![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
grrgoylTo my surprise, Tery suggested going out tonight. As the crackwhore's boyfriend was busy pounding something very loudly and persistently on their balcony, and the renters across the way with 3 screaming kids were outside, well, screaming, I said why not. So it was that we found ourselves going to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Before we get to the nitty-gritty, I have to say this: I haven't been out to the movies in quite some time, so I noticed some big changes. Firstly, we just missed the 5:15 pm showing, apparently the last matinee of the day. Back when I was a regular patron, matinees on weekends were usually only offered until noon, maybe 2 or 3 pm at the latest. Perhaps an attempt to entice more customers looking to save that buck fifty? Secondly, we had exactly two (2) previews. Highly unusual. But as one of them was for Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, ask me how much it bothered me. (Or if this particular trailer was at all unexpected, for that matter). Inevitable tie-in products be damned...I am all over this puppy.
I promise to cut for anything that might be remotely spoilerish.
My reasons for wanting to see this should be obvious. Tim Burton, the closest a man can come to deification without becoming Terry Gilliam; Johnny, who we learned on the Sleepy Hollow commentary shares an uncanny telepathic connection with Tim and seldom even needs verbal stage direction to please him, and frankly they've been working together so much now I wish they'd just get a room and be done with it; and of course the long-overdue remake (sorry, reinterpretation) of the cautionary tale on the result of spoiling children.
Without going into too great detail, aka every line that came out of Johnny's mouth, I can say overall that I loved this movie. As I recently read on Amazon, "Edward Scissorhands achieves the nearly impossible feat of capturing the delicate flavor of a fable or fairy tale in a live-action movie." I'd have to say Burton accomplishes this again in Charlie. The use of narration and lengthy flashbacks effectively filled in large portions of the background quickly. Which was good, because I simply couldn't wait to get to Johnny. I'd seen plenty of trailers and preview clips of him dealing snarkily with the kids, but was also pleasantly surprised to see that they didn't give away any of the best lines (my two favorites by far were the cannibalism reference, and the "Puppet Trauma and Burn Ward...relatively new"). Of secondary note is Freddie Highmore (Charlie), who has so much adorableness left over from Finding Neverland that I'm still trying to find room to put him in my pocket.
It wasn't all good though. I am awed by Tim (if that isn't obvious), but can still be his harshest critic. There are some specific areas in which this movie suffers in comparison to the original (which, face it, is unavoidable). I was eagerly awaiting Burton's treatment of the boat ride, which traumatized me and I'm sure many of my peers with the terrifying original sequence. But this time, nothing. Just a boat going fast isn't really scary to me (I forget the book, perhaps this was a choice that stays truer to it?) The second most memorable scene, Augustus Gloop getting sucked into the tube, was immensely disturbing to me as a young 'un, but this version, not so much. I also think that, whereas this script was much funnier and more sardonic, I preferred Gene Wilder's Wonka, with his half-hearted "wait stop don't" just before one of the brats trots off to his/her fate, and constant interjections of literary quotes, regardless of how little this had to do with the book.
The Oompa-Loompas. Hmmm. I still haven't made up my mind about them (or I should say "him," since only one actor played them all). I'd have to say whereas the updated Loompa songs are catchy and had me tapping my toes, they have a distinctive Oingo Boingo feel to them, hardly surprising once I realized that Danny Elfman in fact sings them all. Right at this second I'd have to say I prefer the original version's songs, sorry Dan. My sister pointed out that she liked this movie better than the first based purely on not having all those boring, slow, mushy songs that "we always fast-forward over" in the beginning. True, yet somehow Burton's film feels rushed and underdeveloped despite cutting out all of the drawn-out introductory stuff and being 15 minutes longer (for instance, Grandpa Joe unhesitatingly leaping to his feet without any sign at all of being bedridden for years. Frankly, too shockingly abrupt for me). The bad kids seemed to be dispatched very quickly without getting a chance to properly hate them. The characters were much more clearly drawn in the first, I thought. They probably had to make room for the completely new scenes explaining Wonka's back story (that were all very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. In fact, the only point in the entire movie that I felt slightly moved to tears was when we realize that his father has kept every newspaper clipping ever published about his son and his factory).
Finally, as hawt and slightly sinister as Johnny looked in top hat, tails and lavender eyes, his characterization reminded me rather uncomfortably of Michael Jackson, just in his seclusion from the world and totally bizarro behavior and attitudes. And of course undeniably childish, unconcerned-with-consequences outlook on life. Which nevertheless didn't stop me from wanting to do unspeakable things to him that I will not go into here.
I'm not sure if this is a spoiler or not because it means nothing to me. Tery and I sat out the credits, which ended with the words "Plan B." Any ideas? I haven't a clue, but am quite confident it's nothing that a little DVD purchase won't clear right up for me (or perhaps not. Tim is notoriously and maddeningly taciturn on his commentaries. I guess I'll find out eventually).
3.5-4 out of 5
The only other thing worth mentioning would be the audience. I had no idea what to expect on a Sunday night, though Tery felt quite confident that everyone in the Denver area would be staying home to watch the 16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards *snerk* We weren't quite so lucky, but for the second weekend after opening a summer flick I couldn't really complain.
Except for an utterly daft woman who had an infant with her, maybe 7 or 8 months old. I realize it is a children's movie (or is it?) and I had no problem with there being children in attendance, but not one practically fresh from the womb. As Tery put it, "too old to sleep through the movie, too young to reason with." The baby screamed and wailed so long and so loudly that she had to (FINALLY) exit the theater not once, but twice. Even when she was sitting down, she had to spend the entire time bouncing the thing around and trying to keep it entertained and quiet, not leaving much opportunity to enjoy the movie I imagine. I sympathize with new parents, I really do. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be cooped up at home for months at a time with a creature that can't even carry on a conversation with you. However, this is one of several dozens of reasons why I have made the decision not to procreate. But if I had, rest assured I would recognize that going to see a movie would unequivocally necessitate the use of a babysitter. The fact that this woman either ignored this or was unable to find one and selfishly decided to bring her baby anyway only reinforces my belief that some (most) people simply should not be allowed to breed.
There was also a 20-something girl sitting next to me and many times we were the only two laughing in the theater. I so would have liked to get to know her, but she went home with her stupid boyfriend instead. Feh (P.S.: Call me, laughing girl)
Before we get to the nitty-gritty, I have to say this: I haven't been out to the movies in quite some time, so I noticed some big changes. Firstly, we just missed the 5:15 pm showing, apparently the last matinee of the day. Back when I was a regular patron, matinees on weekends were usually only offered until noon, maybe 2 or 3 pm at the latest. Perhaps an attempt to entice more customers looking to save that buck fifty? Secondly, we had exactly two (2) previews. Highly unusual. But as one of them was for Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, ask me how much it bothered me. (Or if this particular trailer was at all unexpected, for that matter). Inevitable tie-in products be damned...I am all over this puppy.
I promise to cut for anything that might be remotely spoilerish.
My reasons for wanting to see this should be obvious. Tim Burton, the closest a man can come to deification without becoming Terry Gilliam; Johnny, who we learned on the Sleepy Hollow commentary shares an uncanny telepathic connection with Tim and seldom even needs verbal stage direction to please him, and frankly they've been working together so much now I wish they'd just get a room and be done with it; and of course the long-overdue remake (sorry, reinterpretation) of the cautionary tale on the result of spoiling children.
Without going into too great detail, aka every line that came out of Johnny's mouth, I can say overall that I loved this movie. As I recently read on Amazon, "Edward Scissorhands achieves the nearly impossible feat of capturing the delicate flavor of a fable or fairy tale in a live-action movie." I'd have to say Burton accomplishes this again in Charlie. The use of narration and lengthy flashbacks effectively filled in large portions of the background quickly. Which was good, because I simply couldn't wait to get to Johnny. I'd seen plenty of trailers and preview clips of him dealing snarkily with the kids, but was also pleasantly surprised to see that they didn't give away any of the best lines (my two favorites by far were the cannibalism reference, and the "Puppet Trauma and Burn Ward...relatively new"). Of secondary note is Freddie Highmore (Charlie), who has so much adorableness left over from Finding Neverland that I'm still trying to find room to put him in my pocket.
It wasn't all good though. I am awed by Tim (if that isn't obvious), but can still be his harshest critic. There are some specific areas in which this movie suffers in comparison to the original (which, face it, is unavoidable). I was eagerly awaiting Burton's treatment of the boat ride, which traumatized me and I'm sure many of my peers with the terrifying original sequence. But this time, nothing. Just a boat going fast isn't really scary to me (I forget the book, perhaps this was a choice that stays truer to it?) The second most memorable scene, Augustus Gloop getting sucked into the tube, was immensely disturbing to me as a young 'un, but this version, not so much. I also think that, whereas this script was much funnier and more sardonic, I preferred Gene Wilder's Wonka, with his half-hearted "wait stop don't" just before one of the brats trots off to his/her fate, and constant interjections of literary quotes, regardless of how little this had to do with the book.
The Oompa-Loompas. Hmmm. I still haven't made up my mind about them (or I should say "him," since only one actor played them all). I'd have to say whereas the updated Loompa songs are catchy and had me tapping my toes, they have a distinctive Oingo Boingo feel to them, hardly surprising once I realized that Danny Elfman in fact sings them all. Right at this second I'd have to say I prefer the original version's songs, sorry Dan. My sister pointed out that she liked this movie better than the first based purely on not having all those boring, slow, mushy songs that "we always fast-forward over" in the beginning. True, yet somehow Burton's film feels rushed and underdeveloped despite cutting out all of the drawn-out introductory stuff and being 15 minutes longer (for instance, Grandpa Joe unhesitatingly leaping to his feet without any sign at all of being bedridden for years. Frankly, too shockingly abrupt for me). The bad kids seemed to be dispatched very quickly without getting a chance to properly hate them. The characters were much more clearly drawn in the first, I thought. They probably had to make room for the completely new scenes explaining Wonka's back story (that were all very interesting and thoroughly enjoyable. In fact, the only point in the entire movie that I felt slightly moved to tears was when we realize that his father has kept every newspaper clipping ever published about his son and his factory).
Finally, as hawt and slightly sinister as Johnny looked in top hat, tails and lavender eyes, his characterization reminded me rather uncomfortably of Michael Jackson, just in his seclusion from the world and totally bizarro behavior and attitudes. And of course undeniably childish, unconcerned-with-consequences outlook on life. Which nevertheless didn't stop me from wanting to do unspeakable things to him that I will not go into here.
I'm not sure if this is a spoiler or not because it means nothing to me. Tery and I sat out the credits, which ended with the words "Plan B." Any ideas? I haven't a clue, but am quite confident it's nothing that a little DVD purchase won't clear right up for me (or perhaps not. Tim is notoriously and maddeningly taciturn on his commentaries. I guess I'll find out eventually).
3.5-4 out of 5
The only other thing worth mentioning would be the audience. I had no idea what to expect on a Sunday night, though Tery felt quite confident that everyone in the Denver area would be staying home to watch the 16th Annual GLAAD Media Awards *snerk* We weren't quite so lucky, but for the second weekend after opening a summer flick I couldn't really complain.
Except for an utterly daft woman who had an infant with her, maybe 7 or 8 months old. I realize it is a children's movie (or is it?) and I had no problem with there being children in attendance, but not one practically fresh from the womb. As Tery put it, "too old to sleep through the movie, too young to reason with." The baby screamed and wailed so long and so loudly that she had to (FINALLY) exit the theater not once, but twice. Even when she was sitting down, she had to spend the entire time bouncing the thing around and trying to keep it entertained and quiet, not leaving much opportunity to enjoy the movie I imagine. I sympathize with new parents, I really do. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be cooped up at home for months at a time with a creature that can't even carry on a conversation with you. However, this is one of several dozens of reasons why I have made the decision not to procreate. But if I had, rest assured I would recognize that going to see a movie would unequivocally necessitate the use of a babysitter. The fact that this woman either ignored this or was unable to find one and selfishly decided to bring her baby anyway only reinforces my belief that some (most) people simply should not be allowed to breed.
There was also a 20-something girl sitting next to me and many times we were the only two laughing in the theater. I so would have liked to get to know her, but she went home with her stupid boyfriend instead. Feh (P.S.: Call me, laughing girl)
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 11:36 am (UTC)I think children should be illegal to ahve in public until they're about 8 years old. Having them in public only promotes them :P
Glad to hear you liked the film though! It hasn't opened here yet, but I can't wait to go.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 07:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 02:42 pm (UTC)Here the weekend discount prices are only for the first showing on each screen. How weird that your theater had such late matinees!
There was no laughing girl in the theater for me, but there was a nice bulldyke -- a very unusual sighting in that part of town. She ended up sitting several rows in front of us. The theater was crowded, maybe that's why the families on either side of her didn't mind her proximity to their cute 13-year-old daughters.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 07:05 pm (UTC)