Alice in Movie Land

In honor of today's release of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, here are a couple of other interpretations of the same story. And, judging by the reviews that this newest version is getting, these other movies are probably better too.

First off is Woody Allen's Alice. I'm always surprised that Allen seems to have a movie for every occasion, and this is no exception. This film is far from my favorite Allen film, but that's not say much because I love much of his work. Plus, it is an entertaining and stimulating film. It's also not really much of a comedy. Rather, it's more of a magical-realist-dramedy. Still, it's well worth a watch.

I couldn't find the trailer online, but you can read a blurb by the New York Times about the movie here.

The second film is Phoebe in Wonderland. This is a truely delightful film that captures the child-like perspective that last year's Where the Wild Things Are strove desperately for, but most failed to achieve. The story follows a young girl as she struggles to live in an increasingly incomprehensible world. As she feels more and more unable to relate, she retreats into a fantasy land that is inspired by her mother's research on Alice in Wonderland.