Counting Sheep

Author(s): Matthew LaRusso / Jennifer Milan
Location: New Jersey

“Counting Sheep"

Directed by: Tim Burton
Written by: Tim Burton
Music by: Danny Elfman

Principal Cast:

Edward Norton as Sgt. Trent Redding
Johnny Depp as Sgt. Robert Stevens
Christopher Walken as Det. Frank Serrone
Javier Bardem as Officer Sergio Morales
Jennifer Connelly as Jessica Redding

Tagline: “This Winter, All your Dreams will Become Nightmares…"

Synopsis: In the small suburban town of Doddington, Nebraska, there is a serial killer on the loose. He lurks in the dead, dark hours of the night, kills his victims in brutal fashion and leaves no clues behind. It is the job of the Doddington PD to find this killer. The task force is led by Sgt. Trent Redding (Norton) and Sgt. Robert Stevens (Depp) who are both dumbfounded by these killings in such a peaceful neighborhood. No witnesses, no clues and no leads. When an FBI agent gets involved (Walken), many start to suspect Sergio Morales (Bardem), a former DPD officer who was let go, because of his overly violent behavior and psychological problems. When Morales’ alibi fits, he is eliminated as a suspect. Unknown to everyone in the investigation is the one key witness waiting in the wings, Jessica Redding, the wife of Trent Redding. She is the only one who knows about the Sgt.’s little problem: sleepwalking. There are many nights when Sgt. Redding disappears for hours at a time and she does not know where he goes. Now the hunter will become the hunted, only he does not know it, and neither does anyone else….

What the press would say:

Tim Burton, the director of such classics as “Batman” and “Edward Scissorhands”, brings his most un-Tim Burton-like movie to the big screen, in the form of “Counting Sheep”. While the title may have Tim Burton written all over it, the acting takes his direction to a whole new level. Edward Norton is sure to get his first Oscar nod in nearly a decade and Javier Bardem may finally get a win for his astute portrayal of a small town officer who has lost everything. The editing and cinematography are the best in years and Danny Elfman’s frantic and heart-pounding score are sure to garner a nomination. The screenplay is tight and to the point, and reveals great character insights. Let the nominations begin!

Best Picture
Best Director- Tim Burton
Best Actor- Edward Norton
Best Supporting Actor- Javier Bardem
Best Original Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Cinematography
Best Original Score