EL SEGUNDO HERALD August 06, 2009 Page 17 Penguin from page 8 Entertainment better already. Maybe Biden hammered ‘em down? And in the finale to this edition of PP, But I give the Prez credit for the fact that film have now grown up into teens and are wasn’t it nice to see the Prez grasping a when he screws up, he seems to grab the experiencing the ever-intensified joys and teachable moment and inviting Prof. Louis initiative and get out in front of his perceived angst of adolescent puppy love. Gates and Sgt. James Crowley to the White missteps. Heck, rather than be titled “Harry Potter and House to share a brewski and a couple shots of And I woulda said that about President the Half-Blood Prince” this easily could have Jagermeister, and address their little dust-up? Bush too, if he ever screwed up. Or if I been named “Harry Potter and the Hormonal Okay, maybe they passed on the Jager. was writing a political column at that time. Rage.” But diehard fans shouldn’t get their Quidditch brooms all in a knot thinking that director David Yates (who helmed “Harry Literacy from page 8 Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”) and screenwriter Steve Kloves (who penned all the girl’s lagging performance, Klein felt then a brief orientation and training program. of the Potter films save for that fifth work) all but ready to throw in the towel. “Back Individual volunteers also have to commit at have taken author J.K. Rowling’s novel and then, I wasn’t as educated about the learning least 2.5 hours of tutoring per week. Other turned it into teen tiger beat pulp or, worse process as I needed to be,” she said. “I just than free time and a good command of yet, something akin to”Twilight.” thought, ‘This is the way it is.’” English, volunteers should also feel “a sense And that’s because while romance is clearly Surrender, of course, was not Klein’s of compassion” as well as a willingness to in the air, something dark and sinister is still only option. After signing up as an SBLC deal “with the problems students may bring afoot in the halls and grounds of Hogwarts volunteer 12 years ago, she realized how a to them,“ said Klein. and elsewhere. Following Harry’s climatic teacher’s approach, as in Lang’s case, can “It takes a very patient kind of person,” to confrontation with Voldemort last time around, make all the difference. Now Klein wants work with those who have endured so many he shows up weary and a bit bloodied, while to find other volunteers who feel the same learning disappointments in their lives, she the Death Eaters are wreaking havoc out in way. The SBLC is looking to recruit more said. “The people here are so amazingly the real world, including making London’s instructors and she’s hoping to grow the giving.” Millennium Bridge akin to the famous Tacoma HARRY POTTER AND THE current staff of 100 by at least 50 percent. How many others, she wonders, have the Narrows Bridge on steroids. HALF-BLOOD PRINCE New instructors usually attend one of the ability to join the SBLC and offer a brand Evil poster boy Draco Malfoy is still up to SBLC’s monthly informational meetings and of education that soars “above and beyond?” no good, and Professor Dumbledore rehires A teenage wizard must contend with his former professor Horace Slughorn and then romantic longings and that of others while wants our title hero to do some undercover trying to find out what evil is afoot at his intel on him to find out what he remembers Police Reports from page 4 school in this sixth installment of the Harry (or not) about a certain troubled student Potter series. Drama/Adventure, PG. before he grew up into the despised lead Having survived a perilous encounter with villain. Throw in all of the “he likes her, a powerful and evil dark lord, teen wizard but she likes him” teen romantic angst, and One male adult was arrested at 1719 hours from Rosecrans Avenue and Village Drive for Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) returns to the stage would seem set for an uneven and from El Segundo Boulevard and Nash Street one outstanding LASD misdemeanor warrant. Hogwarts with headmaster Professor Dumb- even melodramatic outing (Disclaimer -- I for driving on a suspended license. One female adult was arrested at 2333 hours ledore (Michael Gambon), but not before a haven’t read the source novel or any of the Forgery report was taken at 2127 hours in at Hyperion and Vista Del Mar Boulevard side trip where the latter convinces former rest of the series). the 300 block of North Continental Boulevard. for driving under the influence of alcohol. professor Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent) Thankfully, all of those involved in front Suspect wrote fraudulent checks. SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 to return to the school. Dumbledore is con- of and behind the camera nicely balance the FRIDAY, JULY 31 One female adult was arrested at 0004 vinced Horace knows more than he’s letting seemingly disparate elements, resulting in a Three male adults were arrested at 0403 hours from Vista Del Mar and the Hyperion on about former student Tom Riddle’s (Hero good (but not brilliant) and fairly entertaining hours in the 600 block of West Acacia Av- for misdemeanor DUI with a BAC of .08% Fiennes-Tiffin & Frank Dillane) eventual offering that thankfully doesn’t just feel like enue for suspicion of burglary, suspicion of or above. transformation into Lord Voldemort, and filler as was the case -- at least for yours receiving stolen property and possession of One female adult was arrested at 0130 assigns Harry the task of learning that truth. truly -- with “Order of the Phoenix.” burglary tools. hours from Whiting Street and Binder Place With Death Eaters such as Bellatrix While some of the material has apparently One female adult was arrested at 0950 for misdemeanor DUI. Lestrange (Helena Bonham Carter) and been trimmed down (resulting in the unex- hours from the 300 block of Main Street for One female adult was arrested at 0102 Fenrir Greyback (Dave Legeno) attempting pected return to a PG rating after the last few burglary and credit card theft. hours from El Segundo Boulevard and Isis to fulfill Voldemort’s grand plan by wreak- have been PG-13, although this one easily Vandalism report was taken at 1022 hours Avenue for possession of a controlled sub- ing havoc on the outside world and trying to could and probably should have received the from the 300 block of E. Walnut Avenue. stance and being under the influence of a infiltrate Hogwarts, Harry knows he doesn’t same), the action scenes and moments of peril A marker was used to draw on his vehicle. controlled substance. have much time. And he’s clearly suspicious are decently handled. And yes, the various Found property report was taken at 1001 One female adult was arrested at 0107 of rival student Draco Malhov(Tom Felton) small details and supporting characters all hours from the 600 block of W. Acacia hours from El Segundo Boulevard and Isis whose mother and Lestrange have convinced make yet another return, although some of Avenue. Found was a Honda key possibly Avenue for possession of a controlled sub- Professor Severnus Snape (Alan Rickman) to both sets have lost some of their figurative related to an earlier arrest. stance and being under the influence of a pledge his undying protection over the teen. magic by now, due to overuse and repetition. Burglary report was taken at 1021 hours controlled substance. At the same time, and as other Hogwarts It’s the main cast, however, that really from the 600 block of Main Street. Taken One male adult was arrested at 0148 hours regulars such as Professor Minerva McG- makes the film work. By now, they’re all were books from a locked locker. from El Segundo Boulevard and Isis Avenue onagall (Maggie Smith) and groundskeeper obviously quite comfortable in their roles, Burglary (auto) report was taken at 1048 for possession of graffiti tools and possession Rubeus Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) go about and the likes of Michael Gambon and es- hours from the 1000 block of E. Pine Avenue. of less than one ounce of marijuana. their business, Harry must contend with his pecially Alan Rickman still delight in their Unknown suspect(s) gained access to the growing romantic feelings for Ginny (Bonnie parts, while Jim Broadbent is quite good as victim’s vehicle, unknown what was taken. Dead body report occurred at 1313 hours Wright), the sister of one of his best friends, the latest addition that’s a mixture of comedy One male adult was arrested at 1059 hours in the 700 block of Maryland Street. The Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint). He’s smitten with and pathos. from the 400 block of E. Walnut Avenue for deceased is a female adult. Lavender Brown (Jessie Cave), a development Although Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint obstructing a peace officer. Defrauding an innkeeper occurred on that doesn’t sit well with their third friend, and Emma Watson are starting to look a little Lost property report was taken at 1723 07/28/09 at 2200 hours in the 1400 block Hermione Granger (Emma Watson), who has old for their roles, they take them to enter- hours from the 300 block of Virginia Street. of East Imperial Avenue. Suspect stays at her sights set on Ron but must contend with taining new heights, what with those pesky A driver’s license was lost. the hotel for five days and leaves without fellow student Cormac McLaggen (Freddie teen hormones messing with their feelings, Petty theft report was taken at 2113 hours paying his bill. Stroma) having his on her. behavior and better judgment. It doesn’t in the 300 block of Maryland Street. Taken One male adult was arrested at 1820 hours As those romantic issues play out, Harry feel fake and overwrought as occurred in were CD’s, sports equipment, and a check. in the 600 block of West Palm Avenue for continues his undercover work for Dumb- “Twilight” and instead comes off as fairly suspicion of criminal threats, possession of ledore in trying to figure out what Horace, natural and thus - benefitting the overall film SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 less than an ounce of marijuana, and one the new Potions master, knows about Tom -- engaging for all viewers. One male adult was arrested at 0707 hours LASD misdemeanor warrant. Riddle and whether there’s any connection As usual, the production design is stel- from Grand Avenue and Sierra Street for One male adult was arrested at 2028 hours to the seemingly shady behavior that Draco lar and the special effects first-rate, while driving under the influence of a controlled from Main Street and Imperial Avenue for is displaying. composer Nicholas Hooper expands upon substance and one outstanding Inglewood misdemeanor DUI. Our take: 6 out of 10 John Williams’ signature chordal themes. PD misdemeanor warrant. Found property report was taken at 0030 Summer lovin’ had me a blast The entire endeavor might have cost a lot One male adult was arrested at 0707 hours hours in the 300 block of Standard Street. Summer lovin’ happened so fast of money (reportedly in the $250 million from Grand Avenue and Sierra Street for Found was a men’s black briefcase. I met a girl crazy for me range), but at least it shows up on the screen. possession of a controlled substance and Met a boy cute as can be While it’s a bit long (at 150+ minutes) possession of drug paraphernalia. Summer days driftin’ away, to uh-oh those and occasionally drags a bit here and there, Stolen license plate report was taken at summer nights the film should appease diehard fans while 0757 hours from the 700 block of W. Impe- The opening lyrics to a memorable ditty being accessible enough to entertain casual rial Avenue. The victim’s rear license plate from a more than 30-year-old movie musical viewers who aren’t completely versed in was taken. might seem like an odd way to begin a review all things HP. “Harry Potter and the Half One male adult was arrested at 2120 hours about the sixth installment of the venerable Blood Prince” more than adequately greases in the 300 block of Vista Del Mar Boulevard Harry Potter movie series. Yet, it’s quite ap- the stage for the upcoming two-part finale for plain drunk in public. propriate considering that the young kids we and thus rates as a 6 out of 10. Courtesy One male adult was arrested at 2325 hours were first introduced to in the original 2001 of Screenit.com •