Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Here's the link to poster for Tim Burton's highly anticipated adaption of the Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street:

http://www.aintitcool.com/images2007/sweeneylarge.jpg

I would've posted the actual image, but it's pretty big. Looks absolutely stunning though.

And here's the link to the awesome, brand new, kick-ass trailer:

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1809834155/video/4367764

I have to say, this movie looks awesome. I'm a huge Tim Burton fan, I love musicals. I think this movie is gonna rock!

Matt.

I've been out of town and didn't know about the trailer. I've been a fan of the show for years and I've been waiting for this ever since I first heard the music. I think everyone, whether they're a fan of musicals or not, will most definitely enjoy it.

I hope so, anyway.

Thanks so much, Chism!

Is this going to be a full blown musical? I noticed that little part with Depp singing, but I'm not sure.

Anyone familiar with the one Ben Kingsley was in around the late 90's? It was a tv/cable movie, but pretty good from what I remember.

Mike: The movie's based on Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD, so it will be a full blown musical. "Epiphany" is used in the trailer, which is more talky than most. They also showed clips of "My Friends", in which Ms Lovett gives Sweeney back his razors. The song ends with "At last! My right arm is complete again!"

I'm very excited for this movie. If you want to be more familiar with the songs and story (which I don't recommend... I think it's best to walk into the theatre without any preconceived motions), check out the taped performance from the 80s, starring Angela Lansbury and George Hearn. It's excellent. It's available on Amazon and probably eBay.

Not much for musicals (maybe my suspension of disbelief doesn't work there) but Depp-Burton is usually a sure bet.

In an expertly written musical, you shouldn't have to suspend your belief. Is it the singing/dancing that throws you off? Fine. Singing and dancing comes out of the character - it's what they have to do, not something they do for fun. The characters say all they can say, but they feel more, so they sing it. Their bodies want to do more than walk, so they dance.

And Sweeney Todd is definitely an expertly written musical. Probably the best.

Quoted from ABennettWriter

In an expertly written musical, you shouldn't have to suspend your belief. Is it the singing/dancing that throws you off?

You nailed it. I never found myself in a stressfull situation and my only release... SOOOOOONG! It's even worse for me in live action. Notably exceptions being parts of "Grease," "Charlie and the...," and the Busby Berkeley sequence in "The Big Lebowski."

That being said I'll still check this out.

I believe they had some "Sweeney Todd" in Jersey Girl with a psycho barber and all. After that movie it peaked interest in Sweeney Todd more so in the dick and fart joke audience.

I know I wouldn't even know what it was if not for Kevin Smith's film.

With Johnny Depp in the movie though, it is sure to at least be decent.

This movie looks very good. i'll see it in theaters.

~Zack~

Quoted from Souter Fell

Those examples are child's play compared to Sweeney Todd. There's nothing like it. Ivan and I will definitely be there on the 21st.

I'm kinda pissed that this doesn't come out until the end of January down here.

Guess I'll just have to wait a little longer...

Matt.

You got DOA before us, I bought the Australian version last year and it just came out on DVD over here a week or so ago.

Do what I did and buy it from here and watch it on a region free DVD player or a PC.

Who is Ivan?

I probably wouldn't go to the cinema for a musikill but I would probably buy it when it comes to DVD.

Ivan's my boyfriend.

We try to see a lot of movies in theatres, but they usually get pushed back until the DVD comes out. I can't think of a movie we really, really want to watch in theatres until ST, so I think I'm good.

This looks interesting. Burton seems to be returning to his original Gothic/Germa Expressionism style. I think it's a step in the right direction. His works after Sleepy Hollow have been... questionable. I still have yet to sit through the Corpse Bride in its entirety. Depp breaking into song did sort of throw me off though. If you're going to make a musical, it better be full blown or not at all. I can't see it working otherwise. I couldn't tell from the trailer if this is going to be a full blown musical or not.

In any case, it looks interesting. I might catch it in theaters if the reviews are on the decent side.

The source material is an operetta, so the movie should be a full blown musical. I can't see Tim cutting too much music. I hope they release more trailers with more music.

Aint It Cool News has the link to the extra bloody, brand-spanking new trailer that makes this movie look even more awesome, but it kinda leaves out the fact that this movie is actually a music. Still, it's worth checking out:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34500

Matt.

I'm a little disappointed that it was pretty much the same images, just in different order, and still no singing! Sure, they played the Ballad, but not with the singing, so it doesn't count.

I loved the throat-slaying, though.

Harry from AICN has posted an in-depth and positively glowing review of the flick, to be found here:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34665

This has only increased my excitement over seeing this one.

Matt.

I've been seeing trailers on SciFi. I'm still waiting on the full blown musical trailer.

It's a great review. I'm bummed that he didn't mention anything about Joanna, but oh well. I'm also bummed that the ballad's been sliced. It's probably my favorite song. It gives me chills.

My one little peeve: Cannot is one word. Did something change and now it's two? I've been seeing can not a lot recently, like in the trailer for BEOWULF.

NYTimes.com has posted an interesting two-page article about the film. It features interviews with members of the cast and crew, including director Tim Burton, producer Richard D. Zanuck, Stephen Sondheim himself and star Johnny Depp as they discuss the locations, the adaptation, the filming, the singing and the film's graphic throat-slittings and flesh-bakings. It's well worth the read if you're interested in seeing the film. Here's the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/movies/moviesspecial/04gold.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Enjoy.

Matt.

Quoted from James McClung

Are you counting Big Fish? Big Fish is one of my favorite films and if you like the rest of Tim Burtons work and didn't like this, I think you should give it another look. It screams his style in a new fresh way that is just amazing.

BIG FISH is one of my favorite films as well. It's stunning.

I've read the SWEENEY TODD screenplay. It's dating 12/21/06, so I can't really say how much of it's going to be in the final film, but it reads well. The original script's pretty much intact, including all of the Ballads, which I don't think work well on film. There's a lot of singing, which is going to surprise a lot of people if they don't release a musical trailer.

It's okay if I submit the script, right? or would that be illegal?

http://www.myspace.com/sweeneytoddmovie

Nothing new to report, except this clip:

Johnny Depp’s Sweeney Todd Studio Sessions

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I think Johnny's gonna be a great Sweeney. I think his singing is more than fine.

Cool clip, thanks for the link-up, Austin.

His singing seems fine to me as well, and I think Depp has already proven on a number of occasions that he can literally play anything.

Pretty super psyched for this flick now. Thanks again.

Matt.

I'm super psyched too! I'm a little bummed it won't open with the ballad, but that's okay. I still have the Lansbury DVD.

I can't wait until more clips are released with more singing.

I hope this is nominated for all kinds of Oscars. It's way overdue for most of those involved.

I'm always glad to share when Sweeney's involved.

Quoted from ABennettWriter

My one little peeve: Cannot is one word. Did something change and now it's two? I've been seeing can not a lot recently, like in the trailer for BEOWULF.

One word or two depends on the usage.

The way I understand it, you use can not when you choose not to do something, and cannot when you're unable to do it for reasons out of your control.

I can not sing in front of a large group of people because I have stage fright.

I cannot sing in front of a large group of people because I have laryngitis.

Wow... In all my years, I've never heard that.

Here is another awesome featurette on the film, including interviews with more members of the cast and crew, and a couple of quick glimpses at some new footage:

Matt.

And DreamWorks pictures has finally launched the full site for the flick, complete with videos and other exciting features. Check it out:

http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/

Matt.

The update makes me sequel with laughter and giggles and happy thoughts because it has Helena singing, and while she sucks, it's completely brilliant. I can't wait to her "A customer."

I love Toby, and Joanna and Antony, and Johnny and Helena, but Alan sounds horrible! He sounds bored. And just really bad. UGH! Oh well. Maybe it works better on screen.

I told myself I'd wait to listen to the soundtrack until seeing the movie, but that lasted a whole day. I have no self control.

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