Filmsy - Movie Reviews Blog

Half-Blood Prince Delivers

by

I saw “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” yesterday and as can be expected it was good. My main problem with the movie though is that it just left me hanging! I haven’t read “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” and since I do enjoy the movies a lot don’t plan on reading it until I’ve seen the last film. I know I’ve got it backwards but it’s just more exciting to watch without knowing what’s going to happen next. I do love reading but this time the film adaptations are just so good (despite minor scenes) that I don’t think it would do a disservice to the book by watching the film before reading it.

Anyway, back to the “Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince.” What I liked about the movie (let’s not discuss the story anymore because we all know it’s good) is that it delivered. The CG was spectacular, a lot better than in the last movie “Order of the Phoenix” where we were introduced to Hagrid’s giant half-brother, Grawp. Grawp was adorable but like the centaurs was obviously CG. In contrast I don’t remember any part of the “Half-Blood Prince” looking unrealistic. Watching the film makes you think that everything is being shot as is.

The actors/actresses did not disappoint as well. The cast has obviously grown not just in age but in maturity in their acting skills. Those that stood out to me were Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), who was able to embody his very conflicted role, Rupert Grint (Ron Weasly), though I must be biased because Ron is my favorite character, and Frank Dillane (older Tom Riddle), who just sent shivers down my spine…he was so creepy! Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) did a good job as ever showing as Harry growing to be more than a boy. Others who did not stand only because in relation to their own achievements as actors (they always do an excellent job) are Helena Bonham Carter (Bellatrix), Alan Rickman (Snape) and Michael Gambon (Dumbledore). Cutest character in this movie is the same one in the last movie – Luna Lovegood (played by Evanna Lynch). She’s so cute I can’t help but wish Harry would just hook up with her instead of Ginny.

Bruno Banned in Ukraine and Toned Down in Britain

by

We always knew “Bruno” would be controversial and what’s happened in Britain and Ukraine is just more proof that not everyone can handle the film.

According to Reuters, Ukraine has banned “Bruno” from being shown in theaters and sold in DVDs after its culture ministry commission decided that the film “included an artistically unjustified exhibition of sexual organs and sexual relations, homosexual acts in a blatantly graphic form, obscene language, sadism, anti-social behavior which could damage the moral upbringing of our citizens.” The commission’s decision is not surprising since Sacha Baron Cohen’s previous film “Borat” was also banned in Ukraine. Time reported that Deputy Culture Minister Tymofiy Kokhan, head of the commission, told them that 9 out of the 14 commission’s experts voted to ban the film. Evhen Minko, chief editor of media-watchdog magazine Telekritika,is however concerned because he says that the comission’s decision shows that they do not understand the film at all. Taras Karasiychuk, director of the Gay Alliance of Ukraine, stated though that the comission’s decision was not really out of a moral standpoint but to earn points with the elections coming up. He says, “It’s more populism than a desire to protect morals.”

Meanwhile in Britain, where the film is enjoying great popularity, Universal Studios decided to release an edited version of “Bruno” so that younger audiences can see the film. The edited version, which will be just about 2 minutes shorter the original version, will open in British theaters in July 24 and can be seen by anyone 15 and above. Now this decision clearly does not show intolerance or ignorance but sound judgement.

“Bruno” Tops Box Office

by

“Bruno” dominated this weekend at the North American box office with a total of $3.6 million earned this weekend. The rest of the movies that made it to the box office top is listed below.

Studio Weekend Actuals: July 10 to July 12, 2009
1 Brüno – $30,619,130
2 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs – $27,607,497
3 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen – $24,213,875
4 Public Enemies – $13,794,240
5 The Proposal – $10,603,884
6 The Hangover – $9,933,238
7 I Love You, Beth Cooper – $4,919,433 3
8 UP – $4,715,746
9 My Sister’s Keeper – $4,294,382
10 The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 – $1,543,516

Bruno, though topping the weekend box office, is predicted by some to not only rake less money in compared to “Borat” but also have a short run. The reason for this is that “Bruno” did a lot better last Friday ($14.4 million) than Saturday ($8.8 million), which might mean that it is quickly losing steam. According to Universal distribution president Nikki Rocco the figure does not automatically equate to that though since such occurrences are usual during summer.

“Bruno” as we well know stars Sacha Baron Cohen and, like his first very notorious and successful film “Borat”, the movie is as shocking as ever, if not more. “Bruno” shows the exploits of a gay Australian fashion designer out to conquer America. Surely this film will turn out to be as controversial as ever given its very explicit content. My only tip would be to watch this film if you liked “Borat” and steer clear or regret it if you didn’t.

As for Eminem I only have one message for you: If you aren’t over the butt incident during the MTV Movie Awards better not watch “Bruno” because it will bring it all back to you.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

by

“Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince” is just around the corner and muggles worldwide are all breathless with expectation. I won’t be recounting any of the past Harry Potter films nor going to be giving a synopsis of what this film will be about (If you don’t know yet then just grab a copy of the book.) but will be simply blabbing about the latest in the lives of the Potter film stars.

As we all know Emma Watson had a very public fiasco when the wind conspired with her hormone ridden teenage boys fans and flicked open her dress for her to reveal nice long legs and her underwear. She showed “Hermione-like” calmness on David Letterman and good humour when she said, “At least I’m wearing underwear.” When it comes to her kissing scene with Rupert Grint (Ron Weasly) both of them agree was uncomfortable. As Rupert said, “I remember being inches away from her lips and thinking, ‘Good lord, this is going to be strange.” Emma Watson even goes as far as saying that with Rupert being “like a brother” to her kissing him “felt like incest.” A thing the little kids who will be watching (I think this one’s rated PG and not PG-13 like the last two films.) need not know. Whatever the case, you can be sure their unease won’t show on screen. Of course we’ll have to wait for “Deathly Hallows” till we see this scene.

As for their future beyond the Harry Potter films Daniel Radcliffe has expressed his desire to continue acting, Emma Watson is not yet sure though she seems to be seriously considering on going to college, and Rupert Grint is just sure that he’ll be missing the shoots and is adopting a wait and see attitude on what the future holds for him.

As for muggles worldwide all we can hope for is that wherever you are, come Wednesday, it won’t be literally raining on our parade, which is what happened in the London premiere. I guess it just goes to show that their magic wand works only in the film and not in real life.

Tranformers Dominates Weekend Box Office Again

by

I was right. Not too much to gloat about though because no one needs to be a psychic to know that “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” would be a huge box office hit. Transformers 2 might be on its second weekend but it managed to hold on to the number one spot at the North American box office. It was a close call between “Transformers” and “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” with figures pointing to a tie at first with both Paramount Pictures and Century Fox studios giving out estimates of $42.5 million as the movies’ earnings. After the final count though “Transformers” came out on top with $42.3 million and “Ice Age” $41.7 million, a mere $600K difference in revenues. Transformers so far has had a good run with total sales of $293.4 million just in North America and a total of $593.8 million worldwide sales. We can expect the movie to continue racking up ticket sales at a pretty good pace since it’s still just on its twelfth day. With the good turn out you can be sure cinemas worldwide will continue playing it for several weeks more.

Other movies that made it to the top of the weekend box office include:

#3 “Public Enemies” – Universal $25,271,675
#4 “The Proposal” – Disney $12,857,482
#5 “The Hangover” – Warner Bros.
#6 “Up” – Disney $6,521,389
#7 “My Sister’s Keeper” – Warner Bros. $5,788,327
#8 “The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3” – Sony $2,534,228
#9 “Year One” – Sony $2,323,843
#10 “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” – Fox $2,043,288