The more he bleeds, the more he lives....

[tzikeh]

(ETA: If any of you want to hear the duet Rickman and Depp will be singing (if the number is in the movie), uh, contact me? You know, for fair use and all. *cough*)

Some of you know I'm a bit of a Sweeney Todd fan, to put it mildly.



I gotta give big kudos to the designers; if someone said "make me a poster for Sweeney Todd as imagined by Tim Burton", this is pretty much exactly what I'd think it would look like.

When I heard they were (finally!) making a movie of it, my excitement quickly turned to trepidation and then kind of bitter disappointment when I saw that Tim Burton had decided to cast Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd. Don't get me wrong; Depp is awesome and fabulous and all those things, but a might-as-well-be-opera singer? Not so sure. Sweeney is not just a "musical theater" kind of piece; it requires Singing Voice, not singing voice. So I was frustrated with the whole "Tim, can't you ever cast anyone else?" thing.

But now I am crossing my fingers and holding out hope. Isn't it amazing what the power of a single image can do? Seeing Sweeney's rooms above the shop realized so beautifully, seeing the chair, seeing that the tag line for the film is lyrics from the show instead of something some suit made up... I hope. I hope. I hope Helena Bonham Carter can sing too (I know she can act the role), though Mrs. Lovett's singing role isn't as taxing as Sweeney's.

I rilly rilly rilly hope they don't cut the Judge's solo "Johanna". It's so often removed from productions, and, well, the world will be a lesser place if we don't get a scene of Alan Rickman, stripped to the waist, flagellating himself with a leather scourge until he orgasms, while he sings about a sixteen-year-old girl.

Take a moment.

Have you taken a moment?

Good.

So, yeah. If you want to know the plot, in extensive detail, I posted it in 2002. I figure spoiler comments or questions can go there rather than here so this can just be general "w00t!" about the poster and movie.

As coffeeandink says, "It is like Tim Burton loves me and all other musical-loving, Christmas-Day-movie-going Jews VERY MUCH."

W00T!!

Comments

[laurashapiro.livejournal.com]

That poster does help. (: I have decided to be excited about this movie.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Yeah. Not *too* excited, because I could be crushed, but more excited now than before. :D

[unmisha.livejournal.com]

Take a moment.

Guh.
I need another moment here, to recover from my moment.

One year in grade school, my parents got season tickets to the local Rep company, and Sweeney Todd was definitely the most memorable piece of the lot. Just shockingly gruesome enough to intrigue a young mind :) I'm so glad you brought this up - definitely something I'm looking forward too!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

I need another moment here, to recover from my moment.

Heeee! It's like needing a vacation after your vacation.

[darthfox.livejournal.com]

I just made a noise that caused my office-mate, wordplay, to stop on her way out the door and ask if I was okay.

And then when I couldn't answer for a moment, she came and looked over my shoulder and agreed. :-)

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

YAY!

[wiliqueen.livejournal.com]

As;[poab u=d roiuaw-4eh yasd.

:: tries again ::

Guh.

:: tries again ::

Rickman = Judge Turpin? OMG. Even if he doesn't turn out to have the bass chops. Although obviously I hope he does.

asptoea aosdhtap;4o732 si

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

asptoea aosdhtap;4o732 si

My sentiments exactly.

The cast is impressive, as far as I can tell. Timothy Spall is the Beadle! It's a Harry Potter reunion!

[zulu]

That's quite a moment you're asking fandom to take. They might not be back for the next decade or so.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

BWAH!

Well, perhaps fandom needs to take that moment in the TARDIS. That could help.

[vickita.livejournal.com]

That is an amazing fucking poster, man.

::looks again::

Wow. I would think this was an amazing poster even if it didn't have Johnny Depp in it.

Re: Rickman -- Whoa.

(I bet he leaves it in. Tim. Burton. He'll leave it in.)

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

The thing is it's a movie, it can't be 3 hours long, and that song is the first thing to go when cutting for time because it's not "necessary" to the plot.

*crosses fingers*

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

What nice synchronicity! I'm listening to the Sweeney Todd soundtrack this very minute.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Oh that reminds me to ETA the post and offer, um... "fair use" "promotional music"....

[rivkat.livejournal.com]

I don't know, "The Worst Pies in London" might be tougher than Sweeney's parts -- the rhythm is so unusual.

Also, squee!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

I can only speak from my own experience: I've played Mrs. Lovett, and I would say Sweeney's singing role is much more difficult. Really, "Worst Pies"'s rhythm isn't that hard to catch onto. Plus his tessatura is far broader. Though I will admit that hitting and holding to a whole note above Sweeney in "A Little Priest" (he has a C, I have a D) was, uh, interesting at first.

Via the auspices of darthfox:

[jgesteve.livejournal.com]

Tonight on Death Eater Theatre: Wormtail, Bellatrix, and Severus give us a story with a truly happy ending. Guest starring Capt. Jack Sparrow, Rupert "Ripper" Giles, and Borat.

Only Tim Burton could grab Sweeney Todd off the shelf and come up with THAT cast for it. All that said, I'm now definitely looking forward to it.

Re: Via the auspices of darthfox:

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

That's RIGHT I forgot about Anthony Stewart Head!!

Also LOL!!!

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

As you know, I'm a fellow ST fan. The poster is great. Please God, let Johnny's voice measure up to it!

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Please God, let Johnny's voice measure up to it!

oh plz oh plz oh plz....

[kelliem.livejournal.com]

You know, they could always get someone else to do the vocals, too, if the actors turn out to not have the singing chops. It's not like that would be a novel concept. :)

(And that's a hella poster!)

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

get someone else to do the vocals

That doesn't seem to be the way of things anymore; all the actors in this new wave of movie musicals want to show off their voices. Plus it's good marketing -- "Renee Zellweger sings and dances!" -- kind of thing.

[movies-michelle.livejournal.com]

Want. This. Movie.

Want to hear him JD and AR duet on "Pretty Women."

Want it to be December. Now.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Nnnnnggh.

O PLZ let it be as good as a fan might imagine. I... just... yeah.

Guh.

[volaremn.livejournal.com]

That poster is excellent. But can any member of this cast really sing? Sondheim can be challenging for musical theater professionals. You can't just let a movie star cruise by on charisma. Oh Brian Stokes Mitchell, why are you not more famous/friends with Tim Burton?

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

I don't think BSM, as good as he is, would be right for a film version *at all*. You have to remember that a moviegoer is expecting a very different kind of experience than a theatergoer.

And yeah, I've played Mrs. Lovett, so I know how challenging Sondheim can be. I'm hoping they're up for it.

[carla-scribbles.livejournal.com]

Ooooh.

I am dubious as well, but... that looks right. Damn.

[amy_vic.livejournal.com]

I'm a little skeptical about Johnny Depp's singing abilities, but otherwise, this sounds like fun. (Well, the creepy, bloody, murderous twisted kind. *g*)

[bkwyrm.livejournal.com]

I never sufficiently thanked you for introducing me to Sweeney Todd.
Also: Johnny Depp. Whoa.

[iko.livejournal.com]

I love Sweeney Todd. I have a copy from Angela Lansbury and George Hearn on stage. Fantastic stuff!

When I heard that Tim Burton was doing it, I was hoping that he would keep is dark and not make it "weird". The poster definitely gives me hope!

*sings*
Business never better using only pussycats and toast
And a pussy's good for maybe six or seven at the most!
*sings*

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

Wouldn't do in my shop -
just the thought of it's enough to make ya sick!
and I'm telling you, them pussycats is quick....

[pocketmouse]

I have mixed feelings about Sweeney Todd. I saw most of the Lansbury production in a theatre class, and I liked well enough the parts with her and Todd, but not the stupid sailor guy and all that. He was too annoying and foppish for my taste. I'll probably go see it, pending reviews, but I'm withholding judgment 'til then. Musicals turned movies can be hard. But that poster does look wonderful! And I think Burton's the kind of guy who can do wonderful things with the mechanical/physical aspects of this show.

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

That is, unfortunately, the only recording of the "Broadway" show (it's actually on tour without the original Todd, or Anthony, or Johanna). It's not great. The original is INSANELY good, and neither Anthony nor Johanna is that stupid. In fact, the original Anthony (and the one on the original cast recording) is Victor Garber, AKA SpyDaddy from Alias. :D

[kirbyfest.livejournal.com]

::is ded::

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

don't be dead forever -- you have a movie to see!

[sanj.livejournal.com]

I can't decide if Tim Burton raided a Death Eater meeting for his casting, or simply a big room full of AWESOME.

I could watch that cast brush their teeth for three hours. If they can pull off Sweeney Todd...?!?

*ded*

[tzikeh.livejournal.com]

... does the big room full of AWESOME have visiting hours for the public?

[dragovianknight.livejournal.com]

There is a portrait of Lucy and the baby on his wall!

::flails::

And just a hint of light coming up between the floorboards from hell the ovens.

::flails::

I shall have to see this in spite of Depp. (Yes, I'm the only woman on the planet who doesn't think Depp is all that. I'm a freak and I'm proud of it.)

[cleversimon.livejournal.com]

I have never even heard of this thing before, and now I am definitely going to see this movie.

Swing your razor wide, Sweeney, hold it to the sky!

[vass]

OMG. *hopehope*

[nigeltde]

I knew NOTHING about this musical but after reading your synopsis and seeing this poster I am now Very Excited!!!

[terrie01.livejournal.com]

My God, I must be getting old. My first thought was that Rickman would be Todd and Depp would be Anthony. But, of course, Depp is really too old for that role. Yet, some part of me continues to think of him as still being that young.