100 Movie Challenge 2015 - # 58: Alice in Wonderland

Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske

Genre: Animation/ Family/ Fantasy

Runtime: 72 minutes

Year: 1951

Starring: Kathryn Beaumont, Ed Wynn, Richard Haydn, Sterling Holloway, Jerry Colonna, Verna Felton, J. Pat O’Malley, Bill Thompson

Description: Alice stumbles into the world of Wonderland. Will she get home? Not if the Queen of Hearts has her way.

Review: Walt Disney had made its first full length animation in 1937, wit “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” and many classics would follow. “Alice in Wonderland” came out a year after “Cinderella” and was the 13th animation by Disney.

The film is based on the novel by Lewis Carroll, but off course with a Disney touch. At first the movie was criticized and Walt Disney also stated that he hated the film. But the hippie generation liked it and the surreal elements in the film made it into an interesting film, even for adults.

“Alice in Wonderland” doesn’t show us everything that’s in the book and also has some interesting parts from its sequel “Through the Looking Glass”. But many things we loved from the book were left out. For instance there are no chess pieces and no humptee dumptee. The movie is only 72 minutes long, but at the end you have the feeling that you saw a lot.

I really love the wonderland and all the fantasy elements, but I disliked the fact that Disney left so many great things out.

Rating: 3/ 5

DVD Collection Update (19)

It's time for another DVD collection update. I've got 13 new ones since the beginning of January. To warn you, I went on a Disney shopping spree!

I got the first season of "Downton Abbey". I wanted to know why people loved it (and off course I wanted to see Dan Stevens...). And I now know why, it's loads of fun.

And if you know me a little bit, I also immediatley had to buy the second season. It has become a guilty pleasure of mine.

"In Bruges" is one of the funniest movies in the dark comedy genre. I really like Colin Farrel in this film, but Ralph Fiennes steals the show as the villain. his insults are hilarious! 

An absolute classic, sometimes I feel like buying one of those. "Psycho" deserves that title, because it's one of the best classic movies ever. And pretty scary too!

"Das Leben der Anderen" is one of the best non-English spoken movies. It's not a very spectaculair movie, but it's so well made and acted.

I went to see "Neighbors" last year with my cousin Linda. It was so much fun, finally a new comedy that could make me laugh. So when it came out, I just had to add it to my collection.

"Begin Again" is movie that puts an instant smile on your face. I just love this movie, I loved Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley in this film. Really worth a watch if you haven't seen it yet.

It was criticized, but I don't know why. I think "Sin City: A Dame to Kill For" was an amazing film. Off course it could never top the first, but it's still a great movie!

"The Little Mermaid" was the first movie I ever saw in theaters. I think I've only seen it once after that experience, so it was time for me to own it.

I actually never saw the Disney animated version of "Alice in Wonderland", so this will be another view for my movie challenge.

Just thinking of that terrible scene in "Bambi" makes me sad, but I also remember how great the entire animation was. And adorable with all those cute animals.

I also never saw the animated Disney version of "Robin Hood", so another movie on my to-watch list for my challenge.

I think I saw the live action version more often, but I really need to watch the animated "101 Dalmatians" again.

50 Books Challenge 2013 - # 23: Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

Title: Through the Looking-Glass
Author: Lewis Carroll
Story: The famous sequel to Alice in Wonderland. Alice finds herself yet again in a topsy-turvy world full of fascinating and funny characters, moving her way around a chess board world to try and get back home.
Start: june 16th 2013
End: june 24th 2013
Comment: The first story, "Alice in Wonderland", is a book you can really get lost in. Especially as a girl Alice's age. I was't quite sure if the sequel would have that same effect, you never know with sequels. This one lived up to my expectations and I enjoyed every inch of it. Great and extraordinary characters, fun rhyms and songs, memorable lines. I was in love with the illustrations, just what a good children's book needs. Lewis Carroll takes you on an adventure with his nice writing style and any kid would love this. Absolutely adored this book, I'm glad I finally read it.
Rating: 5/ 5

In the Picture: The Characters from "Alice in Wonderland"

Tim Burton alway sknow show to create a wonderful world in all of his movies. He did it again with the classic story of "Alice in Wonderland". I like to put the spotlight on the characters in the film.

Alice Kingsleigh
Played by: Mia Wasikowska
Alice is not who other people expect her to be. She clearly has her own will and doesn't want to marry well. Alice is stubborn, brave and non-girlie.

Mad Hatter
Played by: Johnny Depp
Although the Mad Hatter looks and acts very strange, I think he is just misunderstood. He has all the best intentions and has a vision of the world no one else can picture. Mad Hatter is very creative and loyal.

Iracebeth of Crims aka the Red Queen
Played by: Helena Bonham Carter
The Red Queen is the ruler and everything should go as she pleases. She is easily irritated and quick to anger. She rather wants people to fear her than people to like her.

Mirana of Marmoreal aka the White Queen
Played by: Anne Hathaway
Mirana is Iracebeth's sister and the complete opposite. She also likes the dark side, but is affraid to go in to deep. The White Queen is good hearted and has a better future in mind for her land.

Favorite Character: Iracebeth of Crims aka the Red Queen