(Just a little) more ranting

Another opportunity for marketing to me missed... Apparently attendees of the Comic-Con presentation were told to follow the ImportantDate tweetstream, which eventually told followers how to get tickets into an offsite exhibit of props and costumes. Supposedly this will be a touring exhibition, but no where and when information is yet forthcoming.

Disney/Burton/Depp

After much accidental online leakage (I would very much like to know the story behind that - coerced intern? anarchist webgeek? media outlet that doesn't respect embargoes?) one day prior to Tim Burton's official showing at Comic-Con (with surprise visit from Johnny Depp) and an early release to Mad Hatter's fans on Facebook yesterday, the trailer for Alice in Wonderland is now up on the Disney website.

Probably not coincidentally, Disney also announced yesterday that an Alice game for the Wii, DS, and PC would be released the same week of the movie.

As a former marketing person, it is very interesting to see all of the various games and gimmicks that they are dreaming up for this movie. On the other hand, they are not quite on top of their game... I signed up for Disney's mailing list despite my misgivings of giving the Mouse Corporation any of my private information. By signing up, I basically told them that they already have my $10 to see the movie on March 5, that I am their target audience, and that I will probably be talking about it to all of my friends for the next eight months. Soooooo.... why haven't I received any emails yet?!

Alice at NY's Museum Village

"Travel down the rabbit hole to Museum Village on the 8th of August and join the Queen to play croquet... Have tea with the Mad Hatter and Alice... Watch as costumed performers fill the stage for a Live Chess Match... Come in best attire for all to admire at the costume contest... And beware the Jabberwocky..."

Dress-Up Alice

"Play the Alice in Wonderland Costume game and dress Alice in strange costumes worn by the characters of Wonderland, then click on the ace of spades to give Alice an item from the Mad Hatter!" This mildly amusing dress-up game from FlashArcadeGamesite.com appears to be designed for tween and younger girls. I do wonder if they got permission from Disney to use the movie version of the Cheshire Cat in the game...

BEER!

I know that it is asking an awful lot of all you Carrollians out there, but next time you are in Michigan, please stop in at the New Holland Brewing Company and try their Mad Hatter India Pale Ale. Come on, take one (or three) for the team!

(Thanks to Brews and Books for the tip!)

Warehouse 13

Remember where the Ark of the Covenant is stashed at the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark? The new TV show Warehouse 13 runs with that idea, telling the story of two government agents assigned to find such mysterious and dangerous objects and to store them safely. One fun aspect of the show is seeing objects that are already at the warehouse, such as Pandora's Box and Houdini's wallet. In the second episode, "Resonance," one of the main characters uses Lewis Carroll's looking glass to play ping pong with himself!

"Resonance" is being shown again on July 17, 21, and 28 on Syfy, and is available for an indefinite time online at IMDB.

A(nother) Wonderland

Opening the Ice Factory Festival at NYC's Ohio Theatre, Anonymous Ensemble's A Wonderland plays July 8 through July 11. "Alice, a talented, urban dreamer approaching middle age, is caught in a quagmire of diminishing potential, corporate insignificance and the mirage of celebrity. This is Lewis Carroll deconstructed by the mind of a modern, mature songstress on a journey of self-identity. A befeathered spectacle; a psychedelic, multimedia/music-fueled trip down the rabbit hole."

Strangely Awesome

"Ever wondered what it is like to be Alice in Wonderland? Jump down the depths of the Rabbit Hole and find out! 'Alice Free Fall' [game for the iPhone] lets you re-experience the dreamlike and strangely awesome decent, which Alice made in pursuit of the White Rabbit. Just as in Lewis Carroll's novel your journey through the Hole will be accompanied by mysterious Cheshire and lots of other strange things - both helpful and peculiar. Sure enough, the game will unfold your own memories and fantasies of the times, when you were reading or watching Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Moreover, it was our intention to make it this way - a dreamy and entertaining tribute to the great work of the great author. For now, the path to the Wonderland is open, adventure awaits..."

Bedtime Story

Courtesy of Esquire magazine, Mary-Louise Parker reads from Alice.

La chasse au Snark

Geneva-based publisher éditions Notari has just released a bilingual version of The Hunting of the Snark. The original English text is accompanied by a new French translation by M. Vertut and illustrations by the Franco-Swiss artist Jean-Marie Reynier made up of (if Google and I are translating correctly) collages of eighteenth century prints colored with watercolor.

Special Days

Since it is Canada Day, it seems appropriate to announce an event that takes place on Independence Day... in England.

This Saturday, July 4, Oxford's Story Museum celebrates Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass with Alice's Day. Events include tea parties, croquet games, exhibits, performances, lectures (including some by Edward Wakeling and Mark Richards), walks, games, and more taking place at such interesting and renowned places as the Museum of Natural History, The Bodleian Library, Museum of the History of Science, Museum of Oxford, Christ Church, and the University of Oxford Botanic Garden. If you can't attend, download the souvenir guide instead!