Like many people, I have always been fascinated by movie musicals as a cinematic art form. Clearly, when the music itself is integrated into the dramatic flow of the film, you end up with an experience that is very close to attending a great Broadway play. Think of Judy Garland in "Meet me in St. Louis"; Robert Preston in "Oklahoma"; Gene Kelly in "Singin' in the Rain", and Garland again in the immortal "Wizard of Oz."

With the possible exceptions of "Hair" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" since the 1950's, Hollywood largely lost its touch concerning what makes a good musical. Excluding "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and the original "The Producers", both having the good fortune to display the incredible talents of the legendary Zero Mostel, most musicals have bordered on the bland at best. For example, is there anything more excruciating to watch than an Elvis Presley musical, particularly one in which Ann Margaret appears?

However, Hollywood has been regaining its magic touch over the last ten years. Despite their overall mediocrity, both "Rent" and the remake of "The Producers" had some great moments. "Chicago" was sensational, and "A Mighty Wind" remains a treasure on re-watching. This years' "I'm Not There" was frustratingly inventive, and "Across the Universe" was a complete joy.

However, if you have not seen the truly spectacular "Once", now out on DVD, then rent it immediately. I truly believe one national critic's analysis that it is almost a perfect movie. As a polar opposite in mood and tone, those of you with a strong constitution should take in Tim Burton's nasty, bloody Greek tragedy "Sweeney Todd."

While most of you probably know by now, let me warn the few who don't. This movie is literally an orgy of blood encompassed in Stephen Sondheim's music. It tells a sadly bitter tale of a man consumed by his vengeance as he seeks retribution from a judge who literally ruined his life.

The cinematography is dark and chilling, and provides a backdrop of a grimy London that creates the perfect atmosphere for this macabre musical. More importantly, the magnetic pull of the two powerful performances by Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter draw you to their grisly work in the same way that you slow down when passing a wreck on the interstate.

Truthfully, the quality of Depp and Carter's singing is irrelevant to any meaningful analysis, as they command the stage in their respective roles as a homicidal barber and his sidekick who renders his victims into meat pies for mass consumption. This is not a movie to be eating popcorn while you view it!

Added to the mix is Alan Rickman, who consistently excels in sinister roles as reflected by his performance as the villain in the first Bruce Willis "Die Hard" and Professor Snape in the "Harry Potter" series. He is perfect as the loathsome jurist who falsely sends Depp to a penal colony so he can steal his beautiful young wife.

More importantly, potentially lost in all the blood is the telling of a classic morality tale of how vengeance can consume a human being. Depp's decent into his own personal hell ends up destroying not only himself, but nearly everyone he loves. That is not a bad lesson to keep in mind in this post 9/11 world.

Like many movies made by Burton and Depp, this one is not intended for a mass audience. After all, how many people are going to rush to a movie about a psychopathic serial killer and his cannibalistic assistant during the Christmas season? Nonetheless, for those of you with the stomach for it, I hardily recommend it for your attention. Love it or hate it, you are not likely to forget it.