The week in review

Sick most of the week. Went to King's Island on Saturday. Tons of fun. Felt better while we were there but have since gotten more sick. Coughing less, so that's a good thing. Also saw a few movies this week and finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Simpsons, the Movie
Basically a marginally more adult-oriented hour-and-a-half Simpsons episode. It was worth it, however, and I felt that it more than earned my movie dollar. **1/2

The Bourne Ultimatum
Good action, but suffers greatly in a few areas. One, shaky handcam. I don't know why directors like this technique, but it makes me want to hurl; I just keep thinking of that old bad batch of Levi's commercials--and I hated it then too. The second thing is, the film is thin on plot, as it overlaps with the second film. They tried making up for it with two extended chase scenes that take way too long, so long in fact they outlast the intensity built into the scenes, and you are left wondering when they will end. They could have combined Bourne Supremacy and this movie with little effort. **

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Without giving anything away, this final installment delivers in every way. We wrap up loose ends, so who all lives and dies, get a grand buildup to the exciting finale we have anticipated oh these many years. And it all pays off, bigtime. One of the most outstanding books I've ever read. This book has it all. I could hear a new Hans Zimmer track playing in the background during the most poignant scene of the book, when Harry has all the answers and knows what must be done and decides to face his destiny. It doesn't get any better than this book. ****