Alice in Wonderland - Curiouser and curiouser…

by: Erin Stephens
Abilene

missmoviemaestro.blogspot.com

This was my first 3-D experience and I couldn’t have chosen a better film. Needless to say Tim Burton (director) set the bar high, Alice in Wonderland was a joy to experience. The film is not a duplicate of the book or animated feature. The story follows nineteen-year-old Alice as she flees from the expectations of her friends and family, only to find herself in Wonderland where she has new expectations to live up to and different things pulling her in all directions, literally and figuratively. Burton did not disappoint, his style and aesthetic definitely was enhanced by the 3-D technology. The scenes were extremely fresh; the colors in the wardrobe, make-up and setting were rich and bright creating the perfect template for experiencing the wonderment of Wonderland.

The movie did not follow any stories previously written, this was an excellent way to use the already developed characters to build a new story for all to enjoy. However for the viewers that have read Lewis Carroll’s works, Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, can be assured that the essence of the stories are still intact. The film incorporated aspects of the books into the storyline, such as the Jabberwocky, which gave it a genuine feel. Also, the characters from the novels were authentically portrayed. The film did a wonderful job of developing the characters, especially Alice, in a way that seemed seamless and effortless, as well as true to the character created by Carroll. The essence of the story, as well as the masterful directing, created the perfect base for a marvelously artful film. But, it would not have been complete without the great performances by the entire cast. Every player portrayed their character with such mastery I could write pages on each performance, however, I will limit myself to the exceptional ones.

Between Johnny Depp (Mad Hatter) and Helena Bonham Carter (Red Queen), I’m not sure which one stole more scenes. Both were so engrossed in their characters they were almost unrecognizable. Depp was phenomenal, from his hair and make-up (which changed colors!) to his swinging pendulum of emotional outburst he WAS the Mad Hatter. He created a character that was kooky and endearing all at once, you will want to keep from blinking, so not to miss a moment of him. Bonham Carter brings the same type of an all-encompassing performance in her portrayal of the Red Queen. The viewers are torn between pity and disgust as she tyrannically rules Wonderland in her efforts to find adoration from her subjects. Anne Hathaway played the other royal character, the White Queen, she moved and spoke with such an extreme amount of grace and sweetness it was completely whimsical, almost overwhelmingly so. As for Alice, newcomer Mia Wasikowska effortlessly portrayed her as the curious, questioning, presumptuous girl that was created by Carroll. Her frankness and stubbornness was ideal, as well as cleverly placed and disturbed throughout the film in order to fully develop her character. Also, all of the voice actors were perfectly cast and articulated beautifully.

Overall, this was a great film, plain and simple. Tim Burton took a classic story of silliness and nonsense and transformed it into a film that is not only pleasing to the eye and entertaining, but kept the heart of Lewis Carroll’s story beating. The idea that thinking differently and seeing things for not what they are, but what they could be, can be extremely rewarding.

Shutter Island - You'll never leave this island

by: Erin Stephens
Abilene

missmoviemaestro.blogspot.com

I love to watch all types of movies, but I especially love the movies that require a second watch in order to be truly appreciated. Shutter Island is definitely one of those films! It’s set in 1954 and follows two US Federal Marshals as they investigate the disappearance of a patient in a mental hospital for the criminally insane. Martin Scorsese (director) is a master behind the camera. He created elegantly intense scenes using simple, but unique camera angles, coupled with an astounding musical score that kept the viewers on the edge of their seats from the first frame.There was an air of mystery woven through out the film, the audience kept questioning what was truth, what was a ploy, who do you believe? Teddy Daniels (Leonard DiCaprio), the protagonist, seemed to be the only person that the viewers could ultimately trust, because the story was being told from his perspective. He took the audience on a quest through the vast grounds of the island, from trekking in the wilderness to lurking through the halls of the fortified ward C. The scenery and extensive details to the set strengthen the film, especially in coordination with the perfectly articulated script. Another aspect of the film that added mystery were Daniels’ memory flashes. They were artfully placed and assisted in the unfolding of the twisted plot.

As for the acting performances, DiCaprio was amazing! His portrayal of the tormented US Marshal Daniels was phenomenal. He developed a bond of trust through acts of genuine sincerity for justice and morality. This was a crucial part of film. The other notable performance was Sir Ben Kingsley as Dr. Crawley. He created a man with such smooth, suave charisma he was almost untrustworthy, however he had enough compassion and care for his patients the viewers want to believe and trust him.

This film was definitely created for a viewer that appreciates the see-saw of emotions as well as the opportunity to generated a load of conspiracy theories on how the plot will pan out. It will most assuredly keep you guessing and questioning while on the edge of your seat holding your breath! It is Scorsese, so there is a bit of vulgar language and some graphic scenes. Overall, it is a MUST watch film!

Seeking local movie critics!

Many professional critics get to see movies for free... But we don't! Which means our Movie Madness blog has been bare lately.

If you would like to submit a movie review at any time, email it to lkellerman@bigcountryhomepage.com.

No reviews will be accepted more than two weeks after the movie's release date. All ages are welcome to participate. The decision to publish or not publish a submission is strictly up to our discretion.

New Moon: 4 out of 5 stars

The second movie installment of the popular Twilight saga, New Moon sucked in viewers from everywhere, including me. Being a fan of the former movie I was intrigued to see how the next film would stand against its predecessor and I am please to report that it did not disappoint. I would even go so far as to say that New Moon’s bite was bigger than the first move.

New Moon picks up a few months from where Twilight left off. It introduces you to more of Edward’s (Robert Pattinson) and Jacob’s (Taylor Lautner) worlds and you see it all from Bella’s (Kristen Stewart) eyes. There were more blood sucking villains than you could shake holy water at in Italy, where the Vulturi live. Plus, some of the hottest werewolves you’ll ever see are part of the Quileutes tribe, so you’ll want to put away those silver bullets.

The pace of this movie was perfect. The beginning may have seemed slow to some people, but to me, it allowed you to truly experience what Bella was going through emotionally, physically, and psychologically after Edward leaves her.

Not to worry though, it quickly picks up once Bella starts spending more time with Jacob. There are some really good action sequences and C.G.I.’s. Plus, the sparks flying from Jacob and Bella two were enough to stake Edward through the heart and create this amazing love triangle.

Overall I would give this movie 4 out of 5 stars. It is definitely worth seeing, even if you haven’t read the books. So if you have some extra time this holiday, you should go check this film out. You should enjoy the film no matter what since it has some amazing eye candy, especially for the women out there.

-Chelsea Delz

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"This Is It" great for anyone of any age

"This Is It" would have been the best concert of all time.

But for the one million or so people who attended, they probably never would have realized what a genius Michael Jackson was. The movie version of the concert development/rehearsals never would have been released, and only insiders would have known how meticulous Jackson was in making it the perfect experience.

If a drum beat started half a second too soon, he stopped and explained why it needed pause. If a riff didn't have enough soul behind it (and I don't even know what that means), he'd beat box/sing/hum exactly how it needed to sound. I couldn't hear a difference, but the musicians could. Everything from the way the vignette actors looked into the camera to the placement of the crystals on what would have been the Billie Jean jacket was deliberate.

For those who are expecting a "River Dance"-type stage production on film, it's not really like that. There is a plot and there are behind-the-scenes explanations of what's going on, which make the story move at a very intriguing pace.

One thing I loved about the concert was that Jackson planned to give the audience exactly what they wanted. The huge stage production was an adaptation of each famous music video. He didn't try to change his original records into something new, or take a different visual stance. "Thriller" was Thriller on steroids. "Smooth Criminal" was smooth criminal on steroids. "Human Nature" was a more raw, acoustic version, but was 100% recognizable.

I think artists try too hard to think outside the box for their shows and end up presenting something wildly different. Jackson and his people thought outside the box and ended up with what would have been a masterpiece.

If you're wondering, there aren't any moments of "freaky Jackson." He's not playing anything up for the cameras pretending to hide his face or anything like that. Aside from the occasional "yes Michael, whatever you want Michael" stuff, it's all about the music and performance.

I would recommend this movie for anyone of any age. The audience at Century 12 Abilene laughed out loud several times, cheered a little bit, and stayed all the way through the credits.

The movie gets a B and Jackson gets an A.

"9" Movie Gets a B+

Nine is a pretty good film. From a technical standpoint, it's excellent. The CGI is so advanced in this film, it kept me captivated the entire time. I must say, however, the plot may be a bit lacking. It has good intentions, but could have been better executed. Had it not been for the absolutely beautiful composition and astounding use of light and motion, I cannot say I would have remained interested throughout the entire thing. It is an action movie, as you might have guessed, so action fans should be pleased.

The depiction of characters was one of the elements I like best about the film. I found myself in each of them, which is certainly an achievement when it comes to portraying characters.

I do not want to reveal too much about the plot, as it is still a good movie that should be perceived by the individual. Overall, I give it a B+.

Reviewed by Megan Dobbs

Also out this week: Whiteout, I Can Do Bad All By Myself and Sorority Row.

New Moon Trailer Sneak Peek

A trailer is a sneak peek at a movie. So what's a sneak peek at a trailer? This.
(The full trailer will be played at the beginning of "Bandslam," in theaters Friday.)