An expensive, over-the-top “adaptation” of a theme park ride, Jerry Bruckheimer’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” seemed all but doomed to fail in 2003. The knives were out, the critics were skeptical, and the idea of story cobbled out of kiddie ride seemed preposterous. Astonishingly, and against all odds, director Gore Verbinski invigorated the often-dismissed pirate genre, with a cavalier spirit and rollicking, cartoonish exuberance. Add the surprisingly inspired performance by Johnny Depp as the almost immediately iconic Jack Sparrow and the result was swashbuckling entertainment with a capital E.

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Believe it or not, it’s never satisfying to dump on an actor or film series, even if the actor is a shitbag accused of domestic violence (ok, nevermind). That ugliness aside, what is up with Johnny Depp, his career and FIVE ‘Pirates’ films? One of the most respected actors of his generation way back when, working with some of the best filmmakers alive (Jim Jarmusch, Terry Gilliam, Michael Mann, Tim Burton), for over a decade now, Depp has taken almost exclusively tentpole movies that reek of paycheck gigs.

Continue reading ‘Pirates Of The Caribbean’ Swashbuckles Super Bowl Style With Johnny Depp In Extended Look At ‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ at The Playlist.

10 Indie Directors Who Might Be The Next Generation Of Blockbuster Filmmakers

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Nicolas Winding Refn's 'Barbarella' Heads To Amazon, Philip Seymour Hoffman/Kathryn Hahn Series Gets Order & More

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Continue reading Darren Aronofsky Won’t Fly To ‘Red Sparrow,’ ‘Attenberg’ Director Athina Rachel Tsangari Lines Up ‘Chevalier’ & More at The Playlist.

'Kon-Tiki' Helmers Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg To Direct 'Pirates Of The Caribbean 5'

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Rupert Sanders & More On The Shortlist To Direct 'Pirates of the Caribbean 5'

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Göteborg Interview: Directors Rønning & Sandberg On 'Kon-Tiki,' Scandinavian Cinema & Their Oscar Nomination

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Oscar-Nominated 'Kon-Tiki' Directors To Make Hollywood Debut With 'Spectral'

Continue reading Oscar-Nominated ‘Kon-Tiki’ Directors To Make Hollywood Debut With ‘Spectral’ at The Playlist.