Dark Shadows

With a prologue that seductively nails the Ann Radcliffe atmosphere of gothic romance, director Tim Burton and lead Johnny Depp establish the backstory of one Barnabas Collins, scion of an 18th century New England fishing magnate who uses his position to sample the galley maids until he pisses off one named Angelique (Eva Green), who just happens to be a witch. A real one. And so, after a bit of toil and trouble over a cauldron, we end up with Barnabas undead, chained up in a coffin and buried away for eternity. After some workmen backhoe up his prison in 1972, Barnabas is unleashed on hippy-era Collinsport, Maine, home to Collinsworth castle, where he finds his descendants essentially squatting in its decayed grandeur. The years have not been good for the Collins family, as Angelique has applied her witchy skills to wresting control of Collinsport from Barnabas’ descendants. It’s pretty much an arch soap opera, but the material really plays to Burton’s strengths and the humor isn’t as broad as the trailer for the movie threatened. Cinemark 14, Feather River Cinemas and Paradise Cinema 7. Rated PG-13.