This isn't your mother's Wonderland

I suppose that should have been a given with Tim Burton directing the latest version of Lewis Carroll's classic "Alice in Wonderland."

Edgy, at least for what should be a kids movie.

I don't know how many little kids I'd let watch this without some reassuring supervision.

But, it's a visual feast that any adult will appreciate.

Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts are particularly eye-grabbing.

This makes up for the rather ho-hum adaptation.

The only truly disappointing part of this film was the ending, which leaves the female protagonist becoming a merchant.

That's right, a merchant. Exciting, no?

Bottom line: Worth watching, especially if you know someone named Alice who you can tease about it later . . .

Happy Alice Day!

On this date back in 1852, the inspiration for "Alice in Wonderland" was born.

Her full name was Alice Liddell.

As you can see from this old photo, however, she was obviously NOT the inspiration for Disney's popular blonde-haired, blue-eyed cartoon version.

Anyway, I marked the occasion by calling my favorite Alice, and we had an amusing conversation about what you call people from Tampa.

The Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit would have appreciated that, don't you think?!