Cinematical

...but this doesn't change the fact that neither lead can sing the part well enough for a Sondheim musical.

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Don't forget, The Departed was pretty bloody too. Glad to see such good early reviews on this one, love Burton and Depp together. Woo hoo for holiday releases!!

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Best Burton film since "BeetleJuice"? I know Burton isn't everyone's cup of tea. I do feel though he's a very underappreciated director. And as for that comment, did he forget about "Batman", and the criminally underappreciated "Ed Wood"? In my opinon Burton's best film to date. "Sweeny Todd" does look great, potentially amazing even. I'm just happy he's not doing another unnecessary remake.

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Man the spin...but damn I want to see it!

Rob
http://www.movie-cat.com

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I don't understand where people get the idea that the actors in this film can't sing a Sondheim musical. I've seen the film, and the actors do a wonderful job. Sondheim himself has said he would rather have an actors that aren't singers do the roles in Sweeney Todd, than singers that aren't actors do the roles. Do the actors sound like Broadway musical singers---no, but that doesn't mean they can't sing. Depp and others belt out and hold the notes. In addition, the acting while the leads are singing is captivating. I also loved "Ed Wood" as one of Burton's best films, but I think "Sweeney Todd" surpasses it. Even though I'm a squeamish person, the blood to me was a metaphor for Sweeney's release of anger throughout the film. I wouldn't characterize it as "childish"---it's a film about slashing throats and that's bloody! However, the humor interspersed throughout helps offset some of the more grisly scenes, and together it comes together in a remarkable way. I hope the Academy will vote for something different this year as "Sweeney Todd" is truly "different" and the most interesting film that's out this year.

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What about Nathan Fillion and Andy Griffith for "best supporting actors" for "Waitress"? Both were great.

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What about Nathan Fillion and Andy Griffith for "best supporting actors" for "Waitress"? Both were great.

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They even said not to compare the movie with the musical. The movie is more to show the legend and include the popularized singing aspect. Yes, Helena does not sound like Angela Lansbury, and Johnny could never reach the low and resounding timbre of Len Cariou. But I'm glad for it. If they sounded just like each other then it would be a remake and no one is going to see that. Anyone who is so eager for it is going to see Sweeney Tod because it is the MOVIE. The musical is lovely, but the movie is going to capture everything they had to use "theatrical magic" for in the show. Now theyreall can show the blood, you can get close-ups of the shifting emotions on Sweeney's face and see a full, dismal Fleet Street instead of a rotating box of shops. This is my personal view at least and I hope others agree with me that to compare these movies is a little narrow minded. It's exactly what happened with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The movie was not to be compared with Willy Wonka and the Choclate Factory, they were meant to be seperate entities. Burton is just throwing his twist on a production he really enjoys and I appreciate this and am more then eager for Christmas! Forget presents, I just want the movie!

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That comment about 'rivers of blood' and being turned off by 'childishly heavy focus on gore' is uttelry ridiculous. Anyone who follows Tim Burton, know that his fans, expect and want this level of committment to his chosen innovative genre, and LOOK FORWARD to it with delight....Tim understands that death is the ultimate finale of life, and treats it with the respect that no other director ever has. The mindless public, who are all so afraid of death that they never contemplate or talk about it, could never, ever understand the genious of Tim Burtons work...but don't worry, he does not expect them to, nor do we, his unwavering, bloody fans.

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To 'The Addict', I say that one must remember that Sondheim himself had final approval on the roles and their singing. I can certainly hear what the Broadway fans are saying- the voices are concentrating a little too hard on trying to sing- and as a result, Depp's Sweeney voice isn't NEARLY as angry or intense as past Sweeneys, but anyone concentrating on that is missing the point. We HAVE to reserve judgment for the release of the movie, and besides, I challenge anyone to name a director they honestly think is better suited for this than Tim Burton. Hello! This is his world! Give it a chance!

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