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gildavis
Reviews
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
Harry Potter 5...It Could Have Been Better.
The problem of taking JK Rowling's longest, and perhaps best novel had to weigh heavily on David Yates as he began filming the project last year. In short, just how do you reduce a 900 + page novel to just two hours and eighteen minutes and end up with a successful film that does more then coast on hype? There were good and bad things about the choices that were made. Let's begin with the script. There were allot of places where it would have worked better if they had not strayed from the original dialog in the book. From the opening scene in the playground through the dementor attack and later at the Dursley's home, for example, it would have flowed better and not taken anymore time to do it that way. The talent of Richard Griffen and Fiona Shaw would have been showcased better had they had the chance to act out their lines from the novel complete with multiple owls dropping in and Dumbledore's messege to Aunt Petunia. The problem continued as the film went on primarily with not letting the right characters do their parts. Another example was not casting an actress to play Cho's friend Marietta Edgecombe. In the book, she was the person who turned snich and led to Dumbledore's Army being found out. These little touches would have made a better film. Another let down had to do with minimizing the roles of some of the other cast members, chief among them Maggie Smith. McGonagal's bad relationship with Umbridge was one of the best parts of the book, especially the scene (not filmed) in her office when Harry decides that he wants to become an Auror. Later the scene when she was hit by stunning spells by ministry officials as Unbridge attempts to have Hagrid removed.(Again, Not-filmed.) But the most glaring mistake, in my opinion, was the end of the film. Harry should have had the chance to confront Dumbledore after the fight at the ministry. It should have been played like the book. Of course there were good moments too. The effects were wonderful and the principle cast turned in their usual excellent performance. But this film is better appreciated by those who have not read the novel.
Casino Royale (2006)
Bond Is Back
Anyone who has read the Fleming novels would have to agree that Daniel Craig's performance in the latest Bond offering was indeed excellent. It was Bond as Ian Fleming intended. Hard, brutal, to the point and no nonsense. Every guy in the theatre was truly wincing during the chair sequence and I have to laugh thinking about Roger Moore in his prime trying to do that one instead of Craig. After something like that, could you really blame anyone for drowning themselves in Dom Perignon '53 and Vodka Martini's, smoking 200 cigarettes a day or eating rich french food like it was running out of style? After something like that scene I'm afraid bedding attractive ladies would be out for awhile, even with Viagra.
Behind the Green Door (1972)
Here's My Comment
I guess we all found out that Marilyn Chambers wasn't 99 and 44/100's percent pure. But it's clear that in the annals of porn movies, along with all her up's and downs, she has carved out a niche in movie history within this genera. From what I've come to understand, Chambers was a struggling actress who was looking for a way into legitimate film when she was offered this role. It ranks as one of the three most memorable X rated film of it's time. It was interesting what became of the two guys who produced this film. I understand they are both gone now and their porn empire went out of business. Still, it's something of an icon and should be viewed by any real devote to this type of film. Popcorn anyone?
Vanishing Point (1971)
Adolesent High Jinks On the Highway
I first saw Vanishing Point when it first came out and really enjoyed it. But then again, I was 16 years old and fairly easy to impress. In retrospect, this film has all the flaws of an independent film coupled with poor acting and a superfluous plot. Can someone really take all those drugs and still drive like that? NO. Our rebel no only didn't have a cause, he really didn't have a point. ( Maybe that's how this film got it's name?) But at 16 who needs a point. We wanted fast cars, sex, rock n' roll and at that time some of the people I knew even wanted drugs.
I'm glad to say my taste has matured. Today, I only want fast cars, sex and rock n' roll. ( And I'm harder to impress.)
The Wild Geese (1978)
The Wild Geese: Mercenaries In A Good Cause
It would be hard to find another film that catches the mercenaries attitude and point of view toward life, their profession and their sense of place in the world like this one. The film was dogged by a third rate theme song in it's opening and closing; but I must admit beyond this poor choice, the rest of the film is an excellent action packed extravaganza. Set against the backdrop of both England and Africa, it shines as a great example of foreign film making at it's best! The cast is made up of some of the finest actors to ever come down the pike led by the likes of Richard Burton, Richard Harris and Roger Moore (right in the middle of his fame as James Bond). A fine supporting cast rounds out this adventure in the persons of actors like Jack Hawkins and Hardy Kruger who add texture and believability to the overall plot and structure of the script. You get quickly attached to these characters and quite literary feel for their predicament when, after they worked so hard to make the mission succeed, they are double crossed and left at the mercy of a superior force who ends up killing many of them. I wound up cheering when Burton ends up killing Stewart Granger at the end. He deserved it.