Benjamin Button quotes

"For what it’s worth, it’s never too late,
or in my case too early,
to be whoever you want to be.
There’s no time limit...
start whenever you want...
you can change or stay the same.
There are no rules to this thing.
We can make the best or the worst of it.
I hope you make the best of it.
I hope you see things that stop you.
I hope you feel things that you never felt before.
I hope you meet people with a different point of view.
I hope you live a life that you’re proud of
and if you find that you’re not,
I hope you have the strength to start all over again."

"Some people were born to sit by a river.
Some get struck by lightning,
Some have an ear for music,
Some are artist,
Some swim,
Some know buttons,
Some know Shakespeare,
Some are mothers,
Some people.... dance!"

-Benjamin, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald

"Benjamin, we’re meant to lose the people we love. How else would we know how important they are to us?"

Tim Burton's: Alice In Wonderland

Alice In Wonderland

The second installment of the movie Alice In Wonderland (2010), which is partially animated and partially actors in costume, is directed by Tim Burton, famous for films like Edward Scissorhands (1990) and The Nightmare After Christmas (1993). It is adapted from the books Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (commonly shortened to Alice in Wonderland) and Through the Looking Glass. The novels were written in 1865 by English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll. The screenplay for this 2010 version was written by Linda Woolverton.

The animated film Alice in Wonderland (1951) was originally made by the Walt Disney Company, directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske. There were several writers who adapted the books to the 1951 screenplay, which is listed at this site. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043274/fullcredits#writers. At that time, the movie was geared more for children and had a light heartedness about it.

Each tells the story of Alice who falls down a rabbit hole into a fantasy world checkered with animals and anthropomorphic creatures. It plays with our sense of logic, makes us think, which gives it an appeal with both adults and children. Although, the 2010 version tells us how Alice returns to wonderland at an older age, trying to escape the trappings adult life has brought her. Therefore, we see wonderland through the eyes of an older and more mature Alice.

The White Rabbit (Michael Sheen) is sent to our reality to find Alice (Mia Wasikowska), so she can return to help them save wonderland from the horrible Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Burton's wife). As Alice is older, she has forgotten her way to wonderland, which brings doubt that she is truly the real Alice who had visited with them as a child.

It has been predicted over time that the real Alice would return to fight against the Red Queen and her evil forces. The problem is Alice can barely remember her old friends and really is not up to be a champion for any one's causes. She is having a hard enough time dealing with growing up and making adult choices.

The movie takes us on a trip through our much beloved world of wonderland. Alice meets up again with the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and his tea totting friends, the Dormouse (BarbaraWindsor), March Hare (Paul Whitehhouse) and the White Rabbit. The Mad Hatter is overjoyed to see she has returned. He becomes the valiant protector of Alice through her journeys toward her destiny in wonderland. The Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) also returns slithering through the air. The Blue Caterpillar (Alan Rickman) continues to predict and prescribe for Alice. All in an attempt to help the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) fight against the evil that is taking over wonderland.

The movie continues the storyline. It brings nuances to the characters that we may never have seen without the great direction of Tim Burton. The cast of skilled actors assembled brings the story to a new level. The Mad Hatter is played gloriously well by Johnny Depp. He brings a sort of softness and sensitivity to the mad man. Maybe the people we think are mad are truly more sane than they let on. Add in Carter's strong depiction of the Red Queen and Hathaway's comical review of the White Queen, and you have a wonderful film!

Although a bit darker than the original animated version, this installment is very entertaining. It will be a joy for any child who enjoyed the first movie. I took my daughter and four little girls, whom were all mesmerized by this movie. Heck, I was mesmerized and enthralled. I recommend this for all ages. This is definitely a can't miss film and you won't regret spending a little more cash to see it. A treat for all!

©2010 All Rights Reserved

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

The movie New Moon (2009) is directed by Chris Weitz and the script is written by Melissa Rosenberg. This drama was adapted from the Twilight Saga novel series, written by Stephenie Meyer. The movie picks up where the last movie, Twilight (2008), left off. Each movie being an adaptation of the novels in this series, with two more movies to go. The excitement about this series has surpassed even the popular Harry Potter (2001-2011) movies, also adapted from several novels. Which is saying a lot!

The main character, Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart), returns with her vampire love interest, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). Her Native American friend who secretly loves her, Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), also returns to the story.

In this second film we see the powers that be have tried to stick with the plot of the book, since the fan backlash was not pretty when they changed things in the first film. In doing so, they also created a longer second film. Be ready to take some time to watch this movie, which is well worth it.

Between the longing for the lost unattainable love and the aching for the long time crush, we are taken through a love triangle that may never end in this series. The animosity between Edward and Jacob still exists. Jacob wanting to protect Bella from the vampire family of Edward, which he seems to have previous knowledge about. Edward trying to protect Bella from vampires who want to kill her, because he killed another vampire.

The story opens on Bella insisting that Edward change her to a vampire, so she can be with him forever. He, of course, refuses and tells her he could never bring her into the horrible life of a vampire. She fears that when she grows old, he will no longer want her and move on, even though he assures her that will not happen.

Jacob still longs for Bella to realize how much he loves her. He waits for her to see the truth about Edward and come running into his arms. Yet, there is a secret he is hiding that he can't tell his friend, Bella. What is it? Could that be the wedge between them and the reason they could never be in the first place?

Meanwhile, there have been several deaths in town. They are blaming bears, but they are not really sure what is responsible. Bella's dad, Charlie Swan (Billy Burke), the local policeman, sets out to solve the mysterious deaths. Joined by his friend and Jacob's grandfather, Harry Clearwater (Graham Greene), they start the search to solve the crimes. What or who is killing the people of the town?

Edward's vampire family all return in this second installment, with added extra branches of the family revealed. We also meet Jacob's Native American family and learn more about their part in this continually unwinding story.

The excitement, suspense, romance, feuds and fantasy continue in this modern day Romeo and Juliet story. Plenty of eye candy for both the male and female population. Overseas locations and special affects abound. You won't be disappointed, particularly if you are a fan of this series.

©2010 All Rights Reserved

The World's Greatest Dad

The World's Greatest Dad

The movie The World's Greatest Dad (2009) was written and directed by stand-up comic Bobcat Goldthwait. The film debut at the Sundance Film Festival to great reviews. The film is a dark comedy about a man who learns that the things you want most may not be the things that make you happy and that being lonely is not necessarily the same as being alone.

The main character, Lance Clayton (Robin Williams), is a single parent raising his difficult son. Being a teacher where his son, Kyle (Daryl Sabara), attends makes it even more difficult to deal with the antics his son's is pulling and bad grades he is getting. How do you explain that, being a teacher with the problem child?

Lance has low attendance for his writing class, so there is pressure to cancel the class. He is an aspiring writer who keeps sending out his work that never gets published. His career seems to be sabotaged on all levels.

He is dating a fellow teacher who is younger than him. She insists they keep their relationship secret. All the while, she flirts with other staff members. Lance's world pretty much sucks. Yet, he continues to put up with it all. Now you have one stressed out man!

It is an extreme event in his life that shows him who really cares about him and what is important in life. In these extreme circumstances, he finds himself at the edge and having to make some important decisions.

Robin Williams is an actor who can do it all with style . Everything from comedy to drama. He is the only actor who could have played this role with humor and sensitivity. This is a dark comedy. With the wrong actor, this film could have gone the wrong way and been very unpleasant to watch. That is not the case here!

Williams plays the role so well and pulls us into his world with not just the lines he speaks, but with the reactions on his face. He uses his body to express his feelings. We see the characters ups and downs. We are right there with him, able to empathize with him. The character could be seen very negatively, but Willams is able to shows us the character's intentions.

Add to that a wonderfully written script, great direction, a strong supporting cast and you have one great film. You will laugh, maybe cringe, but in the end you will feel the triumph of this film.

I highly recommend this film to anyone and everyone. I don't know anytime I have seen Robin Williams make anyone look bad. He is a superior actor and he definitely shines in this quirky role. A must see!

©2010 All Rights Reserved