Sweeney Todd

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 9:03 pm

Full Title - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

I'm VERY interested in this movie. I've seen the trailer are few times and I must say it makes the movie look to be very good...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ui1WAZgwkxY

For those of us that haven't seen the trailer, you'll see the link above. Moving on, First thing you might notice about the movie is that it's very dark and serious. It also seems to be very demented. A HINT of comedy too, if you wait till the end of the trailer you should pick that up... Looks like fun.

Oh yeah, interesting note you undoubtedly picked up from the trailer is that the movie is going to be a musical. A musical about a serial killer that is a dark, demented, and a wee bit comical. Adapted from an on-stage musical that was made in the 1980s and has apparently been successful from what I'm to hear...I haven't seen it though...Wish I could have but might be for the best since I don't want to spoil the movie after all. Especially since the movie's going to have a higher budget, better effect, better angles, amazing casting choice, great character designs, and...We have Tim Burton and Johnny Depp, both of which are so very suited to the movie's atmosphere and make it absolutely amazing...

Plus it's an R movie...Not relevant to the overall movie itself, I just like it because, seeing as I'm going on my birthday, this'll be my fun little right-of-passage to on my 17th birthday so fun for all eh?

Only complaint I've heard so far from the trailer is one person saying they don't like how he still sounds too much like Jack Sparrow...but I don't mind...I think it suits Sweeney well too. I think I'ved typed enough now...

UPDATE: http://youtube.com/watch?v=A5brXozjbno&feature=related

Didn't notice the second trailer was online lol. Hadn't seen it until I found it on youtube (and God how I should've noticed that was online sooner...I feel ashamed of myself now...). Watched it. Wish I wouldn't have since it showed me a LITTLE more than I wanted to see about the movie (not much), however, on a better note, it does show some of the bloody mess we will witness in the movie, and I'm glad for that since the first trailer held back on it quite a bit. Unfortunately I didn't really want to witnesss that until the movie itself since I wanted the shock of the amount of the blood to hit me all at once. I'm not gonna watch any more trailers that come out if they do, however I will continue providing links as I find them for those who wish to witness them. Ten hut!

Discordia · Post by **Discordia** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 4:44 am

Sweeney Todd first appeared in theatres in the late 1840s, although elements of the story had appeared in several publications prior to that. First modern version of the story, whereby the character was wrongly imprisoned, was written by a british playright in the early 1970s and it is upon this play that the later broadway musical was based.

I love how stories evolve over time.

I'm also very excited about this production, as I think it has all the elements to be very enjoyable. I'm hoping to be able to go see it with Q.

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 1:02 pm

Yeah...I was already aware of the story's origins...Wikipedia's amazing. First known use of the character goes even further back into the 1830s btw.

Discordia · Post by **Discordia** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 3:10 pm

Ahhh but I have a source of knowledge more accurate than wikipedia - my mother!

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 3:20 pm

dirtyprettythings wrote:Ahhh but I have a source of knowledge more accurate than wikipedia - my mother!

Your mother's no more viable a source than mine, and mine never heard of Sweeney Todd till I said I wanted to see it, thus it must not have existed until 3 days ago. But yes, let's move off this before any nerves get struck and we detract from any possible conversation and speculation and such and such.

RurouniQ · Post by **RurouniQ** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 11:06 am

I have loved the story ever since I heard the soundtrack for the Broadway musical back in high school. It's an amazing show that is very sadistic and funny at the same time. I have a DVD of a London production with Angela Lansbury as the lead female part.

I have a big suggestion for anyone wanting to go see the movie but doesn't know the story: don't spoil yourself before you go see it. There's a twist at the end and it's best if you don't see it coming.

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:42 pm

Yeah...I've kinda spoiled one or 2 things for myself already and I'm pissed, so I'm not looking up anything else (despite this fact I do know of 2 other videos relating to the movie that I should post...especially the one of Johnny Depp singing...I'll add that one now actually lol)

And so yeah...since I'm mad about that I'm not looking up anything else on it at all so yeah, I'm determined to not spoil ANYTHING about this movie now. Just thank god I haven't revealed anything too major to myself yet o.O

UPDATE: http://youtube.com/watch?v=MTo0qvNURmo

Johnny Depp singing a short segment from "Epiphany" in the film. I love the way he sings it. I think the Jack Sparrow voice makes him seem so insane and I love the way. I really think Johnny Depp's perfect for the role, despite a lot of opposition from fans of the musical for his casting.

Q, what's your take on Depp's ability to perform and sing for the role? I'm not an expert on singing and I haven't seen the musical so I can't say honestly. I mean I think Johnny makes a perfect crazy serial killer, but as far as singing, I think he has a good voice...I just dunno if he's hitting the notes properly because I'm tone deaf.

RurouniQ · Post by **RurouniQ** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:09 am

No, he's hitting the notes right. The one thing about this musical is that a lot of the music sounds "off", and it's written that way intentionally. It's written with tons of dissonance to lend it that feeling of insanity. This clip actually doesn't do Johnny justice because it's taken out of the context of the rest of the show and sounds like he's off. If you listen to the show from the beginning, it establishes the dissonance very early on and you're used to it by the time any solos are sung.

From this clip, I'd say he's definitely got a good amount of singing talent. Sweeny Todd is one of the most difficult musicals to perform, period, and the role of Sweeny is one of the hardest in the show. Seems like he's pulling it off well.

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:19 am

RurouniQ wrote:No, he's hitting the notes right. The one thing about this musical is that a lot of the music sounds "off", and it's written that way intentionally. It's written with tons of dissonance to lend it that feeling of insanity. This clip actually doesn't do Johnny justice because it's taken out of the context of the rest of the show and sounds like he's off. If you listen to the show from the beginning, it establishes the dissonance very early on and you're used to it by the time any solos are sung.

From this clip, I'd say he's definitely got a good amount of singing talent. Sweeny Todd is one of the most difficult musicals to perform, period, and the role of Sweeny is one of the hardest in the show. Seems like he's pulling it off well.

Well, glad to hear it then lol. I was aware that this is by no means an easy play though...I read many things from many fans of the musical regarding that. Even harder to wait to see the movie now though lol.

Post by **BreakmanX** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:43 am

As someone who's also studied singing I can tell you that he's doing a great job. He's obviously had some classical training, which is the norm in Hollywood anyway, and he knows how to use his voice.

Also, from someone who knows acting I can tell you that Johnny Depp is one of the best actors alive right now and is thought of as such by many of the top people in the film industry. Once you get to the top opinion comes in and everyone has their own idea who is better than who, but Johnny definitely deserves a lot of respect in that regard.

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 12:41 pm

BreakmanX wrote:As someone who's also studied singing I can tell you that he's doing a great job. He's obviously had some classical training, which is the norm in Hollywood anyway, and he knows how to use his voice.

Also, from someone who knows acting I can tell you that Johnny Depp is one of the best actors alive right now and is thought of as such by many of the top people in the film industry. Once you get to the top opinion comes in and everyone has their own idea who is better than who, but Johnny definitely deserves a lot of respect in that regard.

Well I never doubted Johnny's acting abilities. I mean I've seen several movies of his, and I do know that he can pull off almost any role (and it's good for him that he's managed to avoid type-casting), but I was really just worried about his singing... The only reason I had concern for his acting was because some people were criticizing his acting abilities in the movie based off the first trailer (yeah, I know how much sense that makes...) and so yeah, thanks for helping me get over those worries.

Now all I need to do is sit and wait for the movie and hope Burton did a good job with his version of the story (which was approved by Sondheim, who rewrote his songs making some marginal changes to them for the movie I guess...I dunno...I do know he also approved of Johnny's singing abilities though), and I really don't doubt that he made a good adaptation since I do love quite a few'o'his movies eh wot!

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 9:54 am

Damn...I was not aware of the fact that there's been complications with Sweeney Todd making it into theaters...

I can't go to my normal theater to see the movie

For some reason Dickinson Theaters only has 6 theaters showing the movie actually so I'm disappointed...But luckily I found 2 other theaters nearby me that will be showing the movie. I'm determined to see the damn movie so I'm heading on over there if I have to...But dammit...it's gonna feel so weird to be over there...And I don't know ticket prices there either...Crap...

Mericks · Post by **Mericks** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:52 pm

Saw the movie...

...Amazing...

Go see it NOW! Unless blood makes you uneasy. If you don't like blood you're gonna be vomitting a lot in this movie...

Post by **BreakmanX** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 2:14 am

Awesome film, bought the soundtrack on the way home.

maul42 · Post by **maul42** » Fri Dec 28, 2007 10:57 am

I enjoyed the music and the performances, but found Tim Burton's direction to be tepid at best.

I was really underwhelmed by the lack of motion or life in the film. It just seemed so dry until the meat-pie aspect of the film was introduced. Also...that can't be the end, right? What happened to Joanna?

I will give it credit though, for leaving me singing 'Pretty Women' around the store for days now.