The Potter Line-up

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good. 


Since Harry Potter series have come to an end, it's fair to rate all eight movies. Starting from the least liked, until my ultimate favorite. Counting down!

8. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
Definitely the worst of the series, I wonder why did the critics gave this one pretty good reviews. Story flow is a bit boring compared to the other seven, too much portion for romance. I was hoping more Snape and of course a small battle in Hogwarts. David Yates acted like a false God by changing and cutting important events from the book. rated C-


7. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix (2007)
As a book adaptation, this sucks. But as a movie, it's quite amazing especially for a first-timer like Yates. His decision to focus on Harry's struggle is questionable. A conflict about Ron and Hermione being student prefects and Harry isn't can support his struggle. And also, no Quidditch! I'd like to see Malfoy beaten up by Fred (or is it George?) and Harry during Quidditch. Best thing in this film is the fight choreography. rated B


6. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
The problem with the first two films is that they are too faithful to the book, that could make the movie interesting with small details but also boring with too many details. But this one deserves it all, this one started everything that lasted for 10 years. Wingardium Leviosa, not leviosar. rated B


5. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
More dangerous and darker, also it is the longest entry in the series. When I first watched it, it gives me the chill (Basilisk's voice is too scary for second graders). rated B+


4. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011)
This one could either go down or make it to top 3, I need to watch it again. I was thinking that this one's better than Goblet of Fire, but due to sooooo much difference to the book, this could only make the top four. I was waiting for duels and more fights and others (look to the previous post). But it was one of the best 131 minutes of my life, and David Yates, I wouldn't mind if you give me 200 minutes of Deathly Hallows Part 2. Just like Order of Phoenix, as a movie this one's amazing. rated A-


3. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
This one's got it all. The action, the adventure, and Lord Voldemort kills Edward Cullen. It would be a sin to say that this is not one of the best cinematic experience you've ever had. rated A


2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010)
This film is just beautiful; the story, the score, the scenery, everything. rated A


1. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
THE BEST. Thanks to Alfonso Cuaron, this one's is a game changer. It sets the tone for the rest of the series and also a scenery change for Hogwarts. Beautiful. rated A+

Mischief managed.

End.

After half a year without major studios' film releases, ranging from Black Swan to Captain America, a spark of hope emerges with the release of the eighth, second-seventh part and finale of the Harry Potter adventure: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. It took a bit of effort to get the tickets since everyone in the country is crazy for seeing it. I bought tickets 2 days in advance, which I never done it before especially here in Indonesia. But I dont care as long as I get to see it. In 24 hours time, I saw the movie twice. The story continues where the beautiful Part 1 left off, Part 2 go straight to the action and story. Starting by breaking to Gringotts and sneaking to Hogwarts through a secret passage. Still continuing the quest from Half-Blood Prince which is to destroy all of Voldemort's Horcruxes, Harry Potter must also join the grand fight between the good and evil.

I learned that the seventh part of the Harry Potter saga, Part 1 and Part 2 are like wine. It grew better if you watch them more than once. Part 2 was a satisfying ending indeed. Everything falls perfectly in place and if you are not a book reader but you follow the films it will leave you satisfied. Best performance(s) in the films goes to Alan Rickman as Severus Snape. He has demonstrated the cold yet vulnerable double agent (oops spoiler) perfectly as shown in the Pensieve flashbacks and also the earlier seven films. Other best performances go to Helena Bonham Carter as (my favorite!) Bellatrix Lestrange and Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort/Tom Riddle. Helena B. Carter never fails to deliver Bellatrix in her total insanity from the fifth film but when Hermione Polyjuiced (i dont know if there is any term) as Bellatrix, Helena Bonham Carter truly embodies Hermione/Emma Watson. As for Ralph Fiennes he is the master of antagonist characters, starting from Amon Goeth to Hades of the new Clash of the Titans. There are some best moments of the films which I am going to spill out: the Gringotts' dragon scene, Snape vs. McGonagall (i wished it would be longer), shielding Hogwarts, Snape memories in the Pensieve, Harry Potter's death and of course 19 years later.


What left me incomplete is that the Steve Kloves chooses to leave many book elements off screen. In the film,the battle seemed to quick whereas the book pictured it to be highly epic (the film is already epic, so imagine the book version would look like). I once hoped for a Nearly-Headless Nick cameo when Harry went looking for The Grey Lady. Also I hoped for Mandrakes attack by Professor Sprout. And how about the duels, how about Grawp, about Buckbeak, about Firenze, about Invisibility Cloak oh and so many more! David Yates continues to irritates me since he helmed Order of Phoenix. I still thinks he is the wrong choice to direct Harry Potter films. I mean among other directors out there, why would Warner Bros. settle for Yates? But this last chapter actually serves as his apology to Potter fans (although I'm not still that satisfied). Oh and I need more Luna, more Aberforth, more Slughorn, more Malfoy, more Fenrir Greyback! and ultimately more Cho Chang. Skip to other things, thank you Alexandre Desplat for bringing back the real Harry Potter theme by John Williams. Despite all the book differences, I want to see it for the 3rd time and 4th time and more, so Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, rated A

#indonesiawantsharrypotter

10 Best Directors (According To Me)

The following list is highly debatable since its the source and judgement coming from me, and me only so feel free to criticize or burn me. I want to be a director someday and this list is a homage to the director I respected. It's only from the modern age, so don't expect Kurosawa or Hitchcock or Kubrick. For the record, I'm a blockbuster kinda guy. Counting down now, also with my personal favorite films from each director.

10. Zack Snyder
This is the most debatable entry on this list, I assure you. But the reason is, I saw Snyder as a genius. He combined visual and audio greatly with the soundtrack (Watchmen and Sucker Punch). His timing is perfect and his vision is, as advertised, visionary. One of the two Warner Bros' directors who had been given an opportunity to develop their own ideas (the other one being Nolan). Guardians of Ga'Hoole is boring for an animated film, but he makes it interesting with incredible owl-action and 3D. As for his latest Sucker Punch, he may have crossed the line but it's still a lot of fun. His biggest film maybe 300, but my personal fav is Watchmen.

9. Matthew Vaughn
A diverse director with only four films to date (Layer Cake, Stardust, Kick-Ass, and X-Men First Class). See the titles? See how he diverse he is? He is one of the promising director at the moment. With First Class getting raves he could end up doing some great films in the future. Fav: X-Men: First Class





8. Clint Eastwood
The oldest man on the list. Proves that age is not a matter at all. With recent films of quality and boldness, I wish he would never stop making films. His genre is diverse, makes him a multi-talent. He could handle every genre, thriller (Changeling), drama (Invictus), war (two Iwo Jima films) and even supernatural drama (his latest Hereafter). He may be the baddest cowboy back then, but now he is one of the baddest director. Personal faves: Gran Torino and Million Dollar Baby





7. Tim Burton
The master of gothic cinema. Every dark gothic movie must be judged by it's Tim-Burton-ness. His Alice in Wonderland was a bit of a miss, and it's not like a Burton film. It's the films like the dark and violent Sweeney Todd or the absurd Charlie & The Chocolate Factory that defines Burton. He is one of the people that introduces superhero to cinema with two Batman films. Personal fav: Big Fish




6. Danny Boyle
What I love from Danny Boyle films is that he brings us to a whole new world; exotic locations and alternate universe. It's an eye-opener really. His 28 Days Later set new standards for zombie films, it's not only jump-scare moments but also humanity, the survival. The Beach starring Leo DiCaprio is also great only to be let down by the film's third act. 127 Hours could be boring too, people dont want to see a guy just being stuck. But Danny did it (i'm on first-name basis) and it's brilliant and compelling. Personal fav: Slumdog Millionaire



5. James Cameron
One word: vision. He is so visionary and incredibly creative (ambitious too) that leads him to the title King of the World. Two films combined to $4 billion? Damn. He is creative and unique, yes with films like Terminator and The Abyss. But it's the colossal nature of his films that paid off. $200 m for Titanic paid with $1,8 billion and another $200m-ish for Avatar paid back with $2 billion? Creativity. He is an exceptional director with brilliant imagination. Personal fav: Avatar (watched it 3 times in cinema; 3D, normal and special edition, with combined ticket cost of Rp 80k)


4. Quentin Tarantino
What is not to love from Tarantino? His films are fun and thrilling. His influence from many things (which most of them I don't understand) is a great thing for his films. It's very interesting to know trivia about Tarantino movies like American pop culture he put in Pulp Fiction or that yellow Bruce Lee suit in Kill Bill. Also his films included intelligent dialogue about people and stuff (the Superman bit from Kill Bill vol. 2 is kinda good), for example "Do you Americans speak any other language than English?" the satire that's from the Oscar-nominated masterpiece Inglourious Basterds. The craziness in his movies is a plus point too, (Nazi massacre in Basterds or the whole Grindhouse feature). Personal fav: Kill Bill Vol 1


3. Steven Spielberg
This is a treason. I'm putting him on number 3 because he is my favorite director of all-time. But I also have my reason. Spielberg put the summer in summer films. It matters with his blockbusters like Jurassic Park, E.T., Indiana Jones saga and many more. He may not be as active as he did but he became a godfather for many blockbusters and quality films, like this year's Super 8. He is the world's famous director and Hollywood is nothing without him. Really am excited for Tintin at the end of the year. Personal fav: Jurassic Park, a classic.


2. David Fincher
At first the idea of making a Facebook film seemed crappy and boring. I mean, what is interesting about some geek in front of his laptop? But David Fincher made it exceptional, this year's Oscar should be his (sorry Tom Hooper). One thing for sure, he is a perfectionist. He made Jodie Foster's Panic Room very engaging where it could only be an average hostage thriller film. Benjamin Button too; it's a highly boring film but thanks to Fincher it became a quite pleasant drama. His filmography is also excellent having quality movies such as Fight Club, Seven and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo remake for Christmas 2011. Personal fav: Fight Club

1. Christopher Nolan
Who doesn't know his name after last year's hit Inception? He is a genius. His films are intelligent and requires the audience to think like The Prestige and Inception. So instead of giving us in-your-face explanation, he wants us to make our own interpretation. The Dark Knight and Batman Begins, which were directed by him, proves that superhero movies have some depth instead of only action. It's also set new standards for the genre. Also don't forget his first hit Memento starring Guy Pearce in the lead; it's mind-boggling and smart. I've watched all of his film except for his first feature, Following. Personal fav:   The Dark Knight (just a bit ahead of The Prestige)

Some honorable mentions are Peter Jackson (LOTR Trilogy), Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), Coen Brothers (No Country For Old Men), Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich) and Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Ultimatum). I was thinking I'd put Michel Gondry but his Green Hornet was in the way.

Strong is the Man

 In this post I'm not going to review a movie but talk about my latest favorite actor. He is Mark Strong. In his current film Green Lantern, he is the best actor in that movie. His charisma is just scary, in a good way. Call me late but I notice him the first when Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes is about to be released. In that film, he played Holmes' major villain, Lord Blackwood. I cannot help but to compare him to Andy Garcia; Terry Benedict from Ocean films. Garcia and Strong is strikingly similar. I thought Blackwood was Garcia at first. They both have their menacing aura when portraying an antagonist though.

Post Sherlock Holmes, I became accustomed to see Strong as a villain in movies. He is the gangster Frank D'Amico in Kick Ass and also the treacherous English/French Sir Godfrey in Ridley Scott's Robin Hood prequel. Two words only: bad ass. I mean if I'm just a normal guy, I wouldnt mess with Mark Strong's villain characters (Brace yourself Hal Jordan, IF Green Lantern 2 is happening). I just noticed that he is also Pinbacker in Danny Boyle's Sunshine starring Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne and international ensemble cast. He didnt show any face but his voice is very Strong. Also in Peter Weir's drama The Way Back, he played a brief but pivotal role as Khabarov who generated the idea of escaping the gulag (the whole story of the film). He did make a memorable performance for me cos I was exclaiming everytime Strong gets a screen time in The Way Back, "It's Mark Strong, it's Mark Strong!"

Looking at his filmography, he did show up in several great movies and some movies I just skipped like The Eagle (now I'm curious about The Eagle). His appearance also fool you in some movies, making him barely recognizable (yeah, he's not always bald). He got hair when starring opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Body of Lies and have longer hair in his first collaboration with Matthew Vaughn, Stardust. He is also in Polanski's Oliver Twist (I skipped that on purpose) and also George Clooney-Oscar-winning-role-movie, Syriana. He is even in that bad Vin Diesel movie Babylon A.D. The thing about his performance is the way he talks, his voice is just dreading (works everytime he stars as a villain). He is a very great actor, but I wished that although he is excellent being an antagonist, he could sometimes play the hero. The still-good Sinestro was okay but he became a villain anyway. Play both sides, dazzle me! Looking forward for Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, the all-star cast British film with Mark Strong too.