With the release of Tim Burton’s version of Alice in Wonderland this weekend, I thought it would make sense to revisit the original Disney animated classic.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen the movie but I happen to know that a VHS copy is sitting in my parents basement as we speak.  It’s my intention to steal it temporarily in order to relive one of the strangest cartoons I’ve ever seen.

In other related news, about two weeks ago I discovered the ability to download free novels on my iPhone.  First on the list was Alice In Wonderland. It’s a completely different experience to read the novel 20 years after you saw the movie.  There is so much more to see.

As a result, I’m now extremely pumped to see the live action version.  Alice is full of wacky characters and imagery. I can’t think of a director better suited than Tim  Burton to pull it off.

A while ago, I wrote about watching the updated A Christmas Carol with Jim Carrey and how it didn’t live up to the animated Disney version.  I’m curious how the new Alice will measure up to one of my favorite Disney movies.  It’ll be interesting to see what Tim Burton does with the material.

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to watching the 1951 version as soon as possible.  Maybe it’s time I started upgrading some of those old VHS tapes…

Crimson Tide is an awesome movie.

If you’re in the mood for an amazing and intense drama, this is definitely a wise choice on a lazy afternoon.

How can you resist watching Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington’s epic battle while facing the unimaginable threat of nuclear war?

Crimson Tide caught me completely off guard when I first saw it.  It’s a memory I look back on fondly.  Sitting at the edge of my seat completely engrossed in the story.  People describe certain movies as white knucklers.  Crimson Tide goes well beyond white knuckles.  It grips your imagination and you’ll be holding your breath before the end.

What I love about the movie is how simple the story really is and how much intensity the filmmakers created regardless.

I pulled out my VHS copy and watched it for the 1083rd time last week.  It’s still an incredible movie.

“The human head weighs eight pounds.”

Is there anyone on the planet who didn’t like Jerry Maguire?

This week’s pick is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. (Or any day for that matter)

“Not show you, show ME the money!”

I absolutely love original dramas like this. It’s probably one of my favorite types of movies.

Picture this…

It’s Saturday night.  You’ve had a busy week and you decide you’re going to sleep in and enjoy a nice relaxing Sunday.

11:42 AM…

You wake up and slowly make the journey from your bed to the couch with a blanket in hand.

You flip around the television but can’t find anything to watch so you decide to watch a movie.

Jerry Maguire is that movie!

There is a special group of movies out there that provide new ‘catch phrases’ to the world.  Cameron Crowe is that kind of writer.  Have you ever said:

“You complete me…”

I thought so.  Me too.

Click here for more on classic quotes.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

My first thought was to think of a really great romance or a touching comedy for this week’s pick.

At the last possible second, I changed my mind and decided a cartoon would be the way to go.  No matter how old you are, there’s nothing like a classic cartoon.

So this week’s pick is one of my all time favorites from Disney:

The Lion King

The story of Simba and his fight to take his place as King is one of Disney’s greatest achievements. 

“He looks blue…”
“I’d say brownish gold..”

The Lion King still makes me laugh and like it or not, the music is among the greatest collections Disney ever put in a film.  It was a classic then and it will always be a perfect movie to watch on a Rainy Sunday.

PS: Unless it’s Valentine’s day and you have plans.  You could watch it together. 

PS #2: I’ll be spending it with someone special.  Just thought I’d mention that.

This week’s pick is one of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen.

Return To Paradise

Some friends and I rented this flick a long time ago and it always stuck with me.  There is a scene in this movie that will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life.  If you’ve seen the film you’ll understand which scene I’m referring to.

For those that haven’t, Return To Paradise is about 3 friends who live it up in Malaysia.  Lewis (Joaquin Phoenix) stays behind and ends up getting arrested for possessing drugs that belonged to all three of them.  He is sentenced to die.  His friends (Vince Vaughan & David Conrad) are then given a choice.  Return and serve three years each in a hellish prison so their friend may live or leave him behind to die.

It’s an unbelievably powerful movie and a massive conversation starter.

Would you go back?

Check it out if you’ve never seen it.  Awesome movie.