*TekkieBrek

Some days ago, suggested to me that I should check out "Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street"- the latest adaptation of the old pre-Victorian Penny Dreadful comic. This time it's done by Tim Burton, starring his partner-in-acting Johnny Depp, and his partner-in-marriage Helena Bonham-Carter. At first I was a bit wary, but then I thought 'You only live once'- what harm can a film do?

Well, first off, it's a good film- go and see it Though you should be careful of what to expect. It's not your typical Tim Burton film. From the opening of the film, featuring bad CGI blood running through cogs and gears and sewerage systems, you can tell it'd be the kind of film that would've made 'Evil Dead' look like 'Bambi' if it was released in the 1980's. The blood in the film itself is much more realistic, and thus much nastier.
Considering its source material you'd expect something grim and nasty, but it features the most blood I've seen from the director's oeuvre, though Burtonesque touches can be seen- the bluish-white lighting by day calls back to the castle scenes in 'Edward Scissorhands', while the pale brownish-yellow light of the streetlights by night call back memories of 'Sleepy Hollow'. Lighter whimsical scenarios, such as Mrs Lovett's (Helena Bonham-Carter) dreams of life with the moody Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) are akin to Edward Scissorhands' adoption- bright light and sunshine that contrast with the grey and black gloom that can be seen in London on an everyday basis- I mean, in the film itself.

The plot's fairly solid, and the cast live up to their characters. The only characters who really suffer are Anthony, the young man who accompanies Todd at the start of the film, and Johanna- Anthony's love interest. They're fairly bland character-wise- perhaps to show they're not corrupted like Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) or Todd and Lovett- but the plot that supports Todd's vengeful reasons and Turpin's crimes skimps on why Anthony and Johanna fall for each other. It's love at first sight I guess.

Alan Rickman plays the "villain" (Sweeney Todd isn't exactly an angel) Judge Turpin with a subtle air of evil, while Timothy Spall plays the cocky henchman Banforth with lively aplomb, rather like his fagin in the recent BBC version of 'Oliver Twist'. Depp and Bonham Carter's Todd and Mrs Lovett are also an engaging presence, from Lovett's tenderness towards Todd, his vengeful anger and sadness bubbling under him until the film's denouement. Other actors make brief appearances, be it Sacha Baron Cohen's surprisingly good turn as Adolfi Pirelli, King of Barbers (shows he can do more than comedy Kazakstani's or wigga TV presenters), or a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance from Anthony Stuart Head.

The acting is solid and enjoyable, but how about the singing? This is a musical after all. Well, luckily the people who sing sing well- mainly Mrs Lovett and Depp's Bowie-esque vocals (particularly on his long notes), as they have the most tunes. Anthony and Johanna have some fine songs too, particularly when Anthony continues to sing about his love for Johanna after being beaten- it shows he has some guts to stand up to the grim Judge. Speaking of the Judge, his songs- though there aren't many- show that he has his own feelings, while Banforth's brief singing ditties add to his slimeball character. Each tune is easy on the ears, so there's not a duff note in the bunch.

It's a matter of taste whether you'll like it though. With my taste, I feel it shows that musicals can have some guts behind them, rather than be bland, irritating Broadway show adaptations like Chicago, or pap like Moulin Rouge. That said, it has its guts both figueratively and literally, so if you have a soft stomach you may want to give it a miss- no matter how handsome Johnny Depp looks/how many times you can see Helena Bonham-Carter's cleavage (delete where applicable). When it comes near the ending, when you think you've seen all the grimness the film has to offer, the ending itself provides some extra shocks for your buck.

Overall, it's a film with an equal mix of horror-shock and tenderness. I'd give it 4/5 Stars, with one star off for Anthony and Johanna's sudden lovey connection.

REQUEST LIST SO FAR:
Feel free to make a request!

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1- Full figured harem/school girl pin-up - DONE
2- Giantess Series -
1st Pic- DONE- WIP Preview
2nd Pic- DONE -WIP Preview
3rd Pic- DONE -50% Finished WIP Preview
4th Pic- DONE - Rough Draft
5th Pic- DONE
6th Pic- DONE
7th Pic- DONE
8th Pic- 18% Complete
9th Pic (Conclusion) - Pending

- Sandstorm line-up
1- Kyoden Hayami - DONE w/ original scrap image
2- Yumi Kawashima - DONE
3- Solaris Salinas - DONE
4- Dave/Damon Heat - DONE
5- Adikkt - DONE

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1- Alexandra Kraven OC corset pin-up - DONE
2- Ryu Hayabusa and Ninja Marta - DONE
3- M. Haylo - DONE
4- Kill Bill Style: Ryu Hayabusa and Ninja Marta- 8% Complete
5- Kristel Ninja Marta w/ Hayabusa- Pending

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1- Jay OC drawing - DONE
2- Demon Fia OC horror colour pic. - DONE


1- Jean-Genie - DONE


1- Selected Photo:Lust As A Drawing - DONE


1- The Manga-Off; Ouran High School Host Club- Tamaki w/ Haruhi In Ichigo Mew Mew outfit- Pending


1- Portrait - DONE


1- Pencil Sketch - DONE

Josh (Uni Friend)
Vulcan Raven- DONE

Leanne (Uni Friend)
Kyoto Temple- Pending

Paula (friend of Leanne)
Spider-Man Mosaic- Pending

PROJECTS:
James Clephane-Cameron, an old high-school and 6th form friend, has provided me with an interesting proposition- something which should interest fantasy fans out there (Tolkien-D&D-Warcraft ones, not Final Fantasy ones). He requires someone to illustrate some character races for his RPG project and, well, guess who he asked? Here's how it breaks down (like requests, it'll have a progress rating beside it).

Viking (standard viking complete w/ horned helmet) - Pending.

Celt (tartan-clad warrior)- Pending.

Elf (tall, jewellery-covered forest folk)- Pending.

Troll (Orcs in Romanesque outfits- yeah, this time, the green guys are the supposedly civilised, not the typical barbarians- this is gonna be fun to draw)- Pending.

Vampire (Romany/Russian look rather than Castlevania Bishie)- Pending.

Beastkin (Middle Eastern Anthro's)- Pending.