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
Scottish horror that will have you shiverin’ in yer porridge!
Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Horror Films, Horror Genres
Many thanks to Superheidi at Pretty-Scary.net for bringing this film to my attention. ‘The Dead Outside’ is premiering at the ‘Another Hole in the Head’ film festival in San Francisco.
It is a film made by Scottish director Kerry Ann Mullaney, set in the zombie/macro infection genre in our not too distant future. The majority of the populace has been infected with a neurological disease, transforming them into maniacal killers. The film centers around two of the uninfected. One of which is a little NQR, has surrounded herself in razor wire and a shotgun, the other of which is simply looking for shelter… or is he?
The trailer is intriguing, the dark, wintry ambiance draws me in straight away and the idea of a neurological disease/disorder spreading I also find to be a refreshing take on the genre.
Let’s all wear no knickers under our kilts and eat sheep’s stomachs stuffed with barley, in the hope it gets a general release. Aye!
Ms Harker
Tags: Horror, Horror Flms, Zombies
Pandorum trailer, dirty, squealing space beasties!
Posted by Ms Harker | Filed under Horror Films, Horror/Sci-Fi
I love horror, I love Sci-Fi (yes it is possible to love both), what we have in Pandorum appears to be a gritty combination of the two. From the makers of Resident Evil, which lets face it were average films, but had great monsters. Pandorum presents as a claustrophobia inducing, air lock activating, skin shedding, fright fest.
Bloody Good Horror cited the following synopsis:
“Two astronauts awaken in a hyper-sleep chamber aboard a seemingly abandoned spacecraft. It’s pitch black, they are disoriented, and the only sound is a low rumble and creak from the belly of the spacecraft. They can’t remember anything - who are they, what is their mission? The only way out of the chamber is a dark and narrow airshaft. Corporal Bower (Foster), the younger of the two, crawls inside, while the other, Lt. Payton (Quaid), stays behind for guidance on a radio transmitter. As Bower ventures deeper and deeper into the ship, he begins to uncover a terrifying reality. Slowly the spacecraft’s shocking and deadly secrets come unraveled, and the astronauts realize that the survival of mankind hinges on their actions.”
Watch for the squealing shiny little beastie in the last frame. Spank my arse and call me Ripley, this film shrieks potential!
Ms Harker
Tags: Horror, Horror Flms, Horror/Sci-Fi
