"Alice In Wonderland" Review

Unless you're familiar with the story of "Alice In Wonderland," Tim Burton's new rendition may get a little confusing. In this version, all the creatures of Wonderland, or should I say Underland, are trying to find a girl named Alice. Now we know that there has been an Alice who has visited "Underland" before, but we're not sure if the Alice the movie introduces us to is the one that all of the creatures are looking for. So to be certain, the creatures try to re-create everything that
happened to the real Alice. For example, she falls down the rabbit hole, she shrinks, she grows, and of course, she attends the tea party. So why do the creatures need Alice to return to

Underland? Well, to make a long story short, the Red Queen has taken over and the White Queen can't do anything about it! And since the Red Queen controls the Jabberwocky... I think I'll stop there. The movie's really not as complicated as I've made it sound, but I think it probably would have been better to have named the film "Return to Wonderland" or something. Aside from the fact that it's more of a sequel/continuation of true "Alice In Wonderland" story, I still really enjoyed it! There has been some controversy surrounding the whole dark tone of the film and how kids won't like it, but I really don't think kids are going to have a problem with the darkness of the movie. However it's probably going to be over a young child's head and there's not enough pre-teen humor for tweens and teens to really latch on! It's definitely a movie for mature audiences, and when I say that I don't mean it has inappropriate nonsense, but rather a more serious style that may not be what everyone is expecting! Johnny Depp returns for another eccentric role (the Mad Hatter) that he pulls off with ease! This was actually his 7th film with Tim Burton, I believe! Also joining Tim Burton again was Helena Bonham Carter, who played the Red Queen. Despite an over sized head, she delivered a very good performance! Starring in her first movie with Tim Burton was Anne Hathaway, and based on her performance it could possibly be her last film with Tim Burton! The performance that really stood out though was Mia Wasikowska's portrayal of Alice! I would say SEE this movie, but I'm taking into consideration that like most Tim Burton movies, this will only appeal to a certain audience, and it's not going to be every body's cup of tea I guess I should say. Oh, but be sure and SEE IT in 3-D!

Rental of the Week: Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, each weekend we'll present a special "Rental of the Week" that honors African American triumphs! This week we're recommending the 2007 musical re-make of "Hairspray"! The movie stars a number of well known actors and actresses including John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walker, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Queen Latifah, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney, and the newcomer of the bunch - Nikki Blonsky! Nikki plays Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenager living in Baltimore during the

1960s, who inspires to be a dancer on the local Corny Collins Show. She's got all the right moves, but she's not quite the right size according to the show's manager, Velma Von Tussle, played by Michelle Pfeiffer. Corny Collins, played by James Marsden, however, sees past Tracy's size and puts her on the show after an open audition. Her charisma not only impresses Corny, but also the show's heart throb, Link Larkin, played by Zac Efron. Not impressed is Link's girlfriend Amber, played by Brittany Snow, who happens to be Velma's daughter. Tracy loves being on the show, but she wishes that her black friends such as Seaweed, played by Elijah Kelley, could dance with her instead of just during the monthly "Negro Day" hosted by Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah). However, Tracy seems to be alone in her efforts to integrate the show. Before long though, Tracy has the

support of her parents - Edna (John Travolta) and Wilbur (Christopher Walken) - along with the support of her best friend Penny (Amanda Bynes)! Even Link comes around eventually! In the end, against Velma's wishes, Corny Collins declares the show officially and forever integrated! It's a really fun movie filled with tons of great music and lot's off great dancing! The movie became the highest grossing musical film when it was released back in 2007, but was over run by "Mama Mia" and "High School Musical 3: Senior Year" a year later!

2nd Annual Oscar Predictions

Whitt and Emmy return for Movie Mania's second annual Oscar Predictions as they predict who will win what at this year's Academy Awards!

Rental of the Week: Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, each weekend we'll present a special "Rental of the Week" that honors African American triumphs! This week we're recommending the movie "No More Baths"! I saw this back when I was in fourth grade when a copy of the film was sent to all the elementary schools in the county. I've tried my best to get my hands on a copy these past few weeks, but so far, no luck! Fortunately, the movie made a lasting impression and I remember it very well! It follows the story of a few kids who spend their free with the elderly man of the neighborhood, Jake, who is played by Jim Mapp. Most parents are fine with the kids hanging out on Jake's land and helping him with his garden. Others, however, are a little concerned, and unfortunately, it's because Jake is black! If I remember correctly, the parents who are uncomfortable with their kids being around Jake strike up a deal with a land developer who threatens to take Jake's land away from him. What the racist parents didn't see coming though, was a protest! Not just any protest though! When Jake is arrested and taken from his home, the neighborhood kids decide to protest the situation by no longer taking baths... hence the title, "No More Baths"! It's been a while since I've seen the movie, but I would love to see it again someday! So even though it may hard to find a copy the movie, do your best because it's definitely not one to miss out on!

"Star Struck"

Disney Channel releases yet another let down! The newest Disney Channel original movie - "Star Struck" wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but it still wasn't great! Let's face it, Disney Channel will never be able to make movies like they use to. The film stars Sterling Knight from the Disney channel series "Sonny With a Chance"! I don't mind Disney using their TV show stars in their movies, but not if they're playing the same exact role they play on their TV show! In "Sonny With a Chance," Knight plays a famous teenager and in "Star Struck" he plays... a famous teenager! The movie's previews made it seem that his character, Christopher Wilde, would be a self-absorbed celebrity, but oddly enough, his character he plays on "Sonny" was much more self-absorbed. It never really focused on the fact that he was a vain pop-star, but instead, that he was a pop-star desperate to be left alone by the paparazzi! Also starring in the movie was fellow "Sonny With a Chance" star, Brandon Mychal Smith, and "JONAS" star, Chelsea Staub. Newcomer, Danielle Campbell, played Jessica Olsen, a normal teen who somehow winds up spending a day with Christopher Wilde while on her vacation in Hollywood. Most teenage girls would freak out if they could spend a day with the sensational star, but not Jessica! Her feelings toward Christopher could be compared to my feelings toward Miley Cyrus! Eventually though, a predictable storyline unfolds as she falls in love with the pop star. However, they simply can't be together because the paparazzi would destroy they're relationship. But the paparazzi can't stand in the way of love can it? Of course not! So you see where this is going... The movie wasn't as bad or as cheesy as some of Disney Channel's latest films, but for once I want Disney to do something that doesn't involve music and someone that is famous! Though "The Cheetah Girls" was not meant to start a line of music incorporated movies, Disney took the movie's success and turned into a collection of fan-fed films rather than quality movies like they used to make! The music featured in "Star Struck" wasn't exactly all that catchy, and I'm not actually sure that Sterling Knight can REALLY sing. The biggest let-down was that the two leads never kissed, but there were plenty of fake-outs! We all know what that means... a sequel! SKIP IT!

"Valentine's Day" Reel Review

So "Valentine's Day"... Well, basically we are following a group of people struggle through the most romantic day of the year - Valentine's Day!

The movie wasn't really meant to have a big story line, it was mainly just for entertainment! And honestly, I would have to say that I was pretty entertained. The really neat thing about the film was getting to see how all of the characters connected in the end.


Another thing I really liked was that every age group was addressed throughout the movie...


There was...

an older couple...

a middle-aged couple...










a young-adult couple...
a teenage couple...














There was even a toddler couple...

So actor analyzation... You're pretty much star struck when you watch this movie, so the acting doesn't really matter! I would have to say that Ashton Kutcher had the most screen time in this film. He played the florist, so most of the movie centered around him. Jennifer Garner also had a lot of screen time, and let me just say, that girl can sure tear up a pinata!

Taylor Swift made her acting debut in this film! She played sort of the ditsy character, and I thought that she did a pretty good job. I was a little disappointed that some of the most talented actors and actresses, such as Julia Roberts and Kathy Bates, were barely in any scenes! As for Julia Robert's niece, Emma Roberts, who is also known as my future wife, she deserved much better than the guy they chose to play her boyfriend! But like I said, the acting didn't matter, and once again, everything was mainly for entertainment.

But all these women that like Patrick Dempsey may be a little surprised by his character in this particular movie. I'm just telling you ahead of time!

The theater experience for this movie was actually really good! People were laughing, clapping, and maybe crying, I don't know, but everyone was really getting into it and seemed to enjoy it! As for me, I would have to say that I enjoyed it as well and even though it might not be the most critically acclaimed film, it was still very entertaining! SEE IT!

Rental of the Week: Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, each weekend we'll present a special "Rental of the Week" that honors African American Triumphs! This week we're recommending an Emmy Award Winning TV movie, "The Color of Friendship"! There are not many well known actors in this movie, but it's probably better that way. The true story follows an African American family from 1977. The father, Ron Dellums, played by Carl Lumbly, is a congressman who is outspoken against the South African apartheid system. His daughter, Piper, played by Shadia Simmons, wants to invite an African exchange student to their home. Though her father is against the idea, her mother, Roscoe Dellums, played by Penny Johnson, talks him into it. The family assumes that they are going to be hosting a student who will be black, but when a white student shows up instead, they try to be welcoming despite their surprise. However, the student, Mahree Bok, played by Lindsey Haun, was just as surprised to learn that she would be staying with a black family. Where she comes from in South Africa, the apartheid system is not questioned, and her father just happens to be a South African police officer who supports the system. Both Piper and Mahree are upset, and Congressman Dellums states that the situation of having a racist South African stay at their house is like "being a Jew and having Gestapo over"! Eventually though, the congressman gets used to the idea, and Mahree learns to overcome seeing strange black people as threats! The two girls become best friends, but Mahree still doesn't understand that the apartheid system in her own country is wrong. One day, Steve Bikio (a black South African fighting against apartheid) is killed by African police, and Mahree finally learns the connection between her experiences in America and the situation in South Africa. When she returns home from America, she proudly signifies her decision to side with the black liberation movement. The Disney Channel movie was met with overwhelming praise when it was released back in 2000, and was shown frequently through 2001. For some reason though, the station stopped airing the movie until 2006 when it began airing annually in February to coincide with "Black History Month"! The movie has aired on the channel a few times this month, so be sure and check your local listings for showings.