Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

This film had a lot to live up to – and succeeded (to an extent). I had read some lukewarm reviews before seeing it, and was disappointed. This was especially off-putting considering the trailer practically had me salivating and I’m not even one of those extreme, diehard types.

This was by far the scariest film so far. The scene with Bathilda Bagshot, the Death Eaters’ gathering at the very start with ‘special guest’ Charity Burbage, Ron’s splinched arm… I’m not quite sure it was appropriate for the littler HP fans. That being said, I think the more gruesome bits added a bit of depth and realism – staying true to the darkness of the 7^th book. What I did find interesting was how the film-makers interpreted the Tale of the Three Brothers. The shadow puppety thing going on imaginative and quite cool.

In hindsight, I made the mistake of reading the 7^th book a few days before I saw the film. I thought it would help jog my memory, but all it succeeded in doing was making me more aware of all the parts in the book that they cut out. Not a good thing having my subconscious screaming at me for 2.5 hours - ie. Wormtail’s non-death. I was also acutely aware of the parts that the filmmakers had added in, like the scene with Harry and Hermoine and the radio in the tent after Ron leaves. (Though I thought that was quite sweet and touching, and added a bit more to Harry's character than just brooding and painful scars... literally and figuratively). The film was also a bit sexier with the raunchy scene with Ginny asking Harry to 'zip her up' and Ron and Hermoine at the piano in 12 Grimmauld Place. But the filmmakers milked every drop of sadness out of Dobby’s death. I thought Dobby’s extra lines at the end when he confronted Bellatrix/Narcissa were a bit overkill, but I guess a lot of people would have considered that the most emotional event of the whole book.

Sexy.

One thing which did bother me was Rhys Ifans who played Xenophilius Lovegood. I had a very clear picture of him in my mind whilst reading the book, and Ifans did not look at all like what I expected. This was slightly off-putting for me, and I guess it highlights a problem with film adaptations of books – readers will have their own version of how the scenes should be played out visually. (Same thing goes for Mundungus Fletcher)

Rhys Ifans... not the Xenophilius I was expecting.

I guess if you judge this film as a self-contained entity, it kinda sucks. There is no time for lengthy explanations as to why – everything just happens. The plotline isn’t always coherent (especially to those who have forgotten what happens in the book) and I didn’t feel any sense of natural flow. But if you see it for its purpose – as a time-filler between the 6^th film and the last installation – it’s quite good. The film is true to the book, appropriately dark and dramatic and well-acted.

Edward Darcy gives it a 7. I’d give it a 7.84 out of 10. (A bit arbitrary I know, but 7 is not enough, 8 is too much, 7.5 is slightly not enough… hence the 7.84)

~ Hurley Who?

Eightstreet Show & Tell

At the beginning of the year, a good friend of mine and fellow eightst-er, Hurley Who, visited Communistland. She was kind enough to bring back a quintessential pressie (a Mao notebook; like the Little Red Book but Green), plus less iconic but equally beloved by me, fare.

Matchboxes. 5 in total and quite an assorted bunch as the pictures reveal. Yes, that is Che (who is surely turning in his grave after having his image appropriated for use in yet another capitalist enterprise!) mixing it with Katharine Hepburn/vintage film poster, the Madonna and Child/unknown french revolutionary-esque artwork, a Chinese madame and Mohammed Ali.

You know you've made it when your mug is on a matchbox in China?




They're highlights in my otherwise pretty inspid matchbox "collection", alongside The Androgenous Viking (its probably a male, given the beard, but the body looks disturbingly feminine). All up I only have 14, but I figure I've got a while.

Anyways, I wouldn't want to get too carried away like that famous fictional matchbox collector, Brideshead (as if his name alone wasn't reason to pity him), from "Brideshead's Revisited" who ended up marrying the widow of one of the another matchbox collector. Keen.



The next few Show and Tell items are a few of my favourite Grand Narrative songs.

That is, they render the minutiae of life on a epic scale; the individual's story set against the forces of Nature, Politics, Love, History and Other Such Capitalised Themes. In the process, they totally suck sentimental romantics like myself in.


Firstly, Bloodbuzz Ohio. Take the hypnotisingly deep instrument that is Matt Beringer's voice, add some sparkly drumming and sweeping imagery, then dare yourself not to get hooked. You will lose, but simultaneously win because it is a wonderful song. Then console yourself with this free (and legal! i think/hope) download.




Secondly, Mace Spray. It's pretty hard to describe how deliciously Gothic this song is, so just listen to it and appreciate Hayley Mary's haunting vocals and marvel at the fact that this is a band that hasn't even released their first album. And theyre Australian :) You can download it for free on iTunes, under triple J's "new music" podcast.




Finalement, Trains to Brazil. The absolute epitome of the Grand Narrative song and catchy as anything to boot.

"And to those of you who moan your lives through one day to the next / well, let them take you next / can't you live and be thankful you're here? / see it could be you tomorrow or next year"





c.l.