Tim Burton is most likely the single
most influential artist on my life, followed by a close second of
Monet but we'll get to him another day. There seems to be a cult
following for his claymation works, but I believe he has truly come
into his own more recently with his live action films in the past 10
or so years.
Burton has 3 productions this year, 2
of which are already released: Dark Shadows and Abraham Lincoln
Vampire Hunter. I believe Burton's specialty is transforming dark,
witty, quirky literature to an all-encompassing film experience. Here
are a few screen shots from my favorite movies.
Edward Scissorhands
Sleepy Hollow
Sweeney Todd
Alice In Wonderland
Big Fish
Big Fish
One thing I find funny about his
upcoming release of Frankenweenie is that this is his second time
bringing this story to life: the first time got him fired from Disney
for using company materials to create something too dark for child
viewers. Now the new film will be distributed by Walt Disney
Corporation.
This year's movies:
Dark Shadows
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter
Frankenweenie
Quote from Tim Burton:One
person's crazyness is another person's reality.
I really believe this is the year of
the movies. So far I have seen The Lorax, Hunger Games, The Avengers,
The Five Year Engagement, and Prometheus, all of which I loved
(Hunger Games a little less, but how can you top those books?). I
also saw The Vow. . . but I'm a bit ashamed that I insisted on seeing
it because it was somewhat disappointing even though the acting was
good (I'm a McAdams fan). But there are a lot of movies that are out
now or coming out that I am super pumped about.
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter. I'm a
huge Tim Burton fan, I even wrote a report about his work for a
course last semester. Plus I thought not only the advertisements
looked amazing, but that the title sounds hilarious.
Seeking a Friend for the End of the
World. I love both Keira Knightley and Steve Carell and am a sucker
once again for the implied humor. The preview looks both funny and
touching (Steve Carell's niche).
Moonrise Kingdom. Honestly, I'm not
sure that I've seen a full preview (until I loaded the one on here)
but they had me with their costume design. Plus the film is
chock-full of acclaimed actors, which can go horribly wrong or very
well, and I'm guess from its reviews that it went well.
Savages. An interesting love-story,
some ultra-violence, weed. What's not to be excited about?
This plot seems to bring to light an issue of whether or not a dirty
business can really be turned clean. The preview did one very
important thing: it left me very curious. Maybe it will be easy to
guess how everything pans out 3mins in, but I still think I want to
see for myself.
Frankenweenie. Another Tim Burton. I
love the back story on this film also. This is not the first time
Burton has made Frankenweenie: the first attempt lost him his
animation job with Disney. Now they have funded the remake. Lovely.
Les Miserables. Hugh Jackman, Russell
Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter . . . could they have
thrown more of my favorite actors together? This play has been
critically acclaimed. The book is by the epic Victor Hugo. Classic.
The Great Gatsby.
This is yet another flick that had me at the costume. DiCaprio looks
more dapper than ever before! This is just second in line of my list
of classics that are coming to film this year.
Anna Karenina. Even
though I have one failed attempt to read this book, after watching
the previews I am dead set on giving it another go. The sets look
breathtaking, the costume amazing, the actors top-notch. I am really
looking forward to seeing Wright bring Leo Tolstoy's beautiful
writing on late 19th Century Russian high society to life.
Plus it appears to have a really great sex scene.
And finally:
The Hobbit. Seeing
as how I am a huge fan of Peter Jackson's portrayal of J.R.R.
Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (and watch the entire trilogy,
extended editions, every December) I am definitely looking forward to
what appears to be the first film of this adventure. For the past
three years December has been Lord of the Rings month and I am really
excited to add The Hobbit to the lineup. Did I say how excited I am?
Oh, and I have already reread the book this summer.
Any suggestions or
comments? Also, I am compiling notes on movies with the best sex
scenes for a future post. Please leave me your suggestions!
Quote
about movies:
Am
I a romantic? I've seen 'Wuthering Heights' ten times. I'm a
romantic. Johnny
Depp
