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Two Guys, a Girl and a Movie see ‘Alice in Wonderland’

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K=one guy                          E=other guy                       S=the girl

E:  Disney has a hit on their hands going into blockbuster season with Alice in Wonderland.  With its 3rd #1 week behind it, S, K and I share our thoughts on this magical, mystery tour through the looking glass.

K:  When I first saw the Alice in Wonderland trailer I knew this was one of the early 2010 movies I wanted to see.   Alice in Wonderland is a Disney remake/retooling/retelling of their classic 1951 animated film.

E:  The setup is simple:  Alice, now older, flees from an engagement party (hers) and falls down a rabbit hole.  However, this Wonderland (or Underland in the film) is both vaguely familiar and strangely foreign to her.

S:  The colors and hues of the entire movie communicate the differences and similarities of Underland. 

K:  The new hooks are a big name star in Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Tim Burton bring his style and directing in digital 3-D.

S:  Especially when seeing it in 3-D, the use of color was impressive given that Mr. Burton usually uses little color in his films.

E:  Disney has done two things very well.  One, they created a solid storyline for a story where the main character just wanders around and meets unusual characters (that’s been the problem with past Alice movies).  Second, they’ve got a very “you go girl” theme that I think is playing very well with moms and daughters and helping fill the Harry Potter/Twilight void right now.

K:  When the end credits came up my reaction was “I paid $12 for an ok movie.” Sure the visuals were eye candy impressive (Cheshire Cat was creepy cool) but that last 15 minutes lost it for me.

S:  I understand where you’re coming from K. I had the chance to go a second time, at night, and I decided against it.  I think my exact words were, “I wouldn’t pay full price to see it.” 

E:  We paid the matinee price, so I don’t feel as slighted, but you’re right, the movie was wrapped up with a pretty simple ending.  Still, visually strong, but quickly wrapped up. 

K:  Just when the movie was getting good with character backstory here comes a generic action climax scene with some break-dancing moves? The final act sucked!

S:  I actually didn’t hate it.  I kept waiting throughout the movie for the dance.  But, yes, I was disappointed in it when it happened.  It was too fake I think is the word.

K:  The acting performances which stood out for me were Mia Wasikowska (Alice) and Helena Bonham Carter (Red Queen).

E:  I’m ready to see Depp in something a little less strange.  He’s becoming a caricature of himself lately.  Jack Sparrow, Mad Hatter, and Willy Wonka are starting to blend together.  We’ll see how The Tourist (with Angelina Jolie) plays out next year.  And, he’s set to star in another Pirates and the Lone Ranger.

K:  Johnny Depp (Mad Hatter) was more of a quirky supporting character in the background.  I wish Depp had more scenes.  It was nice to see Crispin Glover (Knave) back on the big screen playing his usual bad boy self.  Anne Hathaway (White Queen) is almost an afterthought with little to do in the movie other than smiling and looking elegant.

S:  But for all the ladies, Depp is still not bad to look at but I am definitely ready to see him in something other than crazy makeup and wacked out wigs.  Our recommendation…

Recommendation: Matinee

johnny depp to direct keith richards documentary

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In an interview with Serbian publication Politika, Johnny Depp said he is taking a small break from acting in order to get behind the camera in his first directing effort since 1997′s The Brave (an experience Depp has described as horrendous).

The subject of Depp’s film will be none other than his good friend Keith Richards, the (in)famous lead guitarist of The Rolling Stones.  Here are the translated version of Depp’s comments, via TwentyFour Bit…

Now that I’m wiser, and that enough time has passed, I can experience directing again. Already next week I’ll start working on a Keith Richards documentary. While I’m in Drvengrad, my editor is already working on kilometers of archive footage and footage of his concerts. I’m very touched that Keith agreed to show up in front of my cameras.

I view Keith Richards’ relationship with Depp as one very similar to the actor’s relationshipi with late writer Hunter S. Thompson.  Depp has a deep-seeded respect for both of their works and they, in my estimation, have a great respect for his work as an actor and his curiosity in their lives as well.

And considering that Cpt. Jack Sparrow is in large part Depp’s impression of Keith Richards, it’s easy to see why the Rolling Stones guitarist might treat him differently than most other actors/people interested in him and his life.  I can’t wait for the documentary.

tim burton’s ‘alice in wonderland’ looks crazy good

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There hasn’t really been one movie this year that has stood out to proclaim:  “I AM AMAZING!!!”

There have been a couple quality mainstream films – Star Trek, The Hangover and Up to name a few – but there hasn’t been a movie that stands up and kicks you in the groin with its visuals to say, once again, “I AM AMAZING!!!”

In 2010, Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland has the potential to be that movie.

Pictures of costumes from the set have been leaked throughout the last couple of months, and I must say that Alice In Wonderland has the chance to be the most visually stunning film ever made (in 3-D no less).  Because I’m not allowed to post photos or videos on this website, you must check out this link for an interview with Tim Burton’s costume designer collaborator.  She talks about what Alice will be like and there are links all over the internet of what Johnny Depp looks like as the Mad Hatter.

Please check these out.

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This post was written by Eric Van Dril.  For more of his writing, check out RipcordNews.com.

2 guys, a girl and a movie enjoy ‘Public Enemies’

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publicenemies

K = one guy   E = other guy  S = the girl

K:  Public Enemies is a movie with its own cool style similar to Bonnie and Clyde.

E:  Based on the trailers, I was expecting more of something like the Untouchables, and there were some similarities, but this was its own movie.  And one that I left saying “Eh… o.k.  Not great.”

S:  You are insane!  Johnny Depp is still a GREAT actor who is also not too bad on the eyes.  Brooding and Depp-I mean deep!

K:  Michael Mann is one of my favorite film directors. I like how he continues pushing the envelope in the look and sound of a film. The real star of Public Enemies is the cinematography. The entire movie is shot in HD visually pops in rich detail on screen.

E:  Some of the camera work seemed very low budget, almost like Mann wanted to add a ‘home movie’ feel to certain close ups.  That must have been part of his vision?

K:  The Wisconsin lodge tommy gun/shotgun shootout sequence is a standout that rivals Heat, Miami Vice, or Collateral. The sound effects added a lot of realism.  I’m looking forward to renting this one on Blu-ray.

E:  I think the real reason people are intrigued with this movie is it’s A-list cast.

K:  You knew when Johnny Depp is the main star this was going to be a different type of gangster movie.

S: And let’s talk for a second about the soundtrack.  I TOTALLY want the soundtrack of my life to be done by Otis Taylor.  That guitar riff from beginning and his “better years” is TOO AWESOME.  All go to You Tube and search Otis Taylor Public Enemies.  It’s called Ten Million Slaves.  (she sings out) AWESOME!

K:  I enjoyed the solid performances of Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard (steals the movie), Billy Crudup, Stephen Lang, Stephen Graham. I was mildly surprised to see Channing Tatum as Pretty Boy Floyd.

E:  Marion Cotillard was the best in the film by far.  Bill Crudup was great as J. Edgar Hoover.  I enjoyed Bale.  I felt like I was watching Depp playing Depp playing another character.  I couldn’t quite buy him as Dillinger.

S: I liked the guy from Brotherhood who played Red.  He was very good.  As was Stephen Dorff as Homer. 

K: I enjoyed the jail scene when Depp and Bale meet. I wish there was a scene or two more of that. And the screenplay needed more compelling character development for me to care about Depp and Bale toward the ends of the movie.

E:  It was weird that the movie just kind of started and ended, like we were seeing chapters unfold in Dillinger’s life without a lot of background.  Why was he so loved by the masses?  How did he get into this?  Those questions were unanswered.

K:  All that being said I can’t bring myself to love this movie. Felt very distant like I’m an observer to the action. Perhaps that was by design by Michael Mann.

S:  Well I loved the movie and Johnny Depp as well as the soundtrack so I’d go with Full Price for me!  But now I’m off to wait in line to see the next Harry Potter movie!

Recommendation: Full Price for Michael Mann/ and true Johnny Depp fans (not just his quirky characters).  Matinee for regular moviegoers.

heath ledger’s final film looking for buyers

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Heath Ledger’s final film, called The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, is finished but looking for financial supporters to bring it to theaters, WENN reports.  At this moment, the film is eyeing a limited release because they’re having such a hard time finding said financial supporters, which I find a little bit surprising because it is Ledger’s final film, and there is also the gimmick of the lead actor’s part being played by Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell and Jude Law.

The film’s execs have reportedly been searching for six months for financial support, but have struggled because of the economy and also because the movie is described by WENN as “experimental,” which could very well mean that it stinks.

In The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, Ledger plays a traveling magician.

Stay tuned, I guess, but in the meantime, one has to wonder if it’s a smart thing to release this film with Americans’ lasting memory of Heath Ledger as The Joker?  I’m pretty happy with how he bowed out.  Are you?

who’s america’s favorite actor?

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America has spoken.

And, for the third year in a row, the glorious Northern American country has voted Oscar-winner Denzel Washington as their favorite actor.  Washington didn’t just beat out Ashton Kutcher and Pauly Shore, either.

Nope. He beat Hollywood heavyweights Clint Eastwood (2nd), John Wayne and Will Smith (Wayne and Smith tied for 3rd) in the Harris Poll.

Harrison Ford finished fifth, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp came in sixth, seventh and eighth.

And then, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman rounded out the top-10, respectively.

I must say, I’m not sure about this list.  One omission stands out, especially.

Heath Ledger.  Especially after his death and role as The Joker in The Dark Knight, I would have to think that he would at least knocked Morgan Freeman down a notch, but apparently not.

Recount?

scarlett johansson’s job advice for all you kids out there trying to get into acting

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Scarlett Johansson recently admitted that all of the success in her career is due to hard work and luck.

“I wanted to make movies since I was three years old, so I guess my perspective on it is that I was more than surprised by success,” Johansson told moviehole.net.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have had success, because I’d seen and I know so many talented people that never get the opportunity. But I am a big believer that putting in the actual hours is kind of what makes a successful career and a lot of luck too, of course.

I’ve noticed a common theme among actors – most feel really lucky.  Because, at the end of the day, they need a great screen writer and a great director to make a great movie.  Their job is to basically take what’s on the page, and then bring it to life.  In some examples, that’s a really complex and difficult thing to do.

Take Heath Ledger’s The Joker example – I’ve seen The Dark Knight about 10 times, and there’s always something new that amazes me about his performance.  The most recent thing is that his fingernails are really long.

You see this with other performers – Johnny Depp is an actor whose movies you can watch over and over and continue to pick up on certain things.  But there aren’t many out there who stand out.

It’s with this type of ownership of a character – something that Ledger, Depp and a few others have – that sets movies apart, but often everything has to be perfect for an actor to be perfect.

Related, the Golden Globes air tonight.  And if you’re looking for something fun to read while you watch, head on over to my day job – Isthisitx.com – for a live-blog of the award show.  It’s three hours, so I’ll be hopped up on caffeine and it should be pretty enjoyable.