Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

Posted on December 26, 2016 by Craig Micklewright

Viewed – 25 December 2016 Blu-ray

I finally did it. I watched a Harry Potter movie after years of declaring it wasn’t my thing. But really, what self respecting movie fan can hold his head up amongst other movie critics without watching this much admired and acclaimed franchise? Over the next few weeks I thoroughly intend to pass judgement over all eight movies … but for now I’ll let you know my thoughts on the very first.

Harry is a young boy who is given to his aunt and uncle when a baby, following the untimely death of his parents. His aunt & uncle however are cruel and unloving towards him as he grows up and fuss and gush over his cousin instead. Yet one day a letter arrives declaring that young Harry has been accepted into the wizarding school of Hogwarts. So Harry is soon whisked off into a fantasy world of goblins, witches and magic that will change his life forever.

Despite my years of reluctance I’ll admit I was very quickly absorbed in author J K Rowling’s world and certainly admire the wealth of imagination and sheer ‘wonder’ on display. Think a cross between Tim Burton, C S Lewis and Roald Dahl. I was also impressed to discover a who’s who of British acting talent, from Dame Maggie Smith, John Hurt, the late Alan Rickman and especially a wonderfully cast Robbie Coltrane. It also has to be said this is a gorgeous looking movie that despite being over fifteen years old now, hasn’t aged and with high production values that include superb set design and for the most part, quality CGI … I came away rather impressed. The plot is mostly an introduction to the world of Harry Potter and perfectly sets up the movies to come and I certainly enjoyed the whole school term structure and learning to be a wizard thing. Harry for the most part is a bit of a celebrity throughout and mainly carries the story by being at the centre of different situations rather than being all that heroic or skilled as a wizard (at this stage).

Some of the child acting leaves a bit to be desired however, especially a young Emma Watson who’s delivery of lines and general personality screams of trying a bit too hard. I’m sure she improves though. Yet Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry is quite the discovery – occasionally a bit uneasy with some lines and situations but really makes the character his own and is likable and generally convincing. A climactic encounter let’s the side down a tad, with a dodgy CGI sequence. Also, with a majority of the run time focusing on setting up such a world, the ending felt a bit rushed and forced-feel good. But I still had a great time with this and feel a bit silly for missing out all these years. Roll on Harry Potter 2.

Verdict: 3.5 /5

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2016 by Craig Micklewright

It’s that time of year again and how fast it seems to have come around. Doesn’t feel like twelve months. I’m having a really nice day and have been spoilt rotten so thank you so much to those that have got me anything and I really hope you like what I got you!

This year I have had a couple of box set, namely the Blu-ray set of the cult TV series (due back in 2017…) Twin Peaks which comprises of the full, re-mastered versions of the two seasons of the show as well as the movie, Fire, Walk With Me. Another box set I got is it has to be said, well overdue and a series of movies I intend to fully review on this blog…yes, its Harry Potter!! I confess I have never watched a Harry Potter movie but I am actually really looking forward to delving into this much acclaimed and popular world. In addition to the box sets, I have also had a very nice book, namely ‘The Secret History of Twin Peaks’ by series co-creator Mark Frost and am excited to read through that as a great companion-piece to my Twin Peaks collection. I also received the much anticipated (and long awaited) The Last Guardian for PS4. In the picture below you’ll also find an R2D2 mug, and well, I love novelty mugs so that was a nice surprise. Oh yes, and a Jennifer Lawrence calendar – don’t judge me! ha ha. As well as the above, I also got the usual smellies, clothing etc and have to say I’m really humbled by what I’ve received this year.

I’ll take this opportunity to also thank you, my readers / visitors to this blog. All year round I write it as a hobby, a continued interest and next year will mark 10 years that I’ve been running Craig’s Movie Report. I’m not particularly popular or put that much content on here, but I love running this blog and love any feedback or interest I get. So thank you all.

Merry Christmas and here’s to a wonderful Happy New Year!

Alphabet Movie Meme

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Craig Micklewright

I saw this idea initially over at The Sporadic Chronicles Of A Beginner Blogger, although the idea originates from this blog:The Drama Llama and well I thought it was pretty cool. Below you will see my choices and I heartily recommend you have a go yourselves!

Anticipating Movie Of 2014

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

I was very impressed with how ROTPOTA turned out… really well done origin tale of the whole ‘apes mythology and made me anticipate what comes next immensely. That anticipation has died down in the few years since, but now it’s finally due out this year … I can’t wait.

Book Adaption I’d Like To See

Before I Go To Sleep

I didn’t realise it was coming out, and as I am not an avid reader, of the very few books I have read, last year I got around to Before I Go To Sleep … a wonderfully thrilling and gripping story about a woman with 24hr amnesia, and the mystery of those in her life, who can be trusted and who is telling the truth etc. The movie has Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth in it, very much NOT how I saw it, but will be interesting to see how S J Watson’s text translates to the big screen.

Celebrity I’d Most Like To Meet

Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I tried and failed to read his autobiography last year (will I pick it up again?) but have always been an admirer, not just down to his movies, but also his political career.

Dream Director / Actor Pairing

David Fincher & Ellen Page

One of the best directors around right now with one of the best young actresses right now. ‘Nuff said.

Essential Classic Film

Taxi Driver – one of the most thought-provoking and daring movies of the 70s with a superb Robert DeNiro and a stunningly convincing Jodie Foster. Love it.

Favourite Film Franchise

I actually don’t think I have a favourite right now…titles like Lord Of The Rings, Star Wars etc come to mind, but firstly is ‘Rings a franchise? Oh and Star Wars has disappointed me too many times to be a favourite.

Genre I Watch The Most

Thriller – I was going to go for drama, but I think I find myself watching crime movies, action, something with a bit of danger, violence or mature themes in it a lot… gritty you might say, so yes thriller kind of covers all those.

Hidden Gem

Hmm, by this I’m guessing something fairly obscure that not many have heard about? I’ll go for Let The Right One In … yes marginally famous but believe me, most who don’t have an awareness of world cinema (and have only seen the dire remake) will not know about this one. And they really should do … now!

Important Moment In My Film Life

First time I watched Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction. I remember bringing it home from the rental store, on VHS and thinking I had something very special in my possession. It remains my favourite movie of all time, endlessly watchable and has inspired my style of fiction writing and my love of great dialogue and the crime / gangster genre a whole.

Just Right Movie For A Rainy Day

The Back To The Future Trilogy

I’ll go for these as they are easy watching, very easy to enjoy from the start, not overly deep, serious or complex and when not in the mood for anything else, superb fun.

Kiddie Movie I Still Shamelessly Enjoy

The Lion King

… a great story, beautiful hand-drawn animation and memorable songs!!

Location I’d Most Like To Visit

The Shire … I mean, who wouldn’t? Beautiful, and such lovely houses!

Marathon I First Attended

I haven’t ever done a movie marathon … to my recollection. I don’t think I have the attention span.

Netflix Movie I Actually Watched

V/H/S – which I enjoyed a lot. Strangely the last Netflix movie I saw too, if you don’t count documentaries. I do intend to rectify this though as there are a few movies I plan on watching.

One Movie I Saw In Theatres More Than Once

I actually don’t think this has ever happened.

Preferred Place To Watch A New Movie

Difficult one … I love the cinema, but technology being what it is now, I’d say the home get’s my vote.

Quote That Inspires Me

‘This is your life, and it’s ending one minute at a time’ and pretty much most of Fight Club as well.

Remakes (Friend or Foe)

Neither

I don’t have a problem with remakes in theory, as long as they bring something new to an old idea, not just re-tread the same ground, often resulting in a poor imitation. Which is often the case.

Snack I Enjoy Most

Anything chocolate based.

Twist That Boggled My Mind

Hmm how to say this without a spoiler…so I wont… but pretty much the best goes to Twelve Monkeys.

Unapologetic Fanperson For

Martin Scorsese … but who would apologise for that? He’s amazing.

Very Excited For Award Show Season?

Mostly ‘meh’ … good movies rarely even get a nomination, let alone win, with some exceptions. I’ll check out the winners and be happy if something I think is good walks away with something… but otherwise I’m not overly bothered.

Wish I’d Never Watched

Seed Of Chucky

How to kill a perfectly entertaining franchise … or at least I thought it had…until I heard of Curse Of Chucky.

XXX-Movie I Watched At A Really Young Age

A Nightmare On Elm Street … scared the crap out of me, and I loved it!

Your Latest Movie Related Obsession

Studio Ghibli

I love this style of animation, endless imagination, wonderful art and personality. I haven’t yet seen a Ghibli movie I haven’t liked … and several I have loved.

ZZZ-catchers

Anything with Harry Potter in the title … just does nothing for me and I am proud to say I have never watched even one of them.

The Woman In Black

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Craig Micklewright

Viewed – 28 February 2012 Cinema

Daniel Radcliffe has done very well with the highly regarded Harry Potter movies, and it’s good to see him breaking out and carving his own career outside of such a heavyweight franchise. This being his first major role, it offers the young actor a chance to be taken more seriously, and not be known just for one, admittedly admirable role. Whilst mourning the death of his wife, a young lawyer (Radcliffe) is given a job to gather together the belongings relevant to a recently deceased woman’s will, and travels to a sleepy town that is more than a little troubled, following a series of children’s deaths. He soon realises there is something very strange going on, and it all seems linked to the mysterious woman in black, a ghostly figure he see’s at the abandoned mansion he’s been asked to visit.

Based on the famed book of the same name and written for the screen by Jane (Stardust, Kick-Ass) Goldman, this is well made and very creepy, in the grand tradition of classic haunted house horror movies. No surprise when it’s made by Hammer, who cut their teeth on this stuff back in the day. How refreshing it felt to sit down to a more traditional horror that relies on genuine scares rather than blood and guts. Radcliffe is very good and carries the movie well, being both gutsy and shit-scared at times, even if overall the role doesn’t exactly stretch him. He’s also supported well by one or two recognisable English thesps. The movie reminded me a great deal of Tim Burton classic Sleepy Hollow, and also had elements of Spanish chiller The Orphanage. Although I did see many of the scares coming, as it does wallow in genre clichés … they were still executed effectively and made me jump and gasp throughout. The set design and the location as a whole were also enough to send shivers.

I’d say the family-friendly rating prevented the movie from really going for it however, and the overly-familiar setting and situations meant I wasn’t totally freaked out. I would have liked to learn more about the ghostly woman’s past, and the ending seemed to come by all of a sudden – yet this was still entertaining, and had enough good moments and tense atmosphere to make it one to watch. On this evidence, I look forward to what the former Harry Potter does next.

Verdict: 3.5 /5