 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
sitenews
Books
booksharrypotterPolitics
politicspoliticquotesrant1rant2Miscellaneous
quotetop10oscarsdisclaimerMovies
moviesratingsFilmographieskubrickscorseseformanpaltrownortonspaceydamonwinsletOtherrecommendationsmovieofmonthoscarwatchholidayReviewsblairwitchshksprlovesixthsensehauntingdoublejeopardymummysleepyhollowhideouskinkymanmoonmrripleygensdaughteramericanbeautybonecolldogmaboysdontcrygone60Music
musicDiscographiessherylcrowReviewsglobesessionsroughharvestcentralparkflyLyrical Studiesfireinside|
|
| Sleepy Hollow Reviewed |
 |
| ||||||
 Sign Guestbook |
 View Guestbook |
 Sleepy Hollow Starring: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Casper Van Dein. Director: Tim Burton Rating:  Stars.Sleepy Hollow galloped into theatres hoping to cash in on the recent flurry of horror flciks that have haunted the screen as of late. It is a gory, gothic film based most loosely on Washington Irving's "Legend of Sleepy Hollow." For those who want to get out of reading it, I recommend Disney's animated version. This film borrows Irving's town, people's names, and the ghost, but not much else. Kevin Yagher goes to great lengths to preserve the motifs of vieled sexuality and immascualtion (take a really close look at the tree the Horseman comes out of), the clash between rationalism and Romanticism, and eventually the battle of the sexes becomes evident (though in a much different than in Irving's tale). Irving's piece is a delightful humorous celebration of the newly formed America's landscapes and abundance which only turns dark at the end. This take on the tale starts out deep in the gothic. The cinematography is excellent. Director Tim Burton revives his gothic talent seen in Batman and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The heavy omnipresent fog, darkened coves, and a wooded area of gnarled leafless trees that makes the forest of Blair Witch look inviting. Complimented by a rousing musical score from Danny Elfman (also of Batman fame), the mood for terror is well-set. Johnny Depp handles the role of Ichabod Crane well, though once again, the movie departs from Irving's version. Instead of the lanky, cowardly school teacher, Depp is a handsome forensic expert who is at times shaky and other times valiant. It is a credible performance. Christina Ricci, on the other hand, is way out of her league as Katarina Van Tassel. She comes off as flat and leaves no one convinced. She should really either stick to playing Wednesday Addams or--and I lean towards this suggestion--quit acting altogether. It was rumored that Tom Stoppard (co-writer of Shakespeare in Love) ghost wrote the first draft of this script, and there are some very Stoppadian moments of humor. However, if he did write the first draft, I hope all the many weak points were the idea of Kevin Yagher. I would not like to think a hero of mine such as Stoppard could produce such a lackluster script. After the mood is set and the story is underway, the viewer is hurled into a world of the supernatural, forced to see a twisting conspiracy that is both baffling and illogical, and made to see more decapitations than are recorded in the history of the French Revolution. Just when the stage is set for Sleepy Hollow to shine, it falls into the same old cliche horror tricks and gags merely lacing it with impressive special effects a la Haunting, Mummy. The fog parts, the Horseman rides, heads are severed, blood spills all around, and one wonders if this villian had a head would he be wearing Jason Voorhies' hockey mask or Freddy Kreuger's fedora. All in all, the ridiculously twisted plot and the banal horror genre pattern serve to undermine the occasional flash of brilliance in the symbolism, crafty puns, and breath taking atmosphere, leaving the viewer with a feeling as desolate as the deserted foggy woods it is set in. My Verdict: Certianly not worth losing your head over. Others I hope to see and review soon:
|
 Xanadu8503@aol.com |
|
. |
| Visitors: 03203 |