Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Director: David Yates

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint

Description: After a lonely summer on Privet Drive, Harry returns to a Hogwarts full of ill-fortune. Few of students and parents believe him or Dumbledore that Voldemort is really back. The ministry had decided to step in by appointing a new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher that proves to be the nastiest person Harry has ever encountered. Harry also can't help stealing glances with the beautiful Cho Chang. To top it off are dreams that Harry can't explain, and a mystery behind something Voldemort is searching for. With these many things Harry begins one of his toughest years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Review: What an awesome movie! I was blown away by this adaptation. Yates did a good job with a difficult book. After I read this book I had no idea how they were going to make this into a movie. There was so much in the book, but I feel they covered the most important parts. Yes, some things were changed, but I did like the changes. They made the movie flow well. I think my favorite parts were the action towards the end. The battle in the Department of Mysteries was awesome. I nearly wet myself watching it. I have heard many complaints that so much was left out, but I felt the filmmakers kept the spirit of the story alive. Yes, this one is definitely dark as will the later installments be. Harry Potter is no longer for the little ones, but I think that is a good thing. All in all, an excellent flick.

Score: 5 out of 5

Book Connections: David Yates brought the magic of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to the big screen. The first time I read this book I didn't like it as much. Harry was so full of angst. He was so very angry throughout the book and to be honest, he annoyed the crap out of me. In subsequent reading, I have begun to like to book more. I think this is one of the most action packed book to date, but we shall have to see with the new one coming out. So, not my favorite, but definitely worth a second look.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling (2003)

Evening

Evening (2007)

Director: Lajos Koltai

Starring: Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Patrick Wilson, Hugh Dancy, Natasha Richardson, Mamie Gummer, Meryl Streep, and Glen Close

Description: Evening is a deeply emotional film that illuminates the timeless love which binds mother and daughter -- seen through the prism of one mother's life as it crests with optimism, navigates a turning point, and ebbs to its close.

Review: I thought the movie was okay, but nothing to run to the theater to see. The acting was really good, but the story wasn't all there. I felt they left too many unanswered questions and the character development was sort of poor. Overall, a decent production, but nothing special.

Score: 2.5 out of 5

Book Connections: This movie is based off of the novel of the same name by Susan Minot. I have not read the book, but have been told that there are more answers to my questions in the book. It does sound a bit more depressing, but the characters are more defined. So, if you are looking for a depressing book, this is the one to read.

Evening by Susan Minot (1999)

Transformers

Transformers (2007)

Director: Michael Bay

Starring: Shia LeBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Rachel Taylor, Anthony Anderson, Jon Voight, and John Turturro

Description: High-school student Sam Witwicky buys his first car, who is actually the Autobot Bumblebee. Bumblebee defends Sam and his girlfriend Mikaela Banes from the Decepticon Barricade, before the other Autobots arrive on Earth. They are searching for the Allspark, and the war on Earth heats up as the Decepticons attack a United States military base in Qatar. Sam and Mikaela are taken by the top-secret agency Sector 7 to help stop the Decepticons, but when they learn the agency also intends to destroy the Autobots, they formulate their own plan to save the world.

Review: An awesome summer movie! I felt like a kid again watching this movie. All of my memories of the original cartoon came back as I was watching the movie. Honestly, I was a little concerned how they would make a feature length movie about the Transformers, but was pleasantly surprised by a believable storyline. I also loved that they brought back the original voice of Optimus Prime. The only real negative thing about it was the length. It was nearly 2.5 hours long. Other than that, I thought it was really good, especially the special effects. It really looked like they were transforming in real life. All in all, a great summer movie.

Score: 4 out of 5

1408

1408 (2007)

Director: Mikael Hafstrom

Starring: John Cusack, Mary McCormack, and Samuel L. Jackson

Description: Based on the short Stephen King horror story of the same name, 1408 surrounds supernatural writer Mike Enslin, an author of two hit books focusing on supernatural phenomena. As research for his latest book, Enslin is determined to check out the notorious room 1408 in a New York City hotel by personally staying as a guest in the fabled room. With the intention that 1408 is just a myth perpetuated by stories and rumor that Enslin has collected for his past works. However, hotel manager Mr. Olin has strong objections to Enslin's stay and only warns him of possible danger to come. But Enslin is determined to go through and convinced that the horrific past of 1408 is just mere coincidence and a myth. But what Mike Enslin is about to experience is no myth, as 1408 truly is a room where the guests don't check out by noon.

Review: This movie had me on the edge of my seat. I had to watch many parts with my fingers over my eyes. The soundtrack added that extra "scare" to the movie. Overall, I found the movie to be very interesting and creepy (but a good creepy). I think the message left by the movie was very interesting as well. I would definitely recommend this to everyone.

Score: 4.5 out of 5

Book Connection: This movie was based off of one of Stephen King's short stories (of the same name) in the collection entitled, Everything's Eventual. I have yet to read this collection but do have it on hold at the library. Once I finish that I will give my analysis at my book journal.


Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales by Stephen King

Hot Fuzz

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Director: Edgar Wright

Starring: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy, and Martin Freeman.

Description: Nicholas Angel is the finest cop London has to offer, with an arrest record 400% higher than any other officer on the force. He's so good, he makes everyone else look bad. As a result, Angel's superiors send him to a place where his talents won't be quite so embarrassing - the sleepy and seemingly crime-free village of Sandford. Once there, he is partnered with the well-meaning but overeager police officer Danny Butterman. The son of amiable Police Chief Frank Butterman, Danny is a huge action movie fan and believes his new big-city partner might just be a real-life "bad boy," and his chance to experience the life of gunfights and car chases he so longs for. Angel is quick to dismiss this as childish fantasy and Danny's puppy-like enthusiasm only adds to Angel's growing frustration. However, as a series of grisly accidents rocks the village, Angel is convinced that Sandford is not what it seems and as the intrigue deepens, Danny's dreams of explosive, high-octane, car-chasing, gunfighting, all-out action seem more and more like a reality. It's time for these small-town cops to break out some big-city justice.

Review: I just can't see this movie enough times. The more I see it, the more I like it. One of the best comedy films in a long time. I laughed so hard I nearly lost my voice. You will love it especially if you've seen cop "buddy" movies. Its not a parody of them, but more of an homage. Really well done. A definite must see.

Score: 5 out of 5