'Sweeney' Screens
"Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" screened on both coasts tonight. Tom O'Neil has hustled in a reaction from the NYC crowd, but personally, I think his adoration has gone overboard.According to O'Neil, many in attendance were quite positive on the film. A large number also apparently thought the film can make a run for a Best Picture nomination, a scenario many have considered in recent months.
I have to say, I strongly disagree, having seen the film tonight as well, but there is an embargo in place. So that (and this) is pretty much where opinion has to end, for now.
Additionally, many in O'Neil's audience didn't think the film could win the big prize, but his advocation continues when he draws attention to "The Departed" winning last year. Big difference, Tom O. Big, giant, huge difference between Martin Scorsese being due and Tim Burton being due.
Anyway, Tom says 'Sweeney" is the best he's seen all year. Oh, and "the most important movie of 2007." He also says the film "makes viewers feel so deeply in profound emotional and psychological ways, that it will haunt [them], on many levels, long afterward." And apparently, people staying through the credits means they are "utterly spellbound" or "dumb struck" by what they've just seen.
Red Carpet District is Variety contributor Kristopher Tapley's attempt at making sense of the ever-expanding glut of film awards coverage. He's been on the beat for six years. Email 
Did you people even see "CONTROL" SAM RILEY & SAMANTHA MORTON SHOULD BE NEAR THE TOP OF THE HEAP!!! They were both AMAZING!!!
WAY better then most of the actors on those lists this year!
Posted by: Franco | 12/7/2007 1:03:20 AM
Sorry you're sick of it, Guy. Clearly there's something in it for you - you keep coming back!
Posted by: Kristopher Tapley | 11/30/2007 6:02:13 PM
"Just a guy." Your last comment gave yourself awayâ€
Oh, it did? So who or what am I? Last night I was at the Philadelphia Orchestra hearing Sir Simon Rattle Conduct Schumann’s Das Paradies und die Peri. After the concert we spent some time talking to Rattle about the performance. So I guess I gave myself away as a music lover in Philadelphia who is sick of bickering Oscar bloggers. I have an idea for all awards prognosticators both print and electronic. If any more than 15% of your predictions turn out to be wrong at the end of the year, you should be relieved of your duties and move on to other pursuits.
Why should we all spend months hearing about pipe dreams for duds, and dismissals of hits before they‘re even seen?
Posted by: Just a Guy | 11/30/2007 5:42:06 PM
I'm joshing Tom and he knows it. We had an email exchange after each of us saw it and I chided him there about his over-the-top, boy-ish lovefest. No one is upset but you, "Just a guy."
Your last comment gave yourself away, though, but it also doesn't make any sense. I'm not making myself the story, I'm reporting what others thought of the film and giving my impressions as well. That's kind of what we do here.
Posted by: Kristopher Tapley | 11/30/2007 12:52:13 PM
"I try to play nice with the studio. :)"
But not with your own colleagues.
"The future of buzzers? What does that even mean?"
That means that many people interested in movies are beginning to find the methods employed by you 21st century Louella Parsons tiresome and petty.
Stick to the product and don''t work so hard at making yourself the story.
Posted by: Just a guy | 11/30/2007 12:34:52 PM
Thanks, Kris. I just saw your comment to David Poland, and that gives me an inkling of what to expect.
Posted by: Lynn | 11/30/2007 10:09:08 AM
Blatant sparring? It's just commentary. The future of buzzers? What does that even mean? My job here is to convey and agregate with sufficient original perspective to fill the gaps. Todd McCarthy is Variety's resident critic, so wait until his review if you want in-depth opinion on the actual film (or go to my own website when I offer up such information).
In any case, Lynn: I didn't have a reaction to give because word was all reactions needed to be withheld until Monday. I try to play nice with the studio. :)
Posted by: Kristopher Tapley | 11/30/2007 9:26:51 AM
I'd rather hear of your reaction to the film than your reaction to Tom O'Neil's reaction. That's a lot of "reactions" there, but I guess you understand what I'm saying. Reading between the lines is no fun.
Posted by: Lynn | 11/30/2007 8:58:28 AM
Sweeney Todd is either a good movie or not. What we know it isn't is a pissing war between media writers. When did award prognostication jump from the movies themselves to such blatant sparring among a bunch of people who go to the movies for free?
I'm not in the industry. As hard as it is to believe I actually go to the movies for sheer enjoyment. I'd much rather see a great Sweeney Todd that doesn't win a thing than a mediocre one that finesses its way to an Oscar.
You guys are going to whine and snipe yourselves out of any credibility if this is the future of buzzers.
Posted by: Just a guy | 11/30/2007 8:01:41 AM