Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 - The Hunt Begins

The movie starts off with Rufus Scrimgeour, Minister of Magic declaring, “These are dark times, there's no denying” It seemingly fit into the mood of the film. The film is darker visually, figuratively and emotionally. The film is slow paced in the middle but the underlying fact is Yates, for the first time has constructed the characters. Well, I forgot to give my warning- If you haven’t read the book, expecting a visual extravaganza filled with unparalleled CG’s and looking for any flashback/references to the previous movies so that you can catch up the plot- Please skip this movie.

HP: Heavily Packed- Emotions

The film moves away from what kids are expecting. The three lead characters are in adolescent stage and Yates treats the viewers with admirable depiction of the protagonists growing up. Few may complain the film isn’t about discovering the Horcruxes, the unfinished and daunting task set to the trio by Professor Dumbledore, if they need to kill Voldemort and they find themselves lost with no clues how to progress, none to guide them. One can draw line from this to the emotional imbalance of the trio- they find themselves gloomy, lost that leads to enmity and how they rediscover back their friendship. Ron grows suspicious of Hermoine’s affection for Harry and finds himself distanced from them. On the other side with no Dumbledore to guide him at his mission, Harry is aggravated as all stones are left unturned. Hermoine, who is always good for the two is torn between them, to take up whose sides and struggles to come up with Ron’s absence. The days pass by with long silences. There is a beautifully shot scene, when Harry calls Hermoine and starts dancing together that give a picture of mental struggle Hermoine is going through without Ron and Harry’s search for levity in a desolate world.  This is the movie where Daniel, Rupert and Emma get the chance to act and Yates clearly pushes the visual effects to backseat. The viewers can experience the jealousy (Ron), frustration (Harry) and despair (Hermoine) of the characters. If not properly construed, the impatient viewers may find the middle of the film stretches tiresomely.  

HP: Hilariously Plain- Humor

This is the first movie to come out of Hogwarts and so the humor is dry in the absence of Quidditch, Professors and Draco’s group.  If you are put in a congested room, a whiff of fresh air provides you a needed relief. I guess this might be the reason Ron’s one-liners clicked in an otherwise ominous movie. One of the decoys wearing a brassiere, A lady kissing Ron who transformed as her husband, Ron’s expression at Xenophilius Lovegood’s house for the Deathly Hallows tale evoke few chuckles and how can one forget Weasley’s Saint-like holy liner ? 

HP: Hastily Placed- Characters 

It’s nice to see the favorite supporting characters back on screen, but few give a rushed feeling. It’s accepted given the time constraint and limitations for a movie but I couldn’t avoid feeling sorry for missing Kreacher’s tale on RAB, Longbottom giving an ‘I am too there, count me in’ appearance. The ever cruel Bellatrix and lovable Dobby deliver a prominent performance. The final scene of Dobby is moving and tugs your heart string. There is not much scope for Severus Snape and Voldemort (terrifying in his restricted screen time at the introduction) so I anticipate they have an important role in the second part as the novel offers so. The editing is crisp though few scenes start/end abruptly like the follow-up scenes after escaping from Bill-Fleur wedding and the ending looked like suddenly interrupted (I was wondering whether the projector isn’t working). They could have made it look better.

HP: Heap Praise- Technical/Visual aspects

The detractors can say with the advancement in technology, CG’s get better and better for every film. There is no denying of the fact that the movie is technically and visually superior but it just blends with the screenplay. They don’t feel like shoved into the pace for sake being and its beautiful to look at. 8 different Harrys in a perfect 360* shot is astounding and the animated sequence of ‘The tale of Three Brothers’ is jaw-dropping and mesmerizing to watch. Even the action scenes are choreographed intensely, in particular, the trio infiltrating the Ministry of Magic and escaping subsequently.  Not to forget, credits to the cameraman for canning exquisite landscapes, forests and course a lot darker.  

HP: Handed Perfect- Closing Thoughts

The movie cannot be claimed as one of the best of all time, but it is the best series so far until the release of next part. The movie has its cons but the reviewer’s prejudice is compromised a little for being a Potter fanatic. It’s daring to move away from cheesy clichés and trying to give the movie a mature look.  This could be the best adaptation of novel which was missing in the last three movies.

Well, well, well, look what we have here. It's Harry Potter. He's all bright, and shiny, and new again

Mr. Critic 5-Star: ***.5

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PS: I know a little late for a review but made sure to write on second viewing.

50 First Dates: Henry and his Chemistry

The hardest task for any young man is to win a woman's heart. Women love surprises and they expect men to love her bigger than the previous day. (That's why they call Love, a virus that multiplies rapidly) So the biggest challenge for any guy is to get his dream girl fall in love with him new every day. And that’s what the protagonist takes up in this movie, 50 First Dates. The ladylove is not an ordinary girl; she has a short-term memory loss. Her brain remembers the day she had an accident, by means, she can’t retain new memories. So our hero has to meet and woo her day after day; if he hit her today, she will forget him tomorrow. He teams up with heroine's dad and doffs brother, who sacrifices everything to keep her unaware of condition and be cheerful. Did he succeed in making her fall for him and did she remember who he is forms the rest of the story.

Adam Sandler slips comfortably in philandering Playboy Veterinarian role, Henry and provides a subtle performance. Drew Barrymore, as an amnesiac Lucy is charming and drives away all the sullenness with her smile. From the very first scene where Henry sees Lucy in a restaurant, till the end where Lucy looks into Sandler's eyes in his yacht, they share a terrific on-screen chemistry that lights the entire movie. The romance and sentiments between them are genuine offering plenty of feel-good moments.  The film doesn't end in a tragic note and though Lucy never remembers him, Henry ignores her imperfections and in his eyes, she is perfect. The film doesn’t switch gears to melodrama towards climax and Lucy getting cured all of a sudden, it would have sucked big-time. Watch the movie to know Lucy's state at the end. I describe it in adjectives- Simple and poetic.

The film is not a perfect either. It has its flaws like the first 15 minutes filled with crude humor. Hero’s friend, assistant and Lucy's brother characterizations are ridiculous. But if you think the director is going to build on the starting absurd premise, that’s where we go wrong. The sudden transition of Sandler's character from a one night stand womanizer to a devoted boyfriend is far from convincing. Even his friend jokes, "She is your kind of girl. You can hit her at night, the next morning she forgets you." But the following scenes where Henry works out his strategy though he can have sex with any woman he wanted and I mention once again, Henry-Lucy chemistry are more than enough to forgive any lack of logic.

It is neither a classic, nor an Oscar material. But it is cute, fun-filled and pleasant.

50 First Dates- Satisfying Date

Mr. Critic 5-Star: ***

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Federer's William Tell trick

Roger Federer has nothing left to prove and hardly anything to lose. Inevitable questions about his poor form, aura of invincibility and chink in the armor arise when he loses but he answers them in emphatic fashion. Despite pocketing the Australian Open, by his standards this year is a flop as he stumbled at Quarter Finals in clay and his favorite grass but he remained calm and unfazed. A semi-final loss in US Open further speculated the theory of End of Fed-Era but Federer hit back with Shanghai Masters final and a win at Stockholm. I was amazed by this video- "William Tell" trick and my devotion, admiration grew stronger for him. Check it; Federer delivers two powerful pin-point serves that knock a can off the head of a man at distance.

 

 

Federer's answer was "You know how it is with magicians; they don't tell how their tricks work." You are indeed a magician Fed. Love you!

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Men's Diary

December

I was in the lift, looking deep into her eyes. I moved forward and she caught me by my chest

"Do you love me?" she asked

"Yes, I love you"

We kissed

January

She was hugging me like her bedroom teddy bear. I kept on reminding, its time and I have to leave but she didn’t release her hold. "Some more time K" I loved it. Then she started lecturing, "Eat properly, and please call me daily. Speak to me for five minutes. Stop flirting with new girls in my absence. If I come to know any such, I will catch the next train and kick your butt, Love you so much" and she kissed me for the one last time.

February

She was excited on hearing my voice after a week. I let her know my safety and health condition, and made it more special by revealing she was the first to whom I had given my number. 

March

I couldn’t attend her calls, workload strangling me and she keeps on fighting every time I call her. "Dad is around, don’t call", "I am not feeling well, will get back to you later" WTF wrong with her? When I need to talk to her badly, she always gives a negative reply. Let she get a taste of her own medicine. I didn’t attend when she called me while I was at office

LOL. Great day it was. She scolded me badly for talking about my X. I love it when she scolds me "Porikki" and I can take that drama every time for it. I never knew she is so dumb because if I need to start a fight, I will touch this topic, she fights, next day we cajole back to normal self. Still she never realizes it. I love the way she love but I hate the way she expects me to love her back.

I screwed it. Her phone is switched off for the past three days. I'm really sacred. Is she alright? I sent her a mail, expecting a reply.

April

She replied today, her exams on the way and so her mom took off the mobile.

It’s been a week since she got her mobile back but she didn’t update me. I called and yelled at her but she has her answers. Got a temporary job immediately after her exams and she is not idle like before. I clapped and cut the call

Attitude! Attitude! Attitude! That’s girls are about. If we had a fight, she gets back to me in an hour or so. But it’s been five days since we last talked that ended in an ugly fight. Mistake is hers but she is not ready to call.

May
 

I buried my hatchet and called her. The same response- I'm busy. I've work. I can’t message like before. I can’t call like before. Bitch! Sorry for it! :(

God, its killing me. She is not like before. The fucking truth is she is not ready to speak her heart out. 45 calls for the last four days and 78 SMS'es. No response. Why can’t she switch off the mobile? What pleasure she has in ignoring me?

June

Hell of two months. Her birthday is around; I should make up for all my mistakes. Tickets booked. Her first birthday with me, and I want it to be memorable

And as expected, she threw her tantrums. Out of station on her birthday and she can’t make up the meeting. I cut the call not ready to hear her uninterested chants

I lost my sleep, again. That’s what I am going through for the past three months. Woke till 12 to wish her first on the birthday but she didn’t pick. At last after calling from my friend's mobile at the nth attempt in noon, she barely raised her voice. "Thanks, my family is around. Thanks again!" Why was she born, Pain in the ass?

July

I am sick and hospitalized. She said she will come and meet me. I didn’t expect it because I know she won’t. Off late, she never keeps her promises. I said don’t make fucking promises but she is happy in hurting me. 

I am getting discharged tomorrow. She didn’t even bother to call me once to enquire my status. Does she love me truly? The kisses we shared, the places we roamed clutching her arms like my wife, the images are sinking out of my vision.  I'm blind :(

We met today; she cried that I'm hurting her. Oh Oh Oh! Come on, didn’t she know the last three months were grueling? But she keeps on hitting the same bush, "You talk about all the girls and I hate it, I love you crazy and possessive on you. Son of a bitch, don’t you understand it?" Why don’t the girls get the point that a guy toy only with his loved one? I love it, I love the way you love me, madly. May be I do sound a psyche. She talked a lot, I had no words because I am sick of explaining the same “I did it because I loved it" again and again. Aren’t girls tired of speaking the same topic again and again? Love is blind, but for her Love is deaf because she didn’t understand the explanation.

She promised me that all will be fine from now on. Aal izz Well

August

I have heard of Vikramadityan and Beatle stories but now I am seeing it in my life. It goes like, whatever the king says the Beatle goes back to the tree and hangs in it. She still beats the same bush “You hate me” as if I said to her. And at last she said it, “Loving you was my biggest mistake in life” Bitch! I feel like killing her. Was it the same fucking mouth that said “You are my biggest gift in life”, “I love you like anything”, “You are my happiness”. I vowed to her. She’ll regret for saying this and she will definitely miss me. I’m not goanna get another girl though loneliness makes the loudest noise.  This is true of men as of dogs. I’m not going to call her back, text her back until she realizes her mistake.

I miss her badly, but if she has the damn ego not to come down and apologize, I am not a dog to get back to her forgetting what she said. But, it happened. Life is always full of twists and turns. She called me today and expressed regret for her action on that day. I don’t want to create a scene for it because I fear losing her again. My heart is not ready for another pain. I promised her that I won’t talk about other girls and annoy. Finally, she-is-mine.

September

How could she do it? It’s my birthday and she didn’t wish today. I can’t control my feelings, mixed with frustration, tears and anger.  When I informed, she was like “Is it? Wait, Let me check the calendar.  Oh Sorry! Really Sorry!” The tone was casual and plain. She didn’t feel for it. I cut the call, don’t want to extend the conversation. Men don’t cry and if they do, not want women to listen to it. I chose the latter. What if she mocks my tears and call I’m whining?


I called again after a week. She didn’t call or text me in the mean-time. Half the conversation, she was speaking with her friends around. I was under impression am I a caller or listener? It irritates me. Does she need me when feel left alone? Does she really love me? I asked her directly. She still wants her revenge. She still wants me to miss her like she missed me when I irate and ignore her. Even if I do, I will get back in a day or two but she is repeating it for the past four months. Women don’t forget things easily. Women don’t understand things easily too. Even my phone operator would have shouted “He did it because he loved it” because it’s the sentence I keep on telling more than once every day I talk with her. 

October

She requested not to call her back. All she need is peace and time to recover. I give it to her. May be she is ignoring with an idea, I would gradually hate her for this and leave her. She is not ready to tell it openly that things won’t work between us. Whenever I see a baby, I am reminded to the funny names we kept for our kids. I brushed aside a tear. I try to talk to you, but I don't know what to say. I am afraid you don't want me to say anything. So I don't. But inside of me there are words waiting to come out and tell you how I feel-like how I miss you. And how I love you despite my broken heart. And how I need you in my life. And especially how much I want you. But those words may forever stay in my heart-locked inside. Sometimes I wonder if there are words locked inside you too... but I'll never know.

Moral: Sometimes women start to love without a reason, without a reason they start hating. Be it love or hatred, a man cant show 1% of what woman shows. If she loves, she loves it till she dies and if she hates, she hates it till she comes out of it.

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Q&A with Little Legolus Arun

Little Arun was messing his home and grades took a nosedive. Unable to tolerate this, his mother put him in tuition only to find the girls in the tuition are no longer safer. So he was put up in the boys-only tuition center. Arv and Swathi, his teachers had trouble in controlling him. Here are some of the incidents that took place between them.

Swathi: Who is Akbhar? 

Arun: I dunno 

Swathi: Dumbo! Concentrate on your studies, you will know 

 
Arun: Who is Priyanka?

Swathi: What? Come again!

Arun: Pri-yan-ka

Swathi:Hmmm.. Actress?

Arun: No

Swathi: Erg.. Nope, I dunno

Arun: Dumbo! Concentrate on your boy-friend, you will know

**************

Swathi: I was driving my car at 70 feet/second and the speed limit is 50kmph. Am I speeding?

Arun: You can’t find it.

Swathi: Why?

Arun: Just now I broke the speedometer of your scooty. So how can you?

 **************

Arv: When was Indian constitution written?

Arun: When the writer was asked to write an answer to a question that he don’t know.

**************

 

Swathi: Why people don’t use nitrate?

Arun: It is costlier and they weren’t provided rate-cutter. So people prefer dayrate

**************

 

Swathi: NaCl is an example of which bond?

Arun: James Bond

**************

 

Arv: if 8 men take 5 days to build a wall, how many days it would take for 5 men?

Arun: No days. The wall has been built already, right?

**************

 

Swathi: Is it possible to call Washington without ISD code?

Arun: Not possible
 
Swathi: Uff! You got one right

Arun:Washington is dead ma’m. So how can you?

**************

 

Arv: Complete the sentences- Love all, trust

Arun: Me

Arv: A penny saved is

Arun: no girl friend

Arv: Where there is smoke, there is

Arun: Cigar

Arv: Don’t bite the hand that

Arun: looks dirty

**************

 

Swathi: What is?

Arun: Ma’m.  Lemme ask you questions this time.

Swathi: Shoot

Arun: I have it big in my pants and you don’t have it.

Swathi: Spoiled brat

Arun:God bless your perverted mind. The answer is pocket. Next one?

Swathi: Go ahead.

Arun: People start off with putting one finger into it and gradually they put other fingers too.

Swathi: Oh God! You are…

Arun: Stop giving that awkward look. The answer is ring.

Swathi: Do you have any more?

Arun: Yes. Blow me, Blow me I’m bigger. As time passes, my size is a changer.

Swathi was gasping her breath.

Arun: No answer again? It’s balloon. Next one, I start with F and end with K, I come when it is burning inside.

Swathi: Oh Kid, who taught you this? It’s... No, I shouldn’t swear.

Arun: You missed it again. Answer is Fire truck. And the final one, I have no bones. I am full of muscles. I look small and pump up the body. You need me for making love.

Swathi: Pen..

Arun: No Pen or pencil. The answer is Heart. Ma’m... Are you alright?

Swathi: Thank God you stopped me before I could complete the answer.

And she fainted.

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