Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

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This review is from: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1 (DVD)

I'm so very happy that I can recommend this one without any hesitation at all!

The last couple Harry Potter films disappointed me in a myriad of ways. My disappointment didn't cause me to hate them, but I did feel let down and I have to admit that I found Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince pretty forgettable. But, being a Potter fan, I still found myself rushing out to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I today. And to my great relief and happiness, I loved it - really loved it! Yeah!

The chase of the Seven Potters by the Death Eaters and the trip to the Ministry of Magic are tense and exciting, the endless camping trip is just as effective at portraying the helplessness and frustration the characters are experiencing as it was in the book and the scene that gives us Hermione reading Beedle the Bard's "Tale of the Three Brothers" is riveting and wonderfully creative - much, much better than I would have thought it could be. We finally get to meet Bill (and Fleur's briefly-glimpsed wedding dress is gorgeous!) and the whipped cream on top of all this goodness is that the film is much more humorous than I expected. While not everything is included, of course, I didn't come out of this film grumbling things along the lines of "How could they leave out _____?" or "Why did they add ________when it wasn't even in the danged book?" - both comments I have been known to make after viewing some of the other films. Instead, I left the theater feeling like I'd seen a relatively faithful rendering of the "real" story. And there were even one or two things that I thought the film did better than the book, most notably the interruption of Harry & Ginny's kiss. The not-in-the-book added scene of Harry and Hermione dancing was both amusing and incredibly poignant - a true highlight of the film for me.

For some reason, the enjoyment this film gave me seemed to lift some sort of weight off me - which seems a very odd thing to say, I know. I think it returned a good deal of the joy I found in the earlier films - when seeing the characters and the places come to life on the screen was so magical. (That first glimpse of Hogwarts!) In a way, I feel like I'm back *in* - that I'm once again immersed in the film version of the story in a way that more closely echoes the effect the books had on me. While the films, IMHO, can never hope to match the books, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Part I, let me feel the magic again. For that I thank everyone involved with it.

I thought the acting by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson was better than it's been in any of the Potter films - they really seem to have come into their own here. Helena Bonham Carter was freakishly perfect as usual, Jason Isaacs very good and Rhys Ifans as Xenophilius Lovegood a welcome newcomer. The film sounds good - the score is a mood-setting addition to the film (especially effective, I thought, were the screeching radio sounds during many of the camping scenes) - and it looks even better. The shots of the English countryside are beautiful but often seem almost overwhelmingly empty and lonely - perfect for the story.

When it was announced that Deathly Hallows would be split into two films, I was glad because I hoped that by doing so the filmmakers would be able to do justice to the complexities of Rowling's plot. And now, having seen Part I, I feel that they've succeeded in doing just that. After this, I can look forward to the last film, not with dread, but with pleasure. And I am incredibly thrilled to be able to say that.

Very highly recommended!



Some info and cautions on the products:

PLEASE NOTE: Because there are reports of various versions of the DVD available from different sellers, I strongly suggest buyers check the packaging carefully to ensure the version they are considering contains everything they're looking for.

I purchased the 3-Disc Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack offered here on Amazon. The DVD included in this pack contains ONLY the film - no extras at all. This means that, in this pack, NONE of the extras are watchable without a Blu-ray player. For Blu-ray owners, however, the other two discs in this 3-pack contain the following extras:

Additional Scenes
- The Burrow's Shed: Ron Discusses Radios with Mr. Weasley
- The Dursley House: Harry and Aunt Petunia As They Leave House
- The Dursley House: Harry and Dudley Shake Hands
- The Granger House: Death Eaters Search Deserted Home
- Ministry of Magic Lifts: Harry Tells Arthur He's Being Tracked
- Tent: Trio Discusses Destroying The Locket
- Rabbit Chase in the Forest
- Montage: Ron and Hermione Skimming Stones

Other Extras:

- Exclusive Sneak Peek of an opening scene from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2
- Maximum Movie Mode: Jason Isaacs (Lucius Malfoy) and other members of the cast and crew take viewers on an interactive journey through Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1. Plus, revisit important moments from the previous films to prepare for the final battle that takes place in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2.
- Dan, Rupert and Emma's Running Competition - While filming the escape scene from the Snatchers in Swinley Forest, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson engage in a little competition of their own. With commentary by director David Yates.
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1: Behind the Soundtrack
- The Seven Harrys - See how Daniel Radcliffe recreated the personalities of the different characters that transform into Harrys during the escape from Privet Drive.
- On the Green with Rupert, Tom, Oliver and James - Accompany Rupert Grint, Tom Felton (Draco Malfoy), Oliver Phelps (George Weasley) and James Phelps (Fred Weasley) for a round of golf and get a glimpse into their 10-year friendship that developed while making the Harry Potter films.
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Promotional Trailer - Join Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and other cast members from the Harry Potter films on their first visit to the Grand Opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Florida. (I was fortunate enough to visit the Wizarding World recently and enjoyed it immensely. Those responsible for its creation have done a terrific job in creating an atmosphere true to the books and films. I particularly enjoyed the many small and delightful details they took care to include. Harry's youngest fans, though, may be disappointed that the rides are geared to older fans

9.7" Touchpad 16GB WiFi 1.2GHz

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

229 of 294 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well why not?, August 21, 2011

By 

Johnny - See all my reviews

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This review is from: 9.7" Touchpad 16GB WiFi 1.2GHz

UPDATE 08/22/2011 4:29 P.M. PST. : -From onSale's Facebook-

"Thank you for calling to inquire about the status of your HP Touchpad order. When the price decrease was announced this weekend, our websites, and the websites of all major retailers, were overwhelmed with customers placing orders for the HP Touchpad. We are now in the process of sorting thru the orders and confirming which ones we can fulfill. Rest assured that we are filling valid orders on a first-come, first-served basis as long as we have inventory. At this time, we do not know if there will be sufficient inventory to fulfill your order. We hope to be able to get back to you on the status of your order in the next 24 hours if not sooner. If you would like to cancel your order, please do so.

Thank you for your understanding and your patience as we deal with this unprecedented event.

- OnSale"

If they limited everyone's order to 1 I'm sure they'd be able to get more through.

$100 can get you little in terms of electronics. The screen itself on this device is an estimated about $90. Even if you don't want it. 1) Sell it. 2) Easy present right here. 3) Take it apart and try to use the hardware. 1.2 ghz duo core processor, 9.7 inch screen, 1 gb ram, 16 gb sd memory, wall charger, usb cable, wi-fi chip, camera, microphone, buttons, and more.

Want to keep it? Well............

Watch TV on it
Watch videos
Go on the internet
Listen to music
Use it as a monitor
Use it to check the weather
Use it as a clock
Use it as a surveillance camera monitor
Use it as a tv
Use it as calendar
Use it as a schedule keeper
Use it as a note keeper
Use it as an alarm
Use it as a radio
Use it as a coaster
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Use it as a food tray
Use it for no reason
Use it when it's dark out
Use it with a fork out
Use it as a GPS
Use it as a private jet
Use it to watch porn
Use it in your dorm
Use it like it's cool
Use it like a fool
Use it like it's hot
Use it like it's not
Well why not?

What Matters Most - Barbra Streisand Sings The Lyrics of Alan And Marilyn Bergman (Deluxe Edition) (2 CDs)

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Editorial Reviews

The incomparable Barbra Streisand"s long-cherished desire to release an album of music with lyrics exclusively written by her collaborators and friends, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, is achieved on What Matters Most- Barbra Streisand Sings the Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman.

The new album, which Streisand personally produced, is comprised of ten Bergman songs which Streisand has never previously recorded. Included in the set are the Academy Award winning songs "The Windmill of your Mind" (from the 1968 film The Thomas Crown Affair); "So Many Stars" (originally a hit song for Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66); "Nice 'n' Easy" (popularized by Frank Sinatra); and "That Face" (first recorded by Fred Astaire) . The CD is packaged in a jewel box with a 24-page color booklet.

Reflecting on her long-held desire to devote an entire album to the amazingly varied and consistently inspired music of the Bergmans, Streisand noted, "Alan and Marilyn Bergman have a remarkable gift for expressing affairs of the heart."
The affection and respect between lyricists and artist is quite wonderful. "When we write a song, we hear Barbra," said lyricists Alan and Marilyn Bergman. "She makes the connection from the heart to the mind, and it emerges through her voice."
Deluxe edition includes a second CD featuring ten previously released performances of Barbra singing the lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman including "The Way We Were", "You Don't Bring Me Flowers", "Papa Can You Hear Me?" and "Pieces of Dreams".

Kindle 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi

Kindle 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers

Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers

New, Lower Price When you buy Kindle 3G with Special Offers, you are getting the same bestselling Kindle 3G for $50 less—only $139. Special offers and sponsored screensavers display on the Kindle screensaver and on the bottom of the home screen—they don't interrupt reading. Special Offers You'll receive special offers directly on your Kindle. Examples of past special offers include: $10 for $20 Amazon.com Gift Card Save up to $500 off Amazon's already low prices on select HDTVs $1 for a Kindle book, choose from thousands of books Spend $10 on Kindle books and get a free $10 Amazon.com Gift Card Sponsored Screensavers Our goal is to display sponsored screensavers that you want to see. That's why we've created a free Kindle app (available now) and website (coming soon) called Amazon AdMash. Anyone who's interested can download AdMash and help pick future screensavers. Two prospective screensavers show up side-by-side, and you pick the one you find most attractive. The ones preferred most by customers qualify to become sponsored screensavers. You can also set your personal Kindle Screensaver Preferences to give us hints on the style and types of sponsored screensavers you'd like to see on your Kindle. For example, you can indicate that you'd like to see more or fewer screensavers that include elements such as landscapes and scenery, architecture, travel images, photography, and illustrations. Together, AdMash voting and Kindle Screensaver Preferences help us select the most attractive and engaging sponsored screensavers to display on your Kindle.

Go Diego Go: Safari Rescue

Go Diego Go Safari Rescue

All the African animals have been mixed up. The zebras have no stripes. The giraffes have short necks. And the elephants have even been turned into rocks. It's all up to Diego to undo the mean Magician's work and make sure everything returns back to normal.

Go, Diego, Go! In Go, Diego, Go!: Safari Rescue, help Diego, Alicia, Baby Jaguar, Juma and Erin the Elephant use the Magic Drum to undo the mischief. Use the stylus to tap out an enchanted drum beat or move obstacles out of Diego's way, or use the microphone to call the animals or provide hot air for the balloon. With the authentic character voices from the original hit TV show, the action is always fun and friendly. Key Game Features: Fix the animals that the mean Magician has mixed up Take pictures on your safari with Click the Camera Power the hot air balloon by blowing into the microphone Help Diego move down the path by dragging obstacles out of the way using the stylus Features authentic character voices from the TV show

Product Description

Giraffes with short necks? Zebras with no stripes? Tiny hippos? A mean Magician mixed up all the African animals and turned the elephants into rocks too! Help Diego, Alicia, Baby Jaguar, Juma and Erin the Elephant undo the Magician's mischief with the Magic Drum

BlackBerry Storm 9530 Unlocked GSM + CDMA Cell Phone with 3.15 MP Camera (Black)- FACTORY-REFURBISHED

BlackBerry Storm 9530 Unlocked GSM + CDMA Cell Phone with 3.15 MP Camera (Black)- FACTORY-REFURBISHED


BlackBerry Storm 9530 Unlocked First BlackBerry touchscreen phone packed with messaging, document editing, and multimedia features; international GSM Access V Cast, Music and Video services via fast EV-DO data network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; use phone as a modem for your laptop 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth stereo music; MicroSD expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging Designed to satisfy the needs of both consumers and business customers, the BlackBerry Storm smartphone offers a revolutionary touchscreen that dramatically enhances the touch interface and enables easy and precise typing. The world's first clickable touchscreen responds much like a physical keyboard and also supports single-touch, multi-touch and gestures for intuitive and efficient application navigation. If You unlock the GSM part of this phone , then, Whether traveling to Europe or Asia, the Storm provides globetrotters the freedom of reliable global connectivity with Verizon Wireless's reliable, high-speed 3G CDMA network here in the United States and compatibility with GSM networks . It's compatible with the V Cast Music and V CAST Music with Rhapsody services, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon Wireless's fast EV-DO data network. You'll also benefit from the phone's A-GPS receiver, which enables you to access Verizon Wireless's VZ Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder, Bluetooth connectivity for hands free devices and stereo music streaming, 1 GB internal memory, MicroSD memory expansion to 16 GB, support for up to 10 personal and corporate email accounts, access to popular instant messaging services, and up to 6 hours of talk time

Crows Zero (2009)

Crows Zero II (2009) 27 x 40 Movie Poster - Japanese Style B 




Based on the Manga/Japanese comic book called "Crows" that runs monthly in a magazine, Takashi Miike (Audition) has scored a major box-office hit with "CROWS:Zero". Keep in mind, that this film is NOT one of his usual controversial, disturbing works but more of his commercial films. Miike has often been dubbed as one of the best directors alive (by Tarantino for one) and watching this film, one wouldn't be hard-pressed to see why. Miike mixes edgy comedic touches, pretty boys in fights and that manga-inspired atmosphere--all the more transforming high school life to seem like feudal warfare. The film is an energetic, rousing crowd-pleaser that seals the deal and has been hailed as one of the best manga adaptations to hit the screen.

Suzuran High school has a reputation as being the most notoriously chaotic, brutal schools in the nation. The students spend little or no time at all trying to get an education and spends most of their time organizing their gangs and fighting for supremacy as to who would rule the school--currently, a student named Tamao Serizawa (Yamada Takayuki) is the closest to achieving that goal, being called "Hyaku Jyu Oh" or "King of the hundred Beasts". Now, a transfer named Genji Takaya (Shun Oguri), the son of a yakuza lord has his eyes set on becoming the ruler of Suzuran to gain fame and his father`s respect. He befriends a bumbling yakuza henchman, Takajiri Ken (Yabe Kyosuke, Dead or Alive) and begins his journey in assembling a gang--using his fists to prove himself (to Izaki and Chute), and helping Maki (leader of a 2nd year gang) to meet chicks. The final showdown is about to begin...

Takashi Miike's direction is full of forward momentum, that it never lets up on its wicked energy to immerse the viewer. The film is highly entertaining and while its main premise is very simple, Miike manages to pull out major depth in his expression of just how the power structures of the gangs work which is basically analogous to feudal warfare, that includes sought after alliances--in this regard friendships are tested, where masculinity and fighting ability are the two factors that a young man can prove one's worth. Miike is a master of visuals and movement, and this film is just so full of eye-catching, awesome style. The film is at times full of outrageousness and black comedy, but he manages to let his characters grow on the audience by inserting some needed emotions in some of the film's sequences.

The characters are quite interesting and the director even gives them somewhat of a mythic personality and machismo. Maki is a dim-witted gang leader (no doubt due to the beatings he suffered) whom Genji manages to befriend by setting him up on a date. He sweats and reaches an orgasm when he sees a chick so he could never hook up. Izaki is the calculating and brutal leader (played by Takaoka Sousoke) who Genji impresses with his sheer guts and fighting spirit. Serizawa and Genji feel like they are two sides of the same coin. They have formed allegiances to become the "top dog". The script by Fudo Shugo also introduces a mythic legend about a school kid so tough that he doesn't need alliances; called the "Rinda-Man", who is said to be on another level to brutality.

Aside from the film's characterization, much of the film's main strength would have to come from the hyper-kinetic fight sequences. Keep in mind that this is Takashi Miike and no way would he shoot a super-choreographed fight. Ok, the fights may look very much "manga-inspired" and has somewhat of that anime feel--with the sounds and impact of the blows almost comic bookish. However, the action gets more brutal and bloody, and does have a touch of realism the longer we go into the film. The fights are nicely shot, with cool macho posturing and fun butt-kicking attitude in the sequences. The film did manage to keep its direction tight and solid to keep me intrigued as to who would win in the end.

The film is fun to watch and has the character skids from the comic book surface in the second half. Granted the story isn't really all that complex, it is quite very typical of other manga books in store shelves and isn't going to win any awards. The screenplay does seem to draw influences from other manga adaptations about gang wars from "Be-Bop High School", Sakigake! Otokujuku and even Walter Hill's "Streets of Fire". Genji's love interest, Ruka Aizawa is also underdeveloped and her character seems like only a device for breath-taking beauty Meisa Kuroki to show her talent as a J-pop star. The punk rock band, GINJIROU also provides some "punk rock" entertainment that complements Kuroki's hip-hop R/B performances. There is also your typical brotherly man-love between Ken and Genji that offers up a subplot with the Yakuza. It may be cliché for films of this kind but it does succeed in displaying its emotions.

Takashi Miike's "CROWS ZERO" is a film with a plot that offers little surprises but what made this film special is its strong energy in its momentum and over-the-top entertainment value. The film's characters are quite cartoonish, but they do have a tone of seriousness about them that provides balance. These pretty boys pretty much beat each other to a pulp, but it is not to the extent of brutality that is disturbing. There are no teachers in this film and the cops barely made an appearance--this is NOT a film to be taken seriously and if you do, it would be your fault. Miike's direction and visual manipulations are slick, cool, and full of outrageous style--it almost resembles a comic book video. This is Miike on his mainstream mode but he doesn't forget to pitch in some cultural prestige which makes it special. The film is reason enough for Western fans of the Japanese medium (anime, manga, bishonen heroes, video games) to rejoice and I am pretty sure fans of the comic won't have reason to complain either. For its male target audience, it is sure to be a hit! Rinda-Man is COOL!!