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ckammer
Reviews
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Book's Always Better, but Visual Masterpiece
I am an avid reader of the Harry Potter series and a faithful fan of the movie versions. This means that I am concurrently critical and complimentary toward "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." I love seeing the magic of the book brought to the big screen, but at the same time I miss the details that the directors or editors fail to include (although I realize that this particular book in the Harry Potter series is over 800 pages, and to fit all that into one movie would be asking a bit much).
"Phoenix" starts with a bang, and we are treated to a full-action sequence only about five minutes into the film. From there things get a little muddy, as the many details and/or facts are left to be discerned by the viewer with often only one line of dialogue for explanation: In the book version, when Harry uses magic outside of Hogwarts, he receives at least three communications from the Wizarding world regarding his punishment. First a letter that informs him he's been expelled. Then letters from Ron Weasley's father and Sirius Black, telling him to stay put and that his expulsion has been put on hold until after a disciplinary hearing at the Ministry of Magic. In the movie, Harry receives one letter (the expulsion from Hogwarts), and then in practically the next scene he is rescued from the Dursleys's by the Order of the Phoenix. During the rescue, Kingsley Shacklebolt mentions off-handedly that Harry's expulsion is not definite. If you aren't listening closely, you'll miss it.
If you haven't read the book version, there will be a lot of those moments in the movie. If you have read the book, you may be like me, wishing things had been explored further. Nymphadora Tonks (Sirius's relation), is a wonderful character in the book and her part in the movie (played by the lovely Natalia Tena) is too fleeting. Remus Lupin, who was a main character in book and movie three ("Prisoner of Azkaban") suddenly appears in "Phoenix" and not much is mentioned of his return. Percy Weasley, who has estranged himself from the rest of his family and is helping Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge in his crusade against Dumbledore, also briefly appears in one scene mid-way through the movie, and then is never seen again. Luna Lovegood (played by Potter newcomer Evanna Lynch) is an engaging character, but she seems almost like she's just in the movie for show rather than substance.
On to the positive: The effects in this movie are stupendous. I felt transported watching Harry and the Order of the Phoenix members flying broomsticks past Buckingham Palace. The climax of the movie (Dumbledore and Voldemort battling in the Ministry of Magic) was worth the price of admission alone. Some of the set designs were direct from the pages of the book: Dolores Umbridge's office, the family tree tapestry in Sirius's house, Harry's disciplinary hearing and the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic.
Imelda Staunton's portrayal of Dolores Umbridge was right on the money. And Helena Bonham Carter, who played the insane Bellatrix Lestrange, was unrecognizable as she was so dedicated to her role. I am also amazed at how Daniel Radcliffe's acting has progressed year by year as these movies have been released. This is not a boy who was just cast into the lead role because his features were similar to how Harry Potter has been described in the books.
I would recommend this movie. Overall, I would recommend reading the book first and then seeing the movie. I would say out of the five Harry Potter movies that have been released, I would probably rate this as the first or second best.
Click (2006)
Modern Day "It's a Wonderful Life"
I really enjoyed this movie. Sometimes Adam Sandler's comedy is a little too low-brow for me, but he hit a good "Happy (Madison) medium" in "Click." The premise of the movie is that Adam Sandler's character (Michael) has, somehow in the course of his adult life, lost the realization that he is striving for something he has always had. He has a beautiful wife and two cute, loyal, lovable children, but this isn't enough - he thinks he also has to have the high prestige and high salary that comes with a promotion at his architectural firm. Throw in the acquisition of a truly "universal" remote (that comes with some humorous special effects), a kick-ass soundtrack, and you have "Click." The ensemble of actors in this film is really impressive: Henry Winkler, Christopher Walken, Rachel Dratch, Sean Astin, David Hasselhoff (who has a great comedic touch in his role). I was especially impressed with Jake Hoffman, who plays the 20-something version of Michael's son Ben. Not only does Hoffman look like Sandler, he also has some of his facial expressions and voice quirks down to a "T." I would recommend this film. It had me almost crying at times, but the majority of the time I was laughing out loud. Some of the funniest scenes in the film feature Michael's relationship with the neighbor kid, and pretty much every scene with Hasselhoff. I am surprised this film didn't receive better reviews by movie critics.
P.S. Walken's character's name (Morty) seems to be chosen for a reason. Those who know French may figure it out.
Herbie: Fully Loaded (2005)
Pleasantly Surprised by Enjoyable Film
I saw "Herbie: Fully Loaded" last week when I accompanied a friend and her 10-year-old daughter to the movies. I would not have chosen to go to this movie unless I had a child with me, yet I found myself enjoying the film, and overall I was glad that I had come along.
I have been a fan of Lindsay Lohan since the remake of "The Parent Trap." (The original "Parent Trap" is a favorite of mine, so I was a little worried that the re-make would disappoint me, but Lohan was so charming in her first starring role that I was also pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable that film was.) Charming is a good description for Lohan's portrayal of Maggie Peyton in this Herbie re-make, as well. If you take into account the fact that Herbie's a CAR, it is a good show of Lohan's acting skills that she is actually able to bond with and have a relationship with Herbie. As the movie progresses you find yourself emotionally attached to Herbie. The demolition derby scene, complete with Lohan's grief-stricken reactions, elicits genuine worry for Herbie's fate (even though you are aware it's a kid's movie and everything will turn out all right in the end). My friend's daughter actually was in tears during the demo derby scene.
For the adults, there is a slightly nostalgic (mostly 80's) soundtrack that will keep you bouncing in your seat. A few adult jokes (Herbie's first interaction with the yellow VW bug). There are also guest-starring roles by actual ESPN and NASCAR news commentators and NASCAR drivers (Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart, among others). The NASCAR race has Herbie racing against familiar NASCAR vehicles. This is pretty unbelievable, of course (especially considering Herbie was rescued from the demo derby and transformed overnight into a vehicle that would meet NASCAR's standards), but it's fun to watch. Also unbelievable are some of the stunts, but that is holding true to form with the original Herbie movies.
Matt Dillon does a serviceable job as the obligatory adored, good-looking sports hero who is actually a devious louse. Michael Keaton's comedic ability seems somewhat wasted in his role as Ray Peyton (the father of Lohan's character). It doesn't seem like there is much for Keaton to do.
I would recommend this movie for children 10 and under, and for anyone who wants to have a fun time at the movies.
Hardcastle and McCormick (1983)
One of my favorite Stephen J. Cannell creations.
I grew up in the '80s watching many of Stephen J. Cannell's programs, and still consider Hardcastle and McCormick to be one of the best of its genre. The episodes were fun to watch as most were an equal blend of action, drama, and humor. Brian Keith (as retired judge Milton C. Hardcastle) and Daniel Hugh Kelly (as ex-con Mark McCormick) played to each other's acting strengths, and their on-screen chemistry was one of the main things that elevated this series. The dialogue was crisp, and the two tough-yet-intelligent lead characters were well-defined, once the writers settled on their backgrounds (Hardcastle's home state was changed in the first season from Kansas to Arkansas, and Mark claimed to be from both Florida and New Jersey, although that could have been in keeping with his character's lack of stability). In addition, the judge's age and his length of time on the bench seemed to change each season. It also appeared that Mark spent his two years of incarceration in every prison in southern California, although San Quentin was the location first mentioned in the pilot episode, and the one most frequently referenced. The men's constant (although often good- natured) bickering and competition seemed to be the foundation of their friendship, which was regularly mentioned lightly and sometimes showed in grander gestures, such as in the episode where McCormick sells his beloved race car in order to raise enough bail money to get a framed Hardcastle out of jail, or the one where Hardcastle risks his prestigious law career by assisting Mark's dead-beat dad in stealing some wire-tap tapes from a government safe to bargain for the release of a kidnapped McCormick.
The series had its flaws, as did most of the macho, shoot-em-up, action shows of the time period, but what it lacked in realism and consistency it made up for in originality and heart. This series is a great addition to the other classic television shows now available on DVD, such as The Greatest American Hero and Starsky and Hutch.