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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Burton creates Masterpiece from Sondheim's Classic
It's impossible for me to fathom somebody not liking Sweeney Todd, although I know there will be plenty who can't appreciate pure genius. Listen to this idea for a movie: Sweeney Todd is a man set on avenging his wife and daughter by killing Judge Turpin. Along the way, he slits people's throats and his neighbor, Mrs. Lovett, grinds the bodies up and bakes them in her popular meat pies. It's a horror movie, but it also has a dark comedic edge to it with a fair bit of romance, drama, suspense, and with about it. Oh, and it's a musical.
Sweeney Todd is done in the style of old 1930s monster movies. The color is mostly drained from the film, leaving it looking like a black and white, which is perfect! The only color that does pop up is bright red. The movie feels like a classic, with bits of 'The Count of Monte Cristo' and 'The Avengers' added in, the story truly becomes gripping and the characters more complex. I've often criticized Tim Burton for lack of character development. With this film, Burton shows that he truly can dive into a character. I haven't seen characters this intrigueing in a long time.
The plotting and pacing is ingenious, the acting is superb. Johnny Depp gives a brilliant performance as always, but Helena Bonham Carter truly outdoes herself. She plays a woman desperately in love with a psychopath. She knows that he could endanger her life, yet she follows him blindly. Tragically, she chooses him, who doesn't love her, over somebody with true genuine love and protectiveness over her. Alan Rickman is remarkably cunning as Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall, engaging as always as The Beadle. Sacha Baron Cohen makes a great turn as Pirelli, a rival barber, and the two newcomers, Jamie Cambell Bower as Anthony, and Jayne Weisner as Johanna are romantic and thrilling. Laura Michelle Kelly also give a terrific performance.
Sweeney Todd is Tim Burton's best film. There's not one loose screw here. The ending is tragic, and rightly so. Sweeney will not be what some people expected, but for many it will be a thrillingly new experience that will forever touch them emotionally. Sweeney Todd is the best film of 2007.
Psycho (1998)
Gus Van Sant's Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho
Let me start off by saying this: Van Sant's remake of 'Psycho' is not a terrible movie. That is quite impossible as it is so closely related to the original. However, because it is nearly shot by shot of the original, you can't help comparing the two in every single aspect of presentation. And when you do that, this version suffers horrifically. The original Psycho is, it's a fact, it's there, we've seen it. Why do a remake unless you're going to make it your own. There's no point in doing a shot by shot. But, don't think that this movie is only unworthy when compared to the original, if I were truly comparing the two, my score for this film would be 1 star. On its own, however, I'd give it 2 1/2. Now let's start the critique: The movie is in color, which is a bad choice. I'm not merely saying this because the original is in black and white, even though when compared, there's no question that black and white is just better. The Motel looks like any other Motel, especially with the bright red neon lights. And the house, a sort of pukish reddish orange, is equally comical. There's no sense of ominousity that there would have been if they'd done it in black and white. Now the cinematography is the same in the original, so I must compare the two. The cinematography in the original was designed for a black and white movie, all the camera shots and lighting were specifically created to puncuate the photography, therefore, using the same cinematography doesn't quite work for this version because it's in color. The lighting isn't ominous, the camera angles aren't eccentuating what the film has to offer. Now, the music is the same way, pulled directly from the original film. But, the original film was in black and white, and Bernard Hermann chose to use all strings because of that. The music doesn't quite work when the film is brought to color. They should have reorchestrated the music to include brass and percussion. Now, let's focus on the actors for a minute: Anne Heche does a fine job as Marion. At times she overdoes it, but on the whole, it's a fine performance. And the only one. Vince Vaughn attempts the impossible at trying to play Norman Bates, granted it's not entirely his fault he can't get it right, but a lot of times it is. Even if you're acting a part that is immortal, you can still make it believable. Vaughn puts on his acting face and I never quite believed anything he was doing. I was excited at first seeing Julianne Moore, but she rushes through her dialogue that she becomes just as unconvincing as Vaughn. William H. Macy was a misfire, as was Viggo Mortensen. The weird thing about this 'Psycho' is where the humor is concerned. Macy and Vaughn don't seem like they're having any fun at all in their scene together, which should be the funniest scene in the film. However, Moore seems to be having the time of her life when she's being attacked by Vaughn, putting all her feminist hilarity into kicking him in the face. Overall, all of the performances, including the horrible voice over of 'Mother' were a complete misfire. Now, the shower scene is an immortal scene from the original. If your going to do a mostly shot by shot remake, why would you not keep intact the integrity of the shower scene? There is a big pause after Mother opens the curtain where Marion takes time to process that there's someone there before any music or stabbing or screaming happens. Very awkward. And then, three immortal shots are left out or changed: The shot of Marion's hand sliding down the wall is completely left out. The shot of Marion falling to the floor is changed so that we can have a buttshot, and the tilt of the camera zooming away from the eye is replaced with a massive twirling of the camera around the eye. Not dramatic at all. Now, after all that, there were a few things I enjoyed: Viggo Mortensen's nude scene. I only wished it showed more. And the birds in the cellar. Oh, and I'd like to say that Rita Wilson gives the worst performance of her career. That said, it is fun to compare the two films and to bash on the completely nonscary elements in this version. Go and watch the original.
Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho'
'Psycho' is Alfred Hitchcock's strangest, most disturbing, and best film he has ever made. The movie starts off in Phoenix, Arizona where lovers Sam Loomis and Marion Crane are sharing a secret, passionate afternoon in a cheap hotel. Marion is worried that their relationship won't work because they live so far apart and have to keep their love a secret. In the next scene, Marion is at work, her boss asks her to deliver 40, 000 dollars into the bank. In desperation, she steals the money and pursues California to find her lover and run away with him with their new fortune. On the way, however, Marion goes through several obstacles. A policemen finds her suspicious, as does a car salesman. Marion is a clumsy thief. Finding it hard to see the road through a rainstorm, Marion pulls off into an old inn, The Bates Motel. There she meets Norman Bates, a flirtatious, sad, likable guy who's aggressive mother worries Marion. Here are two people, Marion and Norman, who are both trapped. However, Marion has a chance to redeem herself, and she hopes Norman does too. The choice to film in black and white was an inspiration. Instead of grossing out the audience, Hitchcock disturbs the audience with violent and tragic scenes. Joseph Stefano hands over a brilliant script, making this story extremely interesting from a source material that was rather quite dull. We never know exactly where the storie's going and the melding powers of Hitchcock and Stefano are to thank. The music by Bernard Hermann is pure genius. From the second the film opens, our attention is on the screen. The score is all strings, and it brings out the beauty of the black and white picture. Janet Leigh gives a terrific performance as Marion Crane, as do Gavin Lee, Martan Balsam and Vera Miles as the supporting characters. But the best performances come from a voice over work by Virginia Gregg as 'Mother' and Anthony Perkins' defining role as Norman Bates, not only the best performance in his career, but the best performance given by any actor ever. He captures all the subtleties and tragic struggle of the character so well, that he is one of the most memorable characters of all time. Psycho has a terrific surprise ending and a everything ties up nicely in a psychiatric scene most critics seem to hate, but I find resonate. The film has two reaccuring themes: Dependence and hatred of our own mothers. And describing a word by using the same word: "Eating in an office is too officious." "You make respectability sound disrespectful." "I will not speak of such disgusting things because they disgust me." All in all, Psycho is a near perfect film, and a film that hopefully will live forever.
The Wonderful World of Disney: Oliver Twist (1997)
Forbidden Broadway
This is Brian Kesler, phony film critic, with your daily movie buzz. As Disney sinks lower and lower every week, and the animation studio is being chopped up for winter firewood, their live action productions seem to be moving right along. 'Oliver Twist' has just managed to make its way onto television screens everywhere. And it's created quite a buzz regarding other versions of the film. After being advertised to magnificently horrid reviews, this sugar fest of insipid cockney accents and wonderfully witless dialogue has broken all sorts of records for cash lost in a single week. With it's eye shattering out of period fiberglass set and nauseating cinematography, 'Oliver Twist' has the look of a winner of minus three Emmy awards. And 'Oliver Twist' is perfect for the middle class suburban brain dead family. No nasty lyrics, gruesome perversions, or multiculturalism like there is in the musical and other versions. Oliver Twist has been sanitized, shrink wrapped, and drained of all blood for your protection. This is Brian Kesler with the movie buzz, and who the hell am I anyways?
Oliver! (1968)
Charming, and Enjoyable
First off, I'd like to make a correction on another review of this film which said that the last musical to win the Best Picture Academy Award was 'Gigi' in 1958. That is misinformation as 'West Side Story' won in 1962, 'My Fair Lady' won in 1965 and 'Sound of Music' won the year after that. That said, this film is absolutely fantastic! The story from the novel has been somewhat altered, but that's more because of the limitations that they had on a stage that they just didn't change back for a filmed version. However, I don't mind. In fact, I rather think the whole production flows better than the novel does. I like Nancy bringing Oliver to the bridge with her and being killed there instead of later in the apartment. The subtle things in this film are the ones that make me laugh. I love the moment Mr. Bumble and Mrs. Bumble start coming out at the beginning from the governors office. The underscore for that moment is brilliant. My three favorite actors for this film were Jack Wild, who plays the best Dodger in any film version of the story, Ron Moody, a playful and humorous Fagin (this character is worked out much better than he is in the book), and Shani Wallis, who is the strongest, most distressed version of Nancy. The only reason I'm giving this film a 9 instead of a 10 is because of the two big production numbers which are 'Concider Yourself' and 'Who Will Buy.' I always hate when the choreography in musicals in meant to look like people doing everyday chores and jobs. It looks awful and cheesy, especially when they're dancing at the London Meat Co. They should've just done regular choreography for these scenes. However, this film is a rare treasure that will stay with us, hopefully, forever.
Putting It Together (2010)
Fantastic! best filmed performance I've ever seen!
This is the best filmed performance of a Broadway show that I've seen since Victor/Victoria. The music is fantastic, the story is what it needs to be, the performances are remarkable. Of course, I've always been a fan of John Barrowman, I think he was probably the best performer on the stage, with the exception, of course, to the great Carol Burnett. This was her show, even with Barrowman, Henshall, and Hearn, she made this her own. She is funny, but at the same time, I think a lot of people might be surprised at her incredible ability to truly act. The seriousness she provides in some of her songs is absolutely stunning and heart wrenching. My favorite song in the show was "Unworthy of your Love" I was very happy that they added that song to the show. However, I must say that I was a little disappointed in the changes in plot and songs. The original, with Julie Andrews, had a really great plot point where all of the guests at the cocktail party play games, and through the games, they are able to sing the songs connecting with the answers they gave to certain questions, and there were so many good songs that came out of it, among them, Love Takes Time, A Little Priest, The Gun Song, The Miller's Son, Sorry-Grateful, Remember, Impossible, and so many others that were switched out for other, not quite as good songs such as Ladies Who Lunch, More, It's Hot in Here, The Road You Didn't Take, There's Always a Woman, Buddy's Blues, and Good Thing Going. Still, great performances that will change your life.