Alice in Wonderland

[Beate]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... rrer=yahoo

[Beate]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film ... in-3D.html

[PeteYork]

Saw at Castleford last night with Steve9872, Allsinging and Cortone plus friends and family. Didn't see aden, but wouldn't recognise him/her!

Security was very tight with tickets being checked against a list and names being ticked off and a doorman presumably preventing people walking into the wrong screening. I was asked what was in my bag and there was surveillance of the audience - presumably for recording the film - a few times during the film.

The cinema was fairly full, but there were still quite a few spaces and the front two rows (the stiff neck seats!) hardly used at all.

I quite enjoyed the red/green carpet thing and was amazed and full of admiration at how long the cast spent signing autographs in the heavy rain, they must have got soaked. A few interesting snippets from the interviews, mainly how few people had seen anything of the film: I suppose they mostly turned up and said their lines and left it to the animators, or acted their bit and all the computer grahics were added afterwards. I noted that security stepped up several gears as the royals arrived and just how wet the carpet was as the royal car drove to the door.

The film itself was good, but having read the books as part of my degree, felt it wasn't really the same story (especially the beginning!) but once I got used to it being different was happy to suspend my disbelief. I'm not sure the 3D added that much to the graphics (at times it seemed to be four or five layers of 2D - a bit like a cardboard theatre game I had when younger) but the graphics were very good and the characters excellent. I think my favourite was the bloodhound (Timothy Spall's been a hero of mine for many years) but I agreed with Cortone that I'd love a cat like Ches. As ever Alan Rickman was brilliant, even if not playing his usual baddie.

I hope it does well - all the high-powered(?) Disney execs being presented before the film made me wonder if they would outnumber the cast and presumably reflects their investment in it - and I heard this morning on the radio that Odeon finally agreed a distribution deal only eight before the premiere, so it should be hit. As ever with Disney, the dark parts weren't dwelt on and good triumphed in the end (hope that doesn't spoil it for anyone ). The final scene, given the first scene rounded it all off well and showed it was a 21st century production rather than a 19th century adaptation. I assume the DVD will fly off the shelves when it comes out in 13 weeks time!

[Beate]

Yes, we were strictly advised not to leave the cinema anymore (we could go to the toilet or b*y stuff but not leave the premises) as we would be crossed off the guest list if we did. And once we sat down a woman came along and asked to check our handbags but only gave them a cursory glance really. I fully expected to be ID checked and have my mobile taken away!

I also thought that the 3D didn't really add much and I could have happily done without. However, it wasn't a real hindrance as in Avatar where it made my eyes go funny and the colours seem darker.

[alythonian]

I saw this in Glasgow last night with my sister. About 95% full.

Having not liked Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, I was a lttle aprehensive as was my sister for the same reasons.

We need not have worried, we both thought this was tons better and really enjoyed it.

We had a great afternoon out in Glasgow, and really enjoyed the screening. the red carpet bit was quite entertaining. Did anyone else spot the girl near the end of that bit going in wearing huge pink cheqquered platform heals and very little clothes who was getting her photo taken by the paps (for all the wrong reasons although she seemed ignorant of this) while her pals stood and giggled. I guess they were competition winners or something, certain they were not remotely famous.

Paul Whitehouses' Glasgow accent got a few laughs for obvious reasons.

It was a grand day out! 8/10 from me.

[Cortone]

As PeteYork said, the Yorkshire crowd were all there, although we spread out in the cinema.

This was my first 3D film, and really, I thought the 'real 3D bits - where things seemed to be suspended in front of you - were brilliant, but agree with Pete that otherwise it looked a bit like cardboard layers... ANd shame on me, I have never read Alice in Wonderland, so I was just judging the story on what was on screen.

Loved Ches, and Matt Lucas as Tweedledee & Tweedledum. Didn't really 'get' Anne Hathaway's White Queen character, although she says it was based on Nigella Lawson (clearly without those boobs...) http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/celebr ... n-on-.aspx

Beate - you asked what Helena Bonham Carter was wearing, and the answer is... Vivienne Westwood!! (it your DM link)
"English eccentric Bonham-Carter chose a suitably haphazard looking Vivienne Westwood gown."

BTW - did you hear that Kate Winslett is going to play Vivienne Westwood in a film on her? (From Guardian movie blogs...)

I think this was an 8/8.5 out of 10.

Thanks to Pete for my ticket!!! :-)

[Beate]

Beate - you asked what Helena Bonham Carter was wearing, and the answer is... Vivienne Westwood!! (it your DM link)
"English eccentric Bonham-Carter chose a suitably haphazard looking Vivienne Westwood gown."

Ha ha, I meant it more like "What was she thinking about, wearing that!", and it says in one of the links I posted that her dress was "predictably wacky" or words to that effect.

[anakin]

I've seen HBC in Hampstead in her everyday get up and, believe me, comparatively she was on top form (for her) last night...

[Cortone]

LOL Beate! I thought you meant that, but there was discussion at Castleford that she was wearing curtains.... Liked the Red Queen's joke about getting Alice's outfit from curtains. :-)

[Beate]

I hope everyone who fills in the Sky Feedback form clicks on Other at the "Where did you hear about this offer?" question and types the FMUK address in!