NEW BLOG

Hi Everyone!

I have officially moved over to a new blog! It will be solely for movie reviews and commentary, and it is also a warm-up for an original new web site I'm creating. I am cooking up some pretty big plans for that site, but for the next year or so I will be posting weekly content on my new blog. Please read it and tell your friends about it. I want to try and get as much of a loyal following as possible before I make the big switch to my own web site.

See you on the flip side!

-Jonathan Butrin

LINK TO THE NEW BLOG: http://cinemafaith.blogspot.com/

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

The film adaptations of the infamous Harry Potter novels have always been overshadowed by greater fantasy epics. Like it or not, Lord of the Rings has forever set the standard for what a masterful, multi-volume, fantasy series looks like. Unfortunately, that means the bar is monumentally high. In fact, for devoted fans of Tolkien’s Middle Earth (of which there are millions), the evaluative standard is nothing short of perfection. Thus, because The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, for example, is nowhere close to a perfect fantasy experience, the film was seen and promptly tossed into the “rejected” pile next to the recent Eragon, Nanny McPhee, and King Kong.

The Potter films have had one thing in their favor, however, that other fantasy attempts lacked: a gargantuan following for the source material. The Potter novels have notoriously shattered every sales record in the book with the last installment primed for release nationwide this week. The loyal following effectively summons a large helping of grace. Fans know in their hearts that the cinematic experience isn't quite right - yet, through denial or just plain love for the genius behind them, they keep the movies on their mantle and re-watch them now and again to keep the magic brewing. And admittedly, the Potter movies released to this point go down better with repeat viewings. But there still remains a nagging feeling that the film adaptations, try as they might, amount to nothing more than "Diet Lord of the Rings."

Well, my friends, the inferiority ends here. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, directed by newcomer David Yates, singlehandedly elevates the once-ailing series to a brand new dimension. The result is so invigorating that even the first four movies seem better in hindsight. Put simply, every element that was lacking in the previous entries blooms to life in the latest installment, resulting in the only perfect Harry Potter film to date, and the potential for the cinematic series - if taken as a whole - to stand proudly alongside Lord of the Rings as one of the greatest fantasy achievements of the new millenium.

Ironically, Yates' track record was the least promising of any Potter director to date. Christopher Columbus had Mrs. Doubtfire under his belt, Mike Newell helmed Four Weddings and a Funeral, and Alfonzo Cuaron directed the Oscar-winning Y Tu Mama Tambien. The closest David Yates had come to credibility is an obscure TV movie about sex trafficking. Yet, Yates somehow emerged from obscurity to provide the most mature, coherent, and downright meaty vision of the four. For once, a Harry Potter film has substance; a tangible weight that keeps all of the senses - including the nerves - firmly engaged.

One could almost call Phoenix a horror film. But while many of my fellow film critics bemoan the loss of innocence and child-like glee, I conjure up memories of The Empire Strikes Back and Revenge of the Sith, each the best of their respective trilogies precisely for the reason why Phoenix is the best of this series: ominous destiny. The playful wand-waving and quidditch matches are gone, replaced with a permeating presence of evil and an ever-nearing showdown between the righteous and the wicked. Voldemort is back, and he will stop at nothing until Harry is dead. Meanwhile, Harry is past the point of denial - he's gathering an army, and he's ready to fight.

Yet, the impending doom has not shoved aside all beauty from the proceedings. Yates frequently lightens the mood with wonder, comic mischief, and even romance. But these moments rightfully take a backseat to Harry's internal torment. Not only is Harry now snubbed by the majority of the wizarding community, he also faces vivid nightmares and the disturbing realization that Voldemort craves access to his mind. In light of that, it should be duly noted that Daniel Radcliffe's acting is the best its ever been. Portraying the suffocating toll on Harry's psyche would be a feat for any actor, and Radcliffe more than lives up to the challenge. He's no longer acting like Harry Potter, he is Harry Potter.

Thankfully, Radcliffe is in good company. Both Rupert Grint (Ron) and Emma Watson (Hermione) have improved by leaps and bounds since their big screen debut. And the assortment of British character actors surrounding them never cease to make their moments count. But, the real performance to talk about is Imelda Staunton's deliciously evil turn as the diabolical Dolores Umbridge. Decked in pink and armed with a hair-raising smile at every turn, Staunton is nothing short of electrifying. If a desire to strangle this fictional character becomes overwhelming, don't question your sanity. She's just that good.

But, at the end of the day, the central component that makes Phoenix the first Potter film to truly nail the mark is that, for the first time, the movie feels like a movie - not an adaptation. Though loyalists of the novel will no doubt whine over the re-sequencing of events and the ommission of others, this is the very reason why the film exceeds its predecessors. Screenwriter Michael Goldenberg has taken the longest of the Potter novels and whittled it into the shortest of the Potter movies by retaining the story's essence and re-imagining everything else. That's the process of a successful adaptation. That's the process that made Lord of the Rings the classic it is. The focused screenplay, combined with Yate's masterful direction of pacing, cinematography, and sound, has given the Harry Potter film franchise wings to soar. And it has also given multiplexes the best fantasy film since 2003's Return of the King.

Peter Jackson should be proud.

Grade: A

Movie Monday

Another Monday, another movie review for your reading pleasure.

Up this week: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Eight Days and Counting...

Only 8 more days until the final Harry Potter storms bookstores nationwide. Whoever thought of releasing the 5th movie a week before the last book is a genius. What better way to stave off rabid anticipation for the capper novel than to spend 2 hours becoming re-aquainted with the characters. I'm seeing it tonight - check back here next Monday for my review.

The big question on everyone's mind as the novel's release date approaches is whether or not Harry dies. Personally, I think it's the only way to end the saga. From the very first book, J.K. Rowling has set up Harry and Voldemort as mirror opposities of each other - both traveling along the same wavelength at opposing ends of the spectrum. They both have the same wand, they both have the propensity for greatness, they both can speak parseltongue, etc, etc. etc. In light of that, I think the only way that Harry can ever truly kill Voldemort is to sacrifice his own life. Perhaps, he'll be reborn in some form or fashion, but I wouldn't count on it. A recent Grand Rapids Press article included an interview with several literary critics. Most of them were also banking on Harry's demise, citing examples of classic literature such as The Lord of the Rings and even the Bible (the story of Moses) to show the tendency for main characters to usher everyone else into the promised land without ever seeing it themselves.

But then again, perhaps Rowling just doesn't have the heart to end her magnum opus so bleakly. The target audience is children after all. Whatever happens, the anticipation has reached a fever pitch. Several prominent book store chains have actually recommended that people wear ear-plugs into the store when they go to purchase the novel! It sounds ridiculous, but the fact is we live in a spoiler society. ***SPOILER ALERT OF AN EVENT IN BOOK 6 Last year, I found out about Dumbledore's death in The Half-Blood Prince while I was still at the start of the 2nd chapter. Some yahoo decided it would be fun to shout the news from the rooftops on one of my favorite message boards. There was even a t-shirt people were wearing that said something to the effect of "Dumbledore dies on page 472 - don't read the book." END OF SPOILER ALERT*** Sadly, many people seem to take legitimate enjoyment in ruining the experience for others. What a world.

Anyway, if you haven't pre-ordered Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, now's the time! And if you're one of the unfortunate souls that has never bothered to read a Harry Potter book, by all means find out today what you've been missing. My best friend Mike and I are going to the release party at Barnes and Nobles on the 20th. Rather than spending money on a costume, we've come up with the genius idea of wearing normal clothes with a nametag that says "Muggle." We'll no doubt feel ridiculous celebrating with a bunch of Jr. Highers, but we don't care. This is our last chance to participate in Harry Potter Mania before it dies down to a dull roar. We can look back years from now on this moment and say, we were there at the peak of it all.

(To any readers who are convinced that Harry Potter is evil, I offer two suggestions. First, check out this article from Christianity Today - they offer some incredible insight on the matter.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/commentaries/redeemingharrypotter.html

And second, please take the time to read the books for yourself before drawing assumptions from the covers or various things you've heard.)

Donnie Darko

Every so often, amidst the swirling array of conventional blockbusters, comes a film that defies description; one able to transcend all genres and impart a viewing experience unlike any other. Brazil and Fight Club are two of the few films that fit this category - two diverse movies so overflowing with unique story-telling and ingenuity that they stay in the mind of the viewer long after the credits roll. Donnie Darko is the latest entry in this all too meager list of “out-of-the-box” films where creativity takes precedence over convention; genuine surprise over body count. In an age of complacent film-making, Donnie Darko is not only a breath of fresh air, but altogether one of the best movies ever made.

Explaining to someone what this movie is about proves to be quite a feat. Suffice it to say, this is simply one movie-going experience that you have to see for yourself. The setting is the year nineteen eighty-eight - a time where conversations can range from politics (Dukakis vs. Bush) to the sex-lives of Smurfs (don’t ask). The main character of the story is Donnie (played flawlessly by October Sky’s Jake Gyllenhaal). Donnie is a troubled teenager undergoing the typical teenage woes of girls, school, and loneliness in a small town called Middlesex. However, Donnie also experiences some slightly more unusual problems in his youth such as vivid hallucinations and depression for which he receives medication and counseling. One night, Donnie is visited by a large creature in a bunny suit named Frank who tells him the world will end in twenty-eight days. As ridiculous as this may sound, the scenes with Frank are executed in a convincingly dark and unsettling style which adds greatly to the sense of impending dread that permeates the majority of the movie. Is Frank merely a figment of Donnie’s imagination? What exactly happens when the twenty eight days come to pass? The answers will repeatedly surprise you, and will no doubt leave a number of viewers scratching their head in total bemusement when the lights go up. What differentiates Donnie Darko from the other films before it that have attempted to both entrance and confound their audience, is the endearing nature of the characters. The movie doesn’t feel like a gimmick (like 1997’s The Game), but rather a rich world of interesting, albeit in some cases outlandish, inhabitants where anything is possible.

The way the Darko family interacts with one another was fascinating to observe. From brother and sister fights at the dinner table (Donnie’s sister was played by Jake Gyllenhaal’s real-life sister Maggie) to humorous conversations behind closed doors. This is a family that has many obvious problems, but is overwhelmingly likable nonetheless. The most refreshing aspect was the obvious chemistry between Donnie’s parents. Since when, in a film concerning teenagers, can you actually sense that the parents love each other! Usually, they are either played as “the enemy” or used as convenient puppets to serve the story. The other characters outside of the Darko family are equally interesting. Donnie’s friends are the most one-dimensional characters of the bunch but still manage to provide a handful of amusing lines. Noah Wyle fits the bill nicely as Donnie’s science teacher and Jena Malone gives a heart-felt performance as Donnie’s love interest, Gretchen. While the chemistry between the two isn’t exactly electrifying, it is a perfect example of the subdued and innocent relationships we encounter in our youth. Other supporting actors include Patrick Swayze, as a motivational speaker, and Beth Grant, as an annoying gym teacher that adores the former.

If I had to state a slight criticism about the film, it would have to be Drew Barrymore's unconvincing performance as Donnie's English teacher. This can be forgiven, however, since the movie never would have been made without her. The studio dogmatically stated that unless a high profile star like Barrymore was behind the project they wouldn't green light the film. All the same, this casting choice simply doesn't work. Still, her performance isn't exactly cringe-worthy (unlike Sofia Coppola's disastrous plight in The Godfather Part III), and it by no means makes the movie any less effective. Thankfully, her scenes are few and though she obviously wasn't up to par with the actors surrounding her, she was still far from unwatchable.

But without question, the movie appropriately belongs to one actor: Jake Gyllenhaal. Injecting the perfect blend of humor and despair into every scene, through him Donnie becomes a character we can both adore and identify with. Working from a great script, Gyllenhaal's captivating portrayal of Donnie shows significant promise for this rising star.

Amazingly, Donnie Darko is Richard Kelly's directorial debut. Yet, every inch of the film feels like the product of a seasoned veteran. Employing intricate camera angles, seamless effects, and perfectly chosen eighties music, Kelly's film approaches perfection. Yet, it would be nothing without his exceptional script that revels in both vision and ambiguity. This is a film that beckons multiple viewings and endless discussion, since much of the events are left open to interpretation. Yet, Kelly has not merely made a movie to confound its viewers. He provides the necessary clues to form a solid theory on what has taken place, though the theories may vary depending on the mindset of the viewer. If you don't like movies that stimulate your intellect and command your complete attention, avoid this one like the plague. However, for those who are willing to engage with it the results are surprisingly rewarding.

In the end, Donnie Darko has a little bit of something for everyone. It contains a variety of humorous scenes (especially when focusing on the stupidity and hypocrisy of Middlesex's clueless inhabitants), subtle doses of horror and suspense, science fiction undertones, and even tender romance. This is a film to be cherished; a work of art that reminds us of why we love movies in the first place.

Grade: A+

Movie Monday

It's Movie Monday again and that means it's time for another movie review. Up this week, a golden oldie - one of my first movie reviews on one of my favorite films: Donnie Darko...

Back From Oblivion

About a week ago, I finished the first draft of my feature film screenplay. Right now, it's called "The Unforgivable Sin" and it's 125 pages long. The script needs a lot of work, but I'm proud that I was able to pour all of my ideas into a workable rough draft. Since then, I've taken a little break from writing. I apologize to everyone who has checked back here looking for new content and found none. I just needed some good old fashioned time off. But now, I feel re-energized and ready to begin anew.

In short, I'm back from oblivion and ready to fill this site with regular updates again. Thank you to all of you who have decided to stick around. Your patience is appreciated, and you won't be dissapointed.