With new images from Johnny Depp and Tim Burton’s latest collaboration Dark Shadows released recently, this week we’re focusing on the best movies that showcase their unique film making partnership on Blu-ray. So if you’re stuck for ideas this weekend, why not try out one of the following?
Alice in Wonderland 3D
A stunning re-imagining of the classic Lewis Carol tale, Burton’s vibrant imagination and Depp’s superbly comic acting turn this family favourite into one of the best looking 3D BDs on the market. Awarded 4.5 stars by Blu-ray.com for its outstanding picture quality and 5 stars for its 5.1 surround sound audio, this Double Play pack also includes a 2D BD for those who’ve yet to purchase a player with a third dimension. Telling the story of 19-year-old Alice who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl, Burton reunites her with the White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), the Mad Hatter (Depp) and the terrifying Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). Special features certainly impress including individual character profiles, a look at scoring and animating topsy turvy Wonderland as well as a peek at the props and stunts alongside interviews with cast and crew.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
As the saying goes, revenge is a dish best served cold and Burton’s take on Sweeney Todd certainly delivers as Depp chillingly brings to life the calculated mind of a cold blooded barber set on retribution. In the dirty Victorian streets of London, a man wrongly sent to jail and separated from his family returns to life as a barber in an effort to tempt the man who destroyed his life into his clutches. Meanwhile his amorous accomplice, Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) comes up with a way to conceal his crimes using her pie shop as the perfect cover. A range of special features include interviews with Depp, Burton and Carter, a look at the musical aspects of the film including its adaptation from Broadway as well as prosthetics, special effects and set design. Viewers are also treated to a hilarious look at the original press conference for the film’s launch which showcases the main cast members (including Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall) taking questions on all aspects of the film’s production.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Burton’s take on Roald Dahl’s classic novel sees Freddie Highmore star as Charlie Bucket, a poor child who wins a tour of a chocolate factory run by the eccentric recluse Willy Wonka (Depp). Taking on a character as well known as Gene Wilder’s Wonka from 1971, Depp truly makes it his own, providing laugh out loud moments and subtle dark humour in equal measure. Burton’s Chocolate Factory is also a sight to behold, complete with PVC clad Oompa-Loompa’s and his very own Chocolate moat. The BD comes crammed with special features, including an In-Movie Experience viewing option and an audio commentary from Burton, as well as numerous features including Chocolate Dreams, Designer Chocolate, Under the Wrapper and Becoming an Oompa-Loompa.
So what do you think of our choices? Hit the comments to tell us your favourite Depp/Burton movies, or tell us what else you’ll be looking forward to watching on Blu-ray this weekend.
