Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas

“I have always had a problem when people say something’s real or not real, or normal or abnormal. The meaning of those words is very personal and subjective. I’ve always been confused and never had a clearcut understanding of the meaning of those kinds of words” (BrainyQuote). This quote was spoken by the amazing director and producer, Tim Burton. This statement is evident in many of his films. Burton’s whimsical and twisted style is what makes his movies unique. He has his own distinctive style that is easily recognisable. “Few Hollywood filmmakers have left as distinctive a mark on modern cinema as Tim Burton. Not only has he created a number of memorable films that have inspired countless other filmmakers over the years, but he’s also
The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stop-motion film. Stop-motion is an animation style in which the characters are puppets with moveable parts that are placed in small detailed settings (Magill’s Survey of Cinema). In the Nightmare Before Christmas’ case, the characters are made of clay and are moved little by little each frame. This is a tedious process, and one minute of can take an entire week to film (Magill’s Survey of Cinema). All the time and effort that went into this remarkable film truly paid off. Families from all around the nation enjoyed the combination of Tim Burton and Disney. The Nightmare Before Christmas is about a Skeleton named Jack (speaking voice of chris Sarandon and singing voice of Danny Elfman), also known as the “Pumpkin King” in the Halloween town he lives in. Although Jack is adored by everyone, he is tired of being the Pumpkin King and craves for something new. One day he gets lost in the woods and discovers a door leading into Christmas Town. Inspired by the cheerful and strange ways of the town, Jack decides to make his own Christmas. All the unique and fun characters really make this film stand out. “The film could be seen several times and there would still be more to discover...The attention to this sort detail makes this film a visual feast” (Magill’s Survey of Cinema). Tim Burton creates incredible scenery and amazing music that gives its
Unlike Burton’s many other films, Sweeney Todd isn’t for children, or anyone with a weak stomach for that matter. Based off the broadway musical, “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Tim Burton brought the barber to the big screens. Blood splatters, throat cutting, and cannibalism is what brings the movie’s fear factor. At the same time, however, it is also a sorrowful story. Sweeney Todd was once a kind barber named Benjamin who lived happily with his beautiful wife, Lucy, and their baby girl, Johanna. There was a jealous Judge who wanted Lucy, and for Benjamin to be out of the picture. He sends him to jail and captures his wife and daughter. 15 years later, Benjamin, now known as Sweeney, escapes and is back for revenge with the help of Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) and her “meat pies.” Although the movie is filled with blood and gore, the film is all around beautiful, from the backstory, to the outstanding music. “The melody is gentle and mournful. And when he completes it, Sweeney garrots another customer. The gorgeous song serves to make the murder all the more horrible...it really does create an entirely new kind of horror-movie” (Podhoretz 2). Sweeney Todd is truly a must-see movie that will not only make one cringe, but fall in love with the characters, even the Demon Barber