“Alice in Wonderland” – Film Review

I was flabbergasted by the incredible animation, and I didn’t even watch it on 3D…yet.

First things first, I’ve heard a many things about this Alice adaptation, some say sequel, Tim Burton himself says not, however, since this Alice would be a tad maddening (which apparently isn’t always a bad thing) if you had no inkling whatsoever about the previous Alice story, thus, I will call this Alice an extension. A spin off by a different author, who weaved a classic tale into a different style and culture.

Helena Bonham Carter is an absolute scene stealer, but then again, when isn’t she? She is the heart of the film, pun quite intended. Crispin Glover, creepily affective as always. Jonny Depp delivers, yet again, a performance unlike any other. Anne Hathaway was ever so graceful as the White Queen, and kind of psychotic as well. And as for the lovely Mia Wasikowska, she’s wonderful, pun intended yet again. Although she could have used a little more curiosity, like the Disney Alice. And we can’t forget Matt Lucas as Twiddledum and Twiddledee, I love my fat boys.

The animations were gorgeous. Dark and nightmarishly detailed, everything was: Just. Gorgeous.

I loved the story. It’s not perfect, and some parts I definitely could have done without, the eye thing with the large (feline?) monster was cliched and eye-roll worthy, but I loved it overall nonetheless. I found it fascinating that Alice was more in tune with her muchness once she accepted her delusions. It’s intriguing how impervious some people think they are when they think something is wrong with them.

This is not a film made with rainbows, spice, and everything nice. It’s dreary and disturbing, but with good reason. It’s a phantasmagoric epic that is unlike any other.

All it comes down to is this:

Tim Burton’s films – you either love them or hate them.

I happen to love them. Especially this one.

Alice: Lost my muchness have I?

The December Trail

Okay, so I haven't been very good with the whole "I'm back!" thing, but here are some awesome new trailers to make up for it.

Alice In Wonderland
Oh Disney, how you make my heart swell.
Director : Tim Burton
Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway
Release: March 5, 2010

The Runaways
Well, well, well. Look who grew up... way too fast.
Director: Floria Sigismondi
Cast: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning, Scout Taylor-Compton
Release: TBA 2010

The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Why oh why can't urban fairy tales like this happen to me in real life?
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina
Release: July 16, 2010

Iron Man 2
It's crazy how much I love the Iron Man soundtracks.
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle
Release: May 7, 2010

***

And remember folks, don't judge a movie by its trailer!

Goodbye To Another Joss Whedon Show

The moral compass points wrong, it's hard to figure out who to root for, and your emotions are twisted inside and out before the end of each show. Those could be some of the reasons why people don't watch the show. Some people have also said that the plot holes are too blatant and sloppy to ignore.

It's sloppy, I agree. I have to, because even I'm not that much of a blind fanatic.

But these are the reasons why I loved the show. Not the sloppy part, but the hard-to-figure-moral-compass-inside-and-out-emotions part. Dollhouse was compelling because it didn't spoon feed me bullshit about how this is wrong, this is right, and this is what you must learn. It challenged me, provoked me, pissed me off, broke my heart, made me fall in love with each character despite how much I hated their ignoble guts at the same time.

It played with my insides.

And lo and behold, FOX just had to cancel it just when we were getting to the thick of it.

Fortunately, even they aren't stupid enough to cut us off high and dry, the rest of the second season will finish off during December. That's something at least, never enough of course, but something. I keep hoping that people will come to their senses, start watching, and eventually the show will be miraculously renewed for a third season. That would be a hell of a Christmas gift, to all Dollhouse fans.

Here's to hoping.

The November Trail

I'm back! Sort of. Real life still needs my attention from time to time. I know right? SO annoying. Anyway, to celebrate the end to my movie reviewing celibacy, here are some of the latest movie trailers about the latest movies.

Salt
At first I thought this was a Jolie film similar to the Changeling, lady gets stupendously wronged by the government, heartbreakingly tortuous, lots of crying, etc. However, it’s so obviously not. It’s actually more like Wanted, only better cause it doesn’t blatantly spit on the face of the laws of physics. Or at least not too much, seriously, who can leap from that high and not fracture every major bone in their extremities?
Cast: Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Chiwetel Ejiofor
Director: Phillip Noyce
Release: July 23, 2010

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time
When I heard Jake Gyllenhaal was going to play the beloved Prince of Persia, I was very, very doubtful. But after seeing this trailer, well…he can carry the accent, and he still looks pretty with long hair, so not all is lost. After all, the hair is important. I loved the game, and I loved the story, fortunately it’s not a severely complicated story, so they can’t butcher this like most game-to-movie franchises. Right? I’ll admit though, I’m excited about this one.
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gemma Arterton, Alfred Molina
Director: Mike Newell

Release: May 28, 2010

Kick-Ass
When I was younger, this was exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up. With a better costume of course.
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Aaron Johnson, Lyndsy Fonseca
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Release: April 16, 2010

The Lovely Bones
This seems like a kaleidoscope of symbolism, I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it. This exquisite film stars Saoirse Ronan, that strikingly blue-eyed girl that ruined everything in the romantic tragedy Atonement.
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon
Director: Peter Jackson
Release: December 11, 2009

***
Remember folks, don't judge a movie by its trailer!

Do You Wanna Date Her Avatar?

It's the internet princess herself, Felicia Day, in a ridiculously brilliant music video to promote the 3rd season of her hit web series "The Guild." Felicia Day (from Buffy, Dr. Horrible, Dollhouse... Bring It On Again) isn't a mainstream name, but if you claim to be a member of the worldwide geekdom, then there's no excusable reason why you haven't heard of her by now. However, if you've been busy with work/school, family, exercise, and other activities of daily living (i.e. boring stuff), then now is the time to acquaint yourself with the online wonder of one Ms. Felicia Day.

The Guild is a nerdgasmic type of funny. It's not meant for people who have no idea what MMORPG stands for, nor people who think that potions are those things that make people fall in love. Don't let the audacious geekiness scare you though, if you don't mind a little confusion, then let yourself madly LOL and watch The Guild!

Here's the first episode: