3310
(1 vote, average 5.00 out of 5)
Written by Gregg Shapiro
Jul 14, 2011
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2’
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2’
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” is not just the best movie in the Harry Potter saga, but likely the best series finale ever. It’s as foggy, misty and murky as some of its recent predecessors. But in David Yates’ capable hand “HP+DH2” succeeds in not only tying everything up in a tight knot but also casting an eye to the bright future.
“Part 2” picks up where the first part left off. Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ronald (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) are at a seaside safehouse striking a bargain with a goblin so they can destroy the three remaining powerful and magical Horcruxes. In exchange for Gryffindor’s sword, the goblin agrees to get the trio into Bellatrix’s (Helena Bonham Carter) vault for the first of the Horcruxes. Multiplying objects and a mean old dragon don’t deter the threesome and with one Horcrux down, it’s off to none other than Hogwarts where the second Horcrux is hidden.
“HP+DH2” is, in many ways, a war film. The destruction that occurs at Hogwarts is a fresh reminder of the results of the devastation of battle. It also feels like the most spiritually connected film of the series. It drives home messages we’ve heard from the beginning, such as “the wand chooses the wizard.” The special effects in “HP+DH2” are dazzling enough that it’s not necessary to experience it in 3D. But however you choose to see it, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2” is the must-see movie of the summer.
‘Horrible Bosses’
Here’s a promising premise that went horribly wrong, carelessly playing the homophobia card and going on far too long. What makes the homophobia especially puzzling is that director Seth Gordon helmed an episode of “Modern Family,” and co-screenwriter Michael Markowitz wrote a few episodes for the gay sitcom “It’s All Relative.”
Three best friends – ambitious corporate exec Nick (Jason Bateman), mild-mannered dental hygienist Dale (Charlie Day) and well-respected assistant manager Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) – are employed by the titular bosses. Nick’s boss David (an especially twisted Kevin Spacey) is a “total fucking asshole” who takes every opportunity to make Nick’s life a living hell. Engaged to Stacy, Dale works for “evil crazy bitch” Julia (Jennifer Aniston playing against type), a nymphomaniac and anti-gay-epithet spewing dentist. Kurt’s boss at the chemical company, Jack (Donald Sutherland), isn’t the problem. It’s Jack’s comb-over-sporting, coke-snorting son Bobby whom Kurt has to watch out for. Never more so than when Jack dies suddenly and Bobby takes over the company.
“Horrible Bosses” has plenty of twists and turns and goes places you might not expect. In a summer when movies such as “Bridesmaids” and even “The Hangover Part 2” served up a similar formula at a rapid-fire pace, “Horrible Bosses” just doesn’t do its job.
