Film Review: DARK SHADOWS
"Theatrical and humorous" ... Naomi
Dark Shadows
WHAT IS 'DARK SHADOWS' ABOUT? ...
"Never trust a woman scorned" ... well Johnny Depp's character, Barnabas Collins, was in for this lesson in DARK SHADOWS. A bit of a playboy, he breaks the wrong heart and is haunted by the witch for the rest of his... existence... as a vampire that is. The story tells of how and why he becomes a vampire and then there are vampire, ghost and witch theatrics, as Barnabas tries to reignite his failed business and fix his very strange family's problems. I didn't find the film challenging emotionally or intellectually, but it is elaborate and visually stimulating. Although the ghostly thing is very familiar and the cracking-like-china limbs reminded me of DEATH BECOMES HER.
Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
LEFT ME FEELING ...
As a Tim Burton film, the visual style is as expected - spectacular, but I was hoping for a more intriguing story, with a few clever twists and possibly a stirring of emotion. I did enjoy the sets, the costumes, the one liners and the lovemaking scene was pretty funny
Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
WHO'S IN IT ...
A fabulous cast - obviously Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, plus Michelle Pfeiffer, French star Eva Green, Angelina Jolie's first husband - Jonny Lee Miller, two beautiful young girls - Bella Heathcote and Chloe Moretz and many more
Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
BEST LINE ...
"May you strategically place your wonderful lips upon my posterior and kiss it repeatedly!" Spoken by Barnabas Collins
Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
A FEW OF THE FILM MAKERS ...
Screenwriter: Seth Grahame-Smith
Story by: John August and Grahame-Smith
Based on: A TV series created by Dan Curtis
Producers: Tim Burton, Richard D. Zanuck, Graham King, Johnny Depp, Christi Dembrowski, David Kennedy
Exec Producers: Chris Lebenzon, Nigel Gostelow, Tim Headington, Bruce Berman
Director: Tim Burton
Cinematographer: Bruno Delbonnel
Production designer: Rick Heinrichs
Costume designer: Colleen Atwood
Editor: Chris Lebenzon
Photo Credit: Peter Mountain
Images: Copyright: (C) 2012 WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. IN U.S., CANADA, BAHAMAS AND BERMUDA (C) 2012 VILLAGE ROADSHOW FILMS BVI LIMITED IN ALL OTHER TERRITORIES