So. As some of you may have noticed, I have NOT been keeping up with my self imposed goal of writing one Potter review a month leading up to the big night (which is tonight).
This comes as a result of extreme busy-ness on my part, which, while not unforeseen, nevertheless could not be helped.
As it stands I have Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince sitting on my desk waiting to be watched, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 in my Netflix queue, and a ticket to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 safely tucked away in one of my rendezvous's wallets for later on.
After I finish this post I'll be heading upstairs to prepare coffee for the midnight viewing, which I will be attending with friends who are willing and eager to share in my extremely nerdy enthusiasm for "the end," which sadly and also awesomely begins tonight at midnight.
I'm going as Luna Lovegood, re-imagined as a college student or maybe a young adult going to her Hogwarts 10 year reunion. This is my thinly veiled excuse for not having enough time to brush up and create my props anew. I do, however, still have the wand I made and the robe I grudgingly* bought, both of which will be coming with me tonight to help me fully realize my true potential for ridiculous dress-up play.
Anyway. The long and short of it is that the Phantasmagoria of Potter will continue longer than originally planned.
Thereby prolonging the end a bit longer for you all, which if you're anything like me, isn't such a bad thing at all. -sniff-
*(They didn't even have one in Ravenclaw colors, so I'm hoping I won't catch the eye or the wrath of any rabid purists this evening before the show!)
Showing posts with label Harry Potter Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Harry Potter Series. Show all posts
14 July 2011
26 June 2011
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
What stands out most to me about HP5 is that this installment of the series marks the beginning of the grown-up stuff.
In addition to the real, heavy-hitting incidents that begin to unfold, we also encounter more complicated relationships between friends and family members. Much of the silly stuff is over and done now, with some shockingly dark elements beginning to rear their ugly heads (read: sickening Umbridge, malicious Kreature, weak Cornelius Fudge, and the ever-odious Malfoys).
Rowling also shows her mean streak by yanking the possibility of happiness for Harry out from under him (and, incidentally, us too), in what will be the first of many heartbreaking personal losses in the series.
While HP5 marks an improvement for me in terms of how its depth and complexity compares to what we've seen so far, it also signals the beginning of the end.
-Sigh.- While I can't wait for July 15th, I also dread it.
Who's with me?
In addition to the real, heavy-hitting incidents that begin to unfold, we also encounter more complicated relationships between friends and family members. Much of the silly stuff is over and done now, with some shockingly dark elements beginning to rear their ugly heads (read: sickening Umbridge, malicious Kreature, weak Cornelius Fudge, and the ever-odious Malfoys).
Rowling also shows her mean streak by yanking the possibility of happiness for Harry out from under him (and, incidentally, us too), in what will be the first of many heartbreaking personal losses in the series.
While HP5 marks an improvement for me in terms of how its depth and complexity compares to what we've seen so far, it also signals the beginning of the end.
-Sigh.- While I can't wait for July 15th, I also dread it.
Who's with me?
29 April 2011
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
I think this is my least favorite HP of the series. Moments like this can begin to show you why. I believe what bothers me about this particular HP installment is sadly obvious in the clip, despite the laughably poor quality of this video. If you don't pick it up, then I think you and I are on very very different pages in terms of movie taste.
But anyway, besides the over-the-top campyness used to portray the two visiting schools of magic, the main problem I have with the movie is that there is neither enough blatant silliness and nor enough disturbing darkness to really draw me into the film as much as the rest of series.
There are a few redeeming features, however, and experience of watching Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire is by no means a waste of time. My favorite aspects of HP4 are MadEye Moody, the portrayal of the nationalistic mania associated with the Quidditch World Cup, and the blunt sucker-punch of Cedric Diggory's death.
Plus, who can help but slyly grin at all of Ron Weasley's vaguely vulgar asides regarding the rear ends of the ladies of BeauxBatons? Certainly not me.
In fact, I find myself clinging to this film in a way, especially knowing what sort of emotional blows await me in the final chapters of the story.
While I look forward to seeing the development of my favorite characters (and the introduction of my alter-ego!) in the films to come, HP4 marks the turning point from which I may look back at the previous films with nostalgia for the innocence portrayed in them.
But anyway, besides the over-the-top campyness used to portray the two visiting schools of magic, the main problem I have with the movie is that there is neither enough blatant silliness and nor enough disturbing darkness to really draw me into the film as much as the rest of series.
There are a few redeeming features, however, and experience of watching Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire is by no means a waste of time. My favorite aspects of HP4 are MadEye Moody, the portrayal of the nationalistic mania associated with the Quidditch World Cup, and the blunt sucker-punch of Cedric Diggory's death.
Plus, who can help but slyly grin at all of Ron Weasley's vaguely vulgar asides regarding the rear ends of the ladies of BeauxBatons? Certainly not me.
In fact, I find myself clinging to this film in a way, especially knowing what sort of emotional blows await me in the final chapters of the story.
While I look forward to seeing the development of my favorite characters (and the introduction of my alter-ego!) in the films to come, HP4 marks the turning point from which I may look back at the previous films with nostalgia for the innocence portrayed in them.
20 March 2011
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
What I like most about HP3 is the large amount of silly, physically humorous moments scattered throughout. Scenes from the Whomping Willow's surprisingly brutal anti-bird maneuvers to the series of wonderfully thought through portrayals of the anti-boggart counter spell "Riddikulus!" keep me giggling like a sugar-high child throughout.
This intermittent laughter is a welcome effect, especially in light of the fact that this particular installment of HP really starts to delve into the dark and sometimes troubling complexities of grown-ups. In this movie we have a number of adult characters who have more than one side to their personalities, including the impulsive yet tender Sirius Black, the compassionate and monstrous Professor Remus Lupin, and the truly odious yet pathetic Peter Pettigrew.
I think HP3 definitely serves as an effective gateway into the more serious subject matter of the following films, with danger and despair growing ever closer to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Yet here Rowling's magical world still provides marvelously relieving hints of hope, both in the form of magical devices (time turner, anyone?) and a strong sense of goodness in the people who count.
I hope you are as excited to keep watching as I am.
This intermittent laughter is a welcome effect, especially in light of the fact that this particular installment of HP really starts to delve into the dark and sometimes troubling complexities of grown-ups. In this movie we have a number of adult characters who have more than one side to their personalities, including the impulsive yet tender Sirius Black, the compassionate and monstrous Professor Remus Lupin, and the truly odious yet pathetic Peter Pettigrew.
I think HP3 definitely serves as an effective gateway into the more serious subject matter of the following films, with danger and despair growing ever closer to Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Yet here Rowling's magical world still provides marvelously relieving hints of hope, both in the form of magical devices (time turner, anyone?) and a strong sense of goodness in the people who count.
I hope you are as excited to keep watching as I am.
29 January 2011
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
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).
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).
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
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