Dark Shadows [2012]

Dark Shadows, an upcoming movie based on the gothic soap opera of the same name, will be released in theaters May 11, 2012...it will be directed by Tim Burton and will star Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins. Tim Burton has opted "for gonzo comedy that should please many but may rile fans of the original soap opera."

Cast:
Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins, an 18th century vampire who awakens to the 20th century.
Thomas McDonell as young Barnabas Collins.
Eva Green as Angelique Bouchard, a witch whose heart Barnabas breaks.
Michelle Pfeiffer as Elizabeth Collins Stoddard, the family matriarch.
Jonny Lee Miller as Roger Collins, Elizabeth's "ne'er-do-well" brother.
Chloë Moretz as Carolyn Stoddard, Elizabeth's rebellious teenage daughter.
Gulliver McGrath as David Collins, Roger's "precocious" 10-year-old son.
Helena Bonham Carter as Dr. Julia Hoffman, Elizabeth's hired live-in psychiatrist.
Jackie Earle Haley as Willie Loomis, the manor's caretaker.
Bella Heathcote as Victoria Winters, David's governess.
Ray Shirley as Mrs. Johnson, the manor's elderly maid.
Ivan Kaye as Joshua Collins, the father of Barnabas Collins.
Christopher Lee as Bill Malloy, the manager of the Collins Fishing Fleet and Cannery.

A number of the original cast members of Dark Shadows will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming movie. Jonathon Frid (the original Barnabas Collins), Lara Parker (the original Angelique Bouchard), David Selby (the original Quentin Collins), and Kathryn Leigh Scott.

Here is the trailer.
Information found at wikipedia

My first reaction: "Why isn't this a musical?"

My second reaction: "You know, Johnny Depp would make a fab young Freddie Mercury - quick, somebody make a Queen-inspired movie"

But my very first reaction was: 'Is this a cam rip? Lordy what QUALITY image'.

Still, I'll bite. This looks like my kind of nuts.

Because I am very weird I started watching the original Dark Shadows TV show a while back, before I ever heard about this movie. I've seen about 40 episodes (which isn't much because there are over a thousand) and I like it a lot. So I was pretty disappointed when I saw this trailer because obviously they decided to go the same route as so many movie adaptations of old TV shows and make a complete spoof. Which is understandable of course; the original, like all soap operas, took itself completely seriously despite being totally ridiculous. It may have been impossible to play the story straight and not be unintentionally funny (especially since as I understand it gets even more out there as it goes on). But I didn't expect a straight up comedy.

That said, for what it is it looks entertaining. I'm sure for people who have never seen the show, or saw it decades ago and don't consider it sacred, it won't be a problem at all. But for me I was kind of like "Oh, so that's how it's going to be "

This post has been edited by Lain of the Wired on Mar 18 2012, 04:31 PM

Well, folks would probably be better off with the 80s miniseries if they want a background that doesn't take fer friggin ever.

Still, the trailer looks very entertaining.

Probably. Haven't seen that one but I understand it's 12 episodes so yeah, a lot more manageable

Also it's in color whereas the early episodes of the original are in, dun dun dun, black and white. Which is something Kids These Days think is bad. But I mean it's called Dark Shadows so I think it's appropriate but oh well.

This post has been edited by Lain of the Wired on Mar 18 2012, 08:38 PM

Plus, Dark Shadows was never really quality to begin with... very melodramatic. This really is mining for nostalgia gold here... but the trailer looks pretty damn tight.


Though, it's odd to see Hit Girl growing up.

I like it, melodramatic or not.

Also Hit Girl has experience in vampire films.

Good night, sweet prince

I'm signed up. Tim Burton may not make the best movies ever, but they're definitely amongst the best looking. I dig the Gothic-horror/polyester mash-up.

This post has been edited by daesim on Apr 23 2012, 06:03 PM

What I find odd is that the show ran from 1966-1971 and this movie takes place in 1972. Besides the fact that the fish out of water aspect which is emphasized in the trailers (and confirmed in the early, and mixed, reviews) never happened in the show, Burton obviously decided to make this a 70s parody. Maybe I'm just quibbling over a difference in a few years, but to me that's like doing a send-up of a late 80s show but the soundtrack was all grunge music instead of new wave. It looks like they're skewering the wrong era. But maybe that's just because I'm only seen the '66-'67 episodes.

This post has been edited by Lain of the Wired on May 10 2012, 09:16 AM