Denise Roper's Blog, page 2
July 14, 2011
Richard Roeper's Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: A+
Mr. Roeper, I applaud you! This is a wonderful review.
Some of the highlights of this review:
*Alan Rickman deserves a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.
*Watson and Grint are nearly flawless.
*The love stories are beautiful and touching.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 is a rousing, thrilling, funny, moving, and inspirational final stop in one of the great cinematic journeys of our time. I give it an A+"–Richard Roeper
July 13, 2011
More Interviews from the Cast of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2; Most Epic Couple Poll
Rupert or Ronpert?
Emma:
Emma again. Listen to 1:48–"He still blushes" (when asked about the kiss). Watch Emma's reaction to this remark. 
She insists that Rupert is really shy.
Alternate endings for the Malfoys and Epilogue re-shoot?! (How much of this will be on the DVD?) Also, Steve Kloves talks about Draco's relationship with his mother.
Here's a link to a blog where you can vote for the "Most Epic Couple"–is it Edward and Bella from Twilight or Ron and Hermione from Harry Potter? Go vote!
http://www.nextmovie.com/blog/ron-and-hermione-better-than-edward-and-bella/
More Positive Reviews for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
In a previous blog post, I have written about my disappointment with the way the final cut of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 downplays the religious symbolism which is present both in the novel and in some of the film's unused set design elements. (You can read about it in this blog post: http://phoenixweasley.wordpress.com/2010/11/27/christian-imagery-in-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-one/) Although there are some Christian images in the theatrical cut of DH1, there are not enough in comparison to the novel. (I really missed Harry and Hermione's discussion of 1 Corinthians 15:26 in the Godric's Hollow graveyard scene.) I certainly don't expect DH2 to be any better in that regard, but apparently some critics are seeing something with regards to Christian symbolism in the plot and themes of the film. Of course, I have not yet seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. It will be released on July 15, 2011 in the United States, so I don't know exactly what it is that these film critics are seeing. Here are some of the quotes from the latest reviews for consideration:
"These quests pit treachery and self-interest against steadfastness and sacrifice, a fundamental series conflict that's embodied by Harry and Voldemort, the Christ and Satan at the center of Rowling's coming-of-age saga. Still, the propulsive film (penned, like all but one of its predecessors, by Steve Kloves) remains interested in such religious notions of martyrdom, fate, and rebirth only insofar as they reflect the story's overriding celebration of friendship as an unbreakable bond even under the greatest of strains."
http://www.villagevoice.com/2011-07-13/film/harry-potter-s-final-destination/
"The final film is heavy on what can now be seen as the series' Big Themes: mercy, self-sacrifice, forgiveness. In the way the overarching narrative eventually plays out, Rowling's novels – and the ensuing films – seem deeply indebted to another literary fantasy series from a British author: C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. Both use fantastical tales to get at deep truths."
http://www.larsenonfilm.com/index.php?Page=SoloReview&ReviewID=2011
"Ultimately, though, the heart of the story is simple: a version of the messianic myth, perhaps, or an allegory of growing up and mustering courage, loyalty, and a belief in human decency in the face of evil and death."
http://thephoenix.com/Boston/movies/123738-review-harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part/
This review has a lot of commentary on the performances given by the various actors and actresses in the film. Be warned that it is filled with spoilers!
In addition to the religious symbolism and all of the deeper layers of meaning that the Harry Potter novels contain, I am enamoured with the character development of Rowling's heroes, young and old, and I adore the blossoming romance between Harry's sidekicks, Ron and Hermione. All of these reviews have comments that the Ron/Hermione shippers will appreciate:
"As with all finales, people are getting it on left, right and centre. The long-awaited kiss between Ron and Hermione isn't a letdown, its sweetness reminding us of their true age and experience. With the maturity they've been playing with over the last couple of films, it's nice to be brought back to something as simple as first love and awkward first kisses."
http://www.moviereviews.co.uk/reviews/harry-potter-and-deathly-hallows-part-2-review
"Watson and Grint shine in their few scenes including that long-awaited kiss, and both sob convincingly as their teenage wizards come to terms with the enormity of their loss." This reviewer is one of many who sees similarities between the war in DH2 and the epic battles in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: "There are echoes of The Battle of Helm's Deep in The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers as the forces of darkness breach the school's walls with horrific intent."
http://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/Whats-On-Leisure/Movies/Harry-Potter-11072011.htm
"The feeling that Voldemort and his dark minions are close on Harry's heels is palpable, making small moments of intimacy (Ron and Hermione kiss like adults — then giggle with surprise like children) all the more precious."
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20483133_20488634,00.html
"As the crucial battle against good and evil approaches, the simmering sexual tension between our young heroes is also broken and several romances blossom, with a passionate kiss between Ron and Hermione prompting whoops of delight and applause from the auditorium."
I have indeed read reports from fans around the world that there were "whoops of delight and applause from the auditorium" when Ron and Hermione have their big moment. I am looking forward to seeing that scene in the theater and hearing the audience's reaction to it, as well as hearing the audience's response to Neville's heroism, the Molly's duel with Bellatrix, Harry's self-sacrifice and final battle with Lord Voldemort, and most of all, Alan Rickman's critically acclaimed performance of Severus Snape. Is it July 15th yet? 
July 12, 2011
The London Premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Here are some pictures of my favorite moments from the premiere. Daniel, Emma, Rupert, and J. K. Rowling gave very emotional speeches which brought all of them (and all of fandom) to tears. Rupert and Emma were just too cute during all of this!
Rupert Grint: "I love you. I really do."
You can see videos of these speeches here: http://phoenixweasley.wordpress.com/2011/07/07/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-world-premiere-in-london/.
"No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live in us forever. So, whether you come back page by page or by the big screen,
Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home." -JK Rowling
July 11, 2011
New Rupert Grint and Emma Watson Interviews; Harry Potter Larry King Special
Rupert talks about Ron/Hermione: the kiss, holding hands, calling her his "girlfriend," and more!
Emma talks about action heroine Hermione and the Ron/Hermione kiss.
Emma on the Today Show. You can see some footage of the London premiere in this video.
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The Larry King Special:
UPDATE: Here's a link to the MSNBC site, where you can watch Rupert being interviewed by Kathy Lee and Hoda. 
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/29054368/#43712430
July 8, 2011
More Reviews of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
Empire Magazine:
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?FID=137029
The Birmingham Mail:
The Scotsman:
http://news.scotsman.com/movies/Film-review-Harry-Potter-and.6797846.jp
The Daily Mail:
Emmanuel Levy:
http://www.emanuellevy.com/review/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-2/
Total Film: This one has some major spoilers. Some of the parts I liked best were this quote: "But the gloom is permeated by a handful of very heartfelt, very human standouts, be it Ron and Hermione's first kiss in the Chamber of Secrets or Harry's fateful forest walk surrounded by his dearest departed." And this one: "Fusing spectacle and emotion into a thrilling final chapter, director David Yates ensures that the series goes out with a bang. Finales don't come much grander than this."
Variety:
http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117945605?refcatid=31
Here's my favorite part of Variety's review:
"As preparations are made for an epic clash between good and evil, Yates achieves a thrilling sense of convergence, of innumerable dramatic, thematic, romantic, emotional and musical threads from the past seven films being woven together at last: Old and new friends are well met, comeuppances are dealt out, and little-seen veterans are granted a valedictory moment in the spotlight. Former pipsqueak Neville Longbottom (Matthew Lewis) emerges as one of Hogwarts' truest heroes, and for the first time in ages, Professors McGonagall (Maggie Smith), Flitwick (Warwick Davis) and Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) are allowed to perform substantial feats of magic."
"Best of all, the shifty Severus Snape (Alan Rickman) reveals his true colors at last, in a stirring, revelatory montage that calls forth more emoting from this supremely supercilious figure in five minutes than he's shown in seven films. And the film does full justice to the most profoundly moving passage in Rowling's novels, as Harry comes to grips with the inevitability of death, the enduring consolations of friendship and valor, and the mystery of what lies in the world beyond."
New DH2 Clip: Escape from Gringotts
Spoiler alert! Here's Hermione's brilliant plan for escaping from the Gringotts bank vault. This clip was shown last night during ABC Family's Harry Potter Weekend.
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Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 Video Game: Voldemort's Death, the Elder Wand, and the Epilogue
Spoiler Alert! The ending of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 video game is on YouTube. This video shows the very end of the game (without sound), and from this we get a glimpse of the fate of the Elder Wand (in the film version of the story). We also see how Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione look 19 years later.
July 7, 2011
New Deathly Hallows Part 2 Clip from ABC Family's Harry Potter Weekend
Spoiler alert! In this one, we see Neville and Dumbledore's Army in the Room of Requirement. Harry talks with Luna and Cho about the Diadem of Ravenclaw. Harry and Ginny have a moment, and Ron and Seamus have a very funny conversation.
