Better Feeling About SWEENEY TODD Movie?- Page 2

[wickedfan]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 2:59pm

There has. "Kiss Me/Ladies in Their Sensitivities" has apparently been cut as has,sadly, "Green Finch and Linnett Bird". I think I heard "God That's Good" was also cut.

[EdmundOG]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 3:48pm

Interesting that you bring up The Penguin and Batman. That's why I don't trust Tim Burton with this. Allow me to break it down...

In the Batman comics, Oswald "The Penguin" Cobblepot is high-born, rich, cultured, and intelligent. A mobster-type "gentleman criminal", always polite, though always ruthless. He is unique among Batman's major enemies due to his sanity. A sophisticated aristocrat who runs a nightclub, he contrasts nicely with the demented clowns, scarred lawyers, and obsessive puzzle-writers that comprise the rest of the Rogue's Gallery. His nickname comes from his stylish tuxedos, and his short, pudgy frame.

In "Batman Returns", he is portrayed as an obese, croaking, bile-spewing freak. A murderous lunatic who feasted on raw fish, and his enemies' noses. Where the original Penguin had only a long, hooked nose, Burton's had a flat-out beak, as well as grotesque flippers. Rather than run Gotham's 'legitimate' crime, this one murdered children. Rather than classy Rolls-Royce limousines, this one rode and electric duck. Rather than live in the plushest of penthouses, this one lived in the sewers with clowns.

BUT WAIT!

The plot Burton came up with required the Penguin to run for mayor! So he had to make up a WHOLE NEW CHARACTER not even featured in the comics to run the campaign. This new character was a cultured, erudite businessman, who clearly enjoyed life's finer things. A respected member of Gotham's elite whose extensive underworld dealings were well-known. In other words... The Penguin.

That is how much respect Burton gives to his source material. That is why I don't trust him with Sweeney Todd.
Updated On: 5/13/07 at 03:48 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 4:10pm

Last I heard, "Green Finch" is in the movie...

There is an article on AOL today in which Depp discusses his daughter's illness which disrupted shooting for SWEENEY TODD. The article says the film is slated for an early 2008 release date.

Now, who knows if that information is correct, but if the film is being released in the first quarter of 2008, you can be assured its a turkey. That time of year is known in Hollywood circles as the "dumping ground" for films not strong enough to vie for awards attention.

If the studio has any faith in the finished product, they will push to have it come out by December 25.

[Paulyd]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 4:19pm

As far as i know this is still slated for a christmas release. The UK release date at present is Jan 08, but we didnt recieve Dreamgirls in the cinemas until Feb this year.

I for one am interested to see what Burton has done with this. I know many people have reservations about Helena as Mrs Lovett. I am one of them, put as long as she approaches the whole more like Angela Lansbury or Sheila Hancock and less like Patti i'll be happy.

[MiracleElixir]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 6:34pm

Even if Sweeney ends up being a "turkey" the studio wouldn't dare put a movie with this much pedigree and awards potential in Early 2008. As has already been announced, it will be released in NYC and LA in late December, and will open nationally the second week of January.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 6:42pm

This definetly isn't a January turkey. It's release dates are obviously angling it for awards consideration.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 6:44pm

As long as Depp doesn't suck and Burton doesn't turn this into a gothic cartoon, I'll be happy.

[mateo]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 6:47pm

Is Sondheim or Elfman writing any new songs for this?

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 6:55pm

I've no idea about Sondheim, but Elfman has nothing to do with this movie.

[mateo]

Posted: 5/13/07 at 6:57pm

ah. i just figured he would work on it in some way.

Like a song for the credits, score or music producer... something.

Posted: 5/13/07 at 7:16pm

Green FInch and God that's Good were both missing from one of the script drafts many people got to read but I hear both have since been put back in--At any rate the cast *definetly* were recording God That's Good 2 months ago but it of course could still be cut of course.

I actually wouldn't mind if the music is changed here and there as long as Sondheim does it--as he has said himself, writing for a movie requires different things than writing for stage.

Edmund of course much of what you dislike about Returns was Burton's doing but he didn't do the original stroy treatment or script so shouldn't get all the discredit.

as for the Penguin and how Burton treated him I agree that there're some pathos there but what are there are linked to an exagerated comic book version of pathos--the PEnguin is largelya figure of grotesquerie (his lewd comments to women, eating the fish--Ir emember in the theatre audiences "ewwww"ing nearly everything he did) and even the plight re his parents is treated with exageration. I actually like the film a lot personally but I don't see it as an example of proving Burton can handle Sweeney