Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007, Tim Burton)

"Because in all of the whole human race, Mrs. Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two. There's the one staying put in his proper place and one with his foot in the other one's face."

-Sweeney Todd, Epiphany

Tim Burton is one of the darkest mainstream directors of our time, and one of the most visionary. His films have been some of the most unique experiences in Hollywood's output; this makes him great in my eyes. Though all of his films have been dark and depressing, Sweeney Todd is probably his darkest to date.

Sweeney Todd is the musical story of Benjamin Barker, a man who was sent away to prison by a corrupt judge. We meet Barker as he returns to London, with a new name and a desire for the blood of the judge. He takes a room above Ms. Lovett's meat pie shop and plots his vengeance. To quench his lust for blood, he takes to murdering innocent, unsuspecting citizens who visit his barber shop. Ms. Lovett then bakes these people into pies, in order to save her

dying business.

I've seen Sweeney Todd an estimation of five times, and I still get joy out of revisiting it. It's macabre, bleak, and dark, but at the same time it boasts some of the finest black comedy and charm that most films of this type shy away from. It's more than likely the result of Stephen Sondheim's original Broadway show, which I don't doubt has the same black humor, but Mr. Burton doesn't leave this film without throwing in some of his own little trademarks.

Two of which are Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Depp, despite his huge female fanbase and slight strangeness, is sincerely one of the better actors working in Hollywood right now. His performance as Sweeney is brilliant. Depp plays stoic and deadpan on the surface, but is able to communicate so much through the eyes; an ability that doesn't come naturally to many actors. Carter is also excellent, she's shrill, devious, witty and even slightly annoying.

The supporting cast includes Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall, who have a great chemistry as our villians, while also both being despicable in their own special ways. Burton also cast unknowns Edward Sanders as Toby, Jamie Campbell-Bower as Antony, and Jayne Wisener as Johanna. They each work well in their parts, but most of the praise must be given to Edward Sanders who is charming and hilarious. Campbell-Bower and Wisener are passable, but both of their roles are so small that you barely notice them.

Burton's cinematography is decent, and though many of his shots are rather bland (too boxy), his use of lighting and filtering are excellent. The colorization is washed out, making it seem as if we're looking at an old photo, and casting pale shadows everywhere to create uneasiness. The blood is ketchup red, and contrasts heavily with the whites and blacks. This shocks the audience despite the cartoonish, over-the-top look of the violence.

Story wise, the plot is relatively thin and simple. In fact, if not for the fact that it was a musical that didn't call for a heavy plot, this would be a problem. The music is my favorite part about the film. The majority of the dialogue is sung, and the numbers are brilliantly written. It's a musical that calls for you to actually listen to what's being sung, and doesn't distract with dance numbers or anything too flashy.

Sweeney Todd isn't a film that tries to preach about the consuming nature of revenge, nor does it say that killing is bad, bad, bad. These are all things we already know, and the film knows it. It doesn't aspire to have any deep, meaningful revelations about life of humanity, it's just a lot of shocking, dark fun. Granted, the violence is pretty graphic, but the movie doesn't try to glamorize it, though some may aruge the opposite.

I'm all about deep films that have something to say, and require thought. I'm all about art that aspires to be relevant to the culture and technically proficient at the same time. Yet when art is still able to be captivating and emotional without having to do those things, it's an accomplishment unto itself.

Sweeney Todd is one of Burton's best works and quite possibly my favorite of his films. Stephen Sondheim's source material was perfect for Burton to work with, and he did so wonderfull. Granted, the film does have it's flaws, but it's still a thrilling ride that doesn't let up until the end.

"Charming, practical and yet appropriate as always," boasts Sweeney about Ms. Lovett, and I feel that the same must be said for Mr. Burton's film.

8.5/10

Brokeback Mountain (2005, Ang Lee)

Figured I might as well post it here. I doubt the response will be any different from the one on Facebook.

NOTE: I viewed Brokeback Mountain in the name of objectivity. It is unfair to any work of art for it to be judged based solely on it's controversy, and not it's actual merits and contributions to the medium. I watched the film in order to appease my own curiosities about this picture. I've written this review in the hopes of letting people know what it's all about, and I do not mean this review to be a recommendation. I am aware that the subject matter makes some uncomfortable, so I do not endorse viewing the film. I hope to merely share my thoughts.

I also will not be addressing homosexuality as an issue, I will merely talk about it in reference to the film at hand. I do not wish to stir anything up regarding homosexuality as an issue, and any comments left here that intend to do so, will be promptly deleted; as will any other ignorant or immature comments.

Ang Lee is an erratic filmmaker. His pictures always try to, in some way, take a genre and defy the conventions. It's amazing to me that the man who made this film, also made Hulk. This film, however, really put Lee's name on the map.I remember when BM first released. It was the reason for much controversy. Not only did it garner much critical acclaim, but it also drew relatively large numbers at the box office. It also received much awards exposure, nabbing a nomination for best picture, as well as actually winning Lee an award for Best Director.

I remember if also affecting my personal life. It was the subject of many conversations I took part in; I constantly heard it referenced to as the movie with the"fag cowboys"; I remember thinking that I was so clever for thinking I was the first person to coin the term "Brokeback" as an adjective, instead of the usual "gay". I've done a lot of growing up since then, and it's good too. I was able to fully appreciate BM for everything it was. A beautiful, moving film that was wonderfully directed, acted and written. One of the most honest films of the last fifteen or so years.


Jack Twist and Ennis del Mar first meet one summer in 1963, when they're both hired on to go up on Brokeback Mountain for the summer to herd sheep. Ennis, who the film follows for most of it's run, is a ranch farmer. Jack is a rodeo cowboy. While on Brokeback, the two form a deep bond, eventually falling in love.Though bound by the social conventions of the times, they are forced to part at the end of the summer, and eventually both marry and start families. They continue to meet in secret, trying their hardest to hold onto what they both know can never really be.

OK, now the homosexuality issue aside, the two men really do screw up pretty badly, in that they both cheat on their spouses. That's something that cannot be justified, even if they both felt torn by what they had been told was right, and what they felt their hearts tugging them towards. However, Lee doesn't reward the two for their infidelities, as they both live a life of fear and loneliness. That's all I'll say on the film's moral issues.

BM is, thankfully, lacking political agenda. It does examine the lack of acceptance of gays in the 1960s and onwards, and comments on the ever lingering presence of homophobia, and hatred in general, but these elements never seem preachy.In fact, BM is more concerned with it's characters, their emotions, their thoughts, and examining them overall. Ennis and Jack are two incredibly well-drawn characters. Their actions never seem unrealistic, or forced in order to drive plot. This humanity is what makes BM work, and go beyond the typical forbidden love story.


On the technical side, BM has some of the best direction of the past five years. the cinematography is gorgeous, utilizing the landscapes to the fullest in order to heighten feeling, or to introduce symbolism. The films blood runs deep with human themes, that are relatable to any one who's ever been in love, and knows how strong it is. Lee had an excellent production crew, that has painted quite an accurate, rustic picture of the West during the time frame.Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger are absolutely phenomenal. Ledger is especially brilliant, he carries the film as we primarily follow Ennis' story. He deserved an award for this role. The other actors are worthy of note as well, especially Michelle Williams as Ennis' tortured wife, who is fully aware of her husband liaisons. The screenplay is delicately written. It is very subtle in developing the feelings of the two leads.

It's realism and honesty are its greatest strengths. Personally, the film hit me incredibly hard. Over the past few months, I've become incredibly sympathetic to homosexuals, and some of the issues this film dealt with are issues that I am especially sensitive towards, mostly the issue of homophobia.In summary, BM is one of the best romance films I've ever seen. I'd actually place it right under Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind on a top 10 romance list. Not only is the technical aspects spotless, but the story is rich with genuine emotion and humanity; something that lacks in most romance films today. BM isn't shallow, it isn't fluffy and it isn't easy to handle, but it's real and honest.

It's great.

9/10

I miss you.

Sorry I'm an idiot.

Hm

Top 10 Most Played (Week of June 29- July 6, 2008)

1. The Killers
2. Merle Haggard
3. Relient K
4. MGMT
5. Johnny Cash
6. Tori Amos
7. Regina Spektor
8. Waylon Jennings
9. Alabama
10. James Blunt


I had an awesome week in music.

I see everybody.
I hear everybody.

Yet I don't feel anybody there.