Part One:  Anticipation

There is no doubt.  The very thought of combining the wit and "wonder" of Alice, the clever tongue-tangly-tingly "madness" of author Lewis Carroll, with the freakishly whimsical and abstract conjurings of film director Tim Burton sent me straight into a tizzy.  Yes, that's right, an actual tizzy!  When was the last time that happened to you?  I can only describe the experience as a head-spinning spasmodic shiver of delight.

Be prepared.  I am not in a humorous mood.  I'm angry, in fact, feeling abused by a system that is supposed to inform as well as entertain.  Hence the title.

Do not mistake my meaning.  I'm not referring to boredom or an insult to intelligence.  My premise that entertainment could abuse is based, rather, on content and example.  It has nothing to do with quality.

The Lord Of The Rings movies were very well made and quite faithful to the original books by JRR Tolkien.  However, as I watched the epic quest extend upon the screen, certain characters and elements stood out to me as missing — such as the mysterious, singing Tom Bombadil.  Though the films were superbly crafted without him, I would have enjoyed seeing how Peter Jackson portrayed old Tom.  From the first time we were introduced to the hopping and dancing man in the book, Tom was a mystifying and fascinating character.  But what does the book tell us o

Upon the success of my debut ENTERTAINMENT article (just kidding — but seriously, you should read it), I caved to unpopular demand in deciding to compose a sequel.  Or a string of sequels.  What could I possibly say to generate further lack of interest?  The solution is obvious:  I need to discuss what isn't Entertainment.  Like this article.  (Insert canned laughter.)  Okay, I'm being facetious.  The initial ENTERTAINMENT was well-received, and that's a lot to live up to.  I'm under a great deal of pressure.