An attempt to be helpful when it comes to choosing, describing, and nerding out on movies,
There are stories of coincidence and chance, of intersections and strange things told, and which is which and who only knows? And we generally say, "Well, if that was in a movie, I wouldn't believe it." - Magnolia
This is the first Harry Potter movie I have seen where I knew exactly what was going to happen. Reason? I finally read all of the books about a year ago which probably seems like a crime to some of you that I hadn't read them till then. And I am by no means a die-hard Potter fan, even though I saw it at midnight and again today. So although I did enjoy the books quite a lot, I feel like I'm in a good position to judge whether the changes made for the story on screen were necessary and worked. Because as many people DON'T understand and refuse to accept, adaptations NEED to be changed for the screen. There are some things you just can't translate from the page to film. People just can't seem to get that through their head...
That said, I think this is the best movie AND adaptation of the entire series so far. A major reason behind this being that David Yates, director of the Goblet of Fire and the rest of the films to date, has obviously found the environment and type of story in the HP series that fits his style best. From the Goblet of Fire on it became more and more clear that Yates was trying to make the Wizarding world something real that didn't rely on the tricks of special effects and interesting/crazy magic a means to attract an audience. Of course, an audience was going to come no matter what, and that audience expected the Potter world to come alive. But how? I think Yates' Deathly Hallows captures the reality of the 7th book and a vision that focuses more on the characters and their relationships/struggles more than any other movie. The magic and sparse effects only serve as entertainment on the side that fun to watch, but it's not the focus like it was in the other movies.
Say what you want about alien invasion movies (and 'Skyline's miserable 15% on Rottentomatoes), this is a damn good trailer. It's been a long time since I've seen something so well crafted. Of course, from the start with the old photos of possible alien spacecraft and other glimpses at the end, we can tell its aliens. What I like about it though is that the carnage and action almost look like it could be any full scale war movie and not necessarily aliens. Yeah, the epic alien spacecraft and stuff we see in trailers like the one for 'Skyline' (can you tell I'm bitter than it's terrible) is in your face and telling you "ALIENS! BE EXCITED!", but this is something totally different. And the fact that we get no look at any prominent actors such as Aaron Eckhart or Michelle Rodriguez can either be a good thing or a bad thing...that either the studio doesn't think showing famous actors will help gain attention or that they're banking on the spectacle doing the job. I'm hoping Eckhart and Rodriguez and the rest of the cast will do their best but not try to take on the whole focus which seems to be a major weakness of 'Skyline' according to the critics; apparently they spent too much time trying to develop dumb, pointless characters. But no matter how the actual movie turns out to be, this trailer is seriously awesome.
The Chronicles of Narnie: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (trailer #2)
If anything this trailer tells us that every movie trailer needs a kraken! Or whatever that giant sea creature is. And it doesn't hurt to throw in some dragons, minotaurs, glowing ladies, and bouncing hobbits. I just love how this looks like a mash up of every fantasy movie out there (which Narnia pretty much is even though it came before a lot of those fantasy things). Even though I wasn't too fond of the first two films (although the 2nd one was better) I do hope this manages to scrape in enough cash to make another film because I reaaaallly want to see another version of The Silver Chair which is definitely the best book IMO because of Puddleglum. And the perfect, and I mean PERFECT, person to play Puddlegulm is Bill Nighy, obviously. Anyway, my initial reaction to both trailers so far is just 'ho hum'. I really wish I could like it more, but like I said, it just looks like everything else.
(there's a 3rd trailer for Tron: Legacy if anyone isn't excited enough already, I refuse to use up any more of my time on posting all their darn trailers)
Last Night
What I gathered from this is that the conflict is as follows: Keira Knightley trying to decide "which accent do I like better?" Well, maybe it isn't as simple as that, but it's nice to see Sam Worthington trying something where he's not a mute action hero! But sadly, by the looks of this, I'm not sure if it's working out so well for him. All he's got is that accent really...the French guy (Guillermot, or whatever his name is) seems to be beating him in the charisma (personality) category. I just like how this looks like a fairly serious movie with real issues and stuff and they have this upbeat, rock music playing over it that sends the "this summer, get ready for the romantic, feel-good movie of the year!" message. I'm not sure that's how this is gonna go...Whatever, it makes me yawn.
Kung Fu Panda 2 (teaser)
Question: does Jack Black matter any more? Obviously, making a sequel to a movie that made a bunch of $$$$ because it was PG is banking on the fact that it'll make a bunch of $$$$ again, because it's PG. I seriously get so tired of this marketing ploy that works EVERY FRICKEN TIME. No matter what. *sigh*
Well I think there's actually a few other trailers (like 2?) that came out this week (including another Winnie the Pooh movie made with the old style animation!) that I don't care much about. Not that I care about Kung Fu Panda 2, I just wanted to make you suffer. Ha.
So I've been super lazy about posting anything lately, and there have been a few things I could've blogged about, but they just weren't important enough. Now this piece of news, which surfaced as a rumor a few days ago, is now apparently official. Deadline reports that Bruce Willis, Edward Norton, Bill Murray (duh), Frances McDormand, and Tilda Swinton have joined the cast of Wes Anderson's next project titled 'Moon Rise Kingdom' which is currently scheduled for a 2012 release date yet to be announced. So is this a dream team or what? Willis is definitely a surprise, but until we know more about what character he's going to be playing it's hard to pass any judgment yet. I for one think he could be quite interesting and entertaining in an Anderson creation. Here's the plotline as described by Deadline:
"set in the 60s. Two young adults fall in love and run away. Leaders in their New England town are sticking the idea that they've disappeared and go in search of them. Norton will play a scout leader who brings his charges on a search. Willis is in talks to play the town sheriff who’s also looking, and who is having an affair with the missing girl’s mother, the role McDormand is in talks to play. Murray, a regular in Anderson films, will play the girl's father, who has his own issues."
Maybe it's just the presence of McDormand and Swinton that makes me think this, but this seems like it could easily be the plot for a Coen Bros. film. Good news is its written by Anderson and Roman Coppola who also co-wrote The Darjeeling Limited. Well I'm intrigued and excited and will be eagerly awaiting any more news.
It seems to me that Jason Statham is at his best when he's NOT in an American movie. And when he is he's only used for his steely glare and action moves. That isn't to say that he won't be primarily do just that in this new movie, but I do believe it means we can expect a movie with a bit more substance than say, The Expendables. I think this looks pretty sweet and the supporting cast looks good as well which gives me hope that the plot might be just as strong. Crossing my fingers!
Now this would be the oddball of the group for this week's trailers, and I'm quite intrigued while still remaining a bit freaked out. That shot of Santa hanging all tied up was very creepy indeed. It hearkens back to that old Weird Al song about "The Night Santa Went Crazy", you old school kids know what I'm talking about. Anyway, it's always been an interesting, funny thought: what if Santa was not the fat, jolly 'ol guy we're so fond of but a mysterious, ruthless being? I'm hoping this will be as dark as the trailer makes it out to be and it will actually be pretty brutal. I like it.
Why I watched it: Special shout-out here to my friend Claude who let me borrow this because he felt it was a crime that I hadn't seen this incredibly famous work featuring the renowned Tupac Shakur and a supporting cast including Omar Epps. I'd heard of it before but didn't know much save that Samuel L. Jackson had some role in it (even though it's a small one) because Dave Chappelle mentions it in his skit of "Samuel Jackson Beer". So 'Juice' was never really a movie high on my list (sorry Claude), BUT I had the chance to see it, so why not?
What I thought: It's not that bad. It definitely has a different vibe because it's from the early '90's and operates within that culture, but it's still easy to get into. I do wish it would've been a bit more serious and dark. Although it does get kind of dark towards the end, the content and plot devices would've come across a lot more effective if things would've been grittier and more 'on the edge'. Because it lacks a bit in this department, it comes off feeling just a bit silly at times, and it doesn't help that the entire cast isn't that strong. Tupac and Epps do a pretty good job (especially 'Pac), but they can't hold up the entire movie.
Should YOU watch it: If you're an old time 'Pac fan, definitely see it, and if you enjoy '90's movies with this sort of laid back, urban vibe then I'd say you'll enjoy it too. But if it's a more engaging and intense 'in da' hood' (see what I did there? I'm a gangster, yo) story and action you're looking, this may just not cut it.
