Romeo + Juliet (1996)

What’s the difference between Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film Romeo + Juliet (also known as William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet), Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 version (starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey), and George Cukor’s 1936 adaptation (with Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer)? For starters, the latter one doesn’t include any nudity. But mostly, Baz’s flick updates the traditional Verona setting to Verona Beach, where the Montagues and the Capulets are locked in a bullet-ridden battle. Yes, this modern retelling incorporates guns rather than knives yet it retains the play’s original language. By blending the Bard’s verse with explosive action and teen stars (Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes), Luhrmann delivers a screen adaptation that can actually keep junior high students awake in class. The movie also features contemporary music (The Cardigans, Everclear, Garbage, Radiohead, The Wannadies); a strong supporting cast (Brian Dennehy, John Leguizamo, Paul Sorvino); and Diane Venora’s slipple of the nipple! Obviously, attentive teachers will probably need to fast-forward through that bit as well as the scenes where Ms. Danes flashes her flesh. Otherwise Juliet may give the student body a boneo when she reveals her Renaissance rump. If that’s not arousing enough, she provides a slip of the nip while making out with Master DiCaprio. No wonder why they were nominated for Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards, where Danes won Best Female Performance. Claire also was named Favorite Actress in a Romance at the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. And that doesn’t even count the statuette Mr. Skin has in his pants!