Sweeney Todd (ws) (2007)

The marriage of director Tim Burton and Stephen Sondheim's inky black musical version of the barber who exacts revenge upon mankind with his razor was one made in heaven. A deserved Oscar-winner for its production design, the film also boasts a surprisingly effective performance by Johnny Depp in the title role. Successfully navigating Sondheim's intricate lyrics would be a major accomplishment for a seasoned musical performer, and Mr. Depp also manages to make his tragic character an object worthy of compassion despite his rather extreme method of working out his frustrations. My affection for Helena Bonham Carter knows no bounds, but it is hard to completely erase Angela Lansbury's indellible Mrs. Lovett from your mind. Easily the best film musical since Chicago.