after some of the scathing criticism they've received I very much doubt either burton or depp would want to dip their toes into this particular well again...


and even under more positive circumstances visually and creatively perhaps they've gotten it "out of their systems".

I didn't say Quentin wasn't an important character...


I said he was a relative latecomer. fans(not simply people who watched the show 40-odd years ago)are aware of that. so when the depp film was underway, and those fans knew it would focus on the barnabas storyline, I was confused that there were those who had expectations that Quentin we be featured and even expressed surprise and dismay that he would not.


the film was stuffed to the gills with underdeveloped characters and simply didn't have room for another male lead and completely different storyline.

I don't know if it was "stiff" but it took itself too seriously. there was something florid and pretentious about it. like dan curtis felt he was layering "grandeur" into the story by way of smoke machines.


but then it was very much a product of it's time. it was the twilight of the big 1980's prime time soap operas and miniseries and that was reflected in it. particularly the 1790 sequence. to me it was very evocative of the 80's "bodice ripper" miniseries. I kept expecting jane seymour to show up.


still it was not without it's charms. but to me it's dated in not a good way.

david's assessment sounds pretty accurate...


a lighthearted take on the story. an homage of sorts but certainly not a remake or sequel or anything that needs to fit into any sort of continuity. a stand alone variation on the tale(even in the unlikely event of a sequel of it's own)that exists in it's own universe. as such doesn't do any damage to the "franchise" as it stands.

and realistically what kind of "franchise" are we really talking about? DS certainly doesn't have the brand recognition of a 'dracula' or 'star wars' type tale that the overall public is well versed in the basic story outline. to say it's a "niche" player, despite a highly loyal fanbase, would be an understatement. even people who watched the OS during it's run would be hard pressed to recall the storyline in any detail other than regaling tales of "running home from school" or their barnabas lunchbox. but plot specifics? forget it.

the comic books and audiodramas, "thriving" as they may be, are preaching to the choir. not really intended for the general public but existing DS fans or collectors of "graphic novels" again, niche products.


so as has already been stated a lighthearted or even comedic take on an established story that exists as it's own entity outside of any sort of "official" continuity doesn't necessarily "damage" the brand. new variations on the story are still possible to be sure.

and lots of fans, and even those who were initially quite hostile to the project, have warmed to it's offbeat sensibility. I for one was horrified upon my first viewing. I thought it was completely idiotic. and while I still have issues with it(it's cacophonous climactic scene being a major one)I've grown quite fond of it and the dvd is in frequent play. some performances in fact becoming favorites.

I really might have to upgrade to blueray just to catch these scenes...


g I was just saying the other day that one of my favorite scenes in the film was the introductory dining room scene...before the gruesome twosome even shows up. another would be the "a vampire!" scene with julia and liz in the drawing room. again, sans vampire or witch.


which isn't to say depp and green didn't bring a lot of distinction to their roles. it's just that it all goes into maximum overdrive when they're onscreen. especially together.



for me the essence of the whole thing is this eccentric group of people living in this falling down mansion in maine. not monsters. I could take or leave that element of it or at least appreciate it in some moderation. and when it gets too far out(think late 1968)it starts to derail for me. that's why I found the film's final cacophonous scene("i'm a werewolf...WOOF".)so off putting. for me that's the worst of DS storytelling. not the best.


in terms of the OS i always enjoy the character driven periods and storylines just touched by supernatural elements...a ghost here, a vampire there...rather than having them hit me over the head with a sledgehammer and driving the entire plot into the nonsensical. i appreciate those moments in the film as well. i definitely wanted more of liz, julia, roger and vicki. the above scene typifies that.

was anyone called a "cheap, insufferable PIG!"?


now that's some strong language!

yes.


it's set in the fashion industry in paris in the 1960's with grayson playing an imperious, diana vreeland-esque editor.


moffit and other models of the period appear throughout.