Christina Ricci Movie:

Editorial Review:
The films of Tim Burton shine through the muck like a jack-o-lantern on a foggy October night. After such successes as The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands, it should come as no surprise that Sleepy Hollow is a dazzling film, a delicious reworking of Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Dark and moody, the film is a thrilling ride back to the turn of the 19th century. Johnny Depp stars as Ichabod Crane, a seemingly hapless constable from New York City who is sent to the small town of Sleepy Hollow to solve the mystery of the decapitations that are plaguing the town. Crane is a bumbling sort, with a tremendous faith in science over mysticism, and he comes up against town secrets, bewitching women, and a number of bodies missing heads. Christina Ricci, as beautiful as ever, is Katrina Van Tassel, the offbeat love interest who alternately charms and frightens Crane.

The film, while occasionally gory (as one should expect from a movie about a headless horseman), is not terribly frightening, although it is suspenseful. Both Depp and Ricci are convincing, and the art direction and production values give the village its harsh feel. Toward the end, once the secrets are revealed, the film does slow down; however, this stylistic horror film provides many tricks and even more treats. --Jenny Brown

Sleepy Hollow Reviews:
wonderful legend!
2008-10-09 - Johnny Depp plays a fantastic Ickibod Crane! Hes so sketchy and tweeked! Christopher Walken plays a creepy headless horseman! This story is SO much fun and played by some fantastic actors! Its a wonderfully spooky period piece! Watch this updated version of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow!

Sleepy Hollow
2008-10-04 - I enjoyed this film from beginning to end. A few minor content flaws, but nothing to make a fuss about and overall, quite enjoyable, especially if you're into Halloween like I am.

Burton and Depp Outdo the Story!
2008-10-02 - I always liked the story of "Sleepy Hollow," but I felt it was overrated. This movie is a MAJOR improvement. The original story is basically this; Ichabod (an eccentric schoolteacher) comes to town; he falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel; Bram Bones gets jealous; Bram Bones dresses up like the headless horseman to chase Ichabod out of town. This movie changes the story (in my opinion) for the better. Ichabod is a constable who is having trouble with his superiors. (Notably Christopher Lee) They send him to investigate murder in Sleepy Hollow so he can prove his scientific methods for solving crime. (One is at least entitled to wonder if they are hoping he might get killed.) The first thing you will probably notice about Ichabod Crane (now a constable) is that he is A LOT MORE INTELLIGENT than he was in the book. He arrives at Sleepy Hollow and finds them to be clannish. But he does make some friends who are willing to help him. While he is still eccentric, we can see that his methods for solving crime have their logic. Bram is of course jealous when Ichabod has his eyes on Katrina, and the climax (of the original story) is quickly included in the movie. Moving on, Ichabod encounters the Headless Horseman. While he is obviously terrified, he pulls himself together enough to find out what he can. (Even someone who comes back from the dead to kill could be following a pattern and have a motive.) One especially artful moment is when Ichabod is cutting at the 'tree of the dead' and gets a frequent spatter of blood. (Here we are not quite sure whether we should laugh or be frightened.) Without giving the story away, the more Constable Crane finds out, the more scared we can get. (Especially when Depp learns that the horseman is not killing at random and some live person may be controlling him.) Recognition can be VERY SCARY if well done! Poor Depp is also fighting nightmares from his past. (He has nightmares about the murder of his mother, and why he prefers logic and reason over religion.) The climax defines horror, and there is an especially interesting twist. (We are allowed at least a moment of sympathy for the Headless Horseman, who is so well played by Christopher Walken I may add.) Between the phenomenal scenery, the great music, the interesting deviations from the book, the interesting connections between Crane's past and present, the great acting (not only by Johnny Depp, but Christopher Walken and others), the gradual unfolding, and surprise twists, this movie is a masterpiece of horror. Johnny Depp will probably always be known most as Edward Scissorhands and Captain Jack Sparrow. But personally, I think this is his best movie, with "From Hell" a close 2nd.

Is it okay to be adorable and macabre at the same time?
2008-09-06 - It's pretty sad that it has taken me so many years to finally get my hands on a copy of the DVD. When this first came out, I went with my mom to the theatre and was instantly captivated by the enchanting morbidity of this film. Oh, I had the video for years, but it's just so hard to use video now.

Anyway, I am in love with this movie and its odd inability to be placed in any one genre. I would almost call this a fairy tale, except the only unreality is hellfire and withcraft. But even with all the death and blood and murder there is something positively sweet and even cute about this storyline that is admittedly a far cry from Washington Irving's tale of a funny Halloween prank.

In this tale, the Headless Horseman is no story and prank but a real ghost terrorizing the citizens of a little New England village. Ichabod Crane, still hilariously done by Johnny Depp, is a neurotic cop from New York City sent to investigate the murders. Unfortunately, he is a realist who has no patience for magic and ghosts.

The story is a tight, fun, and thoroughtly satisfying one that is endearing in all its bloodshed with its likeable characters that seem to have jumped right out of a storybook, albeit one that spends the entire plot in overcast gloom. Even the blood, which defies all knowledge of clotting and reality, is fun in its macabre way.

This is honestly one of my sentimental favorites, a deranged fairy tale brought to life.

One of Burton's Best films
2008-09-05 - Ever since I saw this at the theatres I've loved Burton's take on an early American gothic legend of the Headless Horseman and Ichabod Crane. The casting is great, Depp and Richie have chemistry and Miranda Richardson is unforgetable in her role. Great cast and of course great orchestral score. Im glad I waited to buy this on DVD because now this special release is even better.