Rethink.

The latest film in the series following a bespectacled – and now angst-ridden – teenager, “ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ” is good. I desperately want to write amazing, awesome and stupendous, but the David Yates-directed film does not quite measure up to those descriptors. And it does not top “Prisoner of Azkaban” or “Order of the Phoenix.” But this review is not all doom and gloom. “Half-Blood Prince” has many redeeming qualities . I saw the movie twice at sold out shows because I enjoyed it so much. First among the redeeming qualities are the special effects , which are breathtaking from the opening to final scene. The Death Eaters are brilliantly portrayed as menacing, black clouds of smoke traveling to their next victim. The Pensieve seamlessly and exquisitely transports Harry and Hogwarts head Dumbledore to memories from long ago. Quidditch returns for some good fun. And the exterior shots of Hogwarts befuddle me because they are so enchanting. Probably the best qualit...

Last night, Jessica Biel , pictured, hosted the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Achievement Awards in Beverly Hills. Set was nice. Congrats to all those honored last night. Other notes: Tomorrow we find out the three finalists for mtvU 's Oscar® Correspondent Contest , and consequently voting opens for them. So far, this is what I know: Don't look for Nick Maslow , but look for one of my favs Megan Telles . (Can't tell you how I know...) Here's hoping good news was given to David Distenfeld , but he removed his entry video from YouTube so I'm not thinking that's a good sign... Good luck to my other top five picks, Justin Shackil and Dylan Steinberg . Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson performed on the Grammys this evening. She brought down the house! You could see the emotion on her face. The Orange British Academy Film Awards took place tonight at the Royal Opera House in London. Award winners included " Slumd...

Post Details: • New “Harry Potter” trailer debuts • Excitement ensues Today, I digress… Last night the official trailer was posted for “ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ” on AOL. The sixth movie will open in American theaters in 114 days – on Nov. 21, 2008. (Click on photo to left to enlarge.) I was very excited to watch the trailer – to say the least. Reading the book can be compared to riding an emotional roller coaster . I was a wreck upon completing the book – after experiencing many debilitating moments. (But no spoilers here…) The trailer was darker and more nerve-wracking than earlier trailers in the series. While less than 90 seconds, the preview provided fans with sneak peeks at young Tom Riddle, among other characters, and Professor Dumbledore’s adventure inside the bewitched cave. All and all, it’s going to be tough to stave off my excitement until November, but since reading the final book in the series, “Deathly Hallows,” last summer, there’s always something to lo...