Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Here it is guys, the epic conclusion, the final battle, The Return of The Jed…oh wait, that’s a different series. Everything you have been waiting to happen for ten years happens now. The Dark Lord gained a huge advantage at the end of Part 1, which in my opinion, could not have ended on a better cliffhanger. Alliances will be tested, battles will be fought, lives will be lost and most importantly, Neville finally gets to be a badass.

After the events of the last film, the gang are still on the hunt for the last few Horcruxes to destroy them in an attempt to kill Voldemort. They have to break into Belatrix Lestrange’s vault at Gringott’s Bank. They find out that Dumbledore has a brother. They also have to break back into Hogwarts, which Snape has been ruling with an iron fist. Naturally, things come to a head. Snape’s true intentions all along are revealed and the final battle is more epic than anyone could have imagined. We even get a P.S. to see what happens to everyone on down the road.

I can’t imagine a better way for this saga to end, except for maybe one thing. I hated to see so many beloved characters die but it is essential to the narrative for things to happen the way they do. Happiness is not in abundance in these last few installments, but I feel that it makes the story more real, more personal. I loved this series so much and it has been a blast re watching all of these films and revisiting the series to do this spotlight this month. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as we did. Til next time…

-Heath

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RIP Harold Ramis

Harold Ramis was responsible for a lot of my laughter growing up. The first laughs came with Animal House, Caddyshack and Stripes. Movies I was probably too young for at the time but thankfully my pop let me watch them with him anyway. That was back before I appreciated the writers of films or really grasped how film making worked. Those three films easily make it into the list of my favorite movies and each are tied to memories of my pop and I laughing over the years as we watched them again and again. Thank you Mr. Ramis.

Mr. Ramis is possibly best know for his role in a film I professed my love for last year as being one of the movies I’m most thankful for, Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters, which he wrote with Rick Moranis and Dan Aykroyd. He would reprise the role five years later in Ghostbusters II which he also wrote with Aykroyd. While a third Ghostbusters film has been in the works for years, it looks like now a reboot is more likely and possibly a better choice than having Ghostbusters III without Egon.

I’ll end by mentioning Groundhogs Day. Ramis cowrote and directed this film about a man reliving the same day over and over until he gets it right. Its another of my “if its on, watch it” films that I can watch anytime and its also a film I connect with happy memories, this time the laughs were shared with my Ma.

As I said in the opening paragraph, Harold Ramis has been responsible for a lot of my laughter growing up and he will be missed. He had a hand in more films than I’ve mentioned here but I chose my favorites. I can’t think of a better way to end this than with the words of my good friend Heath, whom upon learning of this tragic news texted me “Goddammit, I no longer want to live here.” Till next time friends, stay entertained.

-D

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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Okay Potter fans, this is the beginning of the end. There is not much happiness and joy to be found at this point in the series. Main characters are dead and the gang have been forced to grow up very quickly in light of the events of the last couple of films. At this point, youth and it’s pursuits are long gone and in it’s place are will power and determination.

Following the events of Half Blood Prince, the gang are on the run in search of Horcruxes. Hogwarts and the ministry are being taken over by those loyal to Voldemort and the gang can’t return. Their new mission brings new dangers and forces them to get creative in their search. Much like Half Blood Prince, this film ends on a really negative note for the gang with Voldemort gaining a key advantage and one of the sadest moments of the entire series.

Much like Harry, the franchise has matured so much at this point. As the films have delved into darker and more personal material, they have become more complex. The gang is almost at the end of their story and things are really only downhill from here. This is the perfect setup for the epic conclusion. Deathly Hallows is my favorite installment of the series despite the saddest loss of the series. You most definitely have to watch the other six films to really understand what is going on, but it is worth it for these last two installments if nothing else.

Til next time…

-Heath
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Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince

“These are dark times Harry.”

Indeed they are friends. Even the muggle world knows that things are taking a turn for the worse. The Deatheaters are running wild, destroying bridges, not caring if they are seen by muggles and returning their videotapes without rewinding them (ask your parents, kids). Shit is getting bad, people are disappearing and we’re one step closer to the end.

“You’ve been reckless this summer Harry.”

Harry went out for a nice ride on the trains one night, thought he’d grab a bite at a diner, flirt with the waitress and then boom theres Dumbledore arriving just in time to save Harry from getting his swerve on (again, ask your parents, kids). After using him to convince Professor Slughorn to return to Hogwarts, Dumbledore drops Harry at the Weasleys to finish the summer.
Meanwhile Draco has become a Deatheater and been given the task of helping Dumbledore kick that nasty living habit he has but seriously even his mother and batshit crazy aunt know he doesn’t have the stones to pull it off. So of course who can they turn to but good ole Snape who makes “The Unbreakable Vow” and agrees to carry out Dracos mission should he fail to. Romances bloom, lives are ended and things at Hogwarts will never be the same.

“Do as I say Harry”

Half-Blood Prince is possibly my favorite film in the series. Its one of the last times you get to see the kids have a bit of fun before they’re forced to abandon what remains of their childhood and began the final journey to destroy the ring in Mount Doom or you know, stop Voldemort. Its doom and gloom for a while from here friends but stay strong and we’ll make it to the end…together…too cheesy…meh. Till next time friends, stay entertained.

-D

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Escape Plan

Ok guys, I’ve been pretty up front with my love for over the top action flicks. They are the type of films I grew up on. When I was a kid, Schwarzenegger,  Stallone, and Willis were the biggest action stars around and it seemed like every other movie that came out had one or the other of them in it. Then they got old, became governors, or moved on to other types of roles. Then a few years ago, Schwarzenegger and Willis made cameo appearances in Stallone’s The Expendables making action flick fanboys go nuts. I mean, the three biggest action stars from the 80’s in the same film? It was awesome. Finally, Schwarzenegger stepped down as governor and reignited his film career with full force. Last years The Last Stand totally lived up to my expectations for Ahhhnold’s return and I was really looking forward to this team up.

Stallone stars as Ray Breslin, a man who works under cover for the government breaking out of maximum security prisons to show their flaws. After accepting a deal that is pretty fucking sketchy from the start, he ends up in a supermax prison called The Tomb that is meant to make its inmates disappear from society permanently and naturally, he is trapped. He befriends Schwarzenegger’s Rottmayer and the two begin to hatch their plan for escape. Some pretty significant revelations come to light and naturally, some pretty big action sequences are included.

Long story short, I FUCKING LOVED THIS MOVIE. It was everything that I wanted it to be and more. Instead of trying to avoid the slightly cheesy 80’s action movie clichés, this flick embraces them and wears them like a badge of honor, almost making them cool. Stallone and Schwarzenegger and stone cold bad asses together with enough swagger to fuel a small country. Naturally, there is an awesome scene where Schwarzenegger pulls a mounted machine gun off of a helicopter while giving a really intense look and starts mowing down the enemy with it. True badassery defined.

Some parts of the story line are slightly cliche. Some of the dialogue is kind of cheesy and some of the performances are a little over the top, but none of that matters. This is such a goddamn good movie it makes you forget about all of that. For an explosive good time give this movie a watch. Til next time…

-Heath
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Harry Potter and The Order Of The Phoenix

Have you heard? They say the Dark Lord is back. They say he killed a kid at the Tri-Wizard Tournament. ‘At’s a bunch of rubbish, don’t you read The Prophet. Potter kid’s making the whole thing up he is, trying to get his name in the papers an such.

Thats right friends we’re back for another fun filled year at Hogwarts and have we got some shit to sort through this year. I mean we’re all still mourning Edwar-…I mean Cedric’s death. Parents are apprehensive about letting their children return to a school that has, on at least two occasions, had a teacher attempt to murder a student. Speaking of murdering students, Voldemort is back in all his pissed off wonder and you can’t help but think he had some influence in the decision to appoint Dolores Umbridge as the new Defense Against The Dark Arts teacher. Yes my friends its going to be another wonderful year full of excitement, danger and haircuts, lets dig in.

After a day of frolicking in the park, Harry and his best buddy Dudley are attacked by Dementors. Luckily Harry knows how to defend against them and chases them off with a Patronus but in doing so violates the “Underage Use of Magic in the Muggle World in Front of a Muggle, While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood” law. After a bullshit trial, Harrys name is cleared and he gets to return to Hogwarts. Once there he learns that the new DATDA teacher is the same bitch that was trying to get him expelled at his trial. In her first class Ms. Umbridge informs the students that there is no need to learn how to defend against dark magic because life is all rainbows and kittens. Harry and the gang decide to start a secret club where they will teach themselves. Shit hits the fan, Umbridge takes over Hogwarts and by the end theres no doubt that He Who Must Not Be Named is back in black… cue AC/DC.

At just over two hours, the second longest book somehow became the second shortest movie. I’m glad they were still able to hit almost all of the high points of the book without having to sacrifice too much. I’ve got to give special mention to Imelda Staunton who brought life to the one character that most fans hate more than Voldemort. I can’t watch this film without the phrase “what an unbelievable cunt” involuntarily slipping out. Well done.

The dark clouds that formed in The Goblet have set up shop in The Order and its going to be a while before we see the sun again. Till next time friends, stay entertained.

-D

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Well guys, this is the halfway point in our month long focus on/tribute to the Harry Potter film series. This time around, the darker tones really start to take hold for the long haul. To put it lightly, shit really starts to go south for the gang this time around, which pretty much sets the mood for the rest of the series. They have to deal with a lot of things that force them to not only grow as people, but to face their own mortality, albeit not for the first time or nearly the last.

While Harry and Hermione are attending the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasleys, Death Eaters attack the visitors area setting fire to all the tents. They are quickly sbut down, but the fact that they showed up in the first place is a terrible sign. After Harry’s name somehow gets entered into and drawn for the 17 and up Tri-Wizard Tournament, there is a school wide uproar. Once the events start to take place, it’s obvious that there are nefarious forces at work. Just to kick the forces of good while they are down, Lord Voldemort makes his return killing a student in the process.

This is one of a couple of the films in the series that totally has an Empire Strikes Back ending, whick is not to imply anything nevative at all just to say it ends on a total downer. Several key events take place in this film that lead to bigger things on down the road and some new characters are introduced as well as The Order of the Phoenix. The Order being a group attempting to keep dark forces at bay and out of the Ministry. This is also the first film to get a PG-13 rating, which I think speaks for the events that take place.

Overall it’s a solid flick. Not my favorite, not my least favorite, just a good solid entry in the series. Key events make it a must watch for the series, everything else makes it a must watch overall. Til next time…

-Heath

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Threads of darkness have run through the Harry Potter series since the first film. In the case of Sorcerer’s Stone and most of Chamber of Secrets though they were cleverly disguised by more light hearted fare. With Prisoner of Azkaban, the series took on a darker and more serious tone that only progressed and became more dominant through the rest of the films. The subject matter of the series has always been much more than just childrens programming but this was the film that proved it to the audiences.

It’s time for another school year at Hogwarts and it couldnt come soon enough as Harry’s home life has somehow managed to get worse. On top of that, the man held partially responsible for Harry’s parent’s deaths has escaped from Azkaban and is looking for Harry. Once the group gets settled in, weird things start to happen at the school. Dementors from Azkaban are patrolling the grounds and interfering where they shouldnt which causes its fair share of problems. Of course, there is a climax involving Sirius Black that is full of revelations. Oh, there is yet another Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and yet again, he has a big secret of his own.

This was the first film in the series where I, and undoubtedly countless others, knew that the series was really something to be taken seriously. Thats not to say that the first two films were “kid stuff” by any means, only that this film was more mature. This was the film that locked me in for the long haul. The story line of this film also delved a little more into some really deep, personal material involving Harry’s parents and the truth about their deaths.

This film introduced a few more big name actors to the series boasting Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, and Timothy Spall. This is also the first film following the death of the late, great Richard Harris having been replaced by the equally beloved Michael Gambon as Dumbledore. Long story short, this is a solid film. It sets up the darker material to come and made the series more serious to the general public. Til next time…

Heath

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Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets

“Harry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts”

Like hell! Last year we had a three headed dog, a mountain troll, ghosts, Quidditch, huge feasts, learned some magic and got to save the day. Why wouldn’t you go back. Seriously, you would have to lock me in my room and bar the windows to keep me from going back.

Trying to stay out of trouble while patiently waiting for the summer to end, Harry finds himself being forced to hide as The Assholes prepare for a small dinner party. While upstairs “pretending he doesn’t exist” Harry gets a visit from Dobby the house elf. Seems he’s come to warn Harry that danger and certain death await him should he return to Hogwarts. Harry insists he will return, Dobby drops a cake on a dinner guest and Harry is locked in his room, with bars on the windows. Harry gets sprung by the Weaslys in their fathers flying car, is introduced to traveling via Floo powder and we find out where Draco gets his bad attitude from. I’d love to tell you more but you’ll have to open the chamber for yourselves…see what I did there…

Where The Stone introduced us to The Wizarding World, The Chamber dares us to come back, delve deeper and stay a little longer. By a little longer I mean this film clocks at nearly three hours, so have your snacks close at hand. Sadly this was the last time Richard Harris would portray Dumbledore, a few weeks prior to the American opening of this film, he lost his battle with Hodgkins Disease. Beware the heir of Slytherin and till next time friends, stay entertained.

Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone

I ventured into the world of Harry Potter one evening after searching through the aisles of a local video store and finding nothing else that caught my eye. At the time I had no real interest in the wizarding world. Sure I was aware of the popularity of the Potter. I had seen the lines of parents and children, dressed in costume outside of bookstores waiting for the midnight release of each new novel. The same was seen outside theaters with the release of each film but for some reason I had skipped over these films. After that night I was a fan.

If you’ve never given this film a chance I’ll try not to spoil it for you here, off we go…

Harry is an orphan being raised by a couple of assholes along side their own asshole child. They treat him awfully until one day a letter arrives for Harry, one which Aunt and Uncle Asshole don’t want him to see. They destroy it and another arrives and the cycle continues, with the number of letters multiplying, until they pack up and head off to a shack on an island. There in the middle of the night we’re introduced to Hagrid and find out that Harry is a wizard. From there its magical surprises, creatures and places at nearly every turn.

While I did arrive late to Platform 9 3/4 I’m happy to say I didn’t miss the train entirely. I was able to catch up on the first four films before hitting the theater for the rest. Along the way I started reading the books, avoiding each until I had watched the corresponding film. That way, everything that the people who had read the books first and were pissed about, I viewed those same occurrences as little surprises.

Don’t avoid these films because you’ve dismissed them as “kids stuff”, it’s true the books were aimed at a younger audience but thankfully J.K. Had the good sense to make them fun for adults too.Till next time friends, stay entertained.

-D

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