Cinthia's Movie Corner

"Bridge to Terabithia" (2007) - Children & Family

Rating: PG

Starring: Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel

Rating: 3 stars

From the much loved book by Katherine Paterson comes the story of two children who create a magical world that helps them cope with the difficult reality of their lives. Although you are left with the wish you could see more of Terabithia, the movie follows faithfully the objective of the book, which is to tell the story of the two friends and how their imagination helps them overcome their obstacles. The two leading young actors are excellent and the film is quite entertaining. The story doesn't quite go where you are hoping it will lead (especially in a children's movie), although it speaks of seeds of hope that will eventually bloom. I found it a bit too sad - as did my 10-year-old daughter who cried. Maybe I watched the movie hoping to be elated by an elaborate fantasy-filled story, and that's really not the case with this one. Still worth watching although I don't recommend it for children under 7 years of age.

"Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (2007) - Fantasy/Adventure

Rating: PG-13

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint

Rating: 5 stars

*This movie is in theaters now

Yes, I am a fanatic fan of Harry Potter so that makes me a bit partial. But in all honesty, this is yet another brilliant movie in the boy wizard saga. Obviously, there was no way the director could include everything from the 5th book in the movie (it would've been a close to 5 hour long flick - although I wouldn't mind that), but the essential core of the story is there and intact, and is portrayed masterfully (as in all the previous Harry Potter movies). So, the first time I saw it (midnight show!) I did long for the lost parts of the story that did not make it to the big screen, but watching the movie for the second time (on IMAX!) you quickly get over that and are able to fully enjoy the wonderfulness of it all. But please don't get me wrong: you don't need to watch it twice to love it; this was just my personal experience - something coming from a die hard Harry Potter fan. The new characters that are introduced in this chapter of Harry's story were perfectly portrayed; notably Helena Boham Carter as the evil and creepy Bellatrix Lestrange, Imelda Staunton brilliant as the horrific Dolores Umbridge and Evanna Lynch a revelation as Luna Lovegood. Throughout the whole thing I was struck with the vivid impression that the book I read awhile ago was coming to life right before my eyes. What a precious and rare feeling that is! I highly recommend you watch this movie on IMAX: the heightened experience is priceless. The advantages are many: the obvious enormity of the screen, the extreme high quality picture and sound, and the fact that (at least at the Air and Space Museum in Virginia, where I saw it) they do not sell snacks so that the theater was spotless. For one more dollar than the price of a regular ticket, it's pretty worth it. I'm definitely planning to watch it yet one more time, so it's safe to say that I totally recommend this much awaited/anticipated film.