Movie #279 - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
2005 - Rated PG - 1 hr 55 min
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Missi Pyle, James Fox, Deep Roy, Christopher Lee

Okay, so it's not the original (entitled Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), but to be fair, it's miles closer to the original book by Roald Dahl, starting with the choice of title.  But of course, it's Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaborating once again, so it's got to be weird.  Them's the rules, see?

And perhaps my opinion is skewed, because I happen to be madly in love with Johnny Depp, but I liked his interpretation of the hermit/genius Willy Wonka.  He didn't just copy Gene Wilder (who's portrayal is legendary), instead he was brave enough to do his own thing. Make it weird. Make him talk in a funny voice.  And make him wear purple rubber gloves. 

It's hard to compare the two versions, so I won't. I think each can be celebrated for its own unique take on the children's classic book.  Plus, Deep Roy makes one heck of a troop of Oompa Loompas. And Freddie Highmore's just plain adorable.

Movie #134 - Corpse Bride

Corpse Bride
Warner Bros
2005 - Rated PG - 1 hr 17 min
Director: Tim Burton, Mike Johnson
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, Tracey Ullman, Albert Finney, Richard E. Grant, Christopher Lee, Deep Roy

Tim Burton and his usual cast of characters are animated this time, yet still as eerie and dark as usual.  The premise is a strange one - nervous groom-to-be accidentally marries a dead girl when he recites his vows as practice in the woods.  You know, the kind of thing that happens every day.

As Mike and I discussed while watching this one, it's as bittersweet as Burton's other movies.  Even when the characters have it all resolved in the end, there's still this unaddressed sadness within them.  In this movie, our corpse bride is about as cheerful as Edward Scissorhands.  Really, there can be no happiness for her, only resolution.

This is another one of those animated movies for adults that kids might also like (because it has singing?).  It's not really kids movie subject matter, but it's presented in a way that's friendly for all ages.  Still, do you want your kid thinking he can accidentally marry dead people? That'll be a confusing conversation...  Enjoy.