Harry Potter Movie Review Template:
This is my review of Harry Potter and the [insert rest of name here]. The recurring cast turned in a stellar performance with the limited material they were given to work with. The casting team was also very successful in getting [insert name of non-recurring star here] in their role as [new faculty member of the book here], which they brought off as if they'd been playing the part for years themselves.
Also of note were the special effects, particularly [insert slightly oversized monster here], which looked very life like and yet magical. While impressive, some of the effects, such as [insert magical form of transportation here] seemed rather more distracting than convincing.
Quite why Steve Kloves believes he is a better writer than JK Rowling is uncertain, as the changes from the book to the script have left out information critical to the plot and character development. While I admit [insert name of book here] has its own plot holes, surely the movie would be better served trying to close one or two of them instead of opening new ones?
In particular, I was disappointed by the reduction in Ginny's character, given her importance to the series as a whole. Bonnie Wright seems to be a highly capable actress (doubly so given her age), and I would greatly enjoy seeing her enact her scenes as they were written, or at least somewhat close to the way they were written.
All in all, we are left with a movie whose plot can probably only be fully understood by those who are very familiar with the book, yet sufficiently different that someone familiar with the book will probably still be confused and dissapointed.
Hopefully, the studio will agree with the petition to turn [insert name of next book here] into two movies rather than one, and will sack Mr. Kloves.
Note that Mr. Kloves should be replaced by Mr. Goldenberg for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Ad Astra
"If this capsule history of our progress teaches us anything, it is that man, in his quest for knowledge and progress, is determined and cannot be deterred. The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time, and no nation which expects to be the leader of other nations can expect to stay behind in this race for space.
Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolution, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it--we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.
Yet the vows of this Nation can only be fulfilled if we in this Nation are first, and, therefore, we intend to be first. In short, our leadership in science and industry, our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others, all require us to make this effort, to solve these mysteries, to solve them for the good of all men, and to become the world's leading space-faring nation.
We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people. For space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war. I do not say that we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea, but I do say that space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the mistakes that man has made in extending his writ around this globe of ours.
There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation many never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon, we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too."
-John F. Kennedy, September 12th, 1962.
Those who came before us made certain that this country rode the first waves of the industrial revolution, the first waves of modern invention, and the first wave of nuclear power, and this generation does not intend to founder in the backwash of the coming age of space. We mean to be a part of it--we mean to lead it. For the eyes of the world now look into space, to the moon and to the planets beyond, and we have vowed that we shall not see it governed by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace. We have vowed that we shall not see space filled with weapons of mass destruction, but with instruments of knowledge and understanding.
Yet the vows of this Nation can only be fulfilled if we in this Nation are first, and, therefore, we intend to be first. In short, our leadership in science and industry, our hopes for peace and security, our obligations to ourselves as well as others, all require us to make this effort, to solve these mysteries, to solve them for the good of all men, and to become the world's leading space-faring nation.
We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people. For space science, like nuclear science and all technology, has no conscience of its own. Whether it will become a force for good or ill depends on man, and only if the United States occupies a position of pre-eminence can we help decide whether this new ocean will be a sea of peace or a new terrifying theater of war. I do not say that we should or will go unprotected against the hostile misuse of space any more than we go unprotected against the hostile use of land or sea, but I do say that space can be explored and mastered without feeding the fires of war, without repeating the mistakes that man has made in extending his writ around this globe of ours.
There is no strife, no prejudice, no national conflict in outer space as yet. Its hazards are hostile to us all. Its conquest deserves the best of all mankind, and its opportunity for peaceful cooperation many never come again. But why, some say, the moon? Why choose this as our goal? And they may well ask why climb the highest mountain? Why, 35 years ago, fly the Atlantic? Why does Rice play Texas?
We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon, we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too."
-John F. Kennedy, September 12th, 1962.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
More Proof that Cats Rule the World
Dogs have owners. Cats have staff.
Why? Well, recent research indicates that many cats can put a bit of a human baby's cry into their purr - an 'insistant purr'; pet me now!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8147566.stm
Since humans are biologically programmed to respond to a crying baby, we're also less likely to ignore a cat using this insistant purr. As if the big eyes and the fur weren't bad enough.
Why? Well, recent research indicates that many cats can put a bit of a human baby's cry into their purr - an 'insistant purr'; pet me now!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8147566.stm
Since humans are biologically programmed to respond to a crying baby, we're also less likely to ignore a cat using this insistant purr. As if the big eyes and the fur weren't bad enough.
Blueberry Bonanza
Sunday night my gaming group had a blueberry-themed dinner. It may come as no surprise to those who know me that this was at my suggestion.
The menu included:
Drinks:
Blueberry vodka
Sangria (with blueberries, rasberries, orange chunks, red wine, strawberry lemonade, and blueberry vodka)
Snacks:
Fresh blueberries
Blueberry muffins
Chocolate covered blueberries
Entrees:
Chicken with blueberry sauce
Blueberry pancakes (blueberry or maple syrup to taste)
Omlettes (with some combination of bacon, mushrooms, various cheeses, and blueberries)
Dessert:
Blueberry pie (whipped cream or ice cream to taste)
I also attempted to provide blueberry wine, but the store, while having just about every other form of fruit wine known to man, did not have it and couldn't order it in time. Seriously, between the asian pear wine and the boysenberry wine, there wasn't room for blueberries?!?
The menu included:
Drinks:
Blueberry vodka
Sangria (with blueberries, rasberries, orange chunks, red wine, strawberry lemonade, and blueberry vodka)
Snacks:
Fresh blueberries
Blueberry muffins
Chocolate covered blueberries
Entrees:
Chicken with blueberry sauce
Blueberry pancakes (blueberry or maple syrup to taste)
Omlettes (with some combination of bacon, mushrooms, various cheeses, and blueberries)
Dessert:
Blueberry pie (whipped cream or ice cream to taste)
I also attempted to provide blueberry wine, but the store, while having just about every other form of fruit wine known to man, did not have it and couldn't order it in time. Seriously, between the asian pear wine and the boysenberry wine, there wasn't room for blueberries?!?
Thursday, July 9, 2009
4th of July Part I: Medieval Times
For my 4th of July weekend, I went down to southern California to visit friends and family.
While I was there five of us went to Medieval Times: http://www.medievaltimes.com/
I have to say, they know how to put on a show.
The pre-show showed a delightful sense of humor; at a 'knighting' ceremony a child was knighted, leading the chancellor to remark that it must be summer, because the (k)nights are getting shorter. Our server at dinner gave us "Campbell's Cream of Dragon Soup" and "Fresh Roast Buzzard."
The show itself, however, favored the dramatic. There was a plot, which included a tournament in celebration of a peace treaty. Mostly, however, there was nicely done stunt fighting, including lancework on horseback, swordwork on horseback, melee combat on the ground with a mix of sword, case of sword, axe, mace, flail, and hand-to-hand. Dramatic fog was slightly overused, but overall I was impressed by the quality of the fighting - no swinging from wildly out of range here! Lances were splintered and sparks struck from swords.
One little bit that made quite an impression on me was a falconer. I've always known birds of prey could dive at very high speed, but that's the fastest I've ever seen a big bird go in level flight!
There are six knights, each of which has a section of the audience to cheer for them. We got the Yellow Knight, Don Eduardo del Rey of Navarre. He did manage to defeat one opponent in single combat before getting taken out himself.
A great time was had by all. If you're ever near one of the franchise locations, I highly recommend it. SCA members, please check your detailed period knowledge at the door.
While I was there five of us went to Medieval Times: http://www.medievaltimes.com/
I have to say, they know how to put on a show.
The pre-show showed a delightful sense of humor; at a 'knighting' ceremony a child was knighted, leading the chancellor to remark that it must be summer, because the (k)nights are getting shorter. Our server at dinner gave us "Campbell's Cream of Dragon Soup" and "Fresh Roast Buzzard."
The show itself, however, favored the dramatic. There was a plot, which included a tournament in celebration of a peace treaty. Mostly, however, there was nicely done stunt fighting, including lancework on horseback, swordwork on horseback, melee combat on the ground with a mix of sword, case of sword, axe, mace, flail, and hand-to-hand. Dramatic fog was slightly overused, but overall I was impressed by the quality of the fighting - no swinging from wildly out of range here! Lances were splintered and sparks struck from swords.
One little bit that made quite an impression on me was a falconer. I've always known birds of prey could dive at very high speed, but that's the fastest I've ever seen a big bird go in level flight!
There are six knights, each of which has a section of the audience to cheer for them. We got the Yellow Knight, Don Eduardo del Rey of Navarre. He did manage to defeat one opponent in single combat before getting taken out himself.
A great time was had by all. If you're ever near one of the franchise locations, I highly recommend it. SCA members, please check your detailed period knowledge at the door.
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