Wonderland

Having fun: Jazz@Southbridge at 7atenine. Cool music. Where we lou-hei at the Esplanade rooftop after that~

And KTV at the uber-cheap Teo Heng. $4.20 for each of us and we sang from 1-7pm!!!! Coolness.

Sometimes, it does feel like Wonderland, doesn't it? =D

Talking about that.. was a tad disappointed with the eagerly-anticipated movie, Alice in Wonderland. It was my desktop wallpaper since last year when I was studying for my Sem1 final exams! My devotion and anticipation can't be more obvious. But anyways, it's definitely still a watchable film =)

I give the movie:





Since 2009 when the first wacky images of the cast members were released, everyone knew Tim Burton's take on this beloved classic would be different. It was to be another anticipated team-up with his favourite muse, Johnny Depp, who were the same team who reinvented Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, brought us the macabre delight Sweeney Todd, and Burton himself a master of the stop-motion classic A Nightmare Before Christmas.

It does seem like the perfect team to bring us through the rabbit hole once again, and rest assured that everything we love about the crazy pair is still intact (mad creativity; quirky humour), but the thing that was lacking was a key ingredient to make Alice a wild success - and that is the sense of wonder.


SYNOPSIS
Burton's adaptation is more of a coming-of-age retelling. The little Alice we knew has grown-up, and she is about to get married into an uptight middle-class family. In the midst of her marriage proposal, she gets distracted by a rabbit with a ticking watch, and before she knew it, it was down the hole and into Wonderland once more, except now she can't really recall her supposed last visit.

According to a prophecy, the dubious Alice was to slay a terrifying monster in order to end the terrible reign of the Red Queen. Along with the help of old friends the Mad Hatter, the White Queen and a whole range of other new friends, Alice embarks on a journey where she learn lessons of bravery as well as the importance of friendship.


PRAISES
The most striking part of the film has got to be the sumptuous visuals. The 3D technology involved complements Burton's wild creativity and the product - most notably Alice's thrilling fall through the rabbit hole - is a treat for the eyes.

Burton's erstwhile cast also fair splendidly with the colourful palette. Depp's zaniness is a perfect match with the Mad Hatter, while Anne Hatthaway's White Queen is delightfully airy. But the stand-out here has got to be Burton's own wife - the scene-stealing Helena Bonham Carter as the silly, temper-filled Red Queen. Her performance alone makes Wonderland very watchable.


FLAWS
But with such a beautiful package, one cannot help but nit-pick at the glaring lack of a fresh plot to make Wonderland wonderful. What is distracting is the fact that the storyline closely resembles that of Narnia's The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and the battle sequences were just as half-baked.

The cacophony of insane characters (including two CGI rabbits and one rather lame CGI mouse) contribute little to the predictable plot, which really is a pity, since Burton is known to paint the most memorable of characters.


FINAL SAY
Nevertheless, while the visual-flair of the film is definitely on-par with his stop-motion classics (which includes Corpse Bride), one cannot say the same for the emotional depth. Like its gorgeous promotional posters, appreciate the colours and the actors, but don't expect anything more than that.
~


Besides Alice in Wonderland, I did manage to catch another movie that has a similar period setting, but it is definitely not a fantasy film, and that is, the brilliant Bright Star.
I give the movie:





Bright Star tells the true tale of 19th Century poet, John Keats, and his heartbreaking love story with his teenage sweetheart, Fanny Brawne. Keats was a struggling poet in his short lifespan of 25 years old, but after his untimely death, he was considered one of the most inspiring romantic poets of his time.

Take a look at the trailer.



Jane Campion wrote and directed this beautiful film about first love - it's giddy infatuation, it's stubbornness, and it's undying devotion. Every frame is realised in poetic detail, and the scenes seem to be as lyrical as the verses from Keats' poems, which we get glimpses of narration throughout the film.

While Ben Whishaw is competent in his tortured portrayal as the young poet, it is Abbie Cornish as his passionate love interest that is both his real-life 'bright star', as well as the film's. Her heart-wrenching performance is inspiring to watch, including the talented supporting cast who make the whole love story a wonder to watch.

FINAL SAY
Destined to be largely ignored by the mainstream audience because of its source material, I still urge lovers of literature - or believers of love, for that matter - to take a look at this beautiful film.
~


Okay, Fifi I hope my Alice review is justified! :X

Going for Kumar's stand-up comedy with Kenny and Wang today. First stand-up comedy I'm going to. Hope it's good!

Oscars Best Picture Race: 2010

The Oscars race this year is proving to be uber-exciting! From the logo I've created above, it is quite apparent which movie is 2010's front-runner for Best Picture. That category (with a whopping 10 nominees) has got to be the most talked-about one currently. I'll be providing a picture-by-picture low-down =)

Among them, you'll also find my prediction for the acting (both leading and supporting), directing, animated feature and even visual effects awards.

Read on to find out. Here are my two cents' worth!


In alphabetical order:

AVATAR
Looks like over-hype can really pit some naysayers against a film. Besides a box-office boast of over US$2 billion, James Cameron's Best Director win at the Golden Globes was termed 'cocky' by some. But c'mon, let's face it, there's almost zero possibility that Avatar won't walk away with the grand prize.

Due credit must also be given for it being ground-breaking. From the technology involved to the sweeping new world of Pandora, almost everything from Avatar is simply amazing and unforgettable. It's not the best film of 2009 (imo, that would be Inglourious Basterds), but it's certainly one of the most memorable.


THE BLIND SIDE
Truthfully, this movie doesn't belong here. It's probably a nice, feel-good film, but it doesn't deserve to be up here competing with the greats. Sandra Bullock solely carried this movie - along with its box-office gold - right to the top.

Other films that could've replaced The Blind Side: Invictus (hello? Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman weren't good enough baits?), Moon [above] (a criminally-underrated sci-fi that is low on budget but high on suspense), Star Trek (perfect writing and casting, with mind-blowing action and visuals) or, since the Academy is going mainstream, (500) Days of Summer (beautiful lead-actors and humour).


DISTRICT 9
Besides Moon, this was the better-known sci-fi that is destined to be a cult classic. With a provocative story-line and premise, it is nice to see the panel recognise such a distinct genre film. But there is virtually no chance for this film to take home any Oscar, as I am betting (and sincerely hoping) that Star Trek wins the Visual Effects prize.


AN EDUCATION
I smiled when this was nominated as well. Contesting for Adapted Screenplay and most notably, Best Actress for the pretty Carey Mulligan, this is a well-written movie about the lessons in life that just can't be learnt in the classroom. I'm just happy this got into the list of 10 greats.


THE HURT LOCKER
Why did I write in my SGClub article that this film should win? Well, simply because it swept all the major Guild Awards for Best Picture, that's why. Those awards are benchmark for predicting Oscar wins, but let's not forget that often, the Oscars operate alone, and I'm still sticking with my notion that the Academy favours box-office successes (see wikipedia for the track record).

But what I didn't get to do in that article was explain why it probably deserves to win over Avatar. Granted, Avatar is amazing, but The Hurt Locker took directing to another notch. The nail-biting tension you feel as the characters attempt to disarm the ticking bombs [above] as well as the drama displayed by the actors can only come from a seasoned director, which is Kathryn Bigelow, incidentally Cameron's ex-wife.

I've read many movie writers' articles, and they are predicting the academy will give each an award: Avatar for Best Picture and The Hurt Locker for Best Director. That'd be nice =)


INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS
I didn't really like Kill Bill, and I was too young to enjoy Pulp Fiction, but this Quentin Tarantino WWII flick absolutely rocked in every sense. True, everything is outrageous, but it is outrageously fun. Although it was not the right year to compete for this prize, the Basterds already have my utmost respect.

And also, Christoph Waltz [above] will win Supporting Actor. There is no doubt whatsoever.


PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL 'PUSH' BY SAPPHIRE
The best things to come out of this movie are probably lead actress Gabourney Sidibe as the overweight and abused teenager, and the scene-stealing monstrous mother portrayed by Mo'Nique [below].

The supporting role by the rapper-turned-TV host, like in Inglourious Basterds, cannot lose.


A SERIOUS MAN
Many are hailing this to be the Coen Brothers' best work, even though No Country For Old Men was already honoured in this category back in 2008. But it is no surprise, seeing that the material here this time around apparently mirrors some of their Jewish upbringing. The directing here is flawless and their trademark dark comedy is present as well. However, chances are low for the Academy to award them again when their previous win was only in recent memory.


UP
This delightful audience and critiques' fave is in here probably because Wall-E didn't make it last year. Anyway, it should be contented with the Animated Feautre Oscar (which it will take home), making it Pixar's 5th win.

Trivia: Up is only the second animated flick to be nominated for Best Picture after Disney's Beauty and the Beast [above] in 1992.


UP IN THE AIR
An early contender in the Oscars race back last year when a certain James Cameron film wasn't released yet, the film is directed by the man who brought us the quirky flick, Juno.

This morally-uplifting tale features one Best Actor and two Best Supporting Actress nominations [above], with George Clooney being a serious contender to vie with Jeff Bridges for the leading role award.
~


Okay, that's all! Hope you enjoyed it =) I am OO: Oscars-Obsessed. Been reading articles online about predictions and the lead up to the ceremony itself, which is next Monday!

Can't wait!