Tim Burton's 'Dark Shadows': Pros And Cons

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By now, you've probably heard about Tim Burton's new movie, "Dark Shadows." Based on the popular '70s soap opera, the adaptation stars Johnny Depp (of course) as Barnabas Collins, a vampire who seeks revenge on a jealous witch. Does "Shadows" breathe life into the director's recent crop of underwhelming films? Is the latest Depp-Burton collaboration in need of resuscitation? Will [INSERT THIRD CLICHED PUN ABOUT VAMPIRES]? Let's take a look in this week's Pro-Con.

PRO: The set design and costumes

One thing the movie nails: The 1970s aesthetic, with its lava lamps, music, clothes and cars.

CON: The script

Sure, the movie may be great to look at, but that doesn't matter when the script is in total shambles. "Dark Shadows" is filled with plot holes and unanswered questions.

PRO: The soundtrack

The film features a terrific selection of classic rock hits, from "Bang a Gong (Get It On)" by T.Rex to the Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin" to (appropriately) "Season Of The Witch" by Donovan.

CON: The misuse of Danny Elfman

The legendary composer has worked on almost every Tim Burton movie. But here, his score is banished to the short intro and end credits.

PRO: Eva Green

Even with a bland script, the French actress succeeds at playing the menacing evil witch, Angelique Bouchard.

CON: Chloe Moretz

The 15-year-old actress has been deservedly praised for her roles in "Kick Ass" and "Let Me In." But her portrayal of the despondent (and stoned) Carolyn Stoddard is, for a lack of a better word, terrible.

PRO: Collinwood Manor

Along the same lines as the first "pro." The house is filled with secret passages, ancient artwork and an unbelievably cool caretaker played by Jackie Earle Haley.

CON: Collinwood Manor montage

Barnabas' arrival in 1972 was Burton's perfect excuse to film a cheesy montage at Collinwood Manor, filled with bad fish-out-of-water jokes.

PRO: Johnny Depp

The movie star is his usual reliable self in "Shadows," lurking around Tim Burton's gorgeously gothic sets as only Johnny Depp can do.

CON: Johnny Depp

Still, we've seen this role from Depp before; he's played the pasty-faced creeper in almost every one of Burton's films.

PRO: Jonathan Frid cameo

The original Barnabas Collins, who passed away last month at the age of 87, made his final film appearance in "Shadows." As Depp told the LA Times on set, Frid was "as elegant and magical as I had always imagined."

CON: Alice Cooper cameo

You know what's cool? Seeing Alice Cooper perform in 1972. You know what isn't? Watching a 64-year-old Alice Cooper perform in a film that's set in 1972.

PRO: This Mondo poster

CON: This photo at the "Dark Shadows" premiere, which would have been great ... in 1972.

Each of the actresses in the cast looks great and star-acts up a perfect storm. " data-credits="" data-height="800" data-width="1200" data-title_link="Richard_Corliss_Time" data-slideimage_id="961570" data-image_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961570_free.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961570_huge.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961570_large.jpg"]' data-thumb_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961570_sq50.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961570_small.jpg"]' data-display_domain="http://i.huffpost.com/">

So why see Dark Shadows, on a weekend when The Avengers beckons you for a second look? Five reasons, and they're all females. Each of the actresses in the cast looks great and star-acts up a perfect storm.

Mr. Burton's most pleasurable film in years. " data-credits="" data-height="800" data-width="1200" data-title_link="Manohla_Dargis_NY" data-slideimage_id="961573" data-image_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961573_free.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961573_huge.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961573_large.jpg"]' data-thumb_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961573_sq50.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961573_small.jpg"]' data-display_domain="http://i.huffpost.com/">

Of all the morbid beauties in Tim Burton's work, the spooky goth girls and deathly pale boys, none wear their ghoulishness as lightly or winningly as Johnny Depp. And what a bewitching corpse he makes in "Dark Shadows," Mr. Burton's most pleasurable film in years.

But that's when I knew it for sure." data-credits="" data-height="1000" data-width="667" data-title_link="Andrew_OHehir_Salon" data-slideimage_id="961574" data-image_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961574_free.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961574_huge.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961574_large.jpg"]' data-thumb_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961574_sq50.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961574_small.jpg"]' data-display_domain="http://i.huffpost.com/">

As the door to Collinwood creaks open... we glimpse a powerful, almost Proustian totem leaning against the front porch: A Schwinn kids' bicycle, with a banana seat. I had already suspected I was going to love "Dark Shadows," even before that moment. But that's when I knew it for sure.

feels like a place-holder, a meandering first draft of an adaptation of the supernatural soap opera that ran on ABC-TV from 1966 to 1971." data-credits="" data-height="800" data-width="1200" data-title_link="Michael_Phillips_Chicago" data-slideimage_id="961575" data-image_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961575_free.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961575_huge.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961575_large.jpg"]' data-thumb_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961575_sq50.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961575_small.jpg"]' data-display_domain="http://i.huffpost.com/">

Some of director Tim Burton's costume parties are livelier than others, and the new "Dark Shadows" -- from the man who gave us "Edward Scissorhands," "Sweeney Todd," "Alice in Wonderland" and other chalkface-makeup spectaculars starring Johnny Depp -- feels like a place-holder, a meandering first draft of an adaptation of the supernatural soap opera that ran on ABC-TV from 1966 to 1971.

It's as if Burton directed at arm's length, unwilling to find juice in the story." data-credits="" data-height="800" data-width="1200" data-title_link="Roger_Ebert_Chicago" data-slideimage_id="961576" data-image_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961576_free.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961576_huge.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961576_large.jpg"]' data-thumb_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961576_sq50.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961576_small.jpg"]' data-display_domain="http://i.huffpost.com/">

Tim Burton's "Dark Shadows" is all dressed up with nowhere to go, an elegant production without a central drive. It offers wonderful things, but they aren't what's important. It's as if Burton directed at arm's length, unwilling to find juice in the story.

It's a whelmer. " data-credits="" data-height="0" data-width="0" data-title_link="Peter_Bradshaw_The" data-slideimage_id="961577" data-image_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961577_free.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961577_huge.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961577_large.jpg"]' data-thumb_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961577_sq50.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961577_small.jpg"]' data-display_domain="http://i.huffpost.com/">

The film delivers precisely the satisfaction a sympathetic audience could expect from its director, not one degree above or below. The audience is whelmed. It's a whelmer.

Burton is helpless. " data-credits="" data-height="674" data-width="1200" data-title_link="James_Verniere_Boston" data-slideimage_id="961579" data-image_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961579_free.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961579_huge.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961579_large.jpg"]' data-thumb_urls='["http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961579_sq50.jpg","http:\/\/i.huffpost.com\/gadgets\/slideshows\/225616\/slide_225616_961579_small.jpg"]' data-display_domain="http://i.huffpost.com/">

Burton's greatest strength remains his visual artistry. "Dark Shadows" obviously springs from the same brilliantly ma-cabre imagination that has given us such works as "Beetlejuice," "Sleepy Hollow" and "Corpse Bride." But when the script is as weak as this "Munsters"-level pastiche by John August ("Big Fish") and Emerson graduate Seth Grahame-Smith, Burton is helpless.

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Test group b strep

By Mayo Clinic staff

Group B Streptococcus — also called Group B streptococci — is a common bacterium often carried in the gut or lower genital tract. Although Group b streptococci are usually harmless in adults, can cause pregnancy complications and serious illness in infants. If you are pregnant, health care provider will recommend probably a test group b strep during the third quarter.

During a group b strep test, health care provider will buffer your vagina and rectum and send the samples to a laboratory for testing. In some cases, you may be given instructions on how to collect the samples alone. Because it can occur in certain positive and negative moments at other times, it is necessary to repeat that the Group b strep test whenever you are pregnant.

If the test group b strep is negative, no action is required. If the strep test group b is positive, you will be given antibiotics during labor to prevent disease Group b strep in your child.

Refers to Puopolo KM, et al., infection with Group b strep in pregnant women. http://www.uptodate.com/index. The 29 December 2011. Puopolo KM, et al., infection with Group b Streptococcus in young children and infants. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed 29 December 2011. pregnancy and Group b Streptococcus. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.ACOG.org/~/media/for%20Patients/faq105.ashx?DMC = TS = 1 & 20111229T1430272285. Accessed on 29 December, 2011. Group B strep (GBS): prevention in infants. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/about/prevention.html. Accessed 29 December 2011. Centers for disease prevention and control. Prevention of perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease: revised guidelines from CDC, 2010. MMWR. 2010; 59 (Cod. RR-10): 1. http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/Preview/mmwrhtml/rr5910a1.htm. The 29 December 2011. Murry MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota February 24, 2012.

 

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Test group b strep

By Mayo Clinic staff

Group B Streptococcus — also called Group B streptococci — is a common bacterium often carried in the gut or lower genital tract. Although Group b streptococci are usually harmless in adults, can cause pregnancy complications and serious illness in infants. If you are pregnant, health care provider will recommend probably a test group b strep during the third quarter.

During a group b strep test, health care provider will buffer your vagina and rectum and send the samples to a laboratory for testing. In some cases, you may be given instructions on how to collect the samples alone. Because it can occur in certain positive and negative moments at other times, it is necessary to repeat that the Group b strep test whenever you are pregnant.

If the test group b strep is negative, no action is required. If the strep test group b is positive, you will be given antibiotics during labor to prevent disease Group b strep in your child.

Refers to Puopolo KM, et al., infection with Group b strep in pregnant women. http://www.uptodate.com/index. The 29 December 2011. Puopolo KM, et al., infection with Group b Streptococcus in young children and infants. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed 29 December 2011. pregnancy and Group b Streptococcus. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.ACOG.org/~/media/for%20Patients/faq105.ashx?DMC = TS = 1 & 20111229T1430272285. Accessed on 29 December, 2011. Group B strep (GBS): prevention in infants. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/about/prevention.html. Accessed 29 December 2011. Centers for disease prevention and control. Prevention of perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease: revised guidelines from CDC, 2010. MMWR. 2010; 59 (Cod. RR-10): 1. http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/Preview/mmwrhtml/rr5910a1.htm. The 29 December 2011. Murry MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota February 24, 2012.

 

Read More

Test group b strep

By Mayo Clinic staff

Group B Streptococcus — also called Group B streptococci — is a common bacterium often carried in the gut or lower genital tract. Although Group b streptococci are usually harmless in adults, can cause pregnancy complications and serious illness in infants. If you are pregnant, health care provider will recommend probably a test group b strep during the third quarter.

During a group b strep test, health care provider will buffer your vagina and rectum and send the samples to a laboratory for testing. In some cases, you may be given instructions on how to collect the samples alone. Because it can occur in certain positive and negative moments at other times, it is necessary to repeat that the Group b strep test whenever you are pregnant.

If the test group b strep is negative, no action is required. If the strep test group b is positive, you will be given antibiotics during labor to prevent disease Group b strep in your child.

Refers to Puopolo KM, et al., infection with Group b strep in pregnant women. http://www.uptodate.com/index. The 29 December 2011. Puopolo KM, et al., infection with Group b Streptococcus in young children and infants. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed 29 December 2011. pregnancy and Group b Streptococcus. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.ACOG.org/~/media/for%20Patients/faq105.ashx?DMC = TS = 1 & 20111229T1430272285. Accessed on 29 December, 2011. Group B strep (GBS): prevention in infants. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/groupbstrep/about/prevention.html. Accessed 29 December 2011. Centers for disease prevention and control. Prevention of perinatal Group B Streptococcal Disease: revised guidelines from CDC, 2010. MMWR. 2010; 59 (Cod. RR-10): 1. http://www.cdc.gov/MMWR/Preview/mmwrhtml/rr5910a1.htm. The 29 December 2011. Murry MM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota February 24, 2012.

 

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'Battleship' Poster Parody: Taylor Kitsch Faces Off Against Rich Uncle Pennybags

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If you think a movie based on the game "Battleship" is silly, you're not alone. The folks at Screen Crush have just re-imagined "Battleship"-- a film about an alien invasion -- as a fight against classic board-game characters. (Enter Rich Uncle Pennybags from Monopoly and the King of Candy Land.)

The spoof posters even come with catchy tag lines: Monopoly: "The Battle for Earth Begins at Go" and Jenga: "Attack the Block."

If the current Rotten Tomatoes score for the movie is any indication, a giant Pennybags or angry Operation patient wreaking havoc in the ocean might be more entertaining than the real movie.

Granted, fans shouldn't be laughing too hard: several of these games acutally have movies in the works, including Monopoly from director Ridley Scott and a Candy Land flick starring Adam Sandler.

You can check out a few of the posters below. For the entire collection, head to Screen Crush.

"Battleship" hits theaters nationwide this Friday.

[via Screen Crush]

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Tilt table test

By Mayo Clinic staff

A tilt table test is used to evaluate the cause of unexplained fainting (syncope). During a tilt table test, you lie on a table that moves from a horizontal to a vertical position. Heart rate and blood pressure are monitored during the test tilt table.

Your doctor may recommend a tilt table test if you have had repeated, unexplained episodes of fainting. A tilt table test may want to investigate the cause of faint if you have fainted once, but another episode it would risk of injury because of your work environment, medical history, age or other factors.

Doctors use a tilt table test to help diagnose the cause of fainting. During the test, the blood pressure and heart rate are monitored. Begin lying flat on a table. Belts are placed around the body to hold you in place. Then, the table is tilted to lift the body to a position of head up — simulation of a change in position from lying to standing. This test allows doctors to evaluate the cardiovascular response of your body changes position.

References Tilt table test. Heart Rhythm Society. http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_tests/tilt_table.asp. Go to March 1, 2012. Olshansky b. Upright tilt table test in the evaluation of syncope. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed on March 1, 2012. Bonow RO, Braunwald's heart disease et al: a textbook of cardiovascular medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier.: 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/Books/Page.do?Eid = 1.0-4-U-1-4377 B978-0398-6 ...1-00042-s0060-ISBN 978-& = 1-4377-0398-& = 6 321215166-uniqId # 4-9 1.0-U-1-4377 B978-0398-6 ...1-00042-s0090. Accessed March 1, 2012 to. Tilt table test. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for healthcare professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/Professional/cardiovascular_disorders/cardiovascular_tests_and_procedures/tilt_table_testing.html. The March 1, 2012. Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, April 30, 2012.

 

Read More

Tilt table test

By Mayo Clinic staff

A tilt table test is used to evaluate the cause of unexplained fainting (syncope). During a tilt table test, you lie on a table that moves from a horizontal to a vertical position. Heart rate and blood pressure are monitored during the test tilt table.

Your doctor may recommend a tilt table test if you have had repeated, unexplained episodes of fainting. A tilt table test may want to investigate the cause of faint if you have fainted once, but another episode it would risk of injury because of your work environment, medical history, age or other factors.

Doctors use a tilt table test to help diagnose the cause of fainting. During the test, the blood pressure and heart rate are monitored. Begin lying flat on a table. Belts are placed around the body to hold you in place. Then, the table is tilted to lift the body to a position of head up — simulation of a change in position from lying to standing. This test allows doctors to evaluate the cardiovascular response of your body changes position.

References Tilt table test. Heart Rhythm Society. http://www.hrspatients.org/patients/heart_tests/tilt_table.asp. Go to March 1, 2012. Olshansky b. Upright tilt table test in the evaluation of syncope. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed on March 1, 2012. Bonow RO, Braunwald's heart disease et al: a textbook of cardiovascular medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier.: 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/Books/Page.do?Eid = 1.0-4-U-1-4377 B978-0398-6 ...1-00042-s0060-ISBN 978-& = 1-4377-0398-& = 6 321215166-uniqId # 4-9 1.0-U-1-4377 B978-0398-6 ...1-00042-s0090. Accessed March 1, 2012 to. Tilt table test. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for healthcare professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/Professional/cardiovascular_disorders/cardiovascular_tests_and_procedures/tilt_table_testing.html. The March 1, 2012. Grogan M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, April 30, 2012.

 

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