Is there life after Harry Potter?

 

Editor’s Note: Screenwriter and author Rosalyne King laments the end of the Harry Potter film franchise.

by  Rosalyne King

 

Damn you J.K. Rowling for doing this to me.

Perhaps everyone else may NOT be the geeky-uber fan that I am, however, I can guarantee that nearly everyone I know has seen EVERY Harry Potter movie that’s been released. And therein lies the problem….

Say what one wants. When it’s all said and done, success-wise, The Harry Potter franchise is hands down the most successful franchise in movie history. It smashes the box office, it’s discussed around the water cooler, and every parent rushes to Fandango to buy tickets swearing it’s their children that are dying to see it and not them.

For eight years we watched them. Faithfully. Don’t lie you know you did. And now it’s over. Of course there were jokes about the end. But the thing about it is, for eight years it was as I said, the guarantee. There would be a Potter movie released. And the expectation was that it would be great. And for the most part it delivered.

Call me an “old movie fart” , but how many of those guarantees does a movie-goer get nowadays?

I could also give examples of movie franchises that FAIL completely to do justice to it’s previous body of work. I’ll just put it this way. I walked out of the Matrix 2 in the middle of the “Zion celebration/clothed orgy” scene. Yes, that was about ten minutes into the movie.

 

HarryPotterShop!

 

And yes, I know The Dark Knight Rises is coming out and I do look forward to seeing it. But it takes YEARS to make those. Then I have to find a block of time where I can commit 3 and 1/2 hours of my life to sitting in the theater. The preparation it takes to get to the movies kind of makes seeing it a task, more than something I can truly sit back and enjoy.

Unlike most people, when the last Potter movie came out I wasn’t at the edge of my seat. In fact, I found myself a bit depressed. Because I knew there would be no more. No teaser a year before the next one came out. No trailers where you debate if the latest Potter would live up to the hype. And of course the complete saturation of everything Potter. (They really did brand an image of Daniel Radcliffe holding a wand trying his damn-est to look menacing into our brain. Considering he was holding a glowy wooden stick, he gave it a valiant effort.)

As Thanksgiving approaches, I don’t find anything that is giving me the kind of security I had when waiting for the next Harry Potter movie. Sure there are movies I really want to see. But the absolute MUST SEE desire  and guarantee that the knowledge  of an over-priced movie ticket would be money well spent, is not there. With the exception of maybe The Rum Diary. (All Johnny Depp movies are given immunity by me to any sort of sarcastic remark, or criticism I might muster.)

Will there be another series of films that will be able to deliver that kind of a guarantee? And if so, will it have the consistency to be able to do it for eight years? It bugs me in a way that’s almost shameful to admit.I want that back, that once a year there would be THAT movie that I can say for sure would be released. That I would go to see in the theater and leave satisfied.

Still I’m a dedicated watcher. I’m trying to generate enthusiasm in the The Millennium Trilogy. The books were awesome. Anyone DARE say anything about The Twilight series….I think I may just glare at my screen for about three days before I get over it.

I’m sure there are movies I will go see again, I will insert the shameless plug for The Rum Diary here. But I still find myself mourning at the fact I will not be able to look up at the screen and see the boy with the lightening scar.

 

Hugo 2011 Movie Trailer

 

When one thinks family film, Martin Scorsese’s name doesn’t necessarily spring to mind. But this holiday season Scorsese will bring to the screen his first 3D live action family film for audiences. Today’s trailer really gives us a sense of the large, ambitious, scope that he hopes to share. We also get a look at the excellent cast he’s assembled for the film.

Obviously, this isn’t the usual adult fare that we are used to seeing from Martin Scorsese. To be honest, I’m not really sure what to expect from this. In general, I’m not usually a fan of family films. But since it’s Scorsese, we can probably anticipate impressive things. I’m also interested to see how he uses the 3D platform to enhance the story. I think most audiences are burnt out on the format. But obviously Martin Scorsese felt the process would add to the film.

Hugo  stars Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz,  Ben Kingsley , Sacha Baron Cohen, Jude Law and Johnny Depp. The film is directed by Martin Scorsese. Hugo is scheduled for release November 23, 2011. The film is written by John Logan based on the novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

Official Synopsis:

Hugo Cabret, Scorsese’s first film shot in 3D, tells the tale of an orphan boy living a secret life in the walls of a Paris train station.   When Hugo encounters a broken machine, an eccentric girl, and the cold, reserved man who runs the toy shop, he is caught up in a magical, mysterious adventure that could put all of his secrets in jeopardy.

 

Official Trailer:

Rise of The Planet of the Apes - International Trailer

Shame Movie Trailer reaction

 

The official trailer to one of the most critically acclaimed films of this award season has finally debuted. Shame directed by artist Steve McQueen tells the troubled tale of a sex addict played by Michael Fassbender. This is the second collaboration between Fassbender and McQueen. Their first film together was the critically acclaimed Hunger.

The topic of sexual addiction is a  pretty tricky subject to convey on film. Finding a balance between realism and sympathy has proved troublesome for many film makers tackling the subject. Go too dark and audiences are disgusted and tune out, approach the material too lightly and it becomes unintentionally  humorous.

But this trailer seems to hit the right notes. It shows the character’s loneliness, and despair, while also conveying the excitement of his addiction. I’m excited to see Fassbender’s approach.  His work in X-Men: First Class and Inglourious Basterds showcased some of his range and appeal. Perhaps this will earn him some mainstream award season acclaim. He already claimed best actor at the Venice Film Festival for the role.

Shame stars Michael Fassbender, Carey Mulligan, James Badge Dale and Nicole Beharie. Shame is directed by Steve McQueen and is written by Abi Morgan and Steve McQueen. The film is scheduled for release in the United States on December 2, 2012

Official Synopsis:

Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is a 30-something man living in New York who is unable to manage his sex life. After his wayward younger sister moves into his apartment, Brandon’s world spirals out of control. From director Steve McQueen (Hunger), Shame is a compelling and timely examination of the nature of need, how we live our lives and the experiences that shape us.