Alice in Wonderland

I still can't help but wonder why we keep rehashing the same stories. Is it that executives feel comfortable with the known and familiar and assume that if film goers have flocked to see previous versions of a story then surely they will flock to see another? Is it that each generation of new directors cannot resist putting their individual stamp on the classics? Or is it that we have just run out of good new and original stories? Whatever the reason, here we go down the rabbit hole and through the looking glass once more. This time with Tim Burton at the helm, which means that Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter (Tim's wife) cannot be far behind. Now, all three of these people are geniuses. You would expect them to do an excellent job of interpreting Lewis Carroll's classic and you will not be disappointed. Tim's visuals are always at the cutting edge and his interpretations of the Wonderland characters are dark, creepy and fascinating. Closer than ever to the original illustrations by John Tenniel. Who could imagine an actor better suited to playing the Mad Hatter than Depp? He adds a large dollop of sadness to the madness, channelling a bit of the genuine tragedy of 18th century hatters losing their minds from the mercury poisoning which was a hazard of their trade. Mercury was used in the manufacture of felt. Helena is truly funny and quite menacing as the Red Queen. In this version Alice is a young adult facing the prospect of marriage. It has therefore a more adult theme and should appeal to a wide audience. A delight for the eyes, entertaining performances, including Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, but ultimately somewhat lacking in anything truly new and remarkable.

Syd Mead

Last night I joined a few hundred nerds at the Orpheum to see saw The Visual Futurist, a documentary on the work of Syd Mead, followed by a Q&A with the man himself. Syd is responsible for some of the most pioneering design work in science fiction film, including on Blade Runner and Aliens. He is an incredibly clever man with an old fashioned work ethic. While he clearly respects the talented people working in CGI, his work remains old-school. Paint applied to paper with animal hairs, as he put it. His work is extraordinary and he really should have greater recognition as a major artist. He shows off an abstract work that he had made as a bit of fun for his house in Orange County. He used some of the left over paint from decorating and a few junk items he found around the house. I could easily imagine the finished article on display at the Moma. Syd is contemptuous, and rightly so, of artists that work only in the abstract and regards much of this type of art as a massive con (which of course it is). While most of last night's audience probably think The Big Bang Theory is reality TV, I enjoyed the evening and found Syd inspiring.

We have a bingo!

The Academy Awards have started in style, with the first category announced being best supporting actor. As expected, Christoph Waltz won for his role in Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds.

Colonel Landa

The Oscar pick I feel strongest about this year is Christoph Waltz for supporting actor. Having watched the basterds on blue ray again I was fascinated anew by his compelling turn as Colonel Hans Landa. More so than on the first viewing. Waltz creates here a character that is entertaining and fascinating in the way a brightly coloured, but deadly venomous tropical fish may be. Impossible to look away from. He combines deadly menace, with smooth and genuinely likeable charm, with the enthusiasm of a game show host. I'm holding thumbs for him to win.