WARNING: Spoilers ahead!

(c) Warner Bros.

I love it. This is the first time that I actually started “to care” Harry Potter, the character himself. Not that I ever hated him or something, but usually he wasn’t that interesting to me. I was more fond with his friends Hermione and Ron, even his enemy: Draco Malfoy.

I’ll tell you later why I changed my mind.

The beginning of the movie was quite different. We actually saw Hermione first, when she used memory charms to her parents. This was never happened in the book, only Hermione mentioned it briefly (correct me if I’m wrong), but I am so glad that they added this scene. This one of the scene that touched me so much. The part where her images start to disappear from the picture frames it’s so incredibly moving. Emma Watson has really matured as an actress.

Though, I wish they’d show just a bit more Dursley family (especially the part that Dudley Dursley now is a changed person). They have been an opening “trademark” in the book and some of the movies, so it was a bit unfair that we have to say goodbye to them the way they did in this movie.

Snape oh Snape. I was hoping to see him more in this movie (after the disappointment in the previous movie where he appeared less, though the story should be about him). Though, I must admit the way he apparate at the gate of Malfoy Manor WAS brilliant, another favorite scene.

Did you notice how he looked at the woman (the Muggle Studies teacher) who asked him for help. That was priceless (especially if you know who Snape really was)

Lord Voldemort has become extremely scarier than the last time I saw him (great job, Ralph Fiennes!), I love the scene when he wanted to borrow Lucius Malfoy. Both actors (Fiennes and Jason Isaacs) gave their best performance here.

I love the Seven Potters part. I’ve been waiting to see how they did the scene and I am satisfy with the result. Though, the movie gets darker (after Prisoner of Azkaban), they still managed to keep the humors that made the book and the movie entertaining. Though, I start to think: Maybe to have the others drank polyjuice potions so they can transform into Potter wasn’t that good idea at all. Why not they’re all actually transform to someone else unknown instead?

The death of Hedwig was really sad, but again just like the Dursley, there wasn’t any proper goodbye. Harry seemed to forget too quick that he just lost the bird that sacrifice her life for him.

However, the movie just got better so I could forgive those ’small stuff’. The three young actors (Daniel, Emma, and Rupert) were really grown as actors and improved so much, especially Emma Watson. I like the conflict between them, especially where Hermione had to choose between Harry or Ron (not romantically). Who will ever guess that the always goofy Ronald Weasley could show more different sides.

The argument between Ronald and Harry made me realize there was something about Daniel Radcliffe. He such a great actor, then when he tried to cheer Hermione by asking him to dance by the song “O Children”, then I knew Harry Potter (the character) just became one of my favorite characters now (Snape still on the top of the list).

Another favorite part of course The SilverDoe, because as a fan of the books, I know the back story and the explanation of it, and it’s gonna be great to see it translates into the screen on part 2 (I hope so).

Nagini really scared the hell out of me, that’s the best special effects in the movie (Anaconda looked like a terrible joke compared to this one). I will never forget the scene with Bathilda Bagshot. It shocked me so much, due the fact I completely forgotten what happened in the book.

It was quite strange to watch Harry Potter without seeing Hogwarts at all. The school always the main setting of the other six movies. It’s great to see a glimpse of Neville and the other students as well.

One thing that was hard for me to forgive, the fact they skipped the Kreacher’s Tale. If you see the movie when Harry asked the house elf to find Mundugus, it wasn’t that easy in the book. It took a long time. Also, the chapter in the book was the one that makes me have a huge sympathy with Kreacher, that was my second favorite chapters in the book, and they totally skipped it.

I hope they won’t skip, or ’shorten’ the Prince Tale in the next movie. Eight months to go.

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In Rotten Tomatoes website, it only has around 64% freshness, while the other supposedly the best of comic adaption ever on the screen, The Dark Knight got 94%. In other word, it’s almost perfect.
I like The Dark Knight but like I said before I don’t think it as great as many people said. So, how on earth Watchmen which I know nothing at all will be ended up better than that Batman movie?

First of all, when I said I know nothing about this, I am totally honest. Since I never read the comic (even heard about it until recently), so it wasn’t on my must-see movie list. I did went to see it anyway because apparently it’s on my husband must-see list.

It begin with a character of middle-aged man watching some television only to be interrupted by someone with the mask. He hit him hard and after some pretty impressive fighting scene, the middle-aged guy is thrown from a window of his apartment to his tragic death on a street.

He isn’t just some random character in the movie. He is part of the main character actually. His story behind his death that actually triggered the main story that telling in visually amazing the whole movie. They called him The Comedian (Jeffrey Dean Morgan)

Then, the credit starts to roll. I don’t recall how exiting the opening credit can turn be. This isn’t just a regular opening, it has the background story that you need to watch it. This isn’t a bathroom break, this is a must see credit.

I have a hope now that maybe it’s gonna be great. Then it is! The story just so fascinating and interesting. Since I view it on imax, so the special effects, cinematography and all that technical stuff maybe looked 10 times greater, so I enjoy that experience so well too.

But, it isn’t that what makes me just want to pay more attention to the movie. The characters are one of the best that coming from comic book. I like that we, as the audience, got a chance to get to know their background stories as well. It has many flashback but not in the way that as confusing as watching The Lost Highway. It was actually easy to understood and most especially to have sympathy with the character, on even how bad or good they used to be. The credit to the cast who knows how to deliver themselves in the screen.

With the exception of Silk Spectre 2 (Malin Akerman). I don’t say she’s bad, but since ALL the other casts are just amazingly united with their characters, I sometimes feel like she’s not really belong there. I wish they cast other actress that can fit the role more. To my surprise, Hilary Swank was considered to play the role. I wish it happened, then the movie will be perfect.

Different with other superhero story, the characters here mostly just human with a good fighting skill and smart of course. With the exception of Dr. Manhattan (Billy Crudup), who I personally think is a very fascinating character. Well, basically everything about him just amazing. Maybe he’s one of the most interesting comic character I’ve ever seen.

In the movie, he becomes like God alike. Having great power, including being able to fight (or to explode, just like shown in the screen) many people at once, multiply himself or even becomes a giant. He is like the American hero, for example he was responsible of winning the war in Vietnam.

He’s the only one who actually has super power. However, that also start drown him to different world of his own. Including break the heart of Jenny Slater, his first love after becoming Dr. Manhattan and her recent girlfriend Silk Spectre 2.

The superhero in this movie aren’t perfect and that’s one of the reason why I think it’s amazing. They cheated, killing innocent people or killing bad guys in the most violence way you’ve ever seen and of course the most shocking when The Comedian actually shot a pregnant woman. It’s not like I like when innocent people die, I like it because they allow to have flaw.

That’s why the story is more humane compare to other movie in this genre.

But the main story actually about who’s behind the killer of The Comedian. Is he know somethings that the others doesn’t know that makes him the target? Unfortunately, another character called Rorschach accused as the killer. He also a very interesting character even though the scene where he is on action makes me has to turn my eyes away sometimes.

Then there is Ozymandias (Matthew Goode), which the only superhero that has revealed his true identity to the world, and last but not least Hollywood’s next best thing, Patrick Wilson as Nite Owl II, a person where Silk Spectre II finds a comfort after breaking up with Dr. Manhattan.

The story itself taking place in 1985. There are several historical event scene where it show how the Watchmen involvement in some. Including World War II, the Vietnam war and the assassination of John F Kennedy. So, if you want to learn about history, you shouldn’t refer that from this one. So, yes they like to mix this suppose to be fictional with some real events even the real people.

Another great thing, is the soundtrack. This movie full with brilliant and familiar songs that shouldn’t be missed as well.

Lastly, I am confident to say that this one is BETTER than The Dark Knight, Hulk or Iron Man and I am not even a fan of the comic (maybe I would if I read it).

Mild recommendation
Mamma Mia!

Universal Pictures/Playtone

Yes, it’s fun to see the movie, it’s fun to hear Merryl Streep sings, it’s great to know that Pierce Brosnan can actually sing and it just exiting to hear familiar songs in the movie.

I am not a fan of ABBA, but I like many of their song. It’s easy to like their song, the melody is so catchy and timeless.

That’s one of the reason why we rent the movie. The other reason is Meryl Streep of course. Streep just never disappoint me, including this one.

The other plus side of the movie is the scenery. So colorful and fresh.

I do have some problem though and this isn’t Meryl fault at all. I find out that some scene seemed being force to be exist in order to fit the song. I think that’s the problem when making a movie (or play) based on existence songs. So, the most convenient way to choose a story that can fit the song instead of fit the whole theme of the movie itself. However, it’s totally understandable that they don’t want to miss any ABBA hit songs.

I think that people who like ABBA song (like me) will probably like and enjoy the movie more and can “forgive” some of the forcing storyline. I am not sure with people who never heard ABBA at all on how they will think about this.

The movie itself is about a young woman, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), who is planning to get marry with her real father walks her in the isle. The problem is she doesn’t know him. She finds the diary of her mother Donna (Streep) and learning the possibility of three men are his father so without her mother knowing she sends invitation to all three men (Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth and
Stellan Skarsgård)

Don’t bother…

Southland Tales

The idea seemed great. It’s about the life after nuclear attacks which has sent America into World War III. For some reason they introduce the movie as serious, but then you see that this is more to comedy than drama. Only, it isn’t that funny.
The only thing that looked good is the cinematography and maybe the editing. Other than that it just felt so long and boring.

Videodromme

This is also start with the good premise. It’s about a underground TV station that show real torture. I thought that it’s gonna be a story where the main hero try to find his girlfriend who interested in audition for that show then gone missing. Nope, it’s about a show where when you watched it you start to hallucinating and then you became the killer tool of whoever behind “this” show. Still sound interesting, right? Only that it isn’t. It becomes too long, complex and leave you simply don’t care about this anymore.

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I don’t really see her in the cover of magazine. The tabloid also doesn’t really want to cover news about her, which is fine by me. But I know she’s one of the most talented actress on big or small screen. It’s only matter of time before she won an Oscar. She already got nominated with her role in In America (which one of my favorite movie of all time). So, she probably won’t be as famous as Angelina Jolie or Julia Roberts, but I know she’s going to get bigger and bigger as a character actress. That’s even better!

37. Julianne Moore

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I always wanted to see her movies. So, every time they came out and it turned out not to be that good, I decide to wait her other new movie. That’s how I really believe in her. She’s like chameleon. She can be sweet, depressed, torn or suddenly act tough in action movies. So, what not to like about her? I hope soon she’s gonna get a chance to proof her talent more than hey she might get higher rank. And I think she will.

36. Ellen Page

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She is famous with her role as Juno, who also landed her an oscar nod for best actress. She didn’t win but she is sure one of the most famous young actress out there. I first saw her in a thriller movie Hard Candy, which I like it a lot. Then I learned she actually already had established career in “indy movie” world. So far I only see Hard Candy and Juno and I like them both equally thanks to her performance of course. So, I think she deserve to be on my 36th list. What do you think?

35. Rachel Griffiths

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Brenda Chenowith is the best female character ever invented for television. Thanks to the actress who worked so hard behind it. Her name is Rachel Griffiths and she won several awards for playing that character who are coming from “Six Feet Under” world, which also the best tv show on tv ever. She’s not only great on TV. She proof that she also worth watching on big screen. Just look at her on Hilary and Jacky where she also got oscar nod for best supported actress, although I personally think she should got nominated for best actress since I think she is part of the MAIN role along with Emily Watson.

34. Kathryn Erbe

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Another gal from Law and Order Franchise. She portrays Detective Alexandra Eames alongside Detective Robert Goren (Vincent D’onofrio) on Law and Order: Criminal Intent. When I first saw her, I thought she was okay and thought that the Vincent overshadowed her so much that I didn’t mind if he ever got new partner. But then she started to grow on me and I know that Criminal Intent wouldn’t be the same without her. Onetime, I found video from when she was guest starred at the show Homicide. I was surprise how brilliant she was and then after watching bunch of clips from OZ, I realize that she’s such a wonderful and underrated actress. I am happy that she got nominated for Spirit award. It’s about time she got rewarded for her talent.

33. Jennifer Aniston

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Honestly, I prefer Courtney Cox over her but somehow she got more coverage. I don’t blame the media though because she really GOT talent. I still somehow still watching the rerun of Friends for I don’t know how many times. The more I watched it the more I know why people adore her as Rachel Green, the spoil girl that during the years proof that she can be independent…Well, not so much but we still like her. As an actress, I think Aniston is talented. Who said that life is over after friends. She proof that she can be dramatic actress too, just look at Derailed. I can’t add The Good Girl because I haven’t seen that one. This Christmas I surely will take sometime and went to see her new movie Marley and Me, which adapted from one of my favorite book. How great it is!

To be continued…