Sometimes we are disappointed by films when we have certain expectations going into the theatre.
I expected, or I should say, hoped for, a benign, cute, kid-oriented Alice, akin to the Disney original, with creative little animals that speak in rhymes. I figured the sweet, bizarre critters Alice meets in her dream world would be even more charming in 3-D. What a shock to find a violent world in that rabbit hole, where monster-types scream, scare, and destroy others!
Gee, where's my innocent childhood world? And where are those Disney rhymes that mystify the naive Alice?
Okay, Valerie, go ahead and teach me about the real Lewis Carroll!
Signing out, and awaiting a different spin on Alice!
The Rev. Charles L. Dodgson (AKA L. Carroll) never married and showed a predilection for child nudes. Hmmm. Other rumors say he was gay. Whatever. Anyway, many of his characters or themes are stabs at Victorian social and political issues and players.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the movie. I simply had fun being in this fantastical land. I can't think of one with Depp that I haven't. I felt Bonham Carter stole the movie. Alice was much too old; she should have been clearly in that awkward cusp of adolescence - the story's point, when impossible ideas abound - and hated the occasional moments of lechery. Jane Hathaway - horrible as White Queen and her lipstick should have been pale. Feminist themes? Loved them. Not Disney? True, but like many more modern versions, much closer to original literary offering.
One more thought: how on earth could you have expected a "benign, cute, kid-oriented" film from Tim Burton?! hahaha
ReplyDeleteOf the most recent pictures to date that I have seen I would include THE HURT LOCKER and AVATAR as my two current favorite adult films. As I go down a mental list of cinemas that I have viewed, too many favs come to mind, for example, WEST SIDE STORY. Oh, by the way, I am dr. d.'s older brother.
ReplyDeleteHi Pete. Thanks for being part of the film blog! Yes, I agree. Avatar and The Hurt Locker are way up there on my list too. Any other films you'd like to include? We'll go at 'em one at a time! Love, bro
ReplyDeleteValerie: I'm with ya on your Johnny Depp comment. He does indeed do great stuff. My favorite film with him is still Edward Scissorhands. He was so subtle in that parody. Never could get into his swashbuckling roles in the last few years. Re: Bonham Carter....she'll always be etched in my mind as the floozy flirting with Steve Martin in Novocaine. Re: Anne Hathaway...yes, wasted talent here. Still love her, however, in Rachel's Wedding.
ReplyDeleteValerie: Very creepy info you shared about Lewis Carroll. Sounds like a very bizarre fellow.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, PHB! And you are IN the club, since you mentioned MY favorite movie of them all, West Side Story. Imagine that.
ReplyDeleteHere's another "creepy", David. This morning I picked up my iTouch and my unseen finger accidentally opened to Alice Through the Looking Glass on in my classics app (which I have never opened!). A sign to read it a bit.
ReplyDeleteRe Depp - yes I will always adore E.S., and there was one shot of him in Alice with a wounded, vulnerable expression in over make-upped face where he was exactly E.S. again.
Weird Karma, film buddy. West Side Story...one of all time favorites too. Worth a post?
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