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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

"One more take, please? Didn't stick my tongue out too much."

By now, everyone should have realized that it is very rare for a movie adaptation to be exactly like the book. This film is no different. Movie adaptations should only be either one of two things: as good as the book, or better. I would like to congratulate David Yates for a visually somber look, complementing the darkness of the story itself. Order of the Phoenix, compared to the other movies, utilizes the most magic, with an excellent representation of the Ministry of Magic, as well as the Weasley’s Skiving Snackboxes and their awesome fireworks display. The juvenile actors have shown some improvement, especially Daniel Radcliffe, whose angst-filled Potter takes center stage. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley is terrific as usual, while Emma Watson still has to work on her overacting. The adults, meanwhile, give the film its darkest edge, with Gary Oldman taking the lead (when will this man win an Oscar?) and Helena Bonham-Carter making her wizarding debut as the twisted Bellatrix Lestrange. Of course, there is no need to mention Ralph Fiennes, who gave a five-star performance as Lord Voldemort. Alan Rickman has never failed to deliver an extremely despicable Severus Snape, and we can expect his splendid performance for The Half-Blood Prince.

Note: Mrs. Arabella Figg was played by the actress who also played Cleopatra’s nanny in HBO’s Rome.

Three stars.

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Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End


Get ready for an amusement park-ride of a movie with the third film of the Pirates franchise. The plot tends to be confusing, with all the crossings and double-crossings happening left and right, and I personally didn't like the way the story went all-out supernatural, since the reason I fell in love with the first film was its realism, the world of swashbuckling bucaneers aboard the high seas, which was a world in every child’s imagination, and the supernatural element of the undead Barbossa was forgivable. But this third film is a bit too tiring to watch, redeemed only by the spectacular naval battle that happens toward the end. Reason to Watch It: Any true Pirates fan would watch this without question, but skeptics might need a stronger reason. Great performances from Johnny Depp (as always), Geoffrey Rush (back from the dead), Bill Nighy (I am Davy Jones), Chow Yun-Fat (give me a manicure), and Kieth Richards (the Real Deal). Did I mention Orlando Bloom? Of course I didn't.


Three stars.



You may also want to read the review for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.

0 comments :

Spider-Man 3


The web-slinger is back in this third installment of the Spidey franchise, although it gets a bit ho-hum at times, except maybe for die-hard fans who would love to see Topher Grace as the vile Venom. The special effects are top-notch (as usual), but the action sequences are a tad too dizzying, and not recommended for the weak of stomach. The “Emo” Peter Parker may draw laughs from the younger audience, but for me, it is Bruce Campbell’s cameo and J. K. Simmons’s performance as the great J. Jonah Jameson that save the day. The film is still a veritable mine of quotable quotes, and keep your eyes and ears peeled for creator Stan Lee’s longest screen appearance ever. ‘Nuff said.

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Rome. Season One


The first episode of the first season opens with a shot straight out of an Asterix comic book. To date, this is HBO’s most expensive series, and the costumes and props alone would verify that. Fans of historical accuracy would probably cringe at the many, many alterations the creators have taken the liberty of doing, but watching the picture in its wholeness will pardon the crimes of the genius that is Bruno Heller. It is the tag team of Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson that carry the epic, but everyone is outshone by the splendid performance of Polly “I-deserved-that-Emmy” Walker. Be prepared also for believable performances by James Purefoy as the detestable Mark Antony, Ciáran Hinds as the tyrant Julius, and Tobias Menzies as a Brutus more believable than Shakespeare’s.

originally posted in stinglacson.multiply.com, May 10, '07 6:01 AM.

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