tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post7294926670267068437..comments2023-10-21T11:13:16.612-07:00Comments on Lara Parker: Criticism of the Dark Shadows MovieLara Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738023273872174868noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-59690838938858367262015-11-29T07:40:25.738-08:002015-11-29T07:40:25.738-08:00Hello Lara:
Its too bad that you and your castmat...Hello Lara:<br /><br />Its too bad that you and your castmates have not received residuals for the reruns of Dark Shadows. I believe it is well deserved. That was a difficult show to do and there will never be anything like that again. It was like watching a play everyday. The Dark Shadows movie was cute. It seemed like a spoof of Dark Shadows and Johnny Depp did that well. I really like the scene in which Barnabus tells Angelique to kiss his derriere a thousand times. There is no way that Dark Shadows can be recreated exactly like the tv series. It was one of a kind. The only thing about the movie is the Dark Shadows theme I feel needed to be played at the beginning or at the end of the movie. Also, if someone did not watch the tv series, they would not understand the humor of it. Anyhow, I did enjoy the movie, I wished it would have captured the original cast masts a little bit more clearly than it did. You all worked very hard in that show and being older I can appreciate the hard work that went into it and I hope all of you are doing well. I am so sorry for your loss of Jonathan Frid he truly was underrated as an actor and I was sad when I read that he reconciled to the fact that he will always be the vampire. I wished we could of seen more of him in other roles in which he more than likely would have been excellent. I would like to purchase your books they look like good reads. Take care. "Y"https://www.blogger.com/profile/09576416632835250432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-4576085109979989782015-07-08T16:26:16.120-07:002015-07-08T16:26:16.120-07:00Ms. Parker,
My dad introduced me to Dark Shadows...Ms. Parker, <br /><br />My dad introduced me to Dark Shadows when the revival aired in 1991. Then Syfy Network started airing the original series and I was hooked. As a fan of the original show, the original films both House and Night, a fan of the revival, and your books, I was very pleased with Tim Burton's take on the story. It gave me great pleasure to show this film to my boyfriend and now he's dying for more! He's reading The Salem Branch and we're in the middle of the original show. Thank you so much for giving me something to share with him! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-2750559942603681402014-11-23T10:53:03.556-08:002014-11-23T10:53:03.556-08:00I have felt just kind of so...so about the movie. ...I have felt just kind of so...so about the movie. I enjoyed it when I first saw it but,well, you know, comparisons. Still I knew it would different. The main thing I missed was Bob Cobert's score. But there was that opening touch of it over the Warner Brother's Buildings. The mixture of comedy through me at first but then there was comedy in the original series (sometimes on purpose).<br />I have a digital copy of the movie. One good thing I can say about it. My brother formerly would never have anything to do with the original series because he thought it pushed Satanism. But when he saw this movie he got caught up in the romance story motif of it and the comedy situations added by Johnny Depp's team made him laugh and now he understands DS.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01753161445427201015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-28479130472990338852014-05-05T07:17:10.328-07:002014-05-05T07:17:10.328-07:00Ms. Parker, I don't know if you still read thi...Ms. Parker, I don't know if you still read this, but I just discovered it today from a posting on the Dark Shadows Fan Club on Facebook. I have only a few things bad to say about the Burton movie, so I won't say them at all. Overall I thought it was fine and I agree that any amount of attention is good for the original show. I would love to read your thoughts on Night of Dark Shadows and if there is any word on the director's cut ever being released. I have the blu-ray that was released and was very disappointed that your picture was not on the front cover. Plus the picture on the back cover was not even from the movie. How could they not put Angelique on the front cover? It was her story! Just like Frid was on the cover of House, Angelique should have been front and center. Thanks for your time. David KahounDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13924756216936097255noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-30628882344196291482013-08-26T02:47:36.800-07:002013-08-26T02:47:36.800-07:00Thank you for writing this! I needed to hear it an...Thank you for writing this! I needed to hear it and coming from you it's even more meaningful to me as I might have deduced the film could have been an odd let-down for the original cast. I wish I'd found this post sooner!<br /><br />I see the main drawback of criticism is it becomes disguised or interpreted as refined aesthetic taste and right now, especially online, negativity is much easier to do, like the influx of "bathroom" humor that seems to have exploded in newer forms of entertainment. <br /><br />Worse still is those who like it won't say so from the displeasure of knowing ridicule will likely come of it. Much of the time critics, professional and armchair, will not only find ways of stereotyping fans in any way to invalidate their opinions and then, going even further, insulting them outright. I fail to see how such cross behavior is helpful to anyone.<br /><br />What I would like to see, and for all I know I coined this phrase, is constructive-praise. A compliment usually goes as far as simple nice word or two and I see it as due to the fact barely anyone has been able to put this into practice. It's important to notice strengths.<br /><br />So it's nice to see constructive-praise in practice right here. Thanks!<br /><br />As for what I liked that hasn't been listed? All the stimulating references to both the old show and the time period. It was one of the best "Easter Egg" hunts I've ever been on. I had to see it three times to make sure I got them all and I rarely go to movies. Stimulation like that gets a fan to come back for repeat visits.<br /><br />Looking forward to finding "Night of Dark Shadows" director's cut. I want to see the story that was meant to be seen, not the theater cut brought on by other constraints.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07545981556715868066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-3451876784749811142013-06-28T14:11:44.996-07:002013-06-28T14:11:44.996-07:00I am absolutely thankful for the movie because the...I am absolutely thankful for the movie because the movie got me interested in the series. I knew little about the series, except for what my father told me. After I seen the movie, I decided to look into the series, and now I am obsessed. :) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11745396381510257188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-2257400184611111842013-01-13T06:39:40.702-08:002013-01-13T06:39:40.702-08:00I'm currently not even a hundred pages into &#...I'm currently not even a hundred pages into 'The Salem Branch' - and think that someone involved in the writing and story of the new DS movie owes you a very BIG "thank you." ... if they have not, please allow me - Thank you. Sonny Drysdalehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01915022547342512921noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-48571218944220100282012-10-22T15:04:14.195-07:002012-10-22T15:04:14.195-07:00Thank you Lara so much for not only playing the ch...Thank you Lara so much for not only playing the character Angelique so well and so believably, but for also so poignantly pointing out the pitfalls we find ourselves in sometimes when critic meets movie. <br /><br />I very thoroughly enjoyed Dark Shadows ( shameless plug for The Carpenters! <been massive loyal fan for decades), and wanted to share my own review with everyone if its ok ( yes a longtime fan and objective critic I think):<br /><br />http://love-is-the-key-please-share-it.blogspot.com/p/movie-reviews.html<br /><br />It's been so many years since I thought of Dark Shadows, and kudos to all involved in this movie for bringing it to the big screen with such class, remembering its origins and to the entire original cast for its hard work and dedication to their craft ;)<br /><br />Gaillard Lee Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01462590702488647306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-44956221786756059962012-10-13T05:37:05.389-07:002012-10-13T05:37:05.389-07:00Thank you Lara for your opinion on the Dark Shadow...Thank you Lara for your opinion on the Dark Shadows movie. I, like many others, was one to race home from school to get together with friends to watch Dark Shadows every day. Angelique was my favorite character and you played the role rather superb. My favorite role actually, was Angelique as a vampire. The power and control she exhibited was unprecedented for a woman at that time. She would reduce a man from his normal, proud and confident person, to a hopeless submissive soul to Angelique's beckoning. Resisting her will was fruitless. Many a night as a kid, I went to bed with dreams of vampires and witches in my head, sure that one night a vampire would seal my fate. I only hoped that vampire would be the first woman vampire, Angelique! I read two of your books and I must say they were both excellent. I thought the movie would disappoint me, based upon the reviews but I was very entertained by it. It was certainly set up in a much different format than my beloved show, but it was very well done. Might I note that I also really enjoyed the 90's mini series remake with Ben Cross and wished that would had succeeded with more shows. However, no one I have ever seen has embodied the character of Angelique to the level that you had. I purchased and read two large paperback journals of the series, and I believe in one that you wrote an epilog or prelude. You had mentioned about receiving a lot of fan mail at the time of filming the series, in particular some from male fans viewing Angelique's character in a quasi 'sexual sense'. With that in mind, did you chuckle to yourself in relation to the unexpected scene in the movie when the Angelique character removed her red panties and placed them over the chained Barnabas' face to have something to think of her thru out his captivity? That scene just made me think of your article. Anyway, again, thank you for your blogs and your fine writings. I hope you are always well.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05069434947761785625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-14325417049443022642012-10-12T08:26:49.406-07:002012-10-12T08:26:49.406-07:00Great points Lara! And also may I add that if it w...Great points Lara! And also may I add that if it wasn't for this new movie, I would have never discovered the original series that has become so dear to me.Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14222568234569270848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-27348923605156249272012-10-10T13:18:15.537-07:002012-10-10T13:18:15.537-07:00Thank you Lara for your insight on the movie. I, l...Thank you Lara for your insight on the movie. I, like many others, rushed home from school to watch Dark Shadows back in the day. You were my favorite...feared yet respected. My favorite role you played was as a vampire. To have a woman back then, to have the power, control, and class that you had, all in one package, was quite unique for the time. I was sure, as a young boy who went to bed many nights, that a vampire would eventually seal my fate. I only hoped it was Angelique who would be the one, if it had to be! I read in one of the large DS journals that I had purchased, in the epilogue by you I believe, that you stated much fan mail came your way back then, even some humorous ones where young boys stated that Angelique 'stimulated' their hormones at that time. That being said, did you derive any humor from the scene in the movie, where Angelique, as sultry as you were, removes her red panties and places them over a chained Barnabas' face, to remember her thru the ages? Just curious. By the way, I've read two of your books...there were a great read. I heard your voice narrating in my head while I read! Keep up the good work and I truly hope all is well with you. Thanks again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-6893952497498395892012-10-02T20:15:45.700-07:002012-10-02T20:15:45.700-07:00Hi Lara,
Having watched Dark Shadows since I was ...Hi Lara,<br /><br />Having watched Dark Shadows since I was 8 years old, I didn't think I would like a comedy version, but, was I ever wrong. It was fantastic. Having you, Johnathan, David, and Kathryn walk in as guests was just a stroke of genius, and it was good to see all four of you.<br /><br />The one part of the movie that made me smile and snicker is the way they portrayed Carolyn as stoned and then at the end as a werewolf. I imagined Nancy Barrett laughing herself silly over it, and did Nancy not have one of the most fun laughs? Of course no one had a more evil laugh than you did. I remember when you first appeared, your eyes were amazing, and still are. I do, as you do, hope there will be others that will tackle the resurrection circuit as time goes on to keep the life of Dark Shadows continuing. I have all 1245 episodes of Dark Shadows filling one notebook's memory, and I hope to pass them on to my grandchildren someday. I was sorry to hear of Johnathan's passing. It was so good to know that he got to cameo in Dark Shadows 2012. I am sure I speak for many that during the sixty's we never thought about if we would be living in the year 2012, but with Dark Shadows we can remember our lives during the 60's and early 70's with a smile.<br /><br />My favorite line in the entire movie was when Johnny repeated the year, nineteen seventy two. hahahahahaha<br /><br />Thank you Lara for you part of a great icon of American Television and movie history. <br /><br />Your biggest fan.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07599662611298347956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-6347992122405767372012-07-05T10:31:12.168-07:002012-07-05T10:31:12.168-07:00Thank You Lara, wonderful and insightful piece. Re...Thank You Lara, wonderful and insightful piece. Relevant to more than just DS!Thanks for this wonderful site!The Fairy Godfatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03624231161285223863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-50624438206338827602012-07-03T23:23:53.153-07:002012-07-03T23:23:53.153-07:00Some very good add ons to what we loved about the ...Some very good add ons to what we loved about the movie! One thing that I realy loved was that they made sure to include the Origional cast for a cameo!Very AWESOME, but I would have loved to see more play on that! OMG!!Critisism has reared it's head again!!avengertomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11186334724137204014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-17950953590277852352012-07-02T17:58:10.919-07:002012-07-02T17:58:10.919-07:00But what was interesting about their relationship ...But what was interesting about their relationship was the Julia was in love with Barnabas. That was obvious throughout the show. After she cured him and he became human again, he was dependent upon her for the formula she had invented. <br /><br />At the end of the Dark Shadows series, Sam Hall, one of the writers and Grayson Hall's husband, said that Barnabas and Julia would be getting married and that they would go to the Caribbean together to find a new cure. <br /><br />Of course Barnabas did not love Julia. He felt loyal to her, but he resented her. That's what made the relationship so interesting!Lara Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738023273872174868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-7544565975843437812012-06-25T09:08:51.501-07:002012-06-25T09:08:51.501-07:00Ouch - I do not think I will be buying the Salem B...Ouch - I do not think I will be buying the Salem Book!! I never approved of the Barnabas/Hoffman relationship as anything than just friends. For me it lacks the possibility of passion, romance and drama that was so essential to the character of Barnabas (even if Hoffman had been younger and hotter). Face it, Barnabas's destiny is Angelique as is hers to him. I did however order the Angeliques Descent.maryh3https://www.blogger.com/profile/05802175952425594757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-12760337226854279852012-06-25T08:58:35.899-07:002012-06-25T08:58:35.899-07:00I saw the film and I can say that, I have not been...I saw the film and I can say that, I have not been more entertained by a movie in a long time than I was the 2012 Dark Shadows. For me it was a blast.<br /><br />As a baby boomer, I saw the original as it was broadcast, and seeing it again fills me with memories and humor. It is that combination that makes it so enjoyable for those of us who have the ability to laugh at ourselves. Looking back, I remember the full range of emotions that Dark Shaodws produced in me, how seriously I took it, and how I was completely absorbed in the story line. However now, at the same time, I understand that there is also so much fun to be poked at that which I took seriously decades ago, that I thoroughly enjoyed the black comedy that was this movie. <br /><br />There is no way anyone can do that which was the pulse of Dark Shadows - the Barnabas/Angelique twisted saga, in a 2 hour movie. They didn't even try. Instead they gave a highly entertaining movie which both embraces the Gothic grandeur of the Original Series while poking fun at same time. <br /><br />I will be buying the DVD when it comes out. I hope they add some of the scenes that were cut from the theater version. The movie has piqued my interest in DS again, and I am going to order these Angelique novels.maryh3https://www.blogger.com/profile/05802175952425594757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-79592742504120144572012-06-22T22:16:07.831-07:002012-06-22T22:16:07.831-07:00Wow... I actually really loved the movie . Perhaps...Wow... I actually really loved the movie . Perhaps my favorite scene was the stunning realization that Alice Cooper performed my favorite song of his called "The Ballad of Dwight Frye". During the performance (in his straight-jacket), Victoria explains she was actually born as "Maggie Evans" and was put away by her parents because she "saw dead people" (Lara Collins). She re-invented herself as "Victoria Winters" and Lara led her later to work for the Collins family. I wondered why at first and later realized that it was indeed because "Lara" knew "Maggie" was indeed the re-incarnation of "Josette DuPres". GREAT twist and very clever I thought. I am sure Depp came up with that scene since he is such a big ALICE fan. I saw ALICE front row center 6-8-12 and he tore up that stage like he had a nail in his boot ! LOVED the film ... lots of hidden stuff for the old fans. So glad it has brought attention to the original series etc.<br /> OH... and the look on Michelle Pfeiffer's face when "Caroline" grabbed Alice Coopers microphone and stared at her and began the 2nd song..."Mommy, where's daddy ? He's been gone for SO long. Do you think he'll EVER come home ?" ... (Priceless... and worth the price of admission for that scene alone!) PEACESteve Patrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16878831257258891230noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-66294529706216289602012-06-18T20:02:51.498-07:002012-06-18T20:02:51.498-07:00This was a bit harsh. Not all critics are talentl...This was a bit harsh. Not all critics are talentless preachers of negativity. Some of them have value, some of them make the world more interesting.<br /><br />The biggest danger for the Chronic Critic, is the possibility of missing out on something that can enrich one's life. A personal pleasure, an appreciation of a work of art, a new angle on an old theme. A discovery that doesn't fit the old paradigms.<br /><br />The best gifts that life has to offer, come in the form of surprises. If we're too quick to limit our appreciation to the known & comfortable, we're pretty much programming ourselves to become immune to these unexpected pleasures.Dan Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08382517923175638300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-777595639898526062012-06-14T20:30:53.959-07:002012-06-14T20:30:53.959-07:00No, he glows!No, he glows!Lara Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738023273872174868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-22190740407205686182012-06-14T20:29:29.508-07:002012-06-14T20:29:29.508-07:00Thanks so much.
All these things contribute to th...Thanks so much.<br /><br />All these things contribute to the Dark Shadows legacy.<br /><br />Keep the flame burning!Lara Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738023273872174868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-46359449714015018812012-06-14T20:28:19.195-07:002012-06-14T20:28:19.195-07:00You know Dan Curtis directed the 90's remake....You know Dan Curtis directed the 90's remake. So it WAS dark Shadows.Lara Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738023273872174868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-35388524555404238882012-06-14T20:26:40.787-07:002012-06-14T20:26:40.787-07:00I hope that the movie may help viewers discover th...I hope that the movie may help viewers discover the original TV show. <br /><br />Yes!Lara Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738023273872174868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-91189308304368455962012-06-14T20:25:38.045-07:002012-06-14T20:25:38.045-07:00Oh, thank you!Oh, thank you!Lara Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738023273872174868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8681170429064571112.post-48441372835244898982012-06-14T20:25:18.774-07:002012-06-14T20:25:18.774-07:00The film has so many choice gifts for the fans. So...The film has so many choice gifts for the fans. Some went by so quickly, I missed them until the second time I saw the movie. I really believe it was a labor of love filtered though Tim Burton's weird imagination.<br /><br />I loved all the Mrs. Johnson bits!Lara Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07738023273872174868noreply@blogger.com