Mad Hatter’s Tea Party

The Mad Hatter was introduced along with other fantastical beings in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The Hatter first appears in Chapter 7: "A Mad Tea-Party".

In this whimsical encounter, Alice discovers the Hatter having tea with the March Hare and the Dormouse. The Hatter recounts to Alice that their perpetual tea-drinking is a consequence of his attempt to sing for the irritable Queen of Hearts, resulting in a death sentence for "murdering the time."

Miraculously escaping decapitation, the Hatter finds himself frozen at 6:00 pm indefinitely, courtesy of Time, referred to as a male entity by the Hatter.

During the tea party, the Hatter exhibits eccentric behavior, constantly changing positions at the table, making personal comments, posing unanswerable riddles, and reciting nonsensical poetry, ultimately compelling Alice to leave.

The Hatter resurfaces in Chapter 11: "Who Stole the Tarts?" as a witness at the Knave of Hearts' trial. The Queen seems to recognize him as the sentenced singer, and the King of Hearts warns him against nervousness, threatening immediate execution.

The Mad Hatter also makes a brief appearance in Through the Looking-Glass, identified as "Hatta". Facing legal troubles once again, the Hatter may not necessarily be guilty, as the White Queen explains the arbitrary nature of punishments in Wonderland. 

He is also mentioned as one of the White King's messengers, along with the March Hare, going by the name "Haigha". Tenniel's illustration maintains the Hatter's signature top hat, depicted with a hatband reading "In this style 10/6" in the first edition.

Carroll's hometown of Stockport, where hat making was a predominant trade, inspired the Hatter character. During that era, it was not uncommon for hatters to exhibit signs of disturbance or confusion, often linked to mercury poisoning, leading to premature deaths.

However, the Hatter in Carroll's narrative does not display the typical symptoms associated with mercury poisoning, such as excessive timidity, diffidence, increasing shyness, loss of self-confidence, anxiety, and a desire to remain unnoticed and unobtrusive.

Lewis Carroll doesn't describe the hat's exact style in the text, but Tenniel's illustration establishes the iconic top hat with a price tag displaying the numbers 10 and 6, denoting the cost in pre-decimal British currency. This detail is further clarified in The Nursery tale "Alice" where the character's hat bears a price tag indicating ten shillings and six pence.

The Cheshire Cat initially labels the Hatter and his tea party companion, the March Hare, as "both mad." This reference to both characters takes place in the sixth chapter of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, titled "Pig and Pepper" during a conversation between the young protagonist Alice and the distinctive Cheshire Cat.

When Alice inquires about the residents of the area, the cat responds, 

"In that direction lives a Hatter, and in that direction lives a March Hare. Visit either you like: they're both mad!" 

Mad Hatter's Teaparty surely looks like the coziest garden party one could wish for! I for one would be delighted to go and have some tea and cake in that setting.

John Tenniel's illustration truly captures the eeriness of the hall where Alice finds herself after falling down the rabbit hole

 "There were doors all round the hall, but they were all locked; and when Alice had been all the way down one side and up the other, trying every door, she walked sadly down the middle, wondering how she was ever to get out again." 

-Lewis Carroll

Here is a video by the The Royal Ballet where Alice (Lauren Cuthbertson) stumbles upon the Mad Hatter (Steven McRae) in Christopher Wheeldon's wonderful 2018 production.

If you are mad about Mad Hatter, check out these 5 whimsical quotes from him: https://alice-in-wonderland-quotes.com/mad-hatter-quotes/ 

[Mad Hatter illustration by John Tenniel: Wikimedia Commons] 

Alice In Wonderland Quote by Tweedledee

The famous two characters in Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There" (1871) are best recognized as Tweedledee and Tweedledum.

These two stout individuals, introduced by Carroll, bring to life a nursery rhyme in which they agree to engage in a battle but never actually follow through. Despite the rhyme's suggestion of conflict, the Tweedle brothers never contradict each other. Instead, they harmonize in their words and actions.

Even when faced with the threat of a menacing black crow, they choose flight over fight. This unity in their agreement and cooperation is reflected in John Tenniel's illustrations, which depict them as inseparable twins.

    Tweedledum and Tweedledee
        Agreed to have a battle;
    For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
        Had spoiled his nice new rattle.

    Just then flew down a monstrous crow,
        As black as a tar-barrel;
    Which frightened both the heroes so,
        They quite forgot their quarrel.

So anyways, Alice is  wondering in the woods and trying to get to the 8th square before dark. She meets two fat boys who look like identical school boys. 

They have their names embroidered on their collars: TWEEDLEDUM and TWEEDLEDEE. Only DUM and DEE are showing in front.

Alice is in a hurry, since she doesn't want to be in the woods after dark. But the funny little boys don't want to let her go so quickly:

"Contrariwise, if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be;
but as it isn't, it ain't. That's logic."
- Tweedledee

The boys talk in a funny way saying 'contrariwise' time and again. They say they know what Alice is thinking and this quote is Tweedledee's answer to her thoughts.

But instead Alice says she was only thinking what is the best way out of the forest. Tweedledum and Tweedledee don't take any notice and begin repeating an extremely long piece of poetry for Alice.

If you'd like to get all Lewis Carroll's books (Alice in Wonderland, Through the Looking-Glass and A Wasp in a Wig) in one package have a look at this interactive illustrated downloadable eBook OR you can get an actual Paperback book.

Alice In Wonderland Movie Wins Two Oscars In the 83rd Academy Awards

Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011 in Hollywood

Alice In Wonderland movie was nominated in 3 categories in the 83rd Annual Academy Awards.

The first nomination was for Achievement in Art Direction, against 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1', 'Inception', 'True Grit' and 'The King's Speech'.

Alice in Wonderland Movie was the winner of this category! Robert Stromberg (Production Design) and Karen O’Hara (Set Decoration) accepted the Oscar for Best Art Direction.

Robert Stromberg had one of the prop makers make a little Mad Hatter’s hat and he put the hat on top of his Oscar when he accepted the golden statue. 

He said: "I just thought it was a nice little punctuation to the end of the show."

The Second Oscar for Alice in Wonderland went to Colleen Atwood for her Outstanding Achievement  in costume design. She has won the Academy Award twice before; first time in 2003 for "Chicago" and the second time in 2006 for "Memoirs of a Geisha".

 

Carey Villegas was nominated for Best Achievement in Visual Effects for his work as visual effects supervisor on Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. The biggest competitor in this category was Inception.

“Inception” has some very good effects, Villegas said, but there were only 500-800 visual effects shots, as compared to 2,000 in “Alice.

The two movies both had won an award recently. “Alice In Wonderland” had won the Golden Satellite Award for visual effects in December 2010, and “Inception” won the British Academy Awards in February 2011.

So, the competition was tight but in the end it was Inception that won the Oscar in Visual Effects category.

 

Movie poster credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alice_in_Wonderland_(2010_film).png

Alice in Wonderland Exhibition by Julia Starr

The Red Hill Gallery in Brisbane, Australia, is having a gorgeous looking exhibition of works based on Alice in Wonderland.  The artist having this solo exhibition is named Julia Starr.

The latest solo exhibition is based on the beloved fairytale Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, taking influence from the classic Disney movie.  She has also drawn upon various other iconic images and a touch of the current dark and far more sinister Tim Burton movie showing Alice as an adult.

Starr’s work shows the journey a modern woman takes as she struggles to hold on to traditional values. iPods, Facebook, Coke Cola and the Twilight phenomena are all entwined as she navigates her way through an ever changing technological world.  

Whether it be ‘Wonderland’ or Brisbane, this exhibition is brought together by the unique style, colourful imagery and creativity that can only come from one artist…. Starr.  (Red Hill Gallery)

 

Alice in Wonderland already on DVD/ Blu-Ray

The time has flown so fast and 12 weeks from the opening of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland on big screens has gone by. And now we can enjoy the fascinating story on our home screens. 

The DVD and Blu-Ray discs are already available. Even the price isn't that bad at least if you get it from Amazon:  Alice in Wonderland (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) 

This amazing 3 Disc Combo is only $25 and there are so many  extras which are exclusive to Blu-ray that I'm seriously contemplating on going to buy the Blu-ray player!

Bountiful extras include the creation of the Red Queen, stunts, how Alice shrank and grew, and the making of the cakes. And of course the extravagant Futterwacken Dance by the Mad Hatter.

USA TODAY's Claudia Puig gives: * * *1/2 out of four for Alice in Wonderland 2010. 

"Burton's distinctive cinematic style makes this eclectic fantasy — infused with both dark and light — a dynamic marriage of original material and modern filmmaker."

By the way, we love it!

Helena Bonham Carter Reveals The Red Queen's Subtle Anger

Tim Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland' movie has kept a top position in cinemas for 2 weeks in a row now, and it is clearly on the way of becoming the highest grossing Burton film!

 

Meanwhile Burton's partner and the villain star of Wonderland, Helena Bonham Carter has been talking about her role as the Red Queen in an interview with Ian Spelling for New York Times Syndicate. See the video:

 

This is what Bonham Carter said about her getting the role in this production.

"No, no, no, I just assume that I'm not going to be a part of it unless he [Tim Burton] asks. And he asked me quite late in the day about 'Alice in Wonderland.' I remember that he phoned up, because I was working away, I was doing 'Terminator' in New Mexico. He phoned up and wondered if I would ever possibly think I'd want to play the Red Queen."

It's very low-status, the way he asks. I'd never read the script, so I didn't know what he was talking about. Then,when I read it, I read her character description. Her name is Iracebeth of Crims. 

 

It said Iracebeth ie. the Red Queen enters. She has a huge, oversized head and is very, very angry. I thought, Well, that's interesting, how he sees me now.

He said, Well, I did draw you. That's what often happens is that he sort of trusts his unconscious, and he said that his early drawings of the character looked like me. I wouldn't say that it's completely me, but the drawings have definitely got my angry eyebrows.

Tim Burton gave specific instructions for Helena to capture his idea of the Red Queen: He likes, always, to have a quieter take. He doesn't like big acting. 

 

It's funny - the more outrageous you are or the more unreal, the more real he wants you to pull back.

 

He gave me two notes. He wanted me to watch 'Mommie Dearest' (1981) and Bette Davis' Elizabeth I in 'The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex' (1939) with Errol Flynn.

 

Faye Dunaway doing the hanger scene in 'Mommie Dearest' basically it's a person who's about to erupt, somebody who's on the edge of anger all the time.

It was quite hard because it was unreal. It was like with Mrs. Lovett, he said. Look, you're already singing, that's unreal, so I want you to be as small in your acting as possible.

 

Here he said:

 

"We're in Wonderland, or Underland, so you have to compensate for that."

Alice In Wonderland Movie Review

I have just returned from the Underland, Tim Burton's Wonderland. I've met all the creatures, and while many of them are funny and cute, the Cheshire Cat is best of all. This vaporising feline appears suddenly, always at the right time and disappears as quickly, finally saving the day!

Alice in Wonderland is Disney's latest 3D production. Alice Kingsley (Mia Wasikowska) is a 19 year old girl in Victorian era who escapes getting engaged by following a White Rabbit through a rabbit hole to Underland. There she meets the Mad Hatter, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, March Hare and Dormouse who try to convince Alice that she is the one who will help them return the crown to the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) from the evil big-headed Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter). Evidently there will be a battle scene in this plot but it is not too dark for all the family to enjoy.  Actually there is nothing dark in this Tim Burton film, except the stepping stones in the water surrounding the Castle. That is a little surprising considering Tim Burton's other movies; Edward Scissorhand, Corpse of A Bride, Sweeney Todd.

The scenery and animation is superb. It is amazing how believable the characters seem. The actual people acting with animated characters looks effortless and real. Another favorite of mine was the Caterpillar with the voice and facial features of Alan Rickman. All in all the many furry animals have such extreme personalities and they are so endearing, as you could expect from a Disney film, that there was a lot of laughter in the cinema tonight.

The music in the movie was in tune with the scenes, beautiful and exiting. Tim Burton has added many quotes to this film  from the original Lewis Carroll books. "Why is the raven like a writing desk?" is used several times; it truly points out the madness of the Hatter (Johnny Depp). But one was left missing: "We're all mad here!"

I enjoyed the film and so did my daughter who was giggling out loud half the time. I'd like to see it soon again and escape into the magic of Wonderland.

Seen the movie, now get the book:

World Premiere Of Alice In Wonderland Movie In London 2010

Alice in Wonderland had its world royal premiere in London on Thursday February 25, 2010.

The stars of the film, including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter came to the premiere in central London's Leicester Square where hundreds of fans were waiting to see them in pouring rain. 

Curiously the British movie theater chain Odeon had resolved a dispute with Walt Disney Pictures about the release date for the DVD version just in time for the world premiere. Thus the U.K. audience will see the movie in theatres in 3D!

Tim Burton told a press conference he was relieved the issue was resolved.

"I'm just glad it's resolved. We made it 3D to be shown in the 3D screens and so I'm just very happy and grateful," he said.  

"3D and Alice seem to fit," Burton told Sky News. 

"There's something about the trippiness of the Alice world that helps bring you into that 3D space."

All is fine in Wonderland after all, or is it?

Underland In Shock - Mia Wasikowska As Alice Loses Her Dress

The habitants of Wonderland, or Underland as Tim Burton calls it, are up for a shock when Alice -Mia Wasikowska- grows to a size of a church tower and her dress is ripped off at the process. Alice hides behind tall bushes when she's discovered by the feared ruler Iracebeth, the Red Queen. 

Luckily Iracebeth notices a similarity between herself and this huge newcomer to the 'Queendom' - they both have a huge head - and she shows some compassion by ordering the servants to sew some clothes for the poor giant.
 
The White Rabbit, called McTwisp, is behind this misfortune of Alice, because he feeds Alice a cake that makes her grow - too much.

Executives at Odeon, which owns 107 cinemas in the U.K. and Ireland, have decided to boycott Burton's 3-D film after plans were announced to launch the movie on DVD just three months after it hits theaters. 

The Dutch film lovers are also going to miss out because many movie theatre owners in Holland are going to boycott Alice in Wonderland if the early release of the film to DVD goes ahead.  

Australians instead are going to get special treatment, because the film hits the movie screens early - Thursday March 4, 2010! 

Life in Wonderland isn't fair, is it?

Alice in Wonderland Star Mia Wasikowska Talks About Filming With Tim Burton And Johnny Depp

Mia Wasikowska - Alice- explained her feelings about the weirdness of filming in Wonderland in an interview with Geoff Boucher.

 

She told how acting in an animated film required her to act with stickers and baseballs as her partners against a green-screen.

 

Mia Wasikowska: 

 

"It is really strange [acting on green-screen]. But Wonderland itself is bizarre and weird and comical and confusing, so it's appropriate that, we were in this green-screen environment where it doesn't always make sense to you. Things were just really odd and weird, and I suppose that was suitable to what we were working on. It put you in the right frame of mind. And it made you rely on your imagination more."

Mia Wasikowska: 

"Right from the beginning, we had a very similar view as to how Alice should be played.  He's very precise and clear and patient, and that was exactly what I needed as far as direction in this kind of film because it was so complicated. One of the most interesting things about Tim is that he does communicate visually, but he is also very precise and uses a language that people can identify with."

Mia Wasikowska: 

"He is such a cool guy. He has the humanity to keep this sense of self. He's very kind and generous and so smart. To be able to watch Johnny -- just like with Tim -- as he takes something from the page to reality and how hard he works and what he brought to it and how much he brought to it, it was amazing. It is inspiring too that he does things in a purely joyous way and has fun with it all, because so often there are people who seem disgruntled. To keep that love of what you do is so important. And watching him and Tim work together is fun. They have a very deep rapport. Watching them, it's like they speak their very own language."

Countdown until the movie Alice in Wonderland hits the big screens: 16 days!

Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland Movie Trailer

At last we get to preview more of the anticipated Alice in Wonderland movie!

Here is the second official movie trailer. It really gives us the feel of the movie and makes us wish the time ran faster, faster. Today there's still 46 more days until the release on the big screens on March 5, 2010. Who can wait?

Alice In Wonderland Movie Trailer

Mia Wasikowska as Alice looks so worried in most of the shots that one must wonder how is the Mad Hatter, expertly played by Johnny Depp, so certain that she is the only person capable of helping to get rid of the fearsome Jabberwocky, the guard of the Queen's castle. 

Big expectations for a tiny Alice, I'd say, but also the White Rabbit is determinned that Alice will turn over the reign of Wonderland from the cruel Red Queen (Helena Bonham-Carter) to her more peaceful sister, the White Queen, played serenely by Anne Hathaway.

Before you see the movie I would recommend that you'd read the book:

https://alice-in-wonderland-quotes.com/paperback-book/

..or the eBook:

http://1.olinbiz.pay.clickbank.net/

 

Tim Burton's New Movie: 9

What is 9 all about?

An action-packed adventure, director Shane Acker’s animated fantasy epic 9 is the feature-length expansion of his Academy Award-nominated 2004 short film of the same name.

The screenplay for the feature is by Pamela Pettler (Monster House); directors Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Alice In Wonderland) and Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted) are among the feature version’s producers.

The time is the too-near future. Powered and enabled by the invention known as the Great Machine, the world’s machines have turned on mankind and sparked social unrest, decimating the human population before being largely shut down.

But as our world fell to pieces, a mission began to salvage the legacy of civilization; a group of small creations was given the spark of life by a scientist in the final days of humanity, and they continue to exist post-apocalypse.

Another one of their own, #9 (voiced by Elijah Wood), emerges and displays leadership qualities that may help them survive and possibly even thrive. The conflicted but resilient tribe already includes #1 (Christopher Plummer), a domineering war veteran and the group’s leader; #2 (Martin Landau), a kindly but now-frail inventor; #3 and #4, scholarly twins who communicate non verbally and mostly with each other; #5 (John C. Reilly), a stalwart and nurturing engineer; #6 (Crispin Glover), an erratic artist beset by visions; #7 (Jennifer Connelly), a brave and self-sufficient warrior; and #8 (Fred Tatasciore), the none-too-bright muscle and enforcer for #1.

The movie 9 is a sublime, heart-warming adventure not to be missed. In Australian cinemas December 9.

Watch the 9 trailer below:

New Alice in Wonderland Computer Game - Looking Great

Disney Interactive has released this screenshot of a new Alice in Wonderland game in the making.

This licensed computer game will be published at the same time as Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland movie in March 2010. The game's developer, a French computer game company Etranges-Libellules, will release this extremely interesting looking game for the PC, Wii and Nintendo DS. 

Disney will also release mobile games on the iPhone and iTouch later in the year.

Alice in Wonderland Computer Game Trailer

The set up looks intriguing; why is the Mad Hatter in despair? Or is he sad? Where do these two paths lead to? And what is the White Rabbit up to?

The game will not be anything like the horror adventure game American McGee's Alice but will follow the new Burton's film plot in many ways.

Alice and other Wonderland characters will fight against the Red Queen and try and return the newly named 'Underland' back into peaceful 'Wonderland'.

The scenery looks beautiful; I hope the whole game will feature this kind of carefully drawn scenes. I'm not a big gamer but I've enjoyed 'Myst' and this game reminds me of that game.

I for one will be exited to explore it's surroundings when it hits the stores!

[Image credits: Disney Interactive 2010]

Alice In Wonderland Is The New Black?

"ALICE IS THE NEW BLACK" and "WHO WILL YOU WEAR TO THE TEA PARTY?"

These posters are the new teaser posters for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland 3-D movie. Silas Lesnick from Comingsoon attended the Disney’s D23 Expo, where these promos were showcased at the Alice in Wonderland tea party.

Is Tim Burton taking Alice too far in the dark? Or what can these posters otherwise mean?  

Black theme continues with news from Kerrang.com that Ville Valo, the frontman for the Finnish gothic metal rock band HIM is working on a sound track for the Alice in Wonderland movie.

Regardless these black themes, Tim Burton is claiming that his adaptation of Alice in Wonderland will be suitable for children. Many worried parents have voiced their concerns about the dark elements of the new movie, which is a cause of frustration for the director.
Defending himself Tim Burton told recently to AMC News that “It’s a Disney movie! We’re not doing anything in it that’s more than what’s already in Alice in Wonderland. The movie is meant for people of all ages to view.”

























The Alice in Wonderland Movie, starring Johnny Depp is opening on March 5, 2010.

CORALINE – A 3-D Movie With Snippets of Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio

A couple of weeks ago when Henry Selick’s movie “Coraline” finally had reached the big screens of Australia I had a chance to go and see it as a 3-D version. It gave me a glimpse of what Tim Burton’s Alice will be like. Since Coraline is a fully animated movie the 3-D glasses made the film seem more realistic and vivid. 

Neil Gaiman’s story of Coraline tells the tale of Coraline Jones, who moves to a new town and a house where several strange characters live. Coraline's parents don’t seem to have much time for her, so Coraline must explore her new environment by herself.

In the house she uncovers a small door, which seems to lead to nowhere with a brick wall behind it. But upon following a tiny mouse to the door late at night, it suddenly opens onto a parallel world that is much more colourful and fun than the real world. It is easy to compare the scenes with Alice in Wonderland. Coraline crawling through a tunnel under ground reminds of Alice tumbling through the rabbit hole following the White Rabbit.

The world that opens in the other end of the tunnel is basically similar as Coraline’s real house but that’s where the similarities end. In this ‘Other World’ Coraline has ‘Other Parents’ who look the same as her real parents but who act very much differently. They have all the time in the world for Coraline; they spoil her, feed her favourite foods and cakes, give presents etc.

 

The only visible difference with the parents is that the ‘Other Parents’ have buttons for eyes. Actually most inhabitants there have buttons instead of eyes. And this is creepy for Coraline who learns that the ‘Other Parents’ are hoping for her to stay with them forever. But in doing so she must have her eyes replaced with big black buttons as well!

All this with the extraordinary circus at the neighbour’s place actually reminds me more of Disney’s other movie Pinocchio more than Alice. Pinocchio was also lured to a world where he didn’t have to go to school but was allowed to do what he wanted but in the exchange he began to turn into a donkey. Buttons… donkey’s tail.. you see what I mean?

 

Still there are other hints to Alice’s stories. The real parents being locked behind a big glass window– two things come to mind: Alice climbing Through the Looking Glass and Harry Potter’s parents in the special Mirror of Erised.

The character of the ‘Other Mother’ has some similarities with the Queen of Hearts who is constantly yelling

“Off with her head!” 

 

in “Alice in Wonderland”; especially in the end of the film where the ‘Other Mother’ has transformed into a horrifying bony creature who is after Coraline and her eyes.

We all know that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was just a dream, but how about Coraline? Was it all just a dream or more like a nightmare?

Those who haven't seen Coraline yet, check out this trailer:

One thing is for sure, “Coraline” is not for young children. ‘The Other World’ becomes too dark and creepy towards the end of the film. Adults and older children instead can enjoy the beautiful scenery and clever setting of a dream world with hidden dangers.

 

I had the best time watching it and now I’m waiting even more for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland in 3-D of course!

Mia Wasikowska in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland

New pictures from the next year's sensational Tim Burton movie Alice in Wonderland are emerging quite frequently at the moment.

Now we have the pleasure to see Mia Wasikowska playing Alice in a lush Wonderland garden.

Alice looks so confused that she probably has just entered the Wonderland after running off from the huge party she was attending until she found out that she was going to be proposed to. (Check the previous post for the plot.)

It is getting more and more exiting to get the feel of this movie! Tim Burton is really mastering the atmosphere of Wonderland.

[Image credits: The Walt Disney Company 2009] 

The New Pictures Of Wonderland And The Movie Plot

Disney has released new movie photos of Burton's Alice In Wonderland for us to savour and build up some excitement!

 

The landscape looks inviting but a bit dark as you can expect from Tim Burton.

The topiary in the first picture looks creepy, the danger there is imminent.

The second picture is from the rose garden where Alice encounters talking flowers. It looks magical!

This is a picture of Alice with Tweedledee and Tweedledum at the gates in Wonderland.

In this new Burton's movie Alice is already 17 years old and the plot tells that she is invited to attend a huge party at a Victorian estate.

 

But when Alice finds out that she is about to be proposed to in front of hundreds of society snobs, she flees and again runs after the White Rabbit and through the hole into the Wonderland. 

 

Curiously she doesn't remember her previous encounters in Wonderland where her old acquaintances are waiting for her to help them. 

 

The Cheshire Cat, the March Hare and Tweedledee and Tweedledum are ready to rebel against the Red Queen who has taken the throne from her sister, the White Queen, and in doing so transformed the previously peaceful kingdom of Wonderland into a world of deceit and disagreements. Very interesting screenplay from Linda Woolverton.

 

[Image credits: The Walt Disney Company 2009]

Want To See A Preview Of Tim Burton’s Alice In Wonderland Movie?

If you’re impatiently waiting for the next Tim Burton movie, you can actually have an early peek at the Alice in Wonderland movie for only $37!

Disney is presenting a D23 EXPO in Anaheim Convention Center on September 10-13, 2009. This will be the ultimate Disney Fan Experience. The four days will be full of live events, interactive pavilions and entertainment. 

Visitors will get to preview many upcoming movie events, including Alice in Wonderland, Toy Story 3, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, TRON, Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Rapunzel.

You can buy the tickets now from D23Expo

I sure wish I could make a trip to Anaheim, California on September.

Alice In Wonderland Makes It To The Great IMAX 3D Theatres

The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and IMAX Corporation have decided that Burton’s Alice in Wonderland will be perfect for an IMAX Experience.

The film starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and several other stars (see earlier posting for casting details) will be released to IMAX 3D theatres simultaneously with the film’s release on March 5, 2010.

The top management of both Walt Disney Studios and IMAX Filmed Entertainment seem to be very exited about this movie-event of the year:

Mark Zoradi, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Group, said,

"If ever there was a film that cried out to be presented in Disney Digital 3D(TM) and the premium IMAX 3D format, Tim Burton's fantastic interpretation of 'Alice in Wonderland' is that film." 

This is going to be an eye-popping cinematic experience as Tim takes moviegoers down the rabbit hole and into the dimensional world filled with incredible characters, sly humor, and wild adventures.

Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment is equally exited: 

"Alice in Wonderland' is a fantastic addition to our 2010 film slate". "Combining a beloved Disney classic re-designed through the imagination of Tim Burton's creative vision with these incredibly outrageous characters and world class actors certainly makes for an event-status film, and we're pleased to add another level of excitement to this highly-anticipated movie."

“Way down the rabbit hole”

The new Alice in Wonderland film is being brought to the screen using a combination of live actors, motion capture, fully animated CG characters and CG environments.

“The way it’s being done is a mutation of things.” 

says Tim Burton who was filming in Cornwall, England for two weeks. Back in Los Angeles’ Culver City Studios the filming continued in strange looking sets: actors on sound stages were completely surrounded by green screen. 

“It’s not like Beowulf. It’s not a motion-capture movie. It’s kind of a mixture of some distorted live action and animation. I can’t relate it to anything because I’m not sure what to relate it to. It’s kind of new territory for me, so we’ll see.”

At The Jameson Empire Awards Tim commented on the style and progress of filming Alice in Wonderland:

"I like the 3-D aspect of it, I think it fits the material very well, and it doesn’t give me a headache like it used to."

3-D may be a way to go in some of Burton’s future films as well if this one proves to be a success:

"I think it’s good for anything. There are other uses than having spears stuck into your face - I think there are more visceral, emotional uses, especially if you use lots of textures.”

The filming is going 

“Way down the rabbit hole. There's a long way to go."