"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" Movie Review

If only Roald Dahl had been alive to see this. One of the greatest childrens authors of all time, Roald Dahl, wrote the story of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" in 1964. In 1971, a musical film adaptation was released with the title "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory". Unfortunately, Roald Dahl himself hated the film, so much so that he refused to allow them to adapt his sequel. Tim Burton didn't like the original either and, as he does so well, he put his own familar spin on it. Johnny Depp was the perfect casting choice as the lonely Willy Wonka, with similarities to his earlier character, Edward Scissorhands. I saw this film in the IMAX theater with its release in 2005 and instantly loved it. I have enjoyed it just as much every time since and I still smile when the Oompa Loompa's sing and when Willy Wonka presents to the children his chocolate room. Although I was one of the many who actually liked the original, I find this one better because with the absense of the unnecessary musical numbers, among other things, this is closer to Roald Dahl's story in tone and in content. I believe if he had been alive he would have enjoyed it, as I did, and I hope you do too.

9/10

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"Corpse Bride" Movie Review

"I do". Those are two words that Victor Van Dort just can't seem to say. He practices and practices but saying his vows aren't an easy thing for him to do. Perhaps it's because he barely knows her and doesn't love her. Or because he is a nervous wreck. Which is it? Either way, it clearly isn't going according to plan. Victor wanders off into the forest and while practicing his vows yet again, he finally gets them right. Unfortunately, it happens at a very inconvenient time. A dead woman, buried in the ground, has been waiting for the perfect man to come and say the exact words that Victor said and she believes it to be for real. She brings him into the world of the dead which is not at all what he is looking for. Tim Burton's idea is a strange and creative one but, to me, there was clearly something missing. Johnny Depp does a mediocre job playing the selfless and kindhearted Victor but that's just it; its mediocre. Same goes for Helena Bonham Carter as the corpse bride and most of the other voice actors. But as I said, Tim Burton's ideas are creative as usual, and the animation that he hadn't used since "The Nightmare Before Christmas", works well here.

6/10

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