Davison's Doodle

Deathly Hallows Part 1

I’ve seen all the movies and only read the first two books.  As I mentioned on my Facebook page I would imagine that the book is better than the film.  I liked the film and I’ve liked all the films.  They are well crafted and as the main three characters have grown up their performances have gotten better.  But, as I watched today I wondered if the film is really for kids.  I’m sure the book is deep into the dark arts, but some of the imagery in the film would frighten small children.  At one point in the film today, he who shall not be named, even shocks Drako who is now sitting at the table of death eaters.  Drako is not completely on board with He who shall not be named, yet.

There are other moments when I remembered the parents who brought young children to see the film “Twister”.  I wondered how they would deal with severe storms or high winds.  Now I wonder how they will deal with shadows, sounds, and dreams that the children may experience.  Harry, it seems to me, is a hero in search of an identity.  There were times when it seems that Harry is having the same searching experience that Kazantzakis portrayed Jesus having in his book and subsequent film, The Last Temptation of Christ.  Harry has this group around him, a core, that believe he is special and holds the key to defeating the Dark Lord, but they don’t know how or when that might happen.  Voldemort knows more about his relationship to Harry, but even the powerful Dark Lord does not know how to defeat (kill) Harry.

There is a wonderfully frightening animated story within this film that tells the tale of the Deathly Hallows which is a children’s story.  Its lesson(s) will drive the plot of this film and part 2.  It seems to me that “The Deathly Hallows” story is the core of the Harry Potter books and the films.  The character development, the depiction of another world, and all the magic is quality writing in a world of reality TV and laugh track sitcoms.  Thus far, friendship prevails against the Dark Arts and like all good stories some characters reappear briefly to be lost in the conflict between evil and good.  Hermione is more powerful that Harry right now.  She has the wisdom and power of Dumbledore as well as the humility.  You learn new information about Dumbledore in this film.

So, if you are a fan I suggest a matinee and the digital format if you can find it.  As I finish up this post I’m thinking that this film reminds me of The Outlaw Josey Wales.  Could Rowling be recreating the Western with brooms rather than horse, spells and wands for six shooters?

Krugman Reports But No One Believes

Paul Krugman writes for The New York Times.  I saw this reading a RSS News feeds that I review.  Maybe the media, mainstream and other, will begin to note what our elected leaders are doing most notably the Republican.

There Will Be Blood
Paul Krugman | Nov. 22, 2010 | The New York Times

How does this end? Mr. Obama is still talking about bipartisan outreach, and maybe if he caves in sufficiently he can avoid a federal shutdown this spring. But any respite would be only temporary; again, the G.O.P. is just not interested in helping a Democrat govern.

My sense is that most Americans still don’t understand this reality. They still imagine that when push comes to shove, our politicians will come together to do what’s necessary. But that was another country.