Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix

Ha… watched Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix. Loved every bit of it, though non-Harry Potter fans might not find it interesting. I simply liked the way the director gets to the story without so much as bothering to introduce the wizard community or any earlier versions. Liked the final 20 minutes of the movie, though the ending was a little disappointing. I mean, it was not like that of the book. But you can take only so much in the given two and half hours!!!!!

I could not believe I was so excited about it. For the past one and half day, I spoke nothing but Harry Potter, Harry Potter and Harry Potter. Dreamt about it as well :). Whether this movie creates any new records or not, the movie is a must watch for every Harry Potter fan, and I shall watch it again, if only to see the last half hour.

The highlights of the movie apart from Radcliffe’s action was the fire works of Fred and George and the sinister teacher Professor Dolores Umbridge’s steely smile and her chuckle. Radcliffe has lived his role to perfection, be it the anger, be it the coyness, be it the anxiety, be it the fear, be it the rebellious thoughts… he ROCKED!!! The movie was fabulously taken, though I felt one or two important scenes have not been taken. I remember every single sequence of the novel that I find it hard to convince myself that the movie was fantastic, but unlike other movies this has not taken away the major part of the story, nor did it introduce any new script. It took the story from the novel, not based it, rather attempted to direct it as it is or rather for what it is.

The let down was that the movie progressed to the climax abruptly. The climax scene is good by all standards, though the Order as such was not given much importance. Since the movie was about the Order of Phoenix, it would have been nice to see the Order being given at least another 2-3 minutes in the climax. Ron had absolutely no role to play in this movie. Ginni could have been portrayed much better, Hermione could have had a much better role to play as well at least in Umbridge's room that was leading to the climax. Neville’s role was not as highlighted as was done in the novel, but considering that the movie, by far being the longest of the Harry Potter films with two and half hours, its understandable to let that go. And finally, the climax itself. The special affects were good, but there is no leading into the Sixth movie and Dumbledore’s heavy role was underplayed, for instance, why does Dumbledore ignore Harry and does not meet his eye in any of the scenes? And where is this final talk between Harry and Dumbledore???

Criticisms aside, you got to give it to the director for bringing a cheer to the Potter fans and bringing the characters to life. You got to give it to the actors who played their roles to perfection. Every scene was terrific, meticulously neat and efficient. This is the best Harry Potter movie, be it the story or the direction or the actors coming up of age or the story finally moving forward, it has action, fun, thrills and above all magic.

So, Gear up Potter fans!!!!! Daniel Radcliffe is ready to soar high and so are millions of teenagers hearts… trust me!!!

Wimbledon 2007 - Nadal vs Federer

Awesome… simply awesome… a little unfortunate for Nadal…
If it wasn’t one Roger Federer at the other end, I would have said that the play was even. But now I have to say that Federer was made to earn this accolade… Obviously, breaking the record of one of the tennis greats should be nerve shattering, else it would not seem such a great achievement!

I decided it would not be worth watching the match, since the victory is tiresomely predictable. Especially with Harry Potter being aired on TV the same day, it really was not worth watching even the Wimbledon final when it is Federer on court :). But with the flick of a lazy hand, I switched to see if it can be called a Grand Slam final. And yes, it was!!! Savage, fast-paced, brilliant and thrilling.

Fabulous display of lightning tennis all round. Nadal looked deadly. But Federer charmed his magic again … wrote a script yet again that matched none but his own and inched closer to the record of all time tennis great Pete Sampras. (“It takes me five Wimbledons and three Australian Opens and three US Opens to just get close to him. So it just shows you what a great player he was.” – Federer after the match).

With blistering cross-court winners, and stupendous fore-hand shots, Nadal rose the bar of his game and looked like the champion to be… but even that was not sufficient for the champion. It was like a master, toying you to his tune and finally decides, enough! and blows you away with his hidden artillery. Nadal was exceptional in not giving away an easy victory, yet… there is an inch that was not covered, a lesson to be remembered. To win, courage and persistence are not alone sufficient, you need the weapons that match your opponent… and when it is Federer you need a Harry Potter wand to produce miracles. But now he was left with the only choice of taking a solace in bringing a frown to the other wise serene forehead of the current champion.

It took my heart out that Nadal could not inch closer, but the way Federer soaked the sledge hammer of Nadal to lift the cup is the mark of his greatness.