The party...euh pardon THE HAPPENING

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Retrospective Reviews- Dark Shadows (2012)
10/10
Author: Tyree Webster (tyreeewebster@hotmail.co.uk) from United Kingdom
18 May 2012

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Johnny Depp and Tim Burton return in a triumphant revival and show us why the Hell we see their movies! After the immensely frightening, mediocre and humourless film that was 'ALICE IN WONDERLAND' in 2010, Tim Burton goes back to his Gothic roots in this film about a 17th century Vampire that is locked away and awakens in 1972, hoping to reconnect with his almost extinct family.

First of all, to make things clear, I am NOT a fan of the original television series that this film is based upon, I only found out about it once this film was in the early development stages, but I AM a fan of Tim Burton (who is my favourite director) and Johnny Depp (who also happens to be one of my favourite actors), and I love it every time they join to do a movie, because every time they make a film, it is always different from their previous film, for example, 'EDWARD SCISSORHANDS' in 1990 was a suttle, small scale beautiful fairytale, and then we get 'SLEEPY HOLLOW' in 1999 which was a loud, anarchic, horror story, with a large scale, and so on. This film was extremely different to 'ALICE', it was darker, wittier and most of all a better production.

To start off, Johnny Depp as 'THE MAD HATTER', he wasn't bad in the role, but it wasn't his best role either. His character was quirky and fun to look at, but was just a tad too scary for younger viewers, who were the original target audience, then we see him in the more adult film 'DARK SHADOWS' as Barnabas Collins, he is less scary but does a lot more frightening things, his character is played off as an untouchable playboy who doesn't know that he is out of place and doesn't really understand that he makes the characters around him feel strange and uneasy, but the character is so rude, and so oblivious to the fact that he talks down to other people that we actually like him and enjoy his character.

Forgot to mention the fact that his character is so funny and Depp's performance in this film is probably one of his best since, maybe Ichabod Crane. This is all because of Burton's direction and the type of film it is. The other actors did a good job in their roles, but were not seen enough for character development due to the many scenes of Barnabas trying to adapt to his new home and his run- ins with the film villain, Angelique played by Eva Green. But even SHE wasn't seen as much as Depp. But, I'd like to focus on Burton. His trademark style shines it's brightest in this film, as he clearly shows why he is more of a visual artist than a storyteller, the strange shapes and dark, quirky but childlike atmosphere is ALL here, but sometimes lacks the real Gothic nature of Burton's previous efforts.

The story isn't the best, but is easy to follow. To wrap up, this film IS a comedy, a very funny one, but is also a dark, strange Gothic horror film, and the comedy is actually quite hidden. So, 'DARK SHADOWS' fans and Burton/Depp fans should be pleased by this film, it is dark, funny and overall classic Tim Burton. So, ignore the poor reviews.

trouvée en dernière minute

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Best Movie I've Seen I Quite Awhile
10/10
Author: rjk541 from United States
17 May 2012

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

I was a huge fan of the original Dark Shadows serial soap. Watched it every day until it was preempted in Los Angeles by the Senate Watergate Hearings.

Tim Burton's version of Dark Shadows staring Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfieffer is a great send-off to the series and other 70's horror movies. Green puke: The Exorcist. Wearwolf: Wolfen. The boy staring in the hall: Damien from The Omen. And the 1970's soundtrack was second to none, starting with "Nights in White Satin." It was tacky, funny, a little scary, and definitely another Burton hit. I would go see it again in theaters, watch it every time it is on T.V., and go see the sequel too. This is one of few movies that I see out of the over 40 new ones I see per year that I can truly say: You gotta see this flick!

trouvée en dernière minute

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Captured the element of Dark Shadows
10/10
Author: hroberts2010 from Canada
18 May 2012

As an avid fan of the original Dark Shadows series I can honestly say I went in seeing this movie expecting to be appalled. I came out with a smile for several reasons. For me Dark Shadows became my family of sorts...a truly dysfunctional family with several secrets and regrets. The original series helped me cope with many issues in my own life growing up and seeing it renewed brought back so many fantastic memories that were both good and bad.

As for the movie itself it was done with such a unique old fashioned charm that captured the era of the early 70's and who could ever complain about the score with the likes of Alice Cooper and the Almighty Black Sabbath. The mood was great from the get-go and the comedic bits were placed in well with the story told putting the trailers to shame. Seeing the trailers I assumed it was a comedic parody and it was gladly not. The story arc with Angelique having lived in one form or another throughout the ages of the Collins family history was great and leads to further story lines both past and present.

Barnabas wasn't the only main story as Angelique delved into the past histories of Quentin Collins (the werewolf) and that of Judah Zachary (the warlock). Wherever Johnny Depp and Tim Burton go with this project I hope they make it as original as they have made this adventure. Take their own ideas and run with it. Personally I believe Dan Curtis (the original producer) would be proud. In my own opinion I think they should attempt the world of prime-time animated features similar to The Avengers: Earths Mightiest Heroes.

trouvée en dernière minute

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Blood is thicker than water, a fang of a good time! Excellent take on the Gothic classic.
10/10
Author: Danny Blankenship from Petersburg, Virginia
11 May 2012

I for one am one of the biggest Tim Burton fans the man who brought us the classics "Batman"(1989) and "Batman Returns"(1992)really blends emotions and the inner feelings to make excellent movies.As his dark and Gothic mood tone will make any viewer enchanted And with this work an update and more modern version of the TV soap "Dark Shadows" Tim clearly did not let anyone down! "Dark Shadows" is an excellent take and spin on the Gothic classic and Tim's story is filled with a journey and search for family and love plus the comedy and horror mix make the film very interesting to anyone.

And the film is a pop culture piece for the way it blends music and style of it's setting of 1972 it's a rock and roll all night good time. As anyone knows who watches Burton's movies they are full of fun and expressions always revealing inner feelings and emotions his works can really change one's view of the world. And the all star cast makes the film work even more as two Tim favorites Johnny Depp(Barnabas Collins)and Michelle Pfeiffer(Elizabeth Collins Stoddard)shine with star power.

The film has a story in a historical and Gothic kind of way starting in 1752 in Liverpool, England a young Barnabas(Depp)suffers some fatal tragedies at the hands of a curse put out by a sexy yet jealous witch Angelique Bouchard(Eva Green). Yet after many many decades of being buried the film flashes to it's present day of 1972 and the culture is captured in the film perfect by the use of 70's music and style as the furniture and the clothing from the 70's is noticeable. And a nice little appearance from 70's legend Alice Cooper is A okay.

And Barnabas meets his ancestral descendants that being the wealthy and rich Collins family of Collinsport, Maine a seaside and shoreline fishing community as this business has brought the Collins clan their millions.Yet arriving is a mysterious girl Victoria Winters/Josette(Bella Heathcote) who becomes a guest to the Colins family and this arrival has pleased Barnabas. The bad news is the sexy yet wicked witch but breakable beauty Angelique(Eva Green)has arrived in town with her curse.

To help both defeat the wicked witch is the Collins Stoddard family as Michelle Pfeiffer is elegant and sexy in a classic kind of way and in top notch form as family head leader Elizabeth and true this a strange bunch as Elizabeth's daughter Carolyn(Chloe Grace Moretz) is a certain little hand full and family head doctor Julia Hoffman(Helena Bonham Carter) needs medication herself.

Overall this horror comedy drama is full of laughs, love, culture, and searching for belonging and acceptance still it closes the historical Gothic story out to a happy ending. The performances from Depp and Pfeiffer were top notch and perfect and again Tim sends a message and he proves with this film that family and belonging is important and too it's okay to be different! "Dark Shadows" was one feel good viewing pleasure.