Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: December 21, 2007

DVD Release Date: April 1, 2008

Plot 411: A man unjustly accused returns home to seek revenge on his persecutors.

Review: Corrupt Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) sentences Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) to life in prison in order to seduce Barker's wife Lucy (Laura Michelle Kelly). Many years later, Barker returns under a new name - Sweeney Todd - and is anxious to reunite with his wife and daughter. However, when he learns that Turpin assaulted Lucy, Todd desperately seeks revenge. He reestablishes his barbershop above the shop of pie maker Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter). She becomes a willing participant as Todd indiscriminately kills his customers by helping him dispose of the bodies through her meat pies. This movie definitely wasn't what I was expecting, but I enjoyed the darkness of it. I loved the set design and dramatic costume and make up that all the characters had. Depp's singing could have been better (but he's not as bad as Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia!). Of course, since this is a Tim Burton film, there are similar visual styles between this and something like Corpse Bride and Beetlejuice. It was darkly humorous and contained some violent scenes that took me aback. It wasn't that they were totally appalling. They were just unexpected as I had thought this was just a regular musical.

Watch It: If the idea of blood and singing flicks your Bic.

Skip It: If you're relationship with musicals are more of a light-hearted affair.

Alice In Wonderland 3D

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: March 5, 2010

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: Alice returns to the land she visited as a child and thinks she's living a dream.

Review: Tim Burton's version of Alice In Wonderland is just so Tim Burton. The movie aesthetics and visuals do not seem like they could be done by anyone but Burton. The colors and bleakness of the settings and the dark nature of the so-called children's film are obviously Burton's signature. Watching it in 3D was probably not necessary though. It didn't have the same all-encompassing feel that Avatar did. In fact, I think it could've pulled the audience in a lot more than it did, which is a damn shame. Some of the CGI work was pretty bad. It looked like I was watching video game graphics. Despite this, I still enjoyed it a great deal. I'll probably rent it when it comes out on DVD. Somehow, I didn't find Anne Hathaway all that appealing in this movie. She really got on my nerves with all her twirling and fluttering about. I did, however, love, love, love Helena Bonham Carter. She did a perfect job as the Queen of Hearts. What does it say when I relate more with the bad queen than the good one? Of course, Johnny Depp played the Mad Hatter. Really, he was just re-doing his Jack Sparrow routine but with a snazzier-looking outfit and caked on makeup. Also providing voice acting are Stephen Fry as the cheshire cat and Alan Rickman as the caterpillar.

Watch It: For a Burton re-envisioning of all your favorite Wonderland characters.

Skip It: And watch the regular version. No need to pay extra for IMAX 3D or Disney Digital 3D.

Public Enemies

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: July 1, 2009

DVD Release Date: TBD

Plot 411: The story of John Dillinger and how he motivates J. Edgar Hoover to create the F.B.I.

Review: Johnny Depp plays John Dillinger, a notorious bank robber during the 1930s who was seen as a threat by law enforcement officials and a celebrity by the public. Dillinger and his friends planned and executed bank heists across the nation while the F.B.I.'s Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) tracked him down by the orders of J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup). This film seemed to delve deeper into Dillinger's character to uncover the real man. I don't know if any of it is true, of course, but it really felt more like an introspective documentary than a shoot 'em up gangster film. Because of this, the beginning was pretty slow going as if trying to build sympathy for the character. Despite being a killer and bank robber, Dillinger is also portrayed as a protective and respected friend; a showman and master publicist; and a loyal and trustworthy lover. His love interest Billie is played by Marion Cotillard. She does a good job of conveying the inner turmoil of a woman who is tempted to give in to her desires for excitement and love and embrace all the consequences that go along with that choice. Also making an appearance in this film are Stephen Dorff, Channing Tatum and Giovanni Ribisi.

Watch It: For a refreshing new look at Depp.

Skip It: If you're looking for a really good gangster flick with tons of machine gun action.