I’ll admit it, I’m not a huge Tim Burton or Alice in Wonderland fan. You may be asking yourself, then why are you writing about it?

1. It was TC’s turn to pick the movie for this weekend
2. I want to make sure I see 3D movies before the theaters increase ticket prices (b*tches)

So without further ado, here we go!

Movie: Alice in Wonderland

Rating: PG

Release date: March 5, 2010

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B+

Summary: Load up on the LSD because we’re going back to Wonderland with Alice (Mia Wasikowska) heading back to the magical land 13 years after her first trip to defeat the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter) and restore order with the help of the Hatter (Johnny Depp) and her magical forest friends.

My thoughts: No joke, I was totes surprised that I liked this movie as much as I did. I remember watching the Alice in Wonderland cartoon as a kid and thinking…BORING. Who dreams this sh*t up? But as a semi-mature adult who loves film and storytelling, I gave it another chance. And I’m SO glad I did because it was really good, but definitely not appropriate for small kids. There were a few scenes in 3D with fights and the eye that made me cringe.

Visually, it’s stunning, especially in 3D. The CGI blends well with the actors movements and Burton creates a vivid, bright Wonderland that has been raved by the Jabberwocky and Red Queen’s reign. 3D is becoming really popular right now with films, but I think this stands on its own without that effect. In fact, I would say only 20 percent of the movie really requires 3D, which is still impressive, but at $3 more a ticket, you aren’t missing anything serious.

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are both great (even if Depp somehow channels Jack Sparrow a bit) but Mia Wasikowska as Alice really stole the movie for me. Her mix of doe-eyed innocence and rebellion really hit me and made me want to say, “f*ck yeah, you go girl!” Plus, her costumes are amazing. I even commented to TC that her couture dresses are TDF (to die for) in just about every scene. Tickle me jealous, I want to know who made those! Anne Hathaway was also good as the White Queen but (this may sound tacky), I could not look past the white wig and dark eyebrows/lips. BAD!

But along with Burton’s brilliant cinematography, he also really got me on his direction. For a minute, I had a Baz Luhrman/Moulin Rouge flash but Burton mixes laughs with serious emotion, any you find yourself really latching on to Alice and following her on the adventure.

I’m sure just about everyone has seen this already, but if not, check it out. On the big screen, it is pretty awesome to watch.

Have you seen it? What did you think? I’ve heard mixed reviews from friends who thought it was too hyped up.

I am a sucker for rock biopic/mockumentary movies. I loved Almost Famous (not as biopic but still rock focused), This is Spinal Tap and Shine A Light.

Why? Because deep down inside, my Midwest inner bad girl wants to be a rock star, go on tour and rock the f*ck out in a stadium.

But that won’t be happening, so I like to live vicariously. And I did that again this weekend with the new movie, The Runaways.

Movie: The Runaways

Rating: R

Release date: March 19, 2010

Everyday Adventures’ grade: A

Summary: Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) is one bad a** rocker in the 70s, but before her solo career, she was part of a girl rock band, The Runaways with lead singer Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning). With the help of eccentric and likely clinically crazy manager Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), The Runaways become a success, but ultimately, girl jealousy, drugs and fighting breaks them up.

My thoughts: I LOVED this movie. It’s gritty, dirty and wild. And I loved every minute of it. The main actors: Kristen Stewart, Dakota Fanning and Michael Shannon are each EXCELLENT in their roles. Michael Shannon was amazing in Revolutionary Road and he’s equally eccentric and hypnotizing to watch here.

I’ve been a little harsh on Kristen Stewart (KStew to me) before because she looks perennially constipated and pissed off but it really works here. She’s gruff, wild and raw as Joan Jett and it worked. Joan was unlike a lot of 70s girls and she had a real vision and burn to be a star and KStew completely embodies it. Almost half woman, half animal. But to be catty, her hair is t-r-a-g-i-c. Goodness.

Dakota Fanning is also great as Cherie, the girl who indulged a bit too much in the temptations of the road and rock n’ roll stardom. Watching Cherie go from bored, Bowie-loving teen to drugged and strung out star is like Behind The Music without the voiceover and ultimately, you see the downfall before it happens.

Overall, the direction, music and cinematography are great, but the most electric scenes are the Runaways performances. KStew and Dakota fanning are totally mesmerizing to watch, especially Fanning, who just turns on the sex appeal like a light. It is girl bad a**ery at it’s best and makes me want to scream, “f*ck yeah!”

Oh and the hyped KStew/Dakota Fanning kiss really isn’t THAT big of a deal. If you want a hot girl-on-girl kiss, see Cruel Intentions (1999) with Sarah Michelle Geller and Selma Blair. That was a hot kiss.

What movies have you seen lately? Are you a Joan Jett fan?

As much as I love movies, I love trailers too. There is even an award show dedicated to movie trailers!

Back on track! I regularly check Apple and Moviefone for new trailers because they really help me decide what movies I should see or skip.

And now that summer movie trailers are coming out, I wanted to list a few movies I’m looking forward to seeing in theaters (in no particular order):

• Eclipse – Yes, I am a Twi-hard and proud of it. But this time, I won’t be going to work the next day after a midnight showing. Bad idea
• Iron Man 2 – Loved RDJ in the first Iron Man. There’s something about Tony Stark I find irresistible
• The Runaways – I’m not a massive Joan Jett fan, but I’m curious how Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning are as the leads
• Killers – Yes, it’s almost a dead-on knock-off of Mr. & Mrs. Smith but I’m intrigued
• Knight and Day - Sure Tom Cruise has been hit/miss since the couch jumping stuff, but this looks pretty funny
• Waking Sleeping Beauty – Documentary about Disney’s reemergence in the animation business
• The Art of the Steal – Documentary about the battle over a private art collection
• Get Him to the Greek – Yes, I’ve seen this movie in many incarnations, but it looks hilarious and Jonah Hill does crack me up
• Eat Pray Love – Didn’t read the book but the scenery looks amazing! And Javier Bardem is yummy
• The A-Team – No, I’m not a fan, but Bradley Cooper in a suit and in shirtless? Sign me up!  Yes, there is a quick flash of him shirtless in the trailer too

What movies are you looking forward to seeing this summer?

My friends celebrate St. Patrick’s Day very hardcore, which means 12-hours of drinking. So while they were falling in love with green Miller Lite, I dragged my platonic manfriend to the movies with me. And rather than seeing a chick flick, we mutually agreed upon something with a cute guy (Matt Damon) and kicking a**.

That said, here’s the review of Green Zone.

Movie: Green Zone

Rating: R

Release date: March 13, 2010

Everyday Adventures’ grade: B

Summary: Set in 2003, Roy Miller (Matt Damon) is on the hunt in Iraq for WMD but he can’t find them and begins to wonder if it’s part of a larger CIA conspiracy. To help get his questions answered, he encounters trouble from a Pentagon official (Greg Kinnear) and help from a reporter (Amy Ryan). Directed by Paul Greengrass (United 93, Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Ultimatum).

My thoughts: Matt Damon is one pretty-boy bad a** motherf*cker. For realz. He has a degree in kicking a** and taking names and that list is LONG. Without getting too political, it’s interesting to watch this movie now, seeing how dedicated troops like Damon’s character are to finding the WMDs and helping Iraq, when in reality, we know there weren’t any WMD’s to begin with.

The movie is pretty gritty and violent and the way Greengrass films war makes you feel like you’re there. The sounds of bullets reverberates in your spine and the tension in scenes makes you jump. He is also the master of the hand-held camera shots, adding that extra layer of “holy sh*t I’m running behind Matt Damon through an alley riddled with gunfire.” It’s intense (and awesome) but makes you need to close your eyes and get your bearings because your stomach can turn.

Amy Ryan, who I loved on the Office, has a small role in the film and really, it wasn’t memorable. Please go back to the Office! Greg Kinnear has a pretty big role in the movie too and is good as the misguided Pentagon agent. You could see on his face how much he believed in what he was doing, even if he did the worst things possible.

There is a little twist in the story that makes you question its plausibility but it’s still entertaining. And Damon, with his dreamy good looks is great as well. The only drawback? This reminded me too much of the Bourne franchise and for Damon, I think it’s time to mix it up a little bit.

What movies did you see this weekend?