Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry mania officially begins today as the fifth installment of the wonderful wizard's journey hits theaters. A lot of my friends are renting the Goblet of Fire and skimming the Phoenix book to remind themselves of where Harry left off and what amazing events will happen in this film. All I can seem to remember off the top of my head is that Harry and his friends create a secret organization of their own in order to practice methods that'll protect them against the dark arts and he goes searching for a prophecy in a room filled with orbs. Everything else is a blur. But from the trailer you can surmise that there will be an encounter with...He who must not be named, Dolores Umbridge will be a psychotic pain in the ass, more Death Eaters, like Bellatrix Lestrange, will come out of the woodworks, and Harry's going to get laid the PG-13 way. But we'll also meet Luna Lovegood, a girl who makes Neville Longbottom seem cool, and learn the reason for Snape's hatred towards Harry. I trust that this will be a hectic 2hrs 18 min adventure.
Captivity
For some reason, people keep handing lead roles to Elisha Cuthbert (House of Wax). True, she does have a very convincing terrified look perfected. But after a while, it's just going to seem like she's playing the same person with a different affliction. Larry Cohen, who wrote Cellular and Phone Booth will be providing yet another kidnap-horror scenario. In this horror thriller, Cuthbert plays a model who is kidnapped and tortured by a man who's psychologically taunting her with her childhood fears. Her only way out is to get help from a fellow captive (Daniel Gillies of Bride & Prejudice). Our only way out of ever having to watch her make weepy eyes at the camera again is to collectively reject it so it doesn't gross any mula.
Rescue Dawn
Leading the indies is Werner Herzog, the German director of Grizzly Man, who was adamant about telling the true story of a U.S. fighter pilot trapped on foreign soil during the Vietnam War. He directed the documentary, but knew that it needed to be dramatized in order for its message to be seen. Oscar buzz is already ringing in the ears of Christian Bale (Prestige) and Steve Zahn (Sahara) for their heart wrenching performance of desperation and hopelessness in a time of war. If Evening failed to make your eyes well up, then this will surely soak your sleeve.
Talk to Me
This is the second most talked about indie coming out this Friday. Don Cheadle (Ocean's Thirteen) stars in this biopic about a hilarious and controversial D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene. He's known for not only "telling it like it is," but telling it like it should be, how it could be, and what it used to be. Jabbing at politics, society, and racism, he was a soulful 60s activist. Chiwetel Ejiofor (Children of Men) is the guy who hands him the mike and allows him to be the voice for black people, while Martin Sheen (The Departed) plays "The Man"--you know, the white man. From the trailer you can tell that this film will make you giddy with laughter and agitated with disdain for discrimination and censorship. Go to the movies and get inspired.
Interview
Steve Buscemi (The Island), or as some would like to call him Mr. Pink from Reservoir Dogs, has always been a part-time director. He directed somewhat well-received Trees Lounge (1996), impressively dramatic Willem Dafoe (Spiderman) drama Animal Factory (2000), and the truly depressing and semi-well received Casey Affleck-Liv Tyler dramedy Lonesome Jim (2005). Interview is his third writing experience. With his other films, critics focused mainly on his ability to direct and construct an interesting story, but this one is basically an hour of dialogue that needs to be killer so it doesn't sink into irrelevance. Sienna Miller plays his "sparring" partner. She hasn't gotten many parts aside from the pretty-face role, so this might finally allow her to wiggle out of that slot they've pegged her into.
My Best Friend
This is a quirky French comedy about a guy who is challenged to make one friend since he was brashly informed by his business partner that he doesn't have any. He gets a taxi driver to pretend to be his friend and ultimately teach him how to socialize. It's a cute regression into adolescent mentality. It'll definitely give you a few laughs.
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