Tim Burton is a genius: crazy, perhaps, but a genius. He has created some amazing films over his career and is still going strong. He has a certain style that is haunting and sends chills down your spine. Along with wonderfully crafted music in some of the musicals and animated movies, Tim Burton did enjoy using Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in a lot of his films. There is always great detail to the dark scenery and gloomy makeup/costumes. Here is a list of my favorite movies produced/directed by him, just in time for Halloween!
1. "The Nightmare Before Christmas"
This is a Halloween classic. It's about Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown. He becomes bored with the annual routine of scaring people in the "real world," and stumbles upon Christmas Town. Christmas Town gives him a new view and he instantly wants to change Halloweentown. He kidnaps Santa Claus and tries to take over Christmas, but his plan goes horribly wrong and he learns he can't mess with other holidays.
2. "Corpse Bride"
This one starts with an arranged marriage between Victor and Victoria. Victor goes to the woods to practice his lines for the wedding. The tree branch he puts the ring on becomes a hand that drags him to the land of the dead. It belongs to Emily, who was murdered after eloping with her love and wants to marry Victor. Victor must get back to the living world before Victoria marries another man.
3. "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street"
Burton took this stage production and put his own touch on it. A judge lusts for the beautiful wife of a London barber and banishes him for a crime he did not commit. After 15 years, the barber returns and calls himself Sweeney Todd. He seeks revenge and slits unlucky customers' throats, then sends them down to Mrs. Lovett who uses them in her meat-pie shop. He kills many, but he is waiting for the judge to appear in his chair.
4. "Coraline"
Coraline moves to a new home and discovers a secret door, behind which lies an alternate world that closely mirrors her own but is better — until her Other Family wants her to stay there forever. Coraline has to use all of her resources to get back to her own world and save her real parents, who are trapped by her Other Mother.
5. "Alice in Wonderland"
It closely resembles the original "Alice in Wonderland story," except that it has a twist: Alice has already been to wonderland, but she doesn't remember. She was a young girl when she first visited but returns a teenager. Back in Wonderland, she reconnects with her friends and learns it is her destiny to end the Red Queen's reign of terror.
6. "Dark Shadows"
In the 18th century, Barnabas Collins, a rich and powerful playboy, presides over the town of Collinsport. He ends up breaking the heart of a witch named Angelique. Angelique turns Barnabas into a vampire and buries him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas escapes from his tomb and finds Collinsport very different. He finds new love, and works against Angelique to save his new love from her wrath.
7. "Frankenweenie"
8. "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory"
Based on the Roald Dahl tale, a young boy and his grandpa join a small group of contest winners to tour the factory of candy-maker Willy Wonka. One by one, the children and their one other guest get disqualified to determine who will become Wonka's successor.
9. "Edward Scissorhands"
A scientist builds a human being - Edward - but dies before he can finish assembling Edward, leaving him with scissors for hands. A kind saleswoman, Peg, finds him and takes him home, where he falls for Peg's teen daughter. However, despite his kindness and artistic talent, Edward's hands make him an outcast.
10. "Beetlejuice"
After a couple dies in a car accident, they find themselves stuck haunting their country residence, unable to leave the house. When the Deetzes and their daughter Lydia buy the home, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away — without success. Their efforts attract Beetlejuice, a trouble making spirit whose "help" becomes dangerous.
Definitely take some time this October and check out some of these great films!
