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Movie review: 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' tries to cover its narrative flaws with visual spect
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Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns in Disney's Alice Through the Looking Glass. - photo by Josh Terry
ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS 2 stars Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen; PG (fantasy action/peril and some language; in general release

Alice Kingsleigh has returned to Wonderland in Alice Through the Looking Glass, the follow-up to Tim Burtons liberal 2010 adaptation of Alice in Wonderland by author Lewis Carroll.

We catch up with Alice (Mia Wasikowska) at the tail end of three years exploring the world in her fathers old ship, The Wonder. Shes the picture of confidence, leading her ship through treacherous waters to escape a fleet of pursuing pirates. But when she finally returns to London, she finds her old would-be husband Hamish (Leo Bill) threatening to repossess her mothers home unless Alice signs over her beloved ship.

Torn by affection and loyalty, Alice finds a temporary way out when a magic mirror transports her back to Underland (the Wonderland of Burton's interpretation), where she reconnects with several old friends, including Tweedledee, Tweedledum (both Matt Lucas) and Mirana the White Queen (Anne Hathaway).

Though happy to see her, they bear bad news: the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) is mortally ill. For years, he has believed his family was killed by the Jabberwocky. But a new piece of evidence has him convinced otherwise, and it's slowly driving him into a delirious mania.

Alice resolves to save her old friend by securing a device called the Chronosphere from the Lord of Time (Sacha Baron Cohen, peering through CGI-enhanced steely blue eyes that would make Derek Zoolander blush). Her plan is to travel back in time to save the Hatters family.

Its a simple plan that proves to be anything but, as the Lord of Time has no intention of giving up the Chronosphere. And to make matters worse, the Red Queen Iracebeth (Helena Bonham Carter) is also after the device, convinced it will let her fix her own dysfunctional past and attain the glory she believes shes always deserved.

Its a little hard to accept the idea of Alice risking the space-time continuum over her friends broken heart, but you have to be willing to set a lot of logic aside for a fairy tale such as this one. Alice Through the Looking Glass definitely rebuts the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few Wrath of Khan brand of hero philosophy, though even Kirk eventually risked it all for his buddy Spock.

Anyway, James Bobin who has taken over the director chair from Burton isnt so much interested in locking you into the story as shuttling you around a dazzling world full of myriad CGI creations. Every visit to a different corner of Underland is painstakingly detailed and of course available in 3-D but none is as cohesive or impressive than the clock motif of the Lord of Times domain.

Its an impressive spectacle, even if Depps computer-enhanced eyes and Bonham Carters comically large head are a bit too creepy and distracting for their own good. But unfortunately, even the time-traveling plot eventually takes a backseat to the CGI work as the film builds to its inevitable climax.

It may not justify the ticket price by itself, but fans will appreciate the opportunity to hear the late Alan Rickman in action once again, performing the voice of the blue butterfly Absolem in a brief cameo.

Its just one of several individual parts that manage to entertain but cant quite put this Humpty Dumpty of a movie together, leaving Alice Through the Looking Glass as a fun but quickly forgettable feature.

Alice Through the Looking Glass is rated PG for fantasy action/peril and some language; running time: 113 minutes.
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Have You Seen This? Street musician slays with clarinet
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Better than almost every face-melting guitar or drum solo. - photo by Facebook video screenshot

THE BIG EASY — Yeah, yeah, we all know that New Orleans is stuffed to the gills will incredible musicians.

But knowing that fact and then hearing that fact are two different things. You can step into any number of jazz clubs on any given night on Bourbon Street, and you’ll probably be impressed with virtually every act. Or you can sit at home on your comfy couch and watch this featured video.

In the video, you’ll see a woman who is in the groove. She is swinging hard, and wailing on her clarinet with a practiced expertise that makes it sounds so easy.

From note one you’ll be drawn in; your appreciation will grow with every second, and then your face will melt off when you realize how incredible she really is.

If you’ve never played a woodwind or a brass, you may not know everything that comes with a performance like this. Lung capacity and breath control are huge factors in keeping your notes clear and loud, and hitting those high notes is especially difficult.

So when this woman hits that high note and holds it for several seconds, you know you’re dealing with an exceptional musician. It means she has worked hard for years to develop skill on top of her natural talent, and we get to benefit.

It kinda makes you wonder how we let people get away with mumble rap and autotune when talent like this exists in the world.

I wish this video were longer, and I wish I had more information about this woman, but as it is, we’ll just have to appreciate the little flavor of New Orleans jazz posted by the Facebook group Clarinet Life.

Street musician killing it on clarinet

She must have lungs of iron! Its inspiring hearing the upper registers being played so well.

Posted by Clarinet Life on Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Martha Ostergar is a writer who delights in the ridiculous that internet serves up, which means she's more than grateful that she gets to cruise the web for amazing videos to highlight for your viewing pleasure.
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