Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

After spending two and a half hours trying to find a comfortable position in which my usually ridiculously long legs could rest on the seat in front of me (they couldn't, at least not without me stretching vigorously) I realized, these kids barely go to school. Seriously, they go to like one class a movie, and it doesn't even seem like that hard of a class.

And that's the problem with every Harry Potter movie. Every one of them (especially this one) is excruciatingly long and still distressingly short. After reading the immense amount of stuff that happens in the book (yes, i did read it - don't tell me you didn't either) this movie just plays like the cliff notes.

I know every single one of you knows the storyline but here it goes anyway. For some reason Harry likes to live in the subway system, riding the trains all day, when Dumbledore whisks him away to recruit an old friend to take his old teaching spot. Horace Slughorn, played brilliantly by Jim Broadbent, likes to know famous students, like Harry, and decides to take his old post as potions teacher. Which means Snape gets the post of defense against the dark arts teacher! (Gasp!) The movie barely focuses on this but more on Dumbledore and Harry's growing bond in the face of Voldemort. And on the 20 different relationship subplots between students (*barf*).

The movie is certainly rushed and leaves out the entire point of the title. I can give it away because it has absolutly no bearing on the plot of the movie. Severus Snape (coincidentally one of my favorite actors in the series) is the half blood prince. He doesn't say why, he just says he is. and that's that. Nothing changes. Harry doesn't go "oh my gosh everything makes sense now!" because it doesn't. They had to throw that part in there because it's in the title.

And here's the worst part of the movie, there is enough feelings to fuel a season of vh1's something of love show. As long as its PG. Relationships are pushed into happening much faster then they should be. If you didn't read the book it doesn't make any sense how fast they fall in love with each other.

"Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" ranks at about 3rd place in my list of Harry Potter movies, (I'll have to see Chamber of Secrets again). If you read the book you kind of have to see it and if you haven't go for Luna Lovegood, Severus Snape, and Horace Slughorn. Horace was a great addition to the cast and the other two are amazing in themselves.

Grade: B-

Christopher O'Connell

Up

Pixar has had an amazing track record for movies ever since "Toy Story" in 1995. They always seem to put out unbelievable movies that are a blend of fantastic animation, smart writing and plot development, and an all-star cast. Pixar movies have something for just about every type of person. And "Up", like the 9 animated films before it does not dissapoint. Throughout the duration of the film several different sets of emotions are explored and the main character, voiced perfectly by Edward Asner, becomes very developed as the movie progresses.



"Up" is about an elderly balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen (Asner). The first 10 minutes of the film plays out like a silent movie and goes through Carl's early life and his marriage to his wife, Ellie. This may be the best part of the entire movie. Visually it is stunning and is scored is beautiful and fits the tone so well. The Fredricksen's both were interested in exploring, having been inspired by Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer) when they were younger. They dreamed of visiting Paradise Falls in South America. However, before this dream became a reality Ellie dies. Carl wants to visit Paradise Falls in Ellie's memory. He goes about doing this by attaching millions of balloons to his house. As he is floating away he finds out that a Wilderness Explorer, Russell (Jordan Nagai) has ended up on his front porch. The two start out on their adventure to get to Paradise Falls. I won't go into anymore details about the plot, don't want to unintentionally spoil anything...



Carl and Russell are polar opposites and the two characters develop as they spend more time together in Carl's house. At first Carl is bitter and is annoyed by Russell tagging along on the trip. As time goes by and he learns about Russells homelife and such he begins to like him more and becomes concerned with his safety and such. Edward Asner is the perfect actorfor the role of Carl. He is experienced at doing comedy and he's got the voice for a grumpy old man. Jordan Nagai, in his first acting endeavor has the perfect voice for a innocent young kid.



The animation is also great, althought not quite the same level as last year's, "Wall-E". The colors are vibrant and the films marks the first time a Pixar movie has been made in 3-D. The 3-D adds a depth to each frame of the movie and is not gimmicky, like 3-D used to be with random things being thrown at the audience. However, although the 3-D is good and the technology has improved "Up" is best when seen in normal 2-D. 3-D tends to dim the color slightly in the movie.



"Pixar" has been making great animated movie for over decade now. Their movies are the perfect blend of funny and serious. "Up" continues in that same vein. From the opening montage to the heartwarming ending to all the humor and adventure in between it is simply the best movie of the summer, possibly of the entire year. So often animated films are dismissed as simply being kids fare, but that is not at all the case with "Up". The lines are well written, the cinematography and direction is impressive and the plot develops as the film goes on. 4 stars...its that good...nothing this summer has even come close to this kind of quality

-Joseph Sbrilli

Bruno

Dear God/Jesus/Holy Spirit, please please pleeeeeeeeeeease forgive me for watching this movie. My eyes have been eternally blackened by its morals and images. Amen.

Bruno is Sacha Baron Cohen's follow up to the wildly popular, irreverent (why do people use this word with comedies? I don't know its meaning) rampage through middle class America, Borat. While Borat was generally funny (and gross) Bruno is pretty much just gross. I heard stories walking in, but I was not prepared. Especially for the sex scene. I will never be prepared for that. I doubt porn stars would be prepared for that. Or the spinning genitalia (which me and my friends promptly labeled as a new std that causes your genitalia to spin around and around. we call it "the squiggles")

Bruno (Cohen) is a gay Austrian fashion reporter who has a "hip" tv show called funkyzeit. After totally ruining a fashion show in Milan (i think?) he is barred from every fashion show in Europe and his show is cancelled. His bf breaks up with him and Bruno decides to travel to America to become rich and famous here. Through a series of failed attempts at becoming famous (interviewing celebrities, making a tv show, trying to make a sex tape with Ron Paul, trying to make peace in Israel, adopting a black baby named O.J.) Bruno finds out that the only way he can become famous is to become straight. He goes so far as to start a MMA cage ring under the guise of "Straight Dave" But eventually discovers his homosexuality in front of a very shocked audience (go for the cagefight, stay for the naked men making out!)

Obviously, a movie like this will have funny moments, even if they are gross enough to shock a reaction out of me. The only part that had me laughing continuously was Bruno's stay at a national guard outpost in an attempt to become straight. He tricks out the regular uniform with a scarf, talks back to his sergeant, and salutes him as if he was a Nazi. I definitly laughed when Bruno referred to Mel Gibson as "der Fuhrer", but beyond that theres little substance to this movie.

If you aren't offended by anything, see this movie. Otherwise I can't recommend it to anyone. Borat is easily ten times better. The only thing this movie accomplished, although I'm sure Cohen didn't intend for it, is make me a little more homophobic. Gay people would be offended, I was offended, and your mom would definitely be offended.

Grade: C-

Christopher O'Connell

The Proposal

Anne Fletcher's, "The Proposal" is the latest addition to the most cliched and predictable movie genre in the history of the human race...the romantic comedy.

The plot and the characters have been seen in some capacity in movies for many decades. It's for this reason that "The Proposal" is not original at all. However, this does not take away from the fact that it is just overall a fun, enjoyable movie. The cast which includes Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Craig T. Nelson, Mary Steenburgen, and Betty White, are probably the strongest parts of the movie. Everyone, especially Betty White in several scene stealing moments is extremely capable at doing comedy. At the very least it's worth one viewing for a dollar at Hannaford.



The plot is simple enough and the outcome can be predicted almost immediately after the opening credits end but here goes...Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) is the editor-in-chief of a book publishing company and Andrew Paxton(Ryan Reynolds) is her assistant. As it turns out Magaret is Canadian and is going to be deported. However, there is one way that she can stay in the United States and keep her job...marry an American...and fast. So she forces Andrew to marry her, despite the fact he hates her because she isnt's a terribly pleasant person. The two go under an intense government anaylisis to make sure the marriage isnt just a ploy for Magaret to remainin the country. After the "engagement" the two go up to Sitka, Alaska where Magaret meets Andrews family, including his parents (Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen) and his grandmother (Betty White) and tell them about the proposed marriage...bet you can't guess what ends up happening between Magaret and Andrew.

Ryan Reynolds and Sandra Bullock have great chemistry in the movie. Which works out great especially since they both run into each other naked at one point. The two play off each other wonderfully and the interaction feels natural. Unfortunately Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen who are great, experienced actors did not get enough screen time. Therefore, they weren't used to their full potentials and were given pretty bland characters to play. Betty White is by far the best part of the entire movie. She has been doing comedy for over half a century so as expected she is quite experienced. All her scenes, ranging from giving Magaret and Andrew the "baby maker" blanket to chanting around a fire in the forest are just a pleasure to watch. She could have used a lot more screentime.

The writing, although pretty uninspired works for the type of movie "The Proposal" is. Whatever the script lacks in originality the actors make up for in comedic talent and energy. Overall many of comedic scenes are executed well, except for that whole scene with "the only male stripper in Alaska", which was strange and unnecessary and someone should really apologize to Sandra Bullock.

"The Proposal" has gotten mixed reviews and won't be nominated for any major awards...ever...but its a good, funny summer movie with a great cast and it's worth a try if you like any of the cast members or the director, who also did "Step Up" and "27 Dresses." And Betty White, for me anyways, makes the movie worth seeing. At 87 she is still incredible at doing comedy...2 1/2 stars...most of them due to Betty White...yep former "Golden Girl"

-Joseph Sbrilli

Waltz With Bashir

When Joe and I started this blog I never really thought about the kind of movies I'd be reviewing. Of course I considered doing silly, scathing reviews of movies like Transformers. Summer blockbusters, the easy stuff, the kind of movies that don't make you think or change your view of the world around you. I never considered serious movies and how I would go about beginning to understand them (after transformers I have to learn how to use my brain again because I shut it off for that flick.) Waltz With Bashir is the first serious drama I've seen all summer.

Waltz With Bashir is the Story of the 1982 Isreali invasion of Lebanon and the directors experience there. After called to a bar by a wartime buddy of his, Ari Folman (the director) finds that he can't remember anything about his experience fighting in Lebanon. His friend relates to him how for about two years, almost ever night, he has the same dream. Twenty-six vicious dogs gather outside his apartment window and tell him to come outside or they will start killing people. Ari asks how he knows that there are twenty-six dogs. Why not thirty? His friends tells him that during the war his squad went to different towns at night looking for known Palestinian terrorists. When they came upon a new town the dogs would start barking and alert the town of the soldiers presence. His commander ordered him to shoot the dogs. He tells Ari that he remembers every dog he shot, the sounds and faces they made when they died, all twenty-six of them.

Ari is shaken by his friends account and the same night he has his own nightmare. He wakes up in an ocean with three other soldiers. They walk towards the shore (see above picture), get dressed, take their guns and head for a city being lit up by flares. Searching for its meaning he visits old army friends, acquaintances and interviews them to try to piece together his past. As he talks to more people, his dreams pull together into some semblance of an actual memory.

Waltz With Bashir brings back memories of the Pianist and other holocaust movies. Most of the movie is presented in a stunning animation that feels just right for this type of film. As Ari's whirlpool of memories begins to slow down and show what actually happened, the film reverts to real footage of the aftermath of committed atrocities. You'll have to see it for yourself to see what I'm talking about. When I turned off the movie I was surprised to find that it had only played for about an hour and twenty minutes. About three hours of considering my existence and a night full of haunted dreams await me. Waltz With Bashir makes me happy that I live in such a safe country away from ethnic hatred and genocide. But it angers me because it showed me that we do not do enough to protect the world and the rights of each individual person.

Waltz With Bashir's documentary style and unique animation makes it a haunting reminder of the effects war has on a people group, and unique individuals. Waltz With Bashir already nabbed the 2008 oscar for best foreign language drama and is a beautifully rendered memior of Ari's time in Lebanon.

(note to kiddos, the movie is rated R for a reason, disturbing images of war, genocide and a graphic sex scene, rent with caution)

Grade= A-

Christopher O'Connell

The Taking of Pelham 123

Disclaimer: The following review is coming from someone who has not seen the original version of the movie or read the book. Therefore, I have nothing to compare it to. Had I seen/read it my review would most likely be altered.





Tony Scott's "The Taking of Pelham 123" is a remake of a 1974 movie of the same name. The roles played in the original by Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw are now played by Denzel Washington and John Travolta. Joining Washington and Travolta in this version are James Gandolfini and John Turturro. The movie is well cast and has great acting. The pacing is appropriate and the script works relatively well. The end result is actually pretty good, especially for summer, where 90% of the movies are so awful they're not worth the time it takes to watch the trailer on Youtube.


"The Taking of Pelham 123" is set in New York City, where Ryder (John Travolta) and a couple accomplices gain control of a subway train. Walter Garber (Denzel Washington) is the subway dispatcher who first talks to Ryder. Ryder has the people on the train hostage and now Garber has the responsiblity of getting Ryder $10 million dollars ransom money. If Ryder does not have the money within the hour, then one person dies for each minute past the deadline. The mayor of New York (Gandolfini) and NYPD Emergency Service Unit Lt. Camonetti (Turturro) are among those aiding in the aquiring of the money. As much as I would like to I won't ruin the entire movie for people, even though I would not mind doing that. Apparently people don't really appreciate that.


One of the key reasons for this movie being worth the time at the theater is the two leads. Denzel Washington is perfect in his role and he seems believable. He is a great counterpart to Travolta's Ryder. John Travolta has made some questionable choices in his career (Did we really need a "Look Who's Talking" trilogy or "Battlefield Earth"?) However, this is not one of them. He is actually pretty believable as a man holding up a subway and is the polar opposite of Garber which works out well in the movie. Strangely enough Travolta also provides some comic relief in "The Taking of Pelham 123" which works surprisingly well given the type of movie that it is. They have a decent script, although not original, is executed well by the cast. Gandolfini and Turturro also give great performances in their supporting roles.


However, the movie is definitely cheesy in spots and at times pretty predictable. The frequent freeze frames and countdown until the hour is up does not help the movie. Also, many of the action sequences do not feel natural. There is a lot of quick and freqent cuts and several scenes feel extremely computerized. It looks like Tony Scott wants to make sure people's ADD doesn't kick in during the movie.



The quick edits, freeze frames, and computer generated effects can be distracting, but luckily

did not take away from the movie as a whole. The cast, most notably Washington and Travolta gave great performances. And quite honestly its worth seeing the movie just to see Denzel Washington and John Travolta working together. 3 stars...so much better than most of the movies that make more money than this one...and I have seen a lot this summer...

-Joseph Sbrilli

Public Enemies

Honest to God, I wish I was Johnny Depp. The man is just an amazing actor. Every role he gets becomes another masterpiece that everyone enjoys. I even loved him in Pirates 2 and 3 (even if the movies made me want to gouge my eyes out with bear traps).

Public Enemies is no exception. It is hands down one of the best films of the summer and from what I hear is already slated to be in the running for Oscar season.

So, here's the story, John Dillinger (Depp) is a notorious anti-hero bank robber who is loved by the American people. Dillinger is taking money away from banks during a time when most people are blaming the banks for bringing on the Depression (also known as the "emo" era). Dillinger and men like Pretty Boy Floyd and Baby Face Nelson have free reign while the cops can't seem to do anything about it. In comes special agent Melvin Purvis (Bale), sent by FBI
director J. Edgar Hoover to arrest and/or kill all evildoers. While Dillinger discovers that his once booming lifestyle is slowly fading away and becoming obsolete, Purvis finds that to catch criminals like Dillinger, he and his team will have to resort to brutal methods to bring them in.

Johnny Depp again shows us that he is an amazing actor, while Christian Bale shows us that he is still an actor. If this movie is remembered for anything it should be remembered for its stunning realism. the whole film has a documentary style filming to it. Every scene feels like they placed cameras during the time period and just started filming. Every gunshot is particularly brutal. They are the loudest gunshots I've ever heard in a movie and it will make you jump in your seat. Action shots usually involve shaky cameras as the cameramen chase the actors through intense shootouts. Director Michael Mann is basically saying, "this is what happened, this is how Dillinger lived, deal with it." The author of the book the movie is based on even claimed that this was, "The most accurate film Hollywood has ever made." Public Enemies is definitly a film you should see in theatres.

Side note: Dillingers love interest is just awful, just god awful. and she looks like Katy Perry so thats like a double awful whammy.

Grade: B+

-Christopher O'Connell

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen definitely shows that Michael Bay put a lot of time, effort, and money into the visual effects of the movie. However, several essential aspects of a great film were sadly missing in this sorry attempt at a movie. This includes, but certainly is not limited to script, directing, acting, and pacing. The movie was an excruciatingly painful 2 hours and 30 minutes long, but feels so much longer. The plot never develops and what little plot that is there feels like it could have been settled in about 80 minutes.


The movie goes a little like this...Sam Witwicky goes off to college and has to leave his girlfriend Mikaela Banes. This leads to lots of chemistry-less scenes and extremely agrivating cameras spinning around them as they embrace one another and try to convince the audience that they are a believable couple and that the audience should have an interest in them. While at college Sam gets seduced by a blonde girl and his car follows him and this leads to Sam and the Autobots fighting against the Decepticons. This leads to the longest Transformers battle, which gets tiring unbelievably quickly. Interest gets lost in the movie about half way through when you look at your watch and realize that its just barely half over.


It's really should be no surprise to anyone that in 2 weeks it has become the highest grossing movie of 2009. After all it has an attractive cast and plenty of special effects driven action. And apparently that what the masses want.


The two stars of the latest "Transformers", Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox give highly forgettable performances. It seems like LaBeouf has just gone from a typecasted Disney kid to a typecasted action star. He shows absolutely no depth to the character and there is simply no reason to care about him and his new college life and several transformers battles. Any young actor could have played Sam Witwicky. Megan Fox, who plays Sam's girlfriend, Mikaela, fared even worse. It is obvious that she was cast solely on looks. It appears that she should be modeling somewhere instead of trying to be an actress because the result is just embarassing. All of her line deliveries just feel unnatural and contrived. Actorwise the only performance that gets anywhere near good is John Turturro, who played Agent Simmons. He managed to take mediocre lines and make them seem not that bad.


Some good special effects, a few relatively amusing lines, intense action, and Megan Fox do not make "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" worth the money or time to go and see it. Almost no plot, tiring action sequences, and no character development or believability makes this one of the worst movies to have such impressive ticket sales. I suggest avoiding the movie at all cost...or just watch the trailer 100 times...since thats the movie...just condensced. And knowing Hollywood a third installment is probably in talks as I am typing this.  0 stars.

-Joseph Sbrilli

Alternate Review: ROBOT HEAVEN?!?!?!?! REALLY?!?! REALLY MICHAEL BAY?!?! REALLY?!?! Grade: D

-Christopher O'Connell