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Last night we saw Alice in Wonderland, and in 3D - always a better option, when available, if you ask me. Sure, maybe the glasses gave me a slight headache for time to time, but it was worth it to jump out of my seat (yes, literally) at the scary parts as the head of some monster or another came off the screen and filled up half the movie theater!
But about the movie.
As you probably know, it was directed by Tim Burton, and his quirky, beautiful, and slightly disconcerting style was fully present. Every scene was breathtaking in its color, detail, and the strange emotions it evoked - from Alice's frightening fall down the rabbit hole (whatever happened to that piano, anyway?) to your first glimpses of Wonderland (actually "Underland" in the movie - makes sense!) I always got the impression that I couldn't see enough before the shot changed - I was constantly sure I was missing something because of all that was constantly going on. It was obvious that SO much time and consideration was put into the making of this film.
The movie begins with Alice in the ordinary world, the same way it did in the book and in the cartoon Disney classic. I do have one thing to say about this - and that is that if you're expecting it to be like either of those, you'll be surprised. I went in thinking that it was going to be more like the book than it was.
Not that I'm complaining, though! The twists and turns of the plot (not to mention the hidden lessons there, having do with current situations going on if you ask me) were highly entertaining and kept me riveted on the screen.
As I said before, I had to jump a few times and T may have lost circulation in a couple of fingers from fearful hand-squeezing on my part, but he's used to that after Avatar.
The performances in the movie were amazing. Mia Wasikowska, who played Alice, kept a light hearted but thoughtful face on during most of the film. She reacted like I'm sure a lot of us do in dreams (which, of course, the character assumed her time in Wonderland to be, after all, she wasn't exactly a little girl). Helena Bonham Carter was crisp and delightfully off-balance as the Red Queen, who you couldn't help but feel sorry for as you wanted her to lose, and Anne Hathaway was lovely and strange as the White Queen (who I recall being much more loopy in the book - I really liked how the loopiness was just an act for the character in this movie, and underneath the vacant expression was a lot more depth and strength than may be expected). And Johnny Depp - what is there to say? As always flawless, endearing, and in this movie, a little spooky from time to time.
So, for the big question, should you see this movie?
Answer: Absolutely! It'll be a good time, and it may make you think. Or it may not, but you'll be entertained either way. And I promise that the headache fades as soon as you take the glasses off, so if you can, see it in 3-D!
Today's quote:
Nothing is impossible. Some things are just less likely than others. ~Jonathan Winters
Friday night I went to see this movie:
No Impact Man is a documentary that follows blogger Colin Beavan and his family during a year of "no impact" - in other words, no pollution, no packaging, no harmful chemicals used in their home, no food that was grown more than a few hundred miles away, no transportation an anything other than foot or bike, no elevators, no meat, no, um, toilet paper, no new clothes, no disposable diapers, and the list goes on.
As a girl who has become painfully environmentally aware in recent years, and who lives on a not-quite-exclusively vegetarian and mostly organic diet, uses only organic cleaning supplies, shampoos, etc., recycles, and has lofty idealistic dreams of one day growing most of what I eat in my own garden, the principles discussed in this movie weren't at all new to me.
But this folks lived in New York City!
It wasn't easy.
The movie found an interesting balance between being educational (pollution, sustainability, where our food comes from, what happens to the food-related animals and plants before they get to us, what happens after our chemicals get sent down the sink, etc.), and humorous. Michelle, Colin's wife, loved processed food, venti coffees, and retail therapy with a passion. During one scene in the movie she goes through her credit card bill for the last month before no more shopping. My jaw dropped at the prices of some of her clothing, but having friends who are into fashion, I can understand that drive. Her take on the state of the "no impact" year was often a source of comedic relief.
The couple's toddler daughter was excited and happy about each change, if she noticed it at all (including the cloth diapers, yikes) - she was a ray of sunshine who piped up with funny high-pitched quips here and there (yes, her cuteness was probably amped up by the movie's editing, but I liked it either way).
A lot of time was given to family dynamics. I didn't expect to see static about whether another baby would be tried for during the documented year. I didn't think that we would be privy to such emotional and usually private discussion, but there it was, lending a different human aspect to the highly environmentally-focused movie.
I wasn't at all surprised, however, I watched the couple's complexions become more healthy looking over the course of the year. A light came into their eyes by the end that (I assume) had been previously dulled by caffeine and gross-processed-food addictions (not to mention the exercise they were getting now - in that one year, Colin lost 20 pounds and Michelle reversed her pre-diabetic condition). Also, there's a difference between people who spend their lives staring at lit boxes and those who spend their time beneath the lit sky - cutting out TV does a body (and a mind) good, if you ask me.
One thing that I liked about No Impact Man's approach was that it wasn't "preachy" at all. Colin said over and over that no, everyone won't (and shouldn't necessarily) do the drastic things that he did. However, if people just cut back to the extent that they can handle and appreciate, then no one is worse off but lots of people, and animals, and plants, are a lot better off.
When asked what one should do if they only change one thing, Colin suggested joining an environmentalist club or organization. Sounds good to me! (plus, more sunshine and good karma can't hurt, right?)
After the movie ended, I exited the theater and was bombarded by the electricity on Lincoln Ave - lights blinking, engines revving, tiny lanterns along the sidewalk glowing. I'm not gonna lie, I was a little ashamed at what I now saw as waste.
Anyway, to the important question: Should you see the movie?
Answer: Yes.
The truth is, of the group of 5 that I watched the movie with, everyone didn't love every part of the movie. Things about the personalites can be a little jarring, frustrating, or annoying, but it's a documentary. That's going to happen. However, all things considered, the information and shift in thinking alone is enough to make the short movie a worthwhile dalliance. I'd definitely recommend it.
Today's whiteboard quote:
"Find a purpose in life so big it will challenge every capacity to be at your best."
~David O. McKay
I mentioned earlier that I'd stopped in to see District 9 last week on my way back down from Northern California.
Let's talk about the shockingly awesome amazingness that was this movie.
Although before its release the movie's advertisements mostly consisted of teasers and scene snapshots that didn't explain much of the plot at all, I found myself curious about what it would be like.
How can you not be intrigued? The commercials were all about these "refugees" that had been around for awhile and that were treated in much the same way as people now treat refugees from other countries (rather than other planets, of course).
The first trailer I saw said nothing at first about where these folks came from, but rather had bits of interviews about how "they" were infringing upon various communities and "weren't welcome," or "needed to go back where they came from." About how "the government was spending so much money to keep them here; money that could and should be spent on better things." Of course I assumed that the discussion was about regular refugees from war or something. Then, in the last few seconds of the trailer, a giant spaceship was shown. It blew my mind. What a concept!
Of course, once I got wind of the actual plot, that the aliens are around and that only one human guy can make their weapons work because of a funny thing from his DNA, which promptly sends him on the run from those who would exploit him, it seemed more run of the mill.
But don't get me wrong, I was still curious. The movie was shot in a documentary style, and the way that this outrageous situation was made to be so normal really affected me.
After all, that's what would happen, right? If a huge space ship showed up, we'd all freak out for awhile, but if it stayed there, we'd get used to it, more or less. It's the way of things.
When the movie starts, the ship has been hovering right there, without moving an inch, for 20 years.
I'm conflicted as to what to talk about in my review at this point. I don't want to give away any bits of the plot that shouldn't be given away, but I do want to express what a BADASS movie this is. Seriously. Maybe it's cause I'm into psychology, but I just loved the way that the movie constantly kept you guessing, wondering what was going to happen next, and at the edge of your seat with changing emotions about each of the characters (not to mention what a good job they do making this out-of-this-world concept seem so ordinary and believable).
One of the characters you start off despising because...well, basically because he's an idiot and a jerk. By the end of the movie, you friggin love him. Other characters, you swing the other way with, and there are at least two that may just change some prejudices you have in your real life.
(all images courtesy of google, by the way)
(did I mention that the movie shows you a grittier side of life that you may normally see, and that this is one of it's points of awesomeness because of the tasteful way it's done, rather than the way that some movies just try to depress you with it? ahem, Babel)
Anyway, if you're curious, see the movie, definitely. Or if you're not curious. Still see it. It's that good. And yes, it has an underlying politically opinionated flair, but being the liberal that I am, I was all for it :)
The End.
Happy Friday eve!
Today's whiteboard quote:
"Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions."
~Hafiz
Last night we saw Alice in Wonderland, and in 3D - always a better option, when available, if you ask me. Sure, maybe the glasses gave me a slight headache for time to time, but it was worth it to jump out of my seat (yes, literally) at the scary parts as the head of some monster or another came off the screen and filled up half the movie theater!
As you probably know, it was directed by Tim Burton, and his quirky, beautiful, and slightly disconcerting style was fully present. Every scene was breathtaking in its color, detail, and the strange emotions it evoked - from Alice's frightening fall down the rabbit hole (whatever happened to that piano, anyway?) to your first glimpses of Wonderland (actually "Underland" in the movie - makes sense!) I always got the impression that I couldn't see enough before the shot changed - I was constantly sure I was missing something because of all that was constantly going on. It was obvious that SO much time and consideration was put into the making of this film.
The movie begins with Alice in the ordinary world, the same way it did in the book and in the cartoon Disney classic. I do have one thing to say about this - and that is that if you're expecting it to be like either of those, you'll be surprised. I went in thinking that it was going to be more like the book than it was.
The performances in the movie were amazing. Mia Wasikowska, who played Alice, kept a light hearted but thoughtful face on during most of the film. She reacted like I'm sure a lot of us do in dreams (which, of course, the character assumed her time in Wonderland to be, after all, she wasn't exactly a little girl). Helena Bonham Carter was crisp and delightfully off-balance as the Red Queen, who you couldn't help but feel sorry for as you wanted her to lose, and Anne Hathaway was lovely and strange as the White Queen (who I recall being much more loopy in the book - I really liked how the loopiness was just an act for the character in this movie, and underneath the vacant expression was a lot more depth and strength than may be expected). And Johnny Depp - what is there to say? As always flawless, endearing, and in this movie, a little spooky from time to time.
