So, I am aware that there are tons of Halloween and scary film makers out there. But I find Tim Burton to be my favorite! He gets creepy and spooky just right. He knows when to add a bit more, and when to hold back, and his work is visually stunning. Pairing with Danny Elfman for music may have been one of the best moves of his career in my opinion.
Now, to be fair, he has had several films I was not fond of…cough…Willy Wonka…cough, cough…Dark Shadows. But for the most part I think he is a genius, like Quentin Tarantino. He had made so many movies that are right up my alley. I have mentioned, many times, Nightmare before Christmas. Also Beetlejuice and Corpse Bride. But there are yet others that I think deserve a mention this Halloween season.
The first being, Sweeney Todd. All I can say about Sweeney Todd, done by Tim Burton is, Oh My Gosh! I have heard Sweeney Todd previously. I have at least two or three older Broadway versions. But nothing compares to this movie, and it isn’t because the actors are such amazing singers, though a few are. It is because of the way it was shot, filmed and acted that make it so great. The casting is impeccable, even Sasha Baron Cohan, who I am not a fan of. And also because for the first time ever, I wanted Sweeney to get revenge! I wanted to see him slit throats! To me, that is huge! When you want the villain to win. You want to see him get his vengeance. Yes, all the other villains are worse, true. But I have a hard time seeing Sweeney as a hero, when he is out killing people. Anti-hero? Maybe. So this movie gets a huge two thumbs up from me!
Another movie of his that I loved, James and the Giant Peach. I don’t think there was anyone else out there who could do justice to that Roal Dahl book. The aunts will forever be etched into my memory as the scariest women on earth! And I love the cameo by Jack Skellington as the sunken ship captain. I thought it was beautifully done and the animation was a perfect rendition. My kids still run around the house singing, “James, James.” A great movie for kids of any age.
And who could forget Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands? The poor, shy, goth boy who just wants to be loved? That was a truly unique and inspired piece of work! And let’s be honest, what great spooky movie isn’t made totally awesome by Vincent Price? Seriously! The great star cast only adds to the movie. And I cannot, to this day, walk by a lawn sculpture without thinking Edward did it.
Johnny Depp seems to be a fixture in Tim Burton movies as of late. So another Burton movie I liked is Sleepy Hollow. All I have to say is two words. Christopher Walken. That dude is just weird, creepy, and crazy and as the headless horseman with teeth like a shark, he was no less weird, creepy and crazy looking. Miranda Richards gives a great performance. I’ve loved her since the mini series Merlin. The gadgets Johnny Depp had were great, I only wish I could have seen more of them. Christina Ricci was sweet and a bit off with the white blond hair, but I went with it. Beware though, like most Burton movies though, there is some good gory fun!
So those are some of my favorites, and why I think Tim Burton is the King of Halloween!