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Capone Joins THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX!!
Hey everyone. Capone in Chicago here.
Unlike many of you, I've never read a Harry Potter book in my life. I'll admit, at first it was because I just didn't care. But over the years, as the films have rolled out faithfully ever year and a half or so, I've actually been keen to discover whether those of us unfamiliar with the Harry Potter saga were seeing it translated to the big screen faithfully enough that we were getting the gist of the countless characters and winding plot twists. I know few films can capture ever nuance of its source material, but I'm decided to see everyone of these films before I dive into the books in 2010 just to see if the cinematic Potter holds up as a stand-alone entity.
I've enjoyed all the films to varying degrees over the years and had no trouble keeping all of the relationships and ever-more-complicated plotlines straight in my head. The fifth installment of the film series, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, marks the first time I genuinely felt a knowledge of the book's inner workings might have helped me enjoy the adaptation more. I don't know what details from the book were missing, but the film hints that layers of far more interesting connections and relationships are afoot. I still thoroughly enjoyed the movie, and the idea that there will only be two more entries in this phenomenal series is only now just starting to sink in.
Order of the Phoenix feels like a transitional work, complete with more exposition than most younger viewers will probably be able to fully grasp. The plot essentially sets up what will clearly be a monster battle in the final two films. As a result the importance of certain characters--many of whom have been largely shoved to the background in the last couple of movies--are now becoming clearer. I was especially pleased to see Gary Oldman's Sirius Black, Alan Rickman's Professor Snape, and even Jason Isaacs Lucius Malfoy play major roles in this story. There are a couple magnificent scenes in which Snape attempts to teach Harry how to protect his mind from potential invasion. But when Harry turns the tables and briefly enters Snape's memories, holy crap, the things we see reveal so much. It still amazes me how many great actors have lent their talents to this universe. To see Emma Thompson as the sniveling Prof. Trelawney or Maggie Smith or Robbie Coltraine or Julie Walters or David Thewles or Brendon Gleeson in such small parts that if you blink you'd miss them is kind of fun. Plus, the film's final battle between Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes, who simply eats up every scene he's in and asks for seconds) and Michael Gambon's Dumbledore is nothing short of perfection.
The film also introduces two new characters to its evil arsenal. Imelda Staunton's Dolores Umbridge, who swoops into Hogwarts from the clearly corrupt Ministry of Magic and takes over with her strict policies and love of punishment, and Helena Bonham Carter's Bellatrix Lestrange, who escapes from Azkaban Prison clearly set on causing as much destruction and mayhem as possible. Bonham Carter whips out her best goth girl makeup and hairstyle, and reminds me once again why I've always lusted after her. And while she's only in the film a brief time, I suspect her return is eminent and will be devastating. While I'm willing to believe that the character of Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) will get more interesting as time goes on, her introduction into the Harry Potter world is somewhat underwhelming compared to the new baddies brought in with this film.
One of the most welcome surprises in Order of the Phoenix is just how strong the kids' acting has become, with Daniel Radcliffe as Harry really coming into his own as a dramatic force. His performance as a tormented, emotional adolescent plagued by horrible nightmares, visions that torture his waking hours, and constant attacks on his fragile mind is one of the film's most welcome revelations. This is the first time I've felt any performance in one of the Harry Potter films ought to be considered for an acting prize. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint as Hermione and Ron also get opportunities to emote and give us hope that these talented young actors might have a shot at impressing us in a post-Potter world.
The film's plot is actually several smaller plots, some of which are resolved (or so it would seem) by the end of the movie and others that clearly will carry on until the last page/frame of The Deathly Hallows. When I say that Order of the Phoenix is a transitional work, I mean that no one story dominates the proceedings. We get Umbridge's overtly undermining schemes at the school, while we also dig deeper into the gathering of both dark and light forces for the coming clash of the wizard titans. The connections between Voldemort and Harry are more deeply explored without truly being resolved.
As a testament to the overall greatness of author J.K. Rowling's storytelling, this is the first of the films that actually made me crave the next installment. I'm desperate to know how certain aspects of this story pull together in the next part of this adventure. November 21, 2008 is already marked on my calendar for the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and I look forward being one of the few people in the audience who hasn't got a clue what's going to happen next.
Capone
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On my way to get my geek on in Glorious IMAX at the Midnight Show ... i'm with Capone ... I have no idea what happens next!
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Dont hold your breathe for too much action in six though, Capone. Looks like sevens where its at.
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out of Transformers. And mainly hoping Bourne Ultimatum salvages this whole underwhelming summer movie season.
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I imagine that the battle that leads to Dumbledore's death will probably take 40 minutes of film time.
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The books are, by far, the real deal. Capone, I know you enjoy watching the movies, but I seriously recommend reading the sixth book, and then the seventh. The book is so good, and I'm sure the movie (as usual) won't do it complete justice. It's something you most likely will not regret!
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Thanks for the teensy little spoiler! Shithead.
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...some fucking spoiler tags? It would have been nice to know that this idiot was going to drop a bomb like Voldimort Vs Dumbledore before reading.
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This movie is getting so many mixed reviews its not even funny. I guess will have to decide for myself on Friday. I just hope that the certain person who suppose to die in the movie gets a good death and not a wash over bull shit.
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Entertaining while you're in it, but doesn't really stick with you the way the others did. Basically a bridge between part 1 of the story and part 2. I know I'll get lynched for saying this but Azkaban was my least favorite book, but the movie blew me away, so I was hoping for something similar here, but it sounds like it's not to be. Oh well, if movie 6 is half as cool as book 6 was, we're in for a treat next year.
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but if you think this movie had a lot of exposition and set-up...just wait until book six. that sucker is nothing BUT set-up.
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I had my issues with Azkaban the movie but it was better then Chamber of Boredom. Ashok0
is right this summer has been nothing but let down. All the hype but not one movie so far stands out. Especially not one sequel. I still think this movie will make a killing in the first week. Then drop like crazy because everyone, including myself will be off reading book 7. -
Ok, unlike many of you i actually liked Transformers so this summer hasn't been a complete bust for me, but still a pretty big letdown overall considering the sheer volume of big releases. So how are we feelin about summer 08 right now? We've got Dark Knight, Iron Man, Hulk 2: Just Smashin, Indiana Jones, Prince Caspian, Speed Racer.... Bats should be a sure thing, but hopefully the rest will be more winners than losers.
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Yeah, I loved Transformers as well. With Dark Knight and Indy 4, I think next summer's bound to be good.
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yeah capone, i felt the same way after reading book 5, that it was all lead up for the monster battle that would start in book 6. it doesnt. that doesnt mean book 6 isnt one of the best books though.. im gonna go out on a limb and say the big fight will happen in book 7. I know, thats a crazy prediction, but im gonna stick to it.
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it does feel a bit like filler at times..which is why im excited for the movie. the book was okay but didnt need to be 4 gazillion pages long. im hoping the movie will streamline it nicely.
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i was gonna say you should probably delete the post about dumbledore, but you havent had that spoiled by know, you probably dont use the internet.
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like you Capone, I've yet to read a Harry Potter book and the feeling of not knowing what happens in the future movies is always a nice surprise. i avoid any spoilers when the books are released.
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And then when you're done you can go read Encyclopedia Brown Strikes Again, Clifford The Big Red Dog, or The Baby-Sitter's Club.
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i realize everybody here, me included, is a self-appointed officer on the grammar police squad, but i'm going one step further and recommending syntax therapy. by describing what are essentially fun, well-executed fantasy films as though you were talking about a lost kurosawa film, you're setting a precedent for disappointment, man. ease up just a little and we'll get a much better sense of the actual quality of the film. i would never describe the books - although i enjoy them thoroughly and think they're very competently written - in the same tone i'd describe something by updike or pynchon. ok enough snob talk, you know i'm still gonna see the 10 am showing on friday.
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jesus cristos i can't believe you pulled 'encycopedia brown' out of your ass. awesome! *flailing in the wake of a third-grade flashback*
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wednesday 10 am. my friday 10 am is of course reserved for 'captivity.' *snork*
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I know the new Die Hard film isn't that great, but is there any chance Harry and Moriarty can give their analysis on it and say what they liked / disliked about it and / or what it should've done a lot better about it, as I don't think their reviews for it have been posted yet.
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This is like the 90th time someone escaped from that friking place.
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I mean, this is the Order of the PHOENIX after all. WTF I just can't wait to see this movie. Like Capone, I haven't read any of the books, I like going in and just getting a new experience each time.
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If you don't plan on reading the books, Dumbledore doesn't die. This is all a lie put on by people that try to take advantage of the movie-people.
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damn.
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I suspect this film series can only be fully appreciated if you've read the books. I haven't read the books and I've found every single one of these Harry Potter movies painfully boring and hard to follow. I can't tell one Potter film from the next. I do like the cast, though, and there are always some delightful effects. But when I see a Potter movie, I usually forget about it by the time I reach the exit door. The movies do not make me want to read the books.
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All 2 minutes of her. I still wanted to see Malfoy with newfound authority dismiss them snidely by saying "Potty. Weasel King."
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Which makes the next week and a half unbearable: I want it now, dammit.
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There was one spoiler that was posted, but I'm hearing massive reports that it was a fake.
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I just watched the trailer. It looks fucking terrible. You can't beat the original, but I at least thought it would look a little more interesting than that. Why? Why the fuck are they raping MY childhood now? Oh and stay tuned for an unfunny "Heartbreak Kid" that completely misses the point. Sigh-motherfucking-sigh.
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David yates got order of the phoenix mostly right as opposed to mike newell who got goblet of fire mostly wrong. i would have preferred a more intensive end and a longer talk with dumbledore as it is so important to what is going to happen but overall the movie was good. second only to prizoner of azkaban.
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saw the midnight showing in barrington, IL.. packed house, 8 screens.. during the last reel..right during the climax, the film actually burned. like melted in front of all of us.. unbelievable that shit actually happens. it didnt seem real when it was happening. i expected gremlin shadows to pop up. the weirdest thing was that it didnt only happen on our screen it happened on the one next to us too. i think they were running them from the same filmstock.. but then then i dont know shit about projectors, so im just talking out of my ass... after 15 minutes they got it back running, but it was hard to get your head right back into the climax. fucking bullshit that could happen in 2007. guess digital projection is the way to go.
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...that childish phrase only emerged because you can't say "shit" on US network television.
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oh come on, these are summer product movies with some good points and some very bad points (lazy acting being the numero uno), they are not anything close to phenomenal. Jeez geek standards have dropped so much in recent years
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probably be able to fully grasp."
I'm going to have to take great issue with this statement. When I was 8-9 years old, our cable provider would have a 'free weekend' of their pay movie channels once every couple of months, and I lived for these weekends. I would set the VCR and record everything I could, and then watch those movies over and over again. And you know what movies were on those tapes? To name a few, Enemy Mine (one of my absolute favorites when I was a kid),
Terminator,
Mask,
Back to the Future,
Wrath of Kahn,
Indiana Jones 1 & 2,
Splash,
All of Me,
Nightmare on Elm Street,
Wargames,
First Blood,
Poltergeist,
Bladerunner, not to mention the Star Wars trilogy PLUS one of the hallmarks of my TV childhood was being allowed to stay up to watch the V miniseries when it came on. I had no problem whatsoever 'getting' these movies or following their exposition. More to the point, when I watch Harry Potter movies, I am constantly thinking 'if I was watching this as the 9 year old I was back in the 80s, I would feel like I'm being talked down to'. Kids aren't as dumb as we like to think they are, just think back to your own childhood film experiences and you'll realize this. -
Tonks makes me do a sex wee!
Also, send Bellatrix to the dentist and she is hot as well!
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