Title: Alice in Wonderland
Director: Tim Burton
Based on the Books: Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There
Books By: Lewis Carroll
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter
Rated: PG
Released: 2010
Rating: 3/5
Oscars: 2
Basic Plot: Alice returns to Wonderland (but doesn't remember being there before) and ends up having to save Wonderland.
The White Queen
Let me just say that Anne Hathaway was gorgeous as the White Queen. In fact, she was one of the best looking people in the movie. The antics of the White Queen were amusing to watch and fun. However, how she holds her hands (for the good majority of the film) does get a little irritating (though it looks good for a little while).
The Dark Atmosphere of the Film
I love when a movie isn't fully all happy and go lucky. This movie does have some scenes that might make little kids uncomfortable (the beheadings in the movie for one). For an older audience, however, these things aren't that troubling at all. Plus the movie does end on a happy note.
Better or Worse Than Other Versions
I only remember seeing the old Disney Alice in Wonderland animated feature a long time ago. I didn't form any memories that make me look back at the film with nostalgia. That version, though, was much lighter than this one. Bad things happened in that film but Burton's film is much darker.
Final Thoughts
This film is a decent fantasy film. It has the tried and true plot of a person (Alice) finding out that she is, indeed, someone with an important destiny. The villains are funny but never too threatening. If you are looking for a film to relax to, this one will do fine. If you're looking for a good fantasy movie, there are always other choices.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
A Teacher's Motivation
Recently a reporter told Matt Damon that a teacher's only motivation is losing his/her job. At which Damon corrected the reporter.
I agree with Damon on this one. Teachers go in to education because they want to teach. Do they get a good deal out of their job decision? No! They have a horrible deal with the low pay and the kids they have to deal with. I am surprised that anyone decides to go into teaching in the first place.
If teachers had it certain that they had a stable position and good pay, there would be more of an incentive to teach.
I agree with Damon on this one. Teachers go in to education because they want to teach. Do they get a good deal out of their job decision? No! They have a horrible deal with the low pay and the kids they have to deal with. I am surprised that anyone decides to go into teaching in the first place.
If teachers had it certain that they had a stable position and good pay, there would be more of an incentive to teach.
The Terminator (Part 4)
The Terminator is an average action flick but it does have something that makes it stand out from the rest.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
S&N: Curse Revealed 1
It had been hours since I had escaped The Net facility and stolen another car once I had gotten far enough away. The Net facility had been my home since my rebirth. I shouldn't say rebirth since I am now a machine. I was once a living, breathing, human girl and now I am a Machine. A filthy Machine.
Though I was allowing an inner dialog inside my head, I was focusing more on my surroundings. I would shortly be with Samara and I couldn't wait. I felt that if I could still feel something with Samara I would be human enough.
I finally found the apartment and felt a feeling close to happiness. It wasn't the same, though. I should have been feeling extreme bliss after being away from Samara for so long. I slowly got out of the car as I imagined that Samara would not accept me. Hell, I didn't even accept myself most days now.
I walked to the door as I gathered courage that I did not feel. Before I got to the door I looked behind me and saw something that I couldn't really tell if it was there or not. It flickered in and out. It seemed to be a young woman who was all in white and her whole form was nebulous. Finally she just disappeared. I would have to get myself looked at later.
Turning back to the door, I walked to the door and hesitated a moment and then knocked. With my Machine hearing I heard more than one person in the apartment. Was I already replaced by Samara? Would it now be easier for her to push me away?
The door opened and a man greeted me. My human memory didn't recognize him but my database did. It identified him as a member of Karma. My friend unless he found out what I really was.
"Can I have a glass of water?" I asked while giving him the hand signal.
The man looked at me a moment before nodding and letting me in.
"Why did Karma send you here?" The man asked after he shut the door.
"I can't tell you because of orders." I replied. Karma sometimes would have its members keep secrets from other members. This was, of course, so that the secrets could be better kept. Also allowed less of a chance for betrayal. "But what I can tell you is that I'm looking for Samara Crichton."
I was worried that this was pushing away the Karma member's trust in me. Looking around I could see two other members in the room. I could see their distrust of me but they had to follow their leader.
After a few minutes the Karma member nodded.
"I will have her location in a few minutes. I don't believe I've heard anything about Crichton's location being kept secret." He said and paused a moment. "And maybe you can help her. She lost her lover a few years back and you look like her type of woman."
Though I was allowing an inner dialog inside my head, I was focusing more on my surroundings. I would shortly be with Samara and I couldn't wait. I felt that if I could still feel something with Samara I would be human enough.
I finally found the apartment and felt a feeling close to happiness. It wasn't the same, though. I should have been feeling extreme bliss after being away from Samara for so long. I slowly got out of the car as I imagined that Samara would not accept me. Hell, I didn't even accept myself most days now.
I walked to the door as I gathered courage that I did not feel. Before I got to the door I looked behind me and saw something that I couldn't really tell if it was there or not. It flickered in and out. It seemed to be a young woman who was all in white and her whole form was nebulous. Finally she just disappeared. I would have to get myself looked at later.
Turning back to the door, I walked to the door and hesitated a moment and then knocked. With my Machine hearing I heard more than one person in the apartment. Was I already replaced by Samara? Would it now be easier for her to push me away?
The door opened and a man greeted me. My human memory didn't recognize him but my database did. It identified him as a member of Karma. My friend unless he found out what I really was.
"Can I have a glass of water?" I asked while giving him the hand signal.
The man looked at me a moment before nodding and letting me in.
"Why did Karma send you here?" The man asked after he shut the door.
"I can't tell you because of orders." I replied. Karma sometimes would have its members keep secrets from other members. This was, of course, so that the secrets could be better kept. Also allowed less of a chance for betrayal. "But what I can tell you is that I'm looking for Samara Crichton."
I was worried that this was pushing away the Karma member's trust in me. Looking around I could see two other members in the room. I could see their distrust of me but they had to follow their leader.
After a few minutes the Karma member nodded.
"I will have her location in a few minutes. I don't believe I've heard anything about Crichton's location being kept secret." He said and paused a moment. "And maybe you can help her. She lost her lover a few years back and you look like her type of woman."
The Host Rant (Part 16)
Melaine Stryder makes friends with Wanderer, decides to go into enemy territory, and she loves a man called Jared.
If that version does not work, try this version:
Monday, August 1, 2011
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Title: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Director: Tim Burton
Based on the Play By: Stephen Sondheim
Play Released: 1979
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman
Rated: R
Released: 2007
Rating: 5/5
Oscars: 1
Basic Plot: Benjamin Barker (now renamed Sweeney Todd) goes back to London, England and seeks revenge for the rape and murder of his wife.
The Dark and Feel of the Movie
This movie is very dark. I would not suggest watching this if you're depressed (like I did). However, the dark feel is very fulfilling and makes you feel. It's not merely dark to be dark, the subject matters it deals with aren't very happy at all. The gore depicted in the movie is sometimes funny.
The Songs
I didn't particularly care for the good majority of the songs. There were a few songs that I enjoyed and most of them I could stand. The songs, though, do add to the plot of the movie. In that sense, the songs do their jobs.
WTF Moments
There were a few moments in this movie that it took me a moment or two to realize what the characters were talking about. This wasn't because I couldn't understand them, but the subjects they talked about were odd. Such was when Todd and Mrs. Lovett talk about making pies from people in a very happy tone.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed this film even though it doesn't have a very happy ending. However, the dark feeling of the movie is its highpoint. It isn't afraid to show the graphic scenes in the movie. If you don't like bloody movies or ones that end on a low note, don't watch this movie. If you're watching it merely for Johnny Depp: he doesn't do a bad job as Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker.
Director: Tim Burton
Based on the Play By: Stephen Sondheim
Play Released: 1979
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman
Rated: R
Released: 2007
Rating: 5/5
Oscars: 1
Basic Plot: Benjamin Barker (now renamed Sweeney Todd) goes back to London, England and seeks revenge for the rape and murder of his wife.
The Dark and Feel of the Movie
This movie is very dark. I would not suggest watching this if you're depressed (like I did). However, the dark feel is very fulfilling and makes you feel. It's not merely dark to be dark, the subject matters it deals with aren't very happy at all. The gore depicted in the movie is sometimes funny.
The Songs
I didn't particularly care for the good majority of the songs. There were a few songs that I enjoyed and most of them I could stand. The songs, though, do add to the plot of the movie. In that sense, the songs do their jobs.
WTF Moments
There were a few moments in this movie that it took me a moment or two to realize what the characters were talking about. This wasn't because I couldn't understand them, but the subjects they talked about were odd. Such was when Todd and Mrs. Lovett talk about making pies from people in a very happy tone.
Final Thoughts
I enjoyed this film even though it doesn't have a very happy ending. However, the dark feeling of the movie is its highpoint. It isn't afraid to show the graphic scenes in the movie. If you don't like bloody movies or ones that end on a low note, don't watch this movie. If you're watching it merely for Johnny Depp: he doesn't do a bad job as Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)