Friday, September 28, 2007

Another Sweeney Article

Imagine you have become a part of Burton’s world, how to be sure?

- You mother probably died, or is poor and ill, and you are sharing a room with nine brothers and sisters.

- You have an uncle who owns an unusual factory that makes dangerous toys.

- You wear a striped black and white suit and have nutty hair.

- Somewhere in the distance, you can hear composer Danny Elfman’s bells.

They forgot to mention me, singing with Johnny Depp and Jack Skellington in a chocolate factory while rocking out to Danny Elfman music and doing strip teases in meat factories!!!! haha...
read the rest HERE

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Another Picture Of Helena With Billy Ray From "IN" Magazine


This is from the previous article from "IN" magazine, also on the site.

Somdheim Talks, Briefly, About Sweeney

So far (to my knowledge) referenced to in two articles, FOXnews.com
and CHUD.com
Sondheim saying this: “It’s not the Broadway show,” he warned me. “It’s only an hour and 45 minutes. A lot of the score has been cut. They’ve made it its own thing. You have to go in knowing that. But what they’ve done is great.”
Read more on Sweeney at the CHUD.com link.
<3, HBCfan

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Website Update

O.K. for all of you concerned HBC fans out there, I haven't been lazy, there's just not been alot of news lately. Lots of articles mention her but it's mostly brief or something we're already aware of, but if you're interested here's the links I seen within the last week or so.

Summer Box Office Wrap-Up
Who's Pregnant? Celebrity Star Pregnancies List!
Director, Cast Named for Hammer's Beyond the Rave
And Kenneth Branagh makes three
Get serious
Milan Catches Romantic Fever
Big dogs bring out the big guns: Viewers real winners when Oscar ...
Screen gems & imitations
Fall Movie Preview: Prestige pictures
A peek at Johnny Depp in a musical
Do My Chemical Romance, Kanye Or Christina Have What It Takes To ...
[MUSICAL REVIEW] Musical thriller 'Sweeney Todd' a source of ...
Film Choice

Well that's just a few (ha, ok not that funny...) So sort through these if you'd like, I know it's a bit overwhelming...
I'll make sure that anything really important will make it in it's own post.
Luvs, HBCfan

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Sweeney News and A Tim Burton Interview

1.) Tim Burton collective reports that the Sweeney trailer will be released next month.

2.) Here's a link to a recent interview by Reuters news agency

That's all for now, on a personal note: Everyone thinks I'm utterly and completely obsessed with Tim, Helena, JOHNNY and Sweeney (no lying there) and it's great fun to see all of the preppy girls cringe at the phrase "diabolical meat pies" haha, everyone should try it!

Saturday, September 15, 2007

News of Rickman

Alan Rickman Talks about Sweney and Harry Potter in an article from filmstew.com



Of Snow, Son and Sweeney
Alongside a couple of small films that very few people in North America have seen, actor Alan Rickman is set to follow up Potter with Sweeney Todd.
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 3:15 PM
The focus of all the Sweeney Todd production stories has been of course Johnny Depp, longtime collaborator and kindred spirit to director Tim Burton. But let’s not forget supremely talented co-star Alan Rickman, forever lurking in the shadows ready to steal scenes. “I’ve had a great time on the film, and I do sing,” he relates to FilmStew by means of an e-mail interview. “It of course looks fantastic, and Mr. Burton is definitely all he’s cracked up to be.” New this week on DVD is Snow Cake, a drama about two wounded souls that reteams Rickman with his Galaxy Quest co-star Sigourney Weaver. First-time screenwriter Alexandra Pell wrote the role of Alex, a fatal car crash survivor, with Rickman in mind. But the actor says the real in-sync element of this project was working once again with Weaver. “Our previous happy time on Galaxy Quest was very much connected to the enjoyment of working together,” Rickman recalls. “So when it came to Snow Cake, we already had a kind of shorthand.” And despite receiving rave reviews at the TriBeCa Film Festival this spring for his portrayal of a self-centered philanderer in Nobel Son, the comedy-drama co-written and directed by Randall Miller (Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing and Charm School) has yet to find a North American distributor. This may be in part because of the particular sheen of the piece, one that is typically a hard sell in the U.S. “The tone is black (very black) comedy (very funny),” Rickman warns. “My character doesn’t care what people think of him and is somewhat surprised to find some metaphorical custard pies being pushed in his face.” Rickman is a co-star in Miller’s next film, the 2008 Napa Valley wine drama Bottle Shock, and in the shadow of this summer’s Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, it’s always easy for him to remind himself, as a member of the Council of his Alma Mater the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, whence he came from. “I certainly remember auditioning for RADA,” he says. “These days, as a Council member, I often walk across the very spot where I auditioned. All I can say is it feels like a minute ago.”

Friday, September 14, 2007

Helena Picture From "IN" Magazine


Thanks to www.helena-world.com
This was probably taken around the beginning of September, HBC looking fabulous, I love the green rimmed glasses!

Official Sweeney Todd Movie Site Finally Up, Yippe!

Finally, the official movie site for Sweeney (although we might just be the #1 Sweeney news provider, haha) is up and running, but there isn't much on it. You're able to register for updates, there's downloadable wallpaper and IM icons and some really cool music (not movie music though, so don't get to excited). Other than that it's pretty empty. I think it's worth it, though, to register (we will have updates about it though so I suppose you could just check here every day (recommended!), except you do that anyways, though ;^)), but you can check out the site for yourself here.

Stay wonderful and Helena lovin', your FAVORITE HBC news provider, Sierra

Thursday, September 13, 2007

A Great Sweeney Review by IESB.net

Script Review: Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Robert Sanchez
Thursday, 13 September 2007

The IESB has a look at the script of one of the most anticipated movies of this year. After a Short absence Michael Vaal is back with a unique view to Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd.

SWEENEY TODD

a script review best served piping hot by Michael Vaal

“There was a barber and his wife,

And she was beautiful.

A foolish barber and his wife.

She was his reason and his life,

And she was beautiful,

And she was virtuous,

And he was... naïve.”

I’ve recently had a chance to read the latest draft of the screenplay for SWEENEY TODD. While it is based on a famous musical, it is one that very few people have seen. This is primarily due to the dark subject matter, as the plot revolves around a past rape, false imprisonment, revenge, and murder which then transitions into cannibalism, believe it or not (see below).

And yet, unlike the vast majority of so-called “horror” films in theaters these days, the story of Sweeney Todd is not about puerile titillation or deviant gratification. For SWEENEY TODD is not only widely regarded as the legendary Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece (yes, this “horror movie” is a musical, and yes, I think it’s better than WEST SIDE STORY in every way), it is also one of the greatest tragedies ever written.

That's just smidgen of it so read the rest (highly recommended) here: IESB

HBCfan, out! <3>

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

What...What?!?! Excuse Meeee?!?!

Sooo here's a MTV interview with Danny DeVito... a little bitter? Here's what he said about Tim and Sweeney Todd.

MTV: Did Tim Burton find a cameo for you in “Sweeney Todd”?

DD: [He laughs] I don’t think so. I haven’t heard from him. The bum! Maybe he doesn’t realize that all Italians can sing. He’ll know now!


haha Danny.... haha... here's the rest of the interview http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2007/09/12/danny-devito-anxious-for-kathleen-turner-to-beat-him-up-again/

Monday, September 10, 2007

Just a reminder...

Helena's due to have her baby on December 7th of this year, a special reminder to all you forgetful people (including me) out there!
Much love, the incredibly excited Sierra, your #1 HBC news provider (if that makes any sense at all(it should be an occupation))!!!

More Reviews... Including Information About Sweeney Soundtrack

The Guardian, UK

September 8, 2007
by Jason Solomons

Tim’s perfect barbershop duet

I was given an exclusive peak at the first footage from Tim Burton’s upcoming film version of Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, which will be released next year. Johnny Depp was presenting a clearly delighted Burton with Venice’s career Golden Lion, incredibly the director’s first ever award from a major film festival. Depp said: ‘Tim is my favourite director. I feel very lucky to have been included in his life and in his world of cinema. He’s a true original and a true auteur, a rare breed in today’s cinema.’ The exclusive clip was then shown. It featured Depp’s Todd duetting with Helena Bonham Carter’s panda-eyed Mrs Lovett. Both were doing their own singing, and most impressively, as they powered through a dark ode to a cut-throat razor. In the brief dialogue, it seemed that Depp might just have finally got a decent cockney accent, and he held the gleaming object up like Edward reunited with his Scissorhands.

At the end, the camera flew out of the window to reveal Mrs Lovett’s pie shop and an intricate, beautiful shot over the sky line of Dickensian London. This awesome set has been designed, at Pinewood, by the legendary Cinecitta team of Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo.



Nonesuch Nabs Soundtrack for Upcoming "Sweeney Todd" Film

By Ernio Hernandez
10 Sep 2007

Nonesuch Records — which produced the cast recording for the recent revival of Sweeney Todd — will also release the soundtrack for the forthcoming "Sweeney Todd" film. Titan Books will publish the film's companion book.

The new film, directed by Tim Burton, is slated for a Dec. 21 release. An updated credits listing reveals that Nonesuch Records will issue the film's soundtrack. A release date has not yet been announced.

Also in the works is a companion book for the film to be released on Dec. 4 by Titan Books. The hardback — penned by (the only on-set) journalist Mark Salisbury — will include "interviews with Burton and the cast and crew, extracts from the shooting script, over 200 photos, plus concept drawing and production designs," as a release states.

Following the reveal of a poster at San Diego's Comic-Con International and another shot of stars Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, the place holder on the official website has been replaced with an ominous graphic of Depp (as Sweeney) at the end of a tunnel with a straight-blade in hand. A sign that flashes down into view reads, "Beware, Sweeney Todd is coming this Christmas."

Fans can currently sign up for updates on the film by visiting sweeneytoddmovie.com.

The official synopsis for the film follows: "Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller 'Sweeney Todd.' Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who 'shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again.' Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judge's wicked associate Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen is a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli.

The DreamWorks/Warner Bros. film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim-Hugh Wheeler musical is penned by John Logan ("The Aviator," "Gladiator"). Filming has completed on the film, which receives a wide opening Dec. 21.

Depp ("Edward Scissorhands," "Ed Wood") takes on the title role with Carter ("Big Fish," "Planet of the Apes") as piemaker Mrs. Lovett.

The film will also feature Alan Rickman (Private Lives, the "Harry Potter" films) as Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall ("Harry Potter") as Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen ("Borat," "Talladega Nights") as Signor Adolfo Pirelli.

Rounding out the cast are Laura Michelle Kelly (Fiddler on the Roof) as the Beggar Woman, Jamie Campbell Bowen as Anthony, Jayne Wisener as Johanna and newcomer Ed Sanders as Toby. "All the stars will do their own singing from Stephen Sondheim's music and lyrics," according to the announcement.

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Live Feed of Press Confrence in Venice and Tim Burton Picture


Don't you love it? I never know Tim was such a Jazz Hands kinda guy! He was defiantly having a great time in Venice, demonstrated here. Also here's the link to live feed on the press confrence on Wendsday at 1:30 Italian time.
http://www.webchannel.raisat.it/

The site also has clips of photo calls, TV interviews, press conferences and trailers. Click on the black arrows to access. Sorry it took so long to post it ;)

Article From Chicago Times Talks Sweeney

'Sweeney Todd'

September 9, 2007
Oh, you know it's a happy holiday movie when you have a musical decked in red: Blood. And the main character is a guy with white hair: a killer barber. And the pie is not made of mincemeat, but man-meat. Welcome to Tim Burton's idea of a real nightmare before Christmas which is his musical "Sweeney Todd" starring Johnny Depp with sheers, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen.

Written by Burton and Jon Logan, the movie isn't exactly what some might consider a warm-hearted holiday flick. Depp is a barber who butchers victims in his barbershop chair by slitting their throats. He sends the bodies down a chute in the floor to the home of his mistress Mrs. Lovett (Carter) who then turns them into meat pies! "The beauty of it is Tim takes chances no matter when, no matter what," says Depp, who adds that the minute his favorite director approached him, he was in.

"I started telling people that the minute I put down my Pirates sword that I was doing a musical. People thought, 'No.' I said, 'Yeah, I'm doing it.'" Depp jokes.

Burton, who admits that he's "not a huge fan of musicals, but this one is my favorite" had adapted Stephen Sondheim's classic about a crazy love story. The movie is 70 percent singing with Baron Cohen as a rival barber who Burton swears has "amazing" singing chops.

But Burton isn't exactly Simon Cowell rating the singing of his cast members. He finds more glee discussing what this film really is all about for him.

"It's a horror musical," says the director.

Want some egg nog with that?

Cindy Pearlman

Friday, September 7, 2007

Will Tim 'butcher' Sweeney?

from http://www.firstshowing.net


Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd Butchered by Studio Execs?!

August 27, 2007
Source: SlashFilm
by Alex Billington

One of the most anticipated upcoming films this winter is Tim Burton's dark musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street starring Johnny Depp. There hasn't been a trailer, there hasn't been hardly anything so far except a lone image and poster. Well the latest news today comes from SlashFilm, who has discovered that the studio executives are asking him to "butcher" his own film from a natural R-rating down to PG-13.

SlashFilm reports news from The Daily Mail in the UK that the early footage was "so extremely bloody that the studio executives have become a tad squeamish and are requesting the film to be re-cut." Apparently an insider sent some news to The Daily Mail that Tim Burton is not pleased that the studio is asking for so many cuts.

"Tim's not happy that the studio is asking for so many cuts to the cutting, as it were. The thing is, the studio really likes the film and they want to make it accessible to as big an audience as possible - which means stemming the blood flow. But that's a bit difficult for a story involving a guy who gets high slitting throats."

The film, which is based off of a Broadway musical, focus on the character of Sweeney Todd (played by Johnny Depp) who butchers victims in his barber shop chairs by slitting their throats. They're then sent down a chute via a trap door in the floor to the lair of Todd's mistress, Mrs. Lovett (played by Helena Bonham Carter ), who uses the dead bodies to make meat pies. SlashFilm describes one scene that was said to really bother the studio execs: a "ten-year-old boy cutting up body parts, which were then thrown into a meat grinder and turned into mince."

With the advent of filmmakers pushing to keep the films the way the want them, including Ang Lee's Lust, Caution making the biggest news recently, I'm really hoping the talented Burton can push to keep this the way he intended it to be. It will be a sad day if the filmmaker loses this battle, especially with this film and with someone as talented as Burton.

Venice Video

Here's a link to a video of Tim, Johnny, and Helena arriving to the festival two days ago.
http://www.telecomprogettoitalia.it/PopUp_Multimedia.aspx?idPage=1730&Lang=&type=2

Thursday, September 6, 2007

Yet Another Sweeney Todd Review

From ain’t it cool web-site:

What’s this? What’s this? There’s magic in the air. I just got in from The Tim Burton Lifetime achievement award ceremony. Full details on that to follow.

After the award was given to Tim, he told the crowd he was going to give us a short preview of his new movie Sweeney Todd starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter . The film opens with a style similar to the second Batman with everything having a washed out and almost black & white look. Johnny starts to speak to Helena. There’s a real sadness and despair quality to his voice. Helena informs him that his whole family has been killed. He then says my name is no longer (can’t remember) but now it is Sweeney Todd so I can seek my revenge. Helena leads him upstairs to what appears to be her apartment. There is a baby crib covered with a blanket. She tells Johnny that its ok to look. He removes the blanket to reveal a dead baby. He then covers it back up. Helena bends down to remove a floorboard. She pulls out a case covered in dust. She removes the dust and hands it to Johnny. Johnny opens it with a gleam in his eye to reveal a box full of old fashioned razor-blade style knives. The camera has a long pause on the knives. Helena informs him that the knives are all silver. He agrees to that. He pulls one out and opens it.

Johnny Depp then starts to SING!!!!!! Yes, you read that correctly. Johnny sings on camera. Not a body double. Not an animated figure. But Johnny himself. And I’m here to tell you he has a killer voice. I wish I had a recording of the lyrics for you. Johnny sings a love song to the razor blade as he holds it in his hand! The song is about how happy he is to finally have the blade in his hands for his sweet revenge. Towards the end of the song, Helena joins in and they sing a duet to a knife!!!!! The scene ends with Jonny holding the knife in his hand and he says “Now, my arm is complete!”

The camera pulls back through the window to reveal a city from the 1800s. Lights come up. The audience is stunned.

More Pictures From Venice









Here are some more pictures from Tim, Johnny, and Helena's trip to Venice. Mr. Depp was the one who presented Tim with his award, he's the youngest man to recive the award, "Tim is a rare breed in today's cinema: he is a true original, a true artist, a true auteur. He's my favorite director and friend. So ... let's give him the thing, man.", say's Depp
Along with the showing of The Nightmare Before Christmas 3D, was a ten minute preview of Sweeney Todd. Click
here to her Tim talk about it in a press confrence.
Tim says about his experience,
"This is the most amazing experience I've had, It's such an honour." He continues saying about the Venice festival, always been about movies, not business. It's always had a special place in my heart." "Hopefully it just inspires me to keep going," the director said. He jokes, "It's actually a lot more beautiful-looking thing than a bald, naked man," Congrats Tim!


Wednesday, September 5, 2007

Helena, Tim, and Johnny Pictures




Today was Tim Burton day at the Venice International Film Festival, here are some pictures of Tim, Johnny and Helena (looking beautiful and pregnant!). Isn't Johnny's suit H-O-T!?!?!

Sunday, September 2, 2007

The Princess Is Back!

Great News! Helena has signed on for the sixth installment of Warner Brother's Harry Potter Series! Her filming was delayed to Spring '08 due to her wonderful pregnancy! You're the best HBC!

The Story Of Sweeney

If you were interested in the story of Sweeney todd here are some sites you might want to take a look at.

Sweeney Todd Forum - "These are my friends...."
Sweeny Todd and Fleet Street | The Sweeney Todd Story
Sweeney Todd - ComingSoon.net Film Database
The Stephen Sondheim Society - News Articles

Helena's Nifty Outfits


Special thanks to www.helena-world.com

September 1, 2007 from the Daily Mail.

by James Tapper

She calls herself the “Antichrist of Fashion’.

And Helena Bonham Carter certainly lives up to her self-proclaimed title in this bizarre outfit.

The pregnant actress sported a particularly frumpy skirt, striped Nora Batty-style long socks and wedge-heeled bovver boots on a trip out in London.

Oscar-nominated Helena, 41 - who is expecting her second child in December with film director Tim Burton - appeared to be practising her deep-breathing techniques.

For the star, the ensemble was just another example of her ’shambles chic’ that has seen the Harry Potter actress become a regular in the worst-dressed fashion lists.

Ironically, Helena built her career playing well dressed and tightly-bodiced women in Eighties period costume dramas such as Howards End and Room With A View.

But fashion expert Karen Kay said: “Outside movies, Helena has never been known for a polished sense of style and could politely be described as an English eccentric.

“Dressing through pregnancy was always going to throw up some interesting concoctions.”

Saturday, September 1, 2007

How About A Shave?

I just found a great site, www.sweeneytoddforum.org.uk.
They have discussion boards, a pie of the week, infomation about the upcoming Tim Burton movie, even shaving practice to learn to be a demon barber of fleet street yourself! Please check it out, I'd love to hear your comments!