the movieGOOMBA

2 GOOMBAS

4 GOOMBAS

I read Harry Potter almost every night. Sometimes, I'll only read parts; other times, I'll start reading a whole book all the way through. And each time is always just as good as the first. I do this because I need to remind myself that, though fantasy, there exists a world where good always triumphs over evil. I do this because when I start to feel the insignificance in a world so large, I'm reminded that love and friendship is what gives my life meaning.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince opened at midnight, setting the new record for midnight sales at $22.2 million. In his sixth year, Harry returns to Hogwarts and faces the wizarding world as "The Chosen One." During private lessons, Dumbledore shows Harry memories that he has collected, in the hopes that they find something that will help them destroy Lord Voldemort.

Though not as intense as its predecessors, Prince is basically just a set-up for the the last installments of the Potter series. I don't think this film is able to stand on its own, but its very good just the same. When the movie stopped to look into the calmer moments of the trio, Hermione, Ron and Harry, it had a number of funny, light-hearted scenes, but almost equal were scenes of heartache and grief. Also, I thought this film did an excellent job of making Harry a likeable character (at this point in the novels, Harry is quite stubborn and obsessive), and the filmmakers did a fairly good job of abbreviating the plot. However, as an avid book fan, I did think they left a lot of important details out. I'm not sure how they'll manage to explain some things in the next film, but if they do, I won't complain.

Coming of age is a bittersweet ordeal, and what struck me the most about this movie was the general tone of maturity. There are certain things in life that you have to go at alone; the first day of kindergarten, moving away from home - anything that involves growing up and making your way through this world, anything involving a defining decision. And that is where Harry is; on the verge of a defining decision. So, just a few hours ago, when I finished watching Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, I was left with loneliness. Though Harry is supported and in the company of truly loyal friends, I'm reminded that Harry is still alone with his burden.

And I feel alone with him.

2.5 GOOMBAS

Whenever I play the "would you rather" game, very rarely do I hear someone prefer to go blind when faced with the vision verses hearing question. The fact is, if you lose your sense of sight, it seems harder to function "normally." You can't drive, you can't read, you can't watch TV, (Lord, I couldn't watch movies!) and you'd have a hard time just walking. And so, the movie Blindness takes these real dilemmas to the next level. What if the whole world went blind?

Based on the novel by Jose Saramago, Blindness portrays a world suffering from a blindness epidemic. Though curious about the how the disease came to be, like most adequate science fiction films, the cause isn't the point - it's what ensues. Mark Ruffalo stars as doctor fallen victim to the infection and Julienne Moore is his disease immune wife who follows him to quarantine, AKA internment camp. From there, let your pessimistic imagination run wild.

What I found very fascinating was how intense and realistic some of these scenes were. These internment camps became toxic waste dumps. Unable to see, these people couldn't manage to do what we take for granted - knowing how to find the bathroom, how to bath, how to live. And those uninfected are unwilling to care for them. Though under military governance, inside the ward walls is complete and total anarchy; ::shudders:: horrors I don't even want to think about but was forced to watch.

The lighting, in general, is ethereal, unique, and thoroughly thought out. There were also times of complete darkness; symbolic of their utter desperation and civilization's decent into savagery. Blindness also becomes a commentary on society's failure to see how and who people can become when faced with such hardship.

However, somewhere in the middle of this world Blindness created, there were character developments that didn't quite make sense, and relationship that weren't fully construed. Though the world was mesmerizing, its characters were too flawed for me to find empathy. Plus the hope was lost in the ending, a feeling I'm assuming I was suppose to feel at the end. Maybe I just didn't get it, but I'm fairly certain I'm not blind.

4 GOOMBAS

Filmed in France and originally released there in 2006, Hors de prix, or its American title, Priceless, took quite some time to reach the United States. Apparently, its a French adaption of the American classic, Breakfast at Tiffany's. Good thing I didn't know about that fact when I first watched it, or it might have biased my opinion - though I did keep saying to myself how the movie seemed strangely familiar.

This sweet, not so French, film stars Audrey Tautou as Irene, a glamorous, young con artist who manipulates wealthy men into spoiling her. Jean is a shy butler with humble means, and after a classic case of mistaken identities, Jean is smitten by her. When she realizes that he's poor, she still, coldly lets Jean spends every cent of his savings for one evening with his expensive date. After he's stuck with the luxury hotel bill, unable to pay it, and ditched by Irene, a wealthy, older woman happily assumes the cost as long as he becomes her playmate. Now, both at the same level, Irene accepts Jean's friendship and begins teaching him the ways of the wile.

Nothing seemed French about this film, other than the fact that I watched this film with English subtitles. A great story, both characters become equally lovable - though at the beginning, that didn't seem likely. Jean is sensitive and intensely devoted, while Irene is enchanting and ardent past her shallow and materialistic exterior. Their friendship and his devotion were very real and engaging. Priceless was bright and cute, with just that hint of extra class found very rarely in romantic comedies.

I definitely recommend Priceless to anyone who wants to watch a cute movie. Be ready for English subtitles and a gorgeous Audrey Tautou in high fashion clothing. Advice from the movieGOOMBA - this is not a movie to watch when you feel bloated.

I appologize for my hiatus, but I should be back with more frequent posts in these next upcoming weeks. In the meantime, sink your teeth into some of these ratings.

Hamlet 2 - 2 GOOMBAS
"Raped in the face" and in my brain. "Rock me, rock me, rock me sexy Jesus!"
Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 3 GOOMBAS
Surprisingly, a not crass romantic comedy, but with a thrown in, male full frontal.
Be Kind Rewind - 2 GOOMBAS
A weird mix of pathos and comedy. I give it props for a creative idea for a plot.
You Don't Mess With the Zohan - 1 GOOMBA
So stupid, so dumb, so gross. I'm surprised I made it through the entire movie.
Wanted - 2 GOOMBAS
I've never seen two hotter people on screen together. I would turn lesbian for Angelina. TERRIBLE movie, good action.
The Chronicals of Narnia: Prince Caspian - 3.5 GOOMBAS
Magically engaging and action scenes to challenge any epic film
Get Smart - 2 GOOMBAS
The Rock and Micheal Scott do not cook so well. I thought this movie was way too silly.
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - 2 GOOMBAS
Boring, boring, boring - but Amy Adams is as good as always.
Made of Honor - 3 GOOMBAS
So cute. I think about this movie a lot as the date for my own wedding draws near.
Mama Mia! - 2 GOOMBAS
I could not stand this movie. All the women were so annoying!
The Spiderwick Chronicles - 2.5 GOOMBAS
This flick has strong child leads, and I'm sure the story is solid; yet Spiderwick didn't translate its world so well on film.

Look forward to the movieGOOMBA's next post on Priceless in the next few days.

3 GOOMBAS

Many people find it hard to use the word "no." Me included. So this concept of having to say "yes" to everything didn't seem like it was too far off from the everyday lives of those yessers. So the Yes Man actually looked pretty lame, especially with the dementedly crazy Jim Carrey as the lead.

Playing a seemingly similar character from a previous role in Liar Liar (a movie the movieGOOMBA does not recommend), Jim Carrey is Carl Allen, a low paid loan officer who possess the gift of saying no. To his own detriment, however, he feels the need to say no to everything, which has turned him into a no-saying recluse. Then, after visiting a seminar on "Yes!" Carl is cast under some type of spell, a la Shallow Hal, and he winds up saying yes to everything, which includes, flying lessons, learning Korean, letting a 70-year-old-neighbor lady have her way with him, and approving any and all loans that make its way onto his desk.

Quite watchable, and vastly better than I could have ever expected, Yes Man was actually a chick flick. Go figure. Zooey Deschanel plays his love interest, and though wide eyed and quite monotone, she has a quality that balances a comedian's zany disposition. She's cute and charming, yet not typical. She makes an excellent foil to Carey's strange mannerisms.

This movie was also quite empowering. It illustrates how carpe diem can change or define a life. Carl became a new man, made new friends, and found happiness.

I thought this was quite a nice, but occasionally disturbing, flick. It is Jim Carrey comedy after all. This ain't no Majestic, but it sure beat my expectations. Say "yes" to the Yes Man.

4 GOOMBAS

Shot on the streets of India, Slumdog is full of hope and great story-telling. I was surprised to know that much of this intercrately weaved film was in English, but most of Jamal's youth was told in Hindi. I think that many viewers may find this movie to be eye opening. It isn't everyday that American's sitting in their cushy stadium seating see children living in landfills and fearing organized begging rings. But aside from international awareness, Slumdog is touching and its hero posseses an ironic innocense and unyielding spirit that makes this film unique and touching.

Don't be fooled by the seemingly cheesy premise. I'm guessing that the decision to base it around a game show has something to do with Indian culture in general. India loves light-hearted, sometimes (mostly) corny media (e.g. the Bollywood musical), and I appreciated the thought to add the authentic cultural influence. However, in no way is Slumdog corny.

Slumdog has cinematic style and class - hip but not trendy. Ocassionally, some scenes were shot in documentary style while his happy childhood memories look like nostaligic home movies. It definitely had cinéma vérité influences. The lighting marks each scene's tone, and then, there was the awesome soundtrack filled wth pop music from around the world. And I cannot forget to mention the subtle details in the subtitles, which is telling of the filmmaker's devotion to every component of this film

However, Slumdog's ending isn't as powerful as I hoped it would be, but my only compliant may have little to do with the movie and more to do with how jaded I am. There is remarkable quality found in this film, and it is worth watching - both for its story and for its message.

Sidenote: I thought the young Jamal was absolutely adorable.