Film Review: Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland

I’m trying very hard to think of ways to write this review without encouraging the wrath of Disney (because we all know how that feels, don’t we Odeon, Vue and Cineworld?). I went to see Alice in Wonderland this afternoon, because if I didn’t see it today, I probably wouldn’t have went to see it at all. And I kind of wish I hadn’t.

It’s not a long film and not very much happens. It’s pretty to look at, but there’s no real depth. Plus, fans of the original version(s) of Alice probably won’t like this film very much – it’s most definitely only to be enjoyed by the Tim Burton Brigade.

The acting leaves a lot to be desired by the girl playing Alice. It’s all shaky and pathetic and just does not compare to the big names she stars alongside with. Anne Hathaway stole the film, in my opinion. Her portrayal of the White Queen was very Nigella Lawson meets absent-minded fairy and was just completely enjoyable. I’m not going to talk about Johnny Depp’s “Scottish” accent. I couldn’t understand him a lot of the time, to be honest.

Would I recommend people go and see it? Not really. And definitely no in 3D. It adds pretty much nothing to the film and is just going to cost you a couple more pounds to look like a prat in the glasses.

I’m saddened that I couldn’t give this film a more positive review, but it certainly is what I’ve been expecting all along.

Ins and Outs #2

In

• Theme Hospital. I know. So 1996 and just weird. But I downloaded it from the internet the other day and when I’m not revising it’s a nice way to de-stress. Shouting at my silly little doctors also helps.
• The Big Bang Theory. I only started watching this last week and I’m already a quarter of the way through series two. I didn’t think I would like it, but my boyfriend kept telling me to watch it and as it turns out, I love it. It’s funny and educational!
• Aussie Dual Personality Heat Protection Spray. This has been my staple heat protection spray for about two years now. It smells yummy and leaves my hair looking nice and glossy.
• Pantene Pro-V Classic Care Shampoo. I should probably be using a volumising shampoo, but my flat mate left this over Christmas and I’ve been using it. It makes my hair smell niiiiice and it’s a brilliant clean.

Out

• Exam revision. I feel like I did this all already for my original exams in December so I’m really bored and it’s just not going in very well. Hopefully I can scrape a pass on Wednesday.
• No work. I’ve had three shifts at work in the past two weeks. While this has given me plenty of time for exam revision it does mean that I will have a pretty poor wage at the end of this month and next (due to cut off dates). It also means that come Wednesday afternoon I will be very bored until university starts for me again in the middle of February.
• Cold. It’s still cold in the UK. While it’s stopped snowing and being ridiculously icy I’m still bundled up in layers and wishing it was summer.
• Boots Extracts Cocoa Butter Body Wash. Ick. I’ll leave it at that since I’ll have a review for it up this week.

On a completely unrelated note, I’ve finally seen Avatar (in 3D of course). It was ok. Definitely very nice to look at, but it was also the longest version of Pocahontas I have ever seen. I might go and see it again though – possibly better the second time?

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

Film Review: Nativity

I’m normally quite “Bah, Humbug!” about Christmas. It’s cold, wet, slippy and dark. I don’t like winter, and this is turn makes me dislike Christmas. I could go on and complain about the comercialisation and lack of tradition, but I shan’t, as today I’m talking about the film Nativity.

British Comedy Family Christmas film sums it up nicely, I would think. I was a bit sceptical about it, but after the bad week I’ve been having I hoped it would cheer me up a wee bit. Which it did.

It’s just really quite funny, and not just because the children are adorable and silly. The whole thing is just so… quaint. I’ve never heard of anything of the adult actors before (except Alan Carr, Ashley Jensen and Ricky whatshisface), so I didn’t know what to expect from the two lead actors.

The film is just brilliant – it’ll put a smile on your face if you’ve had the worst day ever – even if it is for only and hour and half. You’ll probably need to take a tissue with you – there’s a couple of slightly weepy moments. This isn’t for anyone who doesn’t like kids though – it’s likely to be packed with them since schools are getting out, it’s Christmas and parents don’t know what else to do with them.

Has anyone else seen it? What did you think? And! Will anyone be going to see Avatar?!

Must See Movies.

I work in a cinema. I think I’ve mentioned it before. Anyways. I see most of the new films as they’re coming out (though I don’t think I’ll be going to see Jennifer’s Body any time soon if I’m being honest. I could talk about films I’ve seen recently and tell you to go and see them, but I think I’m going to talk about two films which are out in the next week and a half which I am absolutely dying to see.

Harry Brown (out Wednesday)

“Described as a "modern urban western," the titular Harry Brown (Caine) is an elderly widower and former Royal Marine who has lived to see his South London neighbourhood overrun by violent gangs, drugs and crime. When his best friend Leonard (Bradley) is brutally murdered and the gang leader (Plan B) responsible walks free, Harry finds himself snapping. Soon, his desire for revenge leads to the vigilante facing up to the young thugs, with terrifying results.”

The first time I saw this advertised was just before I saw Saw VI for the first time so my mind wasn’t very focused. The second time I watched Saw VI and when I went to see The Men Who Stare At Goats on Monday it was the only trailer that I could actually remember. The little snippet above makes the film sound well… not very good if I’m being honest but you simply must watch the trailer. It looks gritty and real and just absolutely amazing. I’m really looking forward to it. Michael Caine is a wonderful actor.

Twilight: New Moon (out next Friday 00.01am)

I don’t think I need to give a description or explanation. It’s probably going to be just as bad as the first one, but I just have to see it. I can’t not see it. And I’m definitely much more excited than any 19 year old probably should be. I already have my tickets for the midnight showing… do you?

What films are you most looking forward to?

Film Review: Up.

Disney-Pixar have done it again.
Remember when Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo came out and each time everyone got so excited and proclaimed it was the best film they had ever seen? That is exactly what the newest offering for the Digital Animation company is. They really have done it again.

It’s a TALKING dog!
I don’t want to give too much away because, really, everyone is going to have to go and see this film. Think back to the trailer – it was funny, light-hearted and laugh-worthy. While the film retains most of these traits it does have a much more emotional and grief stricken undertone. It’s about old age, loss, death and grief. Take tissues. Lots of them. I was actually very surprised at how adult some of the themes covered where.

Blurlupupup.
It’s going to make you laugh. It’s going to make you cry. It’s going to make you gasp and hide behind your hands. And the new short at the start of the film will have you feeling all gushy and going “awwwww” repeatedly. The detail to each screen is amazing – the animators have really outdone themselves. I only saw the film in 2D, but I personally feel that if I had seen it in 3D I wouldn’t have enough it as much.

The end.
I know I haven’t really said much about the film – but I really don’t want to spoil it. Just go and see it. I promise that you will not be disappointed. It’s probably the best film of the year – yes, even better than Harry Potter.