Sweeney Todd Movie Review Thread — Page 3

There will one day be a best-selling coffeetable book compiling luvtheemcee's posts.

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I thought I remember reading that it would be in something like 800 theaters on the 21st.

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Have you read the play I Am a Camera? I thought it was a bit lame. The musical is way edgier.

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I haven't but I'd like to. Maybe I'll pick it up and read it soon.

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Hi Michael Bennett how are you? :)

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Before this thread gets back on topic, I just wanted to tell Emcee and Ronin that their discussion is highly entertaining and informative. It's discourse like this that keeps me coming back to this board. Thank you!

And I agree with Margo, you simply MUST watch Cabaret from beginning to end. Enjoy it as a distinct piece of work, seperate from any staged version. Not only is this my favorite musical of all time, this is my favorite MOVIE of all time. I just wish I could see it in a real movie theater again. I wonder if we'll ever get a deluxe DVD treatment of it--it is long overdue.

http://emanuellevy.com/article.php?articleID=7812

Levy gives is an A and calls it brilliant.

"Tim Burton was named Best Director for his film version of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical Sweeney Todd, which was also named one of the group's top 10 films."
Link to National Board of Review story

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God, That's Good!


I just got back from an advance screening in Atlanta! It really is an amazing film that I think you'll all enjoy. Johnny is incredible! His performance was flawless and brilliant. He was such a joy to watch - he totally nailed it. HBC is also very good, vocals are a bit weak for my taste but her acting makes up for it. Honestly everyone else was just spectacular with a special nod to Sacha Baron Cohen. His Pirelli is just too funny! And they weren't kidding about it being bloody...oh my! On the way home I passed a big Red Cross Blood Drive sign and I couldn't help but laugh! The songs all came off very well though I felt that God, That's Good was so scaled down I really missed it and I missed a stronger voice for that part. I especially loved Pretty Women...excellent!


My big questions is how will that average movie-goer like this film? It was hard to tell from the crowd I was with tonight. One man said, "this is wierd". Then I heard a man say afterwards he didn't like it but then his wife said that she really did. There was applause afterward but it was brief.

I hope it's a huge hit!

Edit: I forgot to mention that I was really thrilled to be there! (my first screening) I waited an hour and a half in line. The screening theater was full and crowd reactions were loud! The sound system could've been better but it sounded great even so. I will definitely go see it again in a couple of weeks.

Updated On: 12/5/07 at 10:21 PM

Since there are five official reviews up on Rotten Tomatoes now, a percentage meter (TomatoMeter) has been posted - and it's 100% positive:

"The story is so very strong. The music is so magnificent. And with undeniable performances by Depp, Rickman, and Baron Cohen, the film really works."
-David Poland, MOVIE CITY NEWS

"It's bloody--and it's bloody excellent."
-Christopher Smith, BANGOR DAILY NEWS (MAINE)

"Dark, haunting, and visionary, Sweeney Todd reps Tim Burton's best film since Ed Wood and his sixth and most challenging teaming with Johnny Depp, resulting in a mesmerizing, Oscar-caliber work that should satisfy Sondheim's fans and bring new recruits."
-Emanuel Levy, EMANUELLEVY.COM

"This represents one happy instance of a film made by a director without stage experience that genuinely serves the intentions of the original piece."
-Todd McCarthy, VARIETY

"The show couldn't have fallen into better hands."
-Kirk Honeycutt, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

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I thought Emanuel Levy's review was pretty terrific, I'll have to keep reading his reviews.

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I am so psyched about seeing this film! I've waited all year long and it's almost here!!! It's amazing the reviews it is getting!

Updated On: 12/6/07 at 06:10 PM