SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)

Do you have a netflix queue? If you don't you should get one. Anyway I have one (as does your Grandma Ilene, so maybe you should look into one) and it's filled with a gazillion flicks I needed to see like yesterday. I'm pretty good with adding new films because they get advertised on the tele (hmm, first "queue" now "tele" --- the Brits are coming for their language ... I say over the center of my discolored dead body). But films from the past decade which I wanted to see when they first debuted but simply missed and now forgotten about ... well those films are a bit harder to queue up. However they do come on cable tv. Now I should really rent these films from netflix because tv shreds 10+ minutes to squeeze in enough commercials. But then I may simply forget again and let's face it, I can't say no to a good film. Which brings me to this lovely gem:

SLEEPY HOLLOW (1999)

Rating: ****1/2 out of 5

This gothic horror mystery simply has it all: a thrillingly entertaining plot, wonderfully creepy sets, superb acting, and a sprinkle of comedy for good measure. New York Constable Ichabod Crane (Depp), who places science before spirits, is called to Sleepy Hollow to investigate murders at the hand of what the townsfolk describe as a Headless Horseman. The direction is outstanding. Tim Burton has a lot going on simply from the plot; he adds an interesting dreamscape backstory and juggles everything splendidly onscreen. The visuals are fantastic, from the mesmerizing still that introduces the titles to the eerie, foggy Hollow that is a character in its own right. The film is more than simply plot as screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker pens several clever, charming, and comedic lines. And the two leads seem to have a majestic time uttering them. Johnny Depp’s idiosyncratic Crane is simply a joy to watch. This one should not be missed.