Movie of the Week Pt. II: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: An IMAX 3D Experience

How do you turn a 870 page book into a 138 minute movie? Very carefully.

The best way to describe what was determined to be left out of the movie form the book is this: describe the book in one paragraph (5-6 sentences). Mostly everything that was left out of that paragraph was left out of the movie. Little things were added for future reference (Grawp, Kreacher, lovelorn/jealous looks from a certain girl). And I'm okay with that. Why? Because they fixed the biggest problem I had with the book.

When I was going through my Potter book-a-thon last summer, this book was the hardest to get through. Not because the book was bad or anything but because Harry acted like a bitch for the entire book. I understand that Rowling was going for sullen teenager but he came across as a whiny, "woe is me" brat. Halfway through the book, I started to hate him. So credit to the screenwriter Michael Goldenberg and Daniel Radcliffe for making Harry's attitude not as annoying and more understandable.

That said, I think they should have added the Quidditch scenes because this movie is devoid of fun and the "Weasley is Our King" scenes would have lightened the mood of this otherwise political thriller set in Hogwarts,

Imelda Staunton is the biggest standout as Dolores Umbridge. She pretty much takes over the movie. I just wish there were more scenes with her and the other British acting powerhouses in the film (Maggie Smith and Alan Rickman particularly).

The battle in the Department of Mysteries in IMAX 3D was amazing. It was a much better use of the technology than Superman Returns (the only other movie I saw in IMAX 3D). It is definitely worth the extra cash and if you are near one, you should definitely make the effort.

Movie of the Week Pt. I: Ratatouille

It was cute or at east as cute as a movie about a rat in contact in food can be.

Nothing spectacular but even an okay Pixar flick is better than most other anitmated features.

Patton Oswalt was doing a great Nathan Lane impression.

I was happy a) that the rats and humans couldn't speak and b) that it ended the way it did. The ending is more "realistic" than I expect from a cartoon.

Flight of the Conchords: ''If You're Into It''

Movie of the Week: Transformers

It was going so well.

The first hour or so of Transformers was good. It was surprisingly funny and Shia Lebouf was living up to his hype. Michael Bay wisely listened to the fans and cast Peter Cullen (the original voice of Optimus Prime in the 80's cartoon) because the nostalgia factor is plus 15 any time he spoke.

So we are chugging along and who comes in the ruins the movie? John Turturro. His character was unnecessary. He was supposed to be silly and funny. He was over the top and VERY annoying. The movie stopped in its tracks to make room for his character. Did Tuturro beat Bay in a game of poker and forced himself into the movie (à la that Brett Ratner commercial for New York Film Academy)

Anyway, the movie was cool. It was a great summer popcorn flick. The action was confusing at time with too many metal parts moving at once and I found it a tad incredulous that there weren't bodies all over the street as 8 foot robots ran in the streets, knocked over (and through) buildings, and fell from the tops of buildings like metal King Kongs.

Shakespeare in the Park: Romeo and Juliet

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Lauren Ambrose and Oscar Isaac in "Romeo and Juliet" at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

So our journey begins at 5:00 AM.

That's when I set my alarm clock to wake me up. Unfortunately I had a wine hangover so I was nauseous and had a headache.

I got to the park at 6:00 AM (when the park officially opens) thinking there wouldn't be that many people in the park. I was dead wrong. There were people with sleeping bag and one dude with a tent. I would say there were about 35-50 people in front of me. It was the last week it was showing so the desperation to get tickets had people at the park from 4-5 AM. SO I got my place in line and waited until 1:00 PM. I re-read Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince which took up most of the time.

I got my tickets and went there around 7:15 because doors were supposed to open at 7:30.

Unfortunately, there were technical difficulties and we did not get into The Delacorte Theater until 9:30 PM

The show was great. The stage was on water and had a rotating platform so they went from scene to scene at a rapid pace. It's hard to explain you just had to see it.

Lauren Ambrose (who looks way too much like a 14 year old) was great. She played Juliet like a neurotic teenager. I prefer to see Juliet played as a impetuous teenager than as a wise beyond her years girl. Oscar Isaac (Romeo) was also really good as his delivery of Romeo's many crazy lines was hilarious. Carolyn Manheim (Nurse) and Christopher Evan Welch (Mercutio) were also great. Every time I see an interpretation of Romeo and Juliet, I always feel bad for the persons playing Benvolio and Paris because they are such shit role.

There were two noticeable screw-ups. Ambrose bumped her head on the metal platform during her balcony meeting with Romeo in Act I and Issac choked on an apple while trying to chew and talk. Also, Ambrose practically hit herself in the face with the bottle with the Friar's potion but she might have just been going for effect.

It was a great show and I'm glad I finally got to see Shakespeare in the Park. Maybe I'll get to see Midsummer Night's Dream in August.