Tim Burton's Dark Shadows - Part 2

[Call Me Darkman]

I didn't even know the show existed till the movie was announced. Then I checked out a few episodes on Netflix and it's a terrible show. It's fair to say that the fanbase is small and irrelevant. DACrowe mentioned Star Trek as comparison, but that's a different story because that series is, you know, a CLASSIC and the fanbase is huge.

 

[Sawyer]

Terrible's a bit harsh.

 

[Call Me Darkman]

Maybe in later seasons it got better, but in the beginning it was awful. They literally used ONE camera that they moved back and forth. Was it really so much to ask for a standard 3-camera set-up? Then, to make matters worse, Barnabes doesn't actually show up till season 2. So, you actually have to watch all of season 1 to know what the heck is going on.

 

[flickchick85]

Seems to me like Burton's taking something that was kind of unintentionally funny and making the comedy intentional. I don't see a problem with that, but I can see how people who loved the original might take offense to such an approach.

But as far as I'm concerned, this footage reminds me of classic Burton, and I have no affection or protective feelings toward the source material, so I can't help but look forward to it.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I haven't seen the show, but if it's like many things, what was serious back then, is now considered unintentionally funny. So, it's not too surprising, that they played up the comedy.

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

But as far as I'm concerned, this footage reminds me of classic Burton, and I have no affection or protective feelings toward the source material, so I can't help but look forward to it.

Pretty much sums up my feelings...

 

[jmc]

This got some good laughs with the audience I was with yesterday. I think it might do well, good reviews permitting.

 

[terry78]

haha..most of you in here were probably not even born or were kids when the original campy soap came out and now some of you were actually complaining that this film won't be like the original and some are saying it is a comedy?

Really??

Tim Burton is raping their fetushood.

 

[mongoose-mania]

I think some of the fans of the original show are blowing Tim Burton's "awful" comments out of proportion. I went to the Dark Shadows Festival in NY last summer and there were LOADS of people there, some even dressed in costume, and I was surprised to hear some of the fans admit that, yeah, the show was pretty bad. The characters and stories are all really great, but the show was low-budget, cheesy, and extremely melodramatic. In fact, when they were playing clips of the show at the banquet dinner, everyone there was in hysterics! Even the cast members.
A lot of folks are also saying that since Burton used the word "awful," he must hate the show, which can't be the case. Has anyone seen his list of five favorite movies? The Omega Man is on there, along with Dracula AD 1972. These movies are hardly masterpieces - some might call them awful - but he accepts them and loves them, much like the fans of Dark Shadows.

 

[Destructus86]

I had zero interest in this movie....then I saw the trailer. I'm sold.

 

[ALP]

I swear I never even heard of Dark Shadows before this and now I come across tons of people who are fans. I guess they just stayed lurking all this time

 

[Hush]

Every TV spot I have seen is pretty much a laugh a minute, looks so dumb it might be hilarious.

 

[Project862006]

New TV Spot

“15 and no husband? You must put those birthing hips to good use at once!”

 

[glorynation]

It does look really funny and a hell of a cast too. It'll be nice to see Eva Green play such a wacko

 

[flickchick85]

Truly one of the main appeals for me is this cast. I mean sure, Depp and Carter are always along for the ride, but it's so great to see Burton reunited with Pfeiffer, I've always liked Johnny Lee Miller and have thought on multiple occasions that Eva Green, Chloe Moretz and Jackie Earle Haley NEED to be in a Tim Burton flick, so that alone separates it from most of his recent ventures for me.

Then you add the Bruno Delbonnel visuals and the style that reminds me of Tim's early work, and that makes it a full-blown must-see, imo.

 

[Dark Knight]

Truly one of the main appeals for me is this cast. I mean sure, Depp and Carter are always along for the ride, but it's so great to see Burton reunited with Pfeiffer, I've always liked Johnny Lee Miller and have thought on multiple occasions that Eva Green, Chloe Moretz and Jackie Earle Haley NEED to be in a Tim Burton flick, so that alone separates it from most of his recent ventures for me.

Then you add the Bruno Delbonnel visuals and the style that reminds me of Tim's early work, and that makes it a full-blown must-see, imo.

Everything you said here is exactly the same reasons why this film is a must see for me as well.

I'm looking forward to it. I think it's going to be an entertaining and visually shot and stimulating film with great acting.

 

[Drizzle]

Truly one of the main appeals for me is this cast. I mean sure, Depp and Carter are always along for the ride, but it's so great to see Burton reunited with Pfeiffer, I've always liked Johnny Lee Miller and have thought on multiple occasions that Eva Green, Chloe Moretz and Jackie Earle Haley NEED to be in a Tim Burton flick, so that alone separates it from most of his recent ventures for me.

I agree, and I hope this won't be the last Burton film for any of them, especially JEH.

 

[DACrowe]

I didn't even know the show existed till the movie was announced. Then I checked out a few episodes on Netflix and it's a terrible show. It's fair to say that the fanbase is small and irrelevant. DACrowe mentioned Star Trek as comparison, but that's a different story because that series is, you know, a CLASSIC and the fanbase is huge.

My point is still valid. Abrams' movie works because he treats the material with respect. He adapts it for people, like myself, who weren't around for the craze nor have any care for the show. But he makes sure he adapts it in a way that doesn't lose the tone and viewpoint the original show had. That's why it appeals to both fans and non-fans without ever making a mockery out of its source.

Dark Shadows is taking a similarly dated and cheesy show, but one that has a certain appeal (gothic-horror-romance as opposed to Star Trek's sci-fi-space opera-adventure). Instead of remaking it for a 21st century movie audience and tapping into that appeal it, at least from the trailer/tv spots, has made a parody and joke out of it.

If the movie is as one-note as the trailers, I suspect this is going to be another Mars Attacks! styled misfire. That's too bad, because I've been looking forward to this movie.

 

[Marx]

haha..most of you in here were probably not even born or were kids when the original campy soap came out and now some of you were actually complaining that this film won't be like the original and some are saying it is a comedy?

Really??

You don't have to be of a certain age to appreciate something or be a fan of it.

 

[DACrowe]

Indeed. I imagine Marx you discovered as I did on Sci-fi back in the '90s or so.

 

[Marx]

My mom was always a fan of the original show, which in turn, got me into it. I do remember watching the Sci-Fi run.

 

[Call Me Darkman]

The second trailer for The Dictator, the Sacha Baron Cohen movie that is opening on the same exact weekend as Dark Shadows:



Should WB be worried? It's definitely more "mainstream."

 

[Kane52630]

Speaking of that, I can't find The Dictator thread.

 

[Hellion]

My mom was always a fan of the original show

Same here...never actually saw it before, have it on Netflix......but have been aware of it for years because of my mom lol...

 

[terry78]

My dad wants to check this out. He remembers the show well for some reason.