"mad as a hatter"?

investigating all matters top. . .

. . .as I have been of late I wondered about the origins of the phrase and discovered, like so many colloquialisms, that it derives from a truth, in this case being the fact that hatters frequently suffered mercury poisoning (used in the manufacture of felt during the 18th/19th century) (traditionally, top hats were made with beaver felt), and absorption of mercury through the skin can cause Korsakoff's syndrome - a form of dementia

but, not one to stop at the first hurdle, I dragged myself off to the cinema to carry out further investigations into the madness of hatters. . .

no no no, not Johnny Depp!! the madness of hatters. . .

(don't you think that his tie reminds you of liquorice allsorts. . .)

so I saw the newest Tim Burton film. . .

I can't recommend Alice In Wonderland mainly because having now seen one I can say that I don't really like 3-D cinematography (too much like walking thru a dusty attic full of cobwebs), and there was one truly truly dreadful bit which made me cringe, but I'm glad I saw it as I like Tim Burton and his wife and, of course, the delectable Johhny. . .

my favourite character was The White Queen

19 comments:

KAZ said...

They used to make hats in Stockport - which explains a lot.
Shame you weren't too keen on the film as the images looked fabulous.

Dave said...

As your friend Vicus would say, have you ever had your beaver felt, missus?

I, of course, would never dream of saying such a thing.

*tries to remember the last time he went to the cinema. thinks it was a couple of years ago*

KAZ said...

Just an afterthought.
Was the 3D just there in the film or did you have to wear glasses?

I, Like The View said...

glasses were given out, KAZ and I did look at the screen without them everynowandagain. . .

. . .the screen image not viewed thru the glasses is not hugely different - the colour seemed different (altho I'm not sure why), two images obvious for some details, slightly blurred in other places, generally fuzzy I suppose

as for the film, the story was interestingly told (if you take out the "reality" bits), the costumes were fabulous, the scenery brilliant. . . some sections were disappointing, (I've never seen the Disney version, so can't compare it to the cartoon), but it just wasn't as wonderful as some of his films

Dave I thought Vicus was your friend?

Dave said...

Yes, but he'd never say something like that to me.

Spadoman said...

I thought the film was wonderful at every turn. There was nothing I didn't enjoy watching. I didn't go to a movie theater that showed the movie in 3-D. It was a small movie theater and it was just shown on the screen, but a movie theater size screen.
The mix of animation and reality was fantastic. The acting was great. My favorite character was the Red Queen, or Queen of Hearts. Her facial expressions and timing were right on target.
I won't compare it to any other as it was made differently than most, using technological advances with animation and such. I feel it stands alone as a film.
I enjoyed this motion picture more than I have enjoyed any in the past 10 years or so. I will see it again and probably buy it when it comes out on DVD.

Peace.

Mel said...

Last time I went to the movie theatre was....... was......
Ummmm.... I saw.....
k....

They still have popcorn, right?
That's what I remember from the last trip to the theatre, whenever that was. I think.

BUT!! I'm glad you went and were out and about!
And the tie id definitely an allsorts tie. A subliminal thing to increase sales at the concession stand, maybe?

I, Like The View said...

Mel popcorn was consumed! (and if there'd been LAs on sale, those would have been too!!)

man did you see Big Fish? (and have you ever seen Miranda Richardson as QEI in Blackadder. . .)

Spadoman said...

Haven't seen Big Fish. I have seen some episodes of Blackadder, but don't know my players too well. Miranda Richardson wasn't in Alice, was she? Don't remember that.
Mel.. I had some popcorn, and it was only a buck!

I, Like The View said...

ooooh

you have to see Big Fish (then you'll understand why I didn't like AiW as much). . .

I think that HB-C based her Red Queen on Miranda Richardson's Queen Elizabeth I in Blackadder

will see if I can look out a clip for you

I, Like The View said...

actually, this is better

I, Like The View said...

for some reason (probably my use of point brackets) that didn't come out. . . was supposed to be this!!

Mel said...

Big Fish....I really, really, really liked.
'Cept I got tearful--which I didn't like....but it was truly an excellent watch.

Even without popcorn.
Even if the popcorn was only a buck.

ONE dollar popcorn? At the movie theatre....whoa. Now there's a DEAL! :-)

Spadoman said...

The movie theater in River Falls Wisconsin, (where I live), is great! Stan Mccolloch has passed down a legacy.
All first run movies are $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for kids and seniors.
Popcorn, Pop and candy is $1.00
Read about it HERE
I took all the kids and Mrs. Spadoman for $15.00 on the first day the movie was released.

Peace.

Rimshot said...

I did not read the previous comments so pardon me if this was already brought up: I read that some people, due to a visual perception deviation from the norm, cannot properly view 3D cinema. Ironically, Mr. Depp is included in that group.

I, too, saw AiWL this weekend in IMAX 3D and thoroughly enjoyed the visuals while thinking the story a bit ho-hum. The previews for the CGI Dragon-something-or-other movie and the Hubble IMAX 3D were amazing!

I, Like The View said...

I know I can (see in 3-D) shot, I just know I don't like it

did you see the trailer for Toy Story 3? I liked that one. . . would like to see Hubble trailer (and film!)

man if I told you how much the cinema and edibles cost in the UK you'd probably choke

Mel Big Fish was wonderful

mig said...

I feel sure I wouldn't like watching a film through 3D glasses. I have enough trouble with the ones I already wear. And then do you have to wear the 3D ones on top of your regular ones?
Of course that's just me being a grumpy old woman. Who knows? It might be fun.
Delightful Johnny looks good in allsorts doesn't he. But then, he looks good in anything.

I, Like The View said...

Mini-Teen wore her 3-D glasses over her regular ones

I think it's worth a try! especially if you appreciate the lovely Johnny and his quirks (or, ilke me, haven't gone 3-D before)

not my favourite film, but possibly an interesting experience to that you can at least have had it

Diana Morgan-Hill said...

Loved the cowboys across face metaphor, On beavers: my blessed mother many years ago came out with this (at supper, in presence of my new boyfriend)
Did you know you have an uncle from
Cockermouth? And that he used to like eating beaver?