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Movies => Good Movies => Topic started by: Fausto on February 10, 2012, 06:17:08 PM



Title: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Fausto on February 10, 2012, 06:17:08 PM
http://darkshadows.wikia.com/wiki/Dark_Shadows_%282012%29

Wasn't sure if I should put this under good or bad (I guess we'll find out). As a fan both of Tim Burton's work and of the original series, I'm both excited and apprehensive at the same time. It was a smart move to set it in the seventies, although some of the actors seem either too young (Michelle Peiffer as Elizabeth, Johnny Lee Miller as Roger) or too old (Jackie Earle Haley as Willie) for their parts. Also, Johnny Depp as Barnabus...don't know how I feel about that.

(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c375/fausto963/dark-shadows_810.jpg)


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: ChaosTheory on February 10, 2012, 06:23:44 PM
Yipe.  Based on that picture I'm leaning towards bad, but I guess we'll see....I'd really like to start liking Burton again.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Jack on February 10, 2012, 07:56:39 PM
I'm a huge Dark Shadows fan, but for me it's all about Jonathan Frid, Grayson Hall, Alexandra Moltke, David Selby, Lara Parker and all the rest.  The "filmed live" nature of it, the wonderful sets, theme music and overall atmosphere.  Just making a movie with the same character names and a few shared plot points is nothing more than a novelty act IMO.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: indianasmith on February 10, 2012, 11:53:52 PM
I watched the original as a very young pup; don't really remember any of the plotline.  My brother took me to see the bigscreen movie - I think it was called HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS - and I remember being angry that it did not line up with the events in the series at all!

I'm sure I'll check this one out, though.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: RCMerchant on February 11, 2012, 11:10:38 AM
Ah. Damn. I wanna like it.
I won't.
I'm old.
OLD.
I liked Jonathan Frid.
I like Bela Lugosi too.
But I also like Christopher Lee.
They better do it justice,and not turn it into a stupid "revisioning" of...what the hell.
I won't like it. I won't watch it.
Called loyalty.
DAMN.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: tracy on February 11, 2012, 01:12:34 PM
I'm a real Tim Burton fan and I watched the original show in reruns so I intend to go see it. :wink:


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Flick James on February 11, 2012, 01:20:48 PM
Okay, please, you all know the answer to this already. I like Tim Burton okay when he's not re-envisioning stuff, but I only have to bring up Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sleeping Hollow and that should be enough for you. This is almost guaranteed to be horrid. If you absolutely must, don't go and spend your money and time on opening weekend, let it ferment a bit, and if it looks like it will go down well, then give it a go. Don't reward Burton for crap, as it will likely be. That's my two cents. I am hit or miss with Burton. When he hits, he hits hard, but when he misses, it is REALLLLLLY BAD.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: HappyGilmore on February 12, 2012, 04:45:56 PM
I have to disagree slightly with Flick. Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was less a remake of the Wilder film, and more Burton's envisioning of the actual book (parts of which is closer to Burtons film than the other film.) I like Burton's remake of that.

As for this film, he has a great cast. That alone is worth it. Depp, Haley, Pheiffer and the rest are all great.

I am a bit biased, as the only film by Burton I was disappointed by was Planet of the Apes.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: tracy on February 13, 2012, 01:51:54 PM
I have to disagree slightly with Flick. Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was less a remake of the Wilder film, and more Burton's envisioning of the actual book (parts of which is closer to Burtons film than the other film.) I like Burton's remake of that.

As for this film, he has a great cast. That alone is worth it. Depp, Haley, Pheiffer and the rest are all great.

I am a bit biased, as the only film by Burton I was disappointed by was Planet of the Apes.
I liked Planet of the Apes but it certainly was one of the most un-Tim Burtonish he has done.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: joejoe on February 14, 2012, 06:15:04 AM
So, uh, Tim Burton is directing it,,

and Johnny Depp is in it,,,,


I dont care to watch it.

I'm with RC

I would rather watch the original tv series

even with the sets falling apart around the actors
fake sideburns coming unglued
actors forgetting their lines

to me, that is part of what draws me to the show
and the theme music


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Flick James on February 14, 2012, 02:53:26 PM
I have to disagree slightly with Flick. Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was less a remake of the Wilder film, and more Burton's envisioning of the actual book (parts of which is closer to Burtons film than the other film.) I like Burton's remake of that.

As for this film, he has a great cast. That alone is worth it. Depp, Haley, Pheiffer and the rest are all great.

I am a bit biased, as the only film by Burton I was disappointed by was Planet of the Apes.

I understand that that it wasn't a remake of the Wilder film. That wasn't really what I was saying. Tim Burton has a tendency to re-envision things in general. I read the book and the Burton film took the usual Burton liberties, like he did with Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow had virtually nothing in common with the legend, and it was also an atrocity. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was not as much of an atrocity for me, but I still thought it was pretty bad. It's just his tendency to take a beloved book/film/legend/etc. and insist on "Burtonizing" it. A notable exception to this, however, is Batman, which I happen to like.

Now, when he is making a film of his own, or one that is influenced or inspired by something, then he tends to have a much better chance of making a movie that I like, and he has made movies that I like a great deal. Ed Wood was fantastic, Big Fish was sublime, Edward Scissorhands is a classic, so he makes movies that I like.

However, when I see this movie and this cast, given my own (and it's my own personal thing) track record with him as a filmmakers, I am automatically set up for massive disappointment.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: HappyGilmore on February 14, 2012, 10:15:17 PM
I have to disagree slightly with Flick. Burton's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was less a remake of the Wilder film, and more Burton's envisioning of the actual book (parts of which is closer to Burtons film than the other film.) I like Burton's remake of that.

As for this film, he has a great cast. That alone is worth it. Depp, Haley, Pheiffer and the rest are all great.

I am a bit biased, as the only film by Burton I was disappointed by was Planet of the Apes.

I understand that that it wasn't a remake of the Wilder film. That wasn't really what I was saying. Tim Burton has a tendency to re-envision things in general. I read the book and the Burton film took the usual Burton liberties, like he did with Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow had virtually nothing in common with the legend, and it was also an atrocity. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was not as much of an atrocity for me, but I still thought it was pretty bad. It's just his tendency to take a beloved book/film/legend/etc. and insist on "Burtonizing" it. A notable exception to this, however, is Batman, which I happen to like.

Now, when he is making a film of his own, or one that is influenced or inspired by something, then he tends to have a much better chance of making a movie that I like, and he has made movies that I like a great deal. Ed Wood was fantastic, Big Fish was sublime, Edward Scissorhands is a classic, so he makes movies that I like.

However, when I see this movie and this cast, given my own (and it's my own personal thing) track record with him as a filmmakers, I am automatically set up for massive disappointment.
I see what you're saying now.  I misunderstood.

No problems then, sir.

Except Batman, but overall I liked it, but that's a whole other discussion. :wink: :thumbup:


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Mofo Rising on February 15, 2012, 05:59:26 AM
Tim Burton is a continual disappointment.

Don't get me wrong, I think he is a uniquely talented filmmaker, and he can be so good. There are times when he absolutely shines. Unfortunately, the only evidence I have is Big Fish. That movie is fantastic, and it contains everything I think Tim Burton can do well, if he puts his mind to it.

However, the dark side of Tim Burton is that he is a very lazy artist. At some point Burton decided his entire oeuvre was to take beloved kid's films and make them "Burton-esque." That special moniker involves him taking a popular franchise and adding on some weird notes and a monochromatic design aesthetic. It works for him because he's got a popular game actor (Johnny Depp) and a dedicated musician (Danny Elfman).

I still like Tim Burton, but it infuriates me that the only thing he does these days is lazy adaptations of things he loved as a child. He isn't a vital filmmaker, which he could be, he's a fashionista. So f**k him. I feel no need to watch another movie where he strokes the Burton-esque gimmicks he's been relying on for years.

Especially since other people with less money can do it better than him (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1071804/).

Okay, let me say it plain, Tim Burton has no ideas whatsoever. He's among the laziest of filmmakers, and he's coasting on making ideas that were not his own a little more flashy than they were originally were. My respect for him is dead.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Flick James on February 15, 2012, 09:54:03 AM
Mofo,

While your feelings are a bit stronger than mine, we seem to be on similar wavelengths. I've always thought as you do, that he is a waste not because he is talentless, but because he IS talented. And yes, I agree that Big Fish shows what he is capable of. I have similar feelings about Ed Wood, but not to the extent of Big Fish.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: the ghoul on February 16, 2012, 12:18:43 AM
I love the original Dark Shadows series, and  I even like the short-lived series from the early 90's.  I don't care for Tim Burton movies, or very much of anything Johnny Depp has done for well over a decade.  I am obviously not too thrilled with this movie.  Curiosity may end up getting the best of me, and if it does I will rent it from Netflix, but I doubt I will like it.

Why is it that whenever they try to do Dark Shadows again, they just redo the same old story from the beginning?  Why not instead continue it from where it left off?

I think the best way to bring back Dark Shadows would be as a daily soap with unknown Shakespearian actors as the new generation of the Collins family and current residents of Collinsport, and a few of the original cast members resuming their roles as the older generation.  It should also be filmed live with few if any retakes, just like the original series.

The writers would also need to be careful to remain true to the style and feel of the original series and not try to turn it into something like "Charmed" or "The Vampire Diaries."  It would also help if they made use of a good portion of the original soundtrack including the theme.

I've always thought it was a crock when people involved with the show have said it needed to be cancelled because they were running out of ideas.  It seems to me that ideas could be endless for a show like Dark Shadows.

One saving grace is that even if the Burton movie sucks, it will just be one of an infinite number of parallel time universes that have no bearing on the events that took place in the original series.
 :bouncegiggle:    


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: RCMerchant on February 16, 2012, 07:33:54 AM
On the plus side-Johnathan Frid has a bit part-as does Chritopher Lee and Alice Cooper.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1077368/fullcredits#cast

But-geez-Depp looks like a poof as Barnabas.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: HappyGilmore on February 16, 2012, 10:27:59 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKbAEmvZyKQ

Tim Burton says, and I quote: "Anybody who knows me knows that I would never read a comic book."  Which, to most, explains Batman.



Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Allhallowsday on February 16, 2012, 05:15:51 PM
I'm looking forward to it, but don't have much in the way of expectations (I think ED WOOD might be the only TIM BURTON film I genuinely like, though I've not seen BIG FISH).  Contrary to what Indy wrote, I love HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (just watched it again recently on TCM and started a thread about it.)  I, too, grew up watching the original series, and watched reruns in two different decades and each time the series got creakier and creakier... and not in any kind of good way.  It was not aired live, but shot "live" and it's cringeworthy watching the actors forget their lines, stammering, the camera slipping off shot to show behind the sets (even crew members walking around) and being a daily soap, prolonged and really corny.  Still love it.  I even watched the early '90s revival (z'okay). 


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: HappyGilmore on February 16, 2012, 11:04:10 PM
I'm looking forward to it, but don't have much in the way of expectations (I think ED WOOD might be the only TIM BURTON film I genuinely like, though I've not seen BIG FISH).  Contrary to what Indy wrote, I love HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (just watched it again recently on TCM and started a thread about it.)  I, too, grew up watching the original series, and watched reruns in two different decades and each time the series got creakier and creakier... and not in any kind of good way.  It was not aired live, but shot "live" and it's cringeworthy watching the actors forget their lines, stammering, the camera slipping off shot to show behind the sets (even crew members walking around) and being a daily soap, prolonged and really corny.  Still love it.  I even watched the early '90s revival (z'okay). 
Big Fish is a pretty great movie, regardless of the director.  If you have an opportunity to catch it by any means, take it.  Will not be disappointed.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: RCMerchant on February 17, 2012, 05:11:31 AM
I'm with Hallows on this regarding Tim Burton-Ed Wood is the only filn of his I enjoyed-with the exception of PEE WEE'S BIG ADVENTURE.
It seems to me he always had style over substance.
I throughly enjoyed the film HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS-and even the non-Barnabus filn NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS.

Trivia time-
The facial appliances used by John Chambers on Jonathan Frid as Old Barnabus in HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (1974) were actually created for Dustin Hoffman in LITTLE BIG MAN (1970)!

 Johnathan Frid as Old Barnabus.....
(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l79/RCMerchant/house-dark-shadows-aging.png)

...and Dustin Hoffman  as Jack Crabb in LITTLE BIG MAN (1970)!

(http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l79/RCMerchant/untitled-2146.png)


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Mofo Rising on February 17, 2012, 05:58:37 AM
Mofo,

While your feelings are a bit stronger than mine, we seem to be on similar wavelengths. I've always thought as you do, that he is a waste not because he is talentless, but because he IS talented. And yes, I agree that Big Fish shows what he is capable of. I have similar feelings about Ed Wood, but not to the extent of Big Fish.

I may have been a bit harsher than I meant to be, but I still think my criticisms are still valid.

To be fair, I still enjoy most Tim Burton films, even the lazy ones (although I had to turn off his Willy Wonka adaptation).

I think he's a victim of auteur-worship. I do like his own personal style, but it seems all he does these day is style over substance films. The people around him eat it up.

Compare him to Neil Gaiman. Gaiman explores much of the same territory that Burton treads, but Gaiman comes across as a singularly level-headed human being. Not that I think everything Gaiman does is great, but I respect him as a person.

I like "artistes" when they have the talent to back up their pretensions. But the people I like are the "artisans," the people who get right down into the nitty-gritty of artistic creation. Not for "Art" but just "art." The people in Henry Selick's studio all fit this mold, a man I respect more than Burton.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Jack on February 17, 2012, 08:08:55 AM
I throughly enjoyed the film HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS-and even the non-Barnabus filn NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS.

I enjoyed House of Dark Shadows quite a bit too, but still haven't seen Night of Dark Shadows.  I see it's available for download from Amazon now, so maybe I'll check it out.

If there's one good thing that comes of this remake, hopefully it's that those two movies will finally get a DVD release.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Flick James on February 17, 2012, 09:36:50 AM
Mofo,

While your feelings are a bit stronger than mine, we seem to be on similar wavelengths. I've always thought as you do, that he is a waste not because he is talentless, but because he IS talented. And yes, I agree that Big Fish shows what he is capable of. I have similar feelings about Ed Wood, but not to the extent of Big Fish.

I may have been a bit harsher than I meant to be, but I still think my criticisms are still valid.

To be fair, I still enjoy most Tim Burton films, even the lazy ones (although I had to turn off his Willy Wonka adaptation).

I think he's a victim of auteur-worship. I do like his own personal style, but it seems all he does these day is style over substance films. The people around him eat it up.

Compare him to Neil Gaiman. Gaiman explores much of the same territory that Burton treads, but Gaiman comes across as a singularly level-headed human being. Not that I think everything Gaiman does is great, but I respect him as a person.

I like "artistes" when they have the talent to back up their pretensions. But the people I like are the "artisans," the people who get right down into the nitty-gritty of artistic creation. Not for "Art" but just "art." The people in Henry Selick's studio all fit this mold, a man I respect more than Burton.

Good observation. I went to high school with Jerome Ranft, who has since gone on to work on a lot of Tim Burton and Pixar movies as a sculptor. Watch any Tim Burton movie from about The Nightmare Before Christmas on, or any Pixar movie from about A Bug's Life on and you're likely to see his name in the credits. Incidentally, his older brother Joe Ranft was heavily involved with Pixar and was killed in a car crash before Cars was released, and if you watch the credits you'll see that the movie was dedicated to him.

Anyway, I talked to Jerome when he was first getting involved with Tim Burton and he kind of indicated that he was a very cool guy, but that he is essentially surrounded by people who endlessely placate his style. Everybody, major A-list actors even, when they are around him become almost sychophantic. That kind of environment would do that to almost anybody.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Allhallowsday on February 17, 2012, 11:50:46 AM
...Trivia time-
The facial appliances used by John Chambers on Jonathan Frid as Old Barnabus in HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (1974) were actually created for Dustin Hoffman in LITTLE BIG MAN (1970)...!
HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS is the same year as LITTLE BIG MAN: 1970


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: RCMerchant on February 17, 2012, 05:19:17 PM
...Trivia time-
The facial appliances used by John Chambers on Jonathan Frid as Old Barnabus in HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (1974) were actually created for Dustin Hoffman in LITTLE BIG MAN (1970)...!
HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS is the same year as LITTLE BIG MAN: 1970

DOH! Of course! As I has sed be'fo-I is an idiot.  :bluesad:


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Allhallowsday on February 17, 2012, 06:40:49 PM
...Trivia time-
The facial appliances used by John Chambers on Jonathan Frid as Old Barnabus in HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (1974) were actually created for Dustin Hoffman in LITTLE BIG MAN (1970)...!
HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS is the same year as LITTLE BIG MAN: 1970

DOH! Of course! As I has sed be'fo-I is an idiot.  :bluesad:
Well, you're my favorite idiot then.  Raffine had recently pointed out the mask re-use on my HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS thread. 


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: RCMerchant on February 17, 2012, 11:58:47 PM
...Trivia time-
The facial appliances used by John Chambers on Jonathan Frid as Old Barnabus in HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS (1974) were actually created for Dustin Hoffman in LITTLE BIG MAN (1970)...!
HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS is the same year as LITTLE BIG MAN: 1970

DOH! Of course! As I has sed be'fo-I is an idiot.  :bluesad:
Well, you're my favorite idiot then.  Raffine had recently pointed out the mask re-use on my HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS thread. 

Well-I'm proud to know Raffine knew it too!  :wink:


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: claws on March 16, 2012, 05:52:32 AM
Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upSANQs12p0&feature=youtu.be


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Silverlady on March 16, 2012, 06:47:04 AM


I loved the Dark Shadows series when it ran on tv and watched it faithfully.  Looking back on it now, even with it's falling apart sets, flubbed lines, forgotten lines, and sometimes hysterically funny overacting,  it was still so much fun.

When I first heard it was going to made into a feature film, I thought ... cool.  But after having recently seen the trailer, I don't know.  Johnny Depp's "Barnabas Collins" looks like a Goth style version of Willy Wonka with a little bit of Uncle Fester thrown in.  And he still sounds like "Jack Sparrow" to me, only with a more refined accent.

On one hand I would like to see the film, but I have a strong feeling I'm going to be very disappointed.   :bluesad:


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Jack on March 16, 2012, 06:51:21 AM
...brain broke...


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Newt on March 16, 2012, 07:22:34 AM
I saw the trailer for the first time last night.  My impression was much the same as Silverlady's: Depp's Barnabas is channelling Uncle Fester and haunted by Jack Sparrow.  (My own comment at the time made reference to The Munsters, but the Addams Family does nicely too.) The film may very well have its own charm and humor, but it is not the Dark Shadows we knew and loved.  A bit too goofy.  If I see it, I will have to remember to allow it to stand on its own feet.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: BoyScoutKevin on March 19, 2012, 04:19:21 PM
Do the sets shake, when an actor bumps into them? If not, then it's not the "Dark Shadows" we all know and love.

I'm on the fence on this one. I stil don't know whether I'm going to see it or not, when it comes to theaters.

Looking at the trailer makes me not want to see it. While I like Johnny Depp, he seems to be the weakest link in the film. It also doesn't help that the comedy in the trailer seems to be intentional, while the best comedy (see the shaking sets) in the TV series was the unintentional kind.

Still, I have a bit of time to make up my mind as to whether I want to see it or not.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: HappyGilmore on March 19, 2012, 08:35:27 PM
I, too, saw the trailer.

I may not have the same 'emotional attachment' to the show as others here do.  I only saw it in reruns on the Sci-Fi Channel about ten years back, and only sporadically then as I was working and wasn't home every day.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of Burton and Depp, and both have said, enthusiastically at that, that they were huge fans of the show.  I'm assuming that it'll be better than the trailer.  Depp's a fantastic actor, so it can't be all that bad, even with Burton's involvement (he can be hit-and-miss, and I'm a fan).


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Mofo Rising on March 20, 2012, 03:17:52 AM
After watching the preview, I think it is an update of the '90s update of the Brady Bunch. You may remember those movies, where the '70s versions of the Brady Bunch were confronted with modern reality (of the '90s).

Don't get me wrong, those movies were passable. Not rememberable, passable.

I don't care about Dark Shadows, as I don't care about Tim Burton. Maybe the movie will be a passable comedy. More likely, just another lazy Tim Burton vehicle. Can't bring myself to care.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Newt on March 20, 2012, 07:52:19 AM
Adding the comedy factor seems to be the current way to 'update' old TV shows for re-visiting: they have given "21 Jump Street" the same treatment.  I saw the trailer and was totally confused: I honestly don't recall the original being comedic at all; it looks as though they have added a sizable dollop of "Police Academy" -type humour to it. Yish.

eta: though I do very much appreciate the divine justice of an original Johnny Depp vehicle being subjected to the same indignity as he has participated in visiting upon Dark Shadows.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: HappyGilmore on March 21, 2012, 09:05:10 AM
Adding the comedy factor seems to be the current way to 'update' old TV shows for re-visiting: they have given "21 Jump Street" the same treatment.  I saw the trailer and was totally confused: I honestly don't recall the original being comedic at all; it looks as though they have added a sizable dollop of "Police Academy" -type humour to it. Yish.

eta: though I do very much appreciate the divine justice of an original Johnny Depp vehicle being subjected to the same indignity as he has participated in visiting upon Dark Shadows.
Johnny Depp makes an appearance in 21 Jump Street, as does Holly Robinson and Peter DeLuise.  21 Jump Street even makes fun of the idea of remaking old tv shows/concepts.  I'd have to see it again, but I believe one of the characters gets put in the revised department, and says "Why are we rehashing a concept from 20 years ago...just seems ludicrous."  21 Jump Street is pretty good.

And, Dark Shadows takes place in the '70s, based what's off the trailers.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Archivist on April 02, 2012, 01:28:37 AM
I saw the trailer last night, before Wrath of the Titans.  At first it looked cool; wow, they are remaking Dark Shadows?  Then the kooky humour started and I realized that it was yet another Burton/Depp teamup.  What a disappointment!  The only Tim Burton movie I am looking forward to is Abraham Lincoln, which looks so pants-wettingly cool that I can barely wait.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Jim H on April 02, 2012, 04:09:48 AM
Adding the comedy factor seems to be the current way to 'update' old TV shows for re-visiting: they have given "21 Jump Street" the same treatment.  I saw the trailer and was totally confused: I honestly don't recall the original being comedic at all; it looks as though they have added a sizable dollop of "Police Academy" -type humour to it. Yish.

eta: though I do very much appreciate the divine justice of an original Johnny Depp vehicle being subjected to the same indignity as he has participated in visiting upon Dark Shadows.
Johnny Depp makes an appearance in 21 Jump Street, as does Holly Robinson and Peter DeLuise.  21 Jump Street even makes fun of the idea of remaking old tv shows/concepts.  I'd have to see it again, but I believe one of the characters gets put in the revised department, and says "Why are we rehashing a concept from 20 years ago...just seems ludicrous."  21 Jump Street is pretty good.

And, Dark Shadows takes place in the '70s, based what's off the trailers.

I get the impression from interviews that the writers were told they were doing a movie update of 21 Jump Street and were allowed to pretty much go from there how they wanted.  So they did something very different and made an R-rated comedy.  Good for them, as they were essentially allowed to be original inside of an apparently narrow box.  That's cool. 

That said, I think the Dark Shadows trailer just looks...  Bad.  I don't get it. 

Quote
You may remember those movies, where the '70s versions of the Brady Bunch were confronted with modern reality (of the '90s).

In all honesty, I think that's the only way you COULD do a movie version of the Bradys.  I mean, they were already essentially a 50s sitcom family in the 1970s, basically, so going a step further with it made some sense.  Not great films, but they both had their moments.

Also, Mofo, think I agree with you about Tim Burton...  He used to be one of my favorite directors.  What happened?  He did Pee Wee's Big Adventure, then Beetlejuice, Batman, Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns and Ed Wood in a row.  His most recent film was Alice in Wonderland.  Ugh.



Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Frank81 on April 04, 2012, 12:02:03 PM
I put a  rather lengthy  response to this before about attending a  recent get together of the original  cast and how it flooded back memories of being a kid and seeing the show the first time in the late 60's and early 70's in NYC and being a  hop and skip from the studios it was being filmed in those days. But, rather than bore people here, with pictures of me and the cast of the original, I just want to say how pleased I am that there seems to be respect for the original, using members of the surviving cast, Frid, Parker, Scott, etc.. Plus, these two shots I hope are reflective of trying to keep true to the source material. Looking forward to this  remake, a line I almost  never say when modern filmakers screw up what made TV and Movies they are redoing.


DARK SHADOWS 1966
(http://www.themarysue.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/dark-shadows.jpg)


DARK SHADOWS 2012
(http://www.inquisitr.com/wp-content/2011/09/dark-shadows-cast.jpg)


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: dean on April 05, 2012, 06:57:54 AM


I have to admit I'm interested in this one, as I do have an affinity for Depp and Burton.  But if I'm really honest, its Eva Green that makes me want to see it.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Fausto on May 20, 2012, 10:59:53 PM
My review:

http://thecinemacell.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/dark-shadows-2012/


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: HappyGilmore on May 21, 2012, 04:52:40 PM
I've heard good things about this one.

Should be seeing it tomorrow.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Mofo Rising on May 22, 2012, 02:21:17 AM
So despite my earlier fulminations, I saw this the other day. It wasn't my choice, but there wasn't much else out at the theater. (Seeing The Avengers again was voted out.)

I thought it was slow and boring.

The movie isn't really the satire that the commercials make it up to be. That part is there, but it's pretty subdued. Instead it's more of a typical Tim Burton "outsider" film, but sort of a paint-by-numbers thing. None of the parts seemed to add up to anything important. Just two hours of filler.

The film is not a complete wash, if you want to see it. It has its moments. But then again, who cares?

Watch it if you must, but there's nothing there.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: HappyGilmore on May 22, 2012, 08:54:02 PM
I finally saw this today.

I quite liked it.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Hammock Rider on May 24, 2012, 11:14:29 AM
For me it looks like a renter.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: indianasmith on October 13, 2012, 12:40:28 AM
I finally got to see this one tonight and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it!  It had its humorous moments, but was overall darker than i expected.  Depp was great as Collins, and Michelle Pfeiffer was very believable as Elizabeth.  Eva Green was SMOKING as Angelique too!  I am just old enough that I rmemeber watching the original, but nyoung enough not to really remember any details, so any departures from the original storyline were not as glaring and bothersome as they might have been.   Burton did nhis work well with this  one and had fun doing it!


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Allhallowsday on December 11, 2012, 05:21:56 PM
Nobody (no one) got rich in the 18th or 19th century selling... FISH

DUMB MOVIE. 


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Umaril Has Returned on December 11, 2012, 07:39:42 PM
I'm a huge Dark Shadows fan, but for me it's all about Jonathan Frid, Grayson Hall, Alexandra Moltke, David Selby, Lara Parker and all the rest.  The "filmed live" nature of it, the wonderful sets, theme music and overall atmosphere.  Just making a movie with the same character names and a few shared plot points is nothing more than a novelty act IMO.

Right on. Same when I watched it as a kid. It was wonderfully tacky and borrowed heavily on recyling the actors for multiple roles almost as much as iriwn Allen recycled his props for his TV shows, but there was a classic feeling that was present that won't ever be re-created.

Perhaps much of that feeling does with the fact that it was TV's first true horror soap opera as well,  and also the fact that it was new and original, as well as Jonathan Frid's magentism as Barnabas.

Anyway I went to see the remake when it came out,  and I thought Johnny Depp was too young for the part, and the makeup was too pastel-looking. But there were some good parts...anyone catch Christopher Lee's cameo as the ship captain at the Blue Whale inn?  :thumbup:


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Allhallowsday on December 11, 2012, 07:45:56 PM
I'm a huge Dark Shadows fan, but for me it's all about Jonathan Frid, Grayson Hall, Alexandra Moltke, David Selby, Lara Parker and all the rest.  The "filmed live" nature of it, the wonderful sets, theme music and overall atmosphere.  Just making a movie with the same character names and a few shared plot points is nothing more than a novelty act IMO.
Right on. Same when I watched it as a kid. It was wonderfully tacky and borrowed heavily on recyling the actors for multiple roles almost as much as iriwn Allen recycled his props for his TV shows, but there was a classic feeling that was present that won't ever be re-created.
Perhaps much of that feeling does with the fact that it was TV's first true horror soap opera as well,  and also the fact that it was new and original, as well as Jonathan Frid's magentism as Barnabas.
Anyway I went to see the remake when it came out,  and I thought Johnny Depp was too young for the part, and the makeup was too pastel-looking. But there were some good parts...anyone catch Christopher Lee's cameo as the ship captain at the Blue Whale inn?  :thumbup:
I suppose there might be some good parts.  But, it was so dumb!  CHRISTOPHER LEE's cameo was a treat, though JONATHAN FRID's cameo was so quick that it was easy to miss. 


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Umaril Has Returned on December 11, 2012, 07:57:58 PM
I'm a huge Dark Shadows fan, but for me it's all about Jonathan Frid, Grayson Hall, Alexandra Moltke, David Selby, Lara Parker and all the rest.  The "filmed live" nature of it, the wonderful sets, theme music and overall atmosphere.  Just making a movie with the same character names and a few shared plot points is nothing more than a novelty act IMO.
Right on. Same when I watched it as a kid. It was wonderfully tacky and borrowed heavily on recyling the actors for multiple roles almost as much as iriwn Allen recycled his props for his TV shows, but there was a classic feeling that was present that won't ever be re-created.
Perhaps much of that feeling does with the fact that it was TV's first true horror soap opera as well,  and also the fact that it was new and original, as well as Jonathan Frid's magentism as Barnabas.
Anyway I went to see the remake when it came out,  and I thought Johnny Depp was too young for the part, and the makeup was too pastel-looking. But there were some good parts...anyone catch Christopher Lee's cameo as the ship captain at the Blue Whale inn?  :thumbup:
I suppose there might be some good parts.  But, it was so dumb!  CHRISTOPHER LEE's cameo was a treat, though JONATHAN FRID's cameo was so quick that it was easy to miss. 

I know....I didn't even see Jonathan Frid's cameo, although a few other people in the audience picked it out.  The girl I was with was one of them.

The one thing that was funny as all hell in the movie though is when Barnabas calls Alice Cooper "the ugliest woman ever." That got quite a roar from the crowd, LOL


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Allhallowsday on December 11, 2012, 08:57:32 PM
...The one thing that was funny as all hell in the movie though is when Barnabas calls Alice Cooper "the ugliest woman ever." That got quite a roar from the crowd, LOL
Yeh, that was one of the funny parts...


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Umaril Has Returned on December 12, 2012, 05:03:25 PM
...The one thing that was funny as all hell in the movie though is when Barnabas calls Alice Cooper "the ugliest woman ever." That got quite a roar from the crowd, LOL
Yeh, that was one of the funny parts...

Yeah it was funny and it was funny too when Barnabas woke up ith the McDonald's sign above him. All in all, a strong effort but came up quite a bit short...


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: claws on December 13, 2012, 03:26:42 AM
I can see why this wasn't the huge hit it should have been. It's flawed, uneven and totally missing the typical Depp/Burton magic/charm. If anything, this felt like watching a beefed up but still empty version of The Addams Family.
That said, there are a few fun moments but they are far in between. My rating went down from 3/5 to 2.5/5. This remake didn't satisfy me  :bluesad:


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Chainsawmidget on December 13, 2012, 04:30:21 AM
Quote
I can see why this wasn't the huge hit it should have been. It's flawed, uneven and totally missing the typical Depp/Burton magic/charm.
Burton and Depp should try to avoid working together for a long time.  Their schtick has gotten old and lacks any real imagination anymore.


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Umaril Has Returned on December 13, 2012, 09:59:21 PM
I can see why this wasn't the huge hit it should have been. It's flawed, uneven and totally missing the typical Depp/Burton magic/charm. If anything, this felt like watching a beefed up but still empty version of The Addams Family.
That said, there are a few fun moments but they are far in between. My rating went down from 3/5 to 2.5/5. This remake didn't satisfy me  :bluesad:

I think that maybe,  in a way the Burton-Depp magic is slowly running out.

Burton has, in a way, over-used Depp for these type of movies (the Gothic-type stuff)  and in doing so, Depp has had to maybe sacrifice or cut back on certain aspects of his movies as to try to avoid typecasting.  Either that or it was just one of those things he just wasn't meant to do?


Title: Re: Dark Shadows (2012)
Post by: Fausto on December 15, 2012, 12:24:32 PM
Elisa Hansen of TGWTG did a video review of Dark Shadows, and why Burton's film version didn't work. She hits on a lot of excellent points:

http://blip.tv/mavenoftheeventide/vampire-reviews-dark-shadows-6157411