Finally saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory tonight. I've noticed that many of my movie-related posts begin with "finally" -- which is due in large part to the fact that I'm an enthusiastic but slackass movie goer. Actually, only 1 month after release date is pretty damn good for me. Anyway, fabulous, absolutely fabulous! I think Burton did a much better job of capturing the Dahl spirit than the 70s version. Plus the movie's just an insane homage to movies Burton loves (just off the top of my head, there's Wizard of Oz, 2001, Busby Berkeley, Psycho, Spinal Tap, Sleeper). Read several reviews just now and I don't think any of them got it quite right. And Ebert was completely fixated on the notion that Depp's Wonka is evocative of Michael Jackson. I can honestly say that not once during the movie was I ever reminded of Michael Jackson. And I'd even read some commentary to that effect back when the movie come out. So whatever. That strikes me as the sort of thing future critics will point out ("audiences at the time tended to view Depp's performance as referencing troubled pop star Michael Jackson but..."). Salon's review was one of those closest to my perspective but I liked the movie way more. I'm also kind of amazed that no one mentioned the whole Mike Teevee sequence which is inspired, insane and completely over the top. A high point in the movie. Another high point: the Oompa Loompa musical numbers, which reach Bollywood levels of excess. I definitely want to see it again.
And not just because the theater tonight was over-run by feral children. Not just making noise but actually running around the aisles. Who knew? Apparently your $8.25 ticket entitles you to turn Consolidated Movies into your frikkin' living room. And all the other paying customers into your baby-sitters. Or hostages. Really, I think, a new low point in arrogant stupidity. (In answer to any possible complaints that I might be suggesting that parents don't have the right to go out -- YES! that's exactly what I'm saying. I didn't tell you to spawn. Either find a babysitter or keep your selfish, can't-control-my-kids-in-public ass at home for 15 years)
House of Dioxin
Now Appearing Nightly in the Exotic Mondo Mundo Lounge
Damn, now I have to see it. I thought I wouldn't have to, but after your commentary, now I do.
what really annoyed me was not even the kids yelling and running around the theater -- after all, it was sort of a kids' movie, I can see why a stupid and selfish person would think they had the right to let their feral children run wild -- but the parent loudly arguing with her feral child, telling it to shut up and occasionally threatening to leave. Because at first I thought she meant it. I guess that, like the feral child, I should have known that Mom's threats were all empty.
I'm SO with ya on the kids in theaters! It's really acary that so many horrible selfish, inconsiderate and clueless people are spawning ... makes me very afraid. I really resent being expected to put up with other people's ill-behave childre.
Another place it really galls me is restaurants. Once we were having dinner and the people next to us were letting their spawn run around and one of the little bastards ran right up to the table and stold a pice of bread out of our basket. I think I should be allowed to slap children like that. And their parents.
Sorry ... this is one of my biggest rant-ignition topics ...
Keeps ya in the fridge daddyo, are you hep to the jive, can you dig what I'm layin down I know you can slide me one soul brotha