If you read this blog regularly, you probably think I only ever go and see children's films at the cinema. And, well you would be right.

This is because they are the only ones that the wife and I can agree on. We used to enjoy seeing scary horror films, but then we moved in together and suddenly they lost their appeal. ;0)

So usually one of us suggests we go to the cinema and then selects their choice of film, the other doesn't agree and we reach a compromise of the latest animation!

Anyway this is a round about way of saying that we went to see Toy Story 3 this weekend and I have to be honest I quite enjoyed it.

Most of the usual Disney Pixar style is there with plenty of wry jokes as well as a moral tale about coming of age and sticking with your friends even when the chips are down.

I did find some of the preachy moralising rather uncomfortable though, and I think that if I had children I wouldn't be so happy with some of the questions the film could raise.

The techniques were faultless though, and the animation was as impressive as ever, although it has become even more apparent to me that 3D is simply a device to persuade cinema goers to part with even more of their cash for no actual benefit as the feature wasn't really essential to the experience whatsoever.

 

I still haven't really got used to watching 3D films. The glasses sit funny on my face (unlike my wife I don't wear glasses normally) and after a while I have to lift the glasses up as I get a weird seasick sensation. Perhaps I'm thinking about it too much? Anyway, we went to see Alice in Wonderland last night, in 3D. The first thing you probably need to know about this film, if you didn't already is that it's directed by Tim Burton. That pretty much guarantees a few things, firstly that his girlfriend Helena Bonham Carter will be in it, that Johnny Depp is likely to be in it and that a lot of the visuals will be pretty dark and spiky. Alice qualifies on all three counts. Johnny Depp plays the psychologically deranged 'Mad Hatter' with the most interesting eye make-up. Bonham Carter plays the arrogant and pompous but slightly child-like Queen of Hearts. All of the Underland scenes are suitably dark and spiky, except for those in the castle of the White Queen (played by Anne Hathaway) but the atmospheric lighting and digital effects still give it a certain edge. Personally I felt the plot was a little slow in places, especially the early scenes where Alice is at the garden party to receive a proposal from Hamish (played by Leo Bill). I also wonder if ginger haired actors only ever get to play weak sensitive characters? Anyway yes the first few scenes are quite slow. Things get much better when Alice falls down the rabbit hole though, and the pace picks up considerably. Mia Wasikowska puts in an excellent performance as Alice and she is supported brilliantly by the aforementioned stars Depp, Hathaway and Bonham Carter. The Tweedles played by the brilliant Matt Lucas should also get a special mention for managing to make even the smallest of gestures or vocal nosies to raise a laugh. Overall I would certainly recommend this film, not least to enjoy the unique approach of Tim Burton combined with the new digital techniques afforded by modern cinema. Just try to avoid feeling seasick from the 3D glasses!

I still haven't really got used to watching 3D films. The glasses sit funny on my face (unlike my wife I don't wear glasses normally) and after a while I have to lift the glasses up as I get a weird seasick sensation. Perhaps I'm thinking about it too much? Anyway, we went to see Alice in Wonderland last night, in 3D. The first thing you probably need to know about this film, if you didn't already is that it's directed by Tim Burton. That pretty much guarantees a few things, firstly that his girlfriend Helena Bonham Carter will be in it, that Johnny Depp is likely to be in it and that a lot of the visuals will be pretty dark and spiky. Alice qualifies on all three counts. Johnny Depp plays the psychologically deranged 'Mad Hatter' with the most interesting eye make-up. Bonham Carter plays the arrogant and pompous but slightly child-like Queen of Hearts. All of the Underland scenes are suitably dark and spiky, except for those in the castle of the White Queen (played by Anne Hathaway) but the atmospheric lighting and digital effects still give it a certain edge. Personally I felt the plot was a little slow in places, especially the early scenes where Alice is at the garden party to receive a proposal from Hamish (played by Leo Bill). I also wonder if ginger haired actors only ever get to play weak sensitive characters? Anyway yes the first few scenes are quite slow. Things get much better when Alice falls down the rabbit hole though, and the pace picks up considerably. Mia Wasikowska puts in an excellent performance as Alice and she is supported brilliantly by the aforementioned stars Depp, Hathaway and Bonham Carter. The Tweedles played by the brilliant Matt Lucas should also get a special mention for managing to make even the smallest of gestures or vocal nosies to raise a laugh. Overall I would certainly recommend this film, not least to enjoy the unique approach of Tim Burton combined with the new digital techniques afforded by modern cinema. Just try to avoid feeling seasick from the 3D glasses!