Horror’s leading man… Johnny Depp
Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Horror Films
Following in the footsteps of my young lady friend BJ-C over at Day of the Woman who is obsessed with Bruce Campbell of Evil Dead fame. I felt it prudent to disclose my own choice of slightly unhealthy preoccupation Johnny Depp, this happily coincides with his birthday yesterday (09/06/63). Can you smell the bunny cooking yet?
No stranger to the horror genre Depp has starred in a number of films such as ‘From Hell’, ‘Secret Window‘, ‘The Ninth Gate’, and apparently ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street‘.However it is his work with director Tim Burton (genius!) of which I feel has been his best contribution to the horror genre.
Let’s start from the beginning:
‘Edward Scissorhands’ starring Depp and who would become his main squeeze Winona Ryder (who could forget his tattoo ‘Winona forever’ small print should have read ‘not really’). The film details a love story between a small town girl and a young man who falls in love with her; who happen to have scissors for hands! Burton creates a Stepfordesque community and Depp is delightful as the sensitive young man with the razor sharp phalanges. Scenes where he creates animals out of ice as Winona basks in the flakes that fall had girls itching for a scratch from the then little known actor from 21 Jump Street!
Depp as Edward Scissorhands
Next…
‘Sleepy Hollow’ Depp and his leading lady Christina Ricci (meow!), with Burton’s creative gothic flair recreate the legend of the Headless Horseman. Depp playing the assigned sleuth to an apparent serial murder case Ichabod Crane, delivers a suitably stuffy, yet haunted performance as the scientist turned phantasm believer, in this decapitating ride to hell and back. Special mention goes to the living legend Christoper Walken as the demon come to deliver a reckoning, collector of craniums ‘The Headless Horseman’!
Depp as Ichabod Crane *sigh*
Next…
‘Corpse Bride‘, Burton’s wonderful return to animation, post ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas‘, Depp plays the unfortunate Victor Van Dort. Although we don’t get to see him in the flesh (weep), the kookiness and charm seeps through in his voice performance for the the young gentleman who ends up married to an undead lovely.
Victor Van Dort
Lastly and perhaps the penultimate collaboration (however we do have Alice in Wonderland pending in 2010) between Depp and Burton ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’. This musical frolic through stinkin’ London, the vengeful tale of meat and mayhem. Displayed again Depp’s ability to encompass a larger than life story, proving that he is one of the best character actors of our time and carry a tune as well.
Depp as Sweeney Todd
Now I’m willing to own my lust driven bias. I have carried a flame for Mr Depp for more years than a care to divulge, as a lady does not indicate her age where possile. However, Depp’s contribution to the horror genre has been significant, and of a high calibre. Lending a layer of class to a genre that can be a little despondent when it comes to the thespian craft.
Ms Harker
Depp as Alice in Wonderlands 'Mad Hatter'
Tags: Horror, Horror Flms
2 Responses to “Horror’s leading man… Johnny Depp”
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Musings Across A Continuum » Blog Archive » Tim Burton’s Wonderland, curiouser and curiouser! Says:
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:20 pm[...] is not the first collaboration between Burton and Depp and if their past body of work is anything to go by we are in for a treat. For those of you lucky [...]
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Jama Louissaint Says:
October 8th, 2010 at 12:09 amJohnny Depp is the hottest sexiest and most hilarious person in the world! How could anyone not love him! My friends all love Orlando Bloom but Johnny Depp is sooo much sexier and better than anyone else on earth!
