I like HP2 for two reasons: 1) “Diagon-ally!” And 2) Kenneth Branagh’s spot-on interpretation of Professor Gilderoy Lockhart.
It is not my favorite Harry Potter movie though, and also takes a back seat to the first installment for me, personally. Director Chris Columbus falters in maintaining the buoyant feeling of newness present in the first movie, but he also fails to commit to doing anything very different in other key areas. The biggest problem for me is that the stakes still are not very high for the three lead characters. Even Herminone’s petrifaction and Ginny’s involvement with and subsequent near death experience caused by Tom Riddle seem to get swept under the rug in terms their effect on Harry and Ron.
Nevertheless, overall I think HP2 is a movie worth watching. The magic is still there, if not in how the story is handled by the filmmakers, then certainly in the cinematic portrayal of Rowling’s magical world itself (including Dobby the house-elf (!!!), who is introduced in this film).
29 January 2011
The Green Hornet (2010)
Waste of time, money, and talent.
Incredibly boring action sequences, virtually no punch lines.
Unbelieveable, uninteresting, unsatisfying. Pretty much unwatchable.
Blughhghghghhhhh.
Incredibly boring action sequences, virtually no punch lines.
Unbelieveable, uninteresting, unsatisfying. Pretty much unwatchable.
Blughhghghghhhhh.
The Secret of Kells (2009)
Very mesmerizing visually, slightly less spectacular plot-wise.
I was delighted to find out that the story is based on an actual book-—an illuminated manuscript of the Gospel from ninth century Ireland.
Overall, a lovely film to behold. Certainly worth your time.
I was delighted to find out that the story is based on an actual book-—an illuminated manuscript of the Gospel from ninth century Ireland.
Overall, a lovely film to behold. Certainly worth your time.
12 January 2011
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
For not having the most nuance of the series in terms of plot, humor, or acting, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone certainly wins out in other areas of arguably equal value.
Wonder-inspiring both in terms of visuals and content, and with optimism aplenty to be enjoyed by all, this first movie in the series easily manages to most appropriately bear the moniker “children’s media”. What’s more, even many years and many films later, I found that HP1 still possesses the delightful boon of being able to inspire an audience of adults to feel like children while they watch. At least I did.
Director Chris Columbus (whose projects include The Goonies (screenwriter - 1985) and Home Alone (director - 1990)) does a good job of conveying the tone of buoyant and naively headstrong first-timer enthusiasm present in the book. He also brings out some surprisingly good character portrayals from the very inexperienced trio of young actors who play the lead characters.
Overall, though this first film is not my favorite in the whole series, there is no denying that it has my heart.
Wonder-inspiring both in terms of visuals and content, and with optimism aplenty to be enjoyed by all, this first movie in the series easily manages to most appropriately bear the moniker “children’s media”. What’s more, even many years and many films later, I found that HP1 still possesses the delightful boon of being able to inspire an audience of adults to feel like children while they watch. At least I did.
Director Chris Columbus (whose projects include The Goonies (screenwriter - 1985) and Home Alone (director - 1990)) does a good job of conveying the tone of buoyant and naively headstrong first-timer enthusiasm present in the book. He also brings out some surprisingly good character portrayals from the very inexperienced trio of young actors who play the lead characters.
Overall, though this first film is not my favorite in the whole series, there is no denying that it has my heart.
06 January 2011
Harry Potter Series!
To My Approximately 15-20 Regular-ish Readers:
In acknowledgment, celebration, and preemptive nostalgia (if not outright mourning) of the upcoming end of the Harry Potter series of films, I will hereby commence reviewing each and every one, beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001).
The final installment of the series will arrive in July of this year, and as we all know the last book of the septuple series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, has been split into two movies. This means that if I do two reviews this month (January), each month hereafter will conveniently contain one review of a Harry Potter film for your enjoyment and consideration, ending with the review of the final film in July.
I hope this is as exciting for you as it is for me. Perhaps it will provide you with a valid excuse to watch the whole thing all over again along with me. The prospect certainly brightens my January day.
Look for the review of the first film late this week or early next.
-Cait
In acknowledgment, celebration, and preemptive nostalgia (if not outright mourning) of the upcoming end of the Harry Potter series of films, I will hereby commence reviewing each and every one, beginning with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001).
The final installment of the series will arrive in July of this year, and as we all know the last book of the septuple series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, has been split into two movies. This means that if I do two reviews this month (January), each month hereafter will conveniently contain one review of a Harry Potter film for your enjoyment and consideration, ending with the review of the final film in July.
I hope this is as exciting for you as it is for me. Perhaps it will provide you with a valid excuse to watch the whole thing all over again along with me. The prospect certainly brightens my January day.
Look for the review of the first film late this week or early next.
-Cait
02 January 2011
True Grit (2010)
- Fantastic
- Beautiful to behold
- Quotable
- Makes me want to go out into the wilderness and overall be braver, stronger, and better at using the vocabulary I have
- All around excellent
- Beautiful to behold
- Quotable
- Makes me want to go out into the wilderness and overall be braver, stronger, and better at using the vocabulary I have
- All around excellent
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