Curiouser and Curiouser! (PB)

“You’re entirely bonkers. But I’ll tell you a secret, all the best people are.” –Alice in Wonderland

It can be stated with a high degree of accuracy that Alice in Wonderland is one of my favorite stories. There’s just something so intriguing to me in the world that Mad Hatter and Cheshire thrive in. I especially enjoy the newer version that Disney made with real people.

The thing I love the most about the new version of Alice in Wonderland is how beautiful they made everything. The colors are so vivid and intense that it’s hard not to be drawn in to Alice’s world. Of course, Johnny Depp adds a whole other level of intrigue to the movie as well. I’ve noticed that in approximately every movie that Johnny Depp is in he looks nearly nothing like himself. Alice in Wonderland is no exception to that trend. His bright orange hair adds to the vivid and intense color scheme throughout the rest of the movie.

My other favorite part of the newer Alice in Wonderland is the dynamic personality of the characters. Every individual from the White Rabbit to the Red Queen, Cheshire to Alice, are all portrayed in such intricate and believe ways that it’s hard for me to believe that it’s not all real. Every character is just as intense as their surroundings and just as intricate.

The last thing is of course Alice herself. In the newer movie the plot concentrates a lot on Alice, specifically her self-empowerment and independence. She develops a lot as a character throughout the movie and learns a lot about herself and others. She discovers who she wants to be and how to accomplish that. Overall, I think Alice in the newer movie is a very encouraging and uplifting character.

“Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” –Alice in Wonderland

High School Blues (PB)

High school: a school attended after elementary school or junior high school and usually consisting of grade 9 or 10 through 12.

What a nice, pretty definition. It doesn’t nearly cover the reality though. High school to a small child is a glorious place, one you look forward to attending. An accomplishment in your life that seems almost a million miles and year away. High school to someone who is actually attending is much, much different. That glow that ensconces it while you’re still young fades to a dull grey color. Those ideas of grandeur you have about it all seem to fade. That goal of being independent and living your own life—not exactly.

Overall, high school is deceiving. You don’t get to do whatever you want. You don’t even get good food. The hallways are always crowded and no one knows how to walk on the right side. Most of the classrooms have less than desirable air conditioning/heating systems. Actually, all of them do. The students are best compared to jungle creatures—less than civilized. The etiquette of the real world is forgotten once one steps through the doors.

I would imagine that the acts of cannibalism being committed by ‘loving couples’ are enough to satisfy their hunger—but, alas. Most of the creatures seek out other meals. Then, of course, it must be discussed and used as cannon fodder to arm the uninvolved bystanders. And of course—how could I forget?! Gym class. Best compared to training for aerial mortar fire—dodge ball, kickball, and ‘battle pins’ are all expressively unique in their methods. The genders of course must intermix to perform these ghastly tasks.

The last thing I must express is: Ain’t high school just funner than you could ever thinks?