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So, weirdly enough, I'd be okay with a new version of A Christmas Carol...as long as it's faithful. It's worth pointing out that the latest try, starring Carrey and directed by Robert Zemeckis, is very close to the source material, down to matching dialogue. That is, until Scrooge inexplicably shrinks to the size of a mouse and is chased by the Ghost of Christmas Future throughout the streets of London. That part doesn't show up in Dickens' masterwork. I know, you're saying, why not add something new to this story? If we're all so familiar with it, why do the faithful version? Well, there have been so few faithful versions that people would likely be surprised at how emotional this timeless story can be, especially when it's just about the story, not the gimmick. Of course, we'd have to get an actor who's, you know, English and the right age, so Jim Carrey, you need not apply.

Alice in Wonderland

Here's the story that's inflamed Warner Bros. to think of remaking The Wizard of Oz, as the most recent version is doing well (maybe too well) at the box office. Here's the thing, though: this story is finished. I will admit, the framework of this story isn't often used in other media; usually, it's always just Alice in Wonderland. The issue is that most folks in Hollywood try to make the movie in live action. Yes, Tim Burton's new movie isn't very heavy on live-action filmmaking, aside from the prologue and epilogue. Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are enhanced (or are meant to be enhanced) by the computer-generated backgrounds and characters. However, that choice made those actors seem even more fake. If we're meant to believe that Alice is journeying through Wonderland (yes, not Underland), it's hard to buy the story if she interacts with very fake creatures.

The problem is that, to me, Alice in Wonderland can only work as an animated movie. The White Rabbit, the caterpillar, the knaves made of cards, the Cheshire Cat. The list goes on, and is full of unique and wild characters who can't be brought to life in live action, and can't really interact very well with live-action characters if they're animated. It's rare that such a mix works, and since Wonderland is meant to be such a vibrant place, the contrast between the real world and the animated world would be too stark to be believable. Yes, if I've not been clear enough, I didn't enjoy Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland, but even before the movie began, I had to wonder what the point was. Do we need a new Alice? The Disney version may not be beloved, but it doesn't feel unlikely. Frankly, even remaking lesser Disney movies is a bit much for me; leaving Alice in her Wonderland may be best for everyone, money-maker or not.

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