Peter Kupfer's Blog

Movie Review: Dark Knight

  I finally saw The Dark Knight. (I know it hasn’t been out that long, but it seems like everyone has seen this movie already.) I went into this movie expecting it to not live up to the hype that it got and I have to say I was amazed. This movie was fantastic! What I liked the most was the overarching theme about heroes and the distinction between heroes we need and when we need them. I was reminded a lot of Spider-Man 2 and the conflict between responsibility and the power: Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I’m Spiderman.

Ultimately, besides the hero theme, I enjoyed the conflicted between vigilanty justice and the police. The movie opens a big debate that will perhaps never be answered. The TV show never really hits on this conflict like I am guessing the comic does. In reality, Batman is the original Jack Bauer. You can tell them whoever wrote this movie loves Batman and understands the character and the world.

The acting in this movie is, as reported, very good. I guess Heath Ledger is a villian, but as I was watching the movie I didn’t fear him like I feared Jack Nicholaus in the original. Maybe it is because Ledger makes The Joker seem human which is really the greatest compliment I could pay him. Christian Bale does a fine job and was pushed further than I thought he would be and he handled it. Morgan Freeman does a quality job as always and brings a nice Q quality to the batman franchise.

Overall this was a powerful movie that really transcends Batman or any time period. The themes are clear, classic and really encourage deep thought.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was a good addition to the Harry Potter film library. I have a hard time watching the films after reading the book because I prefer a literal interpretation, but I suppose the books are little too long for that. The first movie was pretty literal, but it was also pretty short. The first part of the movie really seems to jump around. The screenwriter seems to have chosen random samples from the book to show. When they do show a scene from the book they are fairly literal but they make some often frustrating choices of what to cut and what to add that is not in the book.

An example of this is when Harry and the advance guard fly from Privot Drive to headquarters. They fly close to the river’s surface and almost hit and boat (meaning muggles would like see them) whereas in the book, Moody is adamant about flying high so as not to be seen. Also, when the students get off the train they are not in their robes whereas in the book it always a staple of the end of the train ride to put on their robes. Also, the statue in the Ministry of Magic didn’t seem to match the description in the book with just one fountain in the middle. I think it had the same statues, but this seems like a simple touch that a set designer or film director would be able to correct. It was almost like the screenwriter didn’t read the whole book series and only skimmed the 5^th book.

There are other examples of this idea, but these are some that stuck with me now. The movie spends a lot of time at the DA meetings which is fun and the film does a good job of showing Harry grow up and into his role as a leader. As I said, I found the rest of the time at Hogwart’s jumpy and rushed. I get the feeling, as I did with the third and fourth movie, that if you hadn’t read he book you wouldn’t be able to follow the story. Maybe that is okay though given the audience.

Hands down the best part of the movie is the time in the Department of Ministries. The sets are well done and the action is really exciting and captures the adventure of the novel. It is faced paced, gripping, and good ride. The final battle in the Ministry of Magic between Dumbledore, Voldemort, and Harry is very exciting, and in this case the few lines Harry adds I liked and I think illustrates why being good is better than being bad. Dumbledore’s speech at the end leave a lot to be desired, but I guess they were trying to keep to a schedule.

Acting wise, Alan Rickman (Snape), Jason Issacs (Lucious Malfoy), and Ralph Fiennes (Voldemort) all gave stellar performances as usually. You really want to loathe Malfoy in the film and he is very convincing in the DoM. Snape is detestable and lovable at the same time especially when he is challenging Harry during occlumency. Voldemort is very calm and confident and you really fear him throughout the movie. Helena Bonham Carter does a quality job as Bellatrix Lestrange portraying a truly horrible witch. Finally, even though you hate her, Imelda Staunton gives a true to the book performance portraying Dolores Umbridge.

The score in the movie is very moving. The music during at the end of the battle with Voldemort is really puts a point on the moment and truly makes you feel Harry’s pain.

In end, if you like Harry Potter you should see this movies. It diverts from the book a lot, but if you know the story, you will have not trouble following it. There are several excellent performances given in the film and the movie making elements are all very well done.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Movie Review — Fantastic Four

Fantastic Four was a fun movie. I wasn’t really familiar with the stories of anything like that except for the Wii game Marvel Superheroes. The movie has fun story and shows that being true to yourself is always the best policy. The characters, as far as I can tell, are true to the comics and are acted pretty well for a comic book movie. The special effects are pretty good in the movie. The look beleiveable and flow with the film.
I would reccomend this movie if you have enjoyed X-Men, Spider-Man, or other comic inspired films.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Movie Review — March of the Penguins…

I had read in the paper that March of the Penguins was the sleeper summer hit, so Gina and I went to see it.

I didn’t really know what to expect, I had read that it was the story of penguins mating and that kind of thing, so I thought it was more going to focus on two penguins. The movie really essentially was a documentary about penguins. It wasn’t horrible, but I never really thought I would be sitting in a theater watching a documentary. Morgan Freeman did a good job narrating. Nothing exceptional, but a good, solid job.

The thing about the move I like the best was some of the close up shots they got. Some were really neat. The director does a good job adding some emotion to the film when some of the penguins die here and there, but it isn’t REALLY moving. What the movie taught me the most was that it is incredible that penguins haven’t become extinct. They go through an incredible journey to have a baby.

My biggest disappointment was that they didn’t tell you how to tell a boy and girl penguin apart.

Since it was our 1 year anniversary and we got into the movie with free tickets and won two more free tickets there, it was a good experience.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

If you plan to read this book and don’t want to have it ruined you may want to not read this.

What an amazing book. J.K. Rowling really makes you feel the emotions of the characters in it. Having said that…

I feel empty inside, like a real person died. I can feel the pain that Harry is feeling. So much, that I really don’t want to be alone right now. It seems silly to me, but it is said. Dumbledore is dead and there is nothing we can do to make it stop and the people that did it are still at large. It is very upsetting.

I think the fact that a book can bring out such emotion is a true testament to the skill that Rowling has. It reminds me a lot of Star Wars III when you could feel the anguish and emotion that was going through Anakin.

I will say I was shocked that Snape was a Death Eater in the end. I was also please with the conflict that existed in Malfoy, very nice touch. I was surprised that there wasn’t a bigger deal made about how Harry was right the whole time about Draco though. Also, I don’t think the word FireBolt was used in the whole book, which is unusual, because Harry’s broom is always referred to as a FireBolt, and not just a broom.

Harry and Ginny breaking up was very reminiscent of Spider Man. I wonder if that is were she got the idea? I was also saddened by this, but I guess I understand.

I am not sure how Harry’s adventure is going to work out. He couldn’t even beat Snape, how is he going to beat Voldemort without more training?

I think these are my thoughts for now. Feeling a little better having gotten this off my chest. I will just have to try to remember the good times.

Popularity: unranked [?]

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants…

I plan to write a more thorough review later, but The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is a FANTASTIC movie and I would who heartedly recommend to anyone who likes movies that have a deeper meaning and can teach you something. I cried several times during the movie and it is really very touching for a movie about 4 16 year old girls. Lots of good life lessons. It is very reminiscent of Joan of Arcadia. (Incidentally the star of Joan of Arcadia, Amber Tamblyn, puts in a fantastic performance in this movie.)

Have a good one.

Popularity: unranked [?]

In Jabba’s lair

When Leia rescues Han, she is not very careful about being quiet. It is just kind of stupid. I guess she makes up for it in that bikini!

Popularity: unranked [?]