulets as mobsters instead of noble families.

What makes this version so attractive? Besides Luhrmann’s colorful cinematography, the original script is unchanged (only a few characters are given first names), which creates a sharp contrast between the modern scenarios and the Shakespearean vocabulary.

The Hollow Crown (2012)

Credit: Carlos N. Cuatzo Meza

The only TV series on this list, The Hollow Crown takes on the huge task of faithfully adapting Shakespeare’s two historical tetralogies (a group of four works). The first series follows the events depicted by Shakespeare in Richard II, Henry IV (part 1), Henry IV (part 2), and Henry V.

The second series, The Hollow Crown: The Wars of the Roses, follows Shakespeare’s account of the 15th-century Civil War, depicted in Henry VI (parts 1, 2, and 3), and Richard III.

Cymbeline (2014)

Credit: Tony Pham

This modern adaptation of the Shakespearean tragedy of Cymbeline changes the original setting from Ancient Britain to the contemporary U.S., with the feud between Britons and Romans transforming into turf wars between biker gangs and dirty cops.

10 things I hate about you (1999)

Credit: Jonas Jacobsson

This teen romantic comedy has become a cult classic, but did you know it was based on a Shakespearean play? 10 Things I Hate About You gets its storyline from The Taming of the Shrew, where the suitors of young Bianca, unable to get married until her headstrong sister Kate does first, convince Petrucchio to marry and ‘tame’ the elder sister.

In the 1999 rom-com, the Italian setting transforms into a Seattle high school, and the prize is being Bianca’s date to prom.

The Lion King (1994)

Credit: Brianna R.

The literary origins of this children’s classic should not be too hard to discover: A beloved king is murdered by his greedy brother, who then usurps the throne that should go to his young son? This is, obviously, the main plot of Hamlet, with some changes made to make it suitable for children.

But what many people don’t know is that the sequel to The Lion King is also inspired by a Shakespeare play: the love story between Simba’s daughter and Scar’s son loosely follows the plot of Romeo and Juliet.

Ran (1985)

Credit: Gaku Suyama

Akira Kurosawa is regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers not only in Japan but in film history. His final film, Ran (meaning ‘chaos’), is a transposition of Shakespeare’s King Lear to medieval Japan, with the king and his daughters transformed into a warlord and his three sons.

This is not Kurosawa’s only encounter with Shakespeare’s works: before Ran, he had already directed Throne of Blood, a period piece based on Macbeth, and The Bad Sleep Well, a crime film based on Hamlet.

China Girl (1987)

Credit: . c

Several modern adaptations of Romeo and _Julie_t transform the family feud into racially motivated gang wars, one of the better-known being West Side Story. China Girl is also set in Manhattan, but it shows us the love story between Tony, a teenager from Little Italy, and Tye, a young girl from Chinatown.

Get over it (2001)

Credit: Dima Shishkov

This rom-com is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, where ancient Greece and the forests ruled by fairies transform into a high school, and the quarreling lovers are instead young teens experiencing dating problems.

As an ode to the original, Get Over It also uses the motif of ‘the-play-within-the-play’, with the main characters representing a musical version of Shakespeare’s original play.

Much Ado About Nothing (1993)

Credit: Anton Sulsky

This adaptation by Kenneth Branagh, known for his love of the Bard, may initially look out of place in this list, as it is neither a monumental production nor a different interpretation of the original play.

What makes this version remarkable, besides the talented cast and their interpretation, is how the original Shakespeare becomes accessible and entertaining, making this film one of the most successful Shakespeare film adaptations to date.

Men of Respect (1991)

Credit: Aaron Chavez

This mobster film follows the storyline of one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays, Macbeth, but reimagines the Scottish original in a modern setting, showing us how the greed of a crime family’s lieutenant leads him to assassinate his boss and seize control of the business.

She’s the Man (2006)

Credit: Darya Tryfanava

Like many of Shakespeare’s comedies, Twelfth Night includes entanglements and women disguised as men. She’s the Man gives us a rom-com modern version of the play, with teenage Viola dressing up as her twin brother and taking his place in a boys’ boarding school.


Daily routine

Still wearing your shoes like this? 10 habits that can harm your health!


Published on July 17, 2025


Credit: Steve Johnson

The accelerated pace of life can make us overlook our health a little by carrying out some habits that may seem harmless but are actually not good for our health. If you want to improve your routines, keep reading! Today, we identify 10 bad health habits you might not even realize you're doing!

1

Not changing your kitchen sponge

Credit: Pille R. Priske

Maybe you're one of those who change the kitchen sponge when it looks like it's been through a boxing match. We don't judge; we've all done it! However, experts recommend changing the sponge regularly because food debris can grow harmful bacteria.

How often should you change it? Every 2 weeks! You can also sanitize your sponge by microwaving it for 2 minutes or soaking it in bleach.

2

Sleeping with your hair tied up

Credit: Vladislav Muslakov

If you have long hair or live with someone who does, this tip can save the day (or rather, the night). Did you know that sleeping with your hair tied up too tightly can actually damage its health?

If you sleep that way regularly, the tension could contribute to hair breakage, thinning, or hair loss. In addition, that habit can also lead to scalp problems or even headaches. It's generally recommended to tie your hair softly with soft scrunchies or silk ties to minimize friction and tension.

3

Eating lunch at your desk

Credit: Luca Bravo

It's not that we have anything against desks, but many people simply don't take the time to pause from work and eat as health professionals recommend.

Eating while working or using the computer can distract you from how you eat, leading to inadequate chewing and poor digestion as a consequence.

4

Not finishing a course of antibiotics

Credit: Roberto Sorin

Sometimes, we may stop taking the antibiotics prescribed by our doctor once we start feeling better. While this could be due to simple forgetfulness, it can lead to serious health consequences. Most importantly, if you don't complete the treatment as indicated by your doctor, your body may develop resistance to the antibiotics, making future infections harder to treat.

5

Nighttime screen time

Credit: Olena Kamenetska

We know that, in today's world, it's hard to stay away from screens, whether it's a cell phone, computer, or TV. However, health experts have warned that nighttime screen time can be a bad habit for your health for several reasons.

First, the blue light emitted by many screens interrupts your sleep cycle, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. As a consequence, you may end up sleeping later and not getting enough rest. On the other hand, it can affect your eyesight, drying out your eyes or irritating them.

6

Sitting still

Credit: Annie Spratt

Today's jobs often cause many people to spend 8 hours (or more) sitting at their desks. But it turns out that this habit isn't good at all: sitting still for long periods can slow down your metabolism, worsen your posture and back pain, or weaken your muscles.

While we know work is important, so is your health! It's recommended to take breaks, stand up, stretch, walk (even if it's indoors or in the garden), and add at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day.

7

Not changing your pillowcase

Credit: Madi Doell

Not changing your pillowcase regularly can lead to health problems, and while this may seem obvious, the list of consequences is actually longer than you might think.

A pillowcase that has been in use for more than a week has collected germs and bacteria from your hair and skin. This habit can lead to allergic reactions, skin irritations, or even, in the worst case, respiratory issues. In fact, some experts recommend washing your whole pillow every 3 to 6 months as well.

8

Leaving wet clothes on for too long

Credit: Todd Diemer

Leaving wet clothes on for too long is not only incredibly uncomfortable but also bad for your health. So now you know, if you get caught in the rain or sweat too much in that gym class, it's best to change into dry clothes as soon as possible.

Wet clothes can create a moist environment that can irritate your skin or lead to fungal infections. Bacteria and fungi love moisture! And if it's cold outside, staying in wet clothes can make you more vulnerable to catching a cold.

9

Overusing antibacterial products

Credit: Towfiqu barbhuiya

Although many antibacterial products are highly effective, using them too frequently or excessively can actually have the opposite effect of what's intended.

The skin on your body has beneficial bacteria that protect it against harmful germs. Over-disinfecting your environment or skin can disrupt the balance of your natural protection, weakening your immunity.

10

Keeping your shoes on indoors

Credit: Mitchel Lensink

In many Asian countries, taking off your shoes before entering a house isn't just a sign of respect; it's also an important practice for maintaining better health.

By keeping your shoes on indoors, you can bring viruses and bacteria from the streets into your home, spreading them across the floor, carpets, surfaces, and even the air.

Looking for an extra scoop of literary fun?

Learn more with our Word of the day

loquacious

/loʊˈkweɪʃəs/