Thursday
Dec022010
The Magic of the Movies
Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 4:32AM
This Thanksgiving weekend gave us the chance to sit back, relax and spend some time watching films, something which we haven't really had time to do; we don't go to the cinema nearly as often as both Nicole and I would like, due to time and cost. But in 2 days, we saw 2 films at the cinema, and in the past week or so saw 3 others at home. There really is nothing more fun and satisfying than escaping for a couple of hours in a great film, particularly if you have the made the trip out to the movie theatre, sat down with fellow fans, and feasted your eyes and ears on an enormous screen with booming sound.
First up was some true magic. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Don't you just hate that.. part 1. That's means double the money, and it means you know there is almost certainly going to be a cliffhanging moment in the middle, or at the very least you walk away from the movie theatre feeling disappointed that the story hasn't been concluded. That said however, I am somewhat glad the final HP movie is in two parts, for they never really managed to fit a single book into one film, and this last one is nothing but epic.
I'll be honest: I have never really liked the Harry Potter films. I am too much of a fan of the books, an early convert to the magic of Rowling, and so have never truly embraced the films for what they are. Cinematic stories, and not, novels turned into film. I should really think of them as separate entities, but I have never been able to do that. And yet the sixth movie, the one least based on the book, is my favourite, so I suppose I am getting better. What annoys me most is the additions to the films; little things here and there which are simply nowhere to be found in the book. Fine if the story needs extending, but when you cut out great little scenes and dialogue, why would you add something in?
Back to the penultimate film. Though it actually stood up reasonably well to the book, I had a number of criticisms about the actual film making this time around. But let's start with the good things. WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS. The acting was very good, with all the actors showing great improvements since their early days. A lot of the classic British actors were missing this time around, or only had bit parts due to the nature of the story, but the 3 main actors held their ground. Daniel Radcliffe still had a few shaky moments, in my opinion, but that could have been more down to direction rather than his acting. I have never thought he was a particularly good actor, often times lacking emotion and conviction. Granted, I might be saying that through a hint of jealousy, but I do think there is evidence to support this. It's also true that I never got over the fact that he was cast in the role without ever having read the books, and didn't even read them all straight away when he found out he had been cast. "bitterness" yes, but still, he just wasn't a true fan.
Rant over, the comedic parts of the film were also excellent, provoking laughter throughout the audience. Though the dialogue worked for these moments, overall I felt the lines were strained and too rushed. Perhaps again due to the nature and story of the book, I felt that the film was very "jumpy" cutting from scene to scene very quickly and severely, and then moving on just as fast. Thus the dialogue mirrored this, with often only 2 or 3 lines, rapidly delivered (and sounded very scripted) before they needed to be, and used only to fill in plot lines. The second film should have a little more time to breathe.
As always, I was impressed with the visuals, as film makers brought the magical world to life once again very effectively. However in the past while I have always enjoyed the extended and expanded action sequences (the need to thrill the audience), I was a little disappointed this time around. Some scenes I felt were a little too dramatic (Dobby) and others were not dramatic enough; I was really looking forward to the opening chase scene, but found it lacked depth (and fighting) and though I thought the tension in the Bagshot house scene was good, the buildup led to an anti-climatic end.
Overall, it was enjoyable, but given the past few films, I expected a little better. If you like what you saw, read the book, as is usually the case.
Enough Harry, back to the real world... sort of. Next up, we watched Date Night, for the second time. A great action comedy, with a dab of romance thrown in, it really makes be laugh, and has two great actors in the form of Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Caught with the mob in NYC, a couple out trying to spice up their date night end up with a night to remember. Sounds clichéd, but it was actually very original, and really very enjoyable.
The following night, we were out at the cinema again, this time to watch Morning Glory, a romantic comedy set in the ruthless world of journalism. I thoroughly enjoyed this "relaxing rubbish", perhaps because there was more comedy than romance. It offered a nice little insight into breakfast morning shows (if they are really like that) and showcased a promising actor (Rachel McAdams) along side some veterans like Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford. For me, Mr. Han Solo/Indiana Jones made the film, on top form as a bitter, dedicated and serious journalist, offering lots of sarcastic asides and having great chemistry with McAdams. While it was nothing special, I'd say it's definitely worth a rent on DVD.
Finally, back at home in Madison, Nicole and I watched Killers, courtesy of Nicole's Netflix subscription. Netflix... a great service, offering streaming movies and TV shows online, and a DVD delivered to your door (free delivery) every time you send one back. Well worth the pretty low monthly cost. Anyway Killers was another Rom Com, with a lot more action, more like Date Night. An amusing story about a hitman who falls in love and settles down with his new wife, before getting dragged back into the business along with his wife. Sounds very familiar, and it was, but at least it didn't take itself seriously, and was a very light-hearted affair. It also has Tom Selleck, who was a nice little comedic addition.
After all those comedies and easy watching films, I am now ready for something a little more serious for the next film we watch. Something more like What's Eating Gilbert Grape, a film we watched last week. What a great film that was, starring a very young Leo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp. An indie film made in 1993, it chronicles the life of a young man growing up in a tiny rural town in Iowa in the 1980s, forced to care for his mentally disabled younger brother. Depp plays the young man, in a relatively normal role played to perfection, while Leo is truly incredible as the handicapped brother. No wonder both of them have become such great movie stars. It's a very poignant film, while still offering a number of moments of laughs and smiles. Thoroughly recommended.
There are a huge number of other films out right now at the cinema, and a number of new releases we have already missed. I should write a list to make sure I catch them all on Netflix. That's where we watched Gilbert Grape- streamed instantly. Christmas time we surely see more trips to the cinema, although of course there will also be more new releases to catch! At least we'll never be stuck for choice!
First up was some true magic. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1. Don't you just hate that.. part 1. That's means double the money, and it means you know there is almost certainly going to be a cliffhanging moment in the middle, or at the very least you walk away from the movie theatre feeling disappointed that the story hasn't been concluded. That said however, I am somewhat glad the final HP movie is in two parts, for they never really managed to fit a single book into one film, and this last one is nothing but epic.
I'll be honest: I have never really liked the Harry Potter films. I am too much of a fan of the books, an early convert to the magic of Rowling, and so have never truly embraced the films for what they are. Cinematic stories, and not, novels turned into film. I should really think of them as separate entities, but I have never been able to do that. And yet the sixth movie, the one least based on the book, is my favourite, so I suppose I am getting better. What annoys me most is the additions to the films; little things here and there which are simply nowhere to be found in the book. Fine if the story needs extending, but when you cut out great little scenes and dialogue, why would you add something in?
Back to the penultimate film. Though it actually stood up reasonably well to the book, I had a number of criticisms about the actual film making this time around. But let's start with the good things. WARNING POSSIBLE SPOILERS. The acting was very good, with all the actors showing great improvements since their early days. A lot of the classic British actors were missing this time around, or only had bit parts due to the nature of the story, but the 3 main actors held their ground. Daniel Radcliffe still had a few shaky moments, in my opinion, but that could have been more down to direction rather than his acting. I have never thought he was a particularly good actor, often times lacking emotion and conviction. Granted, I might be saying that through a hint of jealousy, but I do think there is evidence to support this. It's also true that I never got over the fact that he was cast in the role without ever having read the books, and didn't even read them all straight away when he found out he had been cast. "bitterness" yes, but still, he just wasn't a true fan.
Rant over, the comedic parts of the film were also excellent, provoking laughter throughout the audience. Though the dialogue worked for these moments, overall I felt the lines were strained and too rushed. Perhaps again due to the nature and story of the book, I felt that the film was very "jumpy" cutting from scene to scene very quickly and severely, and then moving on just as fast. Thus the dialogue mirrored this, with often only 2 or 3 lines, rapidly delivered (and sounded very scripted) before they needed to be, and used only to fill in plot lines. The second film should have a little more time to breathe.
As always, I was impressed with the visuals, as film makers brought the magical world to life once again very effectively. However in the past while I have always enjoyed the extended and expanded action sequences (the need to thrill the audience), I was a little disappointed this time around. Some scenes I felt were a little too dramatic (Dobby) and others were not dramatic enough; I was really looking forward to the opening chase scene, but found it lacked depth (and fighting) and though I thought the tension in the Bagshot house scene was good, the buildup led to an anti-climatic end.
Overall, it was enjoyable, but given the past few films, I expected a little better. If you like what you saw, read the book, as is usually the case.
Enough Harry, back to the real world... sort of. Next up, we watched Date Night, for the second time. A great action comedy, with a dab of romance thrown in, it really makes be laugh, and has two great actors in the form of Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Caught with the mob in NYC, a couple out trying to spice up their date night end up with a night to remember. Sounds clichéd, but it was actually very original, and really very enjoyable.
The following night, we were out at the cinema again, this time to watch Morning Glory, a romantic comedy set in the ruthless world of journalism. I thoroughly enjoyed this "relaxing rubbish", perhaps because there was more comedy than romance. It offered a nice little insight into breakfast morning shows (if they are really like that) and showcased a promising actor (Rachel McAdams) along side some veterans like Diane Keaton and Harrison Ford. For me, Mr. Han Solo/Indiana Jones made the film, on top form as a bitter, dedicated and serious journalist, offering lots of sarcastic asides and having great chemistry with McAdams. While it was nothing special, I'd say it's definitely worth a rent on DVD.
Finally, back at home in Madison, Nicole and I watched Killers, courtesy of Nicole's Netflix subscription. Netflix... a great service, offering streaming movies and TV shows online, and a DVD delivered to your door (free delivery) every time you send one back. Well worth the pretty low monthly cost. Anyway Killers was another Rom Com, with a lot more action, more like Date Night. An amusing story about a hitman who falls in love and settles down with his new wife, before getting dragged back into the business along with his wife. Sounds very familiar, and it was, but at least it didn't take itself seriously, and was a very light-hearted affair. It also has Tom Selleck, who was a nice little comedic addition.
After all those comedies and easy watching films, I am now ready for something a little more serious for the next film we watch. Something more like What's Eating Gilbert Grape, a film we watched last week. What a great film that was, starring a very young Leo DiCaprio and Johnny Depp. An indie film made in 1993, it chronicles the life of a young man growing up in a tiny rural town in Iowa in the 1980s, forced to care for his mentally disabled younger brother. Depp plays the young man, in a relatively normal role played to perfection, while Leo is truly incredible as the handicapped brother. No wonder both of them have become such great movie stars. It's a very poignant film, while still offering a number of moments of laughs and smiles. Thoroughly recommended.
There are a huge number of other films out right now at the cinema, and a number of new releases we have already missed. I should write a list to make sure I catch them all on Netflix. That's where we watched Gilbert Grape- streamed instantly. Christmas time we surely see more trips to the cinema, although of course there will also be more new releases to catch! At least we'll never be stuck for choice!
Reader Comments (1)
[...] This afternoon I went to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II with my mum! Fitting that I should end the film series as I began it, though ten years later a new cinema had been constructed. Much has been written about the changes during that time; the rise and development of the young actors, the changing directors and styles of the series, the never ending phenomenon. Even I’ve touched on this subject before in the short life of my blog, describing my thoughts on the first part of the final book’s film adaptation here. [...]