There has been so much hype regarding Alice in Wonderland that when you go to see it you are automatically excited about what you are about to experience. The majority of us have seen the Disney classic and some of the various adaptations, this one however should not be considered a sequel, a remake or a re-visioning, as it is a stand-alone extension of the Lewis Carroll novels, a tale of what happens when Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to a land she visited when she was younger. What director Tim Burton has attempted and quite successfully done is turn what was originally Alice wondering through a strange land encountering one crazy character after another into more of a story, with Alice having a purpose, to slay the Jabberwocky, a dragon controlled by the Red Queen and restore the White Queens back on the thrown.
One of the vital elements created are emotions, not just for the viewer watching but for the characters. There are some psychology aspects, understanding that Alice is a 19-year-old dreamer who doesn’t fit into the Victorian society. Her return to Underland (as it has been called) helps her to develop into a confident, strong-willed and empowered woman who is able to chose her own life’s path rather than flow one designated for her by others. This journey sets her on a rite of passage to find who she really is. In regards to the lovable Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), there is something that stands out about his personality and makes sense about his crazy behaviour, something rational as opposed to just being mad. The continuous changes in his personality and accent especially show his ever-changing emotions. Then there is the toddler like Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), whose big head matches her big personality and attitude and the slightly eccentric White Queen (Anne Hathaway). You don’t realise it as you view but there are psychological elements that play a large role in the characters personalities and come through in their development of the story. Being able to develop the personalities required for such changeable and unpredictable character takes actors with a real passion for their work.
Combining a technique of live action with animation takes this fantasy adventure to all new heights. Having said that the 3D imagery doesn’t overwhelm and please as much as you may have expected, it actually disappoints in many areas. There are still plenty of laughs to be had though, as many as the mad hatter has personalities. It offers moments of excitement when Depp makes an appearance, humour during the futterwacken sequence as well as some more emotional scenes. Admittedly Alice in Wonderland has everything you could want from a Tim Burton flick, however, no matter how deep you delve into the characters and the plot line, there is just something that stops it from really satisfying you. Nevertheless Burton makes another astounding notch on his long list of memorable flicks.
Michelle Moore
The sixth installment from one of the world’s successful horror franchises SAW follows another Jigsaw Killer game set into motion by his apprentice Detective Hoffman with a few surprising nibbles at the end.
There have been numerous collage road trip films, but Borderland is one with a difference. When three Texas University students travel to Mexico on the eve of their graduation for a weekend of naughtiness, they do not expect to be thrown into a world of paranoia, death and dread when they run into a drug dealing Mexican cult who practice human sacrifice…and this is based on actual events!
The actors involved with this film are brave to take on such roles. Rider Strong is the main man brutalised and there is sheer terror on his face throughout his ordeal, making his experience more realistic. Alongside him are Jake Muxwothy and Brian Presley as his friends also terrorised by the experience but it is Sean Astin who is the biggest of shocks. Forget his previous roles such as Mikey in the Goonies and Samwise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings, here he takes on a nasty and very nauseating persona; he has seen MUCH better days.
Amnesia is like one very long hangover in the respect that you remember very little about your whereabouts. In the case of Pandorum, imagine waking up strapped in a spaceship like coffin, no memory of who you are, where you are and what your duties were only to later find out, the parts you do begin to remember you wish you had continued to forget.
The vampire craze began in the early days of cinema with Dracula and there have been countless flicks involving the blood thirsty creatures since; Dusk ‘till Dawn, Van Helsing, Underworld and Blade to name but a few. Some have been better than others, however, Daybreakers is a vampire film like no other and will fit in with the better half.
You have likely heard all the hype regarding Avatar, but to fully comprehend the magnitude of this film it is best seen for yourself, as there are no words to describe just how unbelievably enjoyable, realistic and enthralling it really is.
Imagine walking up, trousers round your ankles, tooth missing, tiger in the bathroom, baby in the closet, hospital bracelet on your wrist and a stolen police car in the garage…oh and where is the groom?
If you have ever seen the British horror film The Descent and were delighted by the terrifying and visually horrid images you saw, then you will be welcoming 
The original three films wound up as a complete story, a trilogy of some sorts and it has been dissatisfying to see the franchisee being mistreated in the follow-ups. However, this seventh more amusing instalment titled Book of Love sees a return to the original feel, with these three inexperienced souls even more pitiful than Jim, Oz, Kevin and Finch.
To start,