Sweeney Todd: You are never going to look at a meat pie in the same way again

[alexandral]

** a lady is allowed to have a rant every now and again, right? I didn't have any this year yet, right? I saw "Sweeney Todd" yesterday and I am full of ranting!



1) There is a winner in Alexandra's category of "most disgusting film of All times". Forget Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance with it's shocking violence. It made me feel so much for it's characters. Forget Man Bites Dog with it's macabre humour. It had some splendid social commentary and satire. No! The winner is Tim Burton's "Sweeney Todd".

2) The film could be used as an advertisement for the vegetarian way of life. Eating a meat pie after watching it will be forever connected with most-disturbing memories. There were meat pies at the lunch today but every time I looked at one I felt slightly nauseous. No meat pies for me, thank you! And how unfortunate! We have a shiny new "Proper Cornish Pasties" kiosk in our Uni's refectory. NO MORE PROPER CORNISH PASTIES (at least not for some time)!

3) This was one of the Urban legends in our city in Russia when I was 10. "Why there are no homeless on our streets? What do you think the meat pies in the kiosks on Lenin's street are made of?" Seriously – I never had meat pies from street kiosks. Ever.

4) Stephen Sondheim's music is not something I liked. His style where many discord notes, un-melodically sounding connections and piercing notes is used made me want to run away and close my ears.

5) Johnny Deep – I thought my adoration for this actor was unshakeable. This changed when I saw his Geisha-makeup and heard him sing above mentioned discords.

6) And Alan Rickman , a gallant colonel Brandon from "Sense and Sensibility" or a terrible pervert?

8) And the lesson is to check any film's trailer before watching it. Paying my hard-earned 6 pounds for which I could have purchased a half of "North and South" DVDs! Wasting 2 hours of the time that I will never get back!

9) I want to wash my brain and forget it all. I believe ** meep ** is in order.

Comments

[bigboobedcanuck.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I didn't like this movie either. The two boys were the only ones who had really great voices, and I don't really like the source material either. It's just...blech. The gore in the film was SO over the top. Yes, we get it! It's bloody!

Yawn.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

The gore in the film was SO over the top. Yes, we get it! It's bloody!

And man eats man in this world. How very new.

I also liked the boys singing , though the older one (Anthony ?) had some quite creepy lyrics ("I feel you, Joanna?") But I guess this was intended. I liked Pirelli and the little boy, though.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

You know, I have yet to see a single "in between" reaction to this movie...everything I've seen/heard about it has been either absolute hatred or absolute love. Which, while odd, probably means that it does its job very well, maybe too well.

Personally, I'm very interested in it for the cast, but have no real interest in the movie itself.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

The movie is very pretty costume-wise. Not entirely original (reminds of "Sin City") but interesting colour scheme.

I would have liked to discuss this with different people - I see that many people like it. I would have liked to discuss.

[kitsune714.livejournal.com]

You know, this is probably why I have yet to see this movie. I've heard two extremes -- people either really love it or really hate it. When I first heard that this movie was coming out, I wikipedia'd the plot, and found myself pretty grossed out. Revenge, murder, gore, cannibalism, yeah, I can handle that. But adding a musical element? That just seemed a little too over the top for me. The whole thing was so morbid and creepy that I wasn't sure if I could handle seeing it in theaters, even though so many of my friends had good things to say about the movie. I'm still interested in finding out what this movie is like, so I can formulate my own opinion, but I think I'd best watch this on TV at home, or something, so I can fast-forward or pause as needed. I'm just glad to know that I'm not the only one who gets squicked out by this sort of thing.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

You see, I should have wiki-ed this more.. :D I had different expectations (something along the lines of costume-enhanced "Dexter", may be) but the "pie element" was a surprise for me. And I agree with you - this seems to be too over the top.

And even then, may it could have worked for me if I could like the music and the singing. ** sigh **

I would really like to hear different opinions so I am looking forward to your post (one day,may be?)!

[gws.livejournal.com]

Good thing I'm a vegan then :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am seriously considering this too!! :D

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

Nods. Having one seen The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cook%2C_the_Thief%2C_His_Wife_%26_Her_Lover), I feel your pain.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :D I guess my shock was mostly due to the fact that I was un-prepared.

[syliasyliasylia.livejournal.com]

Eeeeeeek!!!! I'm so sorry you disliked the movie so much!!!! *hugs you sympathetically* I haven't seen the musical nor the film, well technically it hasn't been released here yet, but I wasn't very interesed in it in the first place.

"Why there is no homeless on streets? What do you think the meat pies in the kiosks on Lenin's street are made of?"
Oh! Here where I live we have a variation of the same urban legend, but instead of "meat pies" insert "hamburgers" or "minced meat" in it!!! XD

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad to hear from you!!!!!!!! ** big hugs **. I think I was expecting costumed "Dexter" but it was "Man Bites Dog" without it's hilarity. The costumes were fabulous but this is all.

[(Anonymous)]

I went to see it this film because I love Johnny Depp. I spent most of the movie writhing in my seat with my eyes closed because of all the neck cutting scenes. I just couldn't handle it. Otherwise, I quickly forgot the film.

And I wasn't a big fan of the music either. They weren't catchy enough.

I think it was nominated for Golden Globes best musical because it was like the only musical available to nominate.

[joonni.livejournal.com]

^ that's me, joonni

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I have ranted out my initial disgust, now I can think logically. And apart from the disgust factor I don't think the film held any interest for me. No new ideas and the music is not my style.

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

I have no desire to see this movie what-so-ever and it sounds like it's a good thing. For one thing Johnny Depp does absolutely nothing for me. Plus him singing? Um...not. Anyway, I'm sad that you had to waste two hours on it.

Have you seen "The Libertine"? It's another Johnny Depp movie and it's just disgusting in my opinion. I hated it. I would not recommend that movie to anyone.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hee! I remember! I actually never was interested to see "The Libertine" as our tastes are similar and I trusted your judgment.

(And I think much of my rantiness comes from the fact that I PAID for this! I wish I waited!)

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen this yet and will no doubt wait 'til it hits cable, but I have to agree with you on Sondheim. I just don't enjoy listening to him. at. all. I truly don't get why everyone thinks he's such a genius.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I was thinking it is "just me". I am not any good at judging, music, you see. I know when I like or dislike something but I don't think I am knowledgeable enough. I am more into "old school".. ;D

[dianora77.livejournal.com]

Hehe, now I'm even more intrigued. :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I wish I could discuss it with someone who have seen it - if you watch this, I'll be interested to know what you think!

[miss-dian.livejournal.com]

Heee... I haven't watched this. But I thought it was very popular and well liked by many :D I adore Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman. Wonder if I'll share the same sentiments as you after watching Sweeney Todd ^^

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

We were just discussing these things and I was saying that I high in tolerance to blood and grimness. Not high enough, it seems. :D

[the-reverand.livejournal.com]

Aw, sorry it was so awful for you! I've been looking forward to it but only a little. I have to admit... your review makes me even more interested! *hangs head*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Hee! I would love to discuss this with you if you do watch! The costumes were great, this was at least one plus for me. :D

[teh-haley.livejournal.com]

'me' and 'bloody movie' can't exist in the same sentence. So, I guess this won't be a movie I'll watch. Blechhhh.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I think I could have liked this more if I liked the singing. I am not usually to worried about the "bloody" side of films. But I guess there is still limit for my "yack" factor.