Quick Reviews

Because ive been so busy, and haven't been writing... anything... I will give my sum ups for the recent movies ive seen.


Alice in Wonderland- Boring. The graphics were really nice and I love Tim Burton's vision, as he is a perfect choice for Wonderland, but something was lacking. I didnt mind the "sequel" to the alice series idea, but with the over-saturation of Johnny Depp when I would have preferred see Alice team up with the Cheshire Cat... or something. Id say 6/10 if 5 is considered average.



Percy Jackson & the Lightning Theif - Surprise! I went into that movie thinking... oh... its going to be a Greek tragedy, but I was so thrilled to see some mindless action and graphics with a story that kept me paying attention. It is not a brilliant film, but the imagery and characters had me leaving the theatre wanting more from the series. 7.5/10

Clash of the Titans - Did someone say Greek tragedy? Wow, what a mess! This was a story that really relied on graphics and was so poorly marketed, that there was not a single suprise as everything was laid out in the trailers and billboards! I love greek mythology, and the acting was good, but i expected so much more. Dont bother with the 3D, probably would look better without. However, i was thrilled to see Gemma Arterton from Quantum of Solace and "Single Man's" Nicholas Hoult. Two rising stars that we should all continue paying attention to. 4.5/10

How to train your dragon - Loved every second of it. If you can see it in 3D, I recommend that. 8.5/10

Zombieland - The cinematography and graphics were actually REALLY well done. BUT... zombies scare me in an irrational way and I dont like excess gore... which this film had excess of. Still... it's a well made movie and im giving it a higher rating mainly thanks to its beautifully done (yet disgusting) opening sequence. Then again, Im open to think that perhaps Im just overly enamored by slow motion. 6.5/10

Malificent. The backstory?

Tim Burton. He is a revolutionist, deep and thought provoking, with an unmistakably spellbinding image formula. But there in lies the problem. He, in one film lover's opinion, has become exactly that... a formula. While I dont dislike a single Burton film I can think of, and considering he holds two places in my top favorites ('Batman' & 'Big Fish') he is not one I look forward to seeing the films of any longer. Its not that I dont enjoy them, its that they all feel the same... to a certain degree. You cannot look past the overuse (regardless of how much you may like them) of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter (who is ironically one of my favorite actresses), Chris Lee, and of course, brilliant composer Danny Elfman.
But every film he does has a similar look/sound and cast/crew... and it's run its course for me. This, is why I am skeptical about his talks of his back story to one of the greatest villains (and most certainly best Disney villain) of all time.

According to 'Aint it cool news', Burton is going to create a "her side of the story" for 'Sleeping Beauty's' Malificent. It isnt that im worried about Burton giving the fairy turned evil enough credit... but Im just concerned that his wife will be donning the green skin and black horns, that Elfman will be playing tunes similar to each he has done for Burton before, that Depp will portray some character - probably a love interest that will add to the fairies scorn, and that... there will be no action to speak of (I loved the build of the climax for the film)


Sleeping Beauty is my favorite Disney film. Not because of the story... but because of how wonderfully the villian is portrayed and how stunning the art is. (Check it out on Blu Ray... ridiculous) I just hope that he doesnt go along with this formula, that he nabs a great actress (nothing against his wife... but i would love to see someone else - Tilda Swenson perhaps... even though she already did the witch from Narnia... but you get the idea). And I would love to see him do a live action movie with scenery that is an homage to the animated movie.

Long story short... I want to see a great film about such a loved character. Not a cookie cutter Tim Burton film.

Pirates 4

So, back to the open seas we travel. Pirates 4 is rearing to go, Johnny Depp has officially signed on. Im not going to lie to a single folk out there... I really couldn't care less at this point. The previous two were so disastrous, a third sequel just sounds exhausting at this point.

And, as no executives have asked me my opinion... we are set to get a fourth. This one is titled "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides", which at first glance just sounds terrible. I mean... didnt we already watch three films with the crew going on stranger and stranger tides? Seriously, Pirates 3 brought them to the land of the dead where there were like 30 Johnny Deps running around like they had a crab in their pants.

If you want more of a breakdown of what this film MIGHT be about, check out what

Amazon.com has posted about Tim Powers novel oddly titled "On Stranger Tides".

"World Fantasy Award–winner Powers (Three Days to Never) demonstrates a precise control of complex narratives in this reprint of his rollicking and enchanting 1987 novel. Puppeteer John Chandagnac, bound for Jamaica to recover stolen money from his uncle, becomes Jack Shandy after pirates attack his ship and force him to join their crew. Shandy's struggle to accept his new life grounds the story for readers, even as Blackbeard and vodun magicians whisk everyone away to dreamlike lands where the Fountain of Youth itself awaits. The chaotic sea battles sing, though at times key events happen so quickly that they get lost in the shuffle as Jack tries to comprehend where he's going and what's at stake. This dark fantasy tale will appeal not just to pirate fans but also to anyone who appreciates Powers's talent for blending the most unlikely elements into a brilliantly cohesive whole."

Alice in Wonderland Trailer!

And FINALLY... I found a trailer. Had to download it and upload it myself.... But hey, its what ya gotta do for some high def pictures... Which... is unfortunately small regardless.

"Alice" trailer

The new "Alice in Wonderland" trailer is out! Well, sort of. It leaked online, and Disney quickly acted to hush it all up and premeire it as they see fit. Anyways, I cant find a spot that will allow me to show the trailer here on my site. So im going to forward you a link to the website... which looks frightfully like my own... called 'WHY AM I NOT MYSELF?'

Take a look at the trailer, though the quality isnt great, its certainly worth taking a peek at.

My take on it... its a teaser. But as much as a teaser is supposed to be exciting and 'tease' an audience, this one seems to fall short. I appreciate Johnny Depp, but dont like how the movie seems to be just as much about him as Alice. And I dont even think they made mention of the girls name, just his. Ugh... star power. Cant live with it... or without it. Anyways, im stoked about the Queen of Hearts/Carter. Thats fun in itself.