Sweeney Todd

[jobhunter]

Sorry that I offended you. That wasn't my intention. I just quoted you to show that I was in agreement w/the looks portion as you had stated and not about the "playing the same character". My reason for quoting you was to back up what I said about character description. I didn't mean the "I didn't say" to be accusatory to you. I'm sorry you took it that way and apologize.

It's all good. We shoe-loving girls gotta stick together.

 

[chager]

My best friend HATES gore, but LOVES Johnny Depp!!! She was able to handle it. The blood is very fake looking, like red finger paint. It does do some spraying but I even thought that looked fake, like the Adams Family movies where the two kids are in a play and are sword fighting and then spray the audiance with the fake blood thing. I have seen WAY worse gore on ER, CSI, NCIS, etc. Kel said that it wasn't as gory in her mind since it all looked like finger paint.

 

[Daxx]

It's all good. We shoe-loving girls gotta stick together.

I loves me them shoes baby!!!!!!!

 

[Jennasis]

Hey Daxx...sorry I was being facetious. "phone it in" isn't a theatre term at all. It's generic term used to describe anyone who isn't "into" what they are doing. For example, when I gave my job two weeks notice I pretty much "phoned it in" for the last couple of days...meaning I wasn't giving them my best effort.

Sorry for the sass-mouth (that's what my mom used to call it when we were "fresh").

So did anyone else catch the infuriatingly brief appearance of Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from Buffy) in the market after the shave-off? I was so excited to see him again, and then NOTHING! I wonder if he had more scenes that were cut?

Anyone else think the girl who played Joanna looked like a very young Kirsten Dunst?

 

[jobhunter]

Hey Daxx...sorry I was being facetious. "phone it in" isn't a theatre term at all. It's generic term used to describe anyone who isn't "into" what they are doing. For example, when I gave my job two weeks notice I pretty much "phoned it in" for the last couple of days...meaning I wasn't giving them my best effort.

Sorry for the sass-mouth (that's what my mom used to call it when we were "fresh").

So did anyone else catch the infuriatingly brief appearance of Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from Buffy) in the market after the shave-off? I was so excited to see him again, and then NOTHING! I wonder if he had more scenes that were cut?

Anyone else think the girl who played Joanna looked like a very young Kirsten Dunst?

Totally missed it and I am bummed! I guess I will just have to see it again...

 

[Aye Sea Turtles]

Who cares where he did the voiceover work from!?!? What difference does it make? If it sounds good what difference does it make? I could care less if he did it in a studio or phoned it in while he was taking a dump! If it's quality work and done in a professional manner, what diff. does it make WHERE he does his work from? I know lots of people who work from places other than their office. If they get the work done and are professional, what's the big deal? Heck, if I could do my job in a professional manner from the comfort of my home, I'd be doing it!!!!!!


Oh, so you are an insider? Were you there when he was in studio? How do you know what he does w/his personal life and where he did his performance? Did you follow him?

Are you aware of what the term "phoned it in" means? It means an actor basically stood there and read his lines, without putting any effort in. It's an extremely insulting thing to say. Hence, the reason I was slightly put out that anyone would say that about Johnny. One thing he never, ever does, is "phone it in."

You are correct, it makes no difference where he did the "voiceover" work from. In actuality, he did it in a studio. His friend's studio, to be exact.

Yes, it sounds good. Spectacular, in fact. And I'm quite sure he wasn't "taking a dump" while singing.

No, I'm not an "insider." Never said I was. No, I wasn't there when he was in the studio. No, I don't know what he does in his personal life. No, I don't "follow" him.

Not sure why you asked all of these questions, but I hope I answered them to your satisfaction.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Now I want to run see the movie just so I can join this thread and argue! Must have been one heck of a movie!!!

(we were actually going to see it tonight but ran out of time - maybe tomorrow. glad to hear the gore isn't too bad)

 

[luvsJack]

i'm sorry, but i started reading this thread to see what others thought of the movie and began reading this arguement about the talents of the beloved Johnny Depp and i can't help but laugh!!

Now --I am a HUGE fan of Johnny Depp, have seen all of his movies over and over again; heck, I would pay to watch the man hang wallpaper, BUT he is not the god of actors. And there is a similarity between the characters. Maybe it is his personality coming through--but considering which characters were mentioned I certainly hope not!!

 

[Aye Sea Turtles]

It IS the same man playing all of the characters, so it makes sense that you may see a similarity between characters here and there. But as far as all of his characters being very similar to each other, or Johnny playing them the same way...no. Absolutely not.

 

[Snow_White]

I'm a huge Broadway fan and I have to say I think Johnny Depp did a really great job (definitely Oscar worthy IMO). I much prefer singing actors to acting singers, especially for the movie version of a musical. I think pretty much everyone did an awesome job, honestly. Yes, if you're not familiar with Sondheim......I can definitely see how you might not "get it" at first. But the songs are expertly constructed, the lyrics are wonderfully clever, and I think there is a whole lot of replay value in the cast recordings/soundtracks. I personally love Sondheim. Even my brother-in-law....ultimate hater of Broadway (hates typical ALW and "popular" stuff), but connoisseur of opera (has 2 doctorates in music, runs his own opera company), LOVES Sondheim and specifically Sweeney Todd. He really respects the music. He thought the movie was well-done too.

 

[Cee]

I love this show and have been a fan since the beginning(Len and Angela in '79).
I recently saw the most recent version on Broadway with Patti Lupone and
Michael Cervais(sp?). It's a brilliant score and story. I even named one of my
girls Johanna with an "H". I'm aggravated whenever somebody says Jo-Hanna
though. Grrrrrrrr........................................................

 

[Daxx]

Also, the term "phone it in" refers to somebody going through the motions but not being really into it. It doesn't mean he voiced over the singing on the phone....and I cannot believe I just had to explain that...

Sorry that you had to explain that. I guess I must be really stupid. I'm not a theatre major and have never heard the term before.

Are you aware of what the term "phoned it in" means?

Had you read ANY of the other posts -- like the above two that I quoted --before posting your little snippet, you would've clearly found out that I did NOT know what the term "phoned in" means. Read for details, honey.

 

[Daxx]

:Now --I am a HUGE fan of Johnny Depp, have seen all of his movies over and over again; heck, I would pay to watch the man hang wallpaper

I know!!!!! I would, too!!!!! I've told friends that I would pay money to watch him just stand there and do nothing for 2+ hours on-screen!!!!!

 

[Daxx]

Last night one of the cable stations was airing "Sweeny Todd" with Ben Kingsley. Somehow, watching Ghandi play Sweeny Todd just did not do it for me. There was no singing either! I didn't last long w/that one as I kept comparing it to the Depp/Bonham-Carter version. The woman playing Mrs. Lovett creeped me out, too.

I really find it interesting that we all have our "favorite" versions that we compare to the others!

 

[WDWBarb]

Saw it for the second time yesterday - loved it even more!

 

[luvsJack]

I know!!!!! I would, too!!!!! I've told friends that I would pay money to watch him just stand there and do nothing for 2+ hours on-screen!!!!!

YES!! kiera knightly never said anything truer than when she called him "eye candy"!!

[B]""It IS the same man playing all of the characters, so it makes sense that you may see a similarity between characters here and there. But as far as all of his characters being very similar to each other, or Johnny playing them the same way...no. Absolutely not""[/B]

If you have ever watched the interviews with Johnny after a movie is made, you see more of the character in him than him in the character!! (Like the gold teeth from POTC!) In my opinion his best parts have not been in Tim Burton films. And that's because most of Tim Burton's films have that same "look" about them, and that includes the characters. Johnny Depp's best work is in films such as POTC, Once Upon a Time in Mexico and Donnie Brasco. and those are all very different characters!!

 

[lillielil]

So did anyone else catch the infuriatingly brief appearance of Anthony Stewart Head (Giles from Buffy) in the market after the shave-off? I was so excited to see him again, and then NOTHING! I wonder if he had more scenes that were cut?

He was originally cast to play one of the ghosts. He recorded a lot (which I sincerely hope is in the extra features on the DVD because it kind of makes me go all swoony when he sings on Buffy), but filmed practically nothing. I've missed his .5 seconds on the screen both times but I'll catch it next time! So yes, it was cut... but not like that.

 

[GrinGrinnyGhosts]

On 12/30/07 I saw in the movie theaters "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" and the lead role was given to Johnny Depp and the movie was good! (This Movie is Not Recommended to People under 10) The Reason Why This Movie is Not Recommended to People under 10 is:
MPAA (The Motion Picture Association of America_: Rated R for graphic bloody violence.

- This Contains Spoilers Contunue If You Want -

Sex & Nudity
In a flashback, it is implied that Judge Turpin and others at a party rape Sweeney's wife, Lucy. However, nothing is shown except Turpin opening his overcoat and bending over her, and is not explicitly mentioned by any of the characters, only vaguely hinted at. Judge Turpin expresses a wish to marry his ward, Johanna, who is Todd's daughter. Judge Turpin is an older man, and Johanna is a teenage girl, so it could imply pedophilia. Turpin keeps a book of drawings with 'everything you possibly think of doing with a woman' in it, though these drawings are not shown.

Violence & Gore
There is a good amount of blood, hence the 'graphic bloody violence' warning. Sweeney slits the throats of his customers with his razor blades. Large amounts of blood spray out like a hose in half of the victims, while the other people's blood oozes out slowly. Two men are beaten rather brutally, one is knocked unconscious by repeated blows to the head with a tea kettle, the other is whipped with a cane, though remains conscious. Todd stabs a man in the throat a few times with his blade and blood sprays all over him and the camera. Many of the victims are thrown down a shoot into a baker's basement, and the sounds of bones crunching and skulls shattering are heard. In one instance, a man's head is smashed open on the ground, though the shot does not last long. It is implied the bodies are cut up and baked into pies. A dismembered toe is shown, as is a rather long shot of a pile of bloodied limbs.

Profanity
The only profanity in the film is used in song, where the title character describes a '...hole in the world like a great black pit, and it's filled with people who are filled with sh*t.' This line is used twice. Mild profanity is also used in another song in which the title character uses the word 'piss' to describe a miracle elixir, referring to its odor.

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking
Characters drink ale and beer, among them a minor who later cuddles with the bottle.

Frightening/Intense Scenes
The themes of the film are vengeance, murder and cannibalism. The throat slittings are extremely disturbing, often very graphic, and one is performed by a minor. Cannibalism is very prevalent --many people are shown unknowingly eating and enjoying pies made out of human corpses, and you do see the raw, ground "meat" used to make the pies. Todd also stabs a man in the neck very brutally, and two men are beaten badly, one to the point of unconsciousness.

My Review (Note: Might Contian Spoilers): Nightmare on Fleet Street

"If you were fortunate enough to see this Sondheim gem on the stage then stay far way from this souless production. Sondheim's score deserves better treatment and so does his audience. Thanks to Depp's flat unidimensional portrayal of Todd the guilty pleasure of living the maniacal comic fantasy of a tragically inverted personality has been completely eliminated from this adaptation. Carter's uninspired and barely passable vocal stylings don't help at all. There is no fun here. All we're left with is a tragic tale with enough bloodletting to gag Freddy Kruger with charaters we're relieved to see too slowly eliminated from our misery. The only thing more tragic than Tim Burton's vision is the vocal performances by Depp and Carter. If you listen to Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury on the original Broadway recording you'll see what's missing (as well as the opening and closing numbers) and a production that makes this film version pale by comparison. Sondheim has an unfortunate history when it comes to screen adaptations of his work and this is just another one to heap on that pile. Such is the real tragedy in what promised to be one of the finest, if not THE finest, film adaptations ever. RIP Sweeney."

 

[__disneygirl]

Oh, I disagree! I've now seen the film in theatres four times and went to the NYC premiere, LOL maybe i'm a tad obsessed! I'm kind of a movie freak though, it's not rare for me to see something more than once. I think the music is just amazing, Sondheim is a genius. I actually thought it was much better than the musicals you mentioned (especially the music). I'm a huge Depp and Burton fan also, so anything they do (together or seperate) I just eat up. I think they're two of the most talented people in the industry today. I could go on and on about the film, but I'll just say this: I don't understand how anyone could not like it - there's something for everyone, unless you are squeamish about the gore. That I'd understand. Okay, I think i've plugged this film long enough, haha, everyone go see it!

 

[suzannen]

I'm with disneygirl, I saw the show with Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou and have also seen the performance shown on TV with Angela Lansbury and George Hearn, and I've already said I loved the movie. DD studied the broadway version in class and she also loved the movie. I expected to not like it as much as the broadway show, so maybe that's why I was so pleasantly surprised how much I really did enjoy it.