New DVDs are great potential gifts
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, December 09, 2007
Two big summer sequels -- "The Bourne Ultimatum" and "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" -- offer plenty for fans to savor.
On DVD, you can slow things down in the third "Bourne" film and see just how much of the running Matt Damon actually did. With "Harry" you can slo-mo the kiss and see just how randy the series is getting.
Both are fine films that give fans plenty of what they seek.
For newcomers, "Bourne" is the better choice. It fills in the blanks and keeps on moving.
It's so fast-paced it manages to hit three countries before the story even gets off the ground.
From there, it's a mad dash to the finish where we finally get to discover who Jason Bourne is and why he's running.
Based on the popular Robert Ludlum books, the third film is easily the most effective. It doesn't scrimp on action; it isn't wanting for villains.
Chased by several CIA honchos, Damon's Bourne abides by the first rule of spying: Trust no one. Joan Allen -- as one of those in the inner circle -- holds promise, but she, too, wants to get her hands on the elusive Bourne.
Filming in more sites than "Amazing Race," director Paul Greengrass keeps up a dizzying pace. Handheld cameras convey a sense of urgency, killer stunts make this seem like James Bond on crack.
Damon, meanwhile, doesn't say much -- it's a Tom Cruise role without the flaring eyes. While searching for clues to his past, he comes across a few key names and something called Blackbriar. By connecting the dots, he's able to regain enough memory to understand who's his biggest detractor. Interestingly, David Strathairn, Albert Finney and Scott Glenn don't tip their hands. They're all dirty to a degree, but the one who bears the biggest brunt may be surprising.
Julia Stiles returns, too, as a woman who could derail everything. She looks a bit like Kelly Clarkson, the early years, but acts like any other "girlfriend of" in action films.
When she and Damon are in Morocco, leaping across buildings, "Ultimatum" reaches a peak.
It's not an easy film to watch -- all that action can produce headaches -- but it is a hopeful one. If Jason Bourne can get out of these scrapes, anything is possible.
Also: 'Harry Potter'
In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the kid with the head tat stages a rebellion against the forces of evil, deals with major loss in his life and sets the stage for what should be a pretty good showdown in the end.
But, first, that kiss. While rallying Hogwarts students against a particularly cruel teacher, the vile Dolores Umbridge (a delicious Imelda Staunton), Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) gets to test his mettle as an instructor. He does well and is rewarded with a kiss -- a pretty long, educated kiss from a fellow student. The relationship doesn't advance, but Harry does. He has to figure out how to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and restore order at his school.
Because Harry used his magic in front of a Muggle (don't ask), he was expelled from school and brought before a jury of wizards. He's exonerated, thanks to Dumbledore's testimony but Dolores -- the school's instructor in the Ministry of Magic department -- is in the minority. And she's more than willing to get revenge at Hogwarts. That spells detention, a pretty vile scaring ceremony and more rules than a castle wall can hold.
Harry, meanwhile, rallies the troops (not unlike a revolutionary in some dictatorship) and begins teaching his own brand of magic. It works and gives just about everyone in the series opportunity to check in.
Freed of time-killers like Quidditch, director David Yates is able to concentrate more on character -- and acting. Radcliffe has grown nicely into the role and Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are turning out to be nice young actors as friends Ron and Hermione. The film, though, belongs to Staunton, who looks like Queen Elizabeth but acts like Maleficent. She's a steel magnolia, cloyingly nice on the outside, deadly serious on the inside. Like a religious zealot, she has an unsettling demeanor that makes even the steadfast shake. Watch the showdown between Dolores and Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and you'll see just how imposing this squat little woman can be.
While "Order of the Phoenix" has one of those annoying "back to school" segments (can we please just get on with it?), it moves well and doesn't take an extra 40 minutes to introduce the various toys concocted in J.K. Rowling's books.
Also this week
Film: "Born Killers"; "December Boys"; "Interview"; "The Rocket"
TV: "A Perfect Day"; "Beverly Hills 90210," season three; "Big Love," season two; "Dirt," season one; "Frasier," season 10; "Gomer Pyle," season three; "High School Musical 2"; "Lost," season three; Walt Disney Treasures: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, "Chronological Donald," "Disneyland."
On DVD, you can slow things down in the third "Bourne" film and see just how much of the running Matt Damon actually did. With "Harry" you can slo-mo the kiss and see just how randy the series is getting.
Both are fine films that give fans plenty of what they seek.
For newcomers, "Bourne" is the better choice. It fills in the blanks and keeps on moving.
It's so fast-paced it manages to hit three countries before the story even gets off the ground.
From there, it's a mad dash to the finish where we finally get to discover who Jason Bourne is and why he's running.
Based on the popular Robert Ludlum books, the third film is easily the most effective. It doesn't scrimp on action; it isn't wanting for villains.
Chased by several CIA honchos, Damon's Bourne abides by the first rule of spying: Trust no one. Joan Allen -- as one of those in the inner circle -- holds promise, but she, too, wants to get her hands on the elusive Bourne.
Filming in more sites than "Amazing Race," director Paul Greengrass keeps up a dizzying pace. Handheld cameras convey a sense of urgency, killer stunts make this seem like James Bond on crack.
Damon, meanwhile, doesn't say much -- it's a Tom Cruise role without the flaring eyes. While searching for clues to his past, he comes across a few key names and something called Blackbriar. By connecting the dots, he's able to regain enough memory to understand who's his biggest detractor. Interestingly, David Strathairn, Albert Finney and Scott Glenn don't tip their hands. They're all dirty to a degree, but the one who bears the biggest brunt may be surprising.
Julia Stiles returns, too, as a woman who could derail everything. She looks a bit like Kelly Clarkson, the early years, but acts like any other "girlfriend of" in action films.
When she and Damon are in Morocco, leaping across buildings, "Ultimatum" reaches a peak.
It's not an easy film to watch -- all that action can produce headaches -- but it is a hopeful one. If Jason Bourne can get out of these scrapes, anything is possible.
Also: 'Harry Potter'
In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the kid with the head tat stages a rebellion against the forces of evil, deals with major loss in his life and sets the stage for what should be a pretty good showdown in the end.
But, first, that kiss. While rallying Hogwarts students against a particularly cruel teacher, the vile Dolores Umbridge (a delicious Imelda Staunton), Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) gets to test his mettle as an instructor. He does well and is rewarded with a kiss -- a pretty long, educated kiss from a fellow student. The relationship doesn't advance, but Harry does. He has to figure out how to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and restore order at his school.
Because Harry used his magic in front of a Muggle (don't ask), he was expelled from school and brought before a jury of wizards. He's exonerated, thanks to Dumbledore's testimony but Dolores -- the school's instructor in the Ministry of Magic department -- is in the minority. And she's more than willing to get revenge at Hogwarts. That spells detention, a pretty vile scaring ceremony and more rules than a castle wall can hold.
Harry, meanwhile, rallies the troops (not unlike a revolutionary in some dictatorship) and begins teaching his own brand of magic. It works and gives just about everyone in the series opportunity to check in.
Freed of time-killers like Quidditch, director David Yates is able to concentrate more on character -- and acting. Radcliffe has grown nicely into the role and Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are turning out to be nice young actors as friends Ron and Hermione. The film, though, belongs to Staunton, who looks like Queen Elizabeth but acts like Maleficent. She's a steel magnolia, cloyingly nice on the outside, deadly serious on the inside. Like a religious zealot, she has an unsettling demeanor that makes even the steadfast shake. Watch the showdown between Dolores and Minerva McGonagall (Maggie Smith) and you'll see just how imposing this squat little woman can be.
While "Order of the Phoenix" has one of those annoying "back to school" segments (can we please just get on with it?), it moves well and doesn't take an extra 40 minutes to introduce the various toys concocted in J.K. Rowling's books.
Also this week
Film: "Born Killers"; "December Boys"; "Interview"; "The Rocket"
TV: "A Perfect Day"; "Beverly Hills 90210," season three; "Big Love," season two; "Dirt," season one; "Frasier," season 10; "Gomer Pyle," season three; "High School Musical 2"; "Lost," season three; Walt Disney Treasures: Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, "Chronological Donald," "Disneyland."
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