What would you give a man who could make your deepest dream come true?
In a small American town, a diabolical circus arrives, granting wishes for the townsfolk, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can make them. Can two young boys overcome the worst the devil himself can deal out?
- Harm to children
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Character
Grave, earnest, contemplative and plot-driven.
- gravecomic
- earnestironic
- contemplativerelentless
- character-ledplot-driven
- classical in formformally daring
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“Does Jonathan Pryce steal Something Wicked This Way Comes from Jason Robards?”
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“Is the slow pace a feature rather than a flaw?”
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“Would a little humor have helped?”
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A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- Wuchakon TMDB · May 20225/10
_**Something Slow & Dull This Way Comes**_ In 1932, a mysterious carnival comes to an Illinois town where weird things start happening and people strangely go missing. Jason Robards plays a librarian while Jonathan Pryce is on hand as the shadowy head of the carnival “Something Wicked This Way Comes” (1983) is spooky fantasy written by Ray Bradbury (based on his book). The studio, Disney, wasn’t happy with director Jack Clayton’s original cut and so took it out of his hands and undertook expensive reshoots, reediting and rescoring, plus adding a narration. I was expecting to love this movie since I favor flicks set in carnivals or circuses, like “Water for Elephants” (2011), "Berserk!" (1967), "Circus of Horrors” (1960) and “Funhouse” (1981) — even films like "The Greatest Show on Earth" (1952) and "Roustabout" (1964). Unfortunately, I was let down. Everything is here for a magical picture, but I guess too many cooks spoil the broth. The pace is overly slow and the film never recovers. It doesn’t help that the bulk of it was shot on Disney’s town set in Burbank, which elicits a low-rent vibe. Sure, the concept is great, Mr. Dark is an intriguing character, the Dust Witch is darkly
Read the whole review on TMDB - John Chardon TMDB · Oct 20197/10
By the pricking of my thumbs... Beset by production issues, Disney being horrified by the horror of the piece and etc, Something Wicked This Way Comes proved to be a most divisive picture. Yet it's actually a spooky family friendly horror yarn. Plot sees the Pandemonium Carnival roll into a small American town and mysteriously grant the residents their wishes. Of course it's a "too good to be true" set up, and after two young boys discover the carnival's secrets, they come under threat from the owner, Mr. Dark (Jonathan Pryce deliciously sinister). Directed by Jack Clayton (The Innocents) and photographed by Stephen H. Burum, pic is far darker than what Disney envisaged at the outset. Missing the crux of Bradbury's literary bent, the makers do however put forward a thoughtful and atmospheric story, one that looks and sounds terrific with its ethereal beats. It's a crafty puritan bad dream, where although it's true to say that the allegories and message at the core are driven hard, it still a devilish blend of horror and whimsical wonder. 7/10
Read the whole review on TMDB - r96skon TMDB · Sep 20207/10
It might not be as great as it could've been, but I did enjoy watching <em>'Something Wicked This Way Comes'</em>. Jonathan Pryce definitely carries events as Mr. Dark, who is a character that suits him very nicely. I'm a fan of Pryce from other films, so it's little surprise that I like him here. Jason Robards is good too, if a little muttered throughout. The child actors, meanwhile, are passable. The premise is filled with intrigue, it doesn't quite deliver on a grand scale and yet I still felt suitably entertained. The film is shot quite neatly, the main town in particular looks pleasant. Good, admittedly mostly thanks to Pryce.
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Cast
- Jason RobardsCharles Halloway
- Jonathan PryceMr. Dark
- Diane LaddMrs. Nightshade
- Royal DanoTom Fury
- Vidal PetersonWill Halloway
- Shawn CarsonJim Nightshade
- Mary Grace CanfieldMiss Foley
- Richard DavalosMr. Crosetti
- Jake DengelMr. Tetley
- Jack DodsonDr. Douglas
Crew
- Jack ClaytonDirector
- Ray BradburyScreenplay
- Ray BradburyNovel
- Stephen H. BurumDirector of Photography
- James HornerOriginal Music Composer
- Argyle Nelson Jr.Editor
- Barry Mark GordonEditor
- Peter DouglasProducer
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Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.
The Pale Blue Eye 202281% alikeBoth earnest, grave, contemplative.
Sometimes a Great Notion 197180% alikeBoth earnest, grave, contemplative.
The Village 200479% alikeBoth grave.
Five Graves to Cairo 194379% alikeBoth grave.
Witness 198578% alikeBoth earnest, grave.
The Exorcist III 199077% alikeBoth grave.
Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here 196977% alikeBoth grave, earnest.
The Stepford Wives 197576% alikeBoth grave, contemplative.
Syberia II 200481% alikeGame · Both earnest, grave, contemplative.
Blackwell Unbound 200780% alikeGame · Both grave.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Tastebuds
