A wonderful beginning to the end, 'The Deathly Hallows- Part 1' is the most faithful adaptation yet of the Harry Potter saga

Three years ago, the literary world experienced the finale of J.K. Rowling's seven-part wizarding chronicle in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Even though we all know how the saga concludes, that won't make the end of the film series any less bittersweet. Watching Part 2 (out next July) will be like reliving the moment we turned the last page in the seventh book. Luckily, the ending has been prolonged to make the epic conclusion play out in all of it's glory, and will temporarily delay the inevitable 'good-bye'. These characters have become very close friends to us; and although it will be a tearful parting next summer, we can at least take solace in the fact that Harry and the gang are being given the proper farewell that they deserve.

The wizarding world is no longer the whimsical and enchanting place it was in the earlier installments. It is now under the darkest threat it has ever faced, and the dark wizard Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) is on the war path, and even Muggles are being caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Ron (Rupert Grint), and Hermione (Emma Watson) have decide not to return to Hogwarts and complete their seventh and final year. They are determined to pursue their own journey and find Voldemort's remaining horcruxes, pieces of his soul that he has placed in several items throughout the country. If they aren't found, he will remain immortal. More obstacles hinder their task as tensions within the trio fire up and followers of Voldemort continuously hunt them down. And they soon realize that they must also obtain three coveted items that are being sought out by Voldemort: the Deathly Hallows.

This series hasn't been just a blockbuster book/film event, it has been a generational one. We've watched these cherished characters grow up on page and on screen, and it was a privaledge for all fans. Upon seeing Harry leave 4 Privet Drive for the last time, I couldn't help but think about the first time I watched him emerge from the cupboard under the stairs, him being unaware of the epic showdown that lay before him. These actors have fully grown into their roles, and are on the verge of adulthood. They aren't the children that once entered the world of magic six films ago, but are now challenged with real world dangers.

The emotions expressed by the wizarding trio show how much they've been through, and how much they are going through. Radcliffe's acting has become more mature with each adventure. Where we once saw his wide-eyed wonder as a pre-teen, we now see experience, anguish, and acknowledgement of his destiny. Grint's character isn't just there for laughs anymore. This film involves him in some of the film's best scenes. Watson's Hermione has gone from being the bookworm student to the peacekeeper and mother-figure of the group. Watching her wipe her parents' memories of her before leaving them is near heartbreaking, and stands for all of the sacrifices our heroes are making to secure a future without evil.

Besides the three leads, the extensive British cast add many sparks to the film. Helena Bonham Carter is frightening to watch as the sadistic and delightfully mad witch, Bellatrix Lestrange. Imelda Staunton returns as the wretched Dolores Umbridge, one character that we all love to hate. Other standouts include Rhys Ifans as the odd Xenophilius Lovegood, Bill Nighy as the new Minister of Magic, and Brendan Gleeson returns as the snappish Mad-Eye Moody.

'The Deathly Hallows- Part 1' isn't just director David Yates's best job so far with the franchise, it's also the most faithful adaptation yet of the series. It's the first Harry Potter film to give the audience the full experience of seeing the book on screen. The beautiful cinematography by Eduardo Serra showcases the full landscapes that act as makeshift homes for the trio. The set design adds to the fish-out-of-water theme of the young wizards. Instead of striding across the grounds at Hogwarts school, they walk through a trailer park and pass by power plants in unfamiliar areas of the Muggle world. And there's a remarkable animated sequence detailing the story of the Deathly Hallows, directed by Ben Hibon. The cliffhanger prepares us for the epic battle of Hogwarts that is fast approaching, and will leave fans anxiously, and impatiently, awaiting these next eight months for the final installment. If Part 1 is the calm before the storm, then Part 2 will call out the thunder.

Final grade: A-

Opposites attract in Todd Phillips's new road comedy

After his breakout role in last year's The Hangover, Zach Galifianakis (and his beard) have been getting some major exposure. His talent has provided some of the biggest laughs in the comedy world for a little more than a year now. So it wasn't a surprise that Todd Phillips chose to work with Galifianakis before their Hangover sequel, due out May 2011. Phillips does what he does best, and blends elements of buddy comedies with some gross-out humor. And with the addition of Robert Downey Jr., this makes for a clash of two very different actors. The constant arguing between the two make Due Date worth the watch, but it's missing the over-the-top laughs and shocks that Phillips's other films have presented.

Peter (Robert Downey Jr.) is a career-driven man who is trying to get back to Los Angeles in time to see the birth of his first child. After meeting an aspiring actor, Ethan Tremblay (Zach Galifianakis), and having an unpleasant encounter with an air marshal, they both get kicked off the plane. Being without an ID or money, Peter doesn't have any other choice but to accept a ride from Ethan to get from Georgia to California. Little does he know, it won't be one straight trip to his destination. With a few unexpected pit stops on the way, this trip will be more than just a car ride.

The mismatched duo of Downey and Galifianakis is what carries the film. Peter's surliness and Ethan's idiocy is what makes these two fun to watch. You realize how different these opposing forces are on-screen. They are as disagreeable with one another as Tom and Jerry. Their witty bantering is what keeps their relationship alive. It's refreshing to see Robert Downey Jr. let loose and perform in this type of comedy; but Zach Galifianakis plays perilously close to the same character as he did in The Hangover. He has the beard, is unintelligent, gets on the other main character's nerves, and carries around a pug this time instead of a baby.

Many of Phillips's other characters got into awkward situations. Due Date is lacking that. In his previous projects, the characters got themselves into hijinks left and right, and they were outrageous. Peter and Ethan get into them just every so often, and it only causes a chuckle. With their star power, there was a lot more potential to make some serious trouble. Jamie Foxx has a supporting role as Peter's best friend, but isn't given much to do. In The Hangover, you can't forget Mike Tyson singing and air-drumming to Phil Collin's "In the Air Tonight," or Ken Jeong popping out of the trunk of a car with a crowbar. Watching Downey and Galifianakis conflict with each other is amusing at first, but their material runs out of gas after awhile.

Final grade: C+

The afterlife serves as new territory for Clint Eastwood

The subject of the afterlife isn't something a Clint Eastwood fan would think of him exploring in a film. A sensitive topic like that doesn't appear too often on his filmography. Let's not forget, this is the man who has played a gruff boxing trainer and a racist war veteran, and has directed grittier films such as Unforgiven and Letters From Iwo Jima. But Hereafter isn't all soft. It centers around three characters as they try to cope with death as it affects each of their lives under very different circumstances. Eastwood's latest work is a comforting, but powerful look at the questions we ask and the answers we seek concerning life after death.

George Lonnegan (Matt Damon) is a psychic living in San Francisco with his brother, Billy (Jay Mohr). Although George is trying to live a normal life and discontinue the use of his powers, Billy tries to persuade his brother to use his supernatural abilities to his full potential and make a profit from it. Meanwhile, Marie Lelay (Cecile de France) is a Parisian journalist who survives the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Thailand after nearly drowning. Although she returns to work soon afterwards, she begins to ponder upon the visions she had while unconscious; glimpses that might have been a window into the great beyond. In London, twin boys Marcus and Jason (Frankie and George McLaren) are trying to take care of their alcoholic mother so she won't lose them to social services. After Jason gets hit by a car and killed, Marcus gets sent to live with foster parents, all the while attempting to find ways to contact his deceased brother.

Following last year's Invictus, Damon and Eastwood pool their talents again, and prove a terrific moviemaking team, like DiCaprio and Scorcese. Damon gives a solemn performance as the reluctant psychic. Although his mystical powers are a gift, they are an obstacle for George. Besides the individuals that he helps with contacting their loved ones, he can't hold onto a real relationship. This is an anchor on George. The viewer sees the pain in Damon's eyes as this takes a hold on his life and quietly tortures him. But the true heartbreaking performance of the film is that of Frankie McLaren, who plays Marcus. After losing his brother to a tragic accident and his mother to rehab, Marcus must deal with his troubles alone. The maturity of his performance is reflected in his character. Since Eastwood uses a real set of twins, instead of having one actor play both twins, that makes the love and connection between the two look and feel more genuine.

Intertwining storylines is always a fascinating tool in film, and screenwriter Peter Morgan (The Queen and Frost/Nixon) assembles the story in a style similar to 2006's Babel. Three separate scenarios taking place in different parts of the world eventually meet in the end. In Babel, however, the links between the characters were built over time. In Hereafter, although the characters are connected in the end, it happens only in the last fifteen minutes, making it seem rushed.

Hereafter isn't Eastwood's best film, but it's not a bad one. It's a worthy effort for a supernatural drama. He kicks-off his story with a special-effects sequence of the tsunami, and it's shown in disturbingly realistic detail. The film doesn't answer many of the audience's questions about the afterlife, only with rather foggy visions; but that leaves the viewer to think about what they believe follows death. Despite its flaws, Eastwood has shown that he still has the ability to connect with his loyal followers.

Final grade: B+