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Also: anything else that's fabulously dorky is something I like.
Reviews
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Funny, upsetting, and dark- with plenty of teenage angst!
I am an avid reader of the Harry Potter series, and the fourth one, in particular, is one of my favorites. After reading several fan reviews in outrage, angrily declaring that it was too different than the book, I was surprised. I, for one, absolutely loved the fourth movie in the Harry Potter series: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
The movie begins perfectly, setting the tone with dark colors and lighting and an eerie version of "Hedwig's Theme". From that moment on, you know that this movie will be very dark- but amazing at the same time. The opening scene made many people in the theatre flinch, especially near the end- the infamous flash of green light.
The adaptation of the book is spectacular- I'm not going to rehash the plot in one review- but trimming a 700- page book into a two and a half hour movie? Not an easy task. The movie runs quickly and it doesn't seem like two and a half hours sitting in one chair. We jump from scene to scene very quickly. Perhaps it's a little too fast, but do you really want to feel like you're sitting there, watching the minutes go by slowly? Yes, there's a lot of funny stuff from the book cut out. We don't get to see of Hermione's crazed S.P.E.W frenzy, and we don't get to hear Viktor Krum(Stanislav Ianevski) say, "Herm-own-ninny." However, the audience does get to view a LOT of teenage angst in this movie that especially I- being fifteen- can relate to. Us girls ooh and ahh at the males like Cedric Diggory(Robert Pattinson) (Forgive me, I did whisper, "Oh, my God. He is so hot.") and the guys drool at Fleur(Clémence Poésy) and Cho(Katie Leung). (They whispered the same thing as I did, only with a 'she'. We're teenagers- we're allowed!) Empathy comes with Ron and Harry's fight after Harry is chosen unexpectedly in the tournament. At the Yule Ball, all of the girls pitied poor Hermione, feeling like a lost Cinderella at the end of the scene. This scene, I must add, is done wonderfully. I never expected this to be in the Harry Potter movies, such a relaxed and fun dance scene reminiscent of many a homecoming and prom night. Ron and Hermione's fight is hysterical, if it didn't make us ANXIOUS for those two to get together already! (Just cross your fingers, readers- their time will come!) The new characters are interesting, Brendan Gleeson as Mad-Eye Moody in particular.
The action scenes are also breathtaking. The first task is an amazing effort at pulling off a CGI dragon, and it succeeds for sure. You don't think, "Okay. This is where the CGI comes in
" you think, "Oh my god, that's a DRAGON!" The mermaids in the second task are scary and surprising, and made more than one person jump. The third task is another scene attacked by fans. There are no sphinxes or Blast Ended Skrewts here, but the maze is clearly psychologically damaging and scary enough on its own. (Fans of the book probably begin to get a little upset here, anyway, knowing what's to come- this is the point where I started crying.) The Death Eater scene didn't really scare me- it angered and upset me. I know many who WERE scared, and I do think the scene was pulled off very well. Voldemort is creepy and brings hate to all who view him. The scene afterwards, however, was extended purely for the sake of drama, and it's a hard scene to watch. (Daniel Radcliffe can finally cry now, by the way.) Cedric's death and his father's reaction had me sobbing- and no, not just because Robert Pattinson's such a handsome young lad! Many were crying, and I do think that it was a scene where you should feel upset.
The scenes after this point are most likely my only complaint. I did not like the revelation of Barty Crouch(David Tennant) as Polyjuice Moody scene- mainly because of Michael Gambon(Dumbledore). I'm not one of the rallying "MICHAEL GAMBON SUCKS- RICHARD HARRIS LIVES FOREVER!" fans. However, Dumbledore was a bit aggressive in this scene, as well as previous scenes he was in. The scene was overall weak, with too much shouting that didn't really have a purpose.
Cedric's funeral is touching and sad. Harry's 'annual talk with Dumbledore' is cut short and could have been a little longer. (It's okay- we'll see enough of Dumbledore in movie six.) The movie ends with our trio, bringing the point home that friendship is what holds this series together.
The acting is very good in this movie, with a few exceptions- I already mentioned Gambon, and I wasn't crazy about Crouch Senior(Roger Lloyd-Pack), either. However, the trio has matured significantly. Emma Watson is the lovable busy-bee know it all and Rupert Grint is endearing as Ron, as usual. (He's my favorite of the trio.) Daniel Radcliffe as Harry is definitely a teenager, but it shows a little bit of how wise Harry is beyond his years. Funny, compassionate, and not afraid to cry, he's a hero many can identify with. Perhaps the cast looks a little older than they should be- but they all believably act like adolescent teenagers. (Ianevski and Pattinson in particular both look to be in their late teens to early twenties, which I believe are their ages, but Ianevski pulls off an awkward yet intense Krum and Pattinson acts as a popular teenager very well.) The staff is hysterical and wonderful to see, as always. Alan Rickman as Snape is a blessing and gift of a character, and Maggie Smith as McGonagall gets her own funny moment to shine. Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid is dependable and a figure of Hogwarts, and even he gets a little romance! Overall, the movie is fantastic. With a few minor complaints, I loved it. Can't they hurry up and get movie five out already?
The Princess Bride (1987)
Endearlingly fantastic.
Warning: Spoilers may be ahead, mate! I've loved this film for as long as I can remember; it's always been at the top of my 'favorites' list. Viewers have loved this film for nearly twenty years and still find the humor fresh and hysterical every time.
The film could be viewed either as a fairy tale romance or satire; or both. The Evil Prince Humperdinck tries to steal and kill beautiful Buttercup from her darling Westley. Handsome Westley tries to rescue said heroine; he succeeds. They quite literally ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after. That's the gist- but you're missing out on a good deal of hysteria and laughter.
Every actor in this film shines in some way. Cary Elwes is simply the perfect Westley(readers of the book, you've got to agree, I'm a book fan as well). Dashing and charming, he's lovely. Robin Wright Penn is a lovely Buttercup, with a bit more girl power than the book allows; which can be viewed as great! Very pretty; she's a good Buttercup. Chris Sarandon is hilarious and the perfect Humperdinck. Doesn't the name say a good deal? Chris Guest is cunning and somehow funny as the true villain, Count Rugen.
On to the supporting cast, which I could view as shining more than the principals. Andre the Giant is absolutely charming and lovable as Fezzik- I cheered when I saw that he got to rhyme! Wallace Shawn portrays the slimy Vizzini so well that you really don't like him, but want to burst out in laughter anyway. As for Mandy Patinkin- he may beat out Westley for my absolute favorite. Mandy is one of my favorite actors from screen and stage; amazing and powerful on both. His Inigo is absolutely perfect and his comedic timing's quite good. I've always liked Inigo and rooted him on. You cheer and shout as he slays Rugen. Billy Crystal is of course, hysterical. Peter Falk and Fred Savage are an adorable on screen team.
I feel like I'm running out of room; so I'll just say that the entire cast is hysterical and wonderful.
All in all, this film isn't one to miss, as a cult classic or classic romance. You choose!
The Beatles Anthology (1995)
Absolutely fantastic
In the Beatles Anthology, the three still living Beatles at the time and other insiders review the mythic story of the Beatles in their own point of view.
Including every Beatle event imaginable like Shea Stadium or the Ed Sullivan show, George, Paul, and Ringo comment- along with John's comments from interviews before he died. It also includes interesting insight on many of the songs written- especially on the Sgt. Pepper songs, "Penny Lane", and "Strawberry Fields Forever"
Now, when on Monday it will have been three years since George passed, and nearly twenty-four since John's assassination, this documentary is an amazing way to remember the boys and everything they did and impacted the world with.
It also includes two unreleased songs, "Free As a Bird" and "Real Love", songs John wrote and the others collaborated on.
This documentary is the best to remember the Beatles by.
Selena (1997)
Beautiful story
I loved this movie. I think Jennifer Lopez portrayed Selena very well(besides it being the last movie she looked healthy in). Edward James Olmos was superb as Abraham, I thought he was brilliant. The story is about a girl and her father's and her dream to be a star, and in the end she does. However, I won't reveal the ending. In short, it's a great movie. Not my favorite, but it's great.