The man is just a walking ball of talent. It seems so wrong that so much artistic flair should be allocated to one individual. And yet when one is watching the beauty and imagination of stop-motion Sally falling to pieces as she jumps from the turret of her fortress prison; or the dramatic intensity of Sweeney Todd singing to his razor as he contemplates bloody murder; or the comic tragedy of Edward Scissorhands trying assimilate into suburbia by succumbing to its behavioural demands, it seems so right.

I have just finished reading Burton on Burton revised edition, in which editor Mark Salisbury has précised a host of interviews conducted with Mr Tim Genius Burton pertaining to his films – beginning with his first film, Vincent, and ending with Corpse Bride. The book also features a fabulously entertaining forward by Johnny Depp – the man many refer to as Burton’s on-screen alter ego. (more…)

Ellsworth Toohey once said to Kiki Holcombe: “tell me the movie stars you like and I’ll tell you what you are”. In the spirit of self-discovery and enlightenment I have decided to conduct an experiment according to Mr Toohey’s theory. The road to revelation will be walked on the basis of three easy steps – for those of you who are interested in a consultation with the stars.

Step 1: Follow my example by formulating a list of you favourite movie stars. Here are my faves (in no particular order – barring the number one position): Johnny Depp, Anthony Hopkins, Helena Bonham Carter, Corpse Bride, Christian Bale, Aragorn, Jack Bauer, Hannibal Lecter, Daniel Day Lewis, Edward Norton, Patsy Stone, Jigsaw, Gandalf, Patrick Bateman, Van Helsing, Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Batman, Scarlett Johansson, Dexter, John Malkovich, Jack Skellington, Beatrix Kiddo, Cyrus the Virus, Jack Sparrow, Edward Scissorhands, The Joker, Tyler Durden, Brad Pitt, Domino Harvey, Cate Blanchett, Sweeney Todd and Geoffrey Rush. No doubt the list could go on but…let’s not. (more…)