Movie #279 - Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

Charlie & the Chocolate Factory
2005 - Rated PG - 1 hr 55 min
Director: Tim Burton
Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Missi Pyle, James Fox, Deep Roy, Christopher Lee

Okay, so it's not the original (entitled Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory), but to be fair, it's miles closer to the original book by Roald Dahl, starting with the choice of title.  But of course, it's Tim Burton and Johnny Depp collaborating once again, so it's got to be weird.  Them's the rules, see?

And perhaps my opinion is skewed, because I happen to be madly in love with Johnny Depp, but I liked his interpretation of the hermit/genius Willy Wonka.  He didn't just copy Gene Wilder (who's portrayal is legendary), instead he was brave enough to do his own thing. Make it weird. Make him talk in a funny voice.  And make him wear purple rubber gloves. 

It's hard to compare the two versions, so I won't. I think each can be celebrated for its own unique take on the children's classic book.  Plus, Deep Roy makes one heck of a troop of Oompa Loompas. And Freddie Highmore's just plain adorable.

Movie #255 - Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay

Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
2008 - Rated R - 1 hr 47 min
Directors: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg
Starring: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris, Rob Corddry, Jack Conley, Roger Bart, Eric Winter, Missi Pyle, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Ed Helms

I'm not sure that we needed this movie, but it's definitely on par with the first.  Some of the jokes are referenced again, but mostly we get all brand new ones.  Including a stoner Prez.

NPH is back and redefining his name... This time, Kumar's chasing a girl, Harold wants to kill him, and Rob Corddry is going to send them back to Guantanamo Bay forever.  At points, this movie actually makes fun of itself - something I always enjoy in an over-the-top comedy.  It makes it somehow okay that you're laughing at the bad jokes.

All in all, another worthy effort.  But nothing beats a White Castle burger, so I prefer the original.

Movie #220 - Galaxy Quest

Galaxy Quest
1999 - Rated PG - 1 hr 42 min
Director: Dean Parisot
Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Justin Long, Missi Pyle, Daryl Mitchell

This movie's so cheesy, it's good.  The premise is cute: what would happen if an alien society found episodes of a space-travel show and thought it was real? What if they came to earth to find these "space travellers" and ask for their help?  Seems ridiculous, but it allows for some awkward humor and a great adventure story.

If you've ever been a Trek fan, this one will be especially fun for you to watch.  The expendable crew member tags along on the adventure, and provides a great little subplot. Will he live or die? Will he ever get a last name?  And Sigourney Weaver's character laments her pointless job: repeating what the computer says. 

Your life might not be changed by this movie, but you'll probably laugh. Sometimes, that's good enough.