Hermione in the Movies: Too Glamorous to be a Role Model?

This is a very interesting article looking at the evolution (or de-evolution, depending on how you see it) of Hermione Granger’s character in the Harry Potter films.  It argues that writers and directors have given her too much of the typical “girly” quality and have minimized her braininess and logic to an unacceptable degree.  Of course, as a devout loyalist to the books, I cannot earnestly argue for the virtue of "film Hermione" over "book Hermione", but I do think some of the accusations made here are a bit inaccurate and unfair.

While I agree with some of the points made, most particularly the fact that yes, Emma Watson has grown more physically beautiful with each film and in the world of Hollywood/starlets/etc there is no way filmmakers would hesitate to use that to their advantage, I would argue that the film’s depiction is not quite as evil as The Guardian seems to believe.  They take issue with the fact that Hermione hesitates to destroy the horcrux in the final film, saying that she “can’t.”  The author asserts that the “real” Hermione would never say such a thing, and I wholeheartedly disagree.  Hermione Granger as we know and love her from the novels is very very intelligent and her ability to think critically under pressure saves many lives over the seven books, but she knows her limits.  Hermione is very dismissive of and at times insecure about her own bravery, particularly as compared to Harry and Ron’s more obvious boldness.  She has several significant moments of insecurity during the series, and those moments serve to not only teach her a lesson about herself but to show us as readers that she is not, in fact, superhuman.

I don’t think we can dismiss Hermione (even film Hermione) as a feminist character simply because she is physically attractive and occasionally doubts herself.  It’s what she does in the face of those doubts that really counts— she ultimately does destroy the horcrux in Deathly Hallows, not to mention kicks ass in the Battle of Hogwarts. And in the film Hermione’s bravest action comes later, when she sends Harry, her best friend and pseudo brother, off to die for the cause, something she has long suspected he would have to do.  Anyone who can take that kind of emotional blow in the midst of everything else going on is absolutely strong in my book, perfume and tight jeans or not (though for the record, I do think the perfume thing was a silly and unnecessary addition).

Movie Review: Crazy Stupid Love

We all know that I am not a fan of chick flicks (or at least, we all know now).  I make a general rule not to watch them unless coerced, and the trailers for this film looked very cheesy indeed, so I was initially hesitant.  However, Crazy Stupid Love is a pleasant surprise, as far as films of this genre go.  It has heart and some genuinely complicated characters, and a happy ending that, while trite, feels more deserved than in some other films.

The film examines several different stories, the common thread among which is Steve Carrell's character (Cal), who in the film's first scene sees his 20-some year marriage fall to pieces at his feet.  Julianne Moore is his cheating wife (her new interest is a smarmy as ever Kevin Bacon), who appears to be having the sort of suburban mid-life crisis of which I've become so fond this summer.  Understandably, Carrell's character falls into a pit of self-pity and long ramblings on the de-evolution of his relationship (but what is miserable for the character is an opportunity to see Carrell at his pathetic best).  Enter the requisite ladies' man sidekick, a vaguely douchy incarnation of Ryan Gosling (Jacob).

Obviously, Cal is in sore need of a mentor, and Jacob is only too happy to offer his services.  The scenes in which he teaches Cal how to be a womanizer are funny, but they mostly remind the viewer of the potential of these two actors, and the ways in which the sometimes weak writing suppresses their abilities.  I mean, between Carrell and Gosling you've got Emmy, Golden Globe, and Oscar nominations multiple times over, not to mention hours and hours of proof that each is fully capable of vanishing into a role and making even an annoying or despicable character intriguing, not to mention there is an uncanny chemistry between them.  It just seems a shame that much of their mutual potential feels wasted.  There are a few moments, however, particularly toward the film's conclusion, where both are permitted to bust out their dramatic acting chops, and in my opinion, both shine brightest in these scenes.

Emma Stone is charming as always, though you're left wishing you got a little more from her character (she seems to be built mostly on a cliche archetype that's never fully fleshed out), particularly after an unexpected twist leading into the film's third act.  Julianne Moore is similarly short-changed, and it is difficult to sympathize with her or understand her actions, something that feels like it should have been prioritized a little more.  On the whole it seems that the development of the female characters has been sacrificed so that both leading men can be more effectively transformed (but then, what else is new?).

Overall, though, this film provides an interesting study of characters in emotional flux, particularly Cal and Jacob.  It also has some truly cheesy moments that I could have done without, but I guess you can't get away with writing a cliche-free romantic comedy these days.  Gosling and Carrell are worth the ticket price, and if you adore the misery of the (upper) middle class as wholeheartedly as I do, then this is definitely a summer movie for you to check out.

Movie Review: Horrible Bosses--Far From Horrible

Most summer comedies rely a little too much on the fact that theaters are one of the most frequented air-conditioned havens during the sticky months of June, July, and August.  They don't try too hard to be intelligent or well-plotted, and they'll cast just about anyone they can get in order to use big names as a draw.  When I initially saw the promos for this film, particularly the apparent stunt casting of Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, and Kevin Spacey, I was a little wary.  It just didn't seem like this movie could be as entertaining as I wanted it to be.

However, I insisted on watching it because the trio of Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day is pretty much my comedy-ensemble dream come true.  All three men are hilarious individually, so it only made sense that they'd be thrice as amusing together.  Very fortunately, this hypothesis proved correct.  Even in moments when the plot seemed a little hole-ridden or shaky, the three protagonists kept things on an even keel, particularly Day, whose character was basically a marginally more intelligent version of the dopey bartender he plays on Always Sunny (but this is a play to his comedic strengths, and it renders the type-casting less problematic than you'd think). 

The plot was predictable at times, but had some twists where they were sorely needed.  I loved that the movie didn't turn the guys into overnight criminal masterminds or anything-- in fact, if anything they seemed to grow less competent as the film wore on.  I also enjoyed the way they utilized the famous faces they compiled, allowing all three actors (who portrayed the guys' respective bosses) to have some hilarious moments without overshadowing the film's main focus. 

This movie has a lot of laughs, many to be found in pleasantly unexpected places (a guest appearance by Jamie Foxx is one notable instance).  And if you can accept the plot as a whole for the ridiculousness of its premise, then the story is pretty damn enjoyable.  Overall, a great summer comedy (though not, I will add, for the whole family-- some parents and their kids were seated behind us and felt obligated to walk out 15 minutes in).  Go check it out in theaters now.

Book Review: The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perrotta

While this book follows in my apparent trend this summer of reading about unhappy suburbanites and their seemingly infinite discontent, The Abstinence Teacher is a witty, sharp breath of fresh air.  Unlike Franzen's Freedom, which dwells overlong on a range of different tedious thing, Perrotta's story follows two intriguing characters (not to mention a cast of equally intriguing supporting players) as their lives unravel.  Ruth is the titular abstinence teacher, but as a fiercely liberal gal, this is definitely not a career path she's chosen for herself.  Tim is a former junkie and alcoholic who has jumped on the Jesus bandwagon in the hopes of finding redemption for his colorful past.  Perrotta does an excellent job setting the scene, giving us both characters' histories in a way that didn't have me skimming through to figure out what the point was, and paints a nuanced portrait of life in this suburb, from the youth soccer team that brings about Ruth and Tim's first meeting, to the crazy for Christ Tabernacle church.  Most everything in this novel feels so real you could practically reach out and touch it, and it was so easy to imagine real people living these lives almost exactly.  This is what contemporary fiction is supposed to look like.

Some specific things I really enjoyed included the characterization, and the note of sarcastic cynicism that looms over most of the book's proceedings.  Ruth is sharp and funny, her sometimes derisive tone adding color to a character who could have easily fallen too far into the role of victim.  And Tim's alternately dopey and insightful awareness of his world was equally refreshing, though in an entirely different way.  It was interesting to see someone who Ruth initially wrote off as a zealot be humanized in a way that generates true sympathy, even from this devout non-believer.  I also liked that it was a love story that strayed from the traditional construction.  Right from the beginning, the reader (and Ruth, as she later comments) think there might be a brewing "opposites attract" type of spark between the two, but it does not come to fruition until the book's end (and even then it's more of a conjecture of what's to come in the couple's future than anything).  I liked that this book dodged the pitfalls of writing the typical "romance"; I think any attempt to smash Ruth and Tim together before their characters were in precisely the right place would have come off as sloppy and formulaic.  What's great about the tension Perrotta builds, however, isn't that they don't hook up in a cliched way, it's that halfway through the book you almost want them to, just because it clearly needs to happen.  His choice is better, ultimately, but the fact that that moment occurs at all is a testament to the story he's written.

I would certainly recommend this book, which is the first I've read of Tom Perrotta's (more will surely be going on my list now).  It is definitely a great summer read, quick and absorbing but without sacrificing the quality of writing.

Additionally, IMDB informs me that this is currently in development to be made into a film.  I think it has the potential for a great adaptation, and I would be very interested to see it.  Even better, Steve Carrell and Sandra Bullock are rumored to be involved and potentially taking on the roles of Tim and Ruth, respectively.  Guess we'll have to wait and see.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

I like to think it goes without saying, but SPOILER ALERT for anyone who hasn't watched the film yet.

I feel I should preface this with an explanation of why this film is so important to me, and what is probably a contributing factor in my enjoyment of it (because I know there will be people who disliked portions of the adaptation).  Deathly Hallows, and particularly the second half of the book, has always been the most resonant and emotional for me to read, so there was something uniquely both devastating and wonderful about seeing the moments that have become such a part of me unfold on the screen four years after the fact.  Any complaints I have are pretty nit-picky, and I think on the whole the filmmakers put the care and passion into this film that it so wholly deserves, and it shows in nearly every frame.  Ultimately, I'm very very satisfied with it, and I honestly could not have asked for a better ending to such a spectacular phase of my life.

But let's talk details, shall we?  I will try my best to choose a few highlights (which will inevitably turn into many highlights) from the final film that really stood out.

The most anticipated kiss in recent movie history:  Say what you will about liberties taken in the details, I thought it was done perfectly.  It was a great moment to have it happen, and it was done in a way that made it special without dwelling on it too much, calling us back to Harry's line from the book during this event:  "Is this the time?  There's a war going on here!"


Snape's redemption:  Yes, changes were made, and some purists will be unhappy about that.  But on the whole I thought the way it was handled was really great, and that it befit the overall tone of the film.  I liked that Snape's memories kind of merged with a montage of significant interactions with Harry over the years, allowing us to journey through their relationship while establishing Lily's importance to Snape.

Neville:  I'm fairly certain the alternate title of this film is The One Where Neville is Awesome All the Time, and a Total BAMF.  Seriously, I am so glad that he was given this time to shine, and that the film really delved into the leader Neville became at Hogwarts in Harry's absence.  Matthew Lewis gave a great performance in his final turn, and absolutely did this beloved character justice.

Harry & Ginny:  As I've previously asserted, the films have not really handled the development of this relationship as well as they ought to have done.  Until now, that is.  I was pleasantly surprised by the number of little moments we were given in DH2 showing their affection for one another, and though I was disappointed they omitted his walking past her into the forest, I was grateful for the scene on the stairs, with the kiss and Ginny's "I know" in response to Harry's unspoken declaration before parting ways to fight.  It was an understated moment to be sure, but somehow it was just about perfect.

Gringotts:  This was almost exactly as I envisioned it, exciting and nerve-wracking and even at moments humorous (Helena Bonham Carter playing Hermione posing as Bellatrix was every bit as fantastic as I'd hoped), and it was a well-paced introduction to the rapid deterioration to come.  Also, was it just me or did Ron look kind of weirdly attractive with that beard?


Harry's walk toward death:  Gosh.  Every single thing about this was amazing, and that is impressive because my hopes for it could not have been higher.  And Daniel Radcliffe gave a performance that I don't think anyone realized he was capable of.  From the moment Harry emerges from the pensieve to the moment Voldemort's spell hits him, I could not stop the tears.  So much of it was taken directly from the pages of the book, and the parts that weren't were just perfect (Hermione's response when Harry tells them he's a horcrux?  I thought I could cry at that alone for a hundred years).  The resurrection stone bit was nearly verbatim, and judging by the silence in our theater punctuated only by sniffles and quiet sobs, I was not the only one who's heart was breaking.  I know a lot of people (myself included) were anxious about the execution of this scene on film, but the filmmakers made it more beautiful and heart-wrenching than I dared to hope.

Supporting players:  For all of the actors, this final film was (obviously) their last chance to really make it count.  And my goodness, did they.  So many of the minor characters had fantastic moments to shine in this film, standouts among them including Luna Lovegood, Professor McGonagall (her duel with Snape was downright bitchin'), Dumbledore, and the Weasley twins.  And even those who didn't have a notable part to play in the final film were present in an entirely different way; not to mention, it was fun to see a kind of proverbial curtain call for so many of the unsung heroes of these films, and of the wizarding world.

The fight:  The battle of Hogwarts was fucking epic.  There's just no other way to say it.  I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, despite the fact that I literally knew everything that would happen within its duration.  And I knew going into it that the filmmakers were going to draw out the final fight between Harry and Voldemort

Multiple perspectives:  I loved how much the film was willing to break (albeit briefly) from Harry's limited point of view in order to show us what other important characters were up to.  I loved that we got to see Ron and Hermione go into the chamber of secrets, and all the glimpses we got of Voldemort and his followers during the battle.  This really added much-needed layers to the film that would have otherwise been very difficult to translate from the book.

The ending:  I was concerned that with so much focus on the battle itself, the filmmakers might short-change the ending a bit.  My fears were unfounded, though, because I think it really wrapped up on just the right note, with the trio standing together amid the ruins of Hogwarts in silent solidarity, looking ahead to whatever might be on the horizon.  I was even pleasantly surprised by the epilogue, which turned out much better than early leaked photos of the original shoot had hinted.  I think the best part of it was the call-back to Harry's first journey on the Hogwarts express, with the chocolate frog crawling up the window as Albus Severus greeted his new schoolmates.  Seeing Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny one last time, smiling and looking as though the burdens of the past had finally been lifted from their shoulders, was much more cathartic than I'd expected.

Despite having written all of this, I still don't feel like I've quite explored all of my thoughts on this film.  I think that's due in large part to the dull shock of it all being over-- I literally sat in my chair and stared at the credits, unable to speak, when the movie ended.  I think in a way I'm still feeling that, the disbelief that I've actually seen the last film and I really am out of excuses to obsess over this thing that has been such a huge part of my life, and which has given me so much.

Emmys 2011: Disappointments

The Emmy nominations came out this morning, and after all my hard work predicting the nominees, I confess myself (on the whole) very disappointed.  It feels like the voters were just lazy this year, for the most part, picking familiar shows they've nominated in the past-- such as Glee, which was God-awful this season-- and when in doubt, just nominating everyone from Modern Family (and they're funny, but not rule-out-all-competition funny).  Among the robbed:

Nick Offerman:  It was predicted across the board that he would be getting a nod and possibly even a win for his portrayal of Ron Swanson.  I can't imagine I'm the only one who gasped in shock when his name did not appear on the list.

Community:  Again, no Emmy love for this fantastic little show, which has more wit in one cold-open than Glee had it's entire second season (sorry, I'm just feeling really bitter about all the recognition for Glee, if you couldn't tell).

How I Met Your Mother:  I got excited when I read that it had received 5 nominations... until I saw that not one of those was in the major categories.  A tragedy, considering this season was much stronger than last.

Parks and Recreation:  Yes, they got 3, and I'm thrilled about that.  And maybe I'm being greedy, but I still feel that the best comedy on television (and yes, I will keep saying that forevermore) should probably have received more nods than the one of worst comedies on television (Glee).  Amy and the show had better win come September 18th, or I will have some serious anger to overcome.

And on the whole, way too much love for shows that had mediocre to downright weak seasons:  30 Rock, Glee, and Modern Family (still love it, but it genuinely wasn't as funny this year).  Branch out a little, Emmy voters, the rest of us have.

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 7b: Deathly Hallows, Part 1

I am definitely guilty of liking each film better than the last, but I think that, had this installment landed anywhere in the lineup, I would have pronounced it the best adaptation of the bunch.  I'm interested to see if Part 2 will outstrip Part 1; it definitely has its work cut out for it.  There's a long list of things I love about Deathly Hallows Part 1, and I've managed to narrow it down to these few.

The Journey Begins
I really like the opening to this film (after the Minister's speech), where we kind of check in with each member of the trio before they're reunited and see what they're up to.  Ron is at home, visibly dreading leaving his warm, loving family behind; Harry is in the process of moving out of the Dursley home; and Hermione is by far the most tragic, erasing herself from her parents' memories so that they won't be targeted because of her.  Add in the tremendously beautiful swelling music of Desplat's "Obliviate" as they march off toward their respective destinations, and you've got pretty much the perfect introduction to the dark and winding story we're about to embark upon.

Undercover at the Ministry
Okay, so they definitely botch this mission, more than a little bit.  But it's still so cool to see our favorite trio attempt an actual, grown-up infiltration of the ever-more-threatening Ministry of Magic.  Employing Polyjuice Potion, they disguise themselves as three employees and embark on the search for their first horcrux.  I liked the point the film made to use three adults that look like the possible future versions of the three actors in question.

Godric's Hollow Graveyard sequence
Gosh...my heart.  I still get a little choked up watching this scene, just because of what it represents for Harry and his journey.  This scene in the film is particularly well-executed, because just about everything about it is beautifully understated-- the acting, the music, even the scenery-- and it works so, so well.

Tale of the Three Brothers
Round of applause for super sick animation!  Not only do we get a nice little morality tale weaved into an already wildly complex story, but we got to watch it actually unfold on the screen.  I'd been very apprehensive of how they were going to handle the explanation for this, and I think illustrating the story was the best choice they could have made.  And apart from that, there's just something very pleasant about Emma Watson's reading voice, no?

Malfoy Manor
Apart from being one of the more chilling scenes in the film, this is another instance of just taking a look at the talent crammed into one room in these films.  Helena Bonham Carter, Helen McRory, Jason Isaacs, Tom Felton, Timothy Spall...I could continue the list, but won't.  Emma Watson is spectacular in this scene-- I knew what was going to happen and I was still genuinely frightened for her.  That it is the beginning of the slope into Part 2 is icing on the cake, as it provides the perfect segway into the "shit's about to get real(er)" portion of the story.

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 7a: Everything Else

So we've covered some of the multitude of things that are great about these films, but as we all know, they are not without their flaws.  Don't get me wrong, I love the films, especially because I have been able to regard them as separate entities from the novels on the whole, but there are always going to be struggles when one attempts to adapt from a beloved book.  Here are a few places where the proverbial ball was really, really dropped.

Plot Holes Abound (Goblet of Fire)
One of the very best parts of Goblet of Fire, the novel, was the immense complexity of the plot, and specifically the means by which Voldemort returns to power.  Central to this explanation is Barty Crouch Jr, played with wonderful creepiness by David Tennant in the film version.  However, the screenwriter totally botched the explanation of why we were even introduced to this character, and didn't come close to explaining the critical role he played in the Dark Lord's return.  Perhaps they were simply counting on moviegoers to be too scared and shocked to question exactly how they ended up there.

Mayhem at the Burrow (Half-Blood Prince)
Not only did this have the potential to throw continuity for a loop going into the final two films, it just felt wholly unnecessary.  Half-Blood Prince the book gave lots of ways to illustrate the growing threat and power of Voldemort and company, they didn't have to burn Ron's house down!  It did give us a pretty great visual, I guess, but I would have rather had them use that time (and budget) on some of the scenes which were in the book but ultimately cut from the movie, such as additional trips into the pensieve with Dumbledore.

False Hope for Harry/Hermione Fans (all films, possible exception of Half-Blood Prince)
Guys, it's time you all accept something, just in time for the final film this week, where it will be cemented in film history forever.  It's Hermione and Ron.  They're the ones who belong together, who have always been intended for each other, and who (SPOILER) wind up married to one another.  Unfortunately, it would appear that the filmmakers have forgotten this, and on more occasions than can really be excused.  Long gazes at Hermione in her dress robes (GoF) and slow dancing (DH1) notwithstanding, Harry and Hermione are only ever going to be platonic friends, regardless of how nice Dan and Emma might look together.

Harry and Ginny (Half-Blood Prince)
One character who has been consistently shortchanged in the films is Ginny Weasley, particularly when it comes to her romance with the Boy Who Lived.  Yes, it does come up rather suddenly even in the novel (Half-Blood Prince, for those wondering), but the films somehow turn it into even more of a mess.  JK Rowling wrote a great story for Harry and Ginny, one that was realistic and entertaining, and many of the moments she penned (the kiss in the common room, in particular), were OBVIOUSLY written with the films in mind.  And what did the filmmakers do instead?  Gave us awkwardness on top of awkwardness, a thoroughly anticlimactic first kiss, and not even the courtesy of a proper breakup at the end of film 6.  So many people complain that Bonnie Wright is not a very talented actress, but I would turn that statement around and ask when she has been given anything truly decent to work with.

Snape's Worst Memory (Order of the Phoenix)
Okay, here's the thing about this scene.  We learn later that Lily is the key part of the reason it is Snape's "worst memory", and in the film she doesn't even appear, despite the fact that they cast her and presumably filmed a scene in which she was featured.  This is one of the many ways they've failed to execute the Snape/Lily subplot, and as it stands, people who have only seen the films have no idea that Snape and Harry's mother even knew each other, much less had any kind of relationship.  How DH2 will remedy this in the course of a few scenes, we will have to see, but my biggest complaint about this whole business is the fact that JK Rowling had final approval on changes made to her stories, and you'd think she might have been concerned that they omitted such a critical detail.

Emmys 2011: Who Should Get a Nod

Amid all of the Harry Potter excitement this week, there is one other very exciting event happening tomorrow morning (at the crack of dawn, no less):  Emmy nominations will be announced for the 2010-2011 season!  Now, we all know the usual suspects will probably make it into the mix:  Boardwalk Empire, Dexter, Toni Collette, and so on and so on and now I'm bored.  Rather than try to make predictions (I don't think I watch a varying enough spectrum of television to be very accurate), I'll give my endorsements here to the individuals and shows I feel deserve Emmy recognition, and we'll find out tomorrow whether the voters agree with me.

Supporting Actress, TV Comedy:

Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation
This is the owner of the best female deadpan delivery on television, and that alone should be enough to earn her a nomination.  She was funnier than ever on Parks this season, and got an even more substantial story line to work with.

Busy Phillips, Cougar Town
Without this actress, Cougar Town would be a show where Courtney Cox's character whines all the time and Christa Miller struggles valiantly to lighten things up with her wit.  With Phillips, however, the dynamic of all three actresses is ignited, making for lots of laughs, usually at her character's expense.

Julie Bowen, Modern Family
Let's note that I'm including her in this category if and only if she isn't eligible for Lead status (I don't know how much screen time is required).  As neurotic Clare Dunphy dealing with one of the wackier families on TV, Bowen is consistently hilarious and sympathetic, and more than deserving of an Emmy nod.

Alyson Hannigan, How I Met Your Mother
Hannigan stepped up her game in season 6 of HIMYM, proving that she could not only make us laugh, but handle some pretty heavy drama as well.  If only she and on-screen husband Jason Segel could be nominated in some kind of package deal...


Supporting Actor, TV Comedy:

Nick Offerman, Parks and Recreation
This man delivers the funny, every single time.  He has the ability to steal scenes with just one line, even sometimes a single expression.

Aziz Ansari, Parks and Recreation
Ansari brought more dimension and sympathy to the character of Tom this season than I think any of us were expecting.  He consistently has some of the best one-liners on this show and on all of TV, and manages to stand out in an ensemble packed with amazing performers.

Donald Glover, Community
Another character who we knew was funny, but were hoping to see more from this season.  Glover delivered, and helped keep the show afloat during some of its more lackluster moments.

Ty Burrell, Modern Family
He's Phil Dunphy.  If you've seen the show, you know there isn't much more that needs to be said.

Charlie Day, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
No real person could get away with 99% of what he says and does on Sunny, which is probably what makes him so much fun to watch.

Jason Segel, How I Met Your Mother
Goofy side-kick no more, Segel took on Marshal's most intensive arc yet this season, and delivered it in a way that was both genuine and endearing.  The episodes in which he was heavily featured were by far some of the best HIMYM has ever done.

Neil Patrick Harris, How I Met Your Mother
Always a safe bet for the Emmys, or any awards for that matter.  He brought Barney Stinson back from the edges of cliche-dom by tackling tougher material this season and bringing fresh nuances to an already beloved character.



Lead Actor, TV Comedy:

Steve Carrell, The Office
The Emmys love a swan song, and Steve Carell played his to perfection this season on The Office.  His final episode arc was a return to what once made the show great, and he deserves much of the credit for that.

Joel McHale, Community
Carell is the man to beat, and while I don't think McHale can or will, I'd still love to see him recognized for being as funny as he is.


Lead Actress, TV Comedy:

Amy Poehler, Parks and Recreation
 Like Steve Carell, I think Amy Poehler as Leslie Knope is the comedic performer to beat here.  She was absolutely pitch-perfect all season long, and an Emmy for Amy is long overdue.  (Also, if she doesn't win/isn't nominated, I will probably cry.)

Courtney Cox, Cougar Town
The show's second season was a little shaky, but even a bad Courtney Cox performance is a good performance by most people's standards.

Best TV Comedy (Ranked in Order):
Parks and Recreation
Modern Family
How I Met Your Mother
Community
The Office

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 6: Half-Blood Prince

The sixth film in the Potter series, much like the novel which provides its basis, gives us a sense that we are at the beginning of the end.  Foundations are laid in this movie for things that will not be fully realized or resolved until this Friday in DH2.  It is for that reason that some people may have found the Half-Blood Prince film boring or confusing (maybe both), but from the stance of someone who still has that book in a tie for her favorite of the series, it actually comes off pretty well.

Muggles and Magic
Now, this scene is actually a bit of a rewrite from what we get in the opening chapter of the book (which features a conversation between the Muggle and wizarding Prime Ministers), but I think in terms of translating from book to screen, showing the bridge collapse (which is mentioned in the book's version, just not shown), is actually a better choice.  We get the message loud and clear:  this wizarding war is getting out of hand, to the point where it's affecting the Muggles who aren't even supposed to know that magic exists.  Plus, seeing the menacing steel of the Millenium Bridge (which I've walked on!) collapse into the Thames is just plain eerie.

Snape Weaves a Web
Snape has always been a complicated character, and one never very far from suspicion.  Half-Blood Prince plays with this even more, from the first scene in which he appears (a very well-executed retelling of the novel's second chapter, made all the better by the brilliant acting of Helen McRory, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman), to the film's climax when he (SPOILER) fires the curse which kills Dumbledore.  By the film's end, as in the book, we are more bewildered than ever as to where Snape's loyalty lies, and this is almost enough on its own to draw people in for the seventh film.

Meet Tom Riddle
An entire subplot of the sixth book is the history lesson/character study of the boy who would become Lord Voldemort, and has Harry struggling to understand what his weaknesses might be.  Because a lot of what we learn about Tom Riddle comes through various discussions as well as peering into Harry's own mind, it is understandably difficult to translate to the screen.  That said, the flashbacks we do get to see in the film are well-executed and definitely try (can't say for sure that they succeed) to effectively convey this part of the story.  I especially like the memory of Dumbledore visiting a very young Tom at the orphanage where he lives.

Draco's Up to No Good
This part of the film is really well done, although that may be me still gushing over Tom Felton's impressive performance.  He does a phenomenal job showing Draco's insecurity and uncertainty as he embarks on a secret assignment from Voldemort, which culminates in his attempt and failure to kill Dumbledore.  Great acting and a very nuanced look at this character as he takes on new dimensions.

A Fitting Tribute
Now, the actual moment of Dumbledore falling from the tower onto the grounds felt a bit forced to me, as did some of the lead-up to his death.  What did really get me, however, was the response of his students out on the Hogwarts grounds.  There is a really fantastic moment where the music swells and, one by one, the students light their wands and raise them to the sky in silent solidarity with their fallen headmaster.  Since they omitted the very poignant funeral scene that the book provides, this is our chance to let Dumbledore's death sink in, and I think if I can't have the closure I'd really like, this is a decent consolation prize.

Only one more film to go before the big finale!  Excitement is building in every corner, and I'm going to have to start avoiding the internet soon to minimize the risk of spoilers.

Parks and Rec Season 4 Updates!

Switching gears back to television just for a moment, I enjoyed immensely this interview with Mike Schur, executive producer of Parks and Recreation.  He talks a bit about what we'll see going on in Season 4, which returns on Thursday, September 22nd!

Very interested to see Tammy 1, Ann and Tom's respective story lines, and of course, what happens with Leslie and Ben.

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 5: Order of the Phoenix

This film marks the beginning of the reign of the brilliant David Yates, who went on to direct the four final films in the series, including Friday's much anticipated Deathly Hallows, Part 2.  I really enjoyed Order of the Phoenix, mostly because I went into it acknowledging that adapting an 870 page tome into a 2.5 hour movie is an extremely challenging feat, and so was able to forgive them the minor details that were left out.  Overall, though, the film does a really wonderful job of conveying the ever-present darkness that we get in the novel, and Dan Radcliffe handles Harry's teen angst much better than I'd expected.  Here are some bits that are especially great:

The Worst Teacher You've Ever Had, Times 1,000.
Order of the Phoenix introduces us to Professor Dolores Umbridge, sent by the Ministry of Magic to Hogwarts School to oppress its students.  She is the worst kind of evil right from the start, looking like an innocent grandmother type but quickly revealing that this is not remotely the case.  I particularly enjoy the kind of cheerfully sadistic venom of her first lesson with Harry's class, where she spouts off Ministry bullshit and berates Harry, then punctuates it with an evil little giggle.  Umbridge gets continually worse as the movie goes on, and I have to say, Imelda Staunton is really the perfect choice to portray one of the most hated teachers in Hogwarts' history.

Harry Potter and Sirius Black:  Misunderstood Bros for Life
One thing David Yates was very deliberate about in this film was laying the groundwork for Harry and Sirius' relationship, its importance as well as Harry's increasing dependence on his godfather.  We all knew that Sirius' death was on the horizon, and that knowledge makes it all the more heartbreaking to watch scenes like the one where they study the Black family tapestry and Sirius reassures his godson that he is not, in fact, a bad person.  Knowing that this is the last time they'll see one another before the night of Sirius' murder just tips the sad scale even further.

Harry catches Cho on the rebound, awkward snogging ensues
This romance is just so silly and entertaining to watch, because Harry is so naive about everything when it comes to girls.  He understands nothing of what might be going through Cho's head after her previous boyfriend's death (Hermione kindly explains it to Harry and to us).  The scene where Harry gets his first kiss, though, is just precious and awkward and hilarious, all at the same time.  I love Harry trying not to let his eagerness to mack on Cho come on too strong, and I love that their bodies are like, a full 2 feet apart the entire time they're kissing.  I was a little disappointed by the follow-through with their eventual breakup in the film, but as the lighter subplot they were trying for, I think it still works pretty well.

The Ministry of Magic Kick-Ass-a-Thon
There are so many things to love about this part of the film, the first being that it is incredibly satisfying that they dedicate so much time to it.  From the moment the kids step off the elevator in the Ministry of Magic, you know some major shit is about to go down.  Not only do Harry and co. manage to keep Malfoy and Bellatrix at bay in the Hall of Prophecy (and bonus awesome points to Ginny for literally bringing the house down), but we are then treated first to an Order vs. Death Eaters battle, and then to a Dumbledore vs. Voldemort face-off, also known as the one we'd all been waiting for.  I'm not usually too impressed by the visual effects in films (that or I just don't pay very much attention), but these scenes are just plain cool looking.  It isn't often that these films come very close to replicating the images I have in my head of the stories, but this is one of those rare occasions they did.


The Music
It has to be said, I think this might be one of my favorite scores of all the films.  I like the tracks on Deathly Hallows Part 1 just a little bit more, but this is the film where I think each composition is featured at a perfectly fitting spot in the action, and in this way the music really does help to tell the story.  Nicholas Hooper composed the music for this movie and for Half-Blood Prince, and definitely deserves some major kudos for helping to establish the tone of both films.

This review reminds me forcibly just how close we're getting to the final film!  Excitement and nostalgia are battling inside me with each minute that passes on the way to Friday at 12:01am.

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 4: Goblet of Fire

This installment of HP's adventures is a pretty good one, not my favorite but not one I have a lot of complaints about, either.  The movie is very well-paced and the scenes bleed into one another so well that I'm hard-pressed to find a lot of stand-alone scenes that are really fantastic, so these are more "chunks" of the film that I particularly enjoy.

Death Eaters are Fucking Scary.  Also, fire.
Now don't get me wrong, when I read this scene in the book I pictured it as very, very scary.  I mean, Harry is understandably freaked out-- some bad dudes (he doesn't even know yet what they are) are on a rampage at what was supposed to be a fun public event, and to top it off, he can't find his wand, his one means of defending himself.  But the film made this scene so remarkably chaotic and frightening that even I was scared in an entirely new way.  Those Death Eater masks and Klan hats on top of the whole campground being on fire and everyone panicking, man, I was with Harry, just frozen in fear.  Oh, and any scene where someone gets inadvertently kicked in the head always has me torn between worry and laughter.

The Yule Ball is every dance your high school ever had.  Plus magic.
Oh my, the teen awkwardness in this movie is just golden.  From Harry's botched attempt to ask Cho to the Ball (and his hilarious subsequent brooding), to Ron and Hermione's teen-soap argument over Viktor Krum, to the girls all crying on the staircase after the festivities were over, Mike Newell just got this spot on.  I loved having these scenes as a counterbalance to all the terrifying dark things going on later in the film.

Careful Harry, he doesn't have a nose! 
So Voldemort comes back in this movie.  And despite the weirdness of Ralph Fiennes' CGI lack of nose, this scene is pretty goddamn scary.  Fiennes plays Voldemort so well I can hardly stand it, and even Dan Radcliffe is tolerable in this scene (though I think it wouldn't be hard to play someone who is terrified in the face of all the awful things happening).  This was another moment in the books where I remember just closing the pages for a moment to breathe and wonder how the hell Harry was going to get out of this one.  He does, but we are a long way from the miraculous rescue of Chamber of Secrets.  This time, Harry only brings back one friend, one decidedly dead friend.  Which leads us to...

SHIT GETS REAL:  Cedric, we hardly knew ye
This scene is executed so wonderfully, and I still tear up a bit when I watch it.  Having the celebratory brass piece playing as Harry appears in front of the crowd and then abruptly cutting to mournful violins does a wonderful thing for the tone, and throwing in Cedric's father's unrestrained misery is just the icing on the heartbreak cake.  All the kids' faces are a mix of complete, bald shock and confusion, even as they let out a few tears, and it is one of the most authentic scenes in any of these films.  Great, now I'm sad again.

The other thing I love about this film on a general level is that they kept true to the book in that Goblet of Fire doesn't end on a hopeful note.  So much has happened, and so much is going to continue happening, that even the trio can't fully reassure one another.  I liked that Newell kept with this, with Harry and Hermione's simple conversation marking the turning point in the series:
"Everything's going to change, isn't it?"
"Yes."

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 3: Prisoner of Azkaban

Now, I know a lot of people have a problem with this film.  And by that I mean I have friends who choose to ignore it's existence because they didn't like Alfonso Cuaron's take on the third book in the series.  And yes, I can admit that there are parts of his interpretation that are problematic, but for me this film is about setting up a change in tone that leads into the rest of the series, and for that I applaud Cuaron.  This installment is appropriately darker and more mysterious than the previous two, just as it ought to be.

Harry and Lupin's friendship
Sirius gets a lot of credit in the books and later films for being Harry's first father figure, but I think something out to be said for his relationship with Professor Lupin in Prisoner of Azkaban.  This marks the first time Harry has an adult (other than Dumbledore) whom he trusts and feels he can confide in about the things that he doesn't even want to admit to Ron and Hermione.  The scenes between them in this film are a particularly good representation of the dynamics of their relationship, my two favorites being Lupin teaching Harry how to conjure a Patronus and Harry revealing that he used the memory of his parents to form it; and their concluding scene, when Lupin gives Harry a final piece of reassurance and delivers one of my favorite parting lines:
"Now it's time for me to say goodbye, but I feel sure we'll meet again sometime.  Until then, mischief managed."

Hermione Fights Back
Because who didn't love this scene in the book?  Hermione is already having a pretty crap-tastic day (year, really), and Malfoy just has to continue to act like a little shit.  You saw it coming and at the same time you didn't, which is what makes this moment so great to watch on the screen.

In the Shrieking Shack
What happens when you put some of Britain's greatest actors in a run-down little house and have them act out a dramatic tale of betrayal and bad blood?  Magic, that's what happens.  I love this scene so much, because it is so true to how I imagined it (which for this particular film is quite an accomplishment).  There is a perfectly tuned sense of urgency in the scene and as a viewer you are completely drawn in, even if, like me, you know how it will end.

Time Travel explained, or, That Time I Read the Book 10 Times But Didn't Get It Until a Visual Was Provided
As the title of this section indicates, I was a little slow to completely comprehend the events which concluded the third book.  Particularly, I couldn't understand, no matter how many times I read it, just how Harry first thought he saw his father only to realize it was himself all along, and then how he was so confident that his Patronus would succeed in saving himself and the others.  It was something that kind of made sense and so I went along with it for the sake of the story, but when I saw the movie everything finally clicked.  I'm not sure if Cuaron is responsible for the illustration of time travel directly or if that was the brainchild of a screenwriter/producer/etc, but it just works so well.  Even the somewhat silly parts of it (Harry getting hit by rocks from nowhere, Hermione studying her own hairstyle) achieve what they set out to do, which was to show that the kids were literally in two places at once.

So there you have it.  Hate on it if you will, but Prisoner of Azkaban will always have a special place in my heart.