Tim Burton’s gloriously morbid screen version of the strangest of all Broadway hits is this Christmas season’s most unlikely gift. With all the artery-spurting gore on display, it’s certainly not to everyone’s taste, but anyone who can appreciate the marriage of horror, tragedy, and beautiful music will find Sweeney Todd an exceptionally moving film. Not all of it works, but Burton’s desaturated visual prowess is consistently impressive, and the film is filled with commanding performances, especially Johnny Depp as the fiery-eyed villain/hero. Plus, any musical that involves someone singing a ballad to a straight razor will always have a special place in my heart. (Starplex 16, Waco, TX)