Escape from Ennui
In the infinite abyss of boredom which opens before me as the last review session of the semester winds to an inexorable end, I find my mind turning to other interests, in fact, to anything at all. As I have recently had opportunity to view two spectacular films, I feel to discuss their merits in an attempt to stave my impending death by ennui. This last weekend I ignored the pressing need to study for the midterms which hang precariously over my head and attended Harry Potter and Walk the Line.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth and arguably the best Harry Potter book. The same can be said of the movie. Not only did the movie hang on a framework of excellent plot and interesting character development, it excelled by virtue of impressive direction. The sequences of romantic interaction between the three main characters blew me away, and the action sequences of Harry in the TriWizard Tournament provided some breathtaking, edge of your seat entertainment. In addition, the young actors are truly blossoming into professional performers and at times demonstrate a real maturity in their acting. Despite the race from beginning to end, the film did not succeed on all levels.
A few elements of the film both contradicted the book and may have alienated fans. Throughout the books Albus Dumbledore remains a dignified, graceful mentor to Harry and other characters. In this film, Michael Gambon’s portrayal of the stately wizard devolved into a twittering, overly-concerned mother hen. He fidgeted from place to place, yelled at Harry, and came off as an overly strict, out of control head master. In addition, the beginning of the film came off as hurried and unconnected. Each scene cut to another with little transition and no real chance to orient oneself before moving to the next. Shortcomings aside, this is hands down the best Potter flick yet and deserves a viewing on the big screen.
The other film worthy of review is Walk the Line, an awe inspiring biopic about the life of Johnny Cash and his love affair with June Carter. Whether one approves of Cash’s life choices, it is hard to deny the impressive performances of both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, perhaps the most impressive element of the film. The directing is of limited influence on the film and comes across as a bit pedestrian, especially sequences of Cash’s detox which are filled with jump cuts and harsh lighting. But the director does succeed in showing the performances of his stars without getting in the way.
It is that performance which provides the real driving force behind the film. Both Phoenix and Witherspoon sing all of their own songs and between their onscreen performance and their singing, sound nearly identical to the originals. For the first time in my memory, I watched this film and forgot that I was watching an actor. I truly felt that I was watching Johnny Cash on the screen. Perhaps this is biased as I am a fan of Phoenix, but even for non-fans, his energy and presence on screen command attention. Witherspoon offers an equally impressive supporting role and manages to transcend her more common blonde character portrayals.
Both Harry Potter and Walk the Line deserve a big screen viewing, and in my world, a full price big screen viewing. They are both entertaining escapes from reality and give the viewer several meaningful character moments. It’s a great time in the theater, and a wonderful distraction from a tedious law review. But, in the words of Levar Burton, don’t take my word for it.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth and arguably the best Harry Potter book. The same can be said of the movie. Not only did the movie hang on a framework of excellent plot and interesting character development, it excelled by virtue of impressive direction. The sequences of romantic interaction between the three main characters blew me away, and the action sequences of Harry in the TriWizard Tournament provided some breathtaking, edge of your seat entertainment. In addition, the young actors are truly blossoming into professional performers and at times demonstrate a real maturity in their acting. Despite the race from beginning to end, the film did not succeed on all levels.
A few elements of the film both contradicted the book and may have alienated fans. Throughout the books Albus Dumbledore remains a dignified, graceful mentor to Harry and other characters. In this film, Michael Gambon’s portrayal of the stately wizard devolved into a twittering, overly-concerned mother hen. He fidgeted from place to place, yelled at Harry, and came off as an overly strict, out of control head master. In addition, the beginning of the film came off as hurried and unconnected. Each scene cut to another with little transition and no real chance to orient oneself before moving to the next. Shortcomings aside, this is hands down the best Potter flick yet and deserves a viewing on the big screen.
The other film worthy of review is Walk the Line, an awe inspiring biopic about the life of Johnny Cash and his love affair with June Carter. Whether one approves of Cash’s life choices, it is hard to deny the impressive performances of both Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, perhaps the most impressive element of the film. The directing is of limited influence on the film and comes across as a bit pedestrian, especially sequences of Cash’s detox which are filled with jump cuts and harsh lighting. But the director does succeed in showing the performances of his stars without getting in the way.
It is that performance which provides the real driving force behind the film. Both Phoenix and Witherspoon sing all of their own songs and between their onscreen performance and their singing, sound nearly identical to the originals. For the first time in my memory, I watched this film and forgot that I was watching an actor. I truly felt that I was watching Johnny Cash on the screen. Perhaps this is biased as I am a fan of Phoenix, but even for non-fans, his energy and presence on screen command attention. Witherspoon offers an equally impressive supporting role and manages to transcend her more common blonde character portrayals.
Both Harry Potter and Walk the Line deserve a big screen viewing, and in my world, a full price big screen viewing. They are both entertaining escapes from reality and give the viewer several meaningful character moments. It’s a great time in the theater, and a wonderful distraction from a tedious law review. But, in the words of Levar Burton, don’t take my word for it.
posted by Thuan30 | 1:45 PM
1 Comments:
What are you talking about. Micheal Gambon is an acting god. The Singing Detective (1986 version not 2003), Sleepy Hollow, Open Range! Of course I haven't seen the movie yet and really have no honest inpute, just wanted to make trouble. Oh yes Open Range is about a half-hour too long, but Gambon's still great in it.
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