Miniatures and Other Alice Things

Norwegian Miniature artist Christel Jensen created this very cool miniature Alice in Wonderland Tea Party. Click the link for many more pictures. Jensen's site is very cool, although I have to admit that I'm a sucker for miniatures. Look at these cakes!!! How does she do it?

My dear readers, now that I'm not posting every day, I have a SERIOUS BACKLOG.
Here are some beautiful Alice in Wonderland themed cards.
Interesting White Rabbit candle stick.
Cheshire Cat papercraft. Via.
Some Alice inspired Storyboards. Also via.
A ton of Alice-inspired fashions in white. Alice en Blanco

Previously: Gallery Nucleus Curiouser and Curiouser Art Show

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Wait! There's More Alice

You probably thought that now the movie is out, that's it, huh? WRONG!

I can't believe that I'm linking to a USA Today article, but it's on Tim Burton's art show at the MoMA.

A Brazilian website has an interview with yours truly - in Portuguese.

The weekend's box office results? Alice in Wonderland 2010 RULES!

The Disney Family site has some cool Alice in Wonderland crafts, including a Cheshire Cat picture frame, shrink charms, and a cool shadow box, among other things. There's more! Via

Previously: Alice in Wonderland Crafts and Recipes

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Giveaway: Cheshire Cat Bobblehead and Alice Plush

Good news! I have a bunch of Alice in Wonderland bobbleheads and plushes which I will be giving away courtesy of FunKo. These are really cool. Here is the second batch. Like the last one I'm asking everybody to do a little something. This time to enter, write about a memory you have about Alice in Wonderland - either about one of the movies or a book. I have this memory of seeing the 1951 Disney movie and thinking that the talking flowers were really cool. I also remember the Tea Party where the Hatter and March Hare yell "No Room! No Room!"

What is up for grabs: A Funko Cheshire Cat Bobblehead and Alice Plush.

Who will win: One winner will be selected. To enter, write about a memory you have about Alice in Wonderland - either about one of the movies or a book. If you are logged in to Google make sure your email is visible in your profile. Otherwise make sure that you leave an email address. (I've been trying to find a way around this and can't. If anybody knows of a way to add an email field to the Blogger comment form, please let me know!) Entrants must live in the US or Canada (my apologies to everybody else).

When and how the winner will be chosen: The giveaway ends two weeks away at midnight, on Tuesday, March 23. The winner will be selected randomly using a random number generated by random.org.

Notification: Winner will be notified by email.

Previously: Funko Mad Hatter Bobblehead and White Rabbit Plushie

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Free Shipping on Disney Store Orders this Weekend

I just noticed this right now, so sorry for the late notice, but the Disney store has a deal this weekend only where you get Free Shipping on your entire shipment with any purchase from the Alice In Wonderland Boutique at DisneyStore.com with Code: Wonderland

The last time I visited the Wonderland Boutique there wasn't much there, so I took another look today. Here are some things I liked. I managed to get big versions of these so you can see enlarged versions by clicking the images.

Create-Your-Own Alice in Wonderland Small Watch for Adults - I like rectangular watches, and I'm really into the Cheshire Cat from the movie, so this looks like a cool watch. These can be personalized quite a bit. You choose the style of watch, what image goes on the face, what wrist strap you want, and then you can also get your name printed on the face and something engraved on the back.

Keyhole Alice in Wonderland Bangle Bracelet by Tom Binns for Disney Couture - I'm a sucker for blue and think that this bangle looks cool. It's just got a certain feel to it.

Cheshire Cat Alice in Wonderland Tee for Women - See a pattern yet? I'm all about the Cheshire cat, I admit it. I also like a more "normal" tee shirt, although they have a lot of T-shirt options.

Cheshire Cat Alice in Wonderland Necklace by Swarovski - Sadly, my favorite thing in the store isn't available for purchase yet. This thing is SO COOL. This necklace has a charm at the end of the extender: a Cheshire Cat tail. It's kind of like a scary mask. If you all were planning on buying me a birthday present, here's an idea for you.

Previously: Alice Merchandise at Hot Topic

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My Review of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland 2010

I just got back from seeing the movie and I thought it was really good. To be honest, since I've been anticipating seeing it, and really looking forward to it, and being very excited about it, I was worried that it wouldn't meet my expectations. Luckily I thought it was really good. I will say, however, that it is an adventure movie. Ready for adventure?

Everybody should know the story by now: Alice Kingsley is expected to marry an overbearing young man that she isn't really into, and when he proposes to her, she excuses herself and takes a side trip down the rabbit hole. But in doing so, Alice jumps out of the proverbial frying pan and into the fire. Once in Underland (Wonderland) again, she is pulled into an adventure where she is expected to do other things she'd really rather not do by some characters that she can barely understand. Like the books, everything works by its own logic (or illogic, as the case may be) and Alice plays the part of the "straight man" by being serious and sensible in the face of madness.

The movie has its weak points. For example, I felt let down by the Tea Party. I was expecting something more like the book or the Tea Party in the 1952 Disney adaptation. Both are silly and maddening. While Burton pays homage to the 1952 Disney version by having the March Hare pour some tea "into" a tea cup with a broken bottom and some other nonsense like that, the Tea Party in this movie is squandered to provide some background information about current events in Underland. Both my guest and I felt let down by the Futterwacking, especially after so much had been made of it. I don't know about anybody else, but I also felt like the movie was "rushed" and could have used some more attention or time in some scenes. *Whew* OK that was a lot - let's look at the good things.

Things I really loved: The Cheshire Cat is amazingly cool, has mysterious dialogue, is an intriguing character, and is awesomely animated. The Bandersnatch is horrifying, sad, and (surprise) complex. Helena Bonham Carter is a hoot as the Red Queen, and Anne Hathaway totally hams up the prim fairy queenliness of the White Queen. Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter is by turns tender, mad, sad, haunted, and crazy. There are also: talking animals, laboring monkeys, a horrifying moat crossing, a menacing performance by Crispin Glover, some white-knuckle bravery, some men acting like pigs, some emotional depth, and some arguments that end only when one of the parties involved manages to makes absolutely no sense. The architecture of the palaces is amazing. Alice rides several creatures in the movie and each time it is exhilarating.

On a basic level, I think Tim Burton's movie is about a girl searching for her identity. Alice's identity is questioned at the very beginning by the Dormouse and other characters. At first Alice claims to be "The Alice" but then chickens out. When consulted about her identity, the Caterpillar says that she is "Not Yet Alice." Later in the movie, Alice deceives the Red Queen by claiming to be someone named "Um." All along, Alice is either too big or too small. It is as if she needs to get "right-sized." As the story unfolds, Alice finds herself walking the line between what she thinks is right and what everyone else in the story expects of her. I don't know how anyone else feels about it, but I liked this extra level of meaning, and I also liked the extremes that Alice has to traverse to find her own answers.

As a bonus, Alice also gets to wear a bunch of beautiful and amazing dresses and outfits. Much kudos to costume designer Colleen Atwood for these and the other costumes in the film. Last, as everyone seems to agree, the 3D and animation is really amazing and Underland is dazzlingly cool and dark. If you're going to see Alice in Wonderland with the expectation that it will be everything you would expect a masterpiece based on Lewis Carroll's timeless books to be, you might come out disappointed. BUT if you're looking for a fun adventure about a girl who is trying to find herself, then you're in for a fun ride.

What did you think? Leave a comment here or send in a review to alice@coldcold.com. I'll publish any reviews received on a special review page. If you have a blog and review the movie, drop me a line and I'll link to your review.

Previously: Review of The Mystery of Lewis Carroll by Jenny Woolf

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Cheshire Cat Paper Toy Instructions

Just a quick note to let everybody know that there are now more detailed step by step instructions available for the Cheshire Cat paper toy I posted here. You can also use this link, here to download them.

Previously: Alice in Wonderland Toys from Funko

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Camille Rose Garcia Illustrated Alice

My giveaway of the book Alice's Adventures in Wonderland illustrated by Camille Rose Garcia ended today and I wanted to write up a review of the book, which you can purchase here on Amazon.

When the publisher, It Books, approached me about doing a giveaway for this book, I was immediately excited, because I like art and have been a fan of Camille Rose Garcia for a number of years. She does creepy fairytale type art and books. I was also really excited to find that they wanted to send me a review copy.

This book is really beautifully made. I collect books and wish that I could say that I only have a small collection! These days, I have to be selective about what books I keep and then the rest I take to the used book store. This book is definitely in the keeper category! A great deal of care has been put into making it the kind of item a book-loving sort of person can get into. The jacket is beautifully illustrated and has glossy spot varnish on the black areas, and a capital A has been debossed in foil on the front cover of the book. If I had any wish for the book, I would have liked a different typeface for the text, because the text ends up looking a bit small. But that's my only real complaint. It has beautiful endpapers (I love it when a publisher pays attention to details like endpapers), and the pages of the book have been printed to look aged, which is a charming touch.

For me, though, the real magic of the book are the illustrations. Garcia's work is beautiful, playful, and haunting, which is very fitting for an edition of Alice in Wonderland. The characters in the illustrations are emotionally expressive and inventive. Her artwork really speaks to me, and is reminiscent of some of my favorite book illustrators of the early 20th Century. So artists such as Frank C. Pape, Mahlon Blaine, Felix Lorioux and even Edmund Dulac. I'm sure that a lot of people already have an edition of Alice in Wonderland on their shelf. The reason to add this book to your collection would be Camille Rose Garcia's illustrations.

On a final note, Camille Rose Garcia will be doing a book signing tour in March. She will be visiting LA, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. Check here for dates and locations.

Previously: Alice in Wonderland Illustrated Editions

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Nintendo Wii and DS Screenshots

 

  

  

  

 

I don't usually go so picture-heavy but here are some screen shots from the upcoming Alice in Wonderland video games for the Nintendo Wii and DS. I see some Cheshire Cat in there, along with all the other likely suspects. These will be available March 2 (but of course, you can pre-order them here: DS version - Wii version - PC version). I really like the graphic style on the DS screen grabs and the trailer. It makes me want to go get one so I give it a try. (Source: Disney Interactive Studios)

Previously: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Video Games

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15 Alice in Wonderland Crafts and Recipes

Many thanks to adub3n who sent in a photo of this Cheshire Cat paper toy he made with his daughter from our model, available here. They did a really good job on it. I love the mysterious lighting.

Check out these cool Alice-inspired crafts projects. Included are cup-cake toppers, envelopes, Valentine's Day cards, edible teacups, bookmarks, bookplates, shrink charms, felt flowers, picture frames, stickers, and door hangers. Thanks to Nancie for the tip!

As we reported a couple days ago, Disney is reducing the time between the release of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland and when it becomes available on DVD and on-demand video. The theater chains are not pleased.

Previously: Alice in Wonderland Cupcakes

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Live Event February 19 for Alice

File this under "old news" that I'm just catching up with: There will be a live event on February 19 at Hollywood and Highland to promote Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Present will be Tim Burton himself, and several soon-to-be-announced cast members. There will also be live music by bands featured on the Almost Alice soundtrack. More details here. Fans are encouraged to show up in costume. The event will be be streamed live here on MySpace.

Previously: Alice Doll and Plush Show

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Exclusive! Cheshire Cat Paper Toy

To mark the day one month before the Alice in Wonderland movie hits theaters, Alice 2010 is proud to present our very own Cheshire Cat papercraft. Cheshire Cat has always been my favorite of the creatures that Alice meets on her adventures.

 

To build your own Cheshire Cat, download and unzip the pdf file (283KB) here: Cheshire Cat

There are now instructions! Cheshire Cat Instructions

I recommend printing it out on 60# card stock. The dotted lines are places to fold. Score them first. Cut out the pieces following the solid lines second. Then everything gets glued together using the tabs. On the head, glue the face to the chin first, then attach the back.

Previously: Alice in Wonderland Toys Archive

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Ton of New Concept Art for Alice

 

  

  

  

  

  

 

Finally got my hands on some really huge copies of Alice in Wonderland concept art, production art, and film stills, among other things. I'll be posting these over the next week or so because there is a lot of it. What we have here is Cheshire Cat, the Knave of Hearts, the March Hare, a Mushroom Forest, the White Rabbit, and two concept sketches by Tim Burton. One of these is the Red Queen and is very similar to this piece of concept art we ran a long time ago. I don't know for sure about all of the rest, but a lot of these are by Michael Kutsche, who is really an amazing artist. The Cheshire Cat picture on the top, in particular would make a great desktop wallpaper. (Source: Disney)

Previously, check it out: Our Very Own Concept Art Archives

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Wonderland Wednesdays on You Tube

Wonderland Wednesdays on You Tube. Walt Disney Studios UK has a high quality version of the trailer with Johnny Depp commentary that was released last week PLUS it says that if you subscribe, you will receive announcements of new clips to be released every Wednesday. I looked for the same in the regular Disney You Tube channel, but it looks like either my You Tube browsing talents are not up snuff, or it's only on Disney' UK channel.

Also, there are a bunch of sites with new Alice in Wonderland images - mostly of production art - here and here.

Previously: Alice in Wonderland Concept Art

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New Movie Poster for Tim Burton's Alice

Wow this week has been full of news. Here's a new poster for Alice in Wonderland 2010. As you can see, we have here: The Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), The Dormouse (Barbara Windsor), The March Hare (Noah Taylor), The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), Alice (Mia Wasikowska), The White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), The Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry), and The White Queen (Anne Hathaway). Back there in the distance is the Caterpillar (Alan Rickman).
 
Previously: Another recent Alice 2010 Poster

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New Alice in Wonderland Trailer #2

At last a new trailer for Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland 2010. We get to see some more characters (like the March Hare) and also get to see all of Cheshire Cat.

Previously: Alice Teaser Trailer

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Final Piece of Tim Burton's Alice 2010 Poster

Disney has released the third and final piece of the Alice in Wonderland poster. This one with Johnny Depp (as the Mad Hatter) and Alan Rickman as The Caterpillar. I was reading somewhere that the movie is only four months away, which it is!

Disney also released an eye-strain-o-vision tiny version of the three posters stitched together. Of course, I got out my construction paper and scissors and did it up right. So, here it is, an Alice 2010 exclusive! The whole poster.

Previously: Cool Alice in Wonderland Calendar

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Woo Hoo! New Trailer for American McGee's Alice

Check it out. A new trailer for American McGee's Alice in Wonderland video game. I thought that it would be coming out in 2010, but now it looks like it's coming out in 2011? At any rate, enjoy the trailer. I hope the graphics on the game are this good. Alice looks really creepy! Cheshire cat is looking rather smashing as well. Via.



Previously: American McGee's Alice Concept Art

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Alice Corsets and Dresses

Check out the Vintage Doctor for Alice in Wonderland corsets and dresses. They have a number of styles and fabrics. Don't miss the Cheshire Cat halfway down the page. Maybe too late for Halloween?

 

 

Previously: Alice Inspired Fabrics

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New Papercrafts and Other Diversions

I'm back after a two week vacation in Europe. Did you miss me? I've been sifting through the last two weeks for tasty Alice in Wonderland news and there is plenty.

As could be expected, there are more Alice papercrafts. Woo Hoo! These papercraft Alice in Wonderland characters by Alex McMenemy are pretty cool!

Here is a fun page full of Etsy items.

Finally, an interview with Caterina Scorsone, the Syfy Channel's Alice.

Previously:
Alice Papercrafts and Wallpapers
Syfy Alice in Wondeland Trailer

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Charm Bracelets for an Unbirthday

This post is nowhere near my birthday and will not be charming. Drink your tea and don't forget to move to the left or right, depending. Here is a song by Pogo to enjoy your unbirthday to:



It seems there are a lot of Alice in Wonderland choices when it comes to charm bracelets.

First there are Italian charm bracelet links like the Mad Tea Party links above. It looks like you can get different links (not just Alice), but yes including Alice in Wonderland links, and then swap them in and out of the charm bracelet.

Next up there are four different charm bracelet charms that are more like what I think of when I imagine a charm bracelet. They have the Queen of Hearts pictured above, White Rabbit, Alice herself, and Cheshire Cat. Strangely, the only way to get the Mad Hatter is to get the five in one bracelet.

Finally, for those who really want to go over the top, there is the "Ultimate Disney Classic Link Charm Bracelet".

Previously: Alice in Wonderland Animation and Fashion

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