Comcast killed the Internets
So, web access has been kaput for the past several days. No matter.
Ratatouille- Brilliant, adorable, quite a treat to watch. Laugh out loud funny in parts, eyerolling in others. Right up there with Finding Nemo as far as I'm concerned, but not quite to the standards of Monsters Inc. or The Incredibles on the Pixar Hotlist. Thankfully, it was far better than Cars. The highest compliment I can give it is to say that it was honestly funny and that it made me wish with all my might that I had more time to cook.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- I loved this movie nigh-unconditionally until the last minute or so. The conclusion felt contrived and self-important. I would have much rather left off with Luna Lovegood's offbeat, sensitive words about recovering what's been lost. That may or may not be because of my adoration of the character of Luna Lovegood, but that is neither here nor there. The main thing that made me love the movie so much is its absolutely perfect tone. The characters aren't Christmas-bright like the first film. The innocence is gone, as is the childish trust that one puts in the "good" characters. Even the "good" characters have turned, are uncertain, seem somehow shaded and dim. The brightest person in the movie is also the most appalling- Professor Umbridge, with her revolting cardigans, pink robes, and supercilious insanity. Her hatred shines out of her in a rather vile way, making the dingy darkness of some of the other characters more appealing in some way. Finally, the brilliance of the editing and camerawork is simply stunning. Horrific slideshows in Harry's dreams somehow turn the gut enough to inspire that primal unease that Jo intended for this installment of the series. They propel the mood downward and out into a deep discontent that is palpable in all the characters do. The oppression of the ministry of magic, the desperation of Harry in his need to get his message to the world, and the dread that somehow comes with any glimpse of the astoundingly creepy Voldemort, all set the tone for this dim, fantastic story. Well done all. Well, except for that guy who plays Dumbledore. I hate him.
The book comes out tomorrow night. Is it terribly wrong of me to feel like something massive is coming to a crashing conclusion? I look forward to the release with dread and a sort of hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. It seems like for some reason, I never thought this day could ever happen.
Ah, but now I'm being melodramatic. To bed with me- I have far too much to do before tomorrow night.
Ratatouille- Brilliant, adorable, quite a treat to watch. Laugh out loud funny in parts, eyerolling in others. Right up there with Finding Nemo as far as I'm concerned, but not quite to the standards of Monsters Inc. or The Incredibles on the Pixar Hotlist. Thankfully, it was far better than Cars. The highest compliment I can give it is to say that it was honestly funny and that it made me wish with all my might that I had more time to cook.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix- I loved this movie nigh-unconditionally until the last minute or so. The conclusion felt contrived and self-important. I would have much rather left off with Luna Lovegood's offbeat, sensitive words about recovering what's been lost. That may or may not be because of my adoration of the character of Luna Lovegood, but that is neither here nor there. The main thing that made me love the movie so much is its absolutely perfect tone. The characters aren't Christmas-bright like the first film. The innocence is gone, as is the childish trust that one puts in the "good" characters. Even the "good" characters have turned, are uncertain, seem somehow shaded and dim. The brightest person in the movie is also the most appalling- Professor Umbridge, with her revolting cardigans, pink robes, and supercilious insanity. Her hatred shines out of her in a rather vile way, making the dingy darkness of some of the other characters more appealing in some way. Finally, the brilliance of the editing and camerawork is simply stunning. Horrific slideshows in Harry's dreams somehow turn the gut enough to inspire that primal unease that Jo intended for this installment of the series. They propel the mood downward and out into a deep discontent that is palpable in all the characters do. The oppression of the ministry of magic, the desperation of Harry in his need to get his message to the world, and the dread that somehow comes with any glimpse of the astoundingly creepy Voldemort, all set the tone for this dim, fantastic story. Well done all. Well, except for that guy who plays Dumbledore. I hate him.
The book comes out tomorrow night. Is it terribly wrong of me to feel like something massive is coming to a crashing conclusion? I look forward to the release with dread and a sort of hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach. It seems like for some reason, I never thought this day could ever happen.
Ah, but now I'm being melodramatic. To bed with me- I have far too much to do before tomorrow night.