The Citizen Review " A man goes to the movies. A critic must be honest enough to admit that he is that man." -Robert Warshow

This is a movie that was just released into selected theaters. The tagline is, 'This is not a love story... it is a story about love.' It's about an unsuccesful relationship between two people: a hopeless romantic (Joseph Gorden-Levitt) and an unbeliever in true love (Zooey Deschanel).

This movie has not yet been released in our area, but will this week, so expect a review for

(500) Days of Summer soon.

Sincerely,

Average grade: A-

Jack says: TBD (B+/A-)

Yep, as you can see, the newest installment in the movie interpretations of the famous Harry Potter novels has stumped me. Let me say somethings that I am certain about this film, 1) I really liked it. 2) It's my favorite HP film since #2 (3 It's no doubt a good movie (4 It is made with an aesthetic sensibility 5) It was much better than I thought it was going to be.

With that said, let's move into the realm of the unknown, if you will. I will say that in order to give a proper grade, I will have to see the film at least once more. Okay, like I said, it is very entertaining and enchanting, but I'm trying to determine how it will age over time. No doubt, the Chris Columbus-directed first two installments (the best in my opinion) will age like a true classic, and possible #4 as well and I think that the Half-Blood Prince may be the next best Potter film.

It is David Yates' second stab at directing this franchise and all the Potter fans are making sure he is doing a good job because he has secured the last two films. This second film was a much, much tighter than the Order of the Phoenix, which unfortunately was the weakest of the franchise. This film gives all true Harry Potter fans a jolt of hope. Because that minority of followers knows Harry and his friends, they know that the story is worth much more than a flaky modern teen thriller.

Matthew says: A-

The previous Harry Potter installment was Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix. And I was dissapointed with the film, it seemed empty. This Potter film is not. This movie is full, funny, dramatic, scary, and exciting. It's the best Potter film since the original two.

This one is more about the death eaters. Harry and Dumbledore try defeat them, and ultimately defeat Voldemort. There is lots of mystery to Voldemort in this one, and lots of secrets revealed. I like the film because it's so much more well made than the other ones. And it has a more dramatic, real-life feel to it. But still having the classic Harry Potter quirks and fantastical excitement the audience goes wild for.

Sincerely,

Average Grade: A-

Jack says: A-

Up is an enchanting film filled with wondrous larks, funny wisecracks, mythical-esque birds, and nail-biting adventure. With that said, let's say that I was a little disapointed. I mean, movie with the plot of Up has very little chance or error. It is a magical plot, but such magical plots should perhaps be approached differently from what Pixar studios did.

The reasson I didn't like it so much was the fact this you had to suspend your disbelief so much. I mean, senile man ties hundreds of balloons to his home (from where?) over night? And then in a matter of short hours, the small boy scout directs them to South America? Pretty Amazing. And also the fact that Carl's boyhood hero is still alive (and looking better than him) after about 70 or so years? So he'd have to be at least 100 years old? Well after all of this, it is still a film primarily for kids (no matter what Pixar says) and it's a jolly good one at that.

Matthew Says: A-

Up begins with Carl (the main character) as a young boy. He is quiet, and one day stumbles upon a girl, they form a club together (they both love an explorer and want to go to Paradise Falls one day). They fall in love, and it leaps to their marriage day, and a montage of clips showing their life together. They have a jar for saving up for Paradise falls, but life gets in the way. Stuff like the roof, bills, broken tires. And the film shows an almost poetic sadness that is rarelly seen in animated films.

It then shows Carl as a cranky old man without his beloved Ellie. And you pretty much know what happens from there, he ties balloons to his house and goes to Venezuela with little boy scout. There is trouble there too. The explorer Carl dreamed of seeing is there and wants an exotic bird they stumbled upon.

But, this isn't the main plot of the film although it does seem like it is to people who don't really pay attention. So in the end it's not about crazy explorers, weird creatures and island adventures. In the end it's about, afterall, life. And how if you have love in your life, it is an adventure. This is truly for kids and adults. This kids will marvel at the flying house, and love the little animals. But the adults will see past that and know what is at the heart of Up.