Movie Reviews

by Karin Leonard & Daniel Robin

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

With Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes

Entertainment: 4.5 Message: 3.5 Warning: suspense and perilous situations

The most richly complex and intriguing of the series, we witness Harry and his friends at Hogwarts transitioning into adolescence, seen through the lens of magic, as character is defined in the Triwizard Tournament. The story unfolds with fantastic visual effects and events that challenge both the actors and audiences’ nerves. Harry is plagued by nightmares that even magic cannot push aside, as closer encounters with Lord Voldemort and the Quiddich World Cup keep us on the edge. The superb cast has grown in range and matured in their roles … for the rest of us, growing up without special powers seems easy by comparison (2 hrs 30 min).

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

With Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis

Entertainment: 4 Message: 3.5

A darker, more psychologically complex, less “Disney-esque” episode featuring stunning visual effects and sweeping photography. Harry and his friends’ coming-of-age is cleverly portrayed. They struggle with power and responsibility as well as their fears and demons. Fantastic creatures like “dementors” and a “hippogriff” (half bird, half horse) add to the magic. If you prefer this more menacing, edgy style, this one will likely be your favorite of the series so far (2 hrs 19 min).

Hero

With Jet Li, Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Donnie Yen, Maggie Cheung

Entertainment: 4 Message: 2.5 Note: in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles

Lyrical, passionate, and dreamlike, we gasped more than a few times at the rapturous beauty of wild nature juxtaposed to the romanticized brutality of the stylized martial arts action film. Like a panther that kills to eat (“Grouchy Tiger”), there is a cruel and ruthless quality of epic proportions in this Hero (“Smitten Dragon”). The plot? Confusing. Subtitles are often too fast. Based on historical events, an assassin’s unrealistic yet hypnotic account peels back layers and layers of illusion to reveal a single defining battle… again and again. Hero was the biggest domestic grosser in Chinese film history (released in 2002), and here, Jet Li and the entire cast reveal the ancient warrior culture and give us some spectacular if odd “genre” entertainment (1 hr 36 min).

Hitch

With Will Smith, Eva Mendes, Kevin James

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: 3.5

A romantic comedy and excellent date movie, Hitch (Smith) delivers laughs, charm and a style all his own. Even though Hitch himself can’t seem to keep it together, his hilarious “coaching” of dating-handicapped men is quite the hit. Sure, it’s flashy and predictable, but great fun nonetheless (1 hr 55 min).

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

With Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Sam Rockwell

Entertainment: 3.5 Message: Out of this world

In this SciFi satire/fantasy/adventure, based on the popular 1979 Douglas Adams existential book of the same title, the irony and all-around silliness arrives intact, much as we imagined it. Because, in our society we will eventually need things like hyperspace freeways, we also need this sort of fresh, goofy, blissfully ironic and irreverent humor. Probably not the mega-hit that it could have been (I mean, a nitwit as president – who would believe such a thing?!), it is nonetheless quite a fun ride. With its legions of fans, making a sequel of “The Restaurant at the Edge of the Universe” inevitable … if you can get a table (1 hr 50 min).

Hollywoodland

With Adrien Brody, Diane Lane, Ben Affleck, Bob Hoskins

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 2

Hollywoodland is based on the real story of TV Superman hero George Reeves’ mysterious and tragic death in 1959 (at age 42), and the quest to unravel this puzzling case. Strong performances throughout and a complex screenplay create a compelling – if at times confusing – drama noir, an inside glimpse into shady and glamorous Tinsel Town. Ben Affleck shines as Reeves, giving one of his best performances in years. However, despite the star power and many of the right ingredients, a lasting impression or purpose remain missing, just as truth and justice are rare commodities in Hollywood, and the film drags on into blahdom (2 hrs 6 min).

Hostage

With Bruce Willis, Kevin Pollak, Jimmy Bennett

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 2 Note: graphic violence

True to Bruce Willis’ style (if you can call it that), this suspenseful crime thriller features his “tough guy with a soft side” trademark. If you’re in the mood for edge-of-your-seat suspense with characters you can thoroughly dislike, and a few to cheer for, plus lots of senseless killing, then here’s your ticket. Do leave your “plausibility meter” at home … its pure, violent hocus pocus (1 hr 42 min).

House of Flying Daggers

With Ziyi Zhang, Andy Lau, Anita Mui, Dandan Song

Entertainment: 4.5 Message: 2

Ravishingly beautiful, every frame a piece of art and many a masterpiece of vibrant colors, exquisite costumes and spectacular choreography. Unfolding with fantastic, dream-like visions as well as sharp, stylized violence (daggers often come out of nowhere), there is also the lure of a passionate love story to lend intrigue and substance. Containing less of the surrealistic flying-through-the-air martial arts than its predecessors, finally the genre is settling down into more of an integrated dance and stunning, perceptual feast (1 hr 32 min).