DVD Review: Alice In Wonderland

Disney is known for his animation. But his very first works combined both animation and live-action, like Who Framed Roger Rabbit would do decades later. These live-action/animation shorts were based upon the Alice In Wonderland tales Walt had read in his childhood. And in 1951, Walt created (Arguably) the most famous adaptation of Lewis Carrol's book.

Alice is a small girl who runs down a hole in search of a white rabbit. She learns that she has stumbled into a zany world called Wonderland, where mad hatters and Cheshire Cats roam free. But how can she get home? That's the puzzler...

I am a large Disneyana fan. And, let me just say right now, we are rabid about Walt Disney movies. But for some reason, as a child (and today) I didn't get it. Not only isn't there a plot line, there really isn't an objective throughout. You get the feeling they're missing up great story opportunities that Tim Burton's adaptation did so perfectly.

The voices are great though. The immortal Sterling Halloway does wonders as that perfect Cheschire Cat. And Kathryn Beaumont does her second Disney heroine role here (she also does Wendy in Peter Pan). Still, the film, like Peter Pan, is a bit on the weaker side of Walt's classics.



Rating: 7.1 out of 10

SYS

Film Review: Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland

Tim Burton is the filmmaker emodiement of mood swings. First he's making Ed Wood, then he goes off and makes the abominable 2001 remake of Planet of The Apes film. Alice is a return to the things that made him great in his early filmmaking years.

Alice in this version is not some daffy 9 year old. Oh no. She's a maturing 19 year old, about to be married off to some rich clot. owever, she gets distracted by a white rabbit that leads her down a hole into Underland (she misheard it last time) There she must confront her fears and life itself.

The most notable thing about the film are the visuals. Almost at an Avtar level of realism and human-to-CGI interactivity, some of the creatures are very beautiful I can say without a doubt the Cheschie Cat is among the greatest creations in CGI film to date. Alice also seems to really live with the characters and you feel like your there! It's quite an experience, especially in IMAX 3D.

Johnny Depp once again shows why he's the modern day king of acting.In one of his best performances to date, he give depth and realism to this crazy hatter. He's defenitly one heck of a performance and I wouldn't be surprised at all to see an Oscar nom. come in 2011.



This film has visuals and great acting through the teeth. It's one of the best fantasies ever. I can wholeheartedly say it's a fun romp, a great example of perfect 3D and one of Tim Burton's best.

Rating: 8.9 out of 10 or A-

SYS

Film Review: Clash of The Titans

I just can't hate a film where 3 giant scorpions duke it out while humans try to escape their claws. That's too much fun to resist. Though it has atrocious 3D, this film overall is better than the norm.

After seeing his adoptive parents killed, Perseus learns Hades plans to unleash the Kracken to destroy all of humanity. Percy and a ragtag group of men go off in search of their destiny...

This film is fun. Fun, fun fun fun FUN!!! The Kracken is an example of this. If a smile dosent come to your face when you see him, it's amazing. Perseus is also a fun ride. He may not act well, but he does his job as a warrior right. Liam Neeson does well and scorpions...well their perfect.

The 3D though, is an abomination. I love 3D and I feel like in How To Train Your Dragon, Alice In Wonderland and especially Avatar, 3D was used to advance the story. Like Alice, this film was CONVERTED to 3D. Unlike Alice, they thought of doing 3D, 11weeks before it came out. Watching the film in 3D is like drinking Near Beer or a Diet Soda. Not the full monty and many will get it if you dress it up like the real thing. Many asked for refunds actually after the screening. If I hadn't seen it in XD, I would've joined them.

Despite that, this is one fun ride and it's a good time overall..just see it in 2D!



One final note: best cameo of the year is in here. Just wait until you see it.

Rating: 7.4 out of 10 or B

SYS

Box Office Report: Clash A Huge Fight, Marry Does Fine

Clash of The Titans was a hit this weekend with 61 million. My prediction was dead on for the epic. The film couldn't outpace the gigantic 300, though it's still a hit since it made back half of it's 125 million dollar budget. It seems the 3D conversion was worth it.

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too? was able to muster 29 million. The film is the 3rd biggest Tyler Perry opening weekend ever behind Madea Goes To Jail and Madea's Family Reunion. It seems to be continuing the red hot streak Tyler Perry has had for years now.

How To Train Your Dragon held wonderfully, making 29 million and dipping only 33.7%, better than Monstrs VS. ALiens from last year. It's gone from being 16 million behind the film to 12 million. It's now made 92 million, a stellar gross which could go to about 175 million.

The Last Song performed alright, if frontloaded. It made 16 million over the weekend and has made 25 million since Wednesday. It's frontloaded nature is similar to another Nicholas Spark adptation, Dear John.



The weekend was the biggest ever in April and has put the year up 17% from last year.

SYS

Weekend Preview: Who will Clash, Marry, Sing and Train?

This weekend is going to be huge. No one can deny it. Another 3D epic enters at the forefront, as do a Tyler Perry and Miley Cyrus/Nicholas Sparks flick. Meanwhile, Alice and Dragon will try to get any remaining dollars to their 3D screens.

Clash of the Titans has a massive marketing and 3D on it's side to make it easily win the weekend. A godo question, though, is how big will it get? I place my bets at 60 million, but many have actually put it at beating Fast & Furious's record for highest grossing april weekend. To do that, it'll have to make 71 million or more. That MAY be achievable, though only 1600 3D screens limits it's potential to REALLY break out like Alice In Wonderland. Still, expect some nice returns this weekend for around 61 million. If succesful, WB will be converting Inception to 3D for it's July 16th release.

Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too comes in, becoming the 1st non-Madea Tyler Perry film to get a sequel. Although no reviews are up at the time of this writing, plenty will still come out to see Tyler's latest film. Expect something in the high-20's, a very fine opening. If it does break 30 million, though, expect Why Did I Get Married As Well in 2012/2013. A 28 million weekend will make that a reality.

How To Train Your Dragon, last week's underperformer, is expect to take a small dent this weekend. It's been doing grand during the week, so a tiny drop this weekend. A drop of about 22% should give it a 34 million weekend. Expect tiny drops throughout April, since no family films come out until late April withh Brendan Fraser's Furry Vengeance.



The Last Song should do decent, if unspectacular. It made 5 million on Wednesday, exactly on target with my predictions. A 3 million Thursday and a 22 million weekend will give it a 30 million 5-day gross, fine for Miley's first film without Hannah Montana in the title. It remains to be seen though if this qualifies as a hit by Disney's standards.

Alice In Wonderland keeps on chugging in it's 5th weekend., as it reached 300 million yesterday. A 13 million weekend this week will give it a robust 314 million total, giving it a defenite chance of entering the 350 million dollar club.



The rest of the Top 10 will be held up by Gerard Butler, Wimpy Kids and Hot Tubs, all of which should have decent dips thanks to Good Friday. There's a chance of beating the biggest April weeknd this week..but we shall see.

1) Clash of The Titans- 61 million
2) How To Train Your Dragon- 34 million
3) Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too- 28 million
4) The Last Song- 22 million
5) Alice In Wonderland- 13 million

SYS

Anticipating 2010 Part I

You might think this is way too late. After all, 2010 is 24 days old. However, some new trailers for a majority of 2010 films have come in, giving a good opinion on what they'll be like (though they can be misleading, see Extraordinary Measures). So, without further ado, let me introduce some of the can't wait flicks of the year.

Shutter Island: Martin Scorsese. Need I say more? A little? Alright then. This film may have been post-poned from October, but that seems to have been because of some budget problems: the film looks amazing. This could be a great thriller like The Shining if Martin can really do it right. I have the utmost confidence though we'll be seeing a master at work when this baby hits theatres. (February 5, 2010)

The Lightning Thief: I actually am a fan of the books and of Percy Jackson and his demigod buddies. Camp Half-Blood seems like a great place to be and surprisingly this film looks like it good be great too. I like the casting of Pierce Brosnan and Brandon T. Jackson, casting choices that may say they wanted the film to have good actors that could really portray the characters well, a rarity these days. (February 12, 2010)

Alice In Wonderland: This one is near the top of my list. Johnny Depp and Tim Burton have been a dynamite combo before, but this film looks to be a mind-blower, perhaps even close to an Avatar scale. This is one film that looks to be hailed by all ages and maybe get Johnny Depp that Best Actor Oscar he so richly deserves. (March 5, 2010)

Season of The Witch: Say what you will, but I love Johnny Depp and this looks right up his alley. He definitely looks great here, but it's also the brilliant Ron Perlman that looks great. It may be dark, but the film still looks like a grand piece of kick-butt action. (March 19, 2010)

How To Train Your Dragon: This film looks like it's gonna break the DreamWorks tradition like Kung Fu Panda did and be much better than people thought it would. The trailer looks touching and perhaps a little adventurous. The Lilo and Stitch director Chris Sanders directs this film and it shows. It looks much different than most animated movies and I hope it's differ net as well in one single department: good quality. (March 26 ,2010)

Date Night: Tina Fey and Steve Carrel are funny alone. Together? That can only add up to hilarity, especially when you put them in a James bond like situation. The trailer is uproarious and I can't wait to see the final product (April 9, 2010)

Iron Man 2: Robert Downy Jr. has hit his peak right now..or will when this baby comes out. I loved the 1st Iron Man, probably one of the best of 2008. I have been waiting for a sequel and BOOM! here it is! Although Don Cheadle's casting could be awkward, but I still think this could be one of 2010's best pictues right here.

Robin Hood: Russel Crowe where have you been (except for the classic Body of Lies)? Filming this I guess. The fact that Ridley Scott directs this only adds to the intrigue. True, it may not be a classic like Iron Man 2 or laice in Wodnerland oculd be, but Robin Hood sure looks fun and I'll be there on oepning weekend to see it.

Prince of Persia: It was bound to happen that Disney would want to get a new Pirates like frnachise started. But who knew it would be based off this game? Though it's property is odd, it could be a fun movie, espicially since it takes place in a rare Egyptian time that you don't see of tne in films.

Look for Part II soon (there MAY be a PArt III. I'll see soon enough.)

SYS

Mad About Hatter Image

Johnny Depp's genuis interpretation of The Mad Hatter has been shown in this new image. Gad, the makeup here is brilliant. Love it.

SYS

52 x 72 Foot Tall Toys

Toy Story 3 shall arrive bigger than you thought! Toy Sotry 3 will be in IMAX 3D, continuing Disney's relationship with IMAX that will continue with Alice In Wonderland & Tron Legacy. I'll be sure to see Buzz flying through the IMAX cinema come June 2010!

SYS

It (Isn't) Old Hat(ter) By Now

ALice In Wonderland looks great, but that's only because of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. Johnny certainly looks like he's going gung-ho for this, so perhaps an Oscar nomination could be in here.

This film comes out on March 5th, 2010. This isn't a remake, by the way.