"Curiouser and curiouser"

At A Glance:
What: Alice in Wonderland (2010)
Directed by: Tim Burton
Where: Most theaters
When: Showtimes

The newest version of “Alice in Wonderland” directed by Tim Burton is now in theaters and I’m sure most are wondering if it’s going to be anything like the older versions. Burton’s version is less like the Disney classic and more like “Through the Looking Glass, And What Alice Found There” which is another book by Lewis Carroll.

There have been 24 different television and movie adaptations since the book was released in 1865. They have come in several different forms from silent films to musicals. Burton puts his own gory and slightly twisted perspective into his work on this film. Not that it would be hard to twist and dement the story of “Alice in Wonderland.”

The original 1951 Disney classic was nominated for a Golden Lion award in 1951 and an Oscar for best music in 1952. So far the new version has grossed $116 million in its opening weekend and has been held to very high expectations. I believe that the movie will be nominated for some kind of award whether it’s another Oscar or a different award.

The movies animation was impeccable and flowed very well. However, I felt that some parts strayed away from both books. There is no talk about a white queen in either of them and the Queen of Hearts always had a King. Not saying that it’s a bad thing to change things up a bit but there are something that people expect to see and neither of those are in those expectations.

I never like to be one of those people who gives away the best parts or anything but as a fan of the Disney classic I felt that this version was a breath of fresh air being that it is very unique and not as run of the mill as all the others. I recommend seeing it and make sure if you do you see it in 3D.

Toyota Recall

At A Glance:
Who: Thelma Jacoby
What: Toyota recall
When: Jan. 2010
Where: Salem, Ore.
Conflict: To buy or not to buy

As I'm sure most have heard, there have been quite a few recalls on several different Toyota models. This has consumers and the Toyota Company unsure about the future of Toyota cars. There are 12 different models that have been recalled and they are ranging in years from 2004 - 2010 which is an estimated six million cars.This issue may only seem to effect Toyota drivers but it can also effect those driving near the defective vehicle. Toyota has always been a leading car company that makes "high-quality, durable vehicles" says Jim Lentz, President and Chief Operating Officer, at Toyota in an apology video.

Thelma Jacoby is one consumer who is rethinking the possibility of buying a new Toyota. She has been wanting to trade in her Honda for a newer Toyota model. She already owns a Toyota Echo and says she loves the way that it drives.

When Jacoby first heard about the recall she didn't seem bothered by it and thought nothing of it. However once they started recalling more and more models it got her attention. "I didn't want to be driving a car with a sticking accelerator." However, you can go in to any Toyota dealership and have them take a look and fix your car if needed or you can go to their websites VIN checker and see if there is any information about your vehicle.

The reason she wanted to get a new Toyota in the first place is because of how well her older model is running and all the good things about it. She shares "they have really big trunks and have a lot of room, which is good for when we go on long camping trips." Jacoby also notes that she likes that they sit lower to the ground, which makes them easier for her to get in and out of.

After hearing about the recall Jacoby started to rethink getting a Toyota. She is still leaning more towards getting one but they recalls have definitely limited her choices about which models to pick from.

She is hoping that they can fix all the problems quickly so that within the next few years she can buy another Toyota. However, if the recalls continue to happen she might have to change her choices and start looking at another Honda or a Subaru.