"Here we go, boys! Up and out!"

While my apartment crumbles, sliding into some horrid state of requiring constant maintenance (I think we deserve a rent discount), I'm left to ponder the one, lonely shining spot of my entire day.

Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. Tonight. Advance screening.

One of my favourite authors. One of my favourite directors. And a quirksome actor who could bring it all together.

You see, unlike the original movie (Willy Wonka and The Choclate Factory, starring Gene Wilder) which wasn't approved of by Roald Dahl, Tim Burton offers the potential to keep all the weird, wonderful and outright wicked little details intact.

So I want to see Veruca Salt established as a bad nut. I want to to see Square Candies That Look Round.
And most of all, I want to hear the Oompa Loompa songs as they were originally penned. Such as the following (after Augustus Gloop gets sucked up the pipe):

"When he goes throught the fudge machine:
slowly the wheels go round and round,
the cogs begin to grind and pound;
A hundred knives go slice, slice, slice;
We add some sugar, cream, and spice;
We boil him for a minute more,
Until we're absolutely sure
That all the greed and all the gall,
Is boiled away for once and all.
Then out he comes! And now! By Grace!
A miracle has taken place!
This boy, who only just before
Was loathed by men from shore to shore,
This greedy brute, this louse's ear,
Is loved by people everywhere!

For who could hate or bear a grudge
Against a luscious piece of fudge?"