BARBER'S BEST BETS: Innocence gone from Burton's 'Wonderland'

By JOE BARBER

For the News & Messenger

MOVIES:

In Theaters Now:

Though it may make traditionalists uneasy, Tim Burton's re-envisioning of "Alice in Wonder-land" has several elements that make it worth watching.

Set 10 years after Alice's journeys to Wonderland and through the Looking Glass, she vaguely recalls the journeys but believes them to be childhood nightmares. Following the death of her father, well-meaning relatives are hoping to push her into marrying a snobby young aristocrat to ensure her and her family's financial security.

When a curious Alice (Mia Wasikowska of HBO's "In Treatment") follows a white rabbit in a blue waistcoat through a garden and to a hole, she doesn't realize she's about to go on a remarkable journey that will introduce her to someone she barely seems to know -- her true self.

Her journey back to Underland, as it's now known, brings her face to face with such stalwarts as the Cheshire Cat, the Door Mouse, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum and a still Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp). They're being harassed by the Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who's taken power from her sister, the White Queen (Anne Hathaway). Can a disbelieving Alice find the courage to stand up for herself and her friends while preparing to meet the Red Queen's ultimate weapon, the Jabber-wocky?

Burton and screenwriter Linda Woolverton have recast the Alice tale as one of female self-empowerment and the courage to stand out from the crowd. While this is a message that will -- and should -- resonate with girls and women who watch the film, one has to wonder why Burton and Woolverton couldn't have crafted an original tale rather than messing with the Alice canon.

As with all of Burton's films, the movie's visual effects are vivid and dynamic, though they may be a bit scary for those younger than 10. The acting is solid, with Depp's Hatter providing offbeat comic relief between scenes that move the story briskly along. The CGI effects, including the talk-ing animals, bring a certain sense of whimsy to the proceedings.

Though the computer effects and art direction dazzle in both 2-D and 3-D, what's missing from this Alice is some of its childhood innocence. While the new framework entertains, the disappearance of the original's sense of wonder "fades" the film like the Cheshire Cat's smile. MPAA Rating: PG for some mildly crude humor and threats of beheadings. Joe's Rating: Three (***) stars

Also, Don Cheadle and Richard Gere are the stand out performers in the gritty, but uneven, cop drama "Brooklyn's Finest." Telling the overlapping stories of three policemen in one of NYC's toughest neighborhoods, the film's feel and focus is reminiscent of the work of former Los Angeles police officer and best selling author Joseph Wambaugh ("The Blue Knight," "The Onion Field"). From Gere's world weariness after 22 years in uniform to Cheadle's conflicted feelings about a drug kingpin (Wesley Snipes) who saved his life while on deep cover inside Snipe's organization, we get a view inside the human dilemmas these dedicated men face.

Ethan Hawk is less effective as a member of an elite anti-drug unit whose being tempted to take drug money from the major raids his squad makes. His wife is pregnant with twins -- their fourth and fifth kids -- and his wife needs to move for health reasons.

It is the depth of the performances mentioned earlier that lifts the movie above typical police procedural status. The film's reliance on heavy violence to keep things moving is one of its biggest flaws. An over familiar series of plotlines is another misstep that hinders the movie.

While action fans should find "Brooklyn's Finest" a bracing ride, viewers looking for a fully compelling police tale might want to look elsewhere. MPAA Rating: R for profanity, sometimes graphic violence, drug content, nudity and sexual situations. Joe's Rating: Two and One-Half (**1/2) Stars.

On DVD:

Two of last year's most acclaimed films arrived on DVD and Blu-ray this week, "Up in The Air," from director Jason Reitman ("Juno," "Thanks For Smoking") is an intelligent and affecting comedy/drama about a an executive (George Clooney, in one of his best perform-ances) whose job it is to travel across the country to lay off workers . He keeps everything, including his emotions, compartmentalized-until he meets an attractive woman (Vera Farmiga) who seems to be a lot like him. Clooney's character must also deal with a young colleague (Anna Kendrick) who has a new slant on how they do their jobs. Written, directed and acted with sublime skill wit and significant talent, this is a really great film, one definitely worth owning. MPAA Rating: R for profanity, sexual situa-tion and mild drug content. Joe's Rating: Four (****) Stars.

"Precious," based on the novel "Push" by Sapphire, is an uncompromising look at one poor, black teenage girl's struggle to overcome physical, emotional and sexual abuse to make a better life for herself and her two children, fathered by her father. Comedian Mo'Nique won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her powerful portrayal of Precious' cruel mother, Mary. The film won a second Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. It may be a hard film to watch, but "Precious" is a superior and wrenching look at the near-destruction and resurrection of the human spirit. MPAA Rating: R for profanity, violence, sexual situations and drug content. Joe's Rating: Three and One-Half (***1/2) Stars.

THEATER:

Actor and writer Josh Kornbluth has brought several of his one-man shows to Theater J at the DC Jewish Community Center in the District, including his award-winning tale of his childhood, "Red Diaper Baby." He's returned to Theater J with his latest show, entitled "Andy Warhol: Good For the Jews?" It casts a critical eye on the pop art legend, his Jewish roots and his perception of Jewish life. The show runs through March 21.

Olney Theatre Center has extended its acclaimed production of "Bus Stop" to March 21, while the Kennedy Center opens its presentation of three plays about opera by Terrence McNally with the world premiere of "Golden Age on the 12th." It runs through the 25th.

Finally, closing this weekend is the gospel biography "Mahaila!" at Metro Stage in Alexan-dria. The final curtain comes down on the 14th.

CLUBS & CONCERTS:

The Birchmere presents the eclectic sounds of Asleep at the Wheel on March 11 and rock legend Tom Rush on the 12th. The Barns at Wolf Trap welcomes singer and songwriter Greg Brown on the 12th. The band Altan performs on the 15th and the Battlefield Band burst forth on March 17.

The Music Center at Strathmore Hall welcomes "The President's Own," the U.S. Ma-rine Corps Band, for a performance called "The Force of Our Destiny" on March 15.

Enjoy!

Joe Barber covers entertainment in the DC area for the News & Messenger and can be heard regularly on WTOP-FM Radio.