Rating: 
Summary: Frenetic Filming, Forgettable Film
Review: Does anybody remember the Wonderland murders that happened in 1981? I certainly don't. Perhaps it's my "East Coast bias" showing through, but this film certainly didn't live up to my expectations in terms of either style or substance. There are many things that caused my head to buzz with cognitive dissonance after viewing the DVD, but here are the top 4.1. The director uses quick cuts between multiple camera angles and various distortion effects, usually to simulate a drug-induced freneticism...ad nauseum. The device works a few times, but the director runs it into the ground, ruining the aesthetics of the film. 2. Most of the main characters are well-known actors who are (except for Kilmer) playing totally against type (e.g., Dylan McDermott is barely recognizable as a tattooed junkie, Carrie Fisher has a brief cameo as a "holy roller," and Lisa Kudrow is totally humorless as John Holmes' estranged wife. The only two characters who seem to be correctly cast are Kilmer and Kate Bosworth. Their passionate but dysfunctional relationship is one of the few things that huamizes this film and allows it to be remotely watchable. 3. The inclusion of the LAPD crime scene video on the DVD, showing the real crime scene and real corpses of the real victims of the Wonderland murders is unconscionable. This footage is gruesome, bloody, and totally unnecessary. I couldn't watch the whole thing. There is often a fine line between Hollywood and reality, and this crosses that line in an obvious and tasteless way. Showing theatrical blood splattered on the wall of a set is one thing, but the real crime scene video is disturbing and completely inappropriate for inclusion on the disc. 4. Although the way in which the storyline is divulged is clever, it failed to hold my interest and I actually fell asleep about an hour and ten minutes. I woke up during the final five minutes of the film, and sadly, when I skimmed the portion I slept through the following day, I found that I hadn't missed much. I usually enjoy history and crime dramas, but this one was so senseless and sordid that it does not merit the ultimate glorification it receives by the filmmakers. If I could unrent it and unsee it, I would most definitely do so. Fortunately, the film is thoroughly forgettable, so it should not be difficult to put it out of my mind.
Rating: 
Summary: a complete understanding of John's life
Review: The movie is good, not great.However, if you want to understand and inform yourself about John Holmes,this two-disc set is great.The second disc is a documentary that explains John's life through interviews with the people that knew him (manager,wives,co-workers,etc.).It is extremely interesting and honest.It runs close to two hours.I suggest watching this disc first and then the movie.Otherwise, you see only the Wonderland murders part of his life in the movie and not the whole picture.
One of the special features on the first disc is the actual police crime scene footage of the murder scene.It is lengthy and quite gruesome.I am surprized that this was released for public viewing.
This set runs for about five hours and if you are interested in the life of John Holmes,this DVD is superbly informative.
Rating: 
Summary: Violent, nothing worth watching here
Review: Despite an excellent performance by Lisa Kudrow, Wonderland fails in so many ways. It relies on graphic violence to pull the viewer in. The Wonderland murders are all about what drugs do to people, but at the end we could care less for any of these people, including John Holmes. Wonderland is a movie that will make you wonder why they bothered making it. As many have said, hire the DVD for the documentary on Holmes alone.
Rating: 
Summary: Disc Two is pornographic material. Over age of 21 only.
Review: Mature Adults Only! Contains pornographic material. Why would anyone want to make a film of this? Who is it going to help? In "Special Features", the actual 22-minute L.A.P.D. Crime Scene video is shown. It is very gruesome and does show the dead bodies. On disc two, It is X-rated material and legally only those 21 and over are allowed to see this. Mature Adults Only! It is pornographic material of John Holmes. WADD--The Life and Times of John C. Holmes. is a one hour and 45 minute documentary of John Holmes and includes many interviews with other pornographic actors including, John Leslie, Ron Jeremy, Richard Pacheco and Aunt Peg. There is much talk of John's uncut, longest (13 1/2") and biggest member in the business. In perspective, most of the people intereviewed were young in the 1970's and now are gramdmas and grandpas. We've come a long way and hopefully we have much matured since then. This Disc two would only be of interest to those who remember John Holmes in the 1970's and were legally allowed to watch adult films at 21 and older. So if you are over 21 now or are in the 40's and 50's now, this is for you. Personally, I do not want to see this two-disc set "Wonderland" ever again. Worst DVD package of 2004.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Portrail of Holmes and His Deeds
Review: This is a good film that is creatively shot(CSI style crime sequences)and excellently acted. Val Kilmer turns in another great performance(looking almost identical to his Jim Morrison persona in the Doors)as the legendary king of porn John Holmes. All the supporting cast turn in great performances as well but the movie mostly revolves around Holmes and his misadventure. One person asked what are we supposed to feel about Holmes? If this film is said to have done one thing, let it be said to have not had any biased lookout on events. You see every person's account and you see stuff as it happened. Holmes and most every living person got off very easy and he and his woman driving off into the sunset for Florida really happened so as for what you are "supposed to feel" is up to each individual's perception. The DVD contains great extra features and the real crime scene footage. The movie also sports a great soundtrack featuring Iggy Pop and the Cars to name but a few. Anyways highly reccomended to those that saw Boogie Nights and wondered what happened after or anybody who is intrested in the Wonderland murders.
Rating:
Summary: Good DVD, so-so movie
Review: I thought the actual film, Wonderland, wasn't very good. First of all, it's way too dark. Not in tone, but in photography! I know they're trying to be stylish, but you can't see a lot of what's going on. Literally! Second, I didn't really think Kilmer got goofy enough to be a convincing Holmes. And Eric Bogosian is totally wrong as the most potentially interesting character, Eddie Nash. They really blew it with him. Kate Bosworth (in a nothing role, really) is forgettable. Blink and you'll miss Janeane Garafalo. Lisa Kudrow, Tim Blake Nelson (barely used) and Josh Lewis are the most interesting and effective performers here. Go watch Boogie Nights for a MUCH more effective telling of this basic story. HOWEVER: This DVD package includes an excellent (and long time unreleased) documentary on a second disc about the entire John Holmes story that was obviously the main source material for Wonderland. The doc is actually worth the price of the DVD alone, and is highly recomended.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderland
Review: A great low key film that shows various seedy lowlifes crumble in The Conservative Reagan era.
Despite all the negative publicity regarding Val Kilmer, he is a great actor. His portrayal of John Holmes is excellent, he comes off as a deperate hasbeen who' s drug abuse has taken his toll, also the respect and power he had in the 1970s has been taken away from him. The very underated Eric Bogision is a dead ringer for the equally infamous Eddie Nash.
The actual crime scene video on the DVD is very hard to watch , but compelling at the same time. The second disk has a good documentary on the real John Holmes.
This is not the most easiest film to watch/own , but it is worthing seeing/buying.
Rating:
Summary: Frenetic Filming, Forgettable Film
Review: Does anybody remember the Wonderland murders that happened in 1981? I certainly don't. Perhaps it's my "East Coast bias" showing through, but this film certainly didn't live up to my expectations in terms of either style or substance. There are many things that caused my head to buzz with cognitive dissonance after viewing the DVD, but here are the top 4. 1. The director uses quick cuts between multiple camera angles and various distortion effects, usually to simulate a drug-induced freneticism...ad nauseum. The device works a few times, but the director runs it into the ground, ruining the aesthetics of the film. 2. Most of the main characters are well-known actors who are (except for Kilmer) playing totally against type (e.g., Dylan McDermott is barely recognizable as a tattooed junkie, Carrie Fisher has a brief cameo as a "holy roller," and Lisa Kudrow is totally humorless as John Holmes' estranged wife. The only two characters who seem to be correctly cast are Kilmer and Kate Bosworth. Their passionate but dysfunctional relationship is one of the few things that huamizes this film and allows it to be remotely watchable. 3. The inclusion of the LAPD crime scene video on the DVD, showing the real crime scene and real corpses of the real victims of the Wonderland murders is unconscionable. This footage is gruesome, bloody, and totally unnecessary. I couldn't watch the whole thing. There is often a fine line between Hollywood and reality, and this crosses that line in an obvious and tasteless way. Showing theatrical blood splattered on the wall of a set is one thing, but the real crime scene video is disturbing and completely inappropriate for inclusion on the disc. 4. Although the way in which the storyline is divulged is clever, it failed to hold my interest and I actually fell asleep about an hour and ten minutes. I woke up during the final five minutes of the film, and sadly, when I skimmed the portion I slept through the following day, I found that I hadn't missed much. I usually enjoy history and crime dramas, but this one was so senseless and sordid that it does not merit the ultimate glorification it receives by the filmmakers. If I could unrent it and unsee it, I would most definitely do so. Fortunately, the film is thoroughly forgettable, so it should not be difficult to put it out of my mind.
Rating:
Summary: NOT Boogienights...don't be fooled...
Review: This film tries way too hard to be cool but ends up luke-warm. It truly does not succeed on any level. John Holmes is the "star" of the film, but he is the least interesting and most two-dimensional character here. I did not find myself engaged in the story or caring about any of these characters. An attempt at tension or dramatic suspense just fizzled for me. What is of interest here are the extras on the DVD, including an unbelievably graphic and grisly crime scene video. Now that was engaging... There is also an interview with Dawn Schiller, Holmes' then teenage girlfriend. Even though she seems to be cashing in on her connection to the story, it is always interesting to hear from the real people. Forgettable as a film -- somewhat intriguing as true crime.
Rating:
Summary: Needed A Different Director
Review: There was a fascinating movie to be made here.....while everyone knows who John Holmes was, very few people know what kind of lowlife he happened to be, using every person around him to his advantage and getting people murdered in the process. That fascinating movie isn't here, though. For some reason, director James Cox decides to bury the screenplay under a mish-mash of MTV camera tricks, hyper-fast editing, and distracting CGI effects (like newspaper photos coming to life, etc.) Only once or twice does he slow down and just let the actors do their thing, and its those scenes that are the most remarkable, especially the riveting and emotionally complex scene where Holmes bullys, coaxes, sweet-talks, and beats his girlfriend into pimping for him. Another highlight is a confrontation between Holmes and his estranged wife played by Lisa Kudrow, where you see 15 years of marriage summed up in a few minutes of vicious arguing. Could have been a great film, had they hired a real director who knew something about constructing a film narrative.
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