Station in the Metro

Based on the the short story by Washington Irving, this Tim Burton film makes Ichabod Crane into a bumbling detective from New York, sent to investigate the murders of the the Headless Horseman. Depp’s skittish charm in this role brings a lot of humor to what is otherwise a very dark film, occasionally brightened by the appearance of Christina Ricci as the young, blonde and remarkably-grown-up-since-Addams-Family love interest, as well as the cameo appearance of Christopher Walken as the Pre-and-Post-Headless Horeseman. An enjoyable romp— recommended.

The first movie I’ve caught of the Johnny Depp series the local AFI theatre is presenting, Depp here plays William Blake. No, not that William Blake, though a reluctantly helpful native american he meets seems to think so. Because of a chance encounter involving a gun, a price is put on his head. Men, both lawful and lawless are sent to track him down, and his indian guide helps prepare him for his final journey. Shot in black-n-white, and with a music score by Neil Young that I really ended up liking, even though there wasn’t much to it. A thoughtful film— highly recommended.