Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Brand new trailer for 'The Informant!'

Hmmm....not what I expected, but it still looks great. The Informant stars Matt Damon and opens on October 9 in the US. The trailer is via Awards Daily, check it out:


Friday, June 26, 2009

'The Princess and the Frog' featurette

There is a brand new featurette video below (via GeekTyrant) where John Lasseter, Andreas Deja, Ron Clements, Bruce Smith, and John Musker talk about Disney's return to traditional, hand drawn animation in the upcoming The Princess and the Frog.




Thursday, June 25, 2009

Michael Jackson: 1958 – 2009

It's sad enough announcing this at all. But to hear news about the passing of two legends in one day, is very tragic. I grew up on Michael Jackson's music. My father played his music probably every single day while I lived with him. This is shocking, and very heartbreaking.



Farrah Fawcett: 1947 – 2009

Scout Taylor-Compton replaces Alessandra Torresani in 'The Runaways'

Earlier this month Alessandra Torresani was cast as Lita Ford in the biopic The Runaways, but now comes speculation that Scout Taylor-Compton will replace Torresani to play the band's guitarist. Torresani will more than likely take on the role of Jackie Fox, one of the band's many short-lived bass guitarists. Taylor-Compton revealed this news on her Myspace (via The Playlist).

Variety's revelation about Taylor-Compton's casting doesn't specifically say what role Taylor-Compton will play, so her Myspace page seems to give more specifics than any of the official announcements.

It's likely that Torresani has been replaced because she had only just started music lessons for the role, while Taylor-Compton is an aspring singer/songwriter.

'The Dark Knight' did it

Well, it's more than a theory:

“I would not be telling you the truth if I said the words ‘Dark Knight’ did not come up,” - Academy President Sidney Ganis
At a Q&A session, in reference to yesterday's Oscar announcement.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Oscars expand Best Picture category to 10 nominees

So, the inevitable debate begins. Is the Academy doing this to make up for snubbing The Dark Knight and Wall-E (and In Bruges while we're at it) last year? Is this for ratings?

Academy president Sid Ganis (who's about to leave his position anyway) was really excited, regardless of the reason:


“Having 10 Best Picture nominees is going allow Academy voters to recognize and include some of the fantastic movies that often show up in the other Oscar categories, but have been squeezed out of the race for the top prize.” [Variety]
This just opens up the floodgates. If you think the Oscar campaign at the end of the year is a circus, just wait until this year's campaign. In a typical year Star Trek would just be placed in the tech categories in For Your Consideration ads. Now it'll be right up there with everything from The Hangover, to Bruno, to Invictus, to Bright Star.

I like the idea. At least for now. It's easy to love something before the actual nominations. That could all come crashing down if something insane happens like Transformers getting nominated. Where there are pros to this move, there are also cons.

The good thing about this announcement is that at least the Academy recognizes that it has a problem. Over the last decade, the Academy has gotten more and more insignificant and out of touch. For a body that has nominated a Star Wars movie and an Indiana Jones movie, snubbing all the Bourne films and the The Dark Knight is just sad. So, now we get a greater number of films, and hopefully greater diversity, which means more mainstream films, and maybe more people will actually have a movie they've seen to root for.

The problem with opening the floodgates is that the pool of films could end up being just mediocre. Yes, there were ten nominated films during the 1930s and 1940s, but that era arguably had better films to choose from. I expect that there won't be nearly as many blockbusters as people are hoping for because, let's be honest, most of them suck. Outside of Start Trek and The Hangover, is there a mainstream movie so far that anybody really gives a damn about? And with Transformers and G.I. Joe approaching, I expect mostly middling films on the blockbuster front. The smaller movies, I suspect, even if they aren't spectacular will have an easier time of slipping in, especially if they have vocal advocates. Instead of one Juno-like film we'll get three (ugh!) But, there are awful films nominated when there are just five slots, and seeing as how that won't change with ten slots, one can hope that some great stuff slips in too. If this had existed a few years ago maybe The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada or Children of Men would have gotten some well earned recognition. We could also get an animation film in, and even a foreign film.

There's one thing that I don't agree with when people argue against this move. Some say that having ten films will only remove the prestige and luster of the actual winner. Sorry, but I don't buy it. I think if anything, it'll dilute the films that win in years with five nominations. Why? Because, it mathematically just looks better if you beat out nine other films, rather than four. But in the end, nobody will care. Casablanca and All About Eve are both brilliant films - does anyone remember which film beat out nine other films and which film beat out four? Besides, most critics release a top 10 of the year, and the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs leave room for ten nominated films, so it isn't as if the Academy is doing anything particularly shocking.

And oh, the possibilities: Bright Star, Shutter Island, Up, Precious, Broken Embraces, Avatar, Where the Wild Things Are, Nine, Invictus, The Road, Amelia, Brothers, The Lovely Bones, The Hurt Locker. Hey look, 14 movies and I haven't even gotten to the blockbusters yet.

Whether folks like this move or not, this certainly keeps things interesting. Now my predictable little best picture list has been thrown totally out of wack, and I kind of like it. And, at least we're talking about the Oscars again (and in June!).

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

'The Last Airbender' teaser trailer



The live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender now has a teaser trailer online (via Film Junk). I've bitched about The Last Airbender and adaptations like it not having Asian leads (they finally threw us a bone by casting Dev Patel), and I will probably bitch about it again. I haven't followed the animated series the film is based on, and I gave up on defending M. Night Shyamalan a long time ago (I'm looking at YOU Lady in the Water). The trailer shows very little, except main character Aang (played by Noah Ringer). Meanwhile Dev Patel doesn't appear in the trailer. So, why am I posting this thing, since I have a list of reasons to not be excited? I dunno. I think it has to do with an excuse to post a photo of Dev Patel, who I have a crush on, and the trailer looks like this film won't totally suck. Kudos to you for that M. Night. The Last Airbender opens on July 2, 2010.



Johnny Depp talks 'Don Quixote', a '21 Jump Street' cameo, and 'Dark Shadows'


Okay, there's quite a bit of Depp news to get to so I'll start with The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. Back in May, there was news that Terry Gilliam was resurrecting The Man Who Killed Don Quixote almost a decade after his first attempt failed. Unfortunately it looks like Johnny Depp won't be signing up again because he's booked from now till the end of time:

I love Terry and I'd do personally anything the guy wants to do," Depp said. "The thing with 'Quixote' is that my dance card is pretty nutty for the next couple of years, so I'd hate to put him in a position to wait for me. That would be wrong."

"We went there and tried for something and whatever it was - the elements and whatever got up beneath us were there and were documented well in that film 'Lost in La Mancha.' I don't know if it's right for me to go back there," Depp said, sounding almost afraid of the 'La Mancha' curse. [CHUD]

Gilliam probably expected this, because he was ready to go even without Johnny Depp. It's enough to make you wonder who the lucky replacement will be.

Now, on to the adaptation of 21 Jump Street. Apparently the remake's star Jonah Hill realizes that the Internet hates his idea to adapt the TV show (I never watched the show, so I can't get on the angry bandwagon, but NO SHIT). Depp, the original star of the TV show, actually likes the idea of the remake. He told MTV he also likes the idea of doing a cameo:



And finally, here's a Dark Shadows update from Bloody-Disgusting (via Empire). Dark Shadows could be the next Tim Burton/Johnny Depp movie after Alice in Wonderland. Depp says that the script is "very close" and they'll "probably attack it next year."

Dark Shadows was a gothic soap opera that aired from 1966 until 1971. The show included ghosts, vampires, zombies, werewolves, and cast members often portrayed more than one character. Also, the special effects were atrocious, but Johnny Depp loves the show.

Okay, a lot of people will say Burton has done this before, but this is what he does best. When Burton has veered off his style, it usual ends up with disastrous results. Planet of the Apes anyone?

Monday, June 22, 2009

Michelle Pfeiffer and Rupert Friend on 'The View'

Yes, I know it's cruel to force anyone to watch anything relating to The View, but Michelle Pfeiffer and Rupert Friend were on the show to promote Chéri (opens June 26 in the US), so I thought I'd share:





Saturday, June 20, 2009

Is 'Transformers 2' shamelessly sexist and racist?



To be fair, I haven't seen Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. I've just been reading up on what people who have watched it think. Admittedly I didn't mind the first one, but I only watched it for Shia LaBeouf and I didn't think a sequel was needed, even though, I'd be a fool not to have expected one. Anyway, back to the topic at hand. A couple of movie blogs have pointed out that the new Transformers could possibly be racist and sexist:

From Movieline via The Playlist:

2. There are two robots in the film called Mudflap and Skids, and despite being red and green, respectively, they are voiced in a way that clearly designates them to be the “black” robots. Also, Skids has a gold front tooth (no, I’m serious) and both cannot read.

3. Every single woman in this film is sexually objectified, save for John Turturro’s mother. Every single one — even Shia’s mom! Whenever there is a scene set in a combat unit or government office, there are no women featured or even glimpsed because then they’d have to be wearing pants, presumably.

From The Movie Blog:
Saw Transformers 2 last night. There is an embargo on reviews until opening day (which is stupid since the European guys all have their reviews up already. So all I’ll say right now is this: Lots of things to love, lots of things to hate… but the “Twins” are the new Jar Jar Binks in all the worst ways you can imagine.

Now John over at The Movie Blog doesn't say outright that the two robot characters are racist in his post. But he does say that they are racist caricatures in the comments section. So, I can't judge until I see the film in its entirety. But when movie blogs not known for heavily discussing things like racism in movies start saying something is racist, I pay attention. I'm going to have to do a follow up post when I see the movie.

Friday, June 19, 2009

The Disney princess vs. the non-Disney princess



There's been a lot of talk about Disney women lately. The Princess and the Frog opens later this year, there have been a few observations on Pixar's lack of women or girls as the central or headlining character in all of its ten films, and though Disney's traditional animation features a lot of women, many of them are princesses. I don't want to dive too deep into the debate, because so many have done it better anyway. Even though I take issue with some of Disney's handling of their characters, I still love their movies. My childhood would have been very different, and a lot less memorable without them and some of the other, non-Disney films I watched.

Anyway, all this princess stuff got me thinking and I went off on all sorts of tangents. Is it only Disney that does the princess thing? And if other animation studios do the same thing are they just following Disney's lead or is there an assumption that little girls will just love to see yet another woman with a crown on her head who lives for a marriage to a bland, two-dimensional prince? For the most part it seems the other studios either did the princess charade, or made the women marry princes, or they were women from fairy tales, or all of the above. This is probably why, as a kid, I couldn't tell the difference between an animated Disney movie and a non-Disney movie. Most of the women were princesses, so I just thought - Disney.

But this still didn't make me want to write a long analytical post. I just started wondering in a fight, which woman would most likely come out on top? The Disney princess or the non-Disney princess? I narrowed the fight down to six rounds because there are fewer non-Disney princesses to choose from. Naturally, a few Don Bluth characters made the list. Anyway, follow my random mind, and we'll see who wins. To warn you, this is spoiler heavy.

Round 1: Cinderella (Cinderella) vs. Akima (Titan A.E.)


We start off with two women who aren't princesses. Of course, Cinderella ends up with a prince, so she becomes a princess. Akima is a futuristic pilot. Ultimately this might prove to be a cruel matchup. Akima would either shoot Cinderella with a laser and end her, or use her marital arts skills and beat Cinderella to a pulp. But, Cinderella wouldn't have to lift a finger to save herself because her Fairy Godmother would step in for her. The Godmother would turn Akima into a rodent or pumpkin and dispose of her until midnight.
Winner: Cinderella (Disney Princesses lead 1 - 0)

Round 2: Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) vs. Princess Odette (The Swan Princess)


I think both these women are among the worst role models for girls. In this showdown, both would have to rely on magic, rather than skill - because they have none whatsoever. Other than sing, there isn't much these women can do. Princess Aurora would rely on her fairies (again!) who do useless things like make people sing well, and fall asleep. Unless the moon was out, Princess Odette would be trapped in the form of a swan, and she would fly away before there was any danger.
Winner: Princess Odette (Tied at 1-1)

Round 3: Princess Ariel (The Little Mermaid) vs. Thumbelina (Thumbelina)


I paired these two together because both characters were voiced by Jodi Benson. This matchup isn't really fair. Princess Ariel, despite being one of Disney's biggest weaklings could easily destroy Thumbelina in a number of ways - stomping on her, tossing her into a fire, hacking her to pieces, etc. Too easy.
Winner: Princess Ariel (Disney Princesses lead 2-1)

Round 4: Belle (Beauty and the Beast) vs. Kayley (Quest for Camelot)


It's a shame Belle never learned to fight anyone (or learned how to summon fairies) because she's obviously smart, spunky, and brave because she signs up to live with the Beast in place of her father. While Kayley is no Mulan, she can hold her own, and she becomes a knight. So, sadly for Belle, Kayley would kick her ass.
Winner: Kayley (Tied at 2-2)

Round 5: Princess Pocahontas (Pocahontas) vs. Grand Duchess Anastasia (Anastasia)


I figured I'd pair up the real life princesses with each other. Pocahontas is brave (flinging yourself in front of a guy who's about to be killed is pretty damn brave), and she's almost unrealistically agile. But, Anastasia bitch slapped her boyfriend and destroyed an undead Rasputin. No contest.
Winner: Anastasia (Non-Disney princesses lead 3-2)

Round 6: Mulan (Mulan) vs. Tzipporah (The Prince of Egypt)


Both women can be found in ancient texts. One, in an ancient Chinese poem, the other in religious text. Both can hold their own in a fight. Tzipporah's skilled with a whip - even with both hands tied. Mulan, has the upper hand because she has had warrior training and is excellent with a sword. Sorry Tzipporah, but Mulan would annihilate you.
Winner: Mulan (Tied 3-3)

I wasn't expecting that outcome at all. I blame the fairies.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

'Inception' underway in Japan

Awards Daily shares a photo (initially posted over at NolanFans) of director Chris Nolan and Inception stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Ken Watanabe in Tokyo.


A lot of people have balked at Inception's rumored budget (a cool $200 million), but considering that the film's cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio (hey, the guy ain't exactly cheap to book), and its six worldwide shooting locations take place in Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, Paris, Tangiers, and Calgary, it's easy to see why the budget is so huge.

Inception has reportedly started shooting in Tokyo, Japan, but other reports state that shooting will start sometime in July. Maybe the conflicting reports are designed to throw the media off, I'm not sure (though the photo taken in Tokyo hints that shooting might have, indeed already begun). If Cinema Rewind is to be believed Inception's fake working title is Oliver's Arrow (named after Nolan's second son).

Inception is set for release on July 16, 2010, and we'll probably learn more details about the film over the course of its 2009 summer shoot.

That Michael Sheen-as-Bond-villain story is bogus


Earlier this week there were rumors flying around that Michael Sheen might be cast as Blofeld in the upcoming Bond movie. I, for one, was pretty darn excited. I wouldn't have to keep mentioning that damn vampire movie every time I brought up Michael Sheen this year.


Turns out, all this stuff is total BS not only because it comes from The Daily Mail, but because it's illegal for Blofeld to even appear in any of the Bond films. It was the folks over at CHUD (via The Playlist) who pointed out the legal stuff. We don't even know who the Bond 23 villain will be. So, does no Blofeld, rule out Michael Sheen entirely? Well, I hope not, but as of now, this is a rumor of the badly crafted variety. Alas, we'll have to keep talking about that damn vampire movie after all. Nothing to see here. As you were.

Links for you: 'Bourne 4' in the works, new 'Avatar' screenshots, and Michael Bay takes a break



Ryan Reynolds is uncomfortable with being considered attractive. So, he makes fun of it on three different Entertainment Weekly covers. These shenanigans are typically annoying in the case of someone like Matthew McConaughey, but with Reynolds it's funny. [Movieline]

Carey Mulligan (star of Sundance sensation An Education) signs up for Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps [FirstShowing]

The White Stripes concert movie Under Great White Northern Lights which was shot during their 2007 Canadian tour, is expected to screen at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. The doc is a tribute to Jack White's Nova Scotia roots, and the band booked a show in every province in Canada - something no Canadian band had attempted. [The Playlist]

Halle Berry steals the show at Spike TV'S Guys Choice. [IESB]

A defense of Quentin Tarantino. [HoboTrashcan via Film Experience]

The fourth Bourne movie might shoot next year. [The Movie Blog]

Twitter trending topic #gokeyisadouche shot up the ranks (even climbing past #iranelection for a while) thanks to the cool kids at ONTD! Hint: it has to do with Adam Lambert and Danny Gokey being a homophobic douche. [Movieline]

Check out Michael Bay's custom made keyboard. [Joshuah Bearman]

Three more Avatar screenshots have been released. [ComingSoon]

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Shia LaBeouf says 'Indiana Jones' sequel is happening and I ask WHY?!



Okay, so most of us saw this coming because Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull made a gazillion dollars, and was the second highest grossing film of 2008 (it was beaten only by The Dark Knight). Shia LaBeouf did an interview with the BBC to promote Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, but also got around to some Indy news as well:

"Steven [Spielberg] just said that he cracked a story on it before I left and I think they're gearing that up." He doesn't say much else, except that there are "definitely no special effects in that movie," but it's enough of an update to remind us that this is indeed coming soon, whether you like it or not. [FirstShowing]

I actually kind of liked Crystal Skull (vine swinging with monkeys and all), but even the most die-hard fan of that film will admit the film was heavily flawed. It's the sort of film you love in spite of the flaws. I liked Crystal Skull, I liked the actors, I have a thing for Shia LaBeouf, but as of now, I am not excited about this. If Crystal Skull is the best we are going to get (and I suspect it is), then the true greatness of Indiana Jones will be a thing of the past and we'll have to settle for a fun, but slightly above mediocre spectacle of a film. Why can't they just let it die?

Could Michael Sheen sign on to play a 'Bond' villain?


Back in April, Michael Sheen was cast in New Moon. Which was sad, because I now, occasionally have to talk about a Twilight movie. The good news is, according to anonymous sources (via MTV) he's now reportedly in talks to play Blofeld in the upcoming 23rd Bond movie - which is now being co-written by Oscar nominated screenwriter, Peter Morgan.

Peter Morgan and Michael Sheen have worked together before on films like Frost/Nixon and The Queen, so hopefully their previous collaborations result in Sheen being cast.



Blofeld has been played previously by several actors - Donald Pleasance (You Only Live Twice), Telly Savalas (On Her Majesty's Secret Service), Charles Gray (Diamonds are Forever), and Max von Sydow (the unofficial Bond film Never Say Never Again) - so I think Sheen could fit in pretty well, and make the character his own. I have a feeling he'll have the trademark white Persian cat, no matter how cartoonish it might seem in our current serious Jason Bourne influenced Bond world, I can't imagine Blofeld without the cat.

Friday, June 12, 2009

A Johnny Depp movie retrospective



I had planned on doing this for Johnny Depp’s 46th birthday, but I’m a few days too late. I’ll do it anyway, because one doesn’t need an excuse to write a post about Johnny Depp. Besides, I’d seen a Brad Pitt one and figured Johnny Depp deserved one too.


So, I’ve gotten photos of Monsieur Depp in most of his film roles (holy crap, that’s a 25 year career) and arranged them from his earliest film to his latest films. There will be some spoilers.


1984 A Nightmare on Elm Street – Glen Lantz



Johnny Depp’s earliest film role, and all I remember is that I a) watched it for Johnny and b) Johnny dies a pretty memorable death.


1985 Private Resort – Jack Marshall



I’ve always thought this movie ought to have a disclaimer warning people not to watch it unless they find Johnny Depp supremely handsome. Otherwise, it’s a complete waste of time.


1986 PlatoonPrivate Gator Lerner



Depp doesn’t appear in the movie much, though a lot of successful actors had small roles in this movie - Forest Whitaker, Kevin Dillon, and John C. McGinley (the evil doctor from Scrubs).


1990 Cry-Baby – Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker




Depp signed on to make fun of himself at the height of his teen-idol status. I don’t think a lot of actors do things like that anymore.


1990 Edward Scissorhands – Edward Scissorhands



This was Depp’s first collaboration with director Tim Burton, and it's regarded as his breakout film role, though let’s face it, he could have immediately chosen to cash in, and become a superstar. Instead he sort of turned into a bit of a character actor instead.


1993 What’s Eating Gilbert Grape – Gilbert Grape



Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for his first Oscar for his role in this film, and I can’t help but wonder, which of the two actors will win his Oscar first?


1993 Benny and Joon – Sam



Johnny Depp pulled his best Buster Keaton/Charlie Chaplin for the role. He made it look effortless.


1994 Ed WoodEdward D. Wood, Jr.



This is my favourite Johnny Depp movie, and it’s one of my all time favourite films in general.


1995 Nick of Time – Gene Watson



This movie was interesting because it took place in real time, and Christopher Walken appeared in it (he’d later appear in Sleepy Hollow with Depp again), but other than that, it’s a pretty dreadful movie.


1995 Dead Man – William Blake



To be honest, I saw this movie very late at night, I was probably half asleep, and I was more than likely sick with the flu. So, I remember nothing. I should try and catch it again.


1995 Don Juan DeMarco – Don Juan/John R. DeMarco



Out of all the weird movies Depp has appeared in, this, to me is the weirdest. Every time I watch it I wonder why the hell Marlon Brando and Faye Dunaway were in it. And Depp has a bad accent throughout most of the film.


1997 Donnie Brasco – Donnie Brasco/Joseph D. 'Joe' Pistone



Definitely one of Depp’s best, and I think his second Oscar worthy performance (Ed Wood was his first). Al Pacino was also flawless in this as well.


1998 Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas – Raoul Duke



Every person I’ve recommended this to ends up hating it – and me.


1998 L.A. Without a MapHimself/William Blake



I watched this movie because of my David Tennant fixation, but it was pretty cool to see Depp in an unexpected cameo.


1999 Sleepy Hollow – Ichabod Crane



It scared me when I first saw it as a kid, but now, I watch it every time it’s on television.


1999 The Astronaut’s Wife – Commander Spencer Armacost



A lot of people don’t remember this one, but it was decent sci-fi. Charlize Theron starred as Depp’s wife, and it was the first film I ever saw her in anything.


1999 The Ninth Gate – Dean Corso



Films should either be creepy OR awful. Not both. Yeah, this was horrible.


2000 Chocolat – Roux



There was a lot of Oscar hype surrounding this film, but in hindsight, even though I loved it, it was very overrated.


2000 Before Night Falls – Lt. Victor/Bon Bon



Johnny Depp flirts with Javier Bardem.


2001 From Hell – Inspector Frederick Abberline



This could have been a truly great Jack the Ripper film, but it was more tedious than terrifying, and Heather Graham’s accent changed about five times over the course of the film.


2001 The Man Who Cried – Cesar




Depp appeared with Christina Ricci yet again (they have great chemistry) and Cate Blanchett is stunning. That’s all I remember.


2001 Blow – George Jung



I loved this movie, and I think Depp’s performance was underrated.


2003 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl – Captain Jack Sparrow



This wasn’t expected to be an automatic hit. An adventure story based on a Disneyland ride, with Johnny Depp playing a sexually ambiguous pirate. But, it worked, and it supposedly made Depp into a real star – and I guess, to a certain generation it did. His first Oscar nomination was well deserved.


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2003 Once Upon a Time in Mexico – Sheldon Sands



Track 9 on the soundtrack, “Sands’s Theme”, was actually written by Depp, but was credited to ‘Tonto’s Giant Nuts’. Depp came up with it as a joke, and since he might actually be playing Tonto, I wonder if he’s been pursuing the role for this long, or if he’s just psychic.


2004 Secret Window – Mort Rainey



What happened in this film again? Oh, right. There was a twist at the end that I saw coming a mile away.


2004 Finding Neverland – Sir James Matthew Barrie



The movie took liberties with the historical events of J.M. Barrie’s life, and though it was good, it’s definitely the safest choice of Depp’s career.


2005 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Willy Wonka



If I’d seen this version of Roald Dahl’s novel as a child, I would have been terrified. Depp’s Wonka, unlike Gene Wilder’s, is downright creepy – that grin alone gives scares me. After digging for photos, I’ve only just noticed that Wonka’s eyes appear to actually be a shade of purple. It’s surprising the parents of the children in the film don’t grab their kids and run screaming from the chocolate factory before the tour even begins. If this was Depp’s intention (and I think it was), then he was brilliant.


2006 The Libertine – John Wilmot, 2nd Earl of Rochester




I loathed this film immensely, but I think Depp gave one of the best performances of his life. He was cruel (“You will not like me.”), melancholy, sexy – pitch perfect.


2006 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest – Captain Jack Sparrow



It literally made over a billion dollars, and I admit, I loved it.


2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End – Captain Jack Sparrow



Yep, I loved this one too.


2007 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker



Depp was nominated for his third Oscar, and though many argue it’s a nomination he didn’t deserve, I disagree – it’s just a pity he was up against the juggernaut that is Daniel Day-Lewis.


2009 Public Enemies – John Dillinger




Depp’s upcoming film has him playing yet another real life character, but it’ll be intruiging to see what director Michael Mann brings to the big screen, and who knows, maybe this could be Depp’s fourth Oscar nomination.



2009 The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus – Tony



Depp takes on part of the role that the late Heath Ledger was never able to complete. Though I’m excited about Depp and Terry Gilliam working together again, it will be difficult to watch knowing it’s Ledger’s final role.


In the works


2010 (?) The Rum Diary – Paul Kemp



2010 Alice in Wonderland – Mad Hatter



Depp and Burton’s latest film opens on March 19, 2010.