TRAILER: Black Mass

TIME recaps:

Johnny Depp is famous for taking on roles that require some serious transformations, but decades into his career, it’s still a shock to see him as Boston crime boss Whitey Bulger in the trailer for Black Mass. The actor is nearly unrecognizable in the somewhat unconventional trailer, which mostly consists of one derailed dinner party scene to convey just how creepy and threatening Bulger, a convicted murder currently in prison, could be. Black Mass, which also stars Kevin Bacon and Benedict Cumberbatch, hits theaters Sept. 18.

TRAILER: Into The Woods

(Tipped by JMG reader Jeff)

TRAILER: Into The Woods

From the recap:

“Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella (Anna Kendrick), Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford), Jack and the Beanstalk (Daniel Huttlestone), and Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy)—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife (James Corden & Emily Blunt), their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch (Meryl Streep) who has put a curse on them.  Rob Marshall, the talented filmmaker behind the Academy Award®-winning musical “Chicago” and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” helms the film, which is based on the Tony®-winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics. Produced by Marshall, John DeLuca, “Wicked” producer Marc Platt and Callum McDougall. Starring Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick and Chris Pine, “Into the Woods” is a humorous and heartfelt musical that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

The film opens on New Year's Day.

(Tipped by JMG reader Brad)

RELATED: Last month Sondheim revealed that he had agreed with Disney's requests for some fairly major plot changes.

TRAILER: The Lone Ranger

TRAILER: Dark Shadows

Squeee!

Hate Groups Furious With Johnny Depp

Right Wing Watch tips us that hate groups are furious with Johnny Depp for recording a song which is a "slap in the face of Christians" all over the world.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star teamed up with British rockers Babybird to record The Jesus Stag Night Club, which tells a story of a boozing Christ-like figure in a strip club. But the track has caused uproar amongst religious groups including the Focus on Family campaign. "We are sickened by Mr Depp's behaviour. Why did he need to record this song? It is a slap in the face to Christians all over the world," a spokesperson says. "I'm sure he thinks he's being very funny but he's simply a disgrace. One day, Johnny Depp and his cronies will face the judgment of our Lord and they will burn in hell for this filth," Lee Douglas, of The Christian Coalition, adds.

Dark Shadows: The Movie

My sister and I were forbidden to watch Dark Shadows after she began waking the house with screams of "No, Barnabas, NO!" Her nightmares continued, however, because we simply took to watching our favorite soap opera at a neighbor's house. The coming movie remake stars Johnny Depp (as Barnabas), Michelle Pfeiffer, and Helena Bonham Carter. Below is a short snippet of the series' opening theme, which scared the shit out of eight year-old me.

Quote Of The Day - Carol Channing

"Men have been imitating me for as long as I can remember. In fact, most of the impersonations I have seen have had a five-o'clock shadow. I imagine, when or if Johnny should portray me, he will succeed. Because a true artist, such as himself, is one who loves his or her creation and therefore represents their honest view of that which they are creating. I think he is a gifted performer and I would be very proud, as well as interested in seeing what his vision of me would be." - Carol Channing, saying she would love it if Johnny Depp could fulfill his wish to play her in a biopic.

Quote Of The Day - Johnny Depp

"My dream role would be to play musical legend Carol Channing in a biopic of her life. I love her, I really do. She's amazing. With all the digital technology available these days I could probably pull it off. I'd have a go at playing a 12-year-old girl if they asked me to." - Johnny Depp, speaking to the UK's Mirror.