I had this crazy dream last night.
I) I'm aware that it's been a month since Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I came out, but I never got around to posting about when I went to see it. I'm quite awful at updating my lj, something which shall hopefully change in the new year. Anyways, my official review is now here:
First of all, I must admit, I haven't read the seventh book. It's awful, I know; it's the only one I haven't read, and people tell me it's arguably the best. I will get around to it, I swear. (But the friend I went with had never read any of the books, so that's far worse.) Despite this, I knew what happened and was prepared for the incredible sadness that this novel contains.
The first scene, my god. I love the intensity and darkness of this film already. Snape is a bamf, always will be. I love his character, and cannot wait to see how he will come about as the good guy in the second half.
Now, just so you know, it takes a lot for me to cry at movies. But when Hermione erased her parents' movies, I was already on the verge of tears. And when they continued on with Ron and his family; Harry saying goodbye to the Dursleys, and then looking under stairs. It just makes me remember how, without realizing at the time, this franchise has been a very large part of my life for a long time.
Furthermore,
II) on Saturday night I finally was able to watch a film I've been waiting almost a year to see: Black Swan. Needless to say, I was mesmerized the entire time. Now here's a film that examples how life imitates art - to the extreme.
This film only further supports mine and countless other's opinions that Natalie is the actress of her generation. Her performance was that of gold, and she is clearly a sure thing for a Best Actress nom come Oscar season (and most likely the award). She did a tremendous job of transforming the character of Nina from an innocent, repressed girl into someone much darker. Watching her slowly begin to crack and lose control like that before going insane was pretty amazing. It was so interesting to watch how it showed how Nina's desires eventually exploded after being repressed for so long.
The relationship between Nina and her mother was also astounding to watch. To see it go from caring and supportive to almost obsessively overbearing was incredible as well. But fuck, that scene when Natalie is, um, "taking care of that homework assignment" and then seeing her mother sitting in the chair by her bed, damn that was awkward.
I've heard this before, but I do think Mila Kunis' character was a bit underused. I expected her to be in it far more, and am a little disappointed that she wasn't. However, I can look past it easily because this film is truly about Nina at its core. I loved the relationship between the two, and how it progressed.
The club scene where Nina and Lily get high was when things took a turn for the worst (or best?), and when things got really good. I could barely concentrate on what was happening though because Sebastian Stan (and Toby Hemingway! ~reunion, if only Chace was there too~) came on screen and was all sweaty for some reason throughout the entire scene. The scene before the girls' sex scene was pretty amazing, the one between Nina and her mother. When her mother slaps her and the she locks her mother out of her room and demands privacy, etc. It just felt really great, and it was at this point you could tell that Nina was finally trying to take control of her life.
Also, I totally fell for Nina accidentally killing Lily; and was surprised when that turned out to be untrue, and Nina had in fact stabbed herself, thus imitating the swan queen. The ending was beautiful, loved how her death became that of the Swan Queen's and her last words, "i was perfect." Because that was all he ever really wanted, so when she finally was, what else was there for her? Oh, and is it weird that I find sleazy Vincent Cassel attractive? Oh, and that I still would do anything to go back in time I not give up ballet?
And of course, I absolutely adored the costumes, the soundtrack, and the direction. Amy Westcott and Rodarte's Mulleavy sisters did an amazing job, I wanted every outfit. Clint Mansell is a brilliant man, and I always have his soundtracks playing because they're so tragically beautiful and dark.
First of all, I must admit, I haven't read the seventh book. It's awful, I know; it's the only one I haven't read, and people tell me it's arguably the best. I will get around to it, I swear. (But the friend I went with had never read any of the books, so that's far worse.) Despite this, I knew what happened and was prepared for the incredible sadness that this novel contains.
The first scene, my god. I love the intensity and darkness of this film already. Snape is a bamf, always will be. I love his character, and cannot wait to see how he will come about as the good guy in the second half.
Now, just so you know, it takes a lot for me to cry at movies. But when Hermione erased her parents' movies, I was already on the verge of tears. And when they continued on with Ron and his family; Harry saying goodbye to the Dursleys, and then looking under stairs. It just makes me remember how, without realizing at the time, this franchise has been a very large part of my life for a long time.
Furthermore,
- the Polyjuice Potion scene was much needed humor for preparation of what happens next.
- oh, George - my bb! if I get this emotional over an ear injury, then when Fred dies I'm going to start weeping uncontrollably.
- the wedding scene is so adorable. Clemence, can I please look like you? and her dress was simply stunning. Even if it is basically a knock-off of Alexander McQueen's Fall 2008 dress.
- I've never like Ginny/Harry, I don't think I ever will.
- Hermione is truly such an inspiring character. And Emma, my how pretty you've gotten over the years.
- The Ministry of Magic scenes were quite possibly my favourite parts: funny, intriguing, intense- just wonderful.
- Ron x Hermione are just, gah. ♥ These three are so wonderful to watch together, such brilliant actors in their own right.
- all of the camping scenes are amazing, but when Ron finally loses it and runs away - damn, it's amazing.
- okay, now let me tell you how much I adore the Harry & Hermione dance scene. SO DAMN CUTE, it makes my heart ache.
- the entire Godric's Hollow part was perfection, but the graveyard scene in particular was outstanding.
- RON IS A BAMF, LADIES AND GENTS: saving Harry, destroying Horcrux, his little speech to Hermione (gah!).
- the tale of The Three Brothers and the Deathly Hallows was brilliant! adores everything about it.
- THE CHASE SCENE IN THE WORDS, OMG. I really liked this part for some inexplicable reason.
- MALFOY MANOR AKA WHERE DRACO THE AMAZING LIVES. I have an obsession with Draco Malfoy, okay? he's just so dark and cruel and attractive. um. . .
- is it awful that I enjoyed the Hermione-being-tortured scene? purely because Ron was so upset about it, of course! they're just so cute, I love them.
- DOBBY SAVES THEM ALL BECAUSE HE'S AMAZING LIKE THAT.
- but then he dies, and this scene is so emotional! HARRY, DON'T CRY. the burial is so sad yet sweet.
- the last scene: Voldemort taking the Elder Wand from Dumbledore, wonderful. I was wondering when they would end the film, and they chose the perfect scene.
II) on Saturday night I finally was able to watch a film I've been waiting almost a year to see: Black Swan. Needless to say, I was mesmerized the entire time. Now here's a film that examples how life imitates art - to the extreme.
This film only further supports mine and countless other's opinions that Natalie is the actress of her generation. Her performance was that of gold, and she is clearly a sure thing for a Best Actress nom come Oscar season (and most likely the award). She did a tremendous job of transforming the character of Nina from an innocent, repressed girl into someone much darker. Watching her slowly begin to crack and lose control like that before going insane was pretty amazing. It was so interesting to watch how it showed how Nina's desires eventually exploded after being repressed for so long.
The relationship between Nina and her mother was also astounding to watch. To see it go from caring and supportive to almost obsessively overbearing was incredible as well. But fuck, that scene when Natalie is, um, "taking care of that homework assignment" and then seeing her mother sitting in the chair by her bed, damn that was awkward.
I've heard this before, but I do think Mila Kunis' character was a bit underused. I expected her to be in it far more, and am a little disappointed that she wasn't. However, I can look past it easily because this film is truly about Nina at its core. I loved the relationship between the two, and how it progressed.
The club scene where Nina and Lily get high was when things took a turn for the worst (or best?), and when things got really good. I could barely concentrate on what was happening though because Sebastian Stan (and Toby Hemingway! ~reunion, if only Chace was there too~) came on screen and was all sweaty for some reason throughout the entire scene. The scene before the girls' sex scene was pretty amazing, the one between Nina and her mother. When her mother slaps her and the she locks her mother out of her room and demands privacy, etc. It just felt really great, and it was at this point you could tell that Nina was finally trying to take control of her life.
Also, I totally fell for Nina accidentally killing Lily; and was surprised when that turned out to be untrue, and Nina had in fact stabbed herself, thus imitating the swan queen. The ending was beautiful, loved how her death became that of the Swan Queen's and her last words, "i was perfect." Because that was all he ever really wanted, so when she finally was, what else was there for her? Oh, and is it weird that I find sleazy Vincent Cassel attractive? Oh, and that I still would do anything to go back in time I not give up ballet?
And of course, I absolutely adored the costumes, the soundtrack, and the direction. Amy Westcott and Rodarte's Mulleavy sisters did an amazing job, I wanted every outfit. Clint Mansell is a brilliant man, and I always have his soundtracks playing because they're so tragically beautiful and dark.