Alice in Wonderland

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Plot: This is a reimagining of the classic Alice in Wonderland story. Alice (Mia Waskowska) is older now, and she has returned to Wonderland, now called "Underland," while she considers whether to get engaged. In this respect, the story is like Peter Pan because she is hiding from adult responsibilities in a dream world.

Review: Alice in Wonderland is a feast of wonderful visual images and outrageous characters. The creative ideas don't stop until near the end, when the movie takes up a good queen/bad queen battle scene. The movie, like the book, is an absurd fantasy, and there is little meaning to be extracted -- the absurdity of life is the message. The wild fantastic absurdity is the main entertainment as well.

Mia Waskowska as Alice is consistently likable. The other characters are extreme so that Alice has someone to react against. I enjoyed every scene with the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp,) and Helena Boham Carter is unforgettable as the Red Queen. Less interesting is Ann Hatheway as the White Queen -- just too nice and dull. Tweedlee-Dee and Tweedle-Dum are animated boys who are fun too.

 Like The Wizard of Oz, characters in the real world show up in the dream world, but it is a clever homage that might be more interesting with repeated viewings.


Even though the movie is imperfect, I recommend everyone see it since it is so memorable. I think it creates on genera for itself.


[Major Spoiler] This movie has a feminist ending, with Alice deciding for a business career. She seems to be the only modern character because she rejects the societal norms, and strikes out on her own. It is not a bad ending, but it has become common in re-imaginings of fairy tales.

Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hatheway

Directed by Tim  Burton; based on the characters from the classic book by Charles Dodgeson writing as Lewis Carroll.

Rating: This is an imperfect movie that is so memorable and interesting that it succeeds in its own terms. It may be a future classic. 3.0 flasks



More: The 3D effect does not add much to the movie. Because the visuals are so important to the enjoyment of the movie, I'd recommend seeing it that way, but the 3D nature of the special effects is less impactful than in Avatar. 

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Even More:  I would like to see it again.

Precious

Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire

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Plot: A poor, fat, 15-year old Mom, Precious, (Gabourey Sidibe) is pregnant again, while she is abused sexually and emotionally at home. In time helpful teachers and counselors rescue her.


Review: Precious is an American story of a poor young woman who grew up under the worst circumstances, and how she received and then created an opportunity out. The film is fictional but it realistically shows that people are sometimes cruel, self-ish and evil. It reveals a world that is in the shadows of many communities.

Yes, the movie panders to poverty-porn esthetic, but it is used to set up the redemption story. Unlike many similar films, here "The System" saved Precious with caring over-worked teachers, giving way to caring-loving teachers, and hard-working but professional counselors. While the is an element of melodrama in Precious, it is in service of a larger truth, and a reminder of how bad it can be for forgotten young people.

Precious is a movie based on a novel not a true story, so there is no real Ms Rain. Still I wondered why someone so busy would do something so kind. I tend to think that the Ms Rains character is based on the novel's author Sapphire.

The performance by Mo'Nique as her Mom is especially good. Gabourney Sidbe, who plays Precious, has some excellent physical acting. She conveys her mood so well with her body. I'd like to see her in more movies.

Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey

Directed by: Geoffrey Fletcher, based on the book by Ramona Lofton, known as Sapphire

Rating: 3.5 flasks; not four stars because it is only occasionally fun to watch. Could even be three because of the emotional manipulation, but the movie worked for me.


More: Precious is a women's story. The only man in the story is a rapist. The mentor figure is a lesbian. I was not put off by the worldview, but it is overtly there. 

Even More The ending ran on too long.