Is Tim Burton the new M Night Shyamalan

[jaykays hat]

I watched Dark Shadows last night and have to say that if it wasn't for Johnny Depp and Chloe Moretz this film would have been awful. I got to thinking that the last few Tim Burton films I have watched have all been absolute rubbish. So I ask the question is he the new M Night Shyamalan or is M Night Shyamalan the new Tim Burton?

[Firedragon76]

I watched a lot more Tim Burton movies than Shamalamadingdong's, so any comparison from my side wouldn't be fair. What I did notice in the last years however is that I seem to have developed a slight allergy of Burton+Depp in white facial make-up movies.

[Kiba.]

Both are operating below their game these days. There was a time when Burton could do no wrong and was seen as an auteur, a stylist and the go-to guy for gothic yet mostly family suitable entertainment. Shyamalan to me has always been the movie end twist guy. It's unfortunate he set himself up that way because that was going to have a limited run and he's done some real WTF movies. Lady in the Water was tedious and The Happening was awful in every way.

I'd say Burton has contributed more to the art of film, but he's become stuck in a rut creatively and it doesn't help that he keeps using the same actors and going over similiar themes and projects. Frankenweenie for example has existed in different forms for years, I couldn't believe it when he brought out a new version of it. Burton has done some good work, but it appears to be behind him now and he should either produce so he can encourage others with fresher ideas and material - or retire.

Thanks for giving us a new thread, Jay.

[jaykays hat]

I agree with you Kiba, both directors are making below par films these days, how long do the studios put up with this before they pull the plug on them.

I've got to the stage where I am not bothered any more about the new release of a Burton film. I'll wait for it to be aired on Sky movies rather than pay good money to see it on the big screen or Blu-ray.

M Night doesn't look like he is going to make anything that is on par with The Sixth Sense.

[piffle]

Originally Posted by jaykays hat

I agree with you Kiba, both directors are making below par films these days, how long do the studios put up with this before they pull the plug on them.

In the case of Burton, there's quite a long way to go before that happens. There's a valid question about whether he's creatively bankrupt, but simple fact of the matter is that he's a reliable money-spinner. This year's looking pretty terrible for him with Dark Shadows and Frankenweenie underperforming but he's coming off the billion dollar Alice in Wonderland and with clever choices can recover from this year's fiscal hiccups.

I'd love to see Burton ditch his usual crew and go for broke with a fresh cast and fresh ideas. I think Burton can be saved, Shyamalan I'm not so sure about. History will probably show him as a guy who got lucky in his first couple of outings and then sucked after that.

[DarthBane]

Just out of curiosity, why do so many people dislike Shyamalan? I'm not having a go at any member if this forum, just in general... I enjoyed his earlier films.

[Jeffbiscuits]

For that reason exactly. You enjoyed his earlier films. He made a couPle of brilliant films then at some point his output took a major drop in quality.

[jaykays hat]

The Sixth Sense was his only really decent film.

[Jeffbiscuits]

I really liked Unbreakable too. It's actually one of my favourite superhero films. Signs was ok then everything after has been pants.

[DarthBane]

Originally Posted by Jeffbiscuits

For that reason exactly. You enjoyed his earlier films. He made a couPle of brilliant films then at some point his output took a major drop in quality.

I can't argue with that point. Just curious, did you enjoy The Village?


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(fixed post after accidentally quoting the wrong post)