Posts Tagged ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’

REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Friday, July 15th, 2011

It’s been a decade in the making. It all had to end and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is our final installment to this epic tale based on the novels by J.K. Rowling. The movie starts off right away where we left Part 1. Don’t worry if you haven’t seen the first part, the movie gives us a quick reminder of the Deathly Hallows and what Harry Potter has set out to do. While the other movies had more of a structured approach, Deathly Hallows Part 2 jumped from plot point to plot point trying to fit as much in from the massive source novel (it was daunting even with splitting the final book into two movies). This isn’t the best Harry Potter movie, but it is still great and a fitting end to an incredible franchise. The majesty of quality we’ve come to expect in these films is intact as it will leave fans teary-eyed and everyone in awe.


Eight movies later, the filmmakers are still imaginative and it’s incredible to see their creativity leap the words from the book onto the big screen. The visual effects are still top notch and the sprawling sets are stunning. There is one shot of stairs…just stairs that made my eyes open up just a little wider and all I could say was, “wow”. There are huge battle scenes involving hundreds of subjects which looked seamless and real (Parents be warned: some of the scenes are pretty graphic). There was only one scene that stood out and looked pretty shoddy (the scene where Harry is running through a hallway and dodging falling debris). Some of the music choices were a bit stale and didn’t capitalize on all the commotion that was happening on screen. Instead, it contributed to the build up (and this whole movie was a build up) to the culmination fans have been waiting ten years for.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

This was the only scene where the visual effects looked a tad off...I pay too much attention to detail


You get great performances from all the noteworthy characters but just adequate performances from the rest. This makes sense as the actors who have been in multiple films have literally lived with these roles over the years and the newcomers only got a taste of this magical world. Our impenetrable trio of Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) were spot on every step of the way. They have certainly learned their craft from being kids taking direction to adults demanding attention. Our senior veterans and Professors at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) and Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith) each shined and had their moments but didn’t take the spotlight away from the story at hand. Lord Voldemort played by Ralph Fiennes had the greatest laugh imaginable. No wonder he became so evil, everybody made fun of his laugh at school!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

You know who...


The movie ran a little over two hours but the pace was excellent – there was never a dull moment. As mentioned before, the filmmakers tried to fit in as much as possible with a few things overlapping which seemed a little chaotic and sloppy but they pulled it off. Someone who hasn’t read the books or seen the other films will be a bit lost in this final movie but maybe it will inspire them to go back to the beginning and learn the whole wizarding story. There are tidbits of glances and random moments only fans will understand. The screenplay was really well done as all of our favorite characters make meaningful appearances while Mr. Potter takes center stage and had the whole audience on his side. It’s quite an achievement to have this huge fan base be invested in Harry for so long.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

This is it.


For anyone who wants closure, this movie is all about closure. There’s a huge explanation segment which covers everything tracing all the way back to the beginning. They threw in some flashback from previous films as well as shot some new footage from past events. The movie looked beautiful, the acting was superb and the story was obviously intriguing. It brings all the characters, wonderment and emotions into a final mix of action, thrills and chills. Harry Potter has always combined flashy visual effects with a captivating story which keeps audiences mesmerized all around the world. The conclusion of Deathly Hallows Part 2 releases its spell on us all and reminds us how this story will be passed on to future generations. As with all the past films, you already know you’re going to see it so just sit back, relax, and enjoy this movie’s magic.


Note: I saw the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 in glorious 2D because that’s how I watched all the other films and that’s how this one was originally shot. Mischief Managed.

Comic-Con WB Panel: The Green Lantern, Harry Potter, and Sucker Punch

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

The Green Lantern PosterThe Green Lantern


With about 3 weeks of shooting left to go, the cast and crew of The Green Lantern came to present what they’ve been working on. In the DC Universe, this is the most anticipated movie on the slate and from the way Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer of DC, was talking, it sounds like the rest of the DC movies hang on the success or failure of the Green Lantern (like the possibility of a Justice League movie). Martin Campbell is the director of The Green Lantern and this is his first superhero movie. He said that the tone of the movie is real action mixed with some humor courtesy of Reynolds and Blake. It’s great fun but also a great adventure. There’s been a lot of debate of the costume which will be entirely CGI. It’s the tradition black and green but they lost the white gloves because they think its cooler and more interesting. There are 7 lines that haven’t been seen yet which evolve from the ring which are along the muscles. He said it’s still a work in progress.

The Green Lantern Panel

The Green Lantern Panel


Donald DeLine (producer) said that the opportunities in this movie is great because they’re able to take us to the center of the universe to Oa. We also are going to see about 3600 digitally made green lanterns including some of the favorites. Geoff said that 10 years ago an executive at a studio asked if they could do the movie without the ring (the whole crowd moaned from this comment). Then and there he thought the movie was never going to be made. It’s been misinterpreted as a comedy and a lot of people have been saying negative things but he says it’s going to be great. They didn’t show too much footage but they did show Reynolds using the ring early on (he obviously didn’t know its full power). We didn’t get to see the costume though.
Ryan Reynolds wearing Green Lantern's Ring

Ryan Reynolds wearing Green Lantern's Ring






Harry Potter PosterHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I


There wasn’t much of a panel for Harry Potter at this year’s Comic-Con which angered a lot of the die hard HP fans which camped out for hours. However, Tom Felton aka Draco Malfory did come out to Comic-Con for the first time ever and presented the never before seen trailer for the next film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I. If you don’t know, the last story of Harry Potter has been split up into two movies. There’s just so much going on that they felt they needed more like 4 hours instead of 2 (or they just wanted to make double the money for 3/4 the price). Part I comes out November 19, 2010 and Part II comes out next summer on July 15, 2011. Felton said that all of the cast and crew put everything into making this set of films because they knew it would be the last. There’s not much to say about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows except to expect the great quality we’ve all come to enjoy from the previous films. They knew they were making something special and hope that everyone likes it.
Tom Felton aka Draco Malfory

Tom Felton aka Draco Malfory from Harry Potter






Sucker Punch PosterSucker Punch


This was the movie panel I wanted to see most at Comic-Con and now this might be my most anticipated movie. Zach Snyder, director of Dawn of the Dead, Watchmen, and 300, has obviously been making film adaptations. This is the first time where he’s doing something original but to him, there’s not much different. The way he explained it is that once he wrote the story, it was just like all the other films he had made…there was the source material and now it was time to make it. He described the film as an amazing journey that he wanted to torture these girls with.


This film has EVERYTHING: dragons, mech warriors, samurais, ninjas, planes, big guns…and interpretive dancing. The premise of the story is still under wraps a bit but it looks like the main character, Baby Doll, is put into an insane asylum by her abusive father. She has to escape so she teams up with these other girls to do so. Snyder said that the story came from a transition concept from tv commercials. With commercials, you have to go through this process of condensing time. In his movie, you transition from the insane asylum to this other world in stressful moments. You can put a lot into these tiny moments of emotional outburst. He also wanted to create a satisfying ending from a twist within the story.


The almost all-girl cast in this film is amazing. It includes Emily Browning, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, Carla Gugino, Jena Malone, Abbie Cornish. All extremely beautiful and apparently deadly! Zach Snyder said that the girls did such an amazing job and if he had to cut all of the action scenes, the movie would still be good.
The Beautiful Ladies of Sucker Punch

The Beautiful Ladies of Sucker Punch


Here’s a list of the characters as described by the actresses:

  • Baby Doll (Emily Browning) – mother dies, abusive step father puts her into an insane asylum to be lobotomized and she meets these friends to escape.
  • Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens) – She shoots some of the biggest guns
  • Rocket (Jena Malone) – Sweet pea’s younger sister has to introduce Baby Doll and is the first on board with the idea of escaping. She rallies the troops.
  • Dr. ??? (Carla Gugino) – Polish psychologist/Dominatrix/Choreographer/Madam




YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS TRAILER:

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Comic Con 2010 Preview!

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

advancescreenings.com is heading to San Diego for the 2010 Comic-Con! The movie schedule this year looks intense so we should have tons of stories and previews for you in the next couple of weeks. You can find the full Comic-Con schedule here. Let us know if there’s something you want us to cover in particular on Facebook or comment below! Here’s a list of panels we plan on attending:




Thursday
11:15-12:45 Walt Disney Pictures: TRON: Legacy— Returning for an unprecedented third year to the fans and convention that started it all, Walt Disney Pictures is pleased to present a special insider look at the upcoming TRON: Legacy. Panelists include filmmakers and talent from the film: director Joe Kosinski, producers Sean Bailey and Steven Lisberger, and cast members Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Olivia Wilde, Michael Sheen, and Bruce Boxleitner. The discussion, moderated by Patton Oswalt, is set to include exclusive glimpses of the film, as well as a Q&A involving all panel participants, along with special surprise guests.


1:00-2:00 Sony Pictures Entertainment: Battle: Los Angeles and Salt— Two great new films from Sony Pictures Entertainment are showcased in this Hall H presentation!

Battle: Los Angeles — When unknown forces suddenly and mercilessly attack the City of Angels out of nowhere, it’s up to a local Marine staff sergeant (Aaron Eckhart) and a new platoon of unseasoned soldiers to meet the threat. As the invasion hits the streets of LA, these Marines become our first and last line of defense in an intense battle against an enemy unlike any they’ve ever encountered before. Appearing in person are Michelle Rodriguez, Aaron Eckhart, Neal Moritz, and director Jonathan Liebesman.


SaltSalt — Opening in theaters everywhere tomorrow, Columbia Pictures brings an exclusive and surprising look at Salt to Comic-Con today, featuring some very special guests. As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture, but her efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who is Salt?”



2:15-3:15 Summit Entertainment: RED— Summit Entertainment presents a sneak peek of exclusive footage from RED. They used to be the CIA’s top agents — but the secrets they know just made them the Agency’s top targets. Bruce Willis, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren star in RED, an explosive action-comedy based on the cult DC Comics graphic novel by Warren Ellis. Join him, director Robert Schwentke, and the film’s stars as they share footage from the film and debut the final trailer before it’s ever in theaters.


The Expendables4:45-5:45 Lionsgate: The Expendables— Prepare to have your ass kicked by The Expendables, the biggest action movie this summer! Lionsgate presents exclusive scenes and the inside scoop on every punch, kick, and bloodied lip from the most iconic cast of heroes and villains ever assembled, including the director, writer, and star Sylvester Stallone (Rambo), along with Dolph Lundgren (Universal Soldier), Steve Austin (The Condemned), Randy Couture (Scorpion King: Rise of the Warrior), and Terry Crews (Gamer).


Scott Pilgrim vs. the World6:00-7:00 Universal: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World— Genre-bending filmmaker Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz), graphic novel author Bryan Lee O’Malley, and the cast of Universal Pictures’ Scott Pilgrim vs. the World provide a sneak peek of summer 2010′s epic of epic epicness. Joining Wright will be our hero, Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera of Superbad); Scott’s two current girlfriends, Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead of The Thing) and Knives Chau (Ellen Wong of Unnatural History); his band, SEX BOB-OMB: Kim Pine (Alison Pill of Milk) and Stephen Stills (Mark Webber of Broken Flowers); SEX BOB-OMB super-fan Young Neil (Johnny Simmons of Jennifer’s Body); Scott’s awesome roommate, Wallace Wells (Kieran Culkin of Igby Goes Down); and four of Ramona’s seven evil exes: Matthew Patel (Satya Bhabha of Fair Game), Todd Ingram (Brandon Routh of Superman Returns), Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman of Funny People) and Roxy Richter (Mae Whitman of Parenthood); plus Scott’s younger sister, Stacey Pilgrim (Anna Kendrick of Up in the Air), and the obnoxious Julie Powers (Aubrey Plaza of Parks and Recreation). Q&A to follow.




Friday
11:15-11:45 Summit Entertainment: Drive Angry 3D— A vengeful father hunts down the people who brutally killed his daughter and kidnapped her baby in the newest film shot in 3D from the writer and director of My Bloody Valentine 3D, starring Nicolas Cage, William Fichtner, Billy Burke, and Amber Heard. Join the cast and filmmakers as they showcase never-before-seen footage of this high-octane, blood-spattered road trip through hell!


12:00-1:00 Skyline— Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, and Rogue Pictures present an exclusive look at the sci-fi thriller Skyline, directed and produced by the Brothers Strause (Alien vs. Predator: Requiem), whose company Hydraulx has provided visual effects for Avatar, Iron Man 2, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and 300. In Skyline, strange lights descend on the city of Los Angeles, drawing people outside like moths to a flame, where an extraterrestrial force proceeds to swallow the entire human population off the face of the earth. Colin and Greg Strause unveil an exclusive Comic-Con trailer and scenes from Skyline, along with stars Donald Faison (Scrubs), Eric Balfour (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, 24), David Zayas (The Expendables, Dexter), Scottie Thompson (Star Trek), and Brittany Daniel (Club Dread). HitFix’s Drew McWeeny moderates.


1:00-2:00 Super— Writer/director James Gunn (Slither), stars Rainn Wilson (The Office), Liv Tyler (Lord of the Rings), Nathan Fillion (Firefly), and Michael Rooker (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer), and producers Ted Hope (Adventureland) and Miranda Bailey (The Squid and the Whale) reveal footage from their latest feature production Super, including the first peek at Rainn and Ellen Page’s costume design. Super is a hyper-real and shockingly funny look at the extremely violent antics of a down-on-his-luck man as he attempts to win his wife back from a glamorous drug dealer by teaming up with a psychopathic teen to become costumed crimefighters.


2:15-3:45 Miramax Films: Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark— Producer/co-writer Guillermo del Toro and director Troy Nixey present a first look at their new film Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, a hair-raising, spine-chilling tale of horror about a little girl (Bailee Madison) who is sent to live with her father (Guy Pearce) and his girlfriend (Katie Holmes) in the old mansion they are renovating, only to unwittingly unleash malevolent creatures bent on destroying all of them.


4:00-6:00 Sony Pictures Entertainment: The Other Guys, The Green Hornet, and Priest— Two more sneak peeks at upcoming films from Sony Pictures Entertainment!

The Other GuysThe Other Guys–NYPD Detectives Christopher Danson and P.K. Highsmith (Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson) are the baddest and most beloved cops in New York City. Two desks over and one back, sit Detectives Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg). You’ve seen them in the background of photos of Danson and Highsmith, out of focus and eyes closed. They’re not heroes — they’re “the Other Guys.” But every cop has his day and soon Gamble and Hoitz stumble into a seemingly innocuous case no other detective wants to touch that could turn into New York City’s biggest crime. It’s the opportunity of their lives, but do these guys have the right stuff? Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, and co-writer/director Adam McKay will be appearing in person.


The Green Hornet–Director Michel Gondry, who makes movies with a special, personal signature, is taking on The Green Hornet — and he’s doing it in 3D. Comic-Con audiences, prepare yourselves. In The Green Hornet, Britt Reid (Seth Rogen) is the son of L.A.’s most prominent and respected media magnate and perfectly happy to maintain a directionless existence on the party scene — until his father (Tom Wilkinson) mysteriously dies, leaving Britt his vast media empire. Striking an unlikely friendship with one of his father’s more industrious and inventive employees, Kato (Jay Chou), they see their chance to do something meaningful for the first time in their lives: fight crime. To get close to the criminals, they come up with the perfect cover: they’ll pose as criminals themselves. Protecting the law by breaking it, Britt becomes the vigilante The Green Hornet as he and Kato hit the streets. Confirmed to appear in person to unveil this early look at The Green Hornet in 3D are the Hornet himself, Seth Rogen, director Michel Gondry, writer Evan Goldberg, producer Neal Moritz, and actor Christoph Waltz.


Priest (3D) — A western-infused post-apocalyptic thriller, set in an alternate world — one ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires. The story revolves around a legendary Warrior Priest (Paul Bettany) from the last Vampire War who now lives in obscurity among the other downtrodden human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities. When his niece (Lily Collins) is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires, Priest breaks his sacred vows to venture out on an obsessive quest to find her before they turn her into one of them. He is joined on his crusade by his niece’s boyfriend (Cam Gigandet), a trigger-fingered young wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess (Maggie Q) who possesses otherworldly fighting skills. Stars Paul Bettany, Karl Urban, Maggie Q, Cam Gigandet, Stephen Moyer, and director Scott Stewart will be onstage to unveil the first 3D look at Priest.





Saturday
11:45-1:15 Warner Bros.: Green Lantern, Sucker Punch, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows— Warner Bros. showcases three eagerly awaited upcoming new films in this Hall H presentation!

Green Lantern– Get a first look at the upcoming sci-fi action adventure Green Lantern, directed by Martin Campbell. Green Lantern is an epic adventure that crosses galaxies to bring to life the legendary Silver Age superhero Hal Jordan, who is chosen by the ring itself to become the first human member of the Green Lantern Corps and take on the vast and powerful Parallax as it threatens to destroy the world. The film stars Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, Blake Lively as Carol Ferris, Peter Sarsgaard as Dr. Hector Hammond, and Mark Strong as Sinestro.


Sucker Punch — Fasten your seatbelt for a sneak peek at the dark action fantasy Sucker Punch, from director Zack Snyder, who previewed his films 300 and Watchmen at past Comic-Cons. A group of young girls escape the dark reality of their lives through their vivid imagination, which takes them to various fantasy locations in different realms. The ensemble cast features Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Vanessa Hudgens, Carla Gugino, Jena Malone, Jamie Chung, and Jon Hamm.


Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Every saga has a final chapter. Kick off the year of Harry Potter with a first look at the coming screen adaptation of J. K. Rowling’s final book in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, with a program created just for Comic-Con fans. One way. One hero. One destiny. Don’t miss it!



1:30-2:30 Overture: Let Me In— The cast and filmmakers of Let Me In, a haunting and provocative thriller written and directed by filmmaker Matt Reeves (Cloverfield), give the Hall H audience a sneak peek at this highly anticipated film. Let Me In is an astonishing coming-of-age story involving a young girl (Kick Ass’s Chloe Moretz) and an alienated boy (Kodi Smit-McPhee from The Road) unlike any you have seen. Based on the bestselling Swedish novel Lat den Ratte Komma (Let The Right One In) by John Ajvide Lindqvist and the highly acclaimed film of the same name, Let Me In takes audiences straight to the troubled heart of adolescent longing and loneliness. Academy Award-nominee Richard Jenkins (The Visitor) also stars in this exhilarating reboot of the beloved original.


4:00-4:45 Screen Gems: Resident Evil: Afterlife— In a world ravaged by a virus infection that turns its victims into the Undead, Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues on her journey to find survivors and lead them to safety. Her deadly battle with the Umbrella Corporation reaches new heights, but Alice gets some unexpected help from an old friend. A new lead that promises a safe haven from the Undead takes them to Los Angeles, but when they arrive the city is overrun by thousands of Undead and Alice and her comrades are about to step into a deadly trap. The fourth installment of the hugely successful Resident Evil franchise, Resident Evil: Afterlife is again based on the wildly popular video game series and this time will be shot in 3D using the same state-of-the-art cameras created for Avatar. Writer/director Paul W. S. Anderson, along with the film’s stars Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, and Wentworth Miller, will be on hand to show you some stunning 3D sequences and answer your questions.


4:45-5:45 Universal: Paul and Cowboys & Aliens— Universal presents two upcoming films in this exclusive Hall H presentation.

Paul — Scheduled to appear for Universal Pictures’ sci-fi comedy-adventure Paul are a who’s who of film comedy. Director Greg Mottola (Superbad) will be joined by cast members Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz), Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead), Kristen Wiig (Date Night), Bill Hader (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Jeffrey Tambor (The Hangover), Joe Lo Truglio (Role Models), Seth Rogen (The Green Hornet), and Sigourney Weaver (Baby Mama) as they discuss the movie about two sci-fi geeks whose pilgrimage to Comic-Con ultimately takes them to America’s UFO heartland. While there, they accidentally meet an alien who takes them on an insane road trip that alters their universe forever. Q&A session to follow.


Cowboys & Aliens — Director Jon Favreau (Iron Man series) discusses what’s happening behind the scenes of Universal Pictures and DreamWorks’ action-thriller Cowboys & Aliens, based on Platinum Studios’ graphic novel. Currently shooting in New Mexico, Cowboys & Aliens stars Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford and takes audiences into the Old West, where a lone cowboy leads an uprising against a terror from beyond our world. Q&A session to follow.



6:00-7:00 Marvel Studios: Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger— Producer Kevin Feige and special guests give you an inside look at the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.




As you can see, that’s a lot of panels! I’m sure there will be tons of exclusive news and announcements so make sure to visit advancescreenings.com throughout next weekend and you can also follow me on twitter for real-time updates!