Alice In Wonderland (2010) Review By Dylan (http://www.dylanreviews.ning.com) Alice in wonderland, a timeless tale now in the hands of director Tim Burton (Willie Wonka, Edward Scissor hands) brings his usual suspects Johnny Depp (Pirates Of The Carrabian, Willie Wonka) and Helena Bonham Carter (Harry Potter, Corpse Bride) along with Anne Hathaway (Valentines Day, Get Smart) and new upcoming Aussie Actress Mia Wasikowska (Defiance, Rogue) to the table to bring his vision of the tale to the big screen, also in 3D. The story presumes mostly you know the basic tale of Alice In Wonderland and stars 13 years after her original adventure where she has lost all memory of ever having going to wonderland in the first place. This sequel is not to be confused with Lewis Carrol's actually sequel to his original Alice In The Wonderland tale, this follows its own path and story written by Linda Woolverton (The Lion King, Beauty & The Beast) Upon entering wonderland Alice will meet usual characters like the white rabbit (Michael Sheen), Tweedledee and Tweedledum (Matt Lucas) along with The Mad hatter, the hair (Paul Whitehouse), cheesier cat (Stephen Fry) , red and white queen and all the original characters. Alice is for-told a future set that she will save everyone from the red queen by slaying her evil beast in a battle and so begins Alice's adventures in wonderland. The story starts out well and sets a good mood unfortunately it seems a bit rushed at time, like its brushing past this plot point to more quickly to a part it thinks is better and more interesting part of the film than what your watching. More time is spent of the Mad Hatter and his development through out the film then Alice, which is annoying as she is the heroine and main character. This might not bother some people but if your gonna make more character for the Hater give the movie to him not Alice. The fight scene also wasn't very interesting, it was very quick and lame in general and when the whole movie is leading up to this moment you are setting there expecting something much more extravagant. Every actor in this movie give a all good performance and does well bring there characters to life. Johnny Depp does a fantastic job bring the mad hatter a new side of character that hasn't been seen before, Matt Lucas does well playing both Tweedledee and Tweedledum and Anne Hathaway also does fantastically as the White queen. Every other small part played is also done well and without fail, Crispin Glover as the Knave of hearts to Alan Rickman as the blue caterpillar. Mia Wasikowska as Alice is good in parts but you have problems with her acting towards the end as she seems to not grow much through out the film and although apparently losing her muchness, when she gets it back her personality doesn't seem much changed apart from the ability to saw yes to more things. The film looks fantastic, Tim Burton's vision of what Wonderland is presented perfectly with a mixture of dark and beautiful colors. The creatures and characters all look there parts and the score from Danny Elfman never fails to match the mood great. Its a pity that you never see and great shots of wonderland apart from the start which is only short. The 3D in this movie was produced after the final production so its not all that great, its OK and when its working well it is doing a great job. Unfortunately it also has some flaws in it and a bit much time was spent on creating effects that pop things out of the screen then on the rest of the movies 3D in general. In general i think id enjoy watching this movie without 3D a lot more as some things were annoying. The movie is all but perfect but is very fun, it has a very good cast to carry you through one of the most enjoyable worlds to enter that will leave you wanting to return as soon as possible. Alice in Wonderland is defiantly worth checking out, younger child will enjoy (just not to young as there are a couple frightening scenes) so shall older kids, adults and even older types. Returning to Wonderland through Tim Burton's looking glass was as ever enjoyable as his past adventures, id suggest getting out and seeing this one at the cinemas tomorrow. Acting: 8 Writing: 7 Direction: 8 Production: 8.5 Overall: 7.87 3D: 6
Reviews
7 Reviews
Alice in Wonderland
(I) (2010)
One of the most enjoyable worlds to enter, that'll having you returning asap.
4 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Paranormal Activity
(2007)
A Scare Masterpiece Of The Decade
5 January 2010
Paranormal Activity Review by Dylan Paranormal Activity is a recent success in cinema that goes too prove that you don't need big budget effects or gore to make a great scare movie. The film goes back to the Blair Witch Project type formula which we've seen in recent films like Cloverfield and a bit was used in District 9. The films protagonists are a couple of who look to be around 25 years old. The movie starts at a point where they think something Paranormal has been happening in their house and the male lead has gone and brought himself a camera to try and document the events and capture something. Dur in the film (which couple be mistaken for reality since it has no opening or closing credits) you will go through the emotions the couple go through and this add for a more realistic approach when they argue. The movie concentrates on some classic scares rather than any gore cringing scenes like from Saw or Hostel. The movie managed to give me chills and Goosebumps down my spine which goes to prove it does it's job. The cast, director and writer and anyone else who worked on this film deserves props for their low budget piece of work and I congratulate them on there product and success. Paranormal is a classic in it's on genre and is bound to scare anyone with an open mind for the paranormal. Acting: 7.5 Writing: 8.5 Direction: 9 Sound: 8.5 Production: 8.5
Avatar
(2009)
A Visual Orgasam
5 January 2010
James Cameron's Avatar Movie Review by Dylan Avatar is an interesting story with good acting but the greatest point that makes this movie is the stunning advance in CGI and in 3D technology. The basic fact is that as good as the plot and the overall movie is, you have to watch this in 3D the first time to appreciate its greatness. Although this movie is just short of a three hour run time it doesn't drag on in a sense that is un-necessary. The time is used well to develop the characters and the world and nothing is put in to drag on for a useless sense. Although the acting is good by all means from Worthington, Weaver and all the other cast members the real performances came from the Avatars and the great work done on there realistic emotions, movement and everything else. Thumbs up to James Cameron also for his patience on waiting with his idea and story and technology caught up to his visions. This is the kind of movie that just about anyone can enjoy, kids under the age of 12 I'd probably say no as I had some young children running around my cinema half way through the movie because they have short attention spans. But other than that if you haven't already please go out and enjoy this film.
Step Brothers
(2008)
A Fight Comedy
5 September 2008
Step Brothers is a comedy written by Adam Mckay and Will Ferrell. It was also directed by Adam Mckay and starts Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly.
The story follows the characters of Brennan Huff (Ferrell) and Dale Doback (Reilly) who are both adults living with there parents. It just so happens that Brennans mother and Dales father meet up and get married. They all move in together and hell basically breaks lose between Brennan and Dale.
I went into this movie excepting to see another Will Ferrell movie, with him running around in his underwear. Surprisingly enough Reily is the one who has least on in this movie.
This isn't a clever written quick witted comedy but is a fight comedy. What i call fight comedy is movies with a lot of shouting and swearing that with the right context can become quite hilarious.
I didn't think much for the acting as most the actors in this movie, well all of them really are playing their usual part.
Basically this is a fight comedy, although is pretty hilarious and will have you near tears at parts. I'm giving this move a 7/10 squabbling brothers.
The story follows the characters of Brennan Huff (Ferrell) and Dale Doback (Reilly) who are both adults living with there parents. It just so happens that Brennans mother and Dales father meet up and get married. They all move in together and hell basically breaks lose between Brennan and Dale.
I went into this movie excepting to see another Will Ferrell movie, with him running around in his underwear. Surprisingly enough Reily is the one who has least on in this movie.
This isn't a clever written quick witted comedy but is a fight comedy. What i call fight comedy is movies with a lot of shouting and swearing that with the right context can become quite hilarious.
I didn't think much for the acting as most the actors in this movie, well all of them really are playing their usual part.
Basically this is a fight comedy, although is pretty hilarious and will have you near tears at parts. I'm giving this move a 7/10 squabbling brothers.
There Will Be Blood
(2007)
Fantasitc Score
2 September 2008
There will be blood is a movie written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. The movie is based up the novel "Oil" by Upton Sinclair and the movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis in the main role as Daniel Plainview.
The story follows Daniel Plainview as he works his ways up the world working in the oil business. He is a greedy man who has his eyes set on one thing only, money. You follow through some years and see him start with a little oil company to being one or the biggest oiling company around.
The movie is directed finely with long beautiful shots executed perfectly by the actors. Daniel even won best actor for this movie in 2007. Daniel take this character by its head and takes it as his own, he controls all the lines and produces them with great tone.
The best thing for me in this movie was the score was fantastic. The music just controlled this movie the most for me, without it i don't think i would have got most of the creepy feelings. The score also reminded me of something from "Lost." (TV show) All in all this was a good story and a greatly produced movie. Do I think Daniel deserved the best actor win? No but his acting skills was high.
7 out of 10 bloody workers for this one.
The story follows Daniel Plainview as he works his ways up the world working in the oil business. He is a greedy man who has his eyes set on one thing only, money. You follow through some years and see him start with a little oil company to being one or the biggest oiling company around.
The movie is directed finely with long beautiful shots executed perfectly by the actors. Daniel even won best actor for this movie in 2007. Daniel take this character by its head and takes it as his own, he controls all the lines and produces them with great tone.
The best thing for me in this movie was the score was fantastic. The music just controlled this movie the most for me, without it i don't think i would have got most of the creepy feelings. The score also reminded me of something from "Lost." (TV show) All in all this was a good story and a greatly produced movie. Do I think Daniel deserved the best actor win? No but his acting skills was high.
7 out of 10 bloody workers for this one.
Awake
(2007)
Smartly Written Story with a GREAT Twist
20 August 2008
Awake is a story written and directed by Joby Harold. The story follows Clay Beresford a rich young man following up his now dead father's death with his mother by his side. Eventually he undergoes surgery for his faulty heart and this is where things go wrong. He is stuck there awake with "anesthetic awareness." This rare thing that Actually does happen to people leaves you awake and knowing of what is happening around you.
Awake is a thriller with a huge twist, smartly written and put together. It is also a love and friendship story with Clay's interest being Sam Lockwood (Jessica Alba) and his close friend (Terrence Howard) who put in great performances. Both play parts well and Alba does great travelling from her normal role.
This movie will leave you mouth open and asking questions about the world you live in and even (like myself) might make you look further into anesthetic awareness.
The lack of background for the characters (especially Clay) was the biggest downfall for me in this movie. Other than that this is a fantastic movie with a riveting story to tell from start to finish. The surgery scenes will have your eyes stuck to the screen even if you are bit disgust with the events.
I'm giving this movie 8 bloody hearts of ten.
Awake is a thriller with a huge twist, smartly written and put together. It is also a love and friendship story with Clay's interest being Sam Lockwood (Jessica Alba) and his close friend (Terrence Howard) who put in great performances. Both play parts well and Alba does great travelling from her normal role.
This movie will leave you mouth open and asking questions about the world you live in and even (like myself) might make you look further into anesthetic awareness.
The lack of background for the characters (especially Clay) was the biggest downfall for me in this movie. Other than that this is a fantastic movie with a riveting story to tell from start to finish. The surgery scenes will have your eyes stuck to the screen even if you are bit disgust with the events.
I'm giving this movie 8 bloody hearts of ten.
Vantage Point
(2008)
A Greatly Put Together Movie
9 August 2008
Vantage Point is a movie directed by Pete Travis and written by Barry Levy. The movie follows the events of the president getting shot and goes through several different characters or different points and shows the event as they see it and what happens to them. The cast includes Denis Quad, Mathew Fox, William Hurt, Forrest Whitaker and Sigourney Weaver.
This movie was well under the radar for me as I didn't hear of it until seeing the trailer on a DVD for some over movie; I think it was "The Assignation of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford." So once seeing the trailer I automatically thought this looked like a ripper of a movie and I wasn't let down.
The story is greatly written and intertwined, i couldn't help but wonder how awkward and mind bending it would be to have read it on script.
Great acting by all in the cast, except for Mathew Fox, for me he just seemed like a less talkative Jack. Forrest Whitaker took the highlight for me though; he always steals the screen in a movie and doesn't fail here. His facial and tone just puts through to you the character greatly and makes you understand who is a lot better. Dennis Quad is his usual self and not much to say there, he is an American tough guy actor. I also though the two less Hollywood actors Edgar Ramirez and Said Taghmaoui did great job in portraying their characters and were stern on screen.
The movie was put together and shot great, when you just think you're about to find out something from the plot the rewind happens the camera angles are lined up great to keep you guessing.
I quite enjoyed this movie and found nothing at all bad about it. I'm giving it 7 and a half President shooting stars.
7.5 - www.dylanreviews.ning.com
This movie was well under the radar for me as I didn't hear of it until seeing the trailer on a DVD for some over movie; I think it was "The Assignation of Jesse James by The Coward Robert Ford." So once seeing the trailer I automatically thought this looked like a ripper of a movie and I wasn't let down.
The story is greatly written and intertwined, i couldn't help but wonder how awkward and mind bending it would be to have read it on script.
Great acting by all in the cast, except for Mathew Fox, for me he just seemed like a less talkative Jack. Forrest Whitaker took the highlight for me though; he always steals the screen in a movie and doesn't fail here. His facial and tone just puts through to you the character greatly and makes you understand who is a lot better. Dennis Quad is his usual self and not much to say there, he is an American tough guy actor. I also though the two less Hollywood actors Edgar Ramirez and Said Taghmaoui did great job in portraying their characters and were stern on screen.
The movie was put together and shot great, when you just think you're about to find out something from the plot the rewind happens the camera angles are lined up great to keep you guessing.
I quite enjoyed this movie and found nothing at all bad about it. I'm giving it 7 and a half President shooting stars.
7.5 - www.dylanreviews.ning.com
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