This week's selection was a night OUT at the movies. Once in a while, when there's a new release in the theaters we all want to see, we'll go out to the movies instead of staying in.
This week's pick: Dark Shadows (2012, Tim Burton, with Johnny Depp)
(This may very well be the most scathing review I've ever done on a Johnny Depp movie, but I promise Johnny my love, I'll be as gentle as I can....)
Jason, Kathy, and I have long awaited the release of Dark Shadows. I must say that if you expect this movie to be any kind of award contender, you'll be highly disappointed. To me, it felt like someone tried to splice (stylistically) Edward Scissorhands and Sweeney Todd and forgot to connect the dots. We three agreed that it was as if they couldn't really decide what type of movie they wanted to make: dark comedy? parodied spoof? outrageous fantasy? The beginning was great: classic Tim Burton goth-story, but then as the movie went on, there were a few hiccups. There were elements in the story that weren't really explained or given enough development. Victoria Winters, who is a major player in the original story, disappears for the majority of the movie. Since she's only in the beginning and end, you're left asking when she and Barnabus had time to develop feelings for each other. The ghost element was completely retooled in the movie as compared to its primary role in the original series of alerting the Collins family as to the mystery surrounding Barnabus. Also, to my knowledge, there was no werewolf in the original story either, but I guess since Twilight has overtaken the world (I myself am a fan), I suppose Tim thought it obligatory to add one suddenly at the end--which was very confusing. Also, the whole role of Dr. Hoffman just seemed a waste... she was such an integral part of the original...I have to wonder why on earth Burton didn't do more with her. If you've not watched the original soap opera (or at least the 1991 tv revival like I did on Monday), you may find you don't know enough of the story to keep up. This was definitely designed for people who had knowledge of the show.
Things we liked: the cameo appearances of Christopher Lee and Alice Cooper (!!), Michelle Pfeiffer's wardrobe, the continual shots of huge crashing waves upon the rocks (an homage to the opening sequence of the original soap opera), and the soundtrack---totally groovy, man. I also personally liked Barnabus's phrase for "hippie" ("those lovely, unshaven young people").
Rating: Jason gave it 2 stars; Kathy gave it 2.5; Me--it's my Johnny.....I have to say 3.5
Although I've discussed some of the issues with this movie, please don't think it isn't worth seeing. It's a lot of fun, and there are some funny moments which made us laugh. Just go in as pure entertainment, and you'll be fine. Catch a matinee so it's cheaper on a weekend afternoon in the near future when you're bored with sitting at home.
Johnny, my life, my love, my heart...please seek my input when next you venture into production. I could have helped you clean this up a bit.
Last week's flicks: Chicago (2002, with Renee Zellwegger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere) and Hairspray (2007, with John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Zac Efron, James Marsden)
"Everywhere men....everywhere jazz....everywhere booze!"
We decided to have a light night with a couple of our favorite musicals. We've all 3 seen these two movies dozens of times. We love the music...sang along with both movies most of the night. We love the acting in both. The over-the-top plots. And we got to swoon for four hours over gorgeous men: Richard Gere, James Marsden, and (at the time of the movie's release) a very hot, but highly illegal, Zac Efron (so wrong to lust after jail-bait, but it felt so right!).
Both movies got 5 stars from all 3 of us.
