The latest feature film from director Tim Burton is based on the gothic horror soap opera of the same name which ran from 1966-1971. The plot centres on Barnabas Collins (Johnny Depp); a vampire who is set free after 200 years of imprisonment. He returns to his ancestral home where his descendants are a dysfunctional and mere shadow of his once proud and respected family.
Apart from the plot being disjointed and the story failing to really excel, I quite enjoyed it overall. It’s dark, funny and gorgeous film to look at. Visually it reminded me of some ofBurton’s earlier films like Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice. Set in 1972 it looks more 70s than actual films made in that era, which often looked quite bland.
Johnny Depp is terrific as Barnabas, a likeable character who at times hovers over that fine line between good and evil. Also he delivers the very witty dialogue brilliantly. Eva Green almost steals it as the film’s antagonist, the sexy and deliciously evil witch Angelique. And Michelle Pfeiffer is also very good as the Collins family matriarch, Elizabeth. It’s been 20 years since she last starred in a Tim Burton film, which was Batman Returns.
I must mention how much enjoyed the opening credits with the song; Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues playing as we the audience follow Victoria (Isabella Heathcote) on her journey to Collinsport. It captured the mood so well; I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, I was in heaven. It’s such a beautiful and well shot sequence.
The soundtrack to this film is awesome, comprising of many hit songs from the era. I haven’t purchased a soundtrack in years, at least not one in the physical form of CD, but I’m buying this one for sure.
Dark Shadows is an entertaining film despite its flaws. It’s one of those films that provide a great means of escape from reality for a couple of hours. 3.5/5
My 24 Hour Movie Marathon.
To Catch a Thief (1955)
In this Hitchcock classic, Reformed jewel thief John Robie (Cary Grant) is the main suspect in a recent string of burglaries on the French Riviera. So to prove his innocence he sets out to find the real thief.
I had been looking forward to seeing this for a little while now. I enjoyed it but it’s not up there along with my favourite Hitchcock films such as Rear Window and Psycho. The plot was clever but I just felt it was a little flat in some places and it is quite slow paced. But there is some very suspenseful moments and very well executed chase scene.
The performances are excellent. Cary Grant, a man who is clearly very comfortable with himself is simply flawless as Robie. And Grace Kelly, one of the most beautiful actresses to have ever lived is enchanting as Frances Stevens. Both characters have great chemistry.
This is an incredibly beautifully shot film; the locations are just breath taking. Filmed in glorious Vistavision, which was the like 50’s version of IMAX translates perfectly to high definition Blu-ray, the picture quality is stunning.
I’m not new to Hitchcock films but I want to start seeing more and To Catch a Thief is definitely not one to miss. It’s a very well directed romance mystery and the Hitchcock’s cameo is very easy to spot in this one. 3.5/5
The Big Lebowski (1998)
In a very bizarre and hilarious case if mistaken identity, “Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) finds himself caught in the middle of the supposed kid napping of the wife to a millionaire. So for help he turns to his bowling buddies.
This would have to be one of the strangest films I’ve seen in quite a few years. I remember seeing a bit of this about a year or so after it came out. I didn’t really think much of it at the time, only that it had a ridiculous amount of swearing and I was under the impression that the film was about bowling. I suppose I was kind of correct. This film has that classic dark twisted humour that’s consistent in most of the Coen brother’s films and of course their unique style of dialogue; ‘goldbricking’ is my new favourite term by the way. There is a large and very impressive cast of unusual characters; John Goodman, Steve Buscemi, Juilanne Moore, John Turturro and Ben Gazzara to name just some. And every one of them is great, especially Bridges in the lead
The Big Lebowski is one strange, trippy film, which takes on one hell of a ride. It’s hilarious and definitely one of a kind. 4/5
Casablanca (1942)
I’ve been watching and collecting Humphrey Bogart’s movies slowly for the last 12 months and I’ve enjoyed every single one of them, but I hadn’t seen his most famous which of course is Casablanca. Well I’ve seen it now and it’s true, Casablanca is a great film. It’s a tremendously well made drama that’s set during a very turbulent time in history.
The cast is fantastic to say the least; I was a little disappointed that Peter Lorre’s character wasn’t in it for very long as I’ve come to enjoy him as an actor since seeing first him in The Maltese Falcon. I have to mention Claude Rains who is fantastic as Captain Louis Renault; at first he’s a really tricky guy to figure out but as film progress we find out what his true feelings are towards the current state of affairs and which side he is on. And of course the always cool Bogart as Rick Blaine; the owner of coolest night club I’ve seen in a movie, Rick’s Cafe Americain.
Casablanca is a film that has a bit of everything; drama, suspense, romance, thrills, action, film noir and more. ‘Play it again Sam’. Oops, actually it’s just ‘Play it Sam’. 4/5
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American Reunion (2012)
It’s been almost ten years between slices and the class of 1999 have all returned for their high school reunion.
This installment doesn’t bring anything new to the series; it’s the same old formula with the same jokes, which is the main reason why it’s been largely criticized by critics. I’m not sure what they were expecting; it’s an American Pie movie. You won’t find in depth characters, meaning full dialoged or an intelligent story, its primary goal is to make us laugh.
I thought it was hilarious and pretty good movie overall. Some jokes fall a bit flat but it got a pretty strong reaction from the audience in the cinema, a lot of big laughs. With comedies I always seem to find the little things funny for some reason, the subtle humor perhaps. For example there is one part with Sean William Scott’s character (Stifler) which is a tiny reference to Apocalypse Now. I almost lost it; the look on his face was so funny, like a mischievous child.
All the original casts return which is great to see and there’s a really nice nostalgic feel about the whole movie. I really enjoyed American Reunion, it’s funny. 3.5/5
