Movie Review: 'Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

The fourth instalment was touted as one of the 'most awaited' films of the year. Unfortunately it finds its place in one of the 'most boring' films of the year category.

Johnny Depp returns as Capt. Jack Sparrow who is sought after by the British, fearsome Blackbeard, his daughter and former lover of Sparrow, Angelica (Cruz) just so that he could direct them towards the fountain of youth before the Spanish find it. Reaching the destination is obviously not a cake walk as it has its challenging terms and conditions, twists & turns.

Running for 2 hours 17 minutes, the film isn't too long for discomfort. It's the film's incoherent plot, unwanted characters and slow paced screenplay which make you squirm in your seat.

A slow paced movie can work provided you have a compelling story and characters that develop as the film progresses. None of that happens here, making the film a complete drag as a result.

Director Rob Marshall himself seems confused at one point wondering as to what to do with his multiple characters and their irrelevant subplots. He thus decides to introduce generic sword fights after every scene. After a while you don't even bother to keep track of who is fighting whom? The director's motto seems to be 'If you can't charm the audiences, confuse them'.

Speaking of charm, even Depp as Sparrow looks a tad jaded barring few scenes where he decides to turn his charm and trademark swagger on. Its not completely his fault considering the script has very little for him in order to impress. His funny one-liners are way too few. There is no sexual tension between Sparrow and Angelica which one would ideally want to see. No sparks fly between the supposed former lovers who do attempt to indulge in some flirtatious banter every now then a lot like Zorro (Banderas) and his wife Elena (Zeta Jones) but all in vane.

The arrival and attack of the killer vampire-esque mermaids are probably the only track which holds your attention.

One-legged Captain Barbossa ( Geoffrey Rush) and his conversations with Sparrow are relieving and so is Dame Judi Dench's quick but interesting cameo in the carriage.

Ample time has been given to the romance between a religious Philip ( Sam Claflin) and one of the mermaids (Astrid Berges-Frisbey) but it only adds to your exhaustion and tests the patience.

The 3D does little to uplift the film from its mediocrity.

The tides are too boring this time for you to risk that plunge into your expensive cinema halls.

Johnny Depp gives Penelope a helping hand | Cannes Film Festival 2011

Johnny Depp gives Penelope a helping hand. Click this Image to see the best view.

James Cameron tops Hollywood rich list

London, Feb 3 – Acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron has reportedly topped a list of Hollywood’s top earners of 2010 after taking home a staggering $257 million last year. 

The ‘Avatar’ director earned the estimated figure for writing, producing and directing the 3-D blockbuster, reports contactmusic.com.

Actor Johnny Depp followed with earnings of $100 million. Steven Spielberg is third with $80 million. Director Christopher Nolan and his ‘Inception’ star Leonardo DiCaprio round up the top five with earnings of $71.5 million and $62 million respectively. 

IANS

Johnny Depp on green tea diet for ‘Dark Shadows’ role

Johnny Depp is busy losing weight drinking gallons of green tea.

The star is on the brew diet, as his character in the forthcoming film ‘Dark Shadows’ requires a thin and bony look.

Depp is aiming to get down to 10st so he looks as gaunt as possible, reports the Sun.

‘Dark Shadows’ is a vampire flick and tells the tale of bloodsucker Barnabas Collins, played by Depp.

The movie is directed by Depp’s friend and frequent collaborator Tim Burton.

Depp is propping up his green tea diet by eating plenty of “low fructose fruit” such as pineapple and strawberries. (ANI)

Johnny Depp Will Recreate Lone Ranger’s Tonto

The interesting world in George W Trendle’s The Lone Ranger will get a makeover in Johnny Depp’s hand as Depp believes in the cause of Native Americans. Depp is set to play the character of Tonto in the movie, which is being produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Depp says that Native Americans have not got their rightful place in the movie-dom yet. He intends to change that by bringing life to Tonto in yet unseen avatar. Tonto is an important character of the series as he is always present beside the Texas Ranger and is like his best friend. The series is important as it has been played over the radio, television and even films.

Prior to Depp, names that have been associated with the character are John Todd and Jay Silverheels. Depp believes that the character has more value than any one has ever been able to portray. And a reason why the character never got highlighted enough was its country of origin.

Depp has said that Ranger’s sidekick will get funnier in this version. Also Tonto will have a larger identity in this film, giving him an independent image. Depp has informed that the screenplay so far has turned out to be a bone tickling one. Do you think this time around there will be two heroes in The Lone Ranger, instead of one?