Craig Benfer Posted March 17, 2012 Share Posted March 17, 2012 I have always been a big fan of the gothic soap series Dark Shadows. Several years ago, when I heard that Johnny Depp was making a big screen version, I was extremely excited. I can't tell you how anxiously I have been anticipating the release this May. Well............I just saw the trailer. I am so absolutely furious. How could anyone who claims to be a fan of the series, turn it into this? I am speechless at this point. Is it too much to hope that the trailer is being intentionally misleading? Dark Shadows Trailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LatetotheParty Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 Craig,Well, its a Tim Burton film and that explains alot. Too bad they turned it into a slapstick comedy; I guess that's what sells these days.What I find most interesting about this is that, lately, Hollywood doesn't have many original ideas; here is an example of just "borrowing" a name from the past (for the name recognition only)...and then not doing anything related to the original. Pretty lame IMO... When they mentioned 1972 I was half-hoping I would hear "GATW.." ....LOL Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 What we have watched is JUST a trailer, not the movie and from what I am reading, the final cut is not even done yet. And, this is Tim Burton, so true. The movie is a WHOLE new story “based†on the characters that the Curtis’ allowed Depp and Burton to use, so I personally don’t want a regurgitation of the old DS. I don’t mind a theme changing a bit and seeing what other avenues these characters can venture to. Would I like a romantic, gothic film? YEP! Is this? Who knows? I haven’t seen it in its entirety yet. I look at this as an "extension" of the series characters and nothing more than that. I will give this movie a chance in hopes it “works†in its own way. If not...no loss.And the good news is, we STILL have the original series...that, in itself will never be lost or taken away by this movie.PS: I too was hoping for GATW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 When you are adapting a previous movie or series for something new, you will never please all the people... either some will say it is nothing like the original, or others will condemn you for making it too much of a copy of the original... From what I saw in this trailer, I look forward to watching the movie at some point. I was a fan of the show back when it was on, but this is no more the Dark Shadows of 1972 then the current 21 Jump Street is the 21 Jump Street of Depp's day... IMHO... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 Normally, I would be in agreement that I wouldn't want a regurgitation of the old. In the case of Dark Shadows, however, I just feel like there is such a great story that many have never seen. The ability to properly convey that story via the screen was originally confined by the limits of daytime TV in the 60's. I certainly don't mind a little bit creative leeway in telling the story. There was nothing funny about Dark Shadows. It appears that Tim Burton has done to it what Weird Al Yankovic could do to Boats Against The Current or Nowhere To Hide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 It appears that Tim Burton has done to it what Weird Al Yankovic could do to Boats Against The Current or Nowhere To Hide. Exactly, Craig...it "appears." But this is JUST the trailer, not the whole movie. Who knows what is actually in it? However, in the end, it IS a Tim Burton film. So from what I have seen of the trailer, I don't think I am going to be surprised. Or...maybe will. I'm going to wait to see the whole movie before I give a critique of it. Then, I will defiantly give my yay or nay. I am praying, it’s a yay! We’ll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirk Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 When I heard "Mars Attacks" was going to be made into a movie, I was giddy with excitement! The 1962 martian invasion on Topps bubblegum cards brought to the big screen- it was enough to make any (grown up) kid happy! They had enough big names in this movie to make 4 or 5 regular films! I just knew this was going to be the best alien film in history.And then Tim Burton took my ultimate horror/sci-fi film and turned it into some campy, goofy, well...Tim Buton movie. Don't hold your breath, Dark Shadows fans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pretender Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 We listened to an interview online with Jim Pierson of Dan Curtis Productions(who was a consultant on the movie)and he kind of downplayed the comedic content,while also acknowleding that it is a different vision of DS.He also said pretty much what you did,Wendy,that people should wait and see for themselves before making judgement. Gina is a moderator on a DS page and a member of a few others and a lot of DS fandom is pretty upset about it.Personally.as a huge fan of DS and of Burton/Depp, I'm getting even more excited about seeing their version.I didn't really want to see another rehash of the same story I've seen 4 versions of already. By the way,Wendy,are you going to the premiere?Wish we could go out there but it just isn't feasible.http://darkshadowsnews.blogspot.com/2012/03/dark-shadows-movie-premiere-party.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJ Posted March 18, 2012 Share Posted March 18, 2012 I am somewhat torn - I like Depp a lot but I am a die hard old DS fan. I know 6 of the original cast are doing cameos in the movie - so that in itself should make me want to watch it. Once my aunt started taping old DS back in the 1980's for me (before they came out on vhs and dvd) I started wondering things that I never thought about as a kid - like for instance... Barnabus always made Willie and/or Julia drag his coffin from the masoleum to the Old House and back and forth - and when they buried Barnabus and Quentin in some of the episodes - how did they ever get the coffins down in there and then bring them back up when they decided they were indeed alive? LOL. I didn't see a crane there to hoist them up. But that was part of the fun of watching it in later years. I may watch the new one when it comes on DVD but I won't go to a theatre to see it. Let's not forget the teenagers now have an attention span of a fruit fly thanks to technology so they have to be zapped continiously with scenes and something new or they'll just get on their Iphones and play with something else! Personally there is nothing like the original for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 The movie is a WHOLE new story “based†on the characters that the Curtis’ allowed Depp and Burton to use To be honest, that is something I never understood though. You write a story. All the characters within the story are given names. The story is given a title. If someone comes along, and wants to change the WHOLE story, then why bother borrowing from the original characters or using the original title. Why not just come up with your own original character names and title?Like Jean said, it's because of name recognition, and I think that's a cop out. I don't mind a slight alteration to repair what the artist might consider to be flaws in the original, or enhancements here and there. I don't get when artists think it's alright to take other artists creations and mangle it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted March 18, 2012 Author Share Posted March 18, 2012 I must admit that I still have some delusional hope that this trailer is misleading us. Kind of like the denial of seeing your partner emerge from a hotel room and kissing another man/woman. You want to believe that there is some other logical explanation to explain what you just saw other than the obvious. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LatetotheParty Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 Craig,Aren't trailers supposed the show "the best" parts of a movie? I, like many of us, grew up watching this as a kid and I don't recall it being a comedy AT ALL...Maybe its a "spoof" of the TV show? Possible...we'll see! I like checking the website "Rotten Tomatoes"..they do lots of good reviews.Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulie Mississippi Posted March 19, 2012 Share Posted March 19, 2012 watching the trailer again, I came to realize that the part of Barnabas has been tailored to fit Johnny Depp... Johnathan Frid would not have been able to pull off much of the humor that Depp can; the scenes with him dealing with modern technology make sense as things like a television would seem magical to someone who was from a time before electricity... and his reactions, as well as the romp in the hay with his nemesis have the feel of "goth" Captain Jack Sparrow... Sometimes it's difficult to have a well-known actor resurrect a character made well known by another actor... sort of like seeing Ben Affleck try to take over the reins from Harrison Ford in the Jack Ryan movies (Clear And Present Danger, etc...) And that move was not made after 40 years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted March 22, 2012 Author Share Posted March 22, 2012 Still mad! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted March 22, 2012 Share Posted March 22, 2012 So cool to see Jackie Earle Haley from the old "Bad News Bears" movies getting good roles again! He was nominated for an Oscar a couple of years ago for "Little Children". The kid has always had the chops!Burton will save a bundle on not needing goth makeup for his wife Helena Bonham Carter's role. She always looks that way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted April 5, 2012 Author Share Posted April 5, 2012 Well, now for some confusion. Even though their own website lists the movie as a Gothic Comedy, the Original Score that can be pre-ordered sure doesn't sound like a comedy.http://www.watertower-music.com/releases_spotlight.php?search=WTM39283P.S. Seeing the titles of the tracks prompts me to warn "Spoiler Alert". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pretender Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Just got home from the midnight show.All I'll say is that if you go,be sure to stay for the closing credits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marathon mama Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 I just looked up the answer and am so excited!!!!!! (So not to give it away too fast I "didn't say what I wanted to say".) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marathon mama Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 * * * WARNING - Don't read this message if you prefer waiting to see the movie. * * *Otherwise I want to share this from youtube: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelina Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Just got home from the midnight show.All I'll say is that if you go,be sure to stay for the closing credits. Thanks pretender and MM..my daughter mentioned the same thing this AM. Guess I'll be seeing it soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Thanks for not saying anything MM and thanks Pretender for the heads up.May I suggest that in the next week or two that if something that is a surprise or what have you is going to be talked about, a warning be placed up. I for would really appreciate it. I am trying to get my Mom to see the movie tomorrow night, but she is 85 years old so "tomorrows" are sometimes 2 weeks away depending on when she feels like she can go. I don't want to miss reading this thread, but I also don't want to know what I would rather be surprised about.Anyway...I can't wait to see this and neither can my mom and my 20 year old niece who knows nothing about DS. 3 generations going together to see this. I am so happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Yeah, well, surprise is blown as I figured it out. Bummer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cartmill Posted May 11, 2012 Share Posted May 11, 2012 Not bad for a blonde... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendy-Ann Posted May 12, 2012 Share Posted May 12, 2012 I guess. It would have been nice to see the movie and then be surprised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Benfer Posted May 13, 2012 Author Share Posted May 13, 2012 I wasn't at all ready for that. When the credits started to roll, for just a few seconds I thought "This sounds like a Raspberries song". Then it sunk in. I was so surprised. Too bad that I'm not predicting this movie to be a blockbuster. Would have been great to get in the ears of a lot more people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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