Dark Shadows
By ElicBxn
@ElicBxn (63568)
United States
May 11, 2012 8:19pm CST
Okay - So, I'll admit it - I'm old enough to have watched the show back in the 1960's.
I did not watch the reboot in the 1990's - sorry, but it just wasn't the same... besides, it was on when I was busy...
ANYWAY...
I'm also a Depp girl, I actually can barely think of anything he has done that I have seen that I haven't loved...
So, I went to see the new movie with high hopes...
And I LOVED IT!!!!
Oh, Burton brought a light touch to the movie with the 200 year out of touch Barnabas, but on the whole it was very respectful, and with a whole lot better special affects than the TV could bring to it.
Depp's Barnabas is great, Pfeiffer's Elizabeth Stoddard is solid and Gulliver McGrath is precious as David Collins.
Placing it in 1972 was great - I remember the year well, and that Alice Cooper - who is in the movie - was BIG! I went to the School's Out tour show in San Antonio...
So, a friend of mine was afraid they were playing it for laughs - not really. Oh, there were some comic moments when Barnabas, the man out of time, has a run in with a McDonald's sign, a car, television, a LAVA LAMP!
So, I hate to ruin it for you if you haven't seen it, but it follows the basic plot of the Barnabas Collins' arc from the TV show with a few well placed and executed twists.
If you were a fan of the show, fear not, it doesn't disrespect the show, and if you are a Depp fan, you get to see him doing what he does so well!
And if you have seen it, what did you think?
10 people like this
21 responses
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
12 May 12
I felt that Barnabas in the TV show was not properly surprised by the 20th century, I think the movie did it better. I also thought the movie addressed the differences between an 18th century man and how he might see the 20th century.
I hope you do get to go see it - maybe not at the Alamo Drafthouse like we did but still....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3eeC2lJZs
2 people like this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
12 May 12
Hi Elic. Thanks for the thumbs up on this movie! I was SUPPOSED to be taken to see it today but, of course, I expected a disappointment and I wasn't disappointed, the disappointment did happen. HE has torn this house upside down again (figuratively) and it's now divorce time. So, instead of seeing this movie today, I've been packing, at least until my son said we should talk to my other son about selling his house and moving in here (after someone else moves out). They'd have a built-in babysitter and I'll have the extra income I'd need to stay in this house. Heck, we have four bedrooms here. 
However, come what may, I WILL see this movie soon! I found trailers of it last night and watched them all. I was HIGHLY impressed! I just know I'll feel the same as you once I finally do see it. Hopefully, I can go see this movie with both of my sons this weekend. That would be an awesome Mother's Day gift for me. Yeah, I think I'll mention it to them.
I'm soooooooooooooooo envious of you and everyone else who got to see this movie on opening day. Lucky you! 
However, come what may, I WILL see this movie soon! I found trailers of it last night and watched them all. I was HIGHLY impressed! I just know I'll feel the same as you once I finally do see it. Hopefully, I can go see this movie with both of my sons this weekend. That would be an awesome Mother's Day gift for me. Yeah, I think I'll mention it to them.
I'm soooooooooooooooo envious of you and everyone else who got to see this movie on opening day. Lucky you! 3 people like this
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
12 May 12
Yeah, I was afraid that it would be sold out, and they said it was AFTER we were in line with our tickets - but since we have to sit in the front row pretty much so the roomie can see it, there were quite a few seats there so it wasn't QUITE sold out! 
I hope the disappointment does move out and you guys can stay there and you can stay home with the grands...
I hope the disappointment does move out and you guys can stay there and you can stay home with the grands...2 people like this
@mentalward (14690)
• United States
16 May 12
I got to see Dark Shadows on Mother's Day!!! It was at the Alamo Drafthouse and Theater here in Winchester, VA. I thought for sure it would be sold out early. Well, maybe it was. My son bought tickets online a few hours before the showing. Still, we got there 30 minutes early and had to sit three rows from the front. I could actually take my glasses off and not have a problem seeing it. LOL Actually, it made it EASIER to see it without my glasses because the screen got a tad smaller when I took my glasses off. 
I remembered that link you posted about the gal who was thrown out for using her cell phone in the theater and turned mine off as soon as those GIANT words appeared on the screen warning us about using them or talking during the movie. This was my first time at the Alamo and I sure didn't want to be thrown out!
It was AWESOME!!! I'm talking about the movie but, of course, it was also awesome having our waiter come right to us during the movie.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves Johnny Depp or Dark Shadows. I thought I would pee myself laughing so hard at that scene where Barnabas sees the lava lamp for the first time.
I remembered that link you posted about the gal who was thrown out for using her cell phone in the theater and turned mine off as soon as those GIANT words appeared on the screen warning us about using them or talking during the movie. This was my first time at the Alamo and I sure didn't want to be thrown out!
It was AWESOME!!! I'm talking about the movie but, of course, it was also awesome having our waiter come right to us during the movie.
I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves Johnny Depp or Dark Shadows. I thought I would pee myself laughing so hard at that scene where Barnabas sees the lava lamp for the first time. 3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160483)
• United States
12 May 12
I have not seen it, probably won't but I can see where it would be really fun. I do not remember a lot of the series, although I did watch it for a while. You are right Depp is good in anything.
3 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
9 Jun 12
Isn't it something how "what goes around comes around"? I was in high school when Dark Shadows was on and all of us girls were "into" vampires; now today there's True Blood, the Twilight movies and now this remake of Dark Shadows. The original Barnabas was sexy in his own weird kind of way, although he certainly was no Johnny Depp when it comes to looks...lol! Quentin was my guy in the original Dark Shadows series.
Annie
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (91908)
• United States
12 May 12
I wasn't alive when Dark Shadows first aired, but I've certainly heard a lot about it. I'm only slightly familiar with the story, although recently with people talking about it I've learned a lot more. It's gotten very good reviews from critics. They said it had a lot of heart, which surprised me I guess. It's not my normal kind of movie, but I think I'd enjoy renting it someday when it comes out on DVD. I'm glad to hear it didn't disappoint fans of the old version.
2 people like this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
12 May 12
i can hardly wait till it comes out on dvd. ive watched the trailors and i just know im going to love it. i love Johny Depp and did love DS, so i know im going to love it no matter how others think. @anniepa (27955)
• United States
9 Jun 12
I'm also "just" old enough to have watched the show in the 1960s. All my friends and I would rush from school to one of our houses every day so we didn't miss any of it. I can't believe I honestly don't remember anything about the reboot in the 1990s; was it a regular series and did it star any of the original cast or what? Anyway, I haven't gone to see the movie yet but I definitely intend to. I've read several discussions here on myLot now and it seems like most everyone who has gone to see it has enjoyed it so I don't think I have to worry about wasting my time or my money, right? Not that any Johnny Depp movie could ever be a waste, even if it's a lousy movie!
Annie
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
16 May 12
I haven't even seen any of the previews or anything because I rarely have my tv on. I'm glad it isn't a comedy because the original Dark Shadows was very well done and very creepy if I remember. I wish they would bring back the original. My memory is so bad...I'd love to watch it and then watch the movie.
1 person likes this
@jerzgirl (9291)
• United States
13 May 12
Dark Shadows was on while I was in high school (yes, I, too, am old enough to remember) and I liked that Barnabas. I thought he was cute and had a great voice. One class in our high school would go into the library and lock the doors and watch the show for their entire class. Don't know how they got away with it since no one else was allowed to use the library at that time and obviously they weren't the only class in the school, but they did. I only got to watch the show during summer or snow days or Easter vacation (yes, we did call it that then).
I'm not sure about seeing it updated. Burton's works are spectacular and Depp's one hell of an actor, but I'm just not sure. But, I might just check it out.
1 person likes this
@coffeegurl (1467)
• United States
18 May 12
I just watched it this afternoon w/my bf. I laughed louder than anyone in the theatre. I was also YOUNGER than anyone else in the theatre.
@purplealabaster (22091)
• United States
14 May 12
I am not old enough to have seen Dark Shadows, but I will have to ask my parents if they used to watch it (I assume that they probably did) and whether or not they liked it. If they did, then I will probably have them watch this movie as well.
I am absolutely a Depp fan, so I was planning on seeing the movie anyway, but I am glad that I read this discussion. I do enjoy most of his movies, but there are a few that are a bit "over the top" for me, and I was not sure from the previews whether or not this would be one of them, even though I was going to give it a try anyway. Now, I am more assured and more looking forward to seeing it, although I will probably wait until it comes out on DVD rather than going to the theater to see it.
I am absolutely a Depp fan, so I was planning on seeing the movie anyway, but I am glad that I read this discussion. I do enjoy most of his movies, but there are a few that are a bit "over the top" for me, and I was not sure from the previews whether or not this would be one of them, even though I was going to give it a try anyway. Now, I am more assured and more looking forward to seeing it, although I will probably wait until it comes out on DVD rather than going to the theater to see it.1 person likes this
@chymez_me (186)
• Philippines
12 May 12
I've seen it's trailer once when i watched Avengers on the cinemas and the trailer can really make you watch out for this movie.. But i haven't had a time to watch it yet because unfortunately i'm still busy i hope i can watch it since i know it can really satisfy the trailer it showed.. _______
1 person likes this
@chymez_me (186)
• Philippines
13 May 12
Me either.. I wasn't really into heroes before i watched the Avengers and i even though i won't like it but after watching the movie, i ended up loving it..Maybe it's because of the casts, the lines that can really make you laugh, and of course it's action.. :) Hulk was great in the movie, too.. One of the reasons why i loved it.. __
1 person likes this
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
12 May 12
I didn't know there were older versions of this movie. Did it have the same title?
I like Johnny Depp, especially in peculiar roles like this. I'm sure going to watch this on wide screen, sometime this week. The trailer were quite interesting.
1 person likes this
@jureathome (5361)
• Philippines
13 May 12
Oh, it was a soap opera. That's why I didn't hear about it. It must have been only shown in the US, especially at that time when there's no satellite or cable tv, yet.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
13 May 12
Though starting in that Era of TV myself,I don't believe I've ever encountered the TV or previous incarnations of this show..but having been to the cinema recently (Avengers Movie!) I saw the Movie trailer with Johnny Depp which is also now airing on TV...
It looks like it might be a fun Movie...
1 person likes this
@stanley777 (9402)
• Philippines
12 May 12
I haven't seen any of the shows beforehand so i am not really expecting anything. I am glad to hear a good review about it since i was really planning to see it once the crowd is gone, i don't lie to go to th movies when there are still lots and lots f people lining up.
I am glad to hear a good review about it since i was really planning to see it once the crowd is gone, i don't lie to go to th movies when there are still lots and lots f people lining up. 1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63568)
• United States
12 May 12
I wanted a treat, and this had just opened and we also needed to eat dinner, so Alamo is the place to do that!
It might've been different if I were going to a regular theater, but Alamo is different...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alamo_Drafthouse_Cinema
@rafiholmes (2896)
• Malaysia
12 May 12
wow..i never knew Dark Shadow's has so many remakes..
i will watch the new one maybe this weekend..or monday. love to see the eccentric acting behaviorial of Johnny depp..lol
1 person likes this
@rashme317 (250)
• Philippines
13 May 12
i seen it's trailer while watching the avengers and seriously im dying to watch it.. but i still don't have time since im very busy with important stuffs right now, hoping to watch it real soon :)
@greenplankton (112)
• Singapore
13 May 12
I heard that the movie was a disappointment even though Johnny Depp acted in it. It was probably his star power that helped popularise the movie. Nonetheless, thanks for the review. I will be catching the movie soon and tell you my review of it soon :)
1 person likes this
