"HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - Part I" Photo Gallery

Below are images from the latest HARRY POTTER movie directed by David Yates called "HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - Part I". The movie stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson:


"HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS - Part I" Photo Gallery

"THE SOCIAL NETWORK" (2010) Review

”THE SOCIAL NETWORK” (2010) Review

One of the new movies being touted as a strong Oscar contender is David Fincher’s new movie called ”THE SOCIAL NETWORK”. Based upon Ben Mezrich’s 2009 book about the founding of Facebook - The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, A Tale of Sex, Money, Genius, and Betrayal” - the movie starred Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield as two of Facebook’s co-founders, Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin.

”THE SOCIAL NETWORK” began in 2003, when Harvard University student, Mark Zuckerberg, came up with the idea to create a website to rate the attractiveness of female Harvard undergraduates, after his girlfriend Erica Albright broke up with him. After downloading photos and names of female students from the various databases of resident halls, Zuckerberg created a website called ”FaceMash” where male students can choose which of two girls presented at a time is more attractive. Zuckerberg’s actions became the catalyst for the creation of ”Facebook”, when his ”FaceMash” site attracted the attention of twin brothers Cameron Winklevoss and Tyler Winklevoss and their friend and partner, Divya Narendra, who hire him as their programmer for their site, ”Harvard Connection”. Instead, Zuckerberg asked his friend Eduardo Saverin to finance a new site he planned to create called ”Thefacebook”, the predecessor to ”Facebook”. Zuckerberg’s new site also attracted the attention of entrepreneur and co-founder of ”Napster”, Sean Parker, of whom Saverin developed a dislike. The website also led to the formation of a new corporation, the end of Zuckerberg and Saverin’s friendship and several lawsuits filed against him.

From a technical point of view, ”THE SOCIAL NETWORK” is an excellent movie. Director David Fincher did an excellent job of making the best of Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay. And the latter portrayed the creation of Facebook and the conflicts of all those involved with a witty and complex story. When I had first saw the trailer for ”THE SOCIAL NETWORK”, I suspected that the movie would portray Zuckerberg as this one-dimensional, arrogant and cold-blooded nerd with an inability to communicate with anyone. Superficially, actor Jesse Eisenberg portrayed the entrepreneur in that matter. But thanks to Fincher’s direction, Sorkin’s script and Eisenberg’s performance, Zuckerberg is portrayed with greater complexity. And I can say the same about the other characters. My only complaint about the movie is that I found the revelation that the scenes depicting the creation of ”Facebook” were flashbacks handled in a very awkward manner.

Aside from Eisenberg’s excellent performance, I was also impressed by Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of ”Facebook” co-founder Eduardo Saverin. Like Eisenberg, he gave a complex portrayal of his character without losing any sympathy. Armie Hammer must have had a ball portraying the Winklevoss twins. Rooney Mara was very effective as Erica Albright, the ”girl who got away” and whose rejection of Zuckerberg set in motion the creation of ”Facebook”. But I was truly impressed by Justin Timberlake’s portrayal of ”Facebook consultant and entrepreneur Sean Parker. I had no idea that the singer had the acting chops to portray such an energetic and complex role. Also, it was interesting to see Joseph Mazello (of ”JURASSIC PARK” and the recent HBO miniseries, ”THE PACIFIC”) portraying another ”Facebook” co-founder, Dustin Moskovitz. However, he does not seem to physically resemble the actual person.

From a technical point of view, it is easy to see why ”THE SOCIAL NETWORK” has become a front runner for the Academy Awards. It is basically a well made movie with very little flaws. However, it has failed to become a favorite of mine. Why? Quite simply, it left me feeling cold. It failed to move me. I found the events of the creation of ”Facebook” and the law suits that followed interesting . . . but cold. I suspect my lack of emotions over the film has a lot to do with Fincher’s chilly direction and my inability to really care for any of the characters. I like complex characters in fictional or biographical stories a lot. But I found the characters in ”THE SOCIAL NETWORK” simply too chilly and self-involved for my tastes. And Fincher’s direction and Sorkin’s script failed to make me care about them or their situation. However, I am certain that movie will do well during the upcoming movie awards season.

"Daniel Craig and the Future of James Bond"

"DANIEL CRAIG AND THE FUTURE OF JAMES BOND"

There has been a great deal of talk about how EON Productions will take the James Bond character in future movies. Many have also speculated on how Daniel Craig will approach the character – especially in the upcoming BOND 23. I have no idea how the Bond character will be treated in future movies, but I do a few things to say about Daniel Craig as Bond.

First of all, I do not believe that "CASINO ROYALE" and "QUANTUM OF SOLACE" were unique in being the only Bond films that seemed like a slightly realistic spy thriller. Before Craig's two movies, there was "FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE", "ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE", "FOR YOUR EYES ONLY" and "THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS". We also had movies like "THUNDERBALL" and "OCTOPUSSY" with plots that seemed very probable in the real world (nuclear threats in the name of extortion or/and political manipulation). And there was "LICENSE TO KILL" that was gritty, but seemed more like a revenge story than a spy thriller. But I do believe that "CASINO ROYALE" was one of the best movies in the franchise. I also believe that "QUANTUM OF SOLACE" was an exciting and gritty thriller, although not as well done as "CASINO ROYALE" In fact, I feel that both movies were well-written thrillers with complex and three-dimensional characters.

As for Daniel Craig, many have criticized his Bond for acting like a professional and experienced agent at the beginning of "CASINO ROYALE", despite being a novice. I have to point out that in this version of "CASINO ROYALE", Bond WAS NOT a novice spy at the beginning of the story. He already had experience as an intelligence operative for the Royal Navy and as an agent for MI-6. At the beginning of the movie, he had simply been promoted to the "00 Section". He had already been serving with MI6 for some time.

Although I have enjoyed the performances of all six (or should I say eight?) actors who have portrayed Bond, Daniel Craig's performance has appealed to me a lot stronger than the others. I am not saying that I believe that his Bond is the best. I simply prefer his Bond a lot stronger than I do the others. So far, Craig's Bond has not been tinged by Connery's lack of humanity, Lazenby's inexperienced background, Moore's cheeky humor, Dalton's heavy angst factor or Brosnan's mediocre scripts. This latest manifestation of Bond is a ruthless and athletic man with a sardonic sense of humor, a taste for good living, a penchant for taking chances and allowing his ego to go uncheck. But knowing EON Productions' reputation for sometimes screwing up a good thing, who knows what will happen?

I have heard comments that Craig's Bond had fully become the iconic figure of the last 44 or 45 years by the end of "CASINO ROYALE". But others have pointed out that the character who had shot Mr. White at the end of the movie had become the same man who had chased Mollaka in Madagascar. I am more inclined to believe the latter. As his next film, "QUANTUM OF SOLACE" seemed to have attest, I believe that Bond's character had slightly regressed, due to the heartache he had suffered over Vesper's betrayal and death. Somewhat. After all, Bond did manage to bring down Mr. White without allowing his emotions, ego or trigger finger to get the best of him. He barely managed to keep his thirst for revenge in check. Although his refusal to face his feelings for Vesper formed a cloud over him. Hopefully, EON Productions will allow the audience to see Bond develop beyond the cold-blooded and brutal man that used women to avoid emotional attachments. I hope that by the time Craig shoots his last Bond film, his character will develop into a somewhat mature man who has learned to balance any emotional attachments he may have formed with the ruthless agent he has to be in order to do his job.

"Lessons in Witchcraft" [PG] - 4/9

"LESSONS IN WITCHCRAFT"

Chapter 4

NOTE: In the previous chapter, the three Halliwell sisters' knowledge of herbal craft were extended by Bruce and Barbara McNeill. The story picks up with Olivia McNeill recruiting her younger brother, Harry, to assist her in the next lesson.

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An audible silence filled Olivia's ear, as she waited for her brother's response to her request. Then Harry finally said, "Help you give a lesson on witchcraft? Why?"

Olivia said, "What do you mean . . . why? Because Paige had asked me to give her and her sisters some lessons. Apparently, they feel they don't know enough. Ask Gran or Bruce. They've already helped me."

"Are you saying that after nearly five years, they still need lessons?"

Heaving a sigh, Olivia retorted, "C'mon Harry! You know better than to ask that. Learning the Craft is a lifelong experience for all of us."

"Yeah, but we're talking about the basics here," Harry shot back. "What the hell have they been doing all this time?"

Olivia retorted, "Saving the world from evil, what else?"

"And that's supposed to impress me?"

Another sigh left Olivia's mouth. "Harry . . ."

"Next question," Harry said, interrupting. "Why do you want . . . 'me' to help you?"

Olivia quickly answered, "Because the next lesson will be on altars, circles and pentagrams. You're very good in this area. Especially about altars. And I need you to draw a diagram of one."

"In other words, you couldn't find anyone else to assist you."

"Harry!" Olivia paused, before she finally capitulated. "Okay, that's the real reason. But you are very good when it comes to altars, right? Besides, Paige will be there."

Olivia heard a tremor in Harry's voice. "So?"

"C'mon Harry! I'm not blind. I've seen the way you've been hovering over her, when you think no one else is watching. And when you two are around others, you pretend she doesn't exist."

Harry's voice hardened slightly. "What are you getting at, Livy?"

She heaved a large sigh. "Let me put it this way, little brother. Nathalie Gleason told me what had transpired between you two at her party, last April. Shall I go on?"

"You can go on forever, as far as I'm concerned," Harry retorted. "And as far as I'm concerned, you're imagining things."

Olivia paused. "Does that mean you won't help me?"

Silence followed. Then, "Yeah, I'll help. What do you need?"

Relieved that her younger brother had finally agreed to help, Olivia proceeded to instruct him on a few errands.

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The following Friday evening saw Olivia and Harry arriving at the Halliwell house. Olivia held her large knit bag, while Harry carried several yellow envelopes in his arms, as they climbed the stoop toward the front door.

After ringing the doorbell, Paige opened the door and ushered brother and sister inside the house. "Hey there," Olivia greeted. "Ready for your next lesson?"

Paige smiled. "Ready and eager!" The two McNeills stared at her, as if she had grown a second head. The Charmed One's face turned red with embarrassment. "Okay, that did sound a little too chipper, didn't it?"

"More like a lot," Harry muttered sardonically.

Olivia gave her brother a swift and subtle kick in the shin. Then she smiled at Paige. "So, where are the others?"

Paige revealed that her sisters were in the Solarium, waiting for the visitors. "Wyatt is in there, as well. Sleeping. Leo wasn't available to baby sit, this evening."

"Did you get a small table, like I had asked?"

Nodding, Paige replied, "It's in there, as well."

Once inside the Solarium, Olivia began the lesson. "The first thing we're going to discuss is the Wiccan altar. Uh, do you guys have one?"

The three sisters exchanged confused looks. "Wiccan altar?" Piper asked.

A slight smirk curved Harry's lips. "Well, I guess the answer is no." He received another kick in the shin from his sister.

Olivia turned to the three sisters and smiled. "The altar is a principle part of magic, rituals and daily life. It's like a sacred space in the home, set aside for major spells and rituals. You've seen one, Phoebe. Right?"

The middle Charmed One blinked. "I did?"

"That little closet inside Cole's old apartment, where he used to live," Olivia continued. "When you two first met."

"Oh."

Apparently, Phoebe had not remembered. "Anyway, do you guys have a table that you sometimes use, when conducting major spells?" Olivia continued.

Piper pointed at a small round table in the middle of the room. "We sometimes use this, when we're in the attic."

Olivia nodded. "Okay. This is good. In fact, some witches prefer to use a round table, because they believe it represents the circle of life. Now, there are many ways to set up an altar. And Harry," she lightly slapped her brother's arm, "is going to hand you a diagram of the altar at our parents' house."

On cue, Harry opened one of the yellow envelopes and passed the contents to the Charmed Ones. "Oh God!" Piper exclaimed. "This looks complicated."

Olivia shook her head. "Not really. It can be quite simple." She removed a large piece of blue cloth from her bag and spread it over the round table. "First, you need an altar cloth. You also need a specific color that relates to your purpose of the altar. It goes on the table, first. The second thing that goes on the table is the working cloth." She removed a cheap piece of gray cloth from her bag. "This cloth keeps wax, oil and other stuff from dripping on the altar cloth."

"Next," Harry continued, "you place four quarter candles on the table. Each candle is in the color that represents an element . . . and a quarter." Olivia removed a red candle. "Red for the Fire element and the direction, South. White for Air and East. By the way, the white candle is also supposed to represent the Goddess." Olivia placed a white candle on the table. Then she removed a blue candle from her bag. "Blue is for Water and West. And Green is for Earth and North." After Olivia placed a green candle on the table, Harry added, "Also, you don't always have to place quarter candles on the altar. You can also try free standing pillars."

Then Olivia removed a small earthen bowl from the bag and placed it on the table. "This is an Earth bowl," she said. "It can be filled with something that represents that particular element. We usually fill it with soil to represent Earth or holy water."

"Holy water?" Phoebe declared. "Wiccans deal with holy water?" Harry explained that holy water is used by many religions - Pagan and otherwise - and not just by Catholics.

"Next, is the Wine Chalice," Harry said, as Olivia removed one from her bag. "It's for drinking sacred wine that has been consecrated for magickal use. The chalice, like the White candle, represents the Goddess."

Olivia and Harry continued the list, removing objects from the knit bag. They removed the God and Goddess figures, an incense holder, a non-wine chalice for those who did not indulge in alcohol . . .

"That would be great for me," Paige said, interrupting.

Piper added, "Is it just me or does the God figure look a like the Devil?"

"That's the Horned God of the Wild," Olivia explained. "Not the Devil. Don't forget - Wiccans do not believe in Satan, the Devil and other forms of 'Satanism'. The Horned God represents the masculine aspect of nature and the Goddess, the feminine aspect."

"Oh."

Olivia removed a cauldron from her bag. "I'm sure that you guys remember this. For the altar, it's used to hold a piece of self-lightning charcoal." The list continued - consecrated oil, a lighter for the candles, the altar bell, a wand for channeling energy to a specific direction, an athame, a candle-snuffer, and a pentacle.

Harry explained, "The pentacle is basically a grounding tool. When magick is done on the altar, it's done over a pentacle to ground the magick's energy." He paused. "Now, if you would all study the chart I have given each of you, you'll have a basic idea of how to set up an altar."

Phoebe displayed a piece of paper, attached to her copy of the altar's diagram. "What's this?" she asked.

"Oh, that's the ritual used for the altar. And be sure there is a circle on the floor."

When the sisters finished examining the material given to them, Olivia said, "I guess that we can go on to the next lesson. The circle. You, ah . . . You guys do use a magick circle for spells, right?"

Once more, the Halliwells exchanged uneasy glances. "Uh . . . yeah," Paige finally answered. "I think."

"Sometimes," Phoebe added. "I mean . . . we know that a circle should be used."

Olivia asked, "Do you know why?" When the sisters failed to answer, she sighed. "Okay. The circle is the area in which magickal worship, spells and rituals take place. There are three basic reasons to cast a circle."

"One," Harry said, "to create a sacred space, or a place that is different from the mundane world. Two, to keep the energy from magick, focused and contained in one area."

Olivia added, "And three, a circle provides protection from negative outside forces. It provides safety, since witches inside the circle are able to travel across veils and into different dimensions. In other words, the circle provides safety, as we travel."

"Like Paige and I did, when we projected into Piper's mind," Phoebe said.

"Right."

Harry opened another yellow envelope. He poured out the contents - more stapled papers - and passed them around. "Now, you each have a list of methods to cast a circle. If you don't know how to cast one, the instructions provided should be simple."

"Wait. There's more than one way to cast a circle?" Phoebe asked.

"Actually, the list I just gave you provides at least four methods on casting a circle and instructions on closing one."

Paige asked, "What kind of circles?"

Harry sighed. "Well, there is the commonly used method of casting a circle. There is one for casting a circle in a hurry, one for casting a Celtic circle, and one for casting a circle on your hand. Uh, if you guys want to go over each one . . ."

"That's okay," Piper quickly interrupted. "These instructions don't really seem all that difficult."

The youngest McNeill glanced at his sister, who shrugged. "Okay, sure. I guess we can move on to the next lesson."

Phoebe sighed. "The final one." Her voice seemed tinged with relief.

Olivia stared at the middle Charmed One. "Are we getting bored?"

"Huh? Oh . . . uh, no. I just . . . I guess I'm a little hungry."

Glancing at her watch, Olivia noticed that it read eight forty-seven. "Haven't you all eaten dinner, yet?"

"Of course we have," Piper replied. "We just . . ."

Impatience tinged Paige's voice. "Can we please just get on with the lessons?"

Nodding, Olivia said, "Right. Next lesson - pentagram."

"We all know what a pentagram is," Piper commented. "It's a five-pointed star, held in an upright position. It's an ancient symbol of protection from evil."

"Did you know that it's also called the 'endless knot'?" Olivia added. "Or that the symbol can be traced back to ancient Egyptian and Summerian cultures? And it's also been found on Native American tools."

Piper replied, "No, but we do know that each point represents the five elements - earth, water, fire, metal and wood."

Olivia blinked. She wondered if she had just heard right. Then she glanced at Harry, who also looked confused. "Piper," he asked, "could you repeat that list of elements, again?"

"Earth, water, fire, metal and wood," Piper repeated. "In fact, this house is situated in the middle of a pentagram. Of a nexus. It lies in equal distance from a place or object that represents each element."

Phoebe added, "Yeah, and that's why I'm more susceptible to evil than my sisters. Since I was born in the manor, I can easily swing to either evil or good."

"Honey, I hate to break it to you," Olivia patiently explained, "but you've just about described every living being in existence. Any one of us can easily swing one way or the other. It's a part of who and what we are."

Harry added, "And I think I should explain to you guys that the elements associated with Wicca are earth, water, fire, AIR and SPIRIT. The elements that you had mentioned are associated with Chinese spirituality."

"WHAT?" Both Phoebe and Piper cried out at the same.

"If you're correct about this house being in the center of some kind of nexus," Harry continued, "perhaps it's . . . I don't know. Chinese?"

Phoebe exclaimed, "But that's impossible!" She paused, as she stared at the two McNeills. "Is it? I mean, are you saying . . .? Which list is correct?"

"I haven't the foggiest idea," Olivia replied. "Both lists may be correct. Every form of philosophy or religion has its own list of elements."

Harry added, "Olivia has her own theory about the elements." Knowing what he was about to reveal, Olivia glared at her brother. "What? C'mon Livy! You've already told the family."

"And no one bought it, I might add."

Paige frowned. "What theory?"

After a long and heavy sigh, Olivia finally capitulated. "Okay, I give up." She paused. Then, "While studying some of the different religions and philosophies, I had noticed something about the elements associated with them. Although they varied, if you combine them all on one list, you will probably end up with at least seven elements. Namely - earth, water, air, fire, wood, metal and spirit. This leaves me to suspect that there are seven elements, not five or in the case of other religions or philosophies, some other number of elements. By the way, did you know that the Buddhists refer to the spirit element as the Void or Ether?"

Silence hung over the Sun Room like a heavy fog. Disbelief and confusion whirled in the Charmed Ones' dark eyes, while Harry's mouth hung open in anticipation. "So what do you think?" he asked. "Makes sense?"

Piper shook her head. "I don't understand. You're saying that there are seven elements and not five?"

"That's my theory," Olivia coolly replied.

Phoebe spoke up. "But that would make the whole idea of a pentagram irrelevant! And the pentagram, as a symbol, has been around for ages."

"What?" Harry demanded. "She's not allowed to challenge a belief that's been around since the dawn of man?"

Olivia glanced at Paige, who seemed equally dubious. "I guess you don't buy it either," she asked her friend.

Paige squirmed with discomfort. "I don't know, Livy," she finally said. "It's just . . . well yeah. I guess I don't. I just find it hard to buy."

"Why?" Harry demanded. He seemed disappointed by Paige's reaction.

Shrugging her shoulders, Paige answered, "I don't know. Maybe Phoebe's right. The pentagram has been part of Wicca beliefs for many years. And a part of Celtic and other forms of paganism, long before that. Right? Is Olivia trying to say that the pentagram isn't a symbol for protection from evil? And if so, what is?"

Olivia thought to herself. Why did I allow Harry to goad me into opening my big mouth? Then she sighed. "I don't know, Paige. How about a heptagram?" The sisters merely responded with blank stares. So much for her clever idea.

Before the uncomfortable silence could get any worse, Harry came to the rescue. He glanced at his watch. "Look, why don't we call it a night? I think that we've basically covered everything for today's lesson. And besides, there's a movie on cable I want to see. And it starts in less than an hour."

"Good idea," Olivia quickly agreed, thankful of Harry's suggestion.

Piper asked, "Before you go, may I ask you guys a question?" The two McNeills stared at her. "Is it really necessary to have a permanent altar in the house?"

"It's not mandatory," Olivia replied. "But I would highly recommend having one around for major spells and rituals. You don't want to take the chance of the magick getting out of control."

"Our magic never gets . . ." Phoebe began. Then she broke off, as a sheepish expression appeared on her face. "Okay, maybe it does. Sometimes."

Piper asked another question. "Do we really need an altar for our Book of Shadows?"

"Where did you get that idea?" Harry asked, with a frown.

Giving her eyes a contemptuous roll, Phoebe shot back, "From one of Leo's old whitelighter buddies. Natalie. She once told us that we should keep our Book of Shadows on a hidden altar."

"We had ignored her advice, of course," Piper sardonically added.

Olivia said, "So did we. When Leo first told Bruce and me the same, years ago. Frankly, I think it's a lot of nonsense."

"Leo, huh?" Piper looked slightly embarrassed.

"Besides, I don't keep my Book of Shadows on an altar," Olivia continued. "There's no need, as far as I'm concerned. Harry keeps his on a computer CD-disk. So does Nathalie Gleason."

Paige's voice rang with disbelief. "A Book of Shadows on a computer disk?"

Phoebe added, "And why would you all maintain separate Books of Shadow, anyway? Isn't there one for the entire family?"

Harry shook his head. "Not really. Each witch usually maintains his or her own personal book. I'm surprised that none of you have your own book. I mean, what if one or more of you move out?"

"So, you think we should each have our own book?"

Oh God! Impatience tugged at Olivia's mind. She wanted to end this session. Now. "Look, it's like Harry said. Every individual witch maintains a Book of Shadows. Paige, Phoebe, Piper - if you don't want to follow this rule, fine. It's not a problem. Do what works best for you. Anymore questions?"

Wearing dazed expressions, the Charmed Ones shook their heads. Harry shot to his feet and began removing some of the items on the makeshift altar. "Okay, it's time to go." He placed the items in Olivia's bag.

While Harry finished loading her bag, Olivia stood up. "Okay guys, I guess I'll be seeing you, tomorrow evening."

"Why not the morning or afternoon?" Paige asked.

"Because Cole and I are going to Sausalito, tomorrow morning," Olivia said. From the corner of her eye, she saw Phoebe stiffened at the mention of the half-daemon's name. "And we won't be back until five or five-thirty. So, I'll be seeing you around six, at my apartment. Okay?"

The Charmed Ones agreed. Then much to Olivia's relief, she and Harry gathered their belongings, bid their hostesses good-bye - and finally left.


END OF CHAPTER 4

"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST" (2006) Photo Gallery

Here is a gallery of photos from the second movie in the "PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN" trilogy - "DEAD MAN'S CHEST":



"PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN'S CHEST" (2006) Photo Gallery