Category Archive for Nightcrawling
ALICE IN WONDERLAND MOVIE REVIEW: NOT SUFFICIENTLY GOTHIC, NOR TIM BURTON’S BEST. COSPLAYING AS WONDERLAND CHARACTERS FOR OPENING NIGHT.
It’s too bad there wasn’t a star-studded premiere in LA for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland — but we made do by dressing up (with a group of Mad Hatters) for the midnight opening. I did a tribute to the Queen of Hearts. Yukiro went as the love-child of Goth Alice and the White Rabbit.
Our friends were the only other movie-goers who wore costumes — boo!
I’m glad I didn’t have high expectations, or I would have been sorely disappointed. If a regular Hollywood director made this movie, I’d give it a B or B+: Alice in Wonderland was entertaining, with adequate CGI/3D and a decent narrative (until the very end).
But I expect more from Gothic genius Tim Burton — especially after seeing his retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. Alice didn’t take me away to a whimsical, twisted new world (like Corpse Bride or Edward Scissorhands). I wasn’t moved by the graphics (Avatar’s glowing jungle is far better). And I didn’t feel for the characters. In fact, the animal design and human makeup were pretty lousy.
There were shining moments, especially when the Red Queen held court. I laughed when she called for Tweedle-Dee and Dum: “Say something. Speak! Whee-hee-hee, I love my fat boys.” And the part when she liked “Um” because “anyone with a big head is welcome in this court!”
Your blogger commands: “Off with his head!” I didn’t feel I wasted money on the ticket — the movie is satisfying enough for a night out — but considering that Burton was at the helm, it could have been better conceived and executed. Let’s just say a shaky YouTube version starring the J-Goth spooks and Adventure Team would be more of a mad tea party, in my humble opinion!
What did you think of Alice in Wonderland? What are your expectations for the film?
Song of the Day #320: Carol Channing’s song and dance in the 1985 version of Alice in Wonderland. Now THIS is brilliance! (You must watch this clip…)
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CIRCUS DISCO BATCAVE: LA GOTH MONTHLY CLUB NIGHT, ARENA HOLLYWOOD. INDUSTRIAL CYBER GOTHIC PARTIES LOS ANGELES.
The gracious Heathyr invited Yukiro and me to Batcave’s Circus Disco, a monthly bacchanal set to the dark sounds of Gothic/Industrial, darkwave, 80s New Wave and psychobilly. It turned out to be one of the best LA nightcrawls to date. (Photos by GBP and Prism Nightlife)
The large patio has tarot card readings, Goth jewelry for sale, a food truck and even art displays. By midnight, the area was filled with characters of every alternative bent or eccentricity. You’ll see green Mohawks chatting with latex masks, next to cyber platform boots and long bustle skirts…
The megatron venue (a warehouse behind Arena on Santa Monica) had 5 full bars, 4 rooms with dance floors, and a 3000 person capacity. We caught an “Eyes Wide Shut” burlesque show and a latex Catwoman doing dangerous acrobatics. Batcave at Circus Disco is the ideal party for ADD types. As Yukiro put it, “You never had time to get bored. Wherever you turned, there was something going on” — whether it was go-go dancers on raised platforms or impromptu girlfights!
The crowd was enthusiastic and friendly; the fashion a mixed alternative bag. In the Industrial room, Fethouse set up several S&M/fetish pavilions: plastic wrap bondage, candle play, and our favorite — a whip-tastic threesome.
And the award goes to… come read Asia’s 25 greatest actors of all time – my new article on CNNGo. My Japanese picks are Toshiro Mifune (Rashomon, Seven Samurai), Tomisaburo Wakayama (Lone Wolf and Club) and Takeshi Kitano (Battle Royale). Do you agree with my choices?
PS: Yukiro and I got caught doing something naughty at Disneyland today… oops! (Want to hazard a guess at what it was?) I hope history doesn’t repeat itself at the Alice in Wonderland premiere tonight!
PPS: Yukiro Dravarious is now on Twitter! Add him and La Carmina if you dare…
For more nightlife reports, see LaCarmina’s Japan Goth clubs guide.
Song of the Day #318: Aesthetic Perfection – Sacrifice (The Industrial room at Batcave Circus Disco played tracks like this one.)
LA CARMINA
