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The Testing of the Next SLEEPY HOLLOW trailer

Published at:  Aug 12, 1999 11:06:50 PM CDT

Hey folks, Harry here with a couple of bits. First up is this poster compliments of this fantastic SLEEPY HOLLOW fan-site, followed by a look from our wonderful low level NRG guy on the testing of trailers to come! Are you excited about this film yet? BTW... The Headless Horseman on this poster... the original one sheet as submitted to MPAA reportedly used this illustration... him on the horse rearing back as the foreground image... They've digitally included him here... albeit smaller and with some... enhancements I'm told. So... There ya have the MPAA approved poster. And... while it kicks ass, I would still love to see the original.





Well, it's the low level NRG guy again with probably my next to last look
ahead at trailers.




First off, this is a theatrical trailer, and in VERY rough form. The
headless horseman still has a head covered in a blue ski mask for most of his
scenes. It starts out with a shot of a dark house on a hill with a steady
drum beat and a wolf howling in the background. Quick flashes to Johnny Depp
as he runs through trees as the drum beats speed up. Just as the beats can't
go any faster, you see a view of Depp running from behind and into the shot
comes a huge gloved right hand that twirls a sword. He rears back and swings
down at Depp's neck. Right before the blow hits, a Paramount ( I think) shot
comes up showing the company putting it out.




There's then a lot of quick takes of Depp walking into town, pulling out
his contraptions from his bag, and talking to two old guys in a roo, as his
voiceover says "We have hundreds of murders in New York City every year, and
not sorcery is involved." A close up on one of the old guys as he says,
"You're a long way from New York City, Mr. Crane." It then shows a dead body
in the woods, as Depp denounces the headless horseman. While his voice over
is saying the horseman doesn't exist, you see some kick ass shots of the
horseman, walking around his castle, a sword fight, while townspeople are
shooting at him in a graveyard, him flying through a stained glass window,
and the best one, him hurling a flaming jack o lantern.




There's a few quips from Christina Ricci in it between her and Depp. He
tells her he thinks she's a witch because she has him enchanted, and then
they're lying together in bed when he tells her there's no reason to fear the
headless horseman.




The whole trailer ran about two and a half minutes, and it's been getting
phenominal responses. I've never seen so many people give such high marks to
something so rough. You can see the cables on the actor when the horseman is
hurled through the window, the headless horseman has a head, and at one point
you can hear off camera directions from Burton. But all in all, this movie
is going to kick ass.



Oshwitz



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 1:50:24 AM CDT

    I'm first!

    by darthravage

    I know, that "I'm first" stuff is annoying, but I've never been first before. Anyhoo, that poster is awesome! Only second to the Star Wars EP 1 teaser. I saw the first Sleepy Hollow trailer during the Blah Witch Project and it looks like it will be incredible. Finally, a great Headless Horseman movie, and he even throws flaming Jack O'Lanterns. Cool!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 1:56:59 AM CDT

    but does it have a plot...

    by assmonkey

    You can always rely on Tim Burton films to look great, but does anyone know what the script/plot is like - I'm from the UK and I don't really know the story/legend is in the first place.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 4:49:34 AM CDT

    Ving V's Depp

    by dirtfish

    Tim Burton is undoubtedly a genious but I cant help but question his choice of star? Depp used to be good but since he sold out to Hollywood his career has taken a dive. Tim should give Ving Rhames a chance and leave Depp to cheating on the Mother of his child.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 4:56:23 AM CDT

    Johnny Boy

    by zcarstheme

    I'm deeply happy and excited about this project; the Disney adaptation was enough to seriously shit me up as a nipper, so maybe this one will be enough to do the same job to me as an adult. Oh, one more thing.. Um.. When did Johnny Depp 'sell out' exactly? When he started doing by-the-numbers bog-standard Hollywood fare like Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas? Dammit.. I keep forgetting that heavy sarcasm doesn't really work when written down.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 5:36:48 AM CDT

    A Hollow Sleep

    by morbid spice

    First, let me say I can't wait for this film. Damn. Assmonkey, I've never read the script, but the legend is aboot a lean and lanky schoolteacher, Ichabod Crane, who falls for this girl... I forget her name... and is in competition for her love with Brom Bones, a big tough guy. They are all at a party, and Brom tells this scary story aboot the headless horseman to scare Ichabod. It does, and when he is on his way home, he is scared and chased by the horse man. No one is ever supposed to know if it was Brom all dressed up, Ichabods imagination, or real. They never find Ichabod again. The mystery being, did the horseman get him or did he run off? No one know... BTW Johnny Depp didn't sell out. He is the same level of sold out he always was. His first movie was nightmare on Elm st, he was on a TV series for christs sake. He is a great actor, and he always works well with Burton. I can't wait for collaboration #3 to hit the screen.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 7:56:08 AM CDT

    Final word on Depp!

    by dirtfish

    NICK OF TIME!
    SELL OUT!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 8:25:53 AM CDT

    Why do they have to change things?

    by mally

    Damn it this is the second bitchy post I've left today, but as I remember Ichibod Crane is a geeky school teacher or librarian, not some super sleuth. At least thats what it seems they portray him as in the trailer I saw. What the hell is up with these guys, can't they just STICK WITH THE TEXT???? F'ing assholes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 8:27:50 AM CDT

    Good script

    by the thin man

    I do believe that there was a link to the script posted here a few weeks back- from a Depp fan site of all places. I read it while feigning work on the job and found it to be a solid, exciting read. (So YES indeed- there is a plot.) There are MANY departures from the original short story but I didn't mind- I mean 97% of us are more familiar with the Disney short anyway...right? I think Burton is talented AND overated- however, this seems to be the perfect project for his sensibilites. I will be seeing it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 8:43:44 AM CDT

    Dirtfish--you don't know jack!

    by col. mandrake

    Mr. Depp happens to be one of the finest and most consistent actors of his generation. He can pick and choose whatever roles he wishes to play and I've never been disappointed yet. He is serious about his acting, writing and directing. For christ sakes, he's befriended both Allen Ginsburg and Hunter S. Thompson while researching and refining his art! He is loyal to Burton and the two collaborate extremely well. He's not afraid to expirment or cast himself in risky roles that don't make him out to be a "pin-up" movie star. He is my favorite male american actor and will eventually be recognized and cannonized by the powers that be. You, Dirtfish, can suck it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 9:09:51 AM CDT

    Oh, goody, another piece of trash

    by kingkrypton

    Well, looks like Washington Irving's classic story is about to turned into a plotless, pointless piece of pseudo-Gothic trash. What else to expect from Burton? The man may have a knack for good set designs, but he can't tell a good story to save his soul, and his films ALWAYS insult the intelligence of the audience. Oh, well, at least he's not desecrating Superman anymore.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 9:14:56 AM CDT

    The script if friggin great!!

    by mean ween

    Only the url doesn't work anymore so I can't tell any of you where to find it. Just let me say that Burton's story deviates considerably from the legend as posted earlier. But it works. Oh, and any questions I had about Depp as an actor were forever dissolved after seeing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.... and Ed Wood. ***PS***, if any of you haven't seen Sixth Sense yet, I'd stay away from the Dark Horizon's message board. People are posting the major spoiler of the film all over the place. -- meaner

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 9:51:25 AM CDT

    sellout?

    by velvetjones

    dirtfish, you may have the most naive take on the word "sellout" that i've ever encountered. with his extraordinary looks and the popularity he held a few years ago, he could have taken every keanu-esque role that came along and made a gazillion dollars. but for the most part he has stuck to movies that at least make a stab at artistic statement. i really admire all of his work that i've seen (which doesn't include nick of time). i believe he has the potential to easily grow into deniro or pacino status. and concerning this trailer (the original one, anyway), it has excited me about this movie in a way no trailer has done in a while.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 10:11:56 AM CDT

    Nick of Time?

    by prankster

    "Nick of Time" is your idea of selling out?!? Granted, it's the most mainstream movie Depp's done in a while, but it's hardly a big-budget event movie. It's a small, taut thriller with artistic aspirations (shot in real-time) and some very good acting (Depp being the best thing about the movie). Meanwhile, he's made Dead Man, Ed Wood, Fear and Loathing...two of those movies are in black and white for crying out loud! What does he need to do, make a movie in french?!? Sleepy Hollow is probably going to be the biggest hit for him in a while. It comes close to being an event movie, but it is being done for a friend (Burton) who gave him his first break. That's not selling out, it's loyalty. BTW, in my opinion Burton is (narratively) only as good as his scripts, but Sleepy Hollow's script is a collaboration between the men who wrote SEVEN and SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE...a pretty good pedigree.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 10:38:41 AM CDT

    Sleepy Hollow got me hyped!

    by discobean

    Man, I don't know about the rest of you guys, but im f***in hyped about seein this film, I been a big ass Burton fan ever since Beetlejuice, (yeah yeah yeah, kiss my ass if ya don't like it)Ive seen the teaser trailer like four times and it keeps gettin better everytime i see it,
    See you guys openin day, sell out my ass. Who the hell has the balls to call anyone a seel out anyway, I myself don't think that Depp of all peple could fall into that category, if you wanna scream sell out, go talk to will smith or Arnold, I swear to God when i saw that piece of shit batman poster with arnold on it as mr freeze, i was on my knees screaming, "WHY GOD WHY??....
    WHY?....you were the terminator, you were friggin Conan....#$%(&#.." anyway, Depp sell out, What the hell you been smokin? you better keep that shit off the streets. Man if someone was gonna hand me a couple of million to do a worthless movie with tons of computer graphics, a big monster and no plot, i'd be like..."man show me where to sign," tell me you wouldnt do it and youre a damn liar. thats it for me.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 11:04:53 AM CDT

    stupid trailers

    by jetalone

    I can think of three recent trailers aside from General's Daughter that gave the film's entire story away: The Negotiator, Double Jeopardy (with Ashley Judd), and The Astronaut's Wife. Why bother to see the film when the entire story is given away? Or like in the Iron Giant trailer when you find out that the robot can fly. I haven't seen the film (yet), but I would imagine that robs the moment of its impact.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 11:40:43 AM CDT

    It's worth a look...

    by jon1969

    I have seen the trailer ... not this version and it looked preety good.. but everything looks good today ... what about the story? They have a good cast and people working, behind the scenes.. is it worth a look? Yes!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 12:21:13 PM CDT

    A little movie called Dead Man

    by samthelion

    How can any of you say he's sold out when he makes stuff like Dead Man? I know that was three years ago but, hey, since then he hasn't really done anything close to being a vehicle. Consider this, the guy did turn down the Christian Slater role in Broken Arrow, and that had to be a money maker. Now, I don't know anything about "The Astronaut's Wife," but I will assume that it will be mainstream but quirky. Here's the thing: Depp is the best actor under 40 working (and maybe older). His role in Ed Wood was one of the best of the 90's. Scissorhands wasn't necessarily a great movie, but Depp was great in it. Fear & Loathing was pretty out there but, again, he was great. And even Nick of Time which, yeah, might be a box office movie, is nicely Hitchcock in an era of comic book movies. Finally, I don't think any role in a movie with Tim Burton directing (since the first Batman) can be considered a "sell-out" role. Look who Depp has worked with and look at the roles he's chosen. The thing that impresses me is that he doesn't do much press or go on the talk show racket, but he still manages to be a big name and have a pretty good draw. This guy is all right.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 12:21:37 PM CDT

    burton isn't a hack YET.......

    by mackalicious

    but if he continues macking bad movies in the vein of MARS ATTACKS
    he will be.while he has made good films(vincent,pee-wee,batman,ed sicss hands.)he has had his share of bombs,(batman returns,mars attacks,ed wood).i've seen the trailer for sleepy hollow and while gratuitus, it didn't seem that bad.LET'S JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 1:33:19 PM CDT

    This movie sounds really good

    by radracing

    Depp has never made a bad movie with Burton. I think Burton needs him in every movie he does. I think he wanted him for Batman and definately for Superman. He would have made a better Batman than Clooney or Kilmer and a much better Superman than Cage.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 1:56:06 PM CDT

    This movie

    by beaumon

    This movie looks cooler than shit, great trailer, but I hope there aren't any tits in it because ol' smilin' Jackie V . will slap it with the dreaded NC-17.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 3:05:20 PM CDT

    About the original Legend vs. this version...

    by prankster

    Of course this isn't a straightforward adaptation of the original story. It's not "some hack screwing with the plot", it's very deliberately a twisted take on the legend, dealing mostly with the idea of rationality vs. superstition, as I understand it...this isn't like altering the plot of Lord of the Rings, this is a new spin on an old story (which has, of course, already been filmed). You wouldn't cry foul if someone did a new version of Cinderella, or Romeo & Juliet.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 3:15:06 PM CDT

    About the Sleepy Hollow script

    by vesterdal

    The Depp fan site that featured the entire Sleepy Hollow script no longer exists ( unfortunately ). The web master was told by Paramount to remove the script from her site because of copyright violations. She has since then closed the site completely. But I'm sure all the Depp fans who frequented that site ( myself included ) now have the script sitting on their harddrives - yippie!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 4:28:20 PM CDT

    The script...

    by funmazer

    I read it, and it's not bad. Ichabod is now a detective from New York, sent to Sleep Hollow to investigate the murders. He's got the whole scientific method thing going, while the town is superstitious. Some of the action is rather neat, such as the headless horse guy walking on water, freezing it solid with each step he takes. The ending is VERY Scoobie-Dooish, with someone giving away the whole plot with one big speech. But, I'm going anyway. Should be good. But Mars Attacks! sucked. But Ed Wood was awesome. Here's hoping.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 5:11:28 PM CDT

    I DID cry out!

    by mally

    When that peice of crap Ever After came out. It seems to be typical in Hollywood now to just steal someones idea and do with it anything they want. Who gives a crap if Sleepy Hollow is the best film ever, don't mess with the authors idea, PERIOD!

    IN SOME OFFICE IN HOLLYWOOD

    "Gee, Fred, this is a great book, lets make a movie about it"

    "Yeah,Yohan, but lets change the charachters and plot, and ...oh hell, lets just steal their title and make our OWN movie! "

    "Your brilliant ,Fred, and all those gullible Americans will fall for it too!! HA!We rich have everyone by the balls! Now Suck it harder!"

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 5:46:13 PM CDT

    Depp has sold out!

    by dirtfish

    Nick of time, Donnie Brasco, Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare on elm street, Platoon. That is serious Hollywood money. Depp may do the odd independant film here and there but he loves his blockbusters. Depp should watch the likes of Bruce Campbell and other actors who are just not interested in Hollywood.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 6:05:48 PM CDT

    dirtfish is reachin'

    by velvetjones

    benny & joon, cry-baby, what's eating gilbert grape?, ed wood, dead man for christ sakes? how many hollywood zombies would sign on for these projects? and i hate to slag on anybody's intelligence, but your list was, ummm, questionable. with his screen time in platoon, and the budget (and depp's star power) during the first freddy movie, i believe he made about 37 dollars for both films combined.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 9:32:10 PM CDT

    Dirtfish is clearly insane...

    by prankster

    And as for the those of you complaining about mangling somebody's story...listen to yourselves! "They stole the idea" for CINDERELLA?!? That's not swiping an idea, that's using a well-known story as a springboard. OK, listen. There are movies made which steal stories, or which perform inexcusable (or even excusable) surgery on the stories on which they're based. Then there are the movies that put a clever spin an existing story THAT EVERYONE KNOWS ALREADY. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow is definately of the latter category. Not only is it a very well-known legend (in America at least) it's been put to film at least once already. You guys are confusing plagiarism with literary allusion. Does this mean "Black Rain" is a ripoff of The Iliad? That "Shakespeare in Love" steals blatantly from the Bard? Once a story passes iinto the public conciousness, it's not possible to "steal" it, because it's *assumed* that you already know the source material. If I sang new lyrics to the tune of "Happy Birthday", would you call me a plagiarist?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 9:34:17 PM CDT

    Depp a sellout? I THINK NOT!

    by spell checker

    I think if you look at Depp's film history, you'll see he's not motivated by artsy intentions, nor by establishing himself as a star. I look at Depp's career, and I see a whole spectrum of different characters, situations, and stories. I see him attracted to roles that challenge his abilities as an actor, to roles that follow his own interests. No matter what role he's taken on, you can tell he's always into it 100 percent, and I admire the guy for it. Depp is, in my opinion, probably one of the finest and most artistically motivated young actors today! I don't particularly like Burton (as some of you may recall from past talk-backs, but that's another story), but I'm there for anything with Depp in it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 9:50:42 PM CDT

    Am I the only one that like Batman Returns?

    by spell checker

    Help! Is there anyone else out there that feels that Batman Returns is Burton's best work? I'm not a huge Burton fan, but for some reason, the emotional impact of Batman Returns hits me like a load of bricks. Most hate this film, but I just can't stop loving it. If ever there were a reason to me for anoyone to argue that Burton was a great filmmaker, this film would be it! The emotionally charged, tragic story, the tense, tight direction, placed within the bizarre, grotesque sets. The ending in which the penguin dies quietly, sadly, in which Batman reveals himself to Catwoman, haunts me to this day! This is the Burton I wish I saw every time I went to one of his film's! This is the Burton that could have been great! Is it just me??? Please, someone, anyone, validate me before I EXPLODE!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 13, 1999 10:46:39 PM CDT

    Depp & Burton: What's the problem?

    by hifidogsc

    Tim Burton consistantly tells strange stories in an interetsing and visually innovative way. Depp is a talneted actor who has never shyed away from a part because it might hurt his potential as a hollywood Cover Boy typ leading man. So we have 1) a classic story 2) its being adapted for the screen by a director noted for his visual stylings and 3) an actor (and ensemble cast) respected as being talented and versatile. Hmmmm......why would anyone want to see such a film!?
    I believe this is the exact kind of film that suffers from geek hypocrisy: if a studio turned it down or tried to mess with the director's "Final cut", Most of you geeks would pull out all the words mommy and daddy used to spank you for saying and pepper your posts with references to things you'd like to have happen to some studio chiefs private parts. On the other hand, now that it's getting made, released and promoted in a full-tilt way, you rail against the director and actors for tampering with a classic story or label them as awful based on one or two pieces of their previous work without regarding work more closely relevant to the material being discussed. Get over it Geeks...Here is a perfect blend of source material, director, writers, cast and yes even studio marketing. Be glad that something worth seeing might actually escape hollywood.
    HiFi Defender of Greenville

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 1999 3:45:46 AM CDT

    I think Burton's a hack too, but....

    by dr.drake ramoray

    There is no way that I'm not going to see this movie. Ive seen the trailer 3 times now and it looks so cool. Like an up-dated Hammer film, something from the " Capt. Kronos Vampire Hunter" school. Yeah, like a lot of people, I'll never forgive Burton for what he did to Batman, in fact I haven't seen a Burton film since Batman Returns ( and since when was the Penguin an EC comics character)? But this movie looks so cool that I'm breaking my Tim Burton rule to see it. Also like another poster said, if he's doing this, at least he's not helping Jon Peters ruin Superman ( not that Peters isn't capable of ruining supes by himself).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 1999 10:21:34 AM CDT

    SELLING OUT

    by burningbroadway

    I want to know why the hell everyone that ever becomes famous is a "sell out".

    Someone earlier in this Talk Back refered to Johnny Depp as a "Sell Out".

    Why?

    Because the man is making money?

    What the hell did you expect him to do? Why is it that any actor or actress that isn't working for 20 bucks a day on an indy film that's shot on 16mm is suddenly a "sell out".

    The purpose of becoming an actor is to display your talent to an audience...

    The bigger the audience, the better for the actor...then there's money...money is good...VERY good...and the bigger the audience, the bigger the paycheck...

    Bottom line...there's no such thing as "selling out", it's just something simple minded people SCREAM evertime some poor loser from the minor leagues (21 Jumpstreet) to the majors (Sleepy Hollow).

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 1999 12:14:54 PM CDT

    Re: Burton & Depp

    by w. leach

    At the risk of sounding repetitive, how is Johnny Depp a sellout? None of his starring movies are what you'd call blockbusters. Hell, I'm sure more people saw GLEN OR GLENDA? than ED WOOD. NICK OF TIME isn't exactly a mainstream movie. Depp is one of the rare actors working today who chooses quality, offbeat projects that other actors wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. I'm also sick of people using the term "hack" when describing a director, especially Tim Burton. How exactly is Burton a hack? Are you Batman fans still whining because he "screwed up" a supposedly "brilliant" first-draft script? Or are you pissed because MARS ATTACKS! wasn't another INDEPENDENCE DAY (a film that I despise with every fiber of my being)? Burton is a true filmmaking genius, and SLEEPY HOLLOW will show him at the height of his powers. Crap like SUPERMAN LIVES is beneath this man's talents.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 1999 12:35:13 PM CDT

    Re: Burton & Depp

    by w. leach

    At the risk of sounding repetitive, how is Johnny Depp a sellout? None of his starring movies are what you'd call blockbusters. Hell, I'm sure more people saw GLEN OR GLENDA? than ED WOOD. NICK OF TIME isn't exactly a mainstream movie. Depp is one of the rare actors working today who chooses quality, offbeat projects that other actors wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole. I'm also sick of people using the term "hack" when describing a director, especially Tim Burton. How exactly is Burton a hack? Are you Batman fans still whining because he "screwed up" a supposedly "brilliant" first-draft script? Or are you pissed because MARS ATTACKS! wasn't another INDEPENDENCE DAY (a film that I despise with every fiber of my being)? Burton is a true filmmaking genius, and SLEEPY HOLLOW will show him at the height of his powers. Crap like SUPERMAN LIVES is beneath this man's talents.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 1999 2:31:21 PM CDT

    If you don't like Tim Burton, you don't have a soul

    by future-boy

    It makes me sad to read over these responses and see all the bad reactions to Tim Burton's films. Come on people, doesn't Tim make the kind of movies that we want to see--the kind that take you away to a completely different world ('50s Hollywood in ED WOOD, Gotham City in BATMAN, candy-colored suburbia in EDWARD SCISSORHANDS). What Burton's films lack (sometimes) in story are completely made up for in rich characters, fascinating visuals, and deeply moving situations. ORIGINALITY people!!!He's also able to pull of what I think no other filmmaker today can do--a sense of the macabre combined with a cheerful spirit. Now I KNOW you people aren't also bitchin' about how SLEEPY HOLLOW may be different from the original story. Ummm--people--doesn't everyone in America already know the story? Can't we get a fresh perspective and try to bring something new and unique without all of you wetting your pants. It's not as if he's bastardizing it for merchandising possibilities or anything. Geez, you'd think since he's deviating from the text, it's going to be a piece of shit. Grow up! I'll take the great film that I know SLEEPY HOLLOW is gonna be (& BATMAN, BATMAN RETURNS, ED WOOD, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, & BEETLEJUICE) to all the ARMAGEDDONS, GENERAL DAUGHTER'S, & GODZILLAS that Hollywodd throws at us. Remember everybody, unless we support unique artists like Tim Burton (or John Sayles, Steven Soderbergh, or Quentin Tarantino to name a few) we'll only have ourselves to blame for the crap Hollywood serves to us (Michael Bay--BURN IN HELL!).
    P.S. SPELL CHECKER--I'll validate you. BATMAN RETURNS was a DEEPLY moving film that for the life of me, I don't understand why people can't get it. US magazine called it "the most expensive art film of all time". I think that fits it well.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 1999 5:12:53 PM CDT

    Depp wasn't Burton's choice for Batman or Superman

    by kingkrypton

    To the guy who said that Depp was Burton's choice for the roles of Superman and Batman, sorry, but that wasn't the case. Burton wanted Ralph Fiennes for Superman and was considering Tom Selleck for Batman. Not that it matters. At least the undisputed King of Hacks isn't poisoning Superman--unarguably one of the greatest fictional characters ever created--with his ego and lack of talent. But it's still sad to see him butchering a classic story....

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 1999 6:37:12 PM CDT

    would you like fries with that?

    by 3jane

    What is with the redundancy of the never-dying gen-x witch-hunt for lack of credibility? The actor's job is to bring characters to life, not to justify his personal integrity to you personally with everything you watch. And is the desire for mainstream fame really such a tragic characteristic? Striving for glam isn't exactly the most corrupt of practices in today's society. People in my city can't be the only ones to fork over some 40 hours + a week to have all the $$ and movie tickets we need; Depp and all those other "sell-outs" have simply had the opportunity to access comforts the majority of us will never have by signing the dotted line to work too. And there are other factors than potention box-office that might lure an actor like Depp to a project you hail sell-out-worthy, such as loyalty, a chance to try something new, familiarity, or having read a way different script than the film you ended up dismissing as a career compromise. Anyhow, to paraphrase Courtney Love, who was probably paraphrasing, "I didn't sign up to sell-out, I signed up to participate." Depp makes more money than us and probably has his own episode of Biography; let's put on a little Nirvana and deal with it; .

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 14, 1999 9:28:14 PM CDT

    Back at ya

    by samthelion

    First I defended Depp, now I'll defended Burton. I think Ed Wood is one of the handful or so really GREAT movies to come out in this decade. It's right up there with Pulp Fiction, Fargo, or whatever you guys would say. Yeah, nobody saw it. It was poorly marketed. Not that it mattered, it carried the kiss of death: Black & White. It won Martin Landau an oscar that he might not have deserved (if only because Sam Jackson did for PF). But that was one HELL of a movie: funny, visually unique, well-acted, honest, smart, and moving. I really, honestly think that Burton's worst movie was Edward Scissorhands, a movie that I liked. That's better than a lot of directors' best movies. I agree that Batman Returns is good. It's a comic book movie with style and thought. And the original Batman was (in my opinion) the most intelligent Superhero movie ever made. Both of his Batman movies took the time to at least try to understand the essence of Batman, that of a tormented hero. Mars Attacks was a big budget bomb, yeah, but it was funny, it was different. After Independence Day sucker punched the movie going public into watching expensive Special Effects driven crap, Burton took the time to make a Sci-Fi movie that was Character driven. I think it worked. It was very funny, very satiric. Most people didn't know what it was making fun of. Burton made an esoteric box office movie: an oxymoron. But give him credit for trying. And finally, Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. Imagine if somebody made a Pauly Shore movie and it was good. That's basically what Burton did. To me, it was like A Hard Day's Night: an already public figure (or in AHDN's case, figureS) makes a foray into movies. And Burton touched every base with it. It could have been a throw-away movie, like that stupid Spice Girls movie I (thankfully) never saw, but it was funny and striking. Burton isn't Steven Speilburg. He isn't Scorsese, Cameron, or Stone. He's made his movies the way he wants to and has created an impressive body of work. He might never win an oscar and he might never again make a movie that makes 100 million dollars, but that's fine by me. I don't think there's any director who began working around the time he did who can be spotted by watching one frame. At least there's one guy out there who takes risks. I'm guessing that Sleepy Hollow will be a bold and unique work. I'd bet on it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 15, 1999 12:50:27 AM CDT

    POSTER rules! Burton Rules!

    by darth siskel

    Ack Ack....ack ack ack!!!! Ack Ack... ACK-ACK!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Sep 11, 1999 7:55:49 AM CDT

    Tim Burton

    by chris83

    I simply cannot agree with any of the previous "Tim Burton's a hack who's ruining a classic piece of literature" posts.
    Obviously, I have to point out to you all that it is the script that has made all the changes to the original story. It is due to the scriptwriters that Ichabod Crane is now a New York detective and not a bumbling teacher (and any other changes made). I don't think that many of you will be arguing with the creative talents behind Se7en (you liked *that* movie, didn't you?)

    I can see why many people don't like some of Tim Burton's movies. But I fail to see how after undeniable classics such as Ed Wood, he is still ridiculed.
    Batman was definately the best Batman movie and was a very good movie overall.

    He may not have the mainstream appeal of the other talented directors out there (Cameron, Spielberg, etc.) But you cannot deny his talent and artistic vision.

    Give him a break.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Aug 24, 2006 8:27:36 AM CDT

    The big hairballs are always the worst.

    by wolfpack

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