tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post7259334919035473247..comments2024-03-05T21:05:36.848-05:00Comments on CommentaramaFilms: Film Friday: Alice In Wonderland (2010)AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-16556073001729173612011-03-04T09:35:18.128-05:002011-03-04T09:35:18.128-05:00The DVD restoration of the 1952 animated classic i...The DVD restoration of the 1952 animated classic is wonderful.<br><br>The Burton sequal is way over the top. Unfortunately, kids ARE getting exposed to that kind of violence way too early.<br><br>I will admit there is lush imagery. I did happen to like H.B. Carter in this.Tennessee Jedhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10604275115906776992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-46065690899964562002011-03-04T09:40:16.764-05:002011-03-04T09:40:16.764-05:00I'm a huge Tim Burton fan (my bank can tell yo...I'm a huge Tim Burton fan (my bank can tell you that!) and I'll never forget when I saw the teaser for Edward Scissorhands. I must've been 6 or 7 and when this title card came up: "From the director of Batman and Beetlejuice", I got it. It was the first time I realized films had a "director" and that a director could imbue a film with a unique style.<br><br>Planet of the Apes is the only Burton film I don't like but he admitted later it was a studio hack job and he didn't enjoy it. It's also the most un-Burton of all his films.<br><br>Oddly, in my opinion, Alice has the opposite problem: it reeks of Burton self-parody. It has everything you expect from one of his films and on one hand, maybe that's a good thing but on the other hand, that kind of uniformity should be anathema to someone like him.<br><br>Why is this? Maybe it's because he's been working with the same stock company of actors for almost a decade. I love Depp and Bonham-Carter but I'd love to see Burton work with Michael Keaton or Paul Reubens again. Maybe it's because Danny Elfman is on auto-pilot. I enjoyed parts of his Alice score but I long for the days of Batman. And, strangely, my favorite Burton film of the last decade doesn't use Elfman music at all (Sweeney Todd)!<br><br>Re: the original story, I've never read it but from what I understand, Burton always felt it was a random series of events which is why he crafted the film the way he did: "It was always a girl wandering around from one crazy character to another, and I never really felt any real emotional connection." (quote from Wikipedia)<br><br>And re: the violence, it seems to me that there are two schools of thought on this: the "Think of the children!" brigade who are responsible for getting Coyote/Road Runner cartoons of the air... and the other side which says, "In my day, we played with toy guns and turned out fine! Enough of this PC bulls---!" Per usual, I know I'm oversimplifying it and, yes, there are limits to this sort of thing but it makes the mind wander. :-)ScottDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15660889617173576835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-17171559354067287732011-03-04T10:29:24.790-05:002011-03-04T10:29:24.790-05:00I thought it was going to be like Disney's car...I thought it was going to be like Disney's cartoon style just technically up to date. Why change the story line? It is about a pre-teen girl who falls down a rabbit hole into a lush Wonderland.<br><br>I can understand the itch to put the director's style on a classic. But sometimes that itch shouldn't be scratched. It leads to open sores and Johnny Depp as the Mad-Hatter.<br><br>This is also a test to see if I can post from my computer.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-11042248596718505692011-03-04T10:29:24.789-05:002011-03-04T10:29:24.789-05:00The last one was mine. JoelThe last one was mine. <br><br><br>JoelAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-75679980958975904822011-03-04T11:21:51.637-05:002011-03-04T11:21:51.637-05:00Personally, I thought the most annoying thing abou...Personally, I thought the most annoying thing about the movie was the 3-D crap. I don't like it in general, and there wasn't much reason for it in this movie especially. <br><br>I agree that some of the stuff was a little disturbing for kids to watch, particularly (in my opinion) that part with the frog losing his head for the jam. I don't know, the movie was watchable and I enjoyed it while I was watching it, but honestly, it wasn't that good.T_Ravnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-87185575522932493542011-03-04T11:38:24.016-05:002011-03-04T11:38:24.016-05:00I really disliked this movie also. It was disjoin...I really disliked this movie also. It was disjointed scene after disjointed scene, and Depp's slipping between a brogue and a lisp was distracting as all get out. It felt aimless and listless, and despite all the action and visuals, it felt lifeless.<br><br>I concur on Elfman's score, Scott. He used to be a bit of a hero to me in the composing world, but ever since his dull, clichéd work in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I've pretty much given up on expecting anything wonderful from him.wahsatchmohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15990668466361072408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-58771900495764947702011-03-04T12:16:49.253-05:002011-03-04T12:16:49.253-05:00Jed, The 1952 classic is fantastic. It really is ...Jed, The 1952 classic is fantastic. It really is a classic movie, even though it's only animated. Even as an adult, I still enjoy it.<br><br>And you're right about them selling this one as a kids movie. Netflix actually has it in their "children's" section. So it was rather surprising when one of the first scenes in "Underworld" was when they plucked the eye out of the giant cat things and ran off with it.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-63330557000860133012011-03-04T12:21:14.826-05:002011-03-04T12:21:14.826-05:00Once again, great review. I thought the film look...Once again, great review. I thought the film looked great, but it didn't feel all that "wonderful" and now I get it. Burton never really created a new world, he just stuck some strange things into our world. You really should review films professionally!Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-6458051765367842752011-03-04T12:25:59.531-05:002011-03-04T12:25:59.531-05:00I struggled to get through Alice, but didn't s...I struggled to get through <i>Alice</i>, but didn't succeed. If weirdness were a virtue, it would be the only virtue I saw. But then my favorite Burton movies are <i>Ed Wood</i> and <i>Mars Attacks!</i>, so what do I know? I also liked the Elfman score for <i>Mars</i>, though it was obvious he borrowed liberally from Mussorgsky.LawHawkRFDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17800255923675295515noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-40809859851753926682011-03-04T12:36:27.098-05:002011-03-04T12:36:27.098-05:00Scott, My response... :-)1. On the violence, I...Scott, My response... :-)<br><br>1. On the violence, I'm fine with the violence.... except, then don't try to sell it to kids. Either it's an R rated film or it's for kids, but you can't make a bloody, gross film and then advertise it as a wonderful experience for kids.<br><br>Also, on violence in general, let me say that I'm not one of those who think kids need to be put into a bubble. I know a lot of people complain about the violence in old cartoons or how dark some of them are (particularly old Disney films like <i>Snow White</i>), but I have no problems with that. Fairy tales are dark by their very nature and kids can deal with that. But there's a difference between an evil shadow taking over the world and eyes being gouged out and heads floating in a moat -- even if you change their color to make them look less real.<br><br>2. On Burton, I think you and I agree on this. This film feels like someone said "let's parody Tim Burton," but they didn't have the creativity to create an immersive world. Instead, they created a fairly dull world involving two warring kingdoms and then they tossed in visually "Burton-like" images, but nothing more.<br><br>3. I agree about the cast. I think he needs fresh blood. But I would also add that I don't think Carter is a particularly strong actress -- she's got one note in my opinion, at least in everything I've seen since <i>Fight Club</i> (where she was brilliant). At this point, IMO, she lets down everything she's in.<br><br>(continued)AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-16687586428622426762011-03-04T12:36:27.097-05:002011-03-04T12:36:27.097-05:00(continued)4. In terms of his movies, I've be...(continued)<br>4. In terms of his movies, I've been disappointed for a while. Obviously, <i>Planet of the Apes</i> was horrid. But I thought <i>Corpse Bride</i> was a poor knock-off of <i>Nightmare</i> and <i>Sweeney Todd</i> felt like a Burton-cliche.<br><br>5. On the story itself, I again don't mind that they changed it, though I don't think he added anything. There is virtually no plot here -- two warring kingdom, Alice must kill the Jaberwocky to win the war. That's called a "set up," not a plot. And between those points, absolutely nothing happens. Depp in particular does nothing except act crazy. Seriously, try to tell me how he affects the plot except that he gives Alice an excuse to spend time talking about how bad the Red Queen is.<br><br>Ultimately, I think the problem is the very quote you point out. Clearly, Burton did not like or respect or understand the original story, and he treated it with contempt. He should have rejected this project if he didn't like the original material. Seriously, this would be like being asked to remake <i>Star Wars</i> when your opinion of <i>Star Wars</i> is "it's a cheap film about some guy with a sword." That's not the person who should be remaking it.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-20358527894167188102011-03-04T12:46:09.879-05:002011-03-04T12:46:09.879-05:00Joel, I am of two minds on remakes. On the one ha...Joel, I am of two minds on remakes. On the one hand, I feel like, if you're going to <b><i>remake</i></b> a classic, then you should stick to the classic and just improve it visually or in style. But on the other hand, I'm fine with them <b><i>reinterpreting</i></b> a film. To me, it's just a matter of choosing one or the other, I can't stand people who pretend to remake something but then change it all over the place.<br><br>Since I didn't expect Burton to just remake the original, I wasn't bothered by what he did with the plot. What bothered me was the utter lack of plot. Not only is there no depth here, there's barely any shallow.<br><br>What this feels like to me, is that the studio wanted to use Burton's "street-cred" to make a film that was basically a shallow summer blockbuster that they could sell overseas. And it worked, they made a fortune on this -- but it's telling that it got only 2 weeks of minor play on HBO and it hasn't been subject to any big DVD campaign or anything like that. In other words, while it made a fortune during its run in the theaters, this movie has no staying power. <br><br>And I can tell you, as someone who loves cult classics, this one won't become a cult classic either because it just doesn't have the heart.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-80736141304921446722011-03-04T12:50:40.125-05:002011-03-04T12:50:40.125-05:00T_Rav, I think 3-D is a gimmick that Hollywood is ...T_Rav, I think 3-D is a gimmick that Hollywood is using to inflate ticket prices. And it's a pretty cynical gimmick because they are wedging it into films as a selling point and then manipulating the film content to appease the selling point. That's the same thing as including a particular location or character to try to appeal to particular audiences -- which is something else they do a lot of these days.<br><br>Overall, the film isn't unwatchable. But I doubt very many people will ever want to see it again, and most people are describing it as not at all memorable. And in that regard, I say the test is always what moments you remember and what lines you can quote when you leave the theater.... there isn't much (any) of that in this film.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-8712458923940770962011-03-04T12:59:40.675-05:002011-03-04T12:59:40.675-05:00wahsatchmo, I had the same reaction. Depp's c...wahsatchmo, I had the same reaction. Depp's character was annoying the way he switched back and forth between two incompatible characters and never really seemed to have a genuine core.<br><br>And ultimately, the best word for the film is "lifeless." Everything in the film felt like the characters were going through the motions. Interestingly, part of that was the way they set up the "plot." They tell you almost immediately that Alice's destiny is to kill the Jabberwocky, and then they give you no sense that there's ever going to be any doubt she can do it. They even tell you that all she has to do is hold onto the sword and it will do the rest. That kills all of the suspense. And the individual scenes don't feel like they are there for any purpose other than giving us something to watch before we get to the ending. So you never really feel like there's any tension.<br><br>On Elfman, I was really impressed with his work on <i>Nightmare Before Christmas</i>, and was generally satisfied with his work, though IMO he's never really had the kind of memorable scores like John Williams. But he really does seem to be on autopilot these days.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-86819110260245757232011-03-04T13:01:20.125-05:002011-03-04T13:01:20.125-05:00Ed, Thanks! I think that is the ultimate problem ...Ed, Thanks! I think that is the ultimate problem here, that Burton doesn't create a world, he just shots images of people in strange clothing. And that's not very interesting.<br><br>I can't see myself doing professional reviews because I'm not really interested in doing the "it was good, the acting was solid, you should see it." I'd rather take the films apart and see what I think works or not.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-35374575320383283862011-03-04T13:02:47.624-05:002011-03-04T13:02:47.624-05:00I've tried, but I'm just not a Burton fan....I've tried, but I'm just not a Burton fan. I really liked Batman, and I liked Beetlejuice. I've tried to watch Scissorhands, but I didn't get it - but I did get really WEIRD dreams!<br>Anyway, I've heard how great Nightmare before C'mas is, so I tried that one recently. I got about halfway and gave up. I didn't get it either - but at least no weird dreams...<br><br>And since I refuse to watch any more movies in 3D (I actually paid for 3D Avatar - and was sick; survived Tron), I missed this one. And now I am glad.rlaWTXhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09319344164726195144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-69676104192870478512011-03-04T13:02:47.623-05:002011-03-04T13:02:47.623-05:00Lawhawk, I didn't struggle to get through this...Lawhawk, I didn't struggle to get through this one, but I never found myself very interested in what was going on. That's why I think it's "watchable" but it's not a good film nor does it have any staying power.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-1118631193197816912011-03-04T13:05:49.645-05:002011-03-04T13:05:49.645-05:00rlaWTX, A lot of people don't like Burton'...rlaWTX, A lot of people don't like Burton's style. I've enjoyed the strange, almost insane/melodramatic worlds he's created in the past, but his "schtick" is getting worn out, and much of what he's done lately feels very cliched to me.<br><br>As I say above too, I'm not a fan of 3-D because I see it as a marketing gimmick that trumps the artistic value of the films, rather than enhances them.<br><br>In this case, it was just a flat, dull, uninteresting film with some cliched Burton images and some forced unpleasantness. And all in all, it was a mess. So you're better off having skipped it. You won't miss this one.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-24952010602018544572011-03-04T13:48:07.660-05:002011-03-04T13:48:07.660-05:00Andrew, Good point, you're reviews really aren...Andrew, Good point, you're reviews really aren't just reviews, but I still think you should do it professionally!<br><br>You mention that you see the difference between reinterpretation and remaking, and I agree. I used to get upset when I saw something being remade and then it was completely different, but not always. It took me some time to figure out what the difference was and I figured out that if they remake something, then I want them to be faithful to the original for the most part. But if they reimagine it or reboot it, then I'm fine seeing it as something completely different, and then I don't want them being too close to the original. Like you, I'm bothered when they sell something as a remake, but it's really a reinterpretation.Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-77363466472495296942011-03-04T14:38:51.271-05:002011-03-04T14:38:51.271-05:00I'm also just not a Tim Burton fan, Edward Sci...I'm also just not a Tim Burton fan, Edward Scissorhands excepted.<br><br>I think this movie surprised me mostly in that I didn't hate it. I've not bothered to see it ever again, but I didn't hate it. That's pretty high praise for Tim Burton from me. :DCrispyRicehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07302075204880024936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-51744419816903986332011-03-04T15:17:38.132-05:002011-03-04T15:17:38.132-05:00Ed, That's how I see it too. So long as they ...Ed, That's how I see it too. So long as they are remaking something, they should remain faithful to the material. If they want to reinterpret, then by all means have fun with it and do something original.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-69626583340518921672011-03-04T15:17:38.131-05:002011-03-04T15:17:38.131-05:00Crispy, That's high praise indeed -- I didn...Crispy, That's high praise indeed -- I didn't hate it like I thought I would! LOL!AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-64744248079098049342011-03-04T15:41:35.829-05:002011-03-04T15:41:35.829-05:00Speaking of remakes, are you ever going to review ...Speaking of remakes, are you ever going to review the Lord of the Rings? I'm curious what you think about that.Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-69685122918837031052011-03-04T15:57:34.721-05:002011-03-04T15:57:34.721-05:00Andrew, I'm really not a huge fan of Tim Burto...Andrew, I'm really not a huge fan of Tim Burton movies in general: I think Batman was the only one I really liked. Edward Scissorhands was just bizarre and depressing from start to finish, I didn't care much for Nightmare Before Christmas, and the rest I haven't seen. I just don't see why his films are supposed to be so great.<br><br>Ditto on Ed--you should definitely do a review on LOTR (BH is currently doing a commemoration of it and Tolkien).T_Ravnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-81583727221230467382011-03-04T16:26:07.940-05:002011-03-04T16:26:07.940-05:00T_Rav, Burton is one of those people that some peo...T_Rav, Burton is one of those people that some people really like and others really dislike, there are few people in the middle on him. And I certainly can see both sides. I think what he presents (or at least used to present) is a unique view of the worlds he creates in his films. So each film was really a fantasy world come to life. But I think he's becoming a bit of a cliche and he's repeating himself so regularly that his most recent stuff isn't very original.<br><br><br>T_Rav & Ed,<br><br>On the LOTR, I can do that, but I'm not the biggest fan of the films. They are fun films and I enjoy them, BUT they've lost the essence of the book to me because they made too many commercial choices, particularly with regard to tinkering with the characters and taking out the things that made them so loved. I really don't think they respected the material or the audience. Let me think about it and I'll see what I can come up with.AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com