Sweeney Todd - 12/21

[mousepod]

Sweeney Todd is playing in the Cinerama Dome at the Arclight - and we're going on Friday night at 8:30. Seats are reserved, and as I type this, the entire center rear orchestra is already sold out.

I'm ordering our tickets at around 3pm today.

Who's in?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Tom and I are - EH too. Buy 3 tickets for us and we will deliver cash or equivalent upon swanking. Thank you!!

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Yes, thank you, thank you!

[Not Afraid]

I'm going to work it out so we can go. Two tickets please.

[Snowflake]

anybody want to help me move south? ;)

not that it means anything, it seems we're all going to see it, but David Eddelstein of NPR's Fresh Air just gave his recommendation for the one film to see would be Sweeney.

[Morrigoon]

Snowflake: Yes, as a matter of fact, I'd be delighted to help you move south. ;)

[Gn2Dlnd]

I'm in!

1 seat please!

Where can we get a nice meat pie dinner?

[innerSpaceman]

One PLEASE!

[Snowflake]

I'm in!

1 seat please!

Where can we get a nice meat pie dinner?

Marie Calledars?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I will be hereafter referring to this gathering as the "Sweeney Meet-Pie."

[Snowflake]

Snowflake: Yes, as a matter of fact, I'd be delighted to help you move south. ;)

I'll keep this in mind!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I think this might be a movie I need to see with you guys.

1 please?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

If there's anybody else, they better speak before someone else buys the tickets around us! (Jesse and I got everyone through Mark.)

[LSPoorEeyorick]

(Mostly Jesse - I just bought the eleventh ticket. Why do they only allow ten at a time?)

[mousepod]

Here are two ways we could work this: if everyone promises to get there by 8pm on Friday, I have a print-at-home ticket and we can all go in together. If at least one person thinks they might be late, I can run down to the box office tonight or tomorrow and just print out all the individual tickets so you can arrange to get it/them from me in advance...

[Cadaverous Pallor]

So sorry we can't make it! :( We'll have to wait on the movie for a couple of days at least.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Those interested in a previous-evening screening of the Lansbury "Great Performances" production (almost the original Broadway cast, sans a few) should PM me.

[Chernabog]

Is it too late to order a ticket??

[innerSpaceman]

OMG, I'm so tempted by the Great Performances offer ... but, like reading a novel that they adapted to a movie ... i think seeing the Angela version would be better after the Bonham Carter, and not before.


I'll contemplate tho.



mousepod, thanks so much for scoring the tix. I will be there before 8pm with cash in hand. (Um, does anybody want to grab a bite somewhere in the Arclight area .... or must I brave the money-sucking temptation of Amoeba???)

[Chernabog]

OK I got a ticket -- I'm sitting right in front of y'all (it wouldn't let me purchase the end ticket), so whomever is sitting right behind me can give me a massage, throw popcorn, or give me a shave ;)

[innerSpaceman]

Oh, I will be the one sitting behind you, gently wringing your neck for practically pestering me to meet you at SwankChristmas ... and then not showing up yourself.


It will start as a pleasant massage ... but at some appropriate point in the film ..... (perhaps a point involving a straight razor, hmmmmmm)

[Alex]

Steve, I'm not seriously trying to discourage you or anything but didn't you say you'd never go to a movie at the Arclight again?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

It's the dome. It's different!

OK, not really. But kind of.

[innerSpaceman]

If a film I like is playing in the Dome, that's where I will always see it. I will put up with the inconveniences of Arclight parking and reserved seating for that superior theater ... but never for the plain black box experience of the Arclight proper.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I actually really love the regular Arclight theaters - it's the Dome that bothers me! Heh.

[Alex]

Is there something special about this dome?

I've been in a couple dome theaters (CineArts in Pleasant Hill and some place down in the Mountain View area) and they are both pretty unpleasant moving watching environments (but CineArts is my closest arthouse so I suffer through every once in a while).

[Gn2Dlnd]

mmm, meet-pie...

[innerSpaceman]

I know some people who hate the Dome. Can't imagine why. It's the complete opposite of an unpleasant movie-watching experience to me.

Retro-60's design and Buckminster-Fuller-inspired vast open space. Digital projection on one of the last remaining HUGE MOVIE SCREENS in Los Angeles.

Nowadays, there's only one other screen this big (at the Chinese), and only 2 other venues with fairly large screens (both in Westwood - the Village and the National).


The Dome has the only screen with the 70's-era wraparound effect of a beautiful curve. A lot of cinema purists and people subject to motion sickness hate this curve ... but I LOVE it! It's groovy.

[Snowflake]

The Dome has the only screen with the 70's-era wraparound effect of a beautiful curve. A lot of cinema purists and people subject to motion sickness hate this curve ... but I LOVE it! It's groovy.

I think it is pre-1970's iSm. I say this because I remember seeing Doctor Doolittle and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Century 20 or 21 theatres in San Jose (Century 21 (http://cinematreasures.org/theater/357))
I loved the big screen there and Posiden Adventure was awesome, heck even Paint Your Wagon was great on that screen. Sad to see they've replaced it with a flat screen. I know some of the other theatres were split and I think torn down. It's been forever since I was down there (right by Winchester Mystery House).

[innerSpaceman]

Technically, it was installed in the late 60's ... but the curved screen-era of panavision display is generally-speaking a 70's-feeling phenomena. (imo)

[Chernabog]

Oh, I will be the one sitting behind you, gently wringing your neck for practically pestering me to meet you at SwankChristmas ... and then not showing up yourself.

Yes yes, I know. I'm definitely nonplussed that I didn't get to do anything all last weekend that I had planned (the highlight of my Saturday and Sunday was picking up my dry cleaning and then going back to bed, whee). But aren't you glad you went anyway?

Plus, I hear that the neck wringing, when done correctly, heightens one's sexual ple...eeaaa... ummmm *ahem*

[Gn2Dlnd]

So, what's the plan, Stan? I'll be marketeering all day, so someone should call me, let me know where the meet-pie is happening.

mmm...

[mousepod]

We're meeting outside the theater at 8 p.m.

I'll bet I'll be hungry at 7ish - so I'm open to dinner ideas...

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

We're meeting outside the theater at 8 p.m.

I'll bet I'll be hungry at 7ish - so I'm open to dinner ideas...

Pretty sure I can get there in time for dinner. Not very familiar with the restaurants in that particular area, aside from the Arclight itself and the Cat and Fiddle (mediocre pub food, except for the Welsh Rarebit - yum). Heidi and Tom may have some good suggestions....

[Not Afraid]

I don't know if we'll make it in time for dinner. I bet C is going to want a nap. EH probably needs one too. I have aminals for dinner then we're off.

[Snowflake]

I have aminals for dinner then we're off.

Huh?! NA has puppies and kitties for dinner?

[madmonkeygirl]

Make sure NA and Chris aren't late. Anytime there is a meeting up now and they are involved lmao...sorry after Sunday's ummm meeting up later than it was planned lmao....sorry but i am one of those ppl who are always on time no matter what. hate to keep ppl waiting...would go if i didn't have an earlier shift in the morning and CM wasn't up at 5am for work.

[mousepod]

what about that Thai place around the corner? Is is Chan Dara? Something like that...

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Oh, yes! Russell loves that place. If memory serves, the food was very good.

[Not Afraid]

Make sure NA and Chris aren't late. Anytime there is a meeting up now and they are involved lmao...sorry after Sunday's ummm meeting up later than it was planned lmao....sorry but i am one of those ppl who are always on time no matter what. hate to keep ppl waiting...would go if i didn't have an earlier shift in the morning and CM wasn't up at 5am for work.

Yes, but everyone got to work out where to eat breakfast by the time I got there. It was heavenly for me. ;)

[LSPoorEeyorick]

what about that Thai place around the corner? Is is Chan Dara? Something like that...

Tom and I had our first date there. We've tried several times to go back but it's almost always packed. I would suggest reservations or someone going ahead. (Or maybe because it's right before the holidays it won't be busy? I dunno.)

[Chernabog]

^^ Yeah Chan Darae is usually very busy at that time. It is walking distance tho of course to the theatre so you can park in the Arclight lot. The food's pretty good (I went on a date there myself once). Someone want to call ahead at make a rezzie for 7:00? I strongly suggest someone calling like, this afternoon. If we are 12 people, I think we can make a rezzie for a party of 8 and be okay.

[innerSpaceman]

Um, don't mind me ... but I can't eat Thai food.


If that's the decision, I will live with it ... and spend my dinner money at Amoeba.


But, um, how 'bout that cute dim-sum place around the other corner? I don't know what it's called, but it's on the west side of Vine, a few doors north of Sunset.

[Morrigoon]

iSm: Peanut allergy? If not, consider trying Pad Thai some time. It's a very "easy" Thai food to handle (and super yummilicious - noodles, veggies, egg, and chicken or shrimp in a peanut sauce)

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, peanut allergy. It's not like I just don't care for Thai food. I cannot so much as set foot in such an establishment. Peanut juice flows through the air at such places.


They should all be closed by order of the public health inspector! :D

[mousepod]

iSm - I'm open to dim sum. Three of tonight's attendees had Thai last night anyway (at the "pre-Sweeney Sweeney party"). Just tell me where to be at 7, and I'll be there with an appetite.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Provided there's vegetarian dim sum there... (If it's all, say meat dumplings, we can't do it.)

[innerSpaceman]

No, I've eaten there with vegans ... so I'm postively positive there are meatless options a'plenty.


Of course, um, I don't know the name of the place. Is "that dimsum place on the west side of Vine a few doors north of Sunset" good enough for a meet-up?

[Kevy Baby]

I have aminals for dinner then we're off.

Huh?! NA has puppies and kitties for dinner?Yes - they are delicious when sauteed with garlic.

Make sure NA and Chris aren't late.Why break tradition?

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

I love Dim Sum, but I need a name or at least a cross street destination so I know where the heck I'm going.

[Stan4dSteph]

Atch-Kotch (http://maps.google.com/maps?near=6360+W+Sunset+Blvd,+Los+Angeles,+CA+9002 8+(Arclight+Hollywood)&geocode=9522067849981409333,34.097555,-118.327925&q=atch+kotch&f=l&dq=arclight+theater,+loc:+hollywood+ca&ie=UTF8&z=16&om=1)?

[Chernabog]

I'm leaving the office and wont be at a computer for the rest of the day -- so I'll call one of you guys to findout where the heck we're eating :)

[Kevy Baby]

I love Dim Sum, but I need a name or at least a cross street destination so I know where the heck I'm going.Rufus Xavier Excalibur McFlinkenheimer III

Or did you mean the name of the restaurant?

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I'm up for whatever. I don't know what Dim Sum is, so it'll be an adventure for me.

So 7pm where please??? :)

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Atch-Kotch (http://maps.google.com/maps?near=6360+W+Sunset+Blvd,+Los+Angeles,+CA+9002 8+(Arclight+Hollywood)&geocode=9522067849981409333,34.097555,-118.327925&q=atch+kotch&f=l&dq=arclight+theater,+loc:+hollywood+ca&ie=UTF8&z=16&om=1)?Seriously, guys, it took the out-of-towner to think to use google maps? :p


I'm just jealous because I can't go

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, but that Atch-Kotch place is significantly south of Sunset, and the place I am thinking of is not more than a quarter block north of Sunset.


That said, since I can't find it thru Google ... I feel very uncomfortable putting anyone's dining in my uncertain hands.

Y'all go to the Thai place ... and I'll see you in the Arclight Lobby at 8ish, ok?

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Noooo! We can get someone to figure it out. We don't want to eat without you, peanut-allergy-man.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Yeah, but that Atch-Kotch place is significantly south of Sunset, and the place I am thinking of is not more than a quarter block north of Sunset.


That said, since I can't find it thru Google ... I feel very uncomfortable putting anyone's dining in my uncertain hands.

Y'all go to the Thai place ... and I'll see you in the Arclight Lobby at 8ish, ok?

I'm with Heidi. You're in! Maybe lame, but I'd rather we eat at the Arclight restaurant as a group if that's the only place we can all easily join up for grub time.

[mousepod]

Are you thinking of Zen Zoo Tea Café (http://www.zenzootea.com/)? I've had tea there - but not food. Easy.

[Not Afraid]

Chris is on his way home. I have one pup before meat pies. We MIGHT be able to make 7:00. Maybe.

[innerSpaceman]

Are you thinking of Zen Zoo Tea Café (http://www.zenzootea.com/)? I've had tea there - but not food. Easy.

[Lucy Van Pelt]THAT'S IT !!!!!!!!! [/Lucy Van Pelt]




Yeah, they have food. Is it dim-sum, or some other vaguely asian something or other? Anyone for there? Or let's all just get drunk at the Arclight Bar and forget about dinner.

But looking at the menu (link above), I see it's Dim Sum ... and then some (to use the classic, tacky pun).



Seriously, tho. I'm not really concerned with dinner. I just thought it would be nice. Don't unthai your shoes because of me ... because I'll feel guilty if dinner goes badly for others because of my peanut challenge issues.

[Morrigoon]

Chris is on his way home. I have one pup before meat pies. We MIGHT be able to make 7:00. Maybe.

Meat pies! Damn! Now I want that for dinner tonight! There are no decent pubs in South County, that I'm aware of either! (one in Santa Ana, but expensive... and in Santa Ana)

[mousepod]

Heather and I will be at Zen Zoo at 7:00 (with everyone's tickets @ $15 a pop, btw). We've thaied before... we'll thai again. Tonight, we swank.

[innerSpaceman]

Yay!



oh, and thanks

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

See y'all there!

[Kevy Baby]

See y'all there!Not everyone!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Not everyone!

Ok, those who count...

[Kevy Baby]

And that is why I am not going :)

I don't count, I concatenate.

[innerSpaceman]

I loved it.


I was most of all completely amazed that I loved Helena Bonham Carter. Well, I guess not completely ... since I tend to love her in everything. But I thought she was marvelous and, even though her singing was a bit weak, I did not think of Angela Lansbury once during the film.

The look of the movie was, as expected, fantastic. Johnny Depp didn't pull it off entirely in my opinion, but he was passable.

The piece seemed a tad too condensed for me ... and I'm not some kind of Sweeney purist or anything. I'm barely familiar with the show I saw once 20 years ago, but this version seemed a little rushed.

Leaving out 'The Ballad of Sweeney Todd' was a big mistake. I'm going to listen to it right now.

But overall, the movie version was swell. Though the songs were cut down, they were still good. It was by turns gruesome and funny, and entertaining throughout.


And it was the first Tim Burton film I didn't dislike in a long while. :)

[Gemini Cricket]

I loved it.
:)

[ozron]

I'll be seeing this sometime after Christmas is done.

I may, indeed, be something of a Sweeney purist. I've done the two productions of the show, which may skew my perceptions somewhat. I can't even imagine it without the ballad.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

Thanks MousePod for setting this up! I put spoilers up to protect those who've yet to see it.

I think I liked it the least out of the group. I didn't love it but I liked it alot. For me it felt like something was missing, there seemed to be holes in it and from the conversations it seems as if there was some stuff cut. (Which I guess well see in the extended DVD - as per usual) Some parts dragged while others happend so fast. I was distracted by the Hanson kid,mostly because he caught my "gay-dar" and I just couldn't believe the whole relationship with the girl, which seemed to be played as a major plot but given little to go with.

"Borat" stole the show with the buldge and just a nice play of character. Helena wasn't at her best until the scene with the kid "I will protect you." Depp was just Depp and really did nothing to warrent any kind of applause from me. I think he was the biggest dissapointment of the film.

[€uroMeinke]

Are you thinking of Zen Zoo Tea Café (http://www.zenzootea.com/)? I've had tea there - but not food. Easy.

According to the rest room wall, this is Gwenyth's favorite

[€uroMeinke]

I enjoyed the film as - been a long time since I saw the Broadway show, so I didn't really notice anything missing. Loved the look and feel, thought Helena did a great reinvention of the character. Will definitely add it to the collection

[Not Afraid]

I was absolutely thrilled by the film!

I have never seen a production of ST and didn't have any expectations and only a bare bones familiarity with the story.

Specifics in spoilers for those who don't want to know.

First my 3 pieces of irritation:
Sasha Baron Cohen was waaaay over the top with his character. He completely distracted me from the film. I really dislike comedy that is lacking in any subtlety. I tend do hate most comedy Jim Carrey does for the same reason. There is a difinie line for me that was crossed with SBC. I was comparing his character in ST to John Tuturo in The Big Lebowski. Tuturo nailed the outlandish character without distracting from the film. That I find brilliant. But, when it is too much, it completely destroys the moment.

The boy that played Toby had a wonderful voice and, if this was really meant to be straight musical theater, I would probably have loved him. But, in this rendition of the film I felt he was out of place.

The third irritation was over quickly, but it scared me a bit at first. The opening credits are basically CGI and i get very tired of CGI quickly. It worked well for an opening sequence, but I was VERY grateful it didn't continue.
As for the other actors, I adored Depp in this role (although I couldn't help see shades of Scissorhands) and loved HBC. She is a very fine actress and watching her facial expressions throughout was amazing. Alan Rickman makes my heart beat almost as fast as Depp does. I'd be so up for a menage-a-trois with Alan Rickmand and John Malkovitch. Anyone care to arrange it?

Visually, it was almost perfect. Burton at his absolute best! The murky black and white with bits of red. So beautiful! And, such a nice contrast with the pretty "by the sea" song. (Where can I get a still of the brooding Johnny in the baithing suit, socks and shoes?) I did cover my eyes for a bit of throat slicing, but the landing post-ejector seat was the real horror part of the film.

I can't wait to see it again, then buy it on DVD so I can have a double feature of Sweeny Todd and Moulin Rouge. (New Years Eve 2008 anyone?)



Thanks for getting us all on board, MP. With the rate I've been seeing films lately, it was nice to see this one with a good group.

[Not Afraid]

OH! Timothy Spall (Beadle) was Polidori in "Gothic". That has been driving me CRAZY!

[Gn2Dlnd]

I loved it not.

Helena's whisper-singing didn't work for me, neither did her walking dead interpretation of the character. Depp was fine, but I wasn't completely onboard with his rock-opera delivery of the songs. Because Depp and Bonham Carter are so young, Anthony, Johanna, and Toby had to be cast much younger than I'd ever imagined them. As much as I loved his performance, I don't think the age shift worked for Toby. A simple-minded 20 year old with a crush on Mrs. Lovett is much more effective than a sound-minded 10 year old.

I though Pirelli and Toby were the film's standout performances. Overall, I found the film to be a mixed bag that doesn't come near touching the original broadway version.

Finally, why is Sondheim, himself, so absent from the advertising, and even the post-show questionairre we were given?

[Snowflake]

I'm going to see it tonight, or tomorrow. I'm anxious. Oh, and MP & HP, I'm hitting Mifune before hand for some noodles.

[innerSpaceman]

Finally, why is Sondheim, himself, so absent from the advertising, and even the post-show questionairre we were given?
Heheh, I didn't bother reading the survey till this morning. I love how there were literally 56 choices for 'what was most influential in your decision to see the movie" - and not one of them was, um, it was already a famous musical (by Sondheim or anyone else).



Now, of course, I want to see the Great Performances DVD with Lansbury and Hearns. Hmmm, does Netflix have it??? Let's see ...


This movie has a very long wait

Bah. :(

[Nephythys]

Saw it tonight- loved it. Then ran all over town looking for the soundtrack only to find it at a store less than 5 minutes from the theatre we saw it at.

Will be picking up the broadway version as well.

[wolfy999]

Johnny Depp just won best actor and Sweeny Todd won best Musical/Comedy at the Golden Globes!

Well deserved....great flick!

[RStar]

Yes, I'm happy for Johnny! I think he deserves it. :snap:

[Disneyphile]

We saw it today. I loved it, and certain parts made my evil side laugh. (I've sadly been "uncultured" enough to not even know the storyline or songs until today.)

[Ponine]

I jsut have to put my two cents in.
I saw it, I am a fan onf the musical, I know all the music...

I did not love it.

Far too much gore.
I actually think I, and I alone chuckled at one point.
Thankfully I ate before I attended, and had no popcorn, because I could not have handled food and gore.

But.. Rickman was nice to look at.

[Nephythys]

I jsut have to put my two cents in.
I saw it, I am a fan onf the musical, I know all the music...

I did not love it.

Far too much gore.
I actually think I, and I alone chuckled at one point.
Thankfully I ate before I attended, and had no popcorn, because I could not have handled food and gore.

But.. Rickman was nice to look at.

What part did you chuckle at?

Tell me something gang-
-in 1988 he did not seem so noteworthy-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/hans.jpg

Yet 18-20 years later and many of us girls are all a twitter-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/turpin.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/snape.jpg

What is it about a well aged Englishman?:D Who has, BTW, been with the same woman for 42 years. Dang!

[Kevy Baby]

-in 1988 he did not seem so noteworthy-
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v244/Nephythys/hans.jpg
Maybe it is because I have outdoor plumbing*, but I think he looked damned good at this point (allowing for the looks popular at the time).

[innerSpaceman]

Ugh, I thought this one was Johnny Depp's worst performances.

[Kevy Baby]

Ugh, I thought this one was Johnny Depp's worst performances.Worse than Charlie & the Chocolate Factory?

[innerSpaceman]

Far worse.

[Snowflake]

Far worse.

Ooh does not bode well for me, I'm seeing it with the roomie this week.

I hated Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Depp was beyond creepy and I did not like the film at all.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

I really would recommend the original cast recording to anyone who has seen the film but who hasn't seen the musical yet. It's truly brilliant.

[Nephythys]

Ooh does not bode well for me, I'm seeing it with the roomie this week.

I hated Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Depp was beyond creepy and I did not like the film at all.

Ok- before you take IsM's post as a portend of doom-please refer to his post above in this same thread-

I loved it.

I was most of all completely amazed that I loved Helena Bonham Carter. Well, I guess not completely ... since I tend to love her in everything. But I thought she was marvelous and, even though her singing was a bit weak, I did not think of Angela Lansbury once during the film.

The look of the movie was, as expected, fantastic. Johnny Depp didn't pull it off entirely in my opinion, but he was passable.

The piece seemed a tad too condensed for me ... and I'm not some kind of Sweeney purist or anything. I'm barely familiar with the show I saw once 20 years ago, but this version seemed a little rushed.

Leaving out 'The Ballad of Sweeney Todd' was a big mistake. I'm going to listen to it right now.

But overall, the movie version was swell. Though the songs were cut down, they were still good. It was by turns gruesome and funny, and entertaining throughout.


And it was the first Tim Burton film I didn't dislike in a long while.

I do not know why he is being negative now.

[Ponine]

Ooh does not bode well for me, I'm seeing it with the roomie this week.

I hated Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. Depp was beyond creepy and I did not like the film at all.

Snowflake,
Its a totally different kind of creepy.

Sweeney is dark and brooding, and slightly unhinged, Wonka is ... creepy pedophile freakzoid. imo.

[Ponine]

Maybe it is because I have outdoor plumbing*, but I think he looked damned good at this point (allowing for the looks popular at the time).

admittedly, he has not aged as well as he could have, but yes, in the 80's he was at the top of his game.
But that voice has always been there, and the combination... works for me.

Kevy or Nephy, is that Die Hard ?

Nephy, oh, I was well into Rickman back then too. But my first love was Vincent, and until he passed away, no one could trump him.

You know, I dont remember what I chuckled at, I just remember that someone said something that I thougth was incredibly funny, and i laughed out loud, and the person with me, and the folks in front of me and on the other side all turned to look at me as if I were nuts.

[Nephythys]

admittedly, he has not aged as well as he could have, but yes, in the 80's he was at the top of his game.
But that voice has always been there, and the combination... works for me.

Kevy or Nephy, is that Die Hard ?

Yes- and he was attractive then as well- but something about him now is just yummy.

[innerSpaceman]

And I only started to really dislike Depp's performance after the second viewing ... when I had time to reflect on why I disliked and was bored by the character of Sweeney Todd in the second act.

I put the blame as much on Burton for cutting too much of Sweeney's stuff as I do on Depp, who seemingly had nothing much left to do but seem catatonic.

[Not Afraid]

I liked Depp in this film. I liked this film overall!

As for bad Depp performances - I'm not sure if it was his performance or just a terrible film - but The Libertine was awful.

[innerSpaceman]

OMG, worst Depp movie EVER! Why did you have to remind me that I still want those 2 hours of my life back?!?

[wendybeth]

Heh heh- My MIL, who loves Johnny Depp, went to the theater with her (also Mormon) niece. I guess they exited the theater pretty quickly. She still likes Johnny, but if you mention that movie she turns a bit pale.

[Snowflake]

Oh, UGH, the Libertine was awful. What I do remember specifically, Johnny Depp at the begining saying, you will not liike me, he was 100% right.

iSm is right, I'd like that 2 hours and 10 minutes of my life back.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Just saw this. I agree with NA that the CGI opening credits were nice, but am equally glad it didn't continue. I liked Antony a lot. Gaydar? Maybe. He was younger than I think he should have been. I loved the first glimpse of Todd on the boat. I loved the visual look of London. I was impressed that the actors sang their own songs. Toby was amazing and I didn't mind that he was a child. I thought it was cute how he wanted to protect Mrs. Lovett. I liked HBC as (once again) crazy lady. I agree that SBC could have tamed Pirelli down some and really not lost anything. Granted the character was writ broad, and that's ok, but it didn't grate terribly.

The second half... ok we get it- he kills people. Stop it. I didn't remember the bit about the crazy woman until he killed her. I saw the stage play only once and a while ago; I'd like to see it again. I think they could have done more to develop the plot line of Lovett's crush on Todd. I'm not sure what, but it got started, and just kind of languished.

Not sure about the plot of Antony and Joanna. I liked the scene in Bedlam for some reason. It was wierd to have Antony be her hero since he's so young.

I'll leave it to the straight girls to comment about the hotness of the boys.

[lashbear]

I loved it.

The CGI (which was present all through the film, thank you) was seamless, and allowed some grand visions of London, as well as that amazing "By The Sea" frothy sweetness.

I find the humour in the juxtaposition [sp?] of Sweeney singing a tender ballad (originally a quartet) for Johanna, at the same time slitting all those throats. That's the part that really amuses me.

The chair is just brutal now. (love it.) Especially the beadles spectacular landing !! Ouch !

Ending well done, and all of the gore in general was too voluminous to be taken as realistic, and thus didn't gross me out at all. (although the grinder was a bit "hows yer mother")

I can't wait to buy the soundtrack.