Retro 'Shadows' Thrills as a Jagged Supernatural Ride

Director Tim Burton tackles the soap opera drama of Collinswood Manor with his usual crew.

Tim Burton is one of those directors who can’t shake himself out of his comfort zone of being predictable. His past several films all seem to have the same recurring elements, namely the ever-quirky performances of Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter as well as haunting scores from Danny Elfman, which serve as the ideal complement for the consistent dark cinematic themes. To some, the constant repetition of the same collaborators over and over may seem like taking the easy way out, yet we don’t criticize Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan for being equally guilty of reusing talent. 

Simply put, Tim Burton retaining his predictable state functions as the best outcome, not only because it has worked time and time again, but we go in knowing exactly what to expect from him as a filmmaker. With Dark Shadows, Burton takes the 1960s supernatural soap opera with the same name and revises years of canon to ultimately match his peculiar style and fit within a constrictive two-hour timeframe. Bogged down in gothic undertones and vengeful tendencies, Dark Shadows is right up Burton’s alley, who alongside Johnny Depp were both fans of the original show.

Fourth 'Twilight' Outing Spawns Maritial Angst

After four movies, Bella finally ends the heated Team Edward vs. Team Jacob debate.

What a relieving 16 months it’s been. No sign of teenage angst, sparkling vampires or shirtless werewolves or team this or that. That is…until now. Hormone raging teenage girls have no doubt been counting down the days until the supposed wedding of the year and the honeymoon off the coast of Rio they’re all envious of. Yes, the Twilight phenomenon returns for the beginning of the end with the first half of the series’ final book, Breaking Dawn hitting theaters. Now if you haven’t been keeping up with this teen drama, Bella and her sparkling vampire boyfriend, Edward, are finally, yes finally, getting married. She immediately gets knocked up by Edward, carrying around a hybrid that’s killing her from the inside. And if she’s to survive, Edward has to do the one thing he’s been procrastinating about for the last few movies and that’s making her like him, a vampire.

Breaking Dawn is unquestionably the least critically received and longest of Stephenie Meyer’s saga and the film is a prime example of why that is the case. The majority of the film is sappy and drawn out, despite being the short film of the series to date. Breaking Dawn opens with one of the most awkward weddings and receptions seen on screen. Sure teenage girls will be in awe over every miniscule detail, wishing for that happily ever after in Bella’s place, but everything is so lifeless. But being vampires, it’s not too surprising and Bella hasn’t even become a vampire yet.