Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Summer Movies, Depp and Me

I recently came to the conclusion that Johnny Depp and I could have
been separated at birth. Every time I look in the mirror, I see
Johnny. Someone please help me. I really do think I'm morphing into
him. Since he's been on my mind, as well as in my mirror, I've been
watching some of my favorite Depp movies. Here are two of his lesser
known films I've watched this past week.
.
If you are a fan of Depp, Dead Man, 1995, is not one to be missed.
Filmed in luminous black and white, it is the story of a timid
accountant, William Blake, played by Depp, who travels west with
the promise of a job. A few other notable actors in the film are
Gabriel Bryne, Robert Mitchum, Crispin Glover and Iggy Pop.
There's a slow, poetic quality to this film. It deals with the themes
of friendship and death, complete with a fabulous moody musical
score. This is like no other western you've seen. It's artistic. It's
brilliant.



The Ninth Gate, 1999, is a fun little quirky film by Roman Polanski,
in which Depp portrays Dean Corso, a rare book dealer, who is
hired to locate the last remaining copies of The Ninth Gate, an
ancient demonic manuscript that supposedly can summon the devil.
If you are looking for an action film, this is not it. There are no bloody
special effects in this slow moving, bookish film. It actually moves
along quite gracefully. I think you'll like it.



~~~

I appreciate all of you who participated in the lively discussion on
"comments" last night and today. You always inspire me with your
insightful, thoughtful comments and come together to make this a
great blogging community. Thank you. You're the best.

71 comments:

  1. hey willow - tell you what, as a boy i'll agree, johnny's extremely cool. hunky. smartfun. he makes films dive into phantasmagorical places, some of which are in your head. but you've got him beat in every other way!! lucky us!!! have a sweet evening with your flick!!! steven

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  2. Ah, Johnny Depp. There are worse people one could morph into. If I was going to be a man, I think I would want to be him.

    Thanks for the film suggestions. I will definitely seek them out. And here's one in return...

    The Fall about a stunt man who breaks his back and a little girl who has broken her arm, both in falls. The imagery is breathtaking.

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  3. Mm-hmm... I love me some Johnny. He is definitely right up there in my top 3 actors, possibly number one. Sorry, but I see Johnny so often, a Johnny identical with, like, one earlobe a little smaller than Johnny's and I would go, "Nope. I don't see the similarities here," so it's tough for me to recognize a look-alike. I know it should be easier since I know his appearance so well, but ah well. I do love Johnny, but I have never seen Dead Man. I did, however, see The Ninth Gate and I enjoyed it very, very much. Love Johnny!
    Deepest blubablubablub,
    Nicole

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  4. Steven, you're too sweet.

    Ellen, thanks for the recommend. The Fall sounds like one I would like. I'm off to check it out...

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  5. Johnny is such a great talent. He's quite handsome in my opinion, so not a bad look to morph into. I wonder if he is as deep as he appears to be in his films in real life. He seems to be very stoic when I see him just walking around in his everyday life. You've still got me thinking about yesterday's post and why I would not comment at times. I love comments and have a little tag on the side of my blog saying it. I love comments and I will just share. Remember, I told you it's about me and not you. I guess I wouldn't know how to act with over a hundred comments. It's so good that we live in a time when we can communicate and get to know people around the world and learn their deepest thoughts. I'm trying to figure out now who I'm morphing into.....maybe Andy Devine. Rest his soul.

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  6. Thanks for the recommendations. I have promised myself a new television once the back room is redecorated and even now I am planning a list of DVDs to watch when it eventually comes. I shall add Dead Man to the list.

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  7. Well, you know, Willow, it could be worse. I bear an unfortunate resemblance to Stan Laurel. And you know, that could be worse, too. I could look like Oliver Hardy. ;>)

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  8. Hi Wills,
    I adore Depp. I esp. love him in Edward Scissors Hands.

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  9. Heheh heh! This is funny. I do see the resemblance, but Willow, you are so much more beautiful and so much cooler than J.D.

    (I've never understood his appeal. Saw the Ninth Gate. Meh.)

    I agree with Steven: lucky us.

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  10. Depp was great as Willi Blake. What an amazing visual treat of a movie. Gosh, you do look like him on screen, could it be the light near the mirror? Your both gorgeous! -Jayne

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  11. i see the resemblence...if your finger start to turn into shears...i suggest seeking medical help though.

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  12. I do think there is a resemblance. I think though if you look at someone long enough you could start to morph. I've already requested the Ninth gate at the library.

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  13. If you started painting war paint on your cheeks with your lipstick, then I'll be worried! :)

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  14. Yep - you're his long lost sister for sure. Amazing!

    We've sort of watched 9th Gate before - but the hubby is a channel surfer & we showed up in the middle & I think we cut out before the end. It's a movie that really should be watched from the beginning - I kept going "what? what's going on?"

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  15. Willow you always make me smile. If you are long lost related to Johnny Depp then he would have gained a fascinating relative in you! I adore him as you know and so I hope you are related on that family tree! I love The Ninth Gate, Polanski is such a clever filmmaker and Lena Olin was also fun in that movie. (Of course Johnny was the best.) The film Dead Man I actually walked out of believe it or not (gasp, I walked out on Johnny) It was straight after the Port Arthur shooting in Tasmanian when I went to see it and I was very sensitive to the sound of gunshots. It wasn't good timing in my case. I also like the Stephen King story Depp was in (Secret Window, I think it was called) He plays a writer and looked very nice in that one. Also, you must or bust see The Libertine (it has a great historical dingy mood to it) Johnny is so seedy in it. A super film! My girlfriend and I are off to see a Johnny Depp film this week (his gangster one) My partner rolls his eyes because he knows we would never see it unless Johnny the Great was in it. And of course I can't wait for the Tim Burton film with Johnny as the mad hatter. He is lovely, lovely, lovely. xx

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  16. Those two movies are immediately going on my Netflix queue. There's a very strong resemblance between you and Johnny. Have you asked your parents about that? Ha!

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  17. Have you ever discussed the possibility with your mom?? You're a big girl...tell her you can handle the truth.

    I mean, just look at your lips next to Johnny's!! CRAZY!

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  18. I saw the Ninth Gate, it was not bad, but I wanted to see that one with him and John Tuturro, that was based on a Stephen King story, I cannot think of the name???

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  19. Otin, it's Secret Window. You'll like it!

    Nana Trish, Andy Devine? LOL! Funny I just watched The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) on TCM the other night. Andy Devine was so great in it.

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  20. Brian and Betsy, well, my nails are getting rather long. I have the urge to cut hair with them and draw on my face with lipstick. But that's not out of the ordinary, is it?

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  21. Boomer, last year I had a dream that Yule Brenner was my real father. Maybe he's Johnny's real dad, too?

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  22. Willow, you have an affinity for Johnny that is totally understandable:he is interesting, good looking, with a killer smile, and a non-Hollywood address. Does he look like you? Uh! I have to think about that. If he makes your blood rush, that's enough to keep him around.

    I'm going to look for the films you listed.

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  23. OMG. I *thought* you looked familiar! You are Johnny. Crazy similar. Eyes, cheeks, chin. He's you. You're him. Can I have your autograph? Or your baby? No, scratch that. Autograph will do...

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  24. Willow, maybe you and Johnny share a common ancestor... I'll have to give Dead Man a try. I'm not sure about The Ninth Gate. I don't like to be creeped out....would I be?

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  25. Stevie, The Ninth Gate is not really that scary. Creepy subject matter, but it's not a horror film, by any means.

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  26. And, yes, maybe we share the same Cherokee great-grandmother?

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  27. Oh now I am confused - which gorgeous face do I have more of a crush on- you or JD?

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  28. I see your problem but get a grip girl! this is a fairly common syndrome associated with watching too many movies with the same person in them.It can only get worse!

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  29. Two more movies to add to my growing Willow recommended movie list. I love watching Depp, Pitt and kind of newbies, James Franco and Casey Affleck. Also, the mesmerizing Brit actor Tom Hardy, whom I love to watch. And by the way, I've been told I resemble THE Madonna by a group of Japanese visitors (thanks a lot) and Elvis.

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  30. Ah, you two look alike. I want to see the love child of you two. You are going to have to morph the two of you in photoshop. Just remember that Alice in Wonderland with him as the Mad Hatter will be perfection.

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  31. OH, but you're much, MUCH prettier!

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  32. As that great Aussie icon Dame Edna Everage would say 'That's spooky Possums!' Yep there is a resemblance, no doubt about it Willow. And I don't think we've seen anywhere near the best of Johnny, I'm sure we will be watching his work another 20 years from now & saying WOW!
    Millie ^_^
    P.S. I'm still trying to get my head around Yul Brunner being your father, where did that dream thought come from - very bizarre & you have hair!

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  33. Haven't seen either of those. Thanks for the heads up!

    Mmmm, Johnny.

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  34. Thank you, I will look for these movies! :-)

    In our family, Lasse Hallström's "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" is probably the most beloved and watched movie. Depp as Gilbert and Leonardo Di Caprio as Arnie have played themselves into our heart (and that makes six of them, of four girls and two boys). We simply sit mesmerized in front of the screen.

    Gilbert Grape brings immediately another favorite of ours to mind, "This Boy's Life" - with the very young Di Caprio -, based on Tobias Wolff's autobiography.

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  35. I love Johnny Depp, too! Enjoyed your Johnny/Willow mirror idea!

    Re the previous post and commenting: I really enjoy reading all the comments after everybody's posts, and if there are lots already there, I will usually have to delay reading the comments section till later due to the time factor! I don't always,always leave a comment on posts that are very regularly updated, but I do always enjoy reading the posts. I don't mind in the least if people read without commenting on mine, and think it's great if we can all just do what makes us feel comfortable with no hard and fast rules about it all!

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  36. Morning, Willow.

    Came here for the Depp.

    Now I'm good to go. Thanks for the movie suggestions!

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  37. Who you are morphing into on the outside is not nearly as important as how your heart is morphing on the inside. The beauty in your heart is much more of a treasure Willow, and who would you liken that to? I would guess not so much a good looking movie star but rather an intelligent and perhaps witty philanthrapist. But charm is always an agreeable quality too, and charm just oozes out of Mr. Depp doesn't it? You do have similar features.......

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  38. Back from a long time away. I will definitely look up the first movie, as I love Gabriel Byrne, and was a fan of Iggy back in the day, and Chrispin Glover... have to see it!

    And LOL about you and your twin in the mirror. THanks for the recommendations. My husband loves Depp ( and so he would love you too?!!!) So I can surprise him with the movies.

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  39. twins separated at birth. yes. I've seen Dead Man but not the second. thanks for the recommendations.

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  40. My daughter was so enthralled by Johnny, that one Halloween her and her husband dressed as pirates...it really was a good thing for their love life, as her husband was quite a handsome pirate, she couldn't keep her hands off of him and you couldn't wipe the smile off of his face...what is it with girls and the thrill of the pirate...oh please don't take me Sir...oh please!!!

    I love 'em too...sigh...

    PS...the comments are the lifeblood of our blogs, where would we go without them...

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  41. Hello Willow,

    I think I might prefer the second to the first but, as ever, I haven't heard of either!

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  42. Ninth Gate was fabulous. Haven't seen Dead Man but since I'm also a Depp fan,will order it soon. Robert Mitchum was still with us in 1995??

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  44. You know me and matching up faces. You nailed this one! That's an amazing resemblance when I see your photos side-by-side.

    Sounds like I missed something good last night. I'll have to come back tonight and check it out. Been a little wild here. I'm finally back up and running and today it's out the door to watch 15 boys duke it out in an air-soft fight! Life is good. :)

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  45. I was just watching Dead Man a few weeks ago. Love it...even the end. And that moody score is Neil Young, who I happen to love as well. And Iggy in a dress is priceless. I only saw Ninth Gate once and that was years ago, but I remember being undecided about it.

    And speaking of Depp, have you heard he will be The Mad Hatter in the new Alice and Wonderland?

    You do look quite alike. It's uncanny. (I once had a boyfriend that looked like Jennifer Love Hewitt. Weird, but he still managed to be dreadfully handsome.)

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  46. Sorry but I dont see the resemblance you see .. perhaps a spritz of Windex on the mirror, a shammy to polish your specs or as a last resort, a visit to the ophthalmologist

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  47. I've never seen a bad film with Johnny Depp in it! I also love Dead Man. I like the quirky humour in it, especially the fact that he keeps being mistaken for the poet. It is a much under-rated film, isn't it. The musical score is evocative, although very loud and dominates the action. I loved the end, where.....oops, mustn't give anthing away.
    Blessings, Star

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  48. Wow, the hubby and I just watched "Ninth Gate" last night and we LOVE "Dead Man"! There are no coincidences!

    Emma

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  49. You know, I DO see a resemblance! Very interesting...

    I never saw either of those films (shame on me!). Johnny Depp is one of my favorite actors. In fact, I've been known to see a film simply because he's in it. Luckily, he's usually in films by my favorite director Tim Burton, so I get a double treat :)

    ~Jen

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  50. Ooh, two Depp movies to add to the collection, and you made them sound divine. Thank you!
    Also curious about your thoughts re Frost/Nixon; Mr. L-S & I thought Frank Langella did an excellent job in a "tricky" role...

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  51. You do watch flicks don't you? I mean the I Love Lucy shows no longer have you mesmerized like they used to me. Jackie Gleason did it for me too.
    How about those once in a lifetime color commericals Kraft used to put out. I would give up movies to stay home and watch them back in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Our children even squealed with they say living color.
    I don't know who this "Depp" movie actor is. In fact I don't go to movies and don't rent them. The last time I went to movies it cost 10 cents to get it and you could get a paper sack filled with popcorn if you agreed beforehand to stoke the coal stove down at the front of the theater. Other than those World War II classics, the last movie I saw was on television. I mean it was on when I woke up. Not sure what the title was. I saw nobody I recognized. John Wayne. Jimmy Stewart. Betty Grable. I would have recognized them.

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  52. ds, yes! Frank Langella was an excellent Nixon. You're right, not an easy role to step into. I loved Anthony Hopkins as Nixon, but I almost think Langella did a better job.

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  53. Abe, you would like Turner Classic Movies. They play the wonderful classics with Wayne, Stewart, Grable and the like. No commercials, 24x7. I adore TCM.

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  54. Certainly looks like he could be a long, lost brother. Too funny.

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  55. I'm a Johnny Depp fan. Part of the Ninth Gate was filmed not far from where my parents used to live in Portugal.
    I never saw Dead Man, though...Thanks for the tip!

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  56. 'Benny and Joon'. How could you possibly have left that one out? That's probably one of my favourite Johnny Depp's movies ever. And yes, there's a certain resemblance there. Hmmm... time to investigate.

    Greetings from London.

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  57. Yes, Benny and Joon! The music in the movie is the best. I haven't seen it in ages. My Netflix queue is going to be jammed.

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  58. Also a Johnny Depp fan...Ninth Gate as I remember was really good, haven't seen the other one but may have to look it up if it has Gabriel Bryne in it...still my beating heart!!!
    Have you seen the trailer to the Johnnys new film out next year..? Alice in wonderland...guess who he plays....yep The Mad Hatter..what else!! The film is by Tim Burton and looks amaing..

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  59. wow - what a wonderful dialogue goin' on over here! very nice! and now, i've gotta run over to amazon and pick up both these films - can't wait to see them both! and, i must say, you do look very much a female-depp! or - perhaps, johnny looks very much a male-willow! come on over to my place for a visit when you finish your movie debuts over here!!! :) later, jenean

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  60. I see he's doing a remake of Alice In Wonderland for later this summer.

    A VERY different remake of Alice In Wonderland.

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  61. Unrelated to the post, but just want to reinstate how much I enjoy reading your blog.

    Also last weekend I was driving to Washington DC from Virgnia and I heard the song "My Favorite things" on my ipod shuffle. The line.. "brown paper packages tied up with string." STILL reminds me of your blog.

    Keep up the excellent work!

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  62. Thanks, Lev. That made me smile.

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  63. I love Johnny Depp, not just for his appearance but also for his work. I'll definitely check out these two films.

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  64. my raisins into the gorp...

    well, he's my fave...his attitude, and ... ok, his looks. gorgeous. lucky you!!!
    and he had me at 'benny and joon' with that chaplinesqueness!!.

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  65. You crack me up--maybe the 2 of you were separated at birth and you just don't know it, Willow. Loooooove Johnny Depp. How could one not?

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  66. I'm sure you will not miss Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland'! :-)

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  67. JM, you're SO right! I can't wait to see it!!! Love-love Burton and Depp. Always a winning combo.

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  68. Hi Willow,

    I must have missed this when I was at Mum's - she's sick.

    Yes, you do look like Depp and there are way worse men to be compared to. As a child my brother used to compare me to Johnny Winter - not cool. Now I just look like la Streep.

    Depp's got that great androgeny to him. He could do a "Cate Blanchett" and play a woman.

    I think I saw on the Vagabond's blog that "slept with Depp" would have been a cool thing to put on one's resume - male or female.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)