Upcoming Movies

Plot Outline: With their warning about Lord Voldemort's return scoffed at, Harry and Dumbledore are targeted by the Wizard authorities as an authoritarian bureaucrat slowly seizes power at Hogwarts. (IMDB)

The Harry Potter movies have, as is a rule for all movies made from books, mostly sucked. I’ve been a fan of the books for a long time, and thus I’ve seen all the movies despite the pain they caused me. The last movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was actually passable, however, a fact that I attribute mostly to the new director, Mike Newell, who is responsible for … passable movies such as Man in the Iron Mask and Mona Lisa Smile. Apparently he was also responsible for making the movie more palatable for non-Harry-Potter-freak-fans by making it shorter, cutting out the five hundred hour quidditch scenes, and putting the characters in normal clothing as opposed to robes.

This new movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, is again being directed by Mike Newell, which is a good thing. However, what I’m honestly most excited about is the fact that Helena Bonham Carter is being added to the cast for the role of Bellatrix Lestrange. Ever since I saw her in Fight Club, I’ve been a fan. While this role is honestly quite small (at least it was in the book… she’s only around in a few chapters), I’m still looking forward to seeing what Carter does with it. The Harry Potter cast is becoming more impressive with each movie, it seems.

On another note, I think the growth of the child cast members has been hilarious to watch over the years. Emma Watson (Hermione), is actually growing up to be quite an attractive young lady, and I bet we’ll see sites similar to the “Countdown until the Olsen twins are legal,” ones for Watson in the near future. Rupert Grint (Ron) looked like a small, goofy child in the first movie, and now he looks like a large goofy child. Daniel Radcliffe, however, was a cute little kid in the first couple of movies. Now he’s starting to look kind of creepy… I don’t know what it is. I haven’t found anyone else who agrees with me on this, but honestly. How is this not creepy? He looks like he wants to go for your throat.

-Ian

Plot Outline: In 480 B.C. the king of Sparta lead his army of 300 soldiers against the entire Persian army in the Battle of Thermopylae. This is Frank Miller's take on that historic event.

I was chatting with my friend Jane today and she was talking about how she really wanted to see 300. I had seen the preview when we went to see Children of Men, but really didn't give it any thought. I guess I'm just slacking on the whole upcoming movie reviews.. I decided to do a little research on the movie and post about it. So Jane, this one's for you.

Honestly, I think Frank Miller (Sin City) is brilliant. I would go see this regardless of what it was about, just to see his vision made a reality. I never read his graphic novels (or anyone else's for that matter), nor did I know much about the Battle of Thermopylae, but I think this movie looks rather cool. Hopefully, director Zack Snyder, who also directed the 2004 version of Dawn of the Dead, will be able to honor Miller's vision. I have a feeling it is going to be a brainless action flick, with a little love story thrown in somewhere (cause it seems Hollywood thinks every movie has to have one), and a lot of bad-ass fight scenes. All in all, I'll check it out.

What d'ya say Jane? Care to join me?

-Tig

Plot Outline: When a Las Vegas performer-turned-snitch named Buddy Israel (Piven) decides to turn state's evidence and testify against the mob, it seems that a whole lot of people would like to make sure he's no longer breathing. (IMDB)

I'm totally psyched to see this movie! It has an amazing cast including Jeremy Piven, Ryan Reynolds, Common, and Ray Liota. And just looks like a damn fun movie. I just watched the 18+ trailers on the official site and Jeremy Piven proves to me once again that he's a genius.. ok side note.. His role in Rush Hour 2 (especially his scenes in the gag reel) is brilliant.. plain and simple, the guy rocks.

Guns, Bombs, Nudity, Bounty Hunters, and a deck of cards?! Deal me in!

(sorry bad pun)