Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” is finally here! Filled with colourful characters, fantastical scenery and adventure galore, Burton’s take on Lewis Carroll’s classic is well worth the wait. In 3-D, the film takes the Mad Hatter’s tea party to a new level, far surpassing anything that even Carroll himself could have imagined.

Rather than make yet another film about the little girl who falls down the rabbit hole, Burton extends Carroll’s version to a 19-year-old Alice. Alice Kingsley, a young rebellious woman who refuses to wear a corset, attends a garden party at an estate due to her mother’s insistence. Alice is scatter-brained and imaginative, which certainly are not qualities appreciated  in women during the Victorian era. Despite this, a marriage proposal has been arranged, and when the suitor kneels before Alice, she bolts, following a little white rabbit.

The rabbit, wearing a waistcoat and pocket watch, leads Alice down a rabbit hole. In 3-D, the effect is both dazzling and mind-bending. Alice enters the world of Underland, or, as the creatures living there call it, “Wonderland.” The white rabbit had been sent to retrieve Alice, the Alice, the young girl who had visited 10 years ago; but this Alice does not remember Wonderland, and the creatures debate whether this is the same person.

Alice is brought to Wonderland to slay a dragon, and, thus, defeat the wicked Red Queen. The dragon, Jabberwock, is vicious and gargantuan, and Alice pleads with the creatures that she could never kill anything, even if she wanted to. Alice’s adventure in Wonderland leads her to the Jabberwock, making friends and enemies along the way, and forces her to be strong, independent and confident. The film is a visual treat and with a strong female heroine, it sends a great message to youngsters.

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Films:

Film: “Up in the Air” Nominated for:

• Performance by an actor in a leading role (George Clooney)
• Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Vera Farmiga)
• Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Anna Kendrick)
• Achievement in directing (Jason Reitman)
• Best motion picture of the year
• Adapted screenplay

Film: Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire Nominated for:

• Performance by an actress in a leading role (Gabourey Sidibe)
• Performance by an actress in a supporting role (Mo’Nique)
• Achievement in directing (Lee Daniels)
• Best motion picture of the year
• Adapted screenplay

Film: Julie & Julia Nominated for:

• Performance by an actress in a leading role (Meryl Streep)

Film: Sherlock Holmes Nominated for:

• Achievement in art direction
• Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

No, Valentine’s Day isn’t the most entertaining, heartwarming, romantic film ever made. Heck, it’s not even very good. Do I recommend you watch it? Sure, why not- but I suggest waiting until it comes out on DVD.

I could go on and on about the (mostly) predictable story-lines, the lack of real chemistry between the characters and the kind of dull plot, but I won’t; it’s been written, there are many reviews online and in print, writing the film off as a big-budget waste of time. You can read them if you like, but I’m going to list the hidden gems that are in the film- because there are some worthy parts of the film, believe it or not.

• George Lopez, as Alphonso, says his wife is his best friend. It was sweet.
• Taylor Swift gives acting a try as Felicia, the kind of annoying and ditsy girlfriend of Willy (Taylor Lautner). And you know what? She wasn’t too bad, she even got a few laughs from the audience. Well done, Tay.
• Julia Roberts was the only one who got a little tear-jerk from the audience, as Captain Kate Hazeltine, when her character connection is revealed.
• Topher Grace is in it, playing a pretty similar character to, well, every character he’s played. And I like that.
• Ashton Kutcher is a super sweet florist, which is adorable.
• When Sean Jackson’s (Eric Dane) love interest is revealed it is shocking. Believe me, you won’t be guessing this one!
• The real gem of the film is at the end, when the blooper reel is played during the credits. Julia Roberts makes a throw-back to her Pretty Woman days when the limo driver asks, “There’s Rodeo Drive, ever shopped there before?” To which Roberts responds, “Once. Big mistake. Huge, huge mistake.”

The intimidating fashion publicist from “Kell on Earth,” “The City” and “The Hills” has been addicted to drugs, homeless, gone through two divorces, and was single while pregnant- and she did all this while working up the ranks of the pr ladder.

Now, the “Momma Wolf” is sharing her story with the world in her new book, If You Have to Cry, Go Outside: And Other Things Your Mother Never Told You. From relationships to religion, Cutrone bares all (literally, she writes about placentas and breastfeeding) in this page turner.

Cutrone, the founder of pr firm People’s Revolution, threads business advice throughout the book. From picking up the phone-instead of emailing- to paying your dues, Cutrone’s advice is not just limited to the fashion industry. Her tips apply to any trade, from fashion to journalism to business, and many other professions.

Cutrone doesn’t beat around the bushes, she takes charge in this book and tells readers exactly what they should and should not do in a professional setting, which is useful for anyone preparing for a successful career.

Follow me on twitter! @LAMcEachran

Although most of the clips from Community are situational, this little gem is a funny Batman spoof. Ch-che-check it out below:

Do you watch Community? Tweet me your thoughts @LAMcEachran .

In Sherlock Holmes, the police arrest Lord Blackwood after Holmes and Dr. Watson halt the sacrifice of a young woman. During Blackwood’s execution three months later, the Lord warns Holmes that three more deaths will occur after his execution. Before the executioner secures the rope around Blackwood’s neck, his choice last words are “death is only the beginning.” Blackwood is hung and Dr. Watson pronounces the criminal dead.

While waiting for a new case, Holmes’ love interest, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), appears and offers Holmes money on behalf of her mysterious employer to solve the case of Reordan (Oran Gurel), a missing red-haired midget with teeth resembling fangs. Meanwhile, the Lord Blackwood case reopens when word travels that Blackwood was seen walking away from his tomb by eyewitnesses. When Holmes investigates the tomb, he discovers Reordan, dead inside the coffin. Turns out that Adler’s case is involved with Lord Blackwood’s survival and Holmes searches through the Temple of the Four Orders, a secret society that Blackwood is involved in, to solve the mystery.

Sherlock Holmes is entertaining and well-cast. In particular, Jude Law makes an excellent Dr. Watson, kind-hearted and realistic but utterly devoted to his detective friend. This film is a good old-fashioned fun movie; it is not vying for awards or relying on vulgarity and nudity for laughs, Sherlock Holmes is just simply an entertaining weekday movie. The music is extraordinarily done, using instruments popular during the late 1800s with the suspenseful soundtrack style of today to add an element of time period with modern drama. A nicely added touch was the analysis given by Holmes of what punches he planned on throwing to opponents before doing it and the breakdown of how he solved the case, a throwback to Doyle’s novels. True to form, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes did not stray far from the original novels of the same name and was certainly, as Holmes would put it,  “well done.”

George Clooney at T.I.F.F.

Back in September, I waited at the barricades, shuffled between fans and paparazzi, to see the stars of Up in the Air. I got a glimpse of Jason Bateman, Anna Kendrick and George Clooney on the red carpet. I even wrote about the experience in a blog post. I hadn’t heard anything about the film back in September, I only knew that George Clooney would be at the premiere and that was enough for me.

When commercials starting popping up for the film, I realized that this was the film I had seen the stars of back in September. But it wasn’t George Clooney, Anna Kendrick or the Arrested Development star that brought me to the theatre, it was writer/director Jason Reitman.

In my first year of university, Juno had just came out and was a smash hit, catapulting director Jason Reitman into a new league of fame. It was during this rush that Reitman paid a visit to Ryerson University, speaking to students interested in the film industry. I was there, along with many other students, to listen to the charismatic director. He was funny, engaging and not one bit pretentious. As a fan of Thank You for Smoking, I was thrilled to hear Reitman speak, and his humbleness made his success even sweeter. Reitman told the room packed with students that he had just cast Mean Girls’ Amanda Seyfried in a new Diablo Cody film and over a year later that female vampire comedy was revealed to be Jennifer’s Body. Reitman produced the piece.

Today, Reitman’s Up in the Air is nominated for six Golden Globes. After watching the film, I say it deserves every nomination. I will be honest, however, and say that many people in the audience left the theatre asking, “What was that about?” Reitman films focus on dialogue over action, realistic change over dramatic character development and, rather than a climactic ending, typically end on a more subtle note. Up in the Air is closer to Thank You for Smoking than Juno, so if you are a fan of Smoking, you will surely enjoy Up in the Air.

Up in the Air follows Ryan Bingham (Clooney), a man who fires people across the United States on behalf of employers unwilling to do so themselves. Bingham leads a commitment-free life, even delivering motivational speeches on this lifestyle choice, and begins a casual relationship with a like-minded career woman named Alex (Vera Farmiga). Bingham’s only goal is to earn 10 million frequent flyer miles, which would make him the seventh person to ever do this, and thanks to his career of constant travelling for Integrated Strategic Management, Bingham may just accomplish this feat.

Then Natalie Keener (Kendrick) enters the picture. With a degree from Cornell to her name, the ambitious young woman is set to make her mark on Integrated Strategic Management by firing people via webcam as opposed to sending employees across the country to do the deed. Bingham objects to this idea and challenges Keener to actual fire people herself; thus sets off Integrated Strategic Management owner Craig Gregory (Bateman) to send the pair on a trip across the U.S. firing people together.

Up in the Air has its funny moments, tender moments and hopeful moments. It is not a romance nor a drama, rather an engaging dark comedy about life in general. There isn’t a huge life changing kerfuffle, but-as is the case in real life-change does occur, only in a more subtle way. Reitman’s writing is realistic and fun and will surely appease the appetites of Thank You for Smoking fans.

I have hope that Washington D.C. will offer more to viewers than Cancun. The castmates sound like opinionated people with a lot of ambition; something that Cancun lacked. But, in my opinion, Brooklyn and Hollywood weren’t that much better; both lacked “character development” and grew to be a little boring. I miss the Real World seasons when I genuinely cared about the people; the seasons that made me laugh, cry and hopeful for their future. Will Washington have that drama? Only time will tell, but for now let’s look back at some memorable Real World seasons.

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The Real World: Key West

Cast: Zach Mann, Jose Tapia, Paula Meronek, John Devenanzio,  Janelle Casanave, Tyler Duckworth, Svetlana Shusterman.

What made this season awesome: The housemates were so close. Unlike Brooklyn, there was no childish “girls versus boys”; they all became friends. Well… Svetlana might not have been that close with the boys as they had a tendency to tease her. From Paula’s eating disorder to Tyler’s scheming, Key West had a lot of drama, but also a lot of friendship. Viewers could see the genuine connection that these housemates had, and the struggle they endured trying to help Paula overcome her eating disorder only strengthened relationships. Key West was a season to remember.

The Real World: Austin

Cast: Danny Jamieson, Johanna Botta, Lacey Buehler, Melinda Stolp, Nehemiah Clark, Rachel Moyal, Wes Bergmann.

What made this season awesome: The love connection. In the first episode-when MTV pairs up cast members to travel to the house together-Melinda and Danny were paired and it was love at first sight. Danny was clearly smitten with the blonde and their love only strengthened when a family tragedy arose. The Massachusetts-native found true love with Melinda and the pair have since married.

The Real World: Los Angeles

Cast: Aaron Behle, Beth Stolarczyk, David Edwards, Dominic Griffin, Irene Berrera-Kearns, John Brennan, Tami Roman, Glen Naessens, Beth Anthony.

What made this season awesome: The humour. This cast was just so zany they were funny. From the purposely funny Dominic and Aaron to the unintentional funny of Tami wiring her jaw shut to lose weight, talking to people through clenched teeth; Los Angeles brought the laughs. It was sad to see this season end, but I’m sure the boys were happy to leave Beth behind.

Will Washington D.C. have a close-knit group, feature a love connection, bring lots of laughs or offer something uniquely its own? Find out on December 30th when The Real World: Washington D.C. begins.

What season of The Real World was your favourite? Tweet me @LAMcEachran!

Having previously heard about the documentary following fashion designer Valentino Garavani, the ad ignited me to rent the DVD. Although the gorgeous gowns are highlighted, the main feature of the film is Valentino’s relationship with Giancarlo Giametti, his partner of 50 years.

Tyrnauer told the history of Valentino’s career in fashion, as well as his love story with Giancarlo, but barely scratched the surface of Italy’s renowned designer. The private and guarded Valentino didn’t wish to divulge his past with the film maker, even demanding Tyrnauer stop filming and  since the film was self-financed, Valentino’s cooperation was vital to film success.

Valentino: The Last Emperor shows the glamorous life of an acclaimed fashion designer; from a private jet to residences in France and Italy, and star-studded soirees, Valentino lives the good life. But for all of his possessions, the designer works extremely hard to earn everything he has. The Italian is meticulous with each garment, striving for perfection, and the beautiful finished pieces are a tribute to Valentino’s hard work.

The glimpse into Valentino Garavani’s life is an interesting one and apparently others agree. According to the Hollywood Reporter, after producer/director Ivan Reitman watched the film in Toronto, he recommended it for his neighbour, Oprah Winfrey. Like Reitman, Oprah enjoyed the film, and decided to dedicate half an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show to the film. Thanks to Oprah, what started off as a self-financed, self-distributed film has grossed nearly $2 million thus far.

Although Valentino may not have enjoyed the filming process, the end result must please his perfectionist taste. Like the designer, Tyrnauer clearly paid attention to detail, and it shows. Valentino: The Last Emperor may have been self-financed, but no expense was spared in the quality of this production. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film has made the shortlist for best documentary feature Oscar; karma for a dedicated and hardworking documentarian.