By Billy Nastyn, Contributing Writer
Ten years ago, magic took hold over theaters across the world as we watched a young boy enter the wizarding world. Here we are in 2011 arriving at the final chapter that seemed so far away when it all began. We’ve all grown up and so have these movies. Endless combined hours of being transported (and probably months-worth for true Potter fans) to a world enchanted by Cornish pixies, Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans, Acromantulas and Quidditch have brought us to this final farewell.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is the much-hyped second of two full-length films concluding the eight film series (based on seven books by J.K. Rowling). We find ourselves back with Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) and Hermione Granger (Emma Watson) as they continue to seek out and destroy the final Horcruxes in hopes of ending the dark reign of Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes). While the series as a whole has been a search for self-discovery, this final film is where the unveiling truly begins -- and ultimately ends.
The battle has been waging for quite some time, so this final film prefers to take the more emotional route over the spellbound action adventure that they allotted for last year’s Deathly Hollows -- Part 1. That doesn’t mean there is anything lacking, since there was considerable time spent filling scenes with cameos from Potter's past. While the final book definitely pulls memorable spells, magical objects and characters into play, it is much more noticeable in the shortened film format and helps to give the proper nod to not only the character’s past, but our own past growing up as viewers. All due nostalgia was paid in full and definitely brought on the waterworks. While tears were rampant in the theater, it’s the onscreen tears that only made it more overwhelmingly moving (just bottle them up and pour them into a penseive and make us cry more, why don’t ya?)
There is no better way to end a series than to experience the parellels of being a viewer coping with the end of an era and your beloved onscreen characters fighting against their own looming end. So, get ready to light a candle, or in this case cast a "Lumos" spell and say your goodbyes. But remember, nothing is truly ever over if you don’t want it to be, so now we can all hop a train at Platform 9 ¾ and make our way over to Pottermore.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 is recommended for:
- Potter Heads (obviously)
- Anyone anxious to be one step closer to The Hunger Games movie release
Not recommended for:
- Jerks who don't like Harry Potter
By Billy Nastyn, Contributing Writer
Director Zach Snyder (Watchmen, 300) has brought yet another visually stunning film to the big screen, this time in the form of girls toting some massive weapons in Sucker Punch, in theaters now. This action fantasy takes us on a journey through the hallucinations of Babydoll (Emily Browning) after she is wrongfully locked up in a 1960s psych ward. It's there that she recruits Sweet Pea (Abbie Cornish), Rocket (Jena Malone), Blondie (Vanessa Hudgens) and Amber (Jamie Chung) in a master plan to escape to their freedom.
There are three major perks that may Sucker you into seeing this movie:
The Music
The goosebump-inducing soundtrack from this film really shook the theatergoers in their seats. Think of the song selections as hyperactive fillers for a movie with the lack of a strong storyline. Bjork, Queen, Led Zeppelin and Lords of Acid are only a small taste of what you're getting your ears prepped for. These are some dark tracks that through mash-ups and remixes follow the movie's theme of altered reality. By infusing Browning's vocals into certain songs, Babydoll’s mind really takes control as she charges through each erratic fantasy.
By Billy Nastyn, Contributing Writer
Theaters have been absolutely saturated with exorcism movies since The Exorcist claimed its place in horror flick history. It’s been 38 years and not much has changed throughout all of the incarnations. Just get some split pea soup, creepy deep voices, and a non-believer in a room together and BAM! Movie magic.
Er, not quite. Something has been missing from these attempts, so as they've been rolled out they seem like the same exact thing with a few new tricks up their sleeve. Even trying to Blair Witch it up a bit by making them into documentary style footage couldn’t set them apart from each other. Scarier, maybe, but still not good.
In walks Anthony Hopkins in The Rite. Why hadn’t someone thought of this sooner? By taking a renowned actor that claimed the throne to creepy-nightmare-inducing-character-land a long, long time ago, director Mikael Håfström has created a devilishly enjoyable new movie.
By Billy Nastyn, Contributing Writer
"You’d better check yourself, before you wreck yourself."
...and wreck themselves they did (in all the right ways)! Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis star as Peter Highman and Ethan Tremblay in Due Date, where a play-by-play of the amazing catastrophes need to be seen to be appreciated.
When the oblivious Ethan chaotically enters Peter’s world at the airport, the unfortunate circumstances have already been set into motion. Boarding the same flight to LA, Ethan proves to be one of those obnoxious passengers that pushes all the wrong buttons. It only takes a few awkward statements out of his mouth (this movie provides quite a library) to get them kicked off of the flight and put on the no-fly list. Edgy and frustrated to begin with, Peter discovers his wallet is still on the plane and must begrudgingly accept a ride cross-country from his new acquaintance.
Like any good drama (wait, isn’t it a comedy?), we’ve got death and birth setting up the basis of this long journey. Ethan is leaving Atlanta for Hollywood after his father’s death to follow his dream to star in Two And a Half Men (seriously), while Peter is rushing to LA to be with his wife when she gives birth.
Polar opposites and stuck together, Due Date then takes the idea that all that can go wrong will go wrong and pushes it until you can’t help but enjoy the absurdity. You have to hand it to these guys; first you find yourself laughing at a kid getting punched, than you’re feeling sensitive over father abandonment issues. Just never take a moment for granted, because this movie is all about the unexpected and nothing is more shocking than getting owned by a movie right when you’re about to shed a tear. Embarassing.
By Billy Nastyn, Contributing Writer
Katherine Heigl is in yet another romantic comedy? Wait, it isn't cliche? It seems that Life as We Know It avoids being what we expect of Hollywood chick flicks. The basic criteria for a generic boy-meets-girls, girl-detests-boy, and boy-proves-he's-worthy kind of movie is present, but don't judge too soon since everyone knows that this movie has a major turning point.
In the flick Holly Berenson (Heigl) and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) are set up on a disastrous date by their married best friends, and within minutes go their separate ways with extremely sour first impressions. Years pass and bakery owner Holly is crushing on one of her regulars (Josh Lucas), while network sports director Messer is loving his bachelor lifestyle with no plans on commitment. About the only thing they have in common is their adoration for little Sophie, their best friends' daughter. Things change when a car accident leaves Sophie orphaned with these two inexperienced and unprepared caretakers.
By Billy Nastyn, guest writer
One small neighborhood in Boston has managed to produce the most bank and armored car heists in America. Charlestown has been placed in the spotlight in Ben Affleck’s The Town along with some of the most intelligent robbery scenarios (nuns toting guns, anyone?) that would put Bonnie and Clyde to shame.
Wannabe good-guy, Doug MacRay (Ben Affleck) and his high crime buddy, Jem (Jeremy Renner), are part of a crew of bank robbers that have perfected the play-by-play of each and every job. When the unpredictable and trigger happy Jem takes bank manager Claire Keesey (Rebecca Hall) hostage during their most recent heist, he doesn’t realize what he’s put into motion; a romance between a robber and his clueless hostage.
The Town really perfected the balance of two different genres. One part action flick full of high-speed car chases, explosions, and massive guns blended perfectly with some nice-to-meet-you, let’s-get-dinner-and-maybe-she’ll-never-know-that-I-was-the-guy-who-traumatized-her romantic/sometimes-comedy. It sounds like a lot, but it was thrilling to watch the planning of each robbery, while Doug tries to escape his lifestyle to be with Claire.
Every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day I'm going to be featuring "guest bloggers" as a part of my "Summer Fridays" series. This summer's first entry could not be more appropriate. As the weather starts to get warm, put your sock-less feet up and check out this entry from Billy Nastyn.
It just looks hip to not have socks on in the spring and summer. Who doesn't like to appear to be comfortable and fashionable while spending time outside? The problem is that nobody wants to deal with stinky feet, so unless you want to end up having your own personal Lindsay Lohan Talcum powder incident, you shouldn't go unprepared.
There are some great products out there and even some quick fix antidotes that can slip right in and save your soles. Whether you are a frequent sans socks aficionado, or new to the movement, it’s worth exploring your options. Here are some suggestions:
Terry Cloth Insoles
Terry cloth is the stuff of puppies, kittens, and newborn babies (joy!). This is what you want meeting your feet. ALDO sells an amazing insole insert that is not only easy to throw on for the day, but easy to pull out and toss in with your wash. Topped with the attractive terry cloth and a nice gripped rubber bottom, this padding not only creates comfort, but absorbs what you don’t want lingering on you or your shoe.
