Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
***RATING
The troubles with Harry gain speed in David Yates’ nicely crafted addition to J.K. Rowling’s franchise (adapted by Michael Goldenberg). And the fifth installment in the saga of the enduring wiz kid is hardly short on loss. Death sniffs, snaps, hungers around Harry and his allies even as the Minister of Magic confounds matters by hounding Harry and denying the return of Voldemort. But return the dark lord has, and this saga is grimmer for it. Even the comic relief — Imelda Staunton as Hogwarts’ new Defense Against Dark Arts teacher, Dolores Umbridge — has an edge to it. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint star. But they are merely the tip of the magical wand. PG-13; 2 hours, 15 minutes.
The Bourne Ultimatum
***
Jason Bourne is the new James Bond because of a pervasive, convincing gloom surrounding the CIA rogue’s feats, and the reasons his grim exertions are necessary. Bourne (Matt Damon) fights the excesses of his own nation rather than the transgressions of others. Make no mistake about who director Paul Greengrass is critiquing. In a New York City torture lab long before 9/11, a young Bourne was waterboarded, browbeaten and generally corrupted by American superiors. Throughout “Ultimatum,” Greengrass’ question is pointed: Is there any real truth or triumph to be gained from methods relying on abuse and lawlessness? Bourne is haunted, and through his eyes the world — even the glorious European capitals where Bourne chases always lead — will look like a mean, dangerous place until he breaks through to some answers. PG-13; 1 hour, 42 minutes.
Interview
***
The Washington correspondent for a newsweekly is assigned to interview a celebrity sex icon, to his disgust and eventually to hers. Pierre (Steve Buscemi) claims he has never seen a performance by Katya (Sienna Miller) and has done so little homework he hardly knows anything about her, except that he loathes the very idea of such a woman. Katya has processed so many interviews that she’s sick of them and is not so much surprised that Pierre knows nothing about her as astonished he has the nerve to try to fake the interview. Not rated; 1 hour, 26 minutes.
Lisa Kennedy
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