Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

A Terrible Way To End - 2.5/5

So I saw this film last night called Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 2 and lets me make myself very clear from the start, in my opinion it was the worst of all the Harry Potter films to date. Thats right I said it. As both the films and the books have been so popular and have been a stalwart of cinema and literature since 1997 I think people are less inclined to say anything bad about the films. Well if you don't want to read a scathing review of the final film don't read on.

Lets begin with a one word overview of about the first hour of the film. AWFUL. And no, that isn't too strong a word to use. I'm amazed that with such an amount of quality storyline handed over by J.K. Rowling that director David Yates couldn't have made more from it. Personally I haven't really enjoyed any of the films since the first four and have found major flaws in every one of the last four. The first hour of Deathly Hallows: Part 2 was simply depressingly bad. It skipped over major parts of plot and tried to focus too much on comedy. For me there should have been no place for stupid puns but somehow they found their way back. Some parts were so cheesy that they were hard to watch (especially Neville Longbottom's speech at the end) and overall the film was badly done.

The film began to pick up pace when the battle began and to be fair there was extremely effective special effects on show that did credit to those responsible. I had begun to enjoy to film after about an hour until it was again ruined by the fact that the death of one of the main characters (I don't want to spoil it for anyone) was totally skipped over and wasn't even touched upon even though a huge section was devoted to it in the books. And how about the way Ron's mum managed to defeat the second in command to Voldemort with ease? It was ridiculous! Just about the only factors that held the whole thing together as a film was the sublime performance of Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort and the special effects. That's it.

The ending was probably the worst part of the whole film. I had already read the books and so new how it would finish but I was wondering how they would do it. I didn't think they would use different actors becuase it wouldn't be a good way to end. But what they did do was truly terrible. They barely looked any different and it was cringeworthy. I'm trying not to reveal too much of what happens at this point for those who haven't seen the film or read the book.

I think the main problem with the books is that they started off as a book exclusive for children but then proved massively popular to adults alike. It is clear to see that Rowling made the story darker but she couldn't leave the children behind when finishing the story. Harry Potter should have died to save everyone else. Simple as that. But can you imagine millions of children reading how they wizarding hero had perished? It wouldn't be pretty.

The film is a HUGE dissapointment from start to finish and is an awful way to end such a series of films. However, I'm sure many will love it and I wish I could say the same. But I hated it, and that's that.

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'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1' Review

My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - E

Week five has arrived and it's time to look at those wonderful films that begin with the letter E. How is everyone liking this feature so far? Let me know if you do. Anyway, let us crack on and take a gander at some great films (by the way there aren't too many films I've seen that begin with E so this may not be the greatest list of all time).

The English Patient

As romantic as you like, The English Patient is one of those films you think you won't enjoy but you end up loving. This is a great highlight in Ralph Fiennes' career and is a beautiful story of love and devotion. Juliette Binoche is as stunning as ever in the WWII set film. A must watch for absolutely anyone.

E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial

Every time I see this film it brings up memories of childhood. With stunning special effects for its time and an alien character that is more loveable than most, it isn't hard to see why it has been labelled as one of the greatest family films of all time or why it won four Oscars. I watch it every time it comes on and it remains a timeless classic.

Eagle Eye

Now it may not be the greatest film ever made but for sheer cool rating Eagle Eye has to make it into my top list of E's. Ok, so the story is pretty far fetched, but if you switch off and go with it it might surprise you. Cool is the only word that comes to mind when I think of this film.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind

I actually switched this film off the first time I saw as I just wasn't getting into the story. However, after many people suggesting that I give the film another chance I did and I'm certainly pleased I did. The performances by both Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet are stunning and the story may be nonsensical at times but it retains intrigue in the audience throughout.

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My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - D

Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)

Decent And Solid Film - 4/5

So I saw this film a few months ago called Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 and I thought it was about time I went ahead and reviewed it seeing as the final installment of the series will be hitting the big screen soon. I also thought it would be a good way to go back over the film to ensure I am totally ready and up to date for the big finale in July of this year.

Lets start off by pointing out that this film had it all to do. I thought the sixth Harry Potter film (Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince) was a massive let down and the distinct lack of any real action was obvious to see. Coming off the back of a fairly poor film such as this, one that couldn't even hold its own against the first few films, made it an uphill struggle to bring back the excitement and the mystery that any film based on magic should evoke. Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows: Part 1 definitely didn't fail to deliver in this regard. The lack of action that frustrated me so much throughout The Half Blood Prince was improved greatly and we saw some magical special effects once again. The sixth film felt as if it was simply released to

Bill Nighy on board for 'Clash Of The Titans' sequel

The as yet untitled sequel of 'Clash Of The Titans' has gained a huge name in the form of Bill Nighy, who will play Hephaestus according to Empire. He joins names such as Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes who were of course in the first film. The film will reportedly move us forward 10 years from the first film with Sam Worthington as Perseus trying to get away from his heroic image. He finds however that he cannot escape his past and is brought back into the fight for good.

Now, while the addition of Bill Nighy is an excellent one, I am fairly certain the film will be as forgettable as the first. I reviewed the first film fairly recently (check it out after this) and I had major criticisms of the storyline and the acting. I very much doubt that adding Nighy will enable this film to escape the poor reputation of the first. It would take something very special to do that. What are your views, will this film be able to better the first?

Preview: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

Set to wow us on big screens in July 2011, the final installment of the Harry Potter series looks set to be an epic. Whilst I would express my annoyance at it being split into two films for profiteering reasons, it does help to add detail to the final book which certainly deserves to be shown in film form in its entirety.

I have heard endless positive feedback for Part 1 of the seventh Potter film but personally it didn't strike me as the best thing I'd ever seen. Neither did the sixth film which I though was a total waste of time and only made to set up these final two films. However, Part 2 possesses something that neither of the previous films did, it has the ending of the mind blowing series ready for us. I will be stunned if this is not the biggest grossing film of the year and I'm sure it will be in the running for some success at the Oscars.

Both the cast and the crew have been through an epic journey beginning with the creation of 'The Philosopher's Stone' way back in 2001 and indeed have found little time to do too much else. The stars have become ingrained in our minds as the characters they perform as which is why the films have had such huge success. That combined with obviously the mass sales of the books by J.K.Rowling. But have these stars become so related to their characters that they will struggle to come up with anything to match these films after the release of Part 2? It must feel a bit restrictive to stars Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint who are recognised around the would for these parts. Do you think they will continue their success after this film is released.

I will certainly be watching this one, and not because I had to watch it because I was following the series like the last two, but because it promises an epic end to an already epic journey.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

Lifeless - 3/5

So I saw this film today called 'Clash of the Titans'. I'd seen the trailer on TV and though that it looked ok but I felt it was not worth seeing in the cinema. Well at least that is some money saved because I would have been very disappointed had I gone. The main thing the trailer seemed to put out was the special effects in the film. Well where were they? I seem to remember a giant scorpion bursting through some sand in the trailer? Maybe I missed it but I don't recall that shot even being used. The scenes in Olympus, well they were terribly done. Why was everything so brightly lit and distorted. Furthermore, what was director Louis Leterrier doing trying to make parts of the film funny? Why even add those two weird hunter guys? And why send a force of ten men to go and defeat Hades?There was a distinct lack of any soldiers in that city, did anyone else notice this?
The ending was shocking! All the way through I was thinking, well at least there will be a battle of epic proportions between Hades and Perseus. When did that happen?!? He managed to banish him with a fair amount of ease I thought. You know what really grinds my gears about this film? The inclusion of Nicholas Hoult. Why on earth was he cast. He is about as far away as you can get from a warrior and his acting left much to be desired.
As did the acting of the rest of the cast. Was there any stand out performances? No. You might expect something from Fiennes or Neeson, but they were equally as bad as the main man Sam Worthington. I'm trying to think of something good to say about this film. Hmmmmmmmmmmm....... the giant scorpions were slightly cool. That is literally all that comes to mind.
Would I recommend it? No, I'm very glad I didn't pay to see this film. And delete off the planner.