Homer Thompson

Whos being snidey? You're entitled to your opinion and thats what I was saying. Are you denying that the ending was re-written with an American audience in mind? Actually, thats reminded me of something else that bugged me during the film - characters with British accents referring to "candy" Anyhoo, I agree about Wilders meaner moments. But while Wilder was at times too mean Im merely saying that Depp, at times, is too weird. As for the songs, I didnt like the new ones but as you say the first film ones are very un-Dahl. None of this gets away from the fact that neither film can claim to be an accurate working of the novel, neither are perfect and IMO the ending of Burtons, along with some other minor annoyances, utterly ruined what could have been a good film. Oh, and I really liked the new Star Wars films, thanks for asking (except for Jar-Jar ) Not sure what my childhood memories have to do with anything though

Slugworth is in the book, Wonka's Dad isnt. Thats not opinion. You said Burtons version was closer to the book, I simpy used that as an example to suggest otherwise. Im sorry, but making Wonka's dad a dentist isnt even close to being clever enough for Dahl. But if you're happy with the flashbacks and the re-written Americanisation of the ending, then good for you, that is your opinion.

Burtons film is no more, and no less, faithful to the book than the 1971 version, IMO. Both made changes to the story, as is common with all book adaptations. However, the Slugworth/fizzy lifting drinks thread is a lot closer to the book than the creation of Wonka's father and the nonsense that is the ending. I've read several opinions that have said that Burtons version is more faithful in terms of details, which is true but overall I wouldnt say either could claim to be more faithful. I never said Depp wasnt very good in it, he was. However, Im just not convinced that he played Wonka the best way he could. It was just too weird and wacky for me, just strange rather than eccentric.

Charlie and the Chocolate factory This had the potential to be a great working of Dahls classic. Burton got the mood right and Depp gave an interpretation of Wonka that only Depp could. Why then did they decide to change the story line and, more importantly, schmooz up the ending?? Every film based on a book takes a bit of poetic licence from the original story but the truely awful Americanising of this story really spoiled the film. We're "treated" to flash backs of Wonkas childhood where he and his dad (a dentist ... oooooh, how ironic ) dont get on. These simply set the scene for the most god-awful ending ever! Charlie turns down the factory cause his family cant come too, until he takes Wonka to see his Dad. The two make up and everyone lives happily ever after I cant quite make my mind up about Depp's Wonka either. Sometimes the childishness and innocence seem very Wonka-esque, but I cant help feeling that the confidence and mischeviousness of Wilder was better. A mix of the two may well be perfect. Am I just taking all of this too seriously?

What do you do to them? They're hard pages!

"On Monday he ate one apple" Got that one too Good, but not Gruffalo-good

Only 4 pages? You were skipping some, werent you? If you liked that, I'd also recommend "Thats not my kitten", "Thats not my car" and "Thats not my mermaid" Although none are as good as "The Gruffalo" - not so much read anymore as recited

The way he's going he'll be forced into retirement before he's 20

Fan Boy Kilt

Batman Begins Even Christian Bale couldnt save this one. Predictable, pedestrian fare with nothing to get excited about. 1 thumb up, and only cause of Bales presence Resident Evil 2 Even Milla Jovovich couldnt save this one. Predictable, pedestrian fare with nothing to get excited about. 1 thumb up, and only cause of Millas presence What a great morning that was

Good to see someone adopting the thumbs scoring method ... it truely is the way forward. You forgot the thumbs, so I've helped you out

Glad you asked. No thumbs up would be 5 out of 10, then = 6 :thumsup2 = 7 ... and so on. Similarly = 4 = 3 A much more visually pleasing rating system, IMO. Go on kids, give it a try

51 on here Im afraid I have more important things in my life than fiddling with P&B settings

I prefer the thumbs up scale ... which is of course based on marks out of 10 I've also been doing it for 50 odd pages now I was hoping it would catch on, but it hasnt

Watched Shuan of the Dead at the weekend. Another in the "Had for ages but not watched" series. Generally a bit of a nothing film, peppered with the odd quality line. Possibly the kind of film you have to watch more than once to get all the jokes. A dissapointing 2 thumbs up :thumsup2

You've been looking her up on google too then

What music? I havent seen it, just knew that she played the wife of the bloke the film is about. Her singing just sounds like an unnecessary complication to that

The wife

Got round to watching a couple of dvds have had kicking about for a while over the weekend Star Wars III - better than I and II, not as good as IV, V or VI. Finished off the story in a fairly unspectacular, but enjoyable way. Too many references to the later films but at least we wont have to put up with the tit who played Anakin anymore. 3 thumbs up :thumsup2 League of Gentlemen Apocolypse - I was expecting a 90 minute episode of the tv show. Instead I had to enjoy/endure some weird plot about the characters saving Royston Vasey. Not a bad film, just not overly funny. 2 thumbs up :thumsup2

Van Helsing Better than I thought it would be after the first 10 mins, but spoiled by the poncy ending A respectable 2 thumbs up :thumsup2

I concur Dogma is a far better film than Strikes Back and possibly Chasing Amy too, although Amy is probably better line for line. Ive still got Jersey Girl dvd sitting waiting to be watched, for some reason I just cant find the motivation to do it Clerks 2 is indeed due for release sometime next year ... already starting filming Like Marrez, I cant wait Isnt that DVD just an episode of Degrassi that Jay and Bob guested in

Harry Potter and the half-assed plot (or whatever the latest ones called) Not bad, Im ashamed to say , but didnt go anywhere or say anything 5/10

Last was "Deception Point" - Dan Brown. Not as good as the Da Vinci code, but very similar. Good read if you like Dan Brown or just suspense novels with a few twists. Basic plot - NASA finds a metorite under the artic with a startling secret. Set in the middle of a presidential election, revolves around a scientist and a senators daughter who find the secret.

I'd love to. If only it were June 30th 1990

<<sticks fingers in ears>> Oasis must die