Warner Bros. has released another spot for Dark Shadows, and while this one still has plenty of humor, there seems to be a bit more evidence that there might be some balance between the humor and the horror. We’ll see how that goes as we get closer to release.
Michelle — Hi Marty,
I like the intro to Barnabas story line. John Karlen's face as he opens the coffin is priceless. He...
Marty — Hi Michelle
After watching those B&W outside location shots yesterday I was reminded how Jonathan Frid never appeared in any of...
Michelle — Hi Marty,
Welcome. I remember your frequent posts on this site last year.
Glad I gave you a little push to re-watch...
Marty — Hi, Michelle
Used to frequent these parts last year when for the build-up and then release of the movie. I've just...
Michelle — Hi Patrick,
So glad you answered. I've been off for two days.
I've just posted on the various topics on this site...
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Rob
March 27, 2012
I guess what’s most upsetting to me from these TV spots is that they all kind of show how really incredible the movie COULD’VE been, had Burton just taken a less aggressively silly approach to the material. I have nothing against adding a layer of wit or even having a bit of winking fun with the melodrama — but it appears that their efforts at humor are so broad and juvenile that they completely undercut the spirit, tone and intent of the established storyline. Ah, what might have been — Depp shows every indication that he would’ve made a wonderful Barnabas, had he been given a better screenplay and direction.
Nathan
March 28, 2012
*sigh*
some good stuff interspersed with so much nonsense…..
from these trailers and tv spots, I’ve noticed these elements brought from Dan’s vision:
-Julia tries to cure Barnabas.
-the basic look of Collinwood in the exterior (more similar to the original series look of Collinwood than the movies or the remakes) and the portraits lining the great halls (a look more similar to the 91 version than the original)
Changes (not counting the general comedic tone – which I acknowledge is a huge change but I think one we’ve covered pretty well)
-Apparently, there’s a legend of Barnabas Collins being a vampire
-Apparently, Angelique buries Barnabas in 1772. This removes yet another bit of pathos of the character – his own father buries him in the original. I don’t like this change, though I do realize it was necessary to streamline and simplify the storyline somewhat to fit it into a 2 hour movie.(and by the way, WHY would Angelique chain him in his coffin? this seems somewhat contrary to her goal of him to suffer by vampirizing folks!)
-It seems that Angelique may have been hanging around Collinsport for the past 200 years. I’m not sure of this but I get the impression she’s been running some rival company and generally waiting for Barnbas to return. This is supposition on my part, The trailers aren’t really clear on this.
Just some rambling thoughts these new tv spots have given me. What else have you all noticed regarding changes and that which is the same? (avoiding the very-hard-to-avoid-issue of the apparently comedic take on the material)?
Rob
March 28, 2012
The thing that stands out the most to me is the fact that Barnabas apparently makes no effort to hide the fact that he is a vampire. Wouldn’t this seem to eliminate a great deal of suspense, drama and subtext? But, really – who needs anything like that when you can generate big yucks simply by showing Barnabas hanging from a canopy bed like a second-rate Al Lewis.