Tim Burton: October Review Star

I’ve always loved the idea of fairy tales, but somehow I never managed to completely connect with them. What interests me is taking those classic images and themes and trying to contemporize them a bit. I believe folk tales and fairy tales have some sort of psychological foundation that makes that possible.”

Birth Name: Timothy William Burton

Date and Place of Birth: August 25, 1958: Burbank, California, USA

“I remember when I was younger, I had these two windows in my room, nice windows that looked out onto the lawn, and for some reason my parents walled them up and gave me this little slit window that I had to climb up on a desk to see out of. To this day I never asked them why; I should ask them.”

For years Tim Burton has been making movies the way he wants to make them.  Looking at his early career he was considered a really strange man who made really strange movies that the masses didn’t completely understand, and now he is considered a really peculiar man that the masses really respect and appreciate…..well they at least acknowledge him as more than just a wonky eccentric man.

Visually his films have such a unique quality about them, a darkness yes, but a tranquil feel and way of shooting that sets them entirely apart from anything else, and as his success has grown he has not changed the formatting in which he makes his films nor shoots them.  Though he continues to grow as a director and make movies that are more outside of his comfort zone.

Simply said, he is one of my favorite directors, and is one of cinema’s truly unique inspirations.  I’ve developed even a greater sense of appreciation for what he brings to the bumbling world of film where a directors touch is no longer easy to see.  Tim Burton will always be reliable in the sense that he won’t be predictable…..and even if you aren’t a fan of his work…..I think a gratitude of respect is owed to him and his incredible vision which is part of why his films are so engaging.

The way he contrasts darkness into everyday life, with an unfortunate cloud looming over even the brightest of days.  I’d like to live in the mind of Tim Burton for just a day.  Inspired by the month of Halloween Tim Burton is the choice as this months review star, so be ready for many Tim Burton films to be reviewed.

“I think the atmosphere that I grew up in, yes, there was a subtext of normalcy. I don’t even know what the word means, but it’s stuck in my brain. It’s weird. I don’t know if it’s specifically American, or American in the time I grew up, but there’s a very strong sense of categorization and conformity. I remember being forced to go to Sunday school for a number of years, even though my parents were not religious. No one was really religious; it was just the framework. There was no passion for it. No passion for anything. Just a quiet, kind of floaty, kind of semi-oppressive, blank palette that you’re living in.”

Random Facts:

His movies always opens with a personal version of the studio’s logo.

Was voted the 49th Greatest Director of all time by Entertainment Weekly, being the youngest director on this list of 50.

In October 2001, he began his current relationship with actress Helena Bonham Carter, whom he met while filming Planet of the Apes (2001), and she has appeared in all of his subsequent films. They live in adjoining houses with a hallway that connects the two homes, they have a son, Billy-Ray Burton, born on October 4, 2003, and a girl, Nell Burton, born on December 15, 2007.

For more Tim Burton go to his OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE.

Body Of Work:

1. Frankenweenie (2012) (pre-production)
2. Alice in Wonderland (2010) (post-production)
3. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
4. Corpse Bride (2005)
5. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
6. Big Fish (2003)
7. Planet of the Apes (2001)
8. The World of Stainboy (2000)
9. Sleepy Hollow (1999)
10. Mars Attacks! (1996)
11. Ed Wood (1994)
12. Batman Returns (1992)
13. Edward Scissorhands (1990)
14. Batman (1989)
15. Beetle Juice (1988)
16. “Faerie Tale Theatre” (1 episode, 1986)
    - Aladdin and His Wonderful Lamp (1986) TV episode
17. “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” (1 episode, 1986)
    - The Jar (1986) TV episode
18. Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985)
19. Frankenweenie (1984)
20. Vincent (1982)
21. Luau (1982)
22. Doctor of Doom (1979)
23. The Island of Doctor Agor (1971)

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