Going into this movie, I had high hopes to be riveted by striking, psychedelic visuals and to see "Alice in Wonderland" which I thought was the name of the film I had bought a ticket to. However, although the visuals were striking, this is not Alice in Wonderland but rather Alice in Wonderland Part II or Alice Returns to Wonderland. For some reason, Tim Burton or Disney decided to completely create a new plot with a 19 year old Alice so that they could have an ordinary plot structure that actually makes sense. This is its failure because it completely goes against any previous Alice in Wonderland story and for it to call itself by the same name as the Lewis Carrol novel is disrespectful travesty. The plot more closely resembles Lord of the Rings or any standard fantasy plot as Alice is somehow destined to slay a dragon at the end of the movie. It is utterly ridiculous. If you go to see this movie, do not expect to see Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum or any of the scenes that you remember from the original because Disney believes that they can rewrite classics: and that is BULLSHIT!
With plot concerns aside, from a visual standpoint, the 3D graphics were impressive and this continues to be a medium that will transform the movie industry. I just hope that studios recognize that just because a movie is in 3D does not mean it has to be shitty and they could make a quality film with a well-written plot in 3D. So far every film in 3D has been impressive solely because of the graphics and this doesn't have to be the case.
Overall- 5/10 Bottom Line- Rewriting a classic is not ok, go solely for the visuals.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Oscar Predictions
First of all, I was shocked to see that there were 10 movies nominated for Best Picture instead of the typical 5 which was a tradition maintained since 1943. I really didn't think it was necessary for them to nomincate all these 10 especially with movies like District 9 and Up on the list (these are good films, but I don't see them as having any real chance at winning). So now for my predictions:
Best Picture:
What will win: Avatar-- when it comes down to it, as much as the Academy would like to claim that they are about artistic expression, their main goal is box office sales and revenue. In an age where it is getting harder and harder to convince people out of their living rooms and from their flat screen televisions and into the theaters, Avatar and the 3d technology it has pioneered represents a shining beacon of hope for those in the film industry who feared blockbusters were extinct. Although this movie is plot wise and acting wise not the best film of the year: the Academy has no choice but to reward its defibrillator that has revived the industry
What could win: Jason Reitman's comedic social commentary Up In The Air.
Best Director:
Who will win: James Cameron for Avatar
Who could win: Katheryn Bigelow for the Hurt Locker
Who should win: Quentin Tarantino for Inglorious Bastards
Best Actor:
Who will win: George Clooney: The Academy loves him and never before has he deserved to win an award more than for Up in the Air
Best Actress:
Who will win: Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side (and not completely undeservedly)
Who should win: Carey Mulligan for An Education-- excellent performance in an underpublicized, but nonetheless great film
Please don't win: Gabourey Sidibe for Precious-- mediocre performance in an overpublicized and mediocre (at best) film
Best Supporting Actor:
Who will and should win: Christoph Waltz for his remarkable performance and ability to bring evil to life in Inglorious Basterds.
Best Supporting Actress:
Who will win: Mo'Nique (unfortunately)
Best Foreign Film
Who will win: The White Ribbon
Best Animated Film:
Who will and should win: Up for being one of the greatest animated films that subtly integrates large adult themes in an entertaining Disney feature.
Best Picture:
What will win: Avatar-- when it comes down to it, as much as the Academy would like to claim that they are about artistic expression, their main goal is box office sales and revenue. In an age where it is getting harder and harder to convince people out of their living rooms and from their flat screen televisions and into the theaters, Avatar and the 3d technology it has pioneered represents a shining beacon of hope for those in the film industry who feared blockbusters were extinct. Although this movie is plot wise and acting wise not the best film of the year: the Academy has no choice but to reward its defibrillator that has revived the industry
What could win: Jason Reitman's comedic social commentary Up In The Air.
Best Director:
Who will win: James Cameron for Avatar
Who could win: Katheryn Bigelow for the Hurt Locker
Who should win: Quentin Tarantino for Inglorious Bastards
Best Actor:
Who will win: George Clooney: The Academy loves him and never before has he deserved to win an award more than for Up in the Air
Best Actress:
Who will win: Sandra Bullock for The Blind Side (and not completely undeservedly)
Who should win: Carey Mulligan for An Education-- excellent performance in an underpublicized, but nonetheless great film
Please don't win: Gabourey Sidibe for Precious-- mediocre performance in an overpublicized and mediocre (at best) film
Best Supporting Actor:
Who will and should win: Christoph Waltz for his remarkable performance and ability to bring evil to life in Inglorious Basterds.
Best Supporting Actress:
Who will win: Mo'Nique (unfortunately)
Best Foreign Film
Who will win: The White Ribbon
Best Animated Film:
Who will and should win: Up for being one of the greatest animated films that subtly integrates large adult themes in an entertaining Disney feature.
Shutter Island
Scorcese strikes again!
In Martin Scorcese's latest film, Shutter Island, he again does what he does best and what is a common theme in all of his movies: exploring the human psyche. This time, however, it is from a much different perspective and genre. In Shutter Island, Ted Daniels (Leonardo Di Caprio) is a US Marshall set on the task of investigating a missing inmate on the mental institution, Shutter Island. Throughout the film, Di Caprio is faced with horrid nightmares and flashbacks of his wife (Michelle Williams) and the memories of her death. These scenes artfully capture both the anguish that Di Caprio experiences and are cinematographically impeccable. Di Caprio's acting throughout the film is to a tee and he maintains his status as one of the most talented actors that Hollywood has ever seen. This film also has an ending that is both riveting and surprising.
Bottom Line: Psychological suspense doesn't get much better than this. Rating: 9/10
If you like this: See Identity
In Martin Scorcese's latest film, Shutter Island, he again does what he does best and what is a common theme in all of his movies: exploring the human psyche. This time, however, it is from a much different perspective and genre. In Shutter Island, Ted Daniels (Leonardo Di Caprio) is a US Marshall set on the task of investigating a missing inmate on the mental institution, Shutter Island. Throughout the film, Di Caprio is faced with horrid nightmares and flashbacks of his wife (Michelle Williams) and the memories of her death. These scenes artfully capture both the anguish that Di Caprio experiences and are cinematographically impeccable. Di Caprio's acting throughout the film is to a tee and he maintains his status as one of the most talented actors that Hollywood has ever seen. This film also has an ending that is both riveting and surprising.
Bottom Line: Psychological suspense doesn't get much better than this. Rating: 9/10
If you like this: See Identity
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