Dark Shadows mini-review!

[cupcake_goth]

Color me pleasantly shocked, because it is far, FAR better than I had feared. Every “zany!” moment in the trailer was apparently picked to give people the completely wrong idea about the movie, because they’re just that, brief moments. The rest of the movie is far closer in tone to Sleepy Hollow. It’s almost every paranormal Gothic Romance Novel cliche rolled into one, and covered with brooding atmosphere. In fact, it's like Tim Burton decided to pay homage to Victoria Holt novels, which fills me with glee.

The parts that made me cringe the most (aside from the fang-brushing scene) were the scenes where 70s music was being used to lighten the brooding, flee-across-the-rocks-in-the-moonlight tone of the rest of the movie. For example: I would have been much happier if the hate!sex scene between Barnabas and Angelique had been played for unease and horror, instead of having a 70s funk-hit soundtrack.

It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t the train wreck I dreaded. In fact, I felt a little sorry for the people in the theatre who were obviously expecting the movie the trailer showed them. But me? I want to go see it again, and I’m definitely going to be buying it. So, I’m not just relieved, I’m happy!

Comments

[linneakou.livejournal.com]

Huh, I might go see this if that is the case.

[mrs-batman.livejournal.com]

Sidebar, since I haven't seen it yet - I actually own every single Victoria Holt book. My mom loved them and after she passed away I decided to obtain all the ones she hadn't owned (I was already in possession of hers). One big project on Amazon later, done! And now I have read them all, too.

[mistress-infy.livejournal.com]

Oh, this greatly pleases me--Sleepy Hollow is one of my all-time favorite movies, so Mister Infamous and I will definitely be going to see it.

[staxxy.livejournal.com]

good to know. Lisa was trying to talk me into going to see it in the theatre with her. Looks like *now* I will.

[melworks.livejournal.com]

I saw this on Friday morning, and my favorite performance was by Eva Green. As Angelique Bouchard, she stole every scene she was in. Wonderful!

[nekusagi.livejournal.com]

Saw it Friday and it was one of the most charming, spooky, funny things I've seen for a while. Loved the scenery porn and costume porn and I actually liked the seventies music, but I'm kind of a retro music geek so definitely a YMMV thing there.

And the Frankenweenie trailer played before my showing so bonus!

[jaborwhalky.livejournal.com]

You are a 100% .
I just saw it two hours ago.
Its a good film people should go see it.

and I also loved the fact that it had a ending that vampire films like this never seem to get.

[theosakakoneko.livejournal.com]

It was corny as fuck but it was obviously supposed to be - I love how they kept the horrible 70s soap opera feeling with the way they set up scenes and overacted. I do think the sex scene was a smidge too long. My least favorite part was the werewolf...like, really? REALLY? >.> No. But other than that I loved it.

[theda.livejournal.com]

I talked about it with Bryan last night. I went in with low expectations, which it surpassed, but I have to admit that I stopped after the fact and got a little mad. If they can hit good, why can't they hit awesome?? Who are they trying to please that allows things to go so far down hill? It just frustrates me.