Oh yes, I've been a very lazy Patty (or an otherwise preoccupied one), so here's a multiple entry to let you know what's what:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005): This was the main attraction over the last few days and I am having trouble making up my mind about it. I usually love most Tim Burton films and of course Johnny Depp is every red-blooded woman's dream (and probably a few red-blooded fellows as well), but his interpretation of Willy Wonka was just so weird and out-of-sight that it threw me for a loop. I don't know who his interpretation was based on -- I don't buy the Michael Jackson theory -- but he was such an automaton and apparently child-hater that the blackness of the story didn't quite sit. Against this the movie was brilliantly conceived and designed -- even if they multiplied one actor into many Oompa-Loompas through the magic of CGI. I recall reading that Dahl didn't much care for the Gene Wilder version but somehow a cross between his playing of the role and Depp's might have produced a less distracting result.
Millions (2004): Director Danny Boyle has produced a real oddity here in his story of two young lads (one of them obsessed by saints who keep appearing) who find a wad of cash that they need to spend before Britain enters the Euro club. Obviously a fantasy! Fairly amusing in part, but weird.
The Sea Wolves (1980): Haven't seen this geriatric Boys' Own tale for a while but it was still good to see Gregory Peck, David Niven, Trevor Howard, Roger Moore's eyebrow, and a host of familiar British faces in this purportedly true tale of patriotic derring-do in India during WW II.
The Reluctant Dragon (1941): Another oddity, but one I've not watched before. It's a combination of a cartoon compilation and a tour of the Disney studios, through the eyes of Robert Benchley, a screen humorist of the period. Fairly charming stuff.
Overnight (2004): I'd heard about this documentary which tells how a bumptious bar-tender won a big film deal with Miramax and then totally blew it by growing a swollen head and a potty mouth. For once I was pleased to see an annoying idiot get his just desserts.
Sumurun (1920): Finally my obscure oddity from the last few days -- a German silent directed by the wonderful Ernst Lubitsch which was shown in the U.S. in a shorter version entitled 'One Arabian Night'. This was the full-length original and was a baroquely-designed extravaganza of Arabian opulence and intrigue starring Pola Negri as an exotic dancer and Lubitsch himself as a hunchbacked admirer in their band of travelling players. If nothing else it proves that he could overact with the best of them. Still the movie was full of his characteristic humorous "touches" and a worthy addition to his filmography; it was certainly lovely to look at.
4 comments:
It was all going so well until Johnny Depp walked on - it was like - what are you doing - you're ruining this role - he looked too young, too weird, and just out of place. There was that same problem too as in the first - what is behind those really exciting looking doors on the side of the river? That's were stuff happens. And that's the thing - you've got to see it in the Dahl mindset - then the Depp version of Mr. Wonka is quite freakish enough - as were all his characters - you take something and you exaggerate it as far as possible..... no wonder Tim Burton felt at home....
hi well found your journal very interesting u certainly know your stuff found it great thanx xx jan xx
Hi
If you like Tim Burton , The Corpse Bride was very good (in my humble opinion !)
regards
Shaun
http://journals.aol.co.uk/shauntanner/Tenthirteengoesforth/
Charlie and the choclate factory i find was of corse zanny but i find also troubling why distroy such a childhood classic such as this. and why i ask you turn such a worm harted charctor into a sinic.
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