Helena Bonham Carter

Blu-Ray Round Up, Oct. 15, 2009: ‘Wolf,’ ‘Waterworld,’ ‘Frankenstein’

BrianTT — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:37:48 -0600

CHICAGO – The Blu-Ray Round-Up is back with this week’s collection of HD titles that may not get the buzz of something like the latest Sandra Bullock romantic comedy or what Sam Raimi brought back from Hell but could be just what you’re looking for at the mall this weekend. A few modern horror movies, a notable box office bust, and a beloved BBC show highlight this week’s list. Pick your favorite.

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” “Wolf,” and “Red Dwarf: Back To Earth - The Director’s Cut” was released on October 6th, 2009.

“Waterworld” will be released on October 20th, 2009.

“Red Dwarf: Back To Earth - The Director’s Cut”

Photo credit: BBC

Synopsis: “Back To Earth takes place after “Series X.” Kochanski’s dead and the crew are hurled through a portal and discover they’re just characters from a TV series. Knowing they will die in the final episode the Dwarfers, in best Blade Runner tradition, track down their creators to plead for more life. First the crew attempt to track down the actors who play them in the series and their metaphysical odyssey begins….”

“Red Dwarf: Back To Earth - The Director’s Cut” stars Chloe Annett, Chris Barrie, Robert Llewellyn, Craig Charles, and Danny John-Jules. It was written and directed by Doug Naylor. The movie runs 70 minutes. It is presented in its original 16:9 aspect ratio and accompanied by an English DTS-HD 5.1 track.

Special features include Cast Commentary, Director Commentary, All-New Exclusive Documentary, “The Making of Back to Earth, ” Deleted Scenes, Smeg Ups, Featurettes, Trailers, Web Videos, Photo Gallery, and Easter Egg.

“Waterworld”

Photo credit: Universal

Synopsis: “See one of the screen’s biggest action-adventure epics like never before - on Blu-ray Hi-Def! Set in the future when Earth is completely covered in water and the human race is struggling to survive, mankind’s one remaining hope for a better future is a drifter (Kevin Costner) who gets caught up in a battle between the evil Deacon (Dennis Hopper) and a child’s secret key to a wondrous place called “Dryland.” Featuring groundbreaking special effects, Waterworld is a visually stunning, futuristic thriller beyond your wildest imagination! ”

“Waterworld” stars Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, and Michael Jeter. It was written by Peter Rader and David Twohy and directed by Kevin Reynolds. The film runs 136 minutes and is rated PG-13. It is presented in its original 1.85:1 widescreen aspect ratio and accompanied by an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track.

Special features include, sadly, nothing but access to the BD-Live Center. Shameful for Universal, one of the best studios at assembling interesting bonus material.

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein”

Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis: “True to the original, here is the story of a young doctor whose obsession with death leads him to create a life. But his “creature,” crafted from the bodies of convicts and the brain of a brilliant scientist, is a hideous mockery of humanity. And when the creature realizes he will never be accepted by men, he seeks revenge on Dr. Frankenstein and his family. An inspired adaptation that’s emotionally complex and truly terrifying. Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein is “100% pure excitement. Visually stunning and refreshingly different” (Paul Wunder, WBAI Radio). ”

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” stars Robert De Niro, Kenneth Branagh, Tom Hulce, Helena Bonham Carter, Aidan Quinn, Ian Holm and John Cleese. It was written by Steph Lady and Frank Darabont and directed by Kenneth Branagh. The film runs 123 minutes and is rated R. It is presented in its original widescreen 1.85:1 aspect ratio and accompanied by English, French, and Portuguese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio tracks.

Once again, there are sadly no special features.

“Wolf”

Photo credit: Sony

Synopsis: “Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer star in Wolf, a wickedly funny, wildly romantic, white-knucklethriller. James Spader (TV’s Boston Legal, Sex, Lies and Videotape), Kate Nelligan (The Prince of Tides), Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music) and David Hyde Pierce (TV’s Frasier, Sleepless in Seattle) co-star in this beastly tale of love and betrayal with equal measures of humor, passion and delicious terror. ”

“Wolf” stars Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Spader, Kate Nelligan, Richard Jenkins, and Christopher Plummer. It was written by Jim Harrison and Wesley Strick and directed by Mike Nichols. It runs 125 minutes and is rated R. It is presented in its original standard, full-frame format and accompanied by a Dolby Digital Stereo track.

Three strikes. No special features here either.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Christian Bale, Sam Worthington in McG’s Disappointing ‘Terminator: Salvation’

BrianTT — Thu, 21 May 2009 10:06:26 -0600

CHICAGO – McG’s loud-and-annoying “Terminator: Salvation” with Christian Bale and Sam Worthington continues the summer of non-Trek disappointments, delivering nothing but a bloated exercise in CGI overload. With awful dialogue, a ridiculous plot, and mostly uninspired performances, the interesting human element has been drained from the franchise. The machines have won.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

Like “Aliens” without Sigourney Weaver or the first two “Terminator” movies without Linda Hamilton, “Terminator: Salvation” forgets a cardinal rule of action cinema - writing human characters that the audience is going to care about. The entire movie plays like a video game tie-in to the original franchise. Sure, it may be fun at times and it looks good, but it doesn’t have nearly the impact as its source.

Read Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Terminator: Salvation” in our reviews section.

The script from the writers of “Catwoman” and “Primeval” (the lame crocodile movie, not the cool BBC show), which really should have been a sign that the entire project was on thin ice to start, opens with the execution of a murderer named Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington). Before he gets his final injection, Wright signs over his body to the research of a dying scientist (Helena Bonham Carter).

Many years later, the future has played out as expected and the war against the machines continues. If you’re not familiar with the mythology of the franchise, “Salvation” will not stand on its own in any way. You need to know the names Sarah Connor, John Connor, and Kyle Reese and the roles they play in this universe before you go in. Even “T3: Rise of the Machines” stays in the canonical fold with Bryce Dallas Howard taking the role once played by Claire Danes, Kate Connor.

‘Terminator: Salvation’ stars Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Moon Bloodgood, Anton Yelchin, Common, Jadagrace, and Helena Bonham Carter. It was written by John D. Brancato & Michael Ferris and directed by McG. It opens on May 21st, 2009. It is rated PG-13.

Continuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Terminator: Salvation” review.

(L-R) Christian Bale stars as John Connor and Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Photo credit: WB/Richard Foreman

Slideshow: 29-Image Gallery From ‘Terminator: Salvation’ With Christian Bale

BrianTT — Tue, 12 May 2009 20:52:24 -0600

CHICAGO – This 29-image slideshow contains the second half of the official press images for “Terminator: Salvation” (check out the first half here) starring Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Common, Jane Alexander, and Helena Bonham Carter. The film, written by John Brancato & Michael Farris and directed by McG, opens on May 21st, 2009.

Synopsis:

“The year is 2018.

Judgment Day has come and gone, leveling modern civilization. An army of Terminators roams the post-apocalyptic landscape, killing or collecting humans where they hide in the desolate cities and deserts. But small groups of survivors have organized into a Resistance, hiding in underground bunkers and striking when they can against an enemy force that vastly outnumbers them.

Controlling the Terminators is the artificial intelligence network Skynet, which became self-aware 14 years earlier and, in the blink of an eye, turned on its creators, unleashing nuclear annihilation on an unsuspecting world.

Only one man saw Judgment Day coming. One man, whose destiny has always been intertwined with the fate of human existence: John Connor (Christian Bale).

Now the world is on the brink of the future that Connor has been warned about all his life. But something totally new has shaken his belief that humanity stands a chance of winning this war: the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger from the past whose last memory is of being on death row before awakening in this strange, new world.

Connor must decide whether Marcus can be trusted. But as Skynet adapts new strategies to end the Resistance forever, Connor and Marcus must find common ground to take a stand against the onslaught—to infiltrate Skynet and meet the enemy head-on. ”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Richard Foreman and Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Salvation_31: Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_32: Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_33: Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_34: (L-r) Jane Alexander as Virginia, Jadagrace as Star and Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_35: Common as Barnes.
Salvation_36: Director McG explaining a scene on the set.
Salvation_37: Common (left) as Barnes and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_38: A T-800 Terminator.
Salvation_39: (L-r) Christian Bale, Director McG and Terry Crews go over a scene on the set.
Salvation_40: Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_41: Common as Barnes.
Salvation_42: Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor.
Salvation_43: Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor.
Salvation_44: A T-600 Terminator.
Salvation_45: Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.
Salvation_46: Ivan Gvera as General Losenko.
Salvation_47: Michael Ironside as General Ashdown.
Salvation_48: A T-600 Terminator.
Salvation_49: Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor.
Salvation_50: Sam Worthington (left) as Marcus Wright and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_51: Moon Bloodgood (left) as Blair Williams and Sam Worthington as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_52: Sam Worthington (left) as Marcus Wright and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams .
Salvation_53: Jadagrace as Star.
Salvation_54: A pair of Moto-Terminators in attack mode.
Salvation_55: A T-800 Terminator.
Salvation_56: A T-800 Terminator.
Salvation_57: A T-800 Terminator.
Salvation_58: A Harvester Terminator on the attack with a Transporter Terminator hovering nearby.
Salvation_59: A T-800 Terminator.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 30-Image Gallery From ‘Terminator: Salvation’ With Christian Bale

BrianTT — Mon, 11 May 2009 19:32:11 -0600

CHICAGO – This 30-image slideshow contains the first half of the official press images for “Terminator: Salvation” (check out the second half here) starring Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Bryce Dallas Howard, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Common, Jane Alexander, and Helena Bonham Carter. The film, written by John Brancato & Michael Farris and directed by McG, opens on May 21st, 2009.

Synopsis:

“The year is 2018.

Only one man saw Judgment Day coming. One man, whose destiny has always been intertwined with the fate of human existence: John Connor (Christian Bale).

Salvation_01: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_02: Sam Worthington (left) as Marcus Wright and Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_03: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_04: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_05: John Connor (Christian Bale) gets a closer look at the Hydrobot Terminator.
Salvation_06: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_07: (L-R) Bryce Dallas Howard as Kate Connor, Christian Bale as John Connor and Moon Bloodgood as Blair Williams.
Salvation_08: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_09: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_10: Christian Bale (left) as John Connor, Jadagrace as Star and Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_11: Michael Ironside (left) as General Ashdown and Christian Bale as John Connor.
Salvation_12: Ivan Gvera (left) as General Losenko and Christian Bale as John Connor.
Salvation_13: John Connor (Christian Bale) sneaks up behind a T-600 Terminator.
Salvation_14: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_15: A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature Terminator Salvation, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. The film stars Christian Bale and Sam Worthington.
Salvation_16: Christian Bale stars as John Connor.
Salvation_17: Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) stands in front of what remains of the Hollywood sign post-Judgment Day.
Salvation_18: Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington) overlooks the post-Judgment Day destruction of the Los Angeles basin.
Salvation_19: (Center) Esodie Geigor-Movestrand as the Transmitter Technician and Christian Bale as John Connor.
Salvation_20: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_21: Bryce Dallas Howard (left) as Kate Connor and Christian Bale as John Connor.
Salvation_22: (L-R) Christian Bale stars as John Connor and Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_23: Christian Bale (left) stars as John Connor and Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_24: (L-R) Common as Barnes, Christian Bale as John Connor and Sam Worthington as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_25: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright .
Salvation_26: Sam Worthington stars as Marcus Wright.
Salvation_27: A Hunter Killer Terminator attacks.
Salvation_28: Christian Bale (left) as John Connor and Anton Yelchin as Kyle Reese.
Salvation_29: A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures action/sci-fi feature Terminator Salvation, a Warner Bros. Pictures release. The film stars Christian Bale and Sam Worthington.
Salvation_30: Christian Bale stars as John Connor .

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Video: ‘Terminator: Salvation’ Trailer With Christian Bale, Bryce Dallas Howard

BrianTT — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:50:02 -0600

CHICAGO – We’re spending this week funneling some of the most exciting Summer 2009 previews into our awesome new video player and Tuesday’s entry is one of the most anticipated sequels of the year, “Terminator: Salvation”. The film, directed by McG, stars Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Anton Yelchin, Moon Bloodgood, Bryce Dallas Howard, Common, Jane Alexander, and Helena Bonham Carter. It opens on May 21st, 2009.

Synopsis:

“The highly anticipated new installment of “The Terminator” film franchise is set in post-apocalyptic 2018. John Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future that Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.”

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Pie Maker, Loony Boy Steal Rightful Spotlight From Sweeney Todd in Chicago Musical

HollywoodChicago.com — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:17:03 -0600

CHICAGO – While Johnny Depp’s portrayal of the demon barber of Fleet Street in the 2007 film iteration sells you on his fiendish ways, actor and singer David Hess in the musical bobbles more in purgatory rather than living hysterically in hell.

In the musical thriller “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” which has a two-week Chicago engagement now through May 4, 2008, two other supporting characters – the pie-making Mrs. Lovett and the batty Tobias – rise above to take top presence prizes.

The musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Image credit: The Marketing Group

While Hess doesn’t underwhelm and is a sound selection for the lead role, neither does he overwhelm in the ferocious way he needs to. The production with only 10 actors and musicians, which began in 2005 by British director John Doyle as a financial necessity, stayed that personal in future productions as an artistic choice.

“It’s a positive way at looking at smallness and intimacy,” Doyle said about the production. “What we’re all searching for ultimately is the honesty of storytelling. [Central to this production] is the need to make the audience do some of the work. We ask them to use some of their imagination. There’s no barber’s chair, for instance. You can imagine it.”

As well, Sweeney Todd’s victims are taken prey through the reddening of background light and screeching sound – too long and painful to hear, by the way. Indeed, you’re more intimately engaged in each note and calculated decision within the music of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim.

That said, while the 2007 film depiction features a balanced cast with Sweeney Todd as the rightful standout, the musical performance that’s currently touring 20 U.S. cities (ending in June 2008) is decidedly plagued with some weak and undistinguished links. The performance also feels too long.

Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett in the 2007 film as well as Judy Kaye as Mrs. Lovett in the musical both win you over in different ways. They both invade their characters – completely in body and mind – but Kaye in the musical performance adds a refreshing twist of comic relief.

The cast of the musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Image credit: The Marketing Group

The audience craved more comedy, though, whether from her or from the dark and dreary-toned performance in general.

While we’re not handed wit from Edmund Bagnell as Tobias, we’re instead delightfully surprised by his unexpected, standout performance.

Bagnell infuses in his character ornately intense ticks, impeccably overdramatized enunciation (the repeatedly memorable musical line “the demon barber of fleet street,” for example) and is ultimately revealed as one of the stars of the show.

In the concluding ovations, Bagnell won the crowd’s applause – along with Kaye as Mrs. Lovett – even over Hess as story subject Sweeney Todd. Just as so many of the actors were multi-talented musicians, Bagnell is also committed to memory for his uniquely quick-noted violin.

To inject more evil in his wicked ways, Hess should have taken a page from the natural and authentic way Bagnell played the straight-jacketed fanatic.

Alan Rickman was Judge Turpin in the 2007 film whereas Keith Buterbaugh tried in vain to act like him. Buterbaugh had the right idea in his eerie, skin-crawling scene where he fights his sexual feelings toward adopted daughter Johanna, but he ultimately needed more of it to leave a lasting impression.

Lauren Molina as Johanna fit the bill of a shackled, fair maiden and is especially remembered for her lines where she reminds the man who’s courting her for marriage – Anthony (played by Benjamin Magnuson) – that she doesn’t even know his name.

Anthony’s recurring song “Johanna” with the romantic lyric “I’ll steal you, Johanna” is the musical’s standout number as it’s sung in beautiful pitch and screams out in such clear key.

After countless musical performances around the world, what became “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” the musical and then the film (both in 1936 and 2007) first began as the story entitled “The String of Pearls” in 1846. It was published in a British penny dreadful and was likely penned by Thomas Prest.

The musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” runs through May 4, 2008 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre at 151 W. Randolph St. in Chicago every day except for April 28 at 7:30 or 8 p.m. on most nights. Tickets range in price from $25 to $75.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com

New ‘Sweeney Todd’ Stills; Movie Posters: Dr. Seuss Film, ‘The Forbidden Kingdom,’ ‘Hottie,’ ‘Zohan’

HollywoodChicago.com — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:24:37 -0700

Paramount Pictures on Wednesday evening released new production photos for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” which opens on Friday.

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in “Sweeney
Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: Leah Gallo

Alan Rickman (left) in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: Peter Mountain

Johnny Depp in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: Leah Gallo

Johnny Depp in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: Peter Mountain

Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp in “Sweeney
Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: Leah Gallo
Various new movie posters have just surfaced for films including “Horton Hears a Who!,” which opens on March 14, 2008.

The Dr. Seuss computer-animated adaptation features a star-studded cast that includes Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Will Arnett, Isla Fisher, Dane Cook, Jaime Pressly and Carol Burnett.

Next up, we have a new poster for “The Forbidden Kingdom” with Jet Li and Jackie Chan – yes, in the same film. “The Forbidden Kingdom” is slated to open on April 17, 2008.

We also have the new movie poster for – you’ve got to be kidding me! – “The Hottie and the Nottie” with Paris Hilton, which is scheduled to open on Feb. 8, 2008.

Finally, we have the movie poster for “You Don’t Mess With the Zohan” with Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider and Mariah Carey. The film, which is written by Judd Apatow (“Knocked Up,” “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) and Adam Sandler, is slated to open on June 6, 2008.

‘Sweeny Todd’ Won’t Show in 49 Theaters in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, Iowa

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:02:59 -0700

If you live in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota or Iowa, you won’t be able to pay to see Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen in “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” at your local Marcus Theatres cinema.

Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman in “Sweeny
Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: IMDb
In a bizarre turn of events, Marcus Theaters – the seventh-largest circuit in the U.S.– on Tuesday told Paramount Pictures it won’t book the film in any of its 49 theaters because the studio’s asking price is too high, according to Variety. Variety also reported:

It’s rare for an exhibitor and studio to end up in such a situation.

“Unfortunately, as a result of the negotiations with Paramount reaching an impasse, Marcus Theatres will not be showing ‘Sweeny Todd’ in any of its locations,” Marcus prexy Bruce J. Olson said in a statement.

Olson added: “This decision was reluctantly reached because the price requested by Paramount to show the film in Marcus Theatres was too expensive in the opinion of our film buyers.”

A spokesman for Marcus Theatres said he believes the move marks the first time the circuit has decided not to show a movie because of a studio’s asking price. Marcus declined to say how much of a split [Paramount] sought.

Generally speaking, the split is higher in favor of the studio at the beginning of a movie’s run.

Paramount has planned to release “Sweeny Todd” in about 1,200 theaters nationwide. The film opens on Friday.

Might ‘Sweeny Todd’ Take Cake For Biggest ‘Bait-and-Switch Scheme’ in Movie History?

HollywoodChicago.com — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:39:22 -0700

As “Sweeney Todd” continues to capture all sorts of different kinds of buzz, one that particularly caught my eye on Monday came from the pen of Chicago Sun-Times reporter Lewis Lazare.

Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman in “Sweeny
Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”.
Photo credit: IMDb
He asks if its marketing will give patrons a haircut and says unsuspecting fans might sing another tune. Plus, the best line of all:

From what we know about the movie from its marketing strategy to date and from a small body of critics and VIPs who have seen the film (we have not), this “Sweeney Todd” also might be remembered for being the subject of one of the biggest bait-and-switch marketing schemes in movie history.

[This] bait and switch … became an imperative to ensure the film generates an opening weekend box-office figure substantial enough to suggest “blockbuster” to the moviegoing public.

Lazare is ultimately questioning if the film’s actually for “slasher fans” or if it screams “Sondheim musical”.

Tim Burton’s film – starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen – is based on composer Stephen Sondheim’s stage musical from three decades ago.

Its marketing, though, has shifted from deliberately targeting its musical side and separately honing in specifically on its throat slitting. Lazare wrote:

Sondheim’s original Broadway score in almost its entirety is said to be included in the Burton movie. In fact, reports indicate that about 90 percent of the movie is comprised of sung scenes.

But curiously, you’d never know that to be the case from watching the 150-second trailer, which makes the movie seem like a fast-paced bloody period thriller/horror flick about a crazed murderer and his sidekick.

The full Chicago Sun-Times story can be found here. “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” opens on Dec. 21.