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Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '08 I => Topic started by: PennyDreadful on December 21, 2007, 04:18:46 PM

Title: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: PennyDreadful on December 21, 2007, 04:18:46 PM
Anyone planning to see this?

As much as I like Johnny Depp, I just don't know about this one.

Tod Slaughter and George Hearn both had a physically intimidating presence that dear Johnny D. lacks.  And Hearn of course had the pipes to pull off the songs in the Sondheim version.  But I'm keeping an open mind because *usually* the Depp/Burton combo is a good one (despite Willie Wonka).  And Helena Bonham Carter singing?  Er? Urm?  We shall see.  We shall see.  It does look *visually* cool from the trailers I've seen.

Hexoxo,
Penny
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on December 21, 2007, 06:10:00 PM
For what it's worth, I've seen nothing but excellent reviews that have praised not only the film but Depp and Bonham Carter's performances - including their singing. And ST is already on several best of the year lists, with Burton being selected as best director as well.

Check out the review I'd linked to/excerpted here:
Quote from: Mysterious Benefactor on December 04, 2007, 01:32:59 AM
Variety's ... review
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: madscntst on December 22, 2007, 05:19:27 AM
Bear in mind that as an unabashed Depp fan, I'm going to be biased!  But I got to see an advance screening of the film 2 weeks ago, and have just returned from the theater where I saw it again.  I loved the film.  It is daring, unique, and haunting.  The end will stay with you for a long time.

I will say, though, that the film is a very different beast than the stage versions I've seen.  The characters are much more internalized.  Johnny broods and simmers, and he rarely bellows like Hearn did, but when he does... watch out.  Helena's singing is quite weak, and I was concerned about her after hearing some of the sound clips, but her singing voice works surprisingly well in the context of the film, in my opinion.  If you're a real fan of the stage show, you are bound to miss certain things- a few songs have been cut and several have been trimmed.  A lot of the stagey, slapstick humor is gone.  However, if you think about it, I think the slapstick aspect, which works so wonderfully on stage, would seem out of place on film.  Here, you are kept in the moment, and as strange as the singing, the blood, and even some of the CGI effects of the sets are unrealistic, the film *feels* very real.  About the physically intimidating presence- I have had this conversation with folks who are familiar with George Hearn or Len Cariou.  Some feel that someone who had been slaving in a prison with harsh conditions for 15 years would be burly.  Maybe.  But it seems to me that a man who has a very sharp razor in his hands doesn't NEED to be that physically strong.  And despite Johnny's lean frame, he CAN look pretty darn intimidating when he wants to.

At any rate, I understand your qualms, and I realize that this film may not be to everyone's liking.  But for myself, I'm thrilled that they rose to this huge challenge, and I'm thrilled with the way it turned out.

And yeah, I can start to see a glimmer of Barnabas in Johnny's eyes as he portrays Sweeney Todd.  Oh, please, let this happen soon!!
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Mary on December 22, 2007, 11:21:40 AM
I totally agree with madscntst's review -- this movie was awesome!  I saw it this afternoon.  Depp doesn't need to be big and burly -- he just lures his victims into his barber's chair and lets his razor do the rest -- mwahahaha!  (LOL!)  And Helena's voice indeed worked very well for her character.  After seeing this, I can't wait to see what Johnny does with his portrayal of Barnabas!
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: MagnusTrask on December 22, 2007, 03:38:49 PM
I almost saw it on stage in the early 80s, and I've listened to the soundtrack of that a lot over the years.  Anyway, maybe my problem, every time Johnny Depp does another odd film, is that it seems every time there's an even slightly odd film, Depp stars in it.    And I guess, Burton directs it.    I think of Burton as someone I "ought" to like given fringe tastes of mine, but don't really.    I get the impression Depp and/or Burton are mainstream Hollywood's token "fringe" actor and director.    Anyway, how good, original, and well-crafted can all these films be, if some bits are the same in all of them, namely Depp?
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: madscntst on December 22, 2007, 05:56:46 PM
Well, you'd have to see the film to see whether you feel they're just repeating what they've done together before.  But it seems to me that except for the CGI-heavy opening credits, this one feels a lot more un-Burtonish than many of Burton's other films.  Given that the title character is a singing homicidal maniac, it's done pretty "straight" otherwise.  And even though there are several fantasy sequences, they're not as "cute" as what might come to mind as a typical Burton style.  I feel this may be one of the most grown-up films Burton has done.

As for Johnny always playing odd characters, well, he *can* play odd characters. But he doesn't always.  If you get a chance, check out What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Donnie Brasco, Blow, or Finding Neverland to see some more straight-on portrayals.  He can certainly do those, too! 
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: michael c on December 22, 2007, 06:38:55 PM
in general i'm not a huge tim burton fan but this film had me quite interested.

however i have a weird phobia of going to the movies so, like all films, i'll have to wait until this comes out on dvd.
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Gerard on December 23, 2007, 02:19:06 AM
I just heard that the state where I live, the film will have a very limited release, and no theater in the section of the state where I live will show it.  The reason why?  The theaters are stating that the film's production studio is asking too much money.  Most of the theaters here are in the Marcus franchise and Marcus in this state has told the studio to take a hike unless it drastically lowers the asking fee.  So no Sweeny for me.  Guess I'll have to wait until 2009 when, after the film's release to DVD, it ends up in the bargain bin of Walmart mixed in with the old Shrek films and anything starring Vince Vaughn.

Gerard
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Philippe Cordier on December 23, 2007, 09:23:36 PM
I really want to see "Sweeney Todd" after seeing an extended trailer. I remember my parents watching the Angela Lansbury version on TV in 1982, and that it seemed interesting and unusual.  I'm not a big fan of Tim Burton although I like his visual style, and I think Depp is a solid actor from what little I've seen in the past couple of years (Edward Scissorhands, The Ninth Gate, and some of Sleepy Hollow, which I otherwise didn't care much for except for the visual style, and which I turned off after Christopher Lee's early scenes - I did like Depp in all of these).

But like Gerard, who is in a neighboring state, the new film won't be showing in my market for the same reasons he explains about the franchise refusing to pay for the film. How maddening, given the mediocre junk (to put it lightly) that gets shown everywhere.

 [ChristmaS15]
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: David on December 24, 2007, 12:05:33 AM
Is Sweeney Todd a bomb?

Nationl Treasure: $45 million
Sweeney Todd: 9.5 million

I LOVE Burton & Depp.
I'm so loooking forward to Sweney Todd & the Depp DS.
I hope these low grosses are not an indication of a good film failing to find it's audience.

David
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on December 24, 2007, 12:28:37 AM
Quote from: David on December 24, 2007, 12:05:33 AM
Is Sweeney Todd a bomb?

Nationl Treasure: $45 million
Sweeney Todd: 9.5 million

Well, no one was expecting ST to be #1 at the box office - that was expected to be a battle between NT and I Am Legend. Also, ST is playing in far fewer theaters: 1,249 vs. NT's 3,832.

What I think is interesting is that Variety is reporting that ST is skewing more male than female. What's not surprising, though, is that 65% of attendees were over 25. So, with NT broadly appealing to a younger crowd, and what with ST in less than a third of NT's theaters, ST's gross is healthy.
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Gerard on December 24, 2007, 03:44:00 AM
Probably the reason for ST "poor" showings in competition with other films is because of its limited release.  It seems that quite a few other franchises, along with Marcus in many areas, will not pay an apparently exorbitant fee for it.

I just don't get that.  So what if it was pricey making the movie.  Titanic was the most expensive movie made when it came out ($100,000,000 total for everything) but its studio didn't ask for anything more than any other movie being released and it ended up reaping in over $1,000,000,000 in profits.

I saw I Am Legend this weekend (which I enjoyed).  In the lobby I saw a poster for ST.  I made a comment that maybe the theater will be showing it.  The ticket-sales girl said that no, they won't.  The theater (and its Marcus owner) won't pay what they're asking.  The poster is simply there for "decoration."  It sounds like the studio moguls need a slap upside the head (unless they want it to fail so it can be a tax write-off).

Gerard
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on December 24, 2007, 05:18:34 AM
Truthfully, no one has really been expecting ST to be a blockbuster. Most have forecast it to be "reasonably commercial" - which it has proven itself to be. No film that averages $7,428  per screen in its first weekend could ever be considered a bomb. A bomb is, well, Jessica Simpson's new film Blonde Ambition, which grossed only $384 on its opening day! [santa_shocked]  Yes, its only playing in 8 theaters, but that's still an amazingly dismal $48 per screen on opening day. Most people could open their own home movies to bigger box office!!  [santa_cheesy]
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Brian on December 24, 2007, 07:16:05 AM
Here's what I posted over on the Sondheim chat forum.  Note:  it contains spoilers, so please proceed with caution....and for one more comment, not related to Sondheim--if Johnny Depp's dream comes true and he plays Barnabas Collins...well, we'll all have reason to celebrate!!


After much anticipation, I saw the film earlier this evening, in a not-so-crowded theater.  It was the first movie I’ve seen in a theater since CHICAGO, as I have a nice home theater setup that surpasses any movie-going experience I’ve ever had.  I don’t have to put up with rude audience members like the two mothers and their three pre-pubescent daughters sitting behind me who hardly ever shut their mouths during the film (why would these women bring kids to this R-rated movie anyway—guess they thought it would be another Jack Sparrow-type film).

Except for the folks mentioned above, and the bad service at the snack counter, and that there were no paper towels in the men’s room, it wasn’t too awful an experience.  But I’ll not be going to the movies anytime again soon.

As for the movie, I really loved it.  Everything one needs to get the story is there, and the singing, though not “operatic” quality (nor was the original), and acting are quite good, in my opinion.  (FYI, I saw the tour, with Lansbury and Hearn, in November, 1980, at the Kennedy Center in Washington.  I know the score via the original LP and the CD, and I have the piano/vocal score, and the video of the tour.)

Spoiler:
The gore didn’t bother me, although I found Mrs. Lovett’s end somewhat disturbing, and Sweeney’s final ending was actually appropriate, I think—a bit of poetic justice that his was the most bloody.

Two interesting things I noted:  during “Not While I’m Around,” I thought HBC looked a lot like Bernadette Peters, in the lighting and angles.  Coincidence or not, given Ms. Peters connection to Sondhiem.  Secondly, when Todd recognized Lucy, it was rewarding to hear the woman next to me say her partner “oh, it’s his wife.”


Clearly, there will be some new folks introduced to Sondheim!!
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Nancy on December 24, 2007, 02:55:17 PM
Gerard, for some reason I thought "I Am Legend" would be a vampire movie.  I seem to recall there was a novel or somesuch published decades ago with the central character being a vampire. Obviously that is not the case with this current film which I am anxious to see, along with the new Depp movie.

Nancy

Quote from: Gerard on December 24, 2007, 03:44:00 AM
I saw I Am Legend this weekend (which I enjoyed).
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Gerard on December 24, 2007, 03:22:15 PM
The creatures in this version, Nancy, are "sort-of" vampires.  You'll see what I mean when you go to the film.  It's based on Richard Matheson's novel of the same name that came out around the early sixties or so.  The book was about a lone survivor of a plague that has turned the human race into vampires; he spends his time boarded up in his house by night and vampire hunting by day.  There were two other cinematic versions, the first, starring Vincent Price and named The Last Man on Earth, followed Matheson's novel very closely; it was made in the mid-sixties (and is a very creepy film).  The second was 1970's The Omega Man with Charton Heston which had much more vague simularities to the book.

Gerard
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Nancy on December 24, 2007, 05:32:55 PM
Ah, okay. Thank you, Gerard for that.

Nancy

Quote from: Gerard on December 24, 2007, 03:22:15 PM
The creatures in this version, Nancy, are "sort-of" vampires.  You'll see what I mean when you go to the film.  It's based on Richard Matheson's novel of the same name that came out around the early sixties or so.  The book was about a lone survivor of a plague that has turned the human race into vampires; he spends his time boarded up in his house by night and vampire hunting by day.  There were two other cinematic versions, the first, starring Vincent Price and named The Last Man on Earth, followed Matheson's novel very closely; it was made in the mid-sixties (and is a very creepy film).  The second was 1970's The Omega Man with Charton Heston which had much more vague simularities to the book.
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: MagnusTrask on December 25, 2007, 05:32:56 AM
Yes, Gerard, thanks.    Now I need to see the Vincent Price film-- Omega Man I've seen bits of, and although it's from the best science-fiction film period, it doesn't seem like what I'd want to see.    Anything by Richard Matheson I want to see.    On Sweeney Todd... now that I know it was filmed in 1982 (I almost got to see it back then), that's what I want to see.   I don't know how I'll see it.....
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: mspeel007 on December 30, 2007, 03:58:43 AM
I can't WAIT to see it! My son's high school did Sweeney his sophmore year. Johnny Depp can give me a "shave" anytime!!! [a_xmas]
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Julia99 on December 30, 2007, 05:02:53 PM
a high school put on Sweeney Todd?! Knock me over  ...

I saw it yesterday.  I am a fan of the show, having seen a traditional interpretation eons ago and then the Michael Cerveris-Patti Lupone version on Broadway last year.   Though i was initially skeptical of Lucy Honeychurch as Mrs. Lovett, she did a very good job; I enjoyed the By the Sea production number immensely and the reprise of Joanna.  Alan Rickman was once again despicably wonderful.  Depp was maniacal as Todd, quite good.  And the voices. .well who here would say Angela Lansbury (whom I love) has great pipes—no she has character and that’s what b’way musicals really want—

All that said, I covered my eyes a number of time as the raspberry sauce spilled, dripped and sprayed --
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: PennyDreadful on December 31, 2007, 04:52:51 PM
I saw Sweeney last week.  I liked it.  I didn't adore it, but I liked it.  Johnny was very good and so was Alan Rickman (who, by the by, I think would make a really good Barnabas himself).  Helena Bonham Carter was a good Mrs. Lovett.   I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the perfect casting of Sacha Baron Cohen as Pirelli.  The Dickensian visuals were fantastic.  Tim Burton totally went for the Hammer color blood which was a nice touch.  The By the Sea sequence was hilarious, in a dark humor kind of way.  The blood-spraying was way over the top - Quentin Tarantino would be proud of that m'thinks.  I'll probably go see it again.

Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 03, 2008, 03:04:05 AM
An update from Variety on how well ST did over the New Year's Weekend:

DreamWorks-Paramount's bigscreen adaptation of "Sweeney Todd" was No. 9 with an estimated five-day gross of $11.8 million and [a three-day gross of] $8.2 million from 1,249 runs. Cume is $30.5 million in the film's first 10 days.

Tim Burton directed the Johnny Depp-Helena Bonham Carter tuner, adapted from Stephen Sondheim's macabre Broadway tuner.

A DreamWorks spokesman said "Sweeney" is in strong shape, considering that it's playing only 1,249. The DreamWorks-Warner Bros. co-production cost $50 million to produce. DreamWorks-Par is distribbing domestically and will take "Sweeney" wide on Jan. 11.

Initial tracking suggested that teen girls would be the biggest aud for "Sweeney," largely because of Depp and also because they often propel horror films. In fact, older moviegoers are the ones turning out.

"It's playing like a musical," DreamWorks spokesman Chip Sullivan said.
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Barnabas'sBride on January 03, 2008, 03:55:24 AM
Quote from: PennyDreadful on December 31, 2007, 04:52:51 PM
I saw Sweeney last week.  I liked it.  I didn't adore it, but I liked it.  Johnny was very good and so was Alan Rickman (who, by the by, I think would make a really good Barnabas himself).

As much as I love Alan Rickman, he's too old for the part of Barnabas now.  Some years ago, he would've been an interesting choice.

I saw Sweeney Todd over the weekend and I thought it was very good. I'm not sure if it's one I'll be able to watch again and again, but I'll buy it on dvd, and I've purchased the soundtrack. Depp was fantastic as always, both in acting and in singing.


Alan Rickman did such a good job as the judge that it might affect how I view him as my favorite character in Harry Potter. He made my skin crawl.
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 14, 2008, 05:11:59 AM
Re: The Golden Globes

Whoa! No one was predicting that. But who are we to complain?  [snow_wink]
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 22, 2008, 04:24:12 PM
Following in the footsteps of the Globes, I see where Depp's performance just received an Oscar nomination.
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: David on January 22, 2008, 04:57:37 PM
Depp is currently our finest actor.
His range is mind boggling.
Look at the roles he's played for Burton, coupled with films like the Pirates series, The Libertine, Benny & Joon,
Don Juan De Marco, etc.
No other male performer today can touch that kind of versatility.
Depp should have won several Oscars by now.

I never saw Sweeney on stage, but I finally saw the film last week.
Visually stunning, as all Burton films are.
As the film played, I kep thinking: "This is what a Depp/Burton DS would look like!!"
How Grandly Gothic that would be!!

David

Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Gothick on January 23, 2008, 08:21:54 PM
I'm enjoying reading this thread. Sweeney Todd from the reviews I've seen has the same gore quotient as The Texas Chain Saw Massacres and although I enjoy classic horror I really can live without the splatter biz, so I'll be giving it a miss.  But it's interesting to see all the comments about it.  I'm just a little disappointed that nobody thought it was a dud--there's usually at least somebody who proves to be the odd man (or woman) out in the group. 

Two very short responses to comments above:  I used to own the Original Cast Recordings for Mame and Dear World, and I saw Lansbury do Everything's coming up Roses (when she was doing her triumphal revival of Gypsy) at a Tony show back several decades ago, and I think that in her way, Lansbury may have had one of those archetypally golden Broadway voices.  I can't really say more about it than that, just my opinion.  Her singing on Dear World (a show that regrettably flopped) is particularly exquisite.  God, I need to get the CD for that show...

As for Johnny Depp, although he seems like a very likeable, wonderful fellow, I have yet to see him do anything that made me raise my eyebrows, much less knock my socks off.  (His stunt cameo as a prison drag queen in that Javier Bardem thing did amuse me, I'll admit.)  The MB advised me to hie myself to the video shop and check out Depp's thesping in From Hell, but I have yet to manage to do that.  I'm afraid all I can conjure up in the notion of Depp as Barnabas is a cartoon rendition of the character, although I do attempt to keep an open mind. 

I'm not sure who I would nominate as the greatest actor of our times.  Different actors show different strengths in different roles.  It would probably be someone like Viggo Mortensen or Ewan MacGregor, though.  I realized all over again today how little I know or comprehend about "the industry" nowadays when I read in an obit for poor Heathie Ledger that Ledger, who I regarded as a major box office draw today, was "not a marquee movie star."  WTF?

cheers, Gothique
Title: Re: OT: Sweeney Todd
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on January 23, 2008, 09:09:55 PM
Apparently ST is doing well around the world as well. Variety reported today:

Awards-season fare started showing foreign traction, with "Sweeney Todd" slicing its way to an impressive $6.6 million at 739 for Warner Bros. via first-place launches in Japan and South Korea.