BAM Celebrates Johnny Depp

It seems many film critics think Burton’s “darker” Willy Wonka bears an uncanny resemblance to Michael Jackson clad in Austin Powers’ wardrobe. E! reports that “a PG-rated kids' fantasy--linked to a fallen pop star with longish black hair, pale skin, a whisper for a speaking voice, a penchant for military garb and a recent acquittal on child-molestation charges is likely not what the Hollywood studio had in mind when it turned Burton.” Depp insists his Wonka’s look and demeanor was not inspired by Michael Jackson, but by Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers (??) and that “everyone is entitled to think what they want, even while being violently wrong.” While we agree Jacko-Wonka is slightly creepy, we find the connection odd as anyone who even skimmed Amazon’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory customer feedback would know that Dahl’s Wonka dislikes children and would sooner grope a balding Oompa Loompa before sharing his marshmallow-fluffed bed with little boys.

Meanwhile, Gene Wilder, who previously criticized the new adaptation, now hails Depp as a “wonderful, mysterious...and magical" choice to play Wonka. Looks as if BAM Rose Cinemas feels the same gushy way, as this month the theatre presents the In-Deppth mini-retrospective. We greatly respect any actor capable of snagging an Oscar nomination just for mocking a drunk Keith Richards, and we strongly suggest you catch some of these Depp classics:

Nightmare on Elm Street, Tonight, 6:50 & 9:15 PM
Edward Scissorhands, Sat, 2, 4:30, 6:50 & 9:15 PM* (*Free kick-off party hosted by The Onion at 8pm with complimentary cocktails)
Cry-Baby, Sun, 2, 4:30, 6:50, & 9:15
Donnie Brasco, Fri, Jul 15 at 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30pm
Ed Wood, Sat, Jul 16 at 2, 4:30, 7, 9:30pm

Check out BAM for the full month schedule and times. BAM Rose Cinemas, 30 Lafayette Ave between Ashland Pl and St. Felix St., Fort Greene, Brooklyn; $10

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Rina in Arts and Events on July 8, 2005 1:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Dave H.

Depp could have been Keanu Reeves but decided to take the road less traveled in Hollywood. For that we should all be eternally grateful.

Captain Midnight

Ooo, ooo, ooo. Mr. Kotter!

Didn't I write that there was a creepy Jacksonesque vibe to Depp's Wonka the last time Gothamist had an item and a pic of the movie?

dirt

Sorry, I live in a beautiful W Village apartment - with huge garden - for under $2600. No bugs, and I reckon my neighborhood is somewhat civilized.

*haha* I LOVE ANGRY BROOKLYN FOLK! Y'all are so easy to f*ck with. So sensitive; surprising seeing that you live in the comfy 'burbs.

sp

I hope they will show every single episode of 21 Jump Street. Easily his BEST work.

kowgurl

I read that Johnny based his wonka on that prada-clad devil herself Anna Wintour, which makes perfect sense to me....

bob denver

yes, Janine, I'll agree that some of the Waters films will stand up in the future as classics. I never go in for slasher films, but must admit that the first elm street may be the only classic film of it's type. I'm not big on burton except for that first pee wee herman film which is definatly a classic. Most Depp movies feel to me like pseudo quirky films - sort of safe Lynch for the masses. I want to see a cheech & chong retrospective at brooklyn museum. I think all those films are underrated classics. I guess I should be happy that they are showing Depp instead of Truffaut. Please - no more truffaut retrospectives!

Filmbrain

Yes...as should we all.

janine

I keep forgetting that Finding Neverland ever happened.

Filmbrain

Well.....there was the hugely middle-brow Oscar-baiting Finding Neverland, but I agree with your overall sentiment about Depp. Easily one of the most interesting actors of his generation.

And for those slagging off Brooklyn -- just because you're paying $2600 to live in a roach-infested EV tenement, don't get mad at us civilized folk.

Cookie Guggleman

His Wonka reminds me of Malcolm McDowell in A Clockwork Orange.

Jen

Dead Man, the black-and-white Western Jim Jarmusch directed, is a really gorgeous film. It's worth checking out - and might be a classic in days to come.

And I don't know that you can always determine "classic" films immediately (like within 1-10 years of the film's release). A movie like Vertigo was pooh-poohed, but then gain strength in critics' lists later on. Johnny Depp has had such a varied career, and given the young make-up of many Brooklyn residents, it probably seemed like a no-brainer to do a retrospective on him.

duh

I love Brooklyn... and hey, that Johnny Depp - he's a pretty good actor.

janine

Are you really saying that depp is on equal footing with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt? 'Cause that's kind of harsh. Depp's probably one of the more adventurous actors of his generation.

He's played against pretty-boy, leading man type roles that he could have done in his sleep. He's also avoided that Ron Howard, middle-brow, Oscar-baiting schlock that has all the earmarks of quality without being quality (I'm looking at you, Tom Hanks). His collaborations with Tim Burton and John Waters have turned out interesting movies that are far enough out of the mainstream that you couldn't call them classic, but they're idiosyncratic and stand on their own.

On a different topic, every artistic medium is dominated by disposable products with a few exceptional, amazing works.Think up any single great film and head over to IMDB. You'll see that there was tons of crap the same year that A Streetcar Named Desire or 2001 came out.

durt

Hey, D.I.R.T, you big fat yuppie asshat, how the hell are ya?

Filmbrain

Depp is truly creepy in Wonka. Really disturbing, in fact. Still, the film is far better than I ever thought it would be.

I'm psyched about seeing Cry Baby again!

dirt

It's Brooklyn, so this is how they enjoy themselves - a weekend full of Johnny Depp.

bob denver

I thought he was basing his wonka on anna wintour rather than michael jackson. A Johnny Depp retrospective seems a bit absurd. There seems to be a whole generation of famous actors that have only appeared in mediocre movies. Can anyone really say Cruise, Roberts, Depp, Pitt etc. have been in any classic films. Seems like the medium has become more disposable.