I still remember when “Edward Scissorhands” was “just too WEIRD” for me! I would not even permit discussions of the play, “Sweeney Todd”, in my house when it came out to rave reviews!

I am not a fan of gore, but the years have “unweaned” me; witness my great disappointment that Ray Liotta did NOT get to reprise his role as Tommy Vercetti in a gore-light, Grand Theft Auto series film, which I guess, inured me to the further gore of “San Andreas”! (What DID happen to that, anyway?)

But really, it was watching Johnny Depp’s work, esp. when combined with Burton’s direction, that just hooked me (Burton had me at “Beetlejuice”!) and Johnny totally won me over in his harrowing portrayal of “cocaine Ph.D.”, George Jung, from my native Mass.

It took me at least 7-8 tries to sit through “Sleepy Hollow” but now, I have no qualms about seeing Depp/Burton’s latest opus, made all the more luscious by Helena Bonham-Carter’s presence (thus redeeming herself for “Frankenstein”!). I doubt anyone will remember as the capricious, linen-draped Lucy in Merchant-Ivory’s “Room With a View” after seeing this!

And if a film involves revenge, I will watch it! I’m sure Depp’s Sweeney will more than “one-up” Beatrix Kiddo, or even Steve McQueen’s “Nevada Smith”! If there was ever a dish served cold, one hankers after THIS entree!