Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings: Fantasy Movies, Day 2

Some Thoughts (only pertaining to the movies, not the books): 

Both film series have intensive storylines, but “Harry Potter” is more plot-based, while “The Lord of the Rings” is more action-based.

Both films have a remarkable number of similarities from wizards to swords to the title images.

The running storyline of “The Lord of the Rings” is will Frodo be able to destroy the evil ring? The characters make a pact to protect Frodo, inevitably become separated, and each character must fend for himself (or in small groups). They are reactive – when one thing goes wrong, they must fix it and keep going.

“Harry Potter” is more plot-driven and has complex storylines. The recurring mission to defeat Lord Voldemort appears in every movie, in a different way each time. He does not come onscreen in several movies and even when a big battle with him does not happen in a movie, the underlying tension that he is waiting and getting stronger is still there and in full force.

Each “Harry Potter” movie is a separate story with an overarching story and “The Lord of the Rings” is more of three films continuing the same story. One way this is demonstrated is that there is much more talking and discussing in “Harry Potter.” Conversely, many scenes in “The Lord of the Rings” have no words (you follow the action) and if there are words, they are brief directions, not lengthy discussions.

Fascinating.

Why The Matrix Works: Day 1

The Last Movie I Watched

was...The Matrix

What if you lived in a world that is made and organized by someone outside of that world?  Like a computer program?  What if the world outside the world you lived in was the real world?  And what would happen if your mind was freed and you gained access to the real world, found out you were destined for greatness, and had a powerful enemy?

Neo (or Thomas Anderson, as he was known inside the matrix) finds this out.  He discovers that his whole life has, essentially, been a lie.  He was living in a matrix until he woke up to the real world.  People (especially Morpheus, the leader of the rebel group, and Trinity, a member of the group) believe that Neo is “the one,” who will fight the machines that have caused the matrix and get rid of them for good.  Does this happen?  Watch and find out. J

Morpheus: “That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind.”

Morpheus tells Neo that he is a slave.  Neo had no real choices in his original world, but he searched for a way out without realizing what he was looking for.  Decisions became available to him when Trinity and Morpheus found him and gave him the option of leaving the matrix and joining the real world.

Morpheus: “Do you believe in fate Neo?”
Neo: “No.” 
Morpheus: “Why not?” 
Neo: “Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.”

Neo makes the choice to control his life.  Does this mean the Oracle’s visions into the future are false?  I don’t think so.  She sees what could happen based on people’s choices, even if they haven’t made them yet.  The future changes frequently because the decisions that are made change every day, making fortunetelling something that could also change.  The future is not set.

“The Matrix” is an action-packed movie that delves into philosophical thinking and asks questions like slavery, fate, choices, and what makes a world “real.”  Watch it.

Why Children of Men Does and Doesn't Work

“Children of Men” has a great premise.  In 2027, humans are infertile.  No one has been born for about twenty years.  The world is dismal, bombings everywhere, and the U.K. is one of the last functioning places on the planet.  So when Theo Faron’s ex-wife Julian Taylor persuades him to get transit papers for Kee, he receives the shock of his life – Kee is pregnant.  Now Theo has to make sure that she gets to safety.

The cinematography is dark and dreary, reflecting off the unhinged world.  The shaky camera movement adds tension.  The style of “Children of Men” can first be seen in parts of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” where it works incredibly well because it is not overdone.  In “Children of Men,” however, there is no break from the darkness and grittiness.  It works and it doesn’t all at the same time because there is no break from it.

The long single-shot sequences work well, capturing pivotal moments in an unblinking time frame. 

The movie is long and drawn-out, which places the audience in the mindset of the people, especially Theo – there is no hope until he has something to live for (getting Kee to safety). 

Good performances by Clive Owen (Theo Faron) and Michael Caine (Jasper Palmer). 

The story itself is where the problems lie.  “Children of Men” is a simple story placed in a complex environment.   I wanted to watch a complex story in that complex environment.  Theo passively lives his life until he actively works to save someone else.  This is a wonderful transformation and the saving grace of the storyline.  The other characters’ interactions are discombobulated and don’t seem to fit in Theo’s life.  Which is why he’s thrown into a new world and the other characters are so different.

How the movie is made makes sense and it works, but I wanted more from it.

What did you think of "Children of Men?"