May11

Dark Shadows (2012)

by admin on May 11th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Posted In: Movies

 

Dark Shadows

            Once a popular ABC gothic soap opera, Dark Shadows ran from  1966 to 1971 and involved werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and other supernatural elements.  The show now is considered to be a cult classic, mainly thanks to the introduction of the character Barnabas Collins a year into its creation.

            Tim Burton like Willie Loomis in the show, releases Barnabas Collins with Johnny Depp for a 2012 remake of the classic show.  Another miniseries was recreated in the 90s as well, so this isn’t the first time Barnabas has been revived.

 

            Like all of Burton’s previous works, the film is rich visually.  The world of Collinswood and Collinsport is recreated on a grand scale, with homage pieces to the shows set and big budget expansions to the designs.  Even when the color pallet on screen is of a grey nature, it still remains wondrous to behold as the audience is taken into the Collins family.  The camera work, performances brought out of the actors, and all the other directing elements, it’s clear that Burton had a very good time with this one.    

 

            Although not as clunky as the Alice in Wonderland film, Dark Shadows does have its script issues.  There are a few plot points that could have been tightened or expanded upon to really solidify the film.  But besides these few notes, the script is at least a lot of fun.  Not a full blown comedy as the trailers would have you believe, but still with enough laughs to keep the story plugging forward.  The film manages to maintain homage and honor to its source while poking fun at some of the obvious oddities.  What would it be like if a 200 year old vampire appeared in the 70s?  This is played with quite well, especially as Depp both manages to create many laughs with his genuine curiosity and play the sinister bas ass vampire of the lore. 

            Overall the acting is very well done.  Caroline Stoddard is a bit weak, as is Roger Collins, but most of this seems to derive from script issues with their characters.  Everyone seems to have genuine fun with their roles which makes it fun as an audience member to kick back and enjoy the journey, even when the plot cracks around you in weaker places.  Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins and Eva Green as Angelique Bouchard are clear highlights as are Helena Bonham Carter as Dr. Julia Hoffman and Michelle Pfeiffer as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard. 

 

            The score is also a highlight, as is expected from Danny Elfman.  Very dark and rich.  Even the pop songs placed in scenes work really well to build the world. 

            Overall, the script issues are fairly problematic.  However, the direction and acting more than make up for the issues.  A bit more work shopping was needed to tighten key moments and raise some stakes. 

            On a personal note, Tim Burton should just hire me to edit the scripts he wants to work on.  I’ve already fixed Alice in Wonderland and Dark Shadows for him.  Tim, I just want to help you!    

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Feb12

The Woman in Black (2012)

by admin on February 12th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Posted In: Movies

The second film released for Hammer Film’s come back and Daniel Radcliffe’s first film performance outside of the Harry Potter universe.

The story follows Arthur Kipps, a young widowed lawyer with a four year old son must travel to a remote village to take care of the final paper work of a widow.

What is delightful about this film is the suspense.  As of recent horror films, it doesn’t seem to be something well considered.  In this movie however, the pacing to the first scare and the builds to each scare is really well done and makes each jumping moment very griping.  The whole first two acts of the film are paced perfectly with this set up.  Although some of the scares may be knocked off as ‘cheap haunted house scares’, they are really well done.  The Woman in Black and other ghostly moments are shown scarcely enough to pack a punch, but not so drawn out that they’re a non entity.

The issue with the lead character is not at all the fault of Daniel Radcliffe.  The character’s largest issue is being very one noted and under develop, which is completely the scripts issue.  Daniel has a great presence, plays the brooding mourning husband well.  The relationship between he and his son needed more time at the opening of the film, but this is forgivable.

Back to pacing, the movie loses its climax a bit.  For all the building and suspense, the movie came to a head at the end fairly quickly, which is a bit disappointing.  However, the scares leading up to it are great.

There is a final beat at the end of the film that comes across as slightly confusing.  I won’t spoil it, but there is a bit of a mixed, message I suppose is the best term.  I look forward to hearing other people’s thoughts on the subject.

Anyway, overall, it is a very well done suspense film, with excellent effects and atmosphere.  Outside of the slight issue of Arthur being a bit one noted, and the climax happening a bit too quickly, it is overall a great horror movie.

Looking forward to more from Hammer, and more from Radcliffe, his career is looking very promising.

B-

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Jan02

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011)

by admin on January 2nd, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Posted In: Movies

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol (2011)

The phrase ‘on the edge of your seat’ is tossed around quite a lot in terms of action movies.  In fact, I’m fairly certain any time any film comes out, edge of your seat excitement is usually used in some way or another during the advertisement and review stages.  I myself had never truly experienced this so called ‘edge of your seat’ experience.  Sure I love action films anyway, but one has never really left me falling off my chair in excitement.  Until this movie that is.  Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol is truly an edge of your seat ride.  Director Brad Bird and Tom Cruise beyond deliver in this Mission Impossible sequel that is one of the most exciting action films to come out in a very long time.   The characters are lots of fun, the plot is well executed, and the action sequences are wondrous to behold.  The experience in IMAX is a real highlight, as it is one of the only four films to be shot for IMAX, the experience is well worth the extra money, even if just for the sequence of Tim Cruise scaling the world’s tallest building.

Plot wise, unlike the other Mission Impossible films, the government isn’t behind them to clean their mess, and failure in their mission will result in complete destruction of the world through nuclear warfare.  The stakes are high, the action is great, Michael Giacchino ‘s score is loads of fun, and the run time will speed past you with all the twists and turns inside.  This movie really is a must see for the year.

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Jan02

Hugo (2011)

by admin on January 2nd, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Posted In: Movies

Hugo (2011)

Martin Scorsese’s latest film Hugo, a story set in 1930s Paris, revolves around a young orphan who lives inside a train station as he tries to unravel the mystery of the automaton he and his father were fixing before the father’s untimely death.
Despite the confusing nature of the trailer, due to the visuals not at all matching the music it was presented with, Hugo could quite possibly be the movie of the year.

Scorsese is probably the first director to composite shots specifically for 3d; making the visual experience the greatest you may ever have in a theater.  Unlike Avatar, which set the bar for this level of 3d, Hugo’s non fantasy world comes to life with the 3d.  It’s almost unbelievable how gorgeous the shots are to watch.

The story is also an incredible journey of self discovery, and when the movie takes a turn with the mystery of the automaton, the journey through the magic of film making was the greatest of pay offs.

The performances from the young leads is also amazing, and Ben Kinglsey’s performance as Georges Melies is academy award winning.  The pacing and editing is also top notch, so you won’t find yourself bored.  One thing I can warn however, despite the tone of the trailer, it really isn’t a kids movie.  I’m certain most would find the movie boring, since the dialogue and themes are very adult in style.

Overall, all the elements of film have come together beautifully, and Scorsese proves to his audience that 3d can in fact add to story telling beyond the gimmick is seems to have become.  If you are a fan of movies, and the magic of making and watching them, this movie is most definitely a must see.   

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Oct05

Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary

by admin on October 5th, 2011 at 11:16 pm
Posted In: Music

 

Phantom of the Opera is my favorite everything.  It is my favorite novel by Gaston Leurox.  It is my favorite movie, with Lon Chaney Sr., it is my favorite musical, and overall he is my favorite character of any medium.  The story of The Phantom of the Opera is one of the most brilliant tales ever told.  A tale of mystery, intrigue, horror, tragedy, triumph, and love.  It has been retold countless times, through numerous films, plays, musicals, and books, further expanding the lore and intrigue that is the masked man behind the music.  Most famously of these adaptations and expansions, is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical.  A musical that forever changed the shape of musical theater.

Twenty five years ago on West End, Phantom of the Opera opened at Her Majesty’s Theater, where it still plays to this very day.  A musical experience, where all the elements of theatre landed  perfectly in place and has been seen by millions of fans worldwide.  To celebrate, an anniversary concert was in order.  But of course, Webber couldn’t sit by with just any concert.  All the stops have been pulled to bring to Phans around the world the ultimate Phantom tribute.

As mentioned earlier, I am a pretty big Phan of the Phantom.  I’ve seen countless films, I’ve listened to countless scores, I’ve read and reread many novelizations, and I’ve seen the musical on stage a grand total of three times and the movie of the musical more times than I can count.  So when news came that Fathom events was hosting a live screening in a nearby theater, I went bankrupt at the chance to go.

The performance exceeded all of my already soaring expectations.  Expecting a Les Mis style concert was foolish on my part.  Webber treated us all with a stage built for an actual performance of the entire play.  New directing and musical choices were added to the show, which further enhanced the overall experience with the new and improved blocking choices.

Michael Crawford has long been my favorite Phantom.  I love his voice, and just from listening to his recordings, you can hear his deep understanding of the character.  Howard McGillin was the Phantom I saw live, and his performance was also breath taking.  But nothing, could have prepared me for the utter brilliance that is Ramin Karimloo.  His performance was breath-taking.  And although I have teared up for every live performance I have ever seen of it, I wept in the theater for him at the end of the play.  I have never been so moved as I was by him during the whole show.  He essentially IS The Phantom, and I can never express my joy to him for giving me what is now the greatest moment of theater I have experienced.

The rest of the cast was brilliant as well, there was no weak member within the ensemble, and the overall effect was truly magic.

If there are any more performances of the concert, or when the dvd and bluray release happens, I encourage anyone and everyone to take the time to view it.  It is a wondrous experience to behold.  As for me, I desperately await the bluray, and the cd release so I can hear Ramin Karimloo sing once more.

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