Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ****

I'll admit that I'm a huge fanatic of the books, but some of the Harry Potter films have left something to be desired. I suppose the first two films were enjoyable for me because I had read the books and it was an immersion back into a world you had left behind. It wasn't until the third film that I was actually able to appreciate the films as separate entities from the books with a new view into the Potter world. This fourth film manages to stand on it's own, but seems more like a summer action movie than a film based on a Harry Potter book. To start with, the source material for the fourth film is massive and it's almost all integral to the plot (unlike the fifth book where Harry just whines continuously). As if that wasn't enough of an obstacle, this film goes much darker and much deeper into the magical underbelly, while exploring the innocence of young love and puberty at the same time. So it's almost impossible to imagine doing this film without skimping over some things or cutting others out, but I think it was a little too much too quickly.

Most of the awkward puberty and love bits get chucked out of this film in favor of big special effects shots, which - I must say - were incredible. The Quidditch World Cup stadium alone blew Lucas' re-invisioned Star Wars films to, well, a galaxy far far away. The visuals in this film were spectacular. When Harry was fighting the dragon I really thought he was going to bite it, which I don't ever recall thinking when I read it. Also, the Death Eaters and He Who Must Not Be Named were much scarier than I had ever imagined them to be. That being said, I think some of the relationship bits that will be important in the next films between Harry, Hermione and Ron get left out. Besides the Harry, Ron, Hermione "trinity" being important for the next films, it really gives the soul to the Harry Potter films and books.

Daniel Radcliffe gets better every movie and Rupert Grint is his usual lovable goof. But as far as star power is concerned, it's pretty apparent that Emma Watson far outshines her male co-stars and has a much greater depth to her character than Grint or Radcliff have yet to achieve. I hated that Watson seemed to get the love story angle between her character and Ron, while Grint didn't seem to let that come across at all. Leaving the all too familiar romantic comedy problem, when one character seems much more sympathetic and likeable and no one wants them to get together with the boor that's ignoring them anyway. The new characters in this film are all interesting enough, but the reptilian Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort and the return of Moaning Myrtle (Shirley Henderson)stand out in the crowded field of supporting actors. All in all, it's not the best Potter film yet, I think that honor remains with the Cuarón helmed third film, but it's the most action-packed, visually stunning Potter film yet. I wouldn't recommend it for kids under 8 and if you haven't read the books yet you may miss out on quite a few things that they don't take time to explain. And if you haven't read the books yet, what are you waiting for anyway?

Proof ****1/2

Gwyneth Paltrow manages to deliver a totally fleshed out character worthy of an Oscar in this witty drama based on the Pulitzer prize-winning play. The sibling rivalry between Paltrow and Hope Davis is fully realized and incredibly realistic. The great thing about this film is that it manages to find the humor in the dramatic moments and never sinks into a schmaltzy drama or love story, without playing for laughs. Jake Gyllenhaal and Anthony Hopkins in supporting roles, manage to anchor the film in reality without overshadowing the main character or detracting from the heart of the film, which is more of an internal struggle with Paltrow's character coming to terms with her fears, her genius, and her trust issues.

I absolutely love that they did a movie set in Chicago that they *gasp* actually shot in Chicago! Go figure! Also, it was pointed out to me that they actually took the time to show the actual way to get somewhere when the characters are going somewhere instead of say, When Harry Met Sally when they are traveling in the opposite direction while supposedly leaving Chicago for New York. A little attention to the details, got to love it. That being said, it surprised me greatly that the sound mixing in the beginning of the movie was so abominable. The entire first 2 or 3 scenes the sound of the rain and the characters voices kept switching levels and it was terribly distracting. At first I thought it must have been the theatre I was seeing it in, but as it magically fixed itself without the help of anyone at the theatre I realized it must have been the film itself. For a film that gets everything else so right I don't understand why they'd leave such a glaring mistake.

The ending of the film also leaves something to be desired. Although I must admit I never finished reading the play and don't know how it ended, I just found it very anti-climatic without any sense of closure. In the genre of tortured slightly crazy mathematical genius movies, this blows a Beautiful Mind out of the water. Which makes me very sad that so few people seem to be watching this movie, I think it's already out of theatres. With this release being one of the last of the Weinstein brothers productions under the Miramax banner, I would fully expect to see this released on DVD before the Oscars and a huge marketing push. So don't count it out, put it on your must see DVD list - it delivers.

Jarhead ****

Jarhead is sort of like a total immersion into the life of a Marine. After watching the film I was left wondering what it was actually about...and strangely enough, I think that is the point of the film. It questions what it was all for through one marine's disillusioned journey. Jake Gyllenhaal gives another strong performance and I'd be surprised if his name isn't on the short list come Oscar time. There were also very strong performances from Oscar winner Jaime Foxx, and often overlooked but always inspired Peter Sarsgaard. If you're not much for lewd language or vulgarity, you probably won't appreciate this film - it is after all about men, about soldiers.

Having grown up in a military family on a variety of bases around the world (although never actually serving myself), I found the film to be very authentic. Saarsgard plays sort of the anti-hero, the man with the seedy past gone straight, while Gyllenhaal is more of the tortured youth who loses his innocence. This movie is full of waiting and waiting and waiting some more. This isn't your typical "war" movie with tons of action scenes. This is a film that examines the personal side of being a soldier, it examines the people who wear the uniform.

What I found most surprising about this film is the sardonic humor in it, it's really quite funny. From a shot of Gyllenhaal scrubbing the floors at boot camp and a voice over saying "I think I made a mistake," to him telling his drill sergeant he was there because he "got lost on the way to college," it's just a smartly written film--based on a great book. Few films actually manage to pull off the comedy and heavy dramatic moments without either becoming schmaltzy or not fully investing in it. Jarhead manages to pull off both as these soldiers are broken down by fear, waiting, betrayal and frustration. There are so many great scenes in this movie. Peter Sarsgaard delivers a very complex performance and hopefully his name will be mentioned up there with Gyllenhaal's come award time.

Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic ***

Be forewarned, this movie is not for those who are easily offended. For those of us who aren't, it's hysterical. No one is really safe from satire as Silverman makes fun of everything from ethnic to religious stereotypes. A lot of the moments in this stand-up routine elicit that sort of "I can't believe she really said that" shocked laughter, in much the same way Southpark: Bigger, Longer and Uncut did.

There are some slightly weird dream/music video sequences that generally don't fit, but I have a feeling they're in there for those who plan on smoking before-hand. The songs typically aren't as funny as the stand-up, except for maybe singing "you're all gonna die" to the old folks home and the encore. Silverman manages to make you laugh at some very unlikely material, like her grandmothers passing, a rape joke, 9/11 and the holocaust. I have a feeling that this movie might just grow on you the more you see it. I'd put it right up there with Margaret Cho's I'm the One that I want. Whereas, where Cho manages to meld her personal life into a hilarious routine, Silverman skirts the edges by remaining entrenched in stereotypes and "shock" humor.