Rating: 
Summary: Sleepy Hollow DVD Review continued...
Review: As I was saying, this DVD is OK, but could have been so much better with some extra features and more patience in making the supplements; But, the disc's menus are very nice (the main menu anyway), and the disc is still a very good buy. If you have no idea which review this continuation comes from, look for a review without an identity so to speak(hey, I have to take precautions!)...
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but overly ambitious
Review: When I see a Tim Burton film, I usually come away with a senseof awe and bewilderment. I am in awe of his visual imagery (though Idon't particularly like his penchant for dark exposures and washed out colors) and I am perplexed at his use of this genius to create such bizarre and twisted films.What is most disturbing about this film is that it tries to pass itself off as being based on Washington Irving's classic short story. This is not even loosely based on that masterpiece. It bears no more resemblance to the 'Legend of Sleepy Hollow' than Johnny Depp bears to Ichabod Crane. To put Irving's name and title on this goes beyond artistic license to shameless artistic forgery for its commercial value. This is not to say that this isn't a good story. It is an excellent story. I just object to the artistic deception. What is sad is that we have a whole generation who will never read the story and believe they know it because they saw this film. That being said, I thought this was a very good film that was a bit too ambitious in trying to cross genres. Burton attempts to create a comedy horror action adventure mystery romance. It has too many competing elements that distracted us from the main plot. The comedy element is the least effective. Burton's wry attempts at humor are sophomoric and puerile and detract from the better elements of the film, namely the horror/mystery aspect. From the standpoint of the sets, props, costumes and visual effects, this film is masterful. The woods were spooky, the tree of death was fantastic and the windmill was a marvel. The creation of the headless effect was brilliant use of digital technology. The decapitations were also superbly grisly and realistic. Johnny Depp did a fine job as the bumbling constable. He played it a bit too tongue in cheeky, but I'm certain that was more Burton's direction than Depp's interpretation. Christina Ricci was well cast as the coquettish Katrina. Somehow I don't think she has to stretch much to play the sassy and flirtatious type, but she played it to perfection. I rated this film a 7/10. It is very entertaining and has moments of brilliance, but overall the whole is less than the sum of the parts. And Washington Irving it ain't.
Rating: 
Summary: A Beautiful Film, But the DVD Is A Bit Disappointing
Review: Let me start my review by venting a little frustration with Paramount. When I pre-ordered my DVD, the item description indicated one of the features of the DVD would be deleted scenes. When the DVD was released, however, it did not contain these deleted scenes. What's up, Paramount? The "Deleted Scenes" feature is pretty much a DVD standard, so why were they cut? Despite this frustration, I still give the movie five stars because the film is truly fantastic. The scenery and sets are beautiful, and the costumes, particularly Lady Van Tassel's dresses, are marvelous. Add to this the dazzling special effects of the numerous beheadings and the Horseman himself, and you've got a great film. On top of all this, Burton has recruited some amazing acting talent. In addtion to Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, the film's cast includes Christopher Walken, Miranda Richardosn (one of my personal favorites), Michael Gambon, and Ian McDiarmid, and Christopher Lee, all of whom give top-notch performances. The story, while not Washington Irving's original tale, is interesting as well, though at times the dialogue is a bit cheesy and melodramatic. Melodrama, however, has been a key element of the gothic since Horace Walpole picked up a pen and wrote _The Castle of Otranto_, so it's easy to forgive lines such as "I curse the day you came to Sleepy Hollow." I thoroughly enjoyed the director's commentary by Tim Burton, although he seems to have an unhealthy fascination for Jeffrey Jones's wig. The interviews with the cast and crew were fun, and the "Behind the Legend" featurette was informative and interesting. All in all, _Sleepy Hollow_ is a great film and worth owning. Even if the DVD doesn't have the deleted scenes.
Rating:
Summary: Tim Burton is a genious
Review: Nobody could have directed this film better than Tim Burton, and he couldn't have done a better job. Turning the classic literature story, into a nightmarish dream ride from hell. In this film, Jonny Depp plays Icabhod Crane. Icabhod is sent to a New York village to investigate pairs of mysterious crimes. The villagers say it is done by a ''headless horsemen''. Along the way, he encounters visions of his youth that absolutely terrify him. None other film is like this one. I highly reccomend this one to any Burton or Horror fan. You wont be dissapointed.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful movie, great performances by Depp and Ricci
Review: This movie is a must see. It's cinematography is excellent, as are all the performances. Tim Burton has again done an excellent job at directing. This movie is spooky and yet somewhat romantic. See this film!
Rating:
Summary: Great LOOKING movie
Review: This is really a fun movie, even if lots of heads get chopped off. I saw this in the theater with a friend who was blown away by the cinematography. It's beautifully filmed, very pretty to look at. Not being an actor like my friend, I was more interested in the characterizations and the story. Those are a little weaker. The story doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But Johnny Depp's Ichabod Crane is an amusing detective and Christina Ricci does a good job with the most conventional heroine I've ever seen her play. You find yourself liking the characters and hoping THEY don't get their heads chopped off, which is about as much as you can expect of a movie like this.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Depp and Burton
Review: I've never been a big Tim Burton fan. I never really liked Edward Sissorhands, Nightmare before Christmas, or Beetlejuice. I did like Batman and Ed Wood. Sleepy Hollow is the perfect movie for the Burton look. He and Depp did a great job in this movie. Fantastic acting on the part of all. Even the Martin Landau was great for the few seconds he was in this at the beginning of this film. Definately not a movie for children. The movie is very graphic in it's violence but it was done very well. Christopher Walken is great in this movie as well. Plays a great Headless Horseman (before losing a few inches). Once again, Johnny Depp plays his part to perfection (he is one of the finer actors today - he's like a blank slate when he takes on a roll and truly could play any part given to him) All in all this is a great movie to watch around Halloween, but only when the kids are out trick or treating.
Rating:
Summary: Artful and Fun (and the decapitations aren't that bad...)
Review: I skipped SLEEPY HOLLOW in the movie theatres because I was scared of the decapitations. I'm not a fan of movie violence. PRIVATE RYAN practically wrecked me! But I am a Tim Burton fan, as well as Johnny Depp. So I viewed this film last week and had a ball! Its advertising tag-line "Heads Will Roll" is appropriate. First, the film jettisons the SLEEPY HOLLOW story I was familiar with. Which is fine with me. I'm not a stickler for faithful adaptations. Ichabod Crane is reinvented as a "nellie" intellectual. Mr. Depp's performance is very good. As far as the decapitations go, I found them lots of fun. Not gory at all! They gave the film a needed lift and playfulness. Mr. Burton's usual attention to set design and overall mood is meticulous. I like the fact that this film is photographed on sets. The design is sumptuous. As for the DVD, I think they've done a great job. The documentary is wonderful. It shows you how much a medium-budgeted film needs to stretch things -- i.e. they never seemed to have a big enough stage to house some of the sets, thus fog and forced- perspective were utilized to make it look bigger. Very interesting! I loved SLEEPY HOLLOW. Great DVD!
Rating:
Summary: Burton, Depp and Elfman at their best!
Review: The three geniuses of the macabre and unconventional film artistry have once again combined forces to create a masterpiece! A definate must see for any Burton fan!
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT SPOOK FILM....
Review: I wished i had seen this movie on the big screen instead of renting it. The images and way the film was done just seem as if they must be seen only on the big screen to really get the whole experience. But nonetheless, it was a great film. It had spooks, and the way it was filmed made everyone look like Dracula's offspring. Which was probably the best way too look in Sleepy Hollow. It wasn't too scary, maybe it could've been a little scarier. But it was well acted and well written, and directed brilliantly by Tim Burton. Who i think is one of the best directors of today. Johnny Depp brought the character of Ichabod Crane to life(i had only seen the cartoon version of crane before this!) in a beautiful way. he mastered the fake english accent quite well too, if that is what accent he was supposed to have. Christine Ricci was perfectly cast as the young witch, and i think she already looks that sallow and ghoulish, even without the black/white/greenish film. Christopher Walken was totally scary as the Headless horseman with a head..he looks better without it... well, if he could have found a good dentist , he would have looked half way decent. All in All, if you like a good spook story that isn't too scary for the kids, this is a good movie to watch. watch it with all the lights off!
| 
