Willy Wonka, Tea, Steak, and Beer

We saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory a couple days ago. Definately a different movie than the older, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory with Gene Wilder. Johnny Depp's take on Willy Wonka is quite a bit different. I'm not really sure how I feel about this new, completely out of touch Wonka. The older movie seemed to teach Charlie a lesson and the whole thing, down to where he decides to return the Gobstoper is really just a test. Not so here - Charlie "wins" by just being the last kid standing. There's also a new backstory for Wonka and a resolution that involves making up with his dad. Heartwarming but pointless, in my humble opinion. The scenes with the "Great Glass Elevator" are good. The Oompa Loompas now have a backstory as well. They don't seem very cheerful in this movie - even the songs are very to the point and just seem to be missing some of the (obviously dark) fun of the first movie. Nevertheless, this movie is great and well worth seeing. My score -> 8/10.

In other news, the Outback makes a good Long Island Ice Tea. We went there last night for the first time in a while. Steak was (seriously) overcooked but the fries were very cheesy. Waiter didn't really come back to check on the steak's doneness so points off for him. I've also decided that I really like Dos Equis - we went to Fridays afterwards for a couple beers and all was well.