Black Mass – Johnny Depp’s best performance till date

Black Mass stars Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, Joel Edgerton, Kevin Bacon, Peter Sarsgaard, Dakota Johnson. Based on true events, Black Mass is a dark mobster / gang wars movie, but with less bullets flying around. It’s more of a drama which involves relationships between friends, families, business partners, alliances with FBI, ratting out your enemies.
The film starts off with a promise but falters a bit in the second half. Music by Junkie XL is good, goes with the flow of the film. The dark setting of the film with a lot of f-words, and blood will be uncomforting for some. Johnny Depp as James ‘Whitey’ Bulger and Benedict Cumberbatch as William ‘Bill’ Bulger have done an excellent job. Even Joel Edgerton as John Connelly sometimes overshadows Benedict Cumberbatch and his character.
I’ve read few reviews which say there is nothing new in the film, boring storyline and nothing good from Johnny Depp. But I would say this has been Johnny Depp’s best performance till date. This film proves his versatility as an actor, the films that he has done including Pirates of the Caribbean series, and the film The Rum Diary and many more just prove that he is best at what he does even if the film flops. I think Johnny Depp will be nominated for the Oscars.
Scott Cooper has directed films like Crazy Heart starring Jeff Bridges, and has also Out Of The Furnace starring Woody Harrelson. I haven’t seen any of those films but with this I think he’s a done a pretty good job. Although he may not be nominated for the Oscars but the treatment that he’s given to this film will work in its favour, plus the big star line-up should bring the crowd to the theatres.
I didn’t know that this film is also based on a book, and I think will also be nominated for the ‘Best Adapted Screenplay’ category at the Oscars. Other stars like Kevin Bacon, Peter Sarsgaard, Dakota Johnson have very little screen time when compared with Johnny Depp, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Joel Edgerton, but they play their part well and don’t let the film lose its pace.
Overall, Johnny Depp as the South Boston mobster and crime boss of the Winter Hill Gang is definitely worth watching in this film and so is Benedict Cumberbatch (Cumberbitches are gonna love it). If you think this film will have bullets flying around throughout, then you’ll be disappointed. If you want to watch a film based on a mobster’s life with a good storyline and actors, then this is the one.
I liked the film and I would definitely recommend watching this one.

Dark Shadows - Better love story than twilight

Straight up - this is not like any movie you have seen I bet, but may not be the last. Dark Shadows comes from the unconventional masterclass director Tim Burton.Tim brings on board his fav cast (I think) of Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp and other great talents as Eva Green, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jackie Earle Haley, Jonny Lee Miller, Bella Heathcote, Chole Grace Moretz and others.
Starts off with the setting of 18th century -  and cut to 19th century, the movie has dark, sexy, humourous setting, be it the theme, the time of day it has been shot and even a few comic sequences. An unusual vampire movie, which never disappoints and tries to connect with the audiences with each scene. Even though it comes with a few gruesome and frightening scenes, they seem comical at times. The movie at few points screams of Johnny Depp as the only big star present in the movie but having said that others do have their share of shout-outs. This is bound to happen if you have a lot of big names together on one big canvas. The movie has let downs too but Johnny Depp as charismatic Barnabas Collins, Eva Green as the sexy witch Angelique Bouchard, and Helena Bonham Carter as the wonderful Dr. Julia Hoffman do enough to keep you glued and at times on the edge of your seat.
With a lot of unexpected twists director Burton tries to deliver something different to you and succeeds most of the time. At times the movie becomes a one which is (sexy) women-centric and energetic enough to take a sigh in the next scene. To create a cinematic experience like Dark Shadows takes a lot of courage and to deliver it, requires even more. And when it is delivered the credit must go to the entire cast and crew. If you are a man or a woman, believe it or not you will forget what's happening on screen and concentrate on Eva Green every time she appears on screen. A few good laughs too packed in with some really good frightening scenes. Some scenes are worth watching. Johnny Depp as Barnabas Collins who tries to break the curse which has passed on from generations in his family and in process tries to restore the family's former glory retains his charm throughout the movie and never disappoints.
The music and the soundtracks that play in the background are amazing, maybe because we have heard them and that was the time of retaliation and fight for change and freedom we can relate and connect to them still today. The language (Shakespearean English) which Barnabas Collins speaks would be difficult for some to understand but that's how it is - simply take it or leave it attitude, which I liked about it.
Overall a treat to watch. Tim Burton and everyone else in their best form and character. Can't think of anything else other than Eva Green after watching.
[Even though it's been given an A certificate in India, I can assure you we have heard worse when it comes to language and seen worse when it comes to frightening and sexy. Why the hell did they give it an A certificate. What the hell were they thinking at CBFC while rating this movie.]