Charlie & the Chocolate Factory

Can I just say that I'm a fan of the original 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory'? Lets get that out there because it says a lot about my frame of mind going into what I considered to be a remake. Yeah yeah yeah, I know - this ones based on the book more so it's really NOT a remake, but Gene Wilder was Mr. Wonka through my childhood and adult life. That doesn't go away over night. Plus, Tim Burtons movies are just too bizarre for my tastes, normally.

Johnny Depp is HOT. That also needs to be said - along with the fact that his character portrayal REALLY creeped me out in the previews. I went in hesitant, to say the least - but the hubby and the kidlets wanted to see it, so off we went. Now, having just gotten back home, I have one word...

WOW!!!!!!

They gave Willy a backstory! It was no long just a purple glad Gene Wilder doing his softshoe through the edible tulips, but a genuine and flawed candy maker with a PAST! Willys father was portrayed by Christopher Lee. I'm not sure how my Star Wars tunnel-visioned brain missed that part of the press release, but what a shocker to see his name in the credits.

The Oompa Loompas are also a refreshing change - tiny little creatures and even THEY have a backstory. Their songs are often hard to make out, but Mr. Elfman did a wonderful job with the music. He and Burton must have been separated at birth - their partnership is easily as symbiont as Lucas and Williams. The fact that they have a song ready and waiting for each failed child is questioned by the continuing members, and gracefully ignored by Mr. Wonka - making it all that much funnier.

Having never read the book, I was unsure of what would be different. I love the changes made to Voilet and her mother. Originally she was just an annoying pushy kid who chomped her gum - but now she and her mother were girls on a mission. Mike TeeVee is accompanied by his father, whos a teacher, instead of his mother the teacher. His TV obsession is updated from westerns to violent video games. Augustus and his mother remain refreshingly the same. Veruca Salt and her father are close to the original as well.

Things I really loved about this movie...

• Johnny Depp - he made me like Willy despite that terrible haircut and creepy expression. His subtle glances to Charlie throughout the tour are very telling.
• The visuals - talk about visual overload! For every bit of his movies that I find creepy and odd, Tim Burton matches that ounce for ounce with spectacular sets and designs. The Chocolate Factory was no different - colors that I think Burton himself invented and an imagination beyond imaginations.
• The Music - I know I mentioned it already, but it bears repeating.
• The humor - Johnnys Wonka might look creepy, but he brings a humor to him and a neurotic side that makes him human and endearing. Wilders Wonka was larger than life - not so much with this version. He was just a guy, living his dream, forced into seclusion by candy competitor spies.
• The end - not because it was the end but because it wasn't the end of the original movie. Even as a child it bothered me that Wonka turned on Charlie - that he would be so mean and so cruel to this child who had done no harm, simply to 'test' him. Even when he gave him the factory, I still harbored a foul taste from his tactics. Happily, this wasn't Burtons ending and that made it all that much more special for me.

The boys wanted to see it again as soon as it ended and had asked even before we stood to leave if we could buy it on video when it comes out. I'll be right there waiting as they unpack the boxes. The movie that I had worried about enjoying, has now become my favorite of the two. Now...to go find the soundtrack.

Time for Second Chances

I created this blog tonight and named it 'Fate, Chance, and Circumstance' - now it seems only appropriate to introduce you to a living example of all three. This handsome and noble gentleman is Chance.

I've been volunteering with San Francisco Bay Area German Shepherd Rescue for a little over a year now as a foster family. The dogs are taken from shelters and placed in foster homes for a month where they get healthy, cleaned up, and evaluated for their ideal home placement situation. Our first girl, Tara, was with us for 6 months before her forever family found her. In a weeks time I was picking up Chance.

His time with us was supposed to be short - only a few days. We were a stop on a way to another foster family, but he had other ideas. Fresh from a 3 week stay in an over crowded shelter, he walked into my house and welcomed my 5 year old throwing his arms around his neck in a big hug.

Fate

While I find the notion unimaginable, Chance had walked the last walk of the shelter. He'd been lead to the room that you don't leave from, had his leg shaved and was about to be given the shot that would send him to the Rainbow Bridge...but he wasn't ready to go just yet. Tilting his head back, he licked the technicians hand and she spared his life and called rescue.

Chance

He came to us with the name 'Chief' for no other reason than the shelter people thought it fit the apache patterned collar they had given him. Still, he was a shelter dog and had no tags to put on it. Nothing to catch the light and hold the number of home he longed to find. I tried to call him Chief but every time I looked at him, I wanted to call him Chance. He responded to it, so it, like him, stayed.

Circumstance

There are too many to count when it comes to my favorite foot warmer. He was partially blind and was uneasy in new surroundings - so his temporary stay with us became more long term to limit his distress. Over the next few weeks and months he intigrated himself into the dealings of the house and I found myself talking more and more of making the long term, permanent. Then, like the day he saved himself from death, he made that decision for us.

Chances kidneys are failing.

His condition, while maintainable, made him unsuitable for adoption...and perfect for us. He'd require fluid therapy, but I was home full time now and able to do it. Protein became a no-no, so he joined my other two dogs on prescription kibble - nothing new there. I'm happy to not have to go to the local pet store for food. At least when I buy food at the vet's office I don't come home with new toys, a bunch of bones, and several fish. I think I might actually save money.

We look forward to sharing in Chances new life. My hope is that he had enough good memories during his time with us to forget about all the ones that led him to that Montery shelter.

Fate...Chance...Circumstance = one extra large family with a lotta kisses to go around