Funtastic & Weird Tim Burton
Tim Burton, one of my favorite directors, made lots of movies with different thematic, but they all have something in common – they’re all weird, even creepy in some way, and that’s what I like about Tim, the world of fantasy and imagination he creates. When you recall all the weird movies you’ve ever watched, you’ll most likely realize that great part of them are Burton’s masterpieces. Some people call his movies ‘sick’ but I must disagree, it’s just different way to express an idea and spread some moral, or just to tell a story without well-known Hollywood shoot-out moment. After watching and admiring all of his movies I find myself competent enough to make a list of recommendation of movies that are a must-watch.
First Tim Burton’s movie I watched was Edward Scissorhands, and as I was so young I didn’t recognize Johnny Depp was in the main role! I’m sorry that I can’t name only one as the best Burton’s movie, I like them all and I sure tried but failed to single-out just one. Edward Scissorhands may be one from the top of my list, but however, if there are those who didn’t watch this movie, long story short – adopted idea of Frankenstein but treated much more subtle. As in many other movies and cartoons, this one also shows the connection between physical appearance and social acceptance and finally the ability to love. Everlasting subjects those may seem, but it’s our guilt that it is so, I guess we never learn. Anyway, don’t wanna bother you more, just watch the movie I assure you – you’ll be thrilled!
One of his pieces of art about afterlife, also very often discussed motive and a subject of many disagreements (is there any and if there is, how is it like?) – the Beetlejuice movie. The movie is about a couple who got killed in a car crash and after they realize they’re actually dead, there comes a series of ways to get in contact with people in this world, inhabiting their house, and how they are trying to scare them away, when after a while they call Beetlejuice for help. Let’s make things clear, the movie is from 1988 so the effects and animations are rather comic than scary but they’re interesting. This movie shows an interesting perspective on afterlife and seemingly undead Beetlejuice as well as the perspective of time. In the beginning none of the living people, except Lydia (Winona Ryder), the daughter of the people moved in, couldn’t see the dead couple, and the whole movie is about seeing them and their afterlife in the very house or in some other place – crossing over.
Burton’s movie I watched rather recently that left me impressed and even amazed was Sleepy Hollow. Good luck for me it didn’t came out when I was little, ‘cos I would certainly be very scared seeing a headless horseman. In fact, it is nothing that scary, it’s just I’m not a fan of horror – full of blood and traumatizing movies. The main role, of course Johnny Depp, obviously Tim’s favorite actor along with Winona Ryder maybe and Helena Bonham Carter, but here paired with Nina Ricci. The story is settled in 18th century and tells about the legend of a headless horseman who kills, at the first glance, random people in the Sleepy Hollow and Johnny Depp – as kind of forensic doctor, who comes to investigate unexplained deaths. In the end everything gets it sense in completely unexpected way. Be sure not to miss, if you still haven’t watched this brilliant motion picture. Gothic-lovers will adore it especially.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – great and very obvious point! Reminds me of my life sometimes, and I’m sure everybody can find a situation in his/her own life when there seemed to be no way something you really wanted to happen, but as a miracle it did, though the chances for it were 1 in a 1 000 000. Johnny Depp plays Willy Wonka, a chocolate factory owner who decided to give the factory away, as the present to the one of the five children who passes all his tests. Beside all rich and spoiled children, of course, poor Charlie is the one who passes them all but gives it all up because of his family that meant everything to him. As Willy himself had some problems with the family, he understood that Charlie was right and decides to change the deal so Charlie and all his house, literally, move into the chocolate factory and live happily with Willy Wonka.
If you can’t get enough of Johnny Depp, this is another movie for you – Ed Wood. Again, long story short, the plot is surrounded about a filmmaker Ed Wood and people around him, some of them are ex-stars, some of them wanna-be stars… Other central character is Ed’s old friend Bela Lughosi (starring Martin Landau) and also you can see Vampira, the one and only playing here. And don’t be misled, though the movie is black-and-white it’s from 1994. The central theme of this movie, in my opinion, is Ed Wood’s obsession with film making and his ways of making it happen. Of course there are lots of funny following circumstances, that make this movie really funny, but also put Ed’s devotion in the first place.
Well, there is a remake of an animated movie Alice in Wonderland, as well as the well-known Batman, but that is something completely different from these five. Also don’t forget the creepy and bit morbid Sweeney Todd, Demon Barber of the Fleet Street, where Sweeney (Johnny Depp) takes revenge on half of town for imprisoning his daughter, killing his wife and expelling himself from the city by killing lots of people and his new friend – Helena Bonham Carter, makes excellent pies with that meat. Yuck!!! I think those cannibalism moments are too much for me. And as the culmination, this movie is made like 80% musical!!! Many will ask, OK, what about Corps Bride, The nightmare before Christmas…? Yeah, they’re good, but if I tell you everything here, how can I make you watch all those you still haven’t?
What can I say more, enjoy the Burton’s movies!
