Tim Burton Survey For Coursework

[Ray De Ation]

(1) Spirals, black and white stripes, sharp corners. (They've been a visual theme in his work for as long as he's been in the public eye.)
(2) It's usually an interesting story; if not, the production design quality. His sets and characters often have a richness that draws you in.
(3) Favorite: Nightmare before Christmas, simply for its uniqueness.
Least favorite: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory: defines "gilding the lily".
(4) He consistantly picks strong, quirky actors, often for unexpected roles; but he really needs to stop using Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter just to "fill in the blanks".
(5) His role as executive producer, not as director. It is telling that arguably his most popular film, Nightmare before Christmas, was directed by Henry Selick.
High hopes for Alice in 2010- let's hope he doesn't end up doing sucessively weaker parodies of himself, (as others have).

 

[Lukeje]

1) What's the first thing that comes to mind when Tim Burton is mentioned? Johnny Depp.
2) What would be the main reason for you to go and see a TB film? The surreality.
3) What is your favourite & least favourite TB film? Why? Favourite: Ed Wood; it inspired me to go and watch Ed Wood films. Least favourite: The Nightmare Before Christmas. I don't really know why, it just bores me.
4) What do you think of TB's casting choices? They always seem to be okay. There's a judicious overuse of JD and HBC though...
5) What do you think makes a TB film successful? Dark storylines and oddly bright scenery. Honestly, the grass always seems just too green and it's creepy.

 

[ProfessorLayton]

1) What's the first thing that comes to mind when Tim Burton is mentioned?
An extremely creepy, well made, and enjoyable movie.

2) What would be the main reason for you to go and see a TB film?
To have a good time. His movies are so creative that I'm excited to tell people that I saw them.

3) What is your favourite & least favourite TB film? Why?
Nightmare Before Christmas, obviously. It's just a great movie with catchy songs and dark tones that I love. If you mean movies actually directed by Tim Burton then it would have to be Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. I grew up on Pee-Wee Herman so watching that hilarious and sometimes creepy movie brings back memories. Least favorite would have to be Batman. It might have been good at the time, but now it just looks cheesy and dated.

4) What do you think of TB's casting choices?
I think that his cast is always incredible.

5) What do you think makes a TB film successful?
The style. It's so different that it works.

 

[historybuff]

1) Original storytelling in an interesting style.
2) He's unique! Definitely original. And his stories are always a little bit surreal and a little bit touching. Very cool
3) Favorite: Nightmare Before Christmas; Because of it's stellar original story, leaps in innovation and creative animation, excellent songs and just really fun style. It scared me when it first came out--because I was six or seven but as I got older, I came to really adore the movie.

(Oh, but Big Fish...it so exceeded my expectations and ended up as such a great film too.)
Least favorite: At first I thought Corpse Bride because that was a film that was very hyped up and I was expecting all the charm of Nightmare Before Christmas and it just didn't quite live up. And that's a shame because the story was still interesting.
4) He typically does a fabulous job. The Burton/Depp/Elfman trio are usually stellar together. And even though we're seeing a lot of Carter--she can actually act and is entertaining to watch.
5) It's his originality! His creativity! Knowing that when you go see a film of his it's going to be dark and surreal but charming all the same. And it feels fresh and interesting each time.

 

[Shepard's Shadow]

1) Helena Bonham Carter
2) B/c Sweeney Todd was amazing. Also, its likely to be original.
3) Sweeney Todd and Corpse Bride, favorites. Those are the only ones I saw.
4) They fit the film.
5) The same reason Stephen King's novels are a success. There a bit odd, but original.

 

[DC_Josh]

1) Nightmare Before Christmas.

2) It was live action and not a musical and over a PG 13 certificate.

3) Sleepy Hollow. Awesome. Nightmare Before Christmas generally was unimpressive.

4) What do you think of TB's casting choices? Good for mains, terrible for supporting.

5) What do you think makes a TB film successful? His Legion of adoring fans.

 

[LiquidGrape]

1. One of those few directors who've managed to hit the mainstream with minimal compromise in his creative input.

2. His macabre sense of humour, gorgeous expressionist-fuelled mise en scène and overall peculiar approach to the medium.

3. Batman Returns is my darling in many aspects, but it's also the embodiment of his versatility.
On the surface an everyday superhero-romp with abundant supplies of latex and leather.
Underneath that façade however, you'll find a contemporary melodrama with allusions to Freudian psychosis' and second wave feminism.

Reversely, the original Batman is for the lack of above mentioned my pick for "least favourite".
Aged, loud, stagnant action with Keaton, Nicholson and the ambient audio-visual vista as the few saving graces.

4. Not very inspired these days. But competent nonetheless.
Wouldn't say no to seeing Pfeiffer, Murray, Ryder, Walken, Landau or Keaton again though...

5. Knowing that you're treated to something rather unique in present-day. A commercial film with heart, mind and imagination.

 

[RebelRising]

1. A blend of the macabre and the comedic.
2. To take in some amazing visuals and quirky characters.
3. Beetlejuice is my favorite, while Sleepy Hollow is probably my least favorite.
4. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are always excellent. I can't really complain; they're perfect for his movies. The suporting cast are usually pretty good and funny too.
5. The Uniqueness and dark angle of humor that is often cast on the situations.

 

[EchetusXe]

1) Goth guy
2) I go to the cinema a lot
3) Sleepy Hollow. Johnny Depp is gorgeous, plus the whole movie was great and pretty unique looking
4) He has yet to cast me so that makes him bad, however casting Depp is good so it evens out.
5) The same as what makes any other film successful. Whatever that is.