Movie #409 - The Libertine

The Libertine

2004 - Rated R - 1 hr 54 min
Director: Laurence Dunmore
Starring: Johnny Depp, Samantha Morton, John Malkovich, Rosamund Pike, Jack Davenport, Richard Coyle

This movie has Johnny Depp plus not one, but two actors from the show Coupling. Well done!

Although, I have to admit it's not Depp's best looking role.  Something about all that syphillis...  I think the chameleon in Rango is a better looking Depp part. Just sayin.

Anyway, this one's a strange, twisted biopic, where Depp plays 17th century writer John Wilmot-- a sex-crazed lush who just doesn't know when to stop pissing people off.  Samantha Morton plays the plain actress he falls in love with and coaches to stardom, while she and her pure ambition start to mess with Wilmot's mind.  He blames her for making him love life, having been much happier doing nothing before.  Strange relationship there.

Malkovich is underwhelming as King Charles II, the very king Depp pisses off with his play. It's the beginning of the end for the writer, as he succumbs to his illness and constant drunken stuppor at only 33.

A sad and tragic story, cut out of history for our like/disklike/indifference.  Personally, I enjoy the style of the film, beginning and ending with a Depp-delivered speech to the camera, and the aimlessness of the main character.  Little pieces of history from the time period always enthrall me, however, so I might be a bit biased :)

Movie #381- From Hell

From Hell
2001 - Rated R - 2 hr 2 min
Directors: Albert & Allen Hughes
Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng

More Johnny Depp!  (And more deleted posts that I have to rewrite and try to make sound good again. argh!)

Based on the Alan Moore graphic novel of the same name, this one's set with the Jack the Ripper story as its backdrop.  Really, it centers on a broken investigator who needs the case to really prove to himself he's worth something.  Enter Heather Graham as Mary Kelly, the prostitute most famously known for being the Ripper's final -- and goriest -- murder.  Hooray.  Of course, she's cooperating with Depp and they fall for each other. Of course. 

Leave it to Moore to turn a grim, gruesome bit of history into a love story.

Still, it's very, very good... just not necessarily accurate.  They blame the Freemasons --- or rather, a Freemason -- and I'm sure that doesn't help their reputation much. Don't believe it though, because Freemasons didn't kill prostitutes, guys. That's just nuts.

Movie #378 - Finding Neverland

Finding Neverland
2004 - Rated PG - 1 hr 46 min
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Johnny Depp, Kate Winsley, Julie Christie, Radha Mitchell, Dustin Hoffman, Freddie Highmore, Ian Hart

An error on Blogger erased a few of my posts, including the original of this review. Grrr.... I don't think I remember what I wrote.  Never thought I'd have to, you know?

Anyway, here goes.  I like this movie a lot, for both it's telling of the backstory of one of the world's most famous stories (JM Barrie's Peter Pan) and for the poignant relationship that grows between the famed playwright and a widow for four sons.  Actually, the four sons have a pretty impactful relationship with him as well.  The bittersweet conclusion of the movie really gets me, too.  I've always been a fan of the story around the story and this is a really great entry into that category.

And Johnny Depp has a Scottish accent, so there's that too :)

Movie #298 - The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
2009 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 3 min
Director: Terry Gilliam
Starring: Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, Andrew Garfield, Verne Troyer, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Colin Farrell

Admittedly, this movie's plot is kinda complicated and the style is fairly artsy and pretty fantastical.  But it's Terry Gilliam. And Christopher Plummer. And Heath Ledger's last movie.  And although the plot seems complicated, the theme is the simplest there is: good versus evil. 

The movie centers on a traveling stage act where immortal Christoper Plummer allows spectators to enter his Imaginarium.  Inside, they must face a temptation found in their own imagination and choose between the good and the evil choice.  A wager between Dr. Parnassus (Plummer) and Nick (aka the Devil) becomes the central plot, as Parnassus' daughter and friends face their own battles. 

If you hadn't heard about this one yet, Heath Ledger died before filming was complete.  Depp, Law, and Farrell stepped in to help finish the movie, free of charge, as friends of the late actor.  How does that work? Pretty ingeniusly, actually.  Ledger completed all the "real world" shots but not the scenes inside the imaginarium.  The three fill-in actors take turns playing his character inside the fantasy world, where your appearance can be changed by your imagination.  This minor obstacle is worked seamlessly into the fill and not overexplained or hidden.  Each fill-in actor is meant to look as close to Ledger as possible, but it's not a big deal that they're not exact.  Surprisingly, it's not as jarring as you might think.

For all its artisticness and its subbing in of other actors, I really do enjoy this movie a lot.  Although set in modern times, The Imaginarium transports you into another world where all these fantasy elements seem quite commonplace.  Really well done, all around.

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 #177 - Edward Scissorhands

Edward Scissorhands
1990 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 45 min
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall, Vincent Price, Alan Arkin

Oh, poor Edward! This dark "fairy tale" is so sweet and so sad and so utterly Tim Burton that I just can't help but love it.  The first time I watched this, the ending really frustrated me (and not just because Winona Ryder is the worst "old lady" ever) but now I can see that it ends the only way it can. And in a way, it's a happy ending. Kinda.

Johnny Depp, even though he has about ten lines, is awesome.  The way he moves his scissored-hands around seems almost natural.  His innocence is in every look, word, and movement.  And its easy to see how pure of heart he is, even if those around him can't see it.

This movie is also an interesting social study of the American suburb and human nature in general.  People are captivated by the new, but reject what they don't understand.  Edward is both of these at once and must suffer the changing moods of the surrounding neighbors.  He really is safer on his own and that simple fact is just too sad.

He could come and live with me anytime.

Movie #168 - Don Juan DeMarco

Don Juan DeMarco
1994 - Rated PG-13 - 1 hr 37 min
Director: Jeremy Leven
Starring: Johnny Depp, Marlon Brando, Faye Dunaway

A Johnny Depp movie I'd never seen... hooray!  And I liked this one a lot, too.  If you're not familiar with the premise, a mental patient thinks he's Don Juan, the world's greatest lover.  Is he really? Or is there a darker, sadder past he's covering up?  And does it matter?

Marlon Brando plays his psychiatrist, a man who needs to meet a patient like this and change his way of thinking, just before retiring.  Together, these two both find a happy common ground and everyone gets their happy ending.  It's sweet and romantic, and empowering. And if only they didn't play that "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" song throughout the whole movie, it would be perfect. 

I really can't believe I've had this movie all this time and never watched it before.  I guess this is what the movie wall project is all about, huh?

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.

Movie #119 - Benny & Joon

Benny & Joon
MGM
1993 - Rated PG - 1 hr 38 min
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik
Starring: Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn, Julianne Moore, Oliver Platt, William H. Macy

A Johnny Depp movie I've never seen!  Admittedly, he's a bit weird in this movie, but I still love him.  He's got 'wacky but charming' down to a tee, it's true.  And even with her psychological problems, I'm kinda jealous of Mary Stuart Masterson. Huh.

So this movie's a bit off-beat, but I recommend it if you ever wanted to learn how to make grilled cheese with an iron.  Just a thought. 

I'm glad I finally saw this, and learned that Johnny Depp's character's name is not in fact Benny, even if it does seem a bit weird and dated now.  It's a fun one, thanks to my pal Johnny, but it's not as heart-rendering as it wants to be.  Meh.

Movie #107 - Chocolat

Chocolat
Miramax
2000 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 1 min
Director: Lasse Hallstrom
Starring: Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina, Carrie-Anne Moss, Lena Olin

Squee! Johnny Depp as a not-pirate, before his Pirate days. Oh joy!

This movie is full-on chick flick-tastic, if you haven't seen it, but God do I love it.  It's about chocolate, and repressed French people, and hot gypsies, and an invisible kangaroo. I love love love it and I don't care if you judge me.

The whole repressed village coping with the risque chocolatier plot line is predictable, and soooo overdone, but they still manage to keep it fresh and interesting enough that you don't mind.  Juliette Binoche is lots of fun to watch and sometimes I want to be her when I grow up. Especially if it means Johnny Depp will show up to "fix my squeaking door."

Anyway... just watch it and enjoy the decadence. And if you don't like it, I feel bad about that...but oh well, more for me!

Movie #22 - Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Alice In Wonderland
Walt Disney Pictures
2010 - Rated PG - 1 hr 49 min
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Matt Lucas, Mia Wasikowska

Alright, I really really wanted to love this movie when I saw it in the theater last spring. To be honest, I didn't hate it but I really didn't love it either. It's another Burton/Depp/Bonham-Carter collaboration, so of course, it's dark and quirky, with just a side of mania. I liked the premise of the grown up Alice returning to Wonderland (or Underland) to slay the Jabberwocky, since it was a fresh way to adapt the classic story. Still, there were times where I felt like Tim Burton was too busy being Tim Burton... you know what I mean?

Overall, it's not bad. Johnny Depp does a great job, since he is at his core a talented character actor. The Scottish accent thing, I didn't even mind, although some people did. Helena Bonham-Carter is also entertaining, as usual. And they cast a great newcomer as Alice. I really enjoyed this movie, but I didn't feel like it lived up to all the hype. I don't know how it could have been improved, I just know that it could've been. Does that make sense?