Well that was a fun weekend. Carmen and Michael (whom I met in Canberra) were down in Melbourne, for round two of Fun Times. Also present was Amanda (who is always down in Melbourne), Kieran (whom I just met), and others who don’t have URLs for me to use. Activities undertaken included eating and drinking. Um, it’s more fun than it sounds?
On Sunday, we visited the Tim Burton exhibition at ACMI (from the Museum of Modern Art in New York), which was pretty interesting. They basically had a lot of his sketches and paintings, as well as costumes, props, and models from his films. In particular, though, I enjoyed watching Burton’s rare 1982 adaptation of Hansel and Gretel. It was like, super low budget. Seriously, the background for the forest was a very unironed sheet with trees painted on. I guess money was conserved in that area for the “special” effects. But the acting was hopeless, and it was essentially so terrible that it was hilarious. The fight scene between Gretel and the witch was especially hilarious.
I like Tim Burton’s movies, but I don’t think there are any that I’ve found superawesome or anything. Here, have some random quick thoughts on some of them:
- Batman (1989): Not a Batman fan! I mean, obviously Batman is better than Superman. But Burton and non-Burton Batman movies have not really appealed to me.
- Edward Scissorhands (1990): It was fairly good, but the whole romance aspect was tacky and not believable.
- Sleepy Hollow (1999): Good for a horror movie! Horror movies mainly suck. Of course, I still watch them, because I’m morbid and enjoy torture porn more than the next guy.
- Big Fish (2003): Apparently an eight year-old Miley Cyrus had a role in this movie, haha what. I did not notice this.
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005): Far behind the awesomeness of the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I loved that movie so much as a child. Well, maybe I still do. The remake left much to be desired.
- Corpse Bride (2005): I’m kind of a sucker for good animated movies. I especially enjoyed the Piano Duet.
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007): I totally dressed up as Sweeney Todd to a themed-party a few years ago.1.
- Alice in Wonderland (2010): I’ve gotta say, it was kind of a letdown. Well, the screenplay was my main issue, so it’s not all good ol’ Tim’s fault. But partly? It is.
Focus questions: Do you like Burton’s work? What is your favourite Tim Burton film?
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
That’s all I’m saying.
(Also, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the WORST.)
I’ve actually only seen Charlie and the Chocolate Factory… which was all right. I’ve heard some good things about the others, especially Corpse Bride.
I’m so bad. I’ve only seen a few of those films. I tend to enjoy any Tim Burton film I see, though.
[...] Sunday, they forced me to wake up early for a Tim Burton exhibition and gorge myself at Yum [...]
I haven’t seen ALL of those films you listed but i’ve seen… maybe half? They’re all good and interesting in their own right, although i’m not one of those die-hard Burton fans, I do really really like them. For one, they all held my interest, kept me guessing, or nervous, on my toes, afraid at whats jumping out next even though i *know* its coming, etc.
I LOVE Sweeny Todd. The other films I thought were okay or haven’t seen yet, but I find it really amusing seeing serial killer burst into song (maybe I’m just really morbid :P)
My friend dragged me to the exhibition some weeks ago. Not a huge Burton fan, but it was interesting – I particularly enjoyed the section where the lights made white clothing look funny. I just stood and stared at my dress as it turned to different colours. Pretty sure I looked like a retard just staring at my own clothing, hahaha.
Did you see that metal thing that random jumps?
I haven’t seen all Burton films, but Beetle Juice and Big Fish were my favs.
Whoo! Melbourne! Yay’er!
That’s pretty cool! Who knew you had so many bloggers that live close to you. I mean obviously you can’t be the only blogger there, but what are the odds that you would actually meet another person. o__O
Ah, Tim Burton! I personally didn’t find Sleepy Hollow as a horror at all. Yeah it had killings and everything, but when I think of “horror” nowadays, I think of SAW, or something. I remember I used to watch that movie all the time when I was 7. For some reason I just wasn’t scare of it at all?
I loved Sweeney Todd; that’s definitely one of my favorites.
As far as producing goes, you’ve forgotten Beetle Juice, James and the Giant Peach (instant classic) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (BEST MOVIE EVER).
I myself was not that impressed with Alice; it was a drag all over the place in all honesty. Plus the main actress seemed so monotone and blah… or was that just me?
I really enjoyed Corpse Bride. I also liked Alice in Wonderland; I know a lot of people disliked it but I thought it was well done.
I have to agree with you. While some of Tim Burton’s stuff is good I don’t find much of it super cool awesome!
I did enjoy Charlie and the Chocolate Factory though and Alice in Wonderland was good for what it was but the relationship between Hatter and Alice creeped me out.
Also the fact that you couldn’t understand much of what the Hatter said was frustrating… but then there was the Cheshire Cat and well, he kinda made everything ok :D
I’m not a fan of any particular director… things such as me liking a movie tend to depend on the company and my mood that day :P
I liked Alice in Wonderland though, mostly for the costume and the awesome world he put on screen. Then again, I love all things relating to Alice in Wonderland. I also saw Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Big Fish. For the longest time after seeing it, I loved Big Fish. The first two… meh. If I’m in the mood…
I like Tim Burton a regular amount. That seems like a weird sentence to say. But it’s true, so I’m going with it. I’m not one of those people that gushes ad nauseum, and I don’t run out and see all of his movies in the theatre. I like his films well enough, but I’m not obsessed. Still, I would really love to see this exhibit. I tried to convince my mom to road trip with me to NY (I’m in Atlantic Canada, so it’s not that far) so I could go see it this summer, but alas, didn’t work. I love seeing concept work for just about anything, and I can only imagine all of the wonders there would be in an exhibit about Tim Burton.
Anyhow, Big Fish is probably my favourite of his movies. I think it’s so endearing.That’s probably the only one of his that I would put on a “My Favourite Movies” list. I liked Alice, too. Not as good as the Lewis Carroll story, but good for a stand-alone inspired-by-Alice story.
[...] Visited the Tim Burton exhibition at ACMI. [...]