The original article might be something like: "This idea is pretty solid."

Expanded version:

This particular idea that has been presented is indeed pretty solid. It shows a great deal of thought and consideration. There is a clear foundation upon which it is built, and the reasoning behind it seems to be well-structured. It has the potential to bring about positive results and make a significant impact. The concept appears to be well-researched and has taken into account various factors. It is not a flimsy or half-baked thought. Instead, it is a robust and reliable idea that could potentially open up new opportunities and avenues for exploration. Overall, it can be said with confidence that this idea is truly pretty solid.

One of Kurosawa's films is based on this screenplay.

If I'm not mistaken, it's "RAN".

"RAN" is a remarkable work that showcases Kurosawa's unique directorial style and profound understanding of human nature.

The film is set in a fictionalized feudal Japan and tells a story of power, ambition, and family conflict.

The characters in the film are complex and well-developed, and their actions and decisions drive the plot forward.

The cinematography in "RAN" is also outstanding, with beautiful landscapes and vivid battle scenes that add to the film's overall atmosphere.

Overall, "RAN" is a classic film that has had a significant impact on the history of cinema and is well worth watching for anyone interested in Japanese culture or great filmmaking.

As one who is constantly on the hunt for books by authors from across the globe and in search of hidden literary treasures, books that are regarded as classics, particularly those by western authors, often seem to be overlooked. With three days offline and an abundance of time to read, I decided it was about time I delved into a Shakespearean play, having not read one since the previous year. In school, students are typically required to read one Shakespeare play annually. However, due to scheduling oddities, I ended up reading "The Merchant of Venice" twice and never got around to reading "Macbeth" and "King Lear" at all. I finally managed to read "Macbeth" last year, solely because a contemporary book sparked my interest in it. I had been meaning to read the Pulitzer-winning "A Thousand Acres" for some time and used this similar motivation to finally pick up "King Lear".

Countless tomes have been written about Shakespeare, his life, his theater, the inspiration behind his plays, and the plays themselves. What I found fascinating about the background information on "Lear" is that it was written towards the end of the Bard's life and centered around an aging hero who faced age discrimination from both his family and outsiders. I have read numerous books this year about how age is merely a number and that just because someone is old does not mean they are feeble-minded or slowing down. Unfortunately, in the case of Lear, his daughters view him as being on the verge of death and are eager to pounce and claim their inheritance from him. Perhaps they had a closer relationship with their long-deceased mother or perhaps they were simply greedy, but Lear's children's treatment of him shows, to me, nothing less than viewing the elderly as infantile and near death. As a result, many critics have stated that Shakespeare's exploration of the aging process has made "Lear" his most tragic tragedy. While it wasn't as thrilling for me as some of the other plays I have read, I am inclined to agree with the more erudite critics.

Perhaps I didn't enjoy this play as much as other Shakespearean plays I have read because I couldn't find a single character to sympathize with. The three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia, were all out for personal gain, and two of the three plotted against Lear's life. Meanwhile, Cordelia, the most beloved by Lear, denounced him, only to repent towards the end of the play when it seemed that Lear was in a near-dementia state and Cordelia herself might have been beyond redemption regardless of her intentions. Goneril and Regan engaged in a love triangle with Edmund, the Duke of Gloucester, and I found Goneril's actions especially repulsive, as she was still married to a devoted husband at the time. What I found most interesting in the portrayal of these characters is that in other plays I have noticed that Shakespeare wrote strong female characters, from Portia to the domineering Lady Macbeth. At least Portia was somewhat likable. The sisters here chose such poor behavior that it left me disgusted with their actions.

What I did find accessible in "King Lear" was Shakespeare's language, which has endured for five centuries. Having read as much as I do, I didn't find myself referring to the Folger-produced side-by-side dictionary as often as I had in the past. This resource is excellent for a high school student reading the play for the first time, and I commend the Folger library for producing outstanding editions of all of the Bard's works. Lear's and Edmund's soliloquies were moving, and the character of Lear's Fool provided comic relief in this tragic tale. In addition to injecting laughter into this otherwise distressing premise, the Fool clearly seemed out of place in the events of this play, making him the only character I almost felt sympathy for. His detachment contrasted with Lear's dementia and created a situation of the blind leading the blind, showing how both comic relief and the depiction of the elderly have changed since Shakespeare's time.

"King Lear" is indeed a tragedy for the ages. While I am pleasantly surprised that I have found Shakespeare's language more accessible as time passes, I was not enamored with any of the characters in this play. Perhaps it was the portrayal of women or perhaps the portrayal of the elderly, but "King Lear" didn't move me as much as other Shakespearean works have. However, because of these issues in Shakespeare's work, "King Lear" has endured as long as his other plays have, and, due to the wealth of criticism available, is sure to generate lively discussions in other groups. As my quest to uncover hidden gems continues, it may be some time before I read another of Shakespeare's works. In the meantime, I can appreciate the Bard for his mastery of the English language.

3.5 stars