It’s been a while since I last saw a movie in 3D, I think that was Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire while my friends haven’t tried it yet. Last night, to let them experience 3D, we went to Robinsons Galleria to see Alice in Wonderland. Yep, Galleria already has a cinema showing movies in 3D, and so do SM Megamall and Shangri-La. I need not go to this farrrrraway land called Mall of Asia IMAX just to experience the thrill of 3D movies (but of course, watching in MOA iMAX is way way better than some other 3D cinemas here in Manila)
Sadly, though, there’s this thing that always bothers me everytime I watch at Robinsons Galleria — it’s the presence of those annoying/unnerving viewers who don’t know the word “concentration”. There was a group of 2 guys (or gays) and a girl who acted as if they own the whole cinema, they kept on talking while the movie is being shown. The moment they sat beside me, they started talking and saying stuff like “Ay ang galing, ganito pala yun pag nakasuot yung salamin”… then “Ay tingnan mo pag walang salamin doble yung image sa screen”.. then when Alice came out somebody from the group said “Grabe sobrang puti nya, gusto ko ganyan din ako kaputi” (yung lalake nagsabi non.. bwiset mag-overdose ka ng glutathione! o kaya magpakalunod ka sa sukang paombong nang mamuti ka!). Having heard that, I immediately blurted, “Ang ingay mo, Amae! (my friend)” but the guys seemed insensitive that they kept on talking.. verrrry LOUD. I stood up and transferred to the other side, good thing there were still vacant seats. And take note, even when I was already at the other end I can still hear their voice. Crap! Nevertheless, I was still able to keep calm and stay focused on the movie. Those infuriating “viewers” were not a hindrance for me to enjoy the night. 
Going back to the movie.. This is enchanting, not only because of the wonderland per se, but because it teaches us to follow our dreams. Persistence. Determination… that something is impossible only if you believe it is, as per the Mad Hatter. And as what the White Queen told Alice, she always thinks of 6 impossible things even before breakfast, one thing that she thought might motivate her to slay the Jabberwocky, that beast.. errr, dragon that is controlled by the Red Queen. This, I guess, implies that we should all learn to do our best in everything and never lose hope in achieving our goals.
As for the actors, Johnny Depp, once again has amazed me by portraying yet another odd but lovable character, the Mad Hatter. Helena Bonham Carter (as the Red Queen), on the other hand, was the “breather” from the magical world for her droll character. Almost all her lines brought me tears caused by laughing hard. I specifically liked the scene where she sat down and asked for a pig where she then rested her feet while saying “I love a warm pig belly for my aching feet..” Imagine having pig belly as a “furniture”? 
Also, who wouldn’t laugh at the sight of a flamingo (tama ba? o basta pink bird sya ) that she used as golf clubs and a beaver (tama ba ulet? ah basta small animal sya ) as her ball. And that remarkable line of hers when she and Stayne (her disciple slash loverboy) were arrested at the end of movie, “At least we have each other” (with matching twinkling of the eyes) Hahaha.. the look on Stayne’s face was absolutely peculiar. He looked like he was about to vomit, too.
The role of Alice was perfectly portrayed by a young Aussie actress named, Mia Wasikowska (according to the news, she bested some other “veteran” young actresses including Lindsay Lohan in applying for this role) because of her natural portrayal of a girl who’s strong willed yet timid, courageous yet shows cowardice, smart yet often uses her heart. Like I said, she’s an Aussie so expect that she has this accent that most Filipinos won’t clearly understand. So better be attentive and listen carefully to her lines. Anne Hathaway was also impeccably chosen to play as the White Queen. She was effortless in showing off an almost NR face.. hehe.. just kidding. What I meant was, she’s just right for a soft-spoken character. I just realized one thing, Anne looked like Chinchin Gutierrez here.
My favorite character here is the Red Queen who I found really hilarious. Others that also caught my attention would have to be the twin fat boys named Tweedledee and Tweedledum. They’re soooo adorable that I wanted to get inside the screen and pinch their chubby cheeks. Their constant disagreement with each other is what made their character remarkable.
Another thing that I like about this film is the abundance of words of wisdom that are not only meant for children, but also for adult like me. Below are the quotes that I personally like and believe in:
“Nothing is ever solved with tears” – The Caterpillar
“If you knew Time as well as I do, you wouldn’t talk about wasting it.” - The Mad Hatter
“There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of wonder, mystery, and danger! Some say to survive it: You need to be as mad as a hatter… which luckily I am.” — The Mad Hatter (then suddenly I remembered my friend, GB and his joke on how to survive in Cubao. (sorry, inside joke) 
Alice: Which road do I take?
The Cheshire Cat: Where do you want to go?
Alice: I don’t know.
The Cheshire Cat: It doesn’t matter…
The Cheshire Cat: If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.
——————-
Ohhh, and before I forget, when you see this film it must be seen in 3D. The colors are vibrant, the scenery is fantastic and the characters looked real when in fact some of them are actual actors whose physical features were distorted/animated just so they would look like cartoon character (see the Red Queen’s enormous head). See it in 3D and you’ll feel like you’re in wonderland, too.
The plot is too simple for adult minds that crave for complex story, yet good enough for kids and childlike ones whose minds need to be filled with lessons in life.
Finally, after 10 loooong years, my lungs are taking a break from smoke.. and so do my teeth from nicotine. Two weeks ago, due to chronic flu and sore throat, I stopped from smoking. (something that I am unaccustomed to do since I am a chain smoker) I thought it was just going to last for a day or two. Honestly, I couldn’t stand not having a nicotine break at work, all the more everytime we’re having a hard time meeting our targets. I always feel like puffing alleviates the stress and pressure that I feel.
Oh well, these sentences are already off topic. Haha! 
