Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows : Part 1

I read today in the LA Times that Disney is super excited about their new movie "Tangled", which is an animated film loosely based on the fairy tale Rapunzel. The reason for the flush is the film's take over the weekend; just over 48 million, which is very close to the weekend take of the newest Harry Potter film; just over 49 million. As I read it, I chuckled, because apparently the staff at the Times not only have a problem with writing, but also a problem with mathematics.
Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows : Part 1, grossed 24 million from it's Thursday midnight showing alone, the third most successful such showing ever. It went on to gross over 125 million over the opening weekend, the sixth most lucrative opening weekend. All in all, the series has made over 1.82 billion, and the next installment looks to overtake the current record of 1.9 billion, set by the "Star Wars" films. No, really, "Tangled" has a great chance.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are all back, and with the evil Voldemort and his death-eaters hot on their trail, they hurry to locate and destroy the remaining horcruxes in an attempt to weaken the dark wizard before the eventual showdown comes. If you're a fan, you're a fan, and no other background info is necessary. If you're not, you must at least have an understanding of who the good guys are and who the bad guys are, and may I recommend that you set aside a day to catch up on the films. They are all available.
These movies appeal to audiences because we have grown up with the characters for the past ten years. Save the loss of the original Dumbeldore, (of which I do prefer the original, may he R.I.P.), every major character has returned in every film. We, as viewers, respect that. It shows us that the film cares, and (obviously) we respond in kind. (Wink to "Lord of the Rings")
Most people say the same thing when I discuss the film, 'They've gotten so dark'. With all due respect to my acquaintances,... freaking duh! If you read the books or even follow the timeline with a bit of common sense, you would know that as you follow young wizards, eventually, they become adult wizards, and the danger gets more intense, the bad guys more scary. It was a great movie, and I can't wait for the finale. The ultimate showdown is next, good vs. evil. Unfortunately, we're going to have to wait until July 2011 to see it.

Megamind

I am a fan of animated pictures. I grew up on Disney films, and to this day I can still recite every word of "The Little Mermaid" - including the song lyrics. (Don't judge me.) Disney, however, seemed a little slow to upgrade their technology, that is, until they paired with Pixar, and the movies got even better. Everybody loved "Finding Nemo", and don't even get me started on "The Incredibles" - classic. But Dreamworks has had their name on a few winners as well, "Shrek" & "Kung Fu Panda" so when I learned the amount of money that the newest animated comedy from Dreamworks was bringing in (over $46 mil & counting) I figured it had to be good.
Will Ferrell is the voice of Megamind, an evil, brilliantly dim-witted mastermind. After a very "Superman" - like childhood trauma, both a young Megamind and a young Metro Man (voice by Brad Pitt) are flung to Earth. Megamind landed in a prison, Metro Man, in a mansion. Naturally, you can assume the upbringing differed a bit. Lifelong enemies battled again and again, until one day, unbelievably, Megamind suceeds, and finds that without an enemy, a criminal mastermind's life is pretty empty.
I must admit there were moments of levity, but none that would stick in my mind after the lights came back on. Pitt should probably stick to feature films, not voice overs. Ferrell pulled it off well, as did David Cross as 'Minion' I hope they both keep doing more animation work. Overall, it was a kids' movie. I'm not saying that's necessarily a bad thing, (or an unprofitable thing, it only costs $10 mil to produce) It's just that I feel the mark of a truly unforgettable animated feature is it's ability to appeal not only to the children, but to adolescents and adults. I didn't feel that broad spectrum appeal here. I enjoyed "Despicable Me" more. My recommendation is that this is a rental, not a purchase.

Red

Strap yourselves in for a 111 minute bad-ass thrill ride! From director Robert Schwentke, who broght us "The Time Traveler's Wife" and tv show "Lie To Me", comes the latest Bruce Willis action adventure. Willis portrays Frank Moses, who, like many of his other comrades, is retired CIA. The film's title "Red" actually stands originally as R.E.D.- retired, extremely dangerous. Enough said.

Frank Moses is retired. Retired and extremely bored. He sits in his home, literally, watching the minutes tick by. His only social interaction with the outside world is with a clerk in the agency's retirement benifits department, Sarah Ross, (Mary-Louise Parker -"Weeds" & "Fried Green Tomatoes") who finds herself falling for a man she's never met. She is constantly apologizing for the pension checks that are not arriving, even though Moses is actually tearing them up just to have a reason to call again. When a deadly firing squad make short work of his home, naturally Moses makes short work of them, and he goes on the run, trying to discern who is out to get him and along the way, to recruit the old gang.

His first stop, naturally, is Sarah's apartment. She is less than enthusiastic to see a strange man in her home. With her in tow, we are introduced one by one to an all star cast of retirees, who aren't technically as retired as they seem. Joe Matheson, (Morgan Freeman - "Shawshank Redemption" & "The Bucket List") is plucked from his nursing home, where he spends most of his time checkin out nurses. Marvin Boggs, (John Malkovich -"Rounders" & "Con Air") he picks up in the bayou, where a lifetime of paranoia finally pays off. And finally, Victoria (Helen Mirren - "The Queen" & "National Treasure 2") who admits as she reveals her hidden automatic weapon, that she occasionally takes 'jobs on the side'. Every actor is perfect for their role. An all star cast, combined with an action-packed script. A great time, a great movie!