Alice in Wonderland (movie)

I finally got to see the movie version, directed by Tim Burton, of Alice in Wonderland today.  I must say, I enjoy these types of movies-the kinds with interesting spins on old classics and good music, characters, and scenery.  I especially liked the sci-fi feel to it, reminding me of a movie version of The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, another version of Alice in Wonderland.  It has the same dark, slightly twisted feel and surreal descriptions of their world as the new movie.

The story begins with the past, showing 6 year-old Alice Kingsley and her father, Charles.  She tells him she is having dreams about Wonderland, and he tells her not to worry; dreams cannot hurt her.  Thirteen years later, her father has died, but Alice is still having dreams about that same place.  Arriving at her own engagement party and wanting to avoid answering her suitor, she chases after a white rabbit in a waist coat and thus begins the main story.

 

I think many aspects of this movie are spot-on.  The settings, the characters, the costumes, and the special effects produce a world of slightly morbid fantasy that is new to the normally innocent and curious children's story Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  Even though this is rated PG, my mother expressed doubt that children under 6 would understand the movie.  I agree.  It would take someone who has read the original stories and appreciates a fantastical, darker twist of plot to fully enjoy this movie.  That said, there weren't many witty one-liners except from the Mad Hatter himself, and the plot was a rather typical remake of Alice in Wonderland.  However, I did enjoy the Mad Hatter's dancing.  Quite.

Image from media.onsugar.com

Dead Poets Society (1989)

Okay, enough angsting for me.  I need to get back on track, with all this stuff to do.  Anyway, after you start a huge angst-fest, you usually regret acting so nasty afterward.  I decided to be more proactive about what I can do, and stop being so reactive to what people want me to be.  (I think that was from a self-help book.  Wow, I'm hopeless.)  Onward!

In class recently, we watched Dead Poets Society.  The main theme of the movie got through my mind and into the rant I did above, so I thought it would be good to post some of my thoughts on the movie.

Set in 1959, Welton Academy is a strict and traditionalist boarding school where many of the new students feel oppressed by the teachers' standards and the way the school is cut off from contemporary America.  Todd Anderson, a new student who's brother was a valedictorian, is shy and insecure.  Neil Perry is an active student, but with an authoritarian father who has planned every step of his future.  Charlie, Richard, and others form with Todd and Neil a close-knit group.
Compared with the other teachers however, John Keating the new English teacher is unusual and unconventional.  He tells his students to be free thinkers, and "carpe diem" (seize the day).  He shows the students old pictures of former Welton students, in an effort to show that you should make the most of your life while you can.  His teachings leave a great effect on his students, and many of them later do things to Carpe diem.

 

Mr. Keating and his class

When Neil looks up Keating's records, he finds that Keating was once part of the Dead Poets Society, a group of students who went to the Old Indian's Cave and read poetry.  Neil is inspired, and gets Todd nad the rest of his friend to join him to revive the Society.
Following this is a length of scenes featuring Mr. Keating's lessons and the boys' adventures.  However, soon things take an unexpected sorrowful turn, and brings Todd and the others a different view of their ideas.

I felt that this movie, though old, expresses to you in a way that allows the characters' feelings and emotions that leaves you thinking at the end.  The scenery was perfect for the story, and Keating's humorous lines really lightened the mood.  It didn't feel rushed, except the way they ended the movie.  (I though the last shot was awkward.)  The theme of this movie was very strong, and truely showed what it meant to "seize the day".

Picture and Summary (well, as a guideline) from faculty.frostburg.edu/phil/forum/deadpoetsalt

Sherlock Holmes (the movie)

I went to see Sherlock Holmes today with my mother and a relative. Straight to the point, I liked it. The action scenes were well done, and the music fit the mood perfectly. Even though Jeremy Brett is a better Sherlock Holmes, the new movie had decent acting and characters. They twisted some of the characters from the stories and also added new ones. I'm not sure how I feel about the bond between Holmes and Watson in the movie. However, some of the quotes were epic. Search it up, watch the trailer, or even watch the movie. It's not the best, but you could do a lot worse.
"You've never complained about my methods before."
"I've never complained! When have I ever complained about you practicing the violin at three in the morning, or your mess? Your general lack of hygiene or the fact that you steal my clothes?"<-interesting...
~Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson
Quotes from IMDb