Harry Potter and the Overlong and Slightly Boring Hallows

11/18/2010

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
I’m not, you know, the world’s craziest Harry Potter fan. My friends have called me out when I’ve nerdily explained what certain wizard spells are, but I haven’t read the books multiple times or dressed up like Hermione for release parties or anything. But, I’ve loved being immersed in the Potter world, growing with these characters, and learning all about the mythology surrounding the events.

So, that being said, I’m not ashamed to say that the Harry Potter flicks could really benefit from employing a freakin’ recap every once and a while. Seriously. As I sat down for the latest installment, the first of the last, I realized I had no fucking clue what was going on. As a fan of the books and the movies, that should say something.

As the film wore on, I continually realized that I still had no clue what was going on, and, frankly, I was getting bored and restless. I thought, “Surely the Harry Potter films couldn’t have peaked like four films ago, right?” No. I was totally right. Sadly, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 isn’t anywhere on par with the Alfonso Cuarón chapter.  It’s just utterly and completely half of a movie…

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Ford outshines "Morning Glory"

11/12/2010

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Morning Glory
Critics are slightly torn over Morning Glory, the new workplace rom-com starring Rachel McAdams as a morning show producer struggling to turn her middling show into a success. Granted, the film is a little uneven. Does it want to be a workplace comedy a la Broadcast News or does it want to be a romantic comedy with McAdams and the dashing Patrick Wilson making eyes at each other? Well, it tries to be both, but it only succeeds on half of its equation.

For me, even though Morning Glory is splitting critics, the film is, on a whole, fairly delightful and enjoyable for one very important reason: Harrison Ford.  The actor has never been looser or funnier as he is playing the stodgy and cranky former newsman Mike Pomeroy, and for his addition to the film it is worth checking out.

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More like "Meh-gamind"

11/04/2010

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Megamind
Megamind is no Kung Fu Panda or How to Train Your Dragon. I keep waiting for DreamWorks to come up with films worthy of those animated wonders, but with every Shrek flick that comes out, a little part of my soul dies. Megamind is adequate enough. It’s the type of movie my mom will love and then tell me what an asshole I’m being for not jumping over the moon for it. But she also adores the Shrek franchise, so take that for what it’s worth. (Hi, Mom. I love you!) Although, I can appreciate how Megamind tries to flip the classic superhero tale on its head and create a villain that’s lovable. Oh….wait. Didn’t Despicable Me try to do that too? Hmmmm….

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"Due Date" doesn't quite deliver

11/04/2010

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Due Date
 It’s not that Due Date isn’t funny. It is. But with a top-notch cast and a director at home with hilarious films, Due Date just isn’t as funny as it should be. It relies too heavily on its likable cast of Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis (and a seriously adorable French bulldog) than crafting a genius and humorous script. Plus, in the vein of Meet the Parents where our hero is forced to succumb to awful event after the other (essentially a comedy version of Saw), Due Date is not necessarily the most enjoyable film to watch even with good chemistry between the leads.

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