Tim Burton to attend Paris premiere of SWEENEY TODD

More good news for our friends in Europe–Tim Burton will attend the French premiere of his latest film starring Johnny Depp, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, on Tuesday, January 15, 2008! The Paris premiere will be the third in a week for the intrepid director, following premieres in Tokyo (Tuesday, January 8) and London (Thursday, January 10). Although Johnny Depp was originally scheduled to attend this event (according to the website), the theater hosting the premiere now says that only Tim will be present. Residents of France can enter a contest to win tickets for two to the premiere; you can find the details here: http://tinyurl.com/25ebxt The Zone thanks kan10 for sharing the news! –Part-Time Poet

"It's bloody great"–Richard Corliss of TIME gives SWEENEY TODD a rave review

Richard Corliss of TIME MAGAZINE spared no superlatives in praising Tim Burton’s film SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET: “This adaptation [. . .] is both faithful and liberating. The story, of a bitter man in 19th century London who has lost his wife and child and determines to carve out his revenge, has never seemed so human or so bleak,” writes Corliss. “[B]eneath Sondheim’s cold-steel lyrics, Burton finds a pulsing, mournful heart.”

The character of Sweeney Todd is “a romantic tragic figure,” notes Corliss, and those qualities are enhanced by the casting of Johnny Depp as Sweeney: “The director assured some measure of audience sympathy for Sweeney by handing the role to Depp, a magnificent star at the apogee of his powers. Depp’s voice may be on the reedy side, but he’s a true singing actor, making every note as persuasive as his words and gestures.” Corliss concludes his review by urging his readers to “give SWEENEY TODD a try” because “it’s bloody great.”

The Zone thanks dramaced for sharing the TIME review; you can read it on the Porch message board. –Part-Time Poet