Movie date

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L had been wanting to watch Alice in Wonderland since it came out. I was indifferent but generally preferred to watch something after a week or two so there won't be so many people in the theater. He didn't care too much if it was in 3D or not, but come on! It's a fantasy movie! 3D has to be better right?

Overall, I liked it. Not quite like the book at all, but a refreshingly different story about self-discovery of inner strength and resolve on Alice's part. In the end, I even commiserated with the Red Queen. Perhaps due to a life-long comparison to her normal head sized-sister, who also happens to be beautiful, from parents, peers, and subjects that she chose power by fear as opposed to love. Despite my sympathy for her, the ending provided vindication for all involved (perhaps with the exception of the White Queen. What happened to her king? Who said she deserved the crown?), as the Red Queen and cohort are justly punished.

L thought it was a good movie too but said it wasn't worth buying. That and him buying Cloudy, with a Chance of Meatballs told me all I needed to know about his movie taste: unreliable. Jk. I agree with his choices around 80% of the time. I thought if anything, he would buy this movie. Afterall, he does have Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (which, between the two, I liked Alice better.) I guess I tend to like or dislike movies based on messages more than entertainment value and he decides based on the latter.

Avatar 3-D

L, my brother and I had planned on watching the 3-D IMAX version, but everything sold out except the 1:15am show. Considering the length of the film, we decided to go for the 12:45 show instead.

Going into the theatre, I did not know the plot nor understood the buzz around the movie. Luis tried to explain that it showcased some new 3-D technology, but I know Edwards has been showing 3-D movies, including Up, for quite some time now. So what's the big deal?

During the movie, I shivered the whole time, either from anticipation, the awe-inspiring graphics, or the cold, I can't tell. I admit that the movie was exciting. However, on an intellectual level, the plot was just another rehash of the Pocahontas story, Disney style, replete with the Na'vi dressed in typical styles of "savages" and the huge technology imbalance along with all the right people dying at all the predictably right times.

The 3-D technology, while less nausea-inducing than Honey I Shrunk the Kids, was, practically-speaking, unnecessary to the overall story-telling. The only two places where it enhanced my movie watching experience were the control panels on ships where I instantly understood just how cool and futuristic they were, à la Vanilla Sky, or the main character walking through a field of falling ash where it made me feel like a part of his experience. Otherwise, the awesome graphics would have had the same effect on me had it been in 2-D.

On the plus side however, I applaud the imagination that went into creating Pandora. The truly beautiful and magical night visuals invoked a sense of child-like wonder and awe. As for the story and message, didn't the indigenous people and their nature-worshipping religion win? On 3-D technology, perhaps James Cameron or others will use it more fully to help the story telling as it develops.

Dog day

Took Butters to the dog park today. We told him to sit and stay in the unleashing area which he managed to do with a little excited whining. We released him from the command once we were inside the park itself. A couple saw us and was very impressed with that considering he's four months old. Unfortunately, Butter's good day lasted about ten minutes as he angered a little black chihuahua dog and was chased. He then became very grumpy and vicious. His usual playmate the French bulldog repeatedly barked at him for no apparent reason. In his play with Achilles, the Pembroke corgi, he viciously growled while standing over him. I've never really seen him like that before. So I took him to the other side of the dog park and played chase with him for awhile, but he was just done with the dog park. Before I left, the lady whose 10-year old bichon died last June came over to me to give me the pictures that she took of Butters the other day. There was one picture of him standing while the French bulldog chomped down on his back leg. It was cute.

L and I went to watch 9 at the Edwards theatre. I thought the ending was going to be different from the way it came out. Also, I realized that from futuristic movies that deals with machines vs. humans, I am now very afraid of classic machine noises like their metallic clackings and creakings and wooshings as they move and slither about. Also, why do we use metal weapons against their metal bodies? It just doesn't seem evenly matched because knives and guns are supposed to be for the flesh. Since metal bodies are supposed to be more resistant to physical damage than naked flesh, I think we should have more advanced weaponry against that. Maybe something like targeted EMP that shoots like a laser.
Analogy:
guns: flesh:: EMP laser: machines

There! That looks better. =)