Harry's got a beard and Hermoine's got boobs: A "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" movie review

This movie was a pleasure to see in theatres and audiences agreed. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" broke records making $44 million in its debut yesterday.

New director David Yates takes this story darker than the movie series' past three directors and utilizes various close up shots and sudden sound affects that make this film feel more like a fun Halloween movie than a children's film. In fact, the audience I sat with on opening day yesterday were mostly 20-somethings (which made me feel better). I saw only a couple children under the age of 10.

This movie deserves its PG-13 rating and makes Chris Columbus' first two movies look like episodes of "Full House." No heartwarming hugs in this movie -- just Harry's first kiss, which was surprising long and one he describes as "wet."

Like fine wine, Harry Potter movies get better as the actors age. Daniel Radcliffe takes his character, Harry Potter, to very dark, challenging places and convincingly turns Potter into the social outcast that he's supposed to be. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who play Harry Potter's best friends, (Hermoine Granger and Ronald Weasley, repectively) won't be up for any Oscars, but they too showed maturity in their characters.

Class is over. These characters are all business -- quite literally. Contrary to this series' past films, the characters are often out of the classroom and in street clothes as Yates moves this plot's various storylines quickly over just 2 hours and 18 minutes.

New characters shine in this movie. Evanna Lynch plays an odd, loveable Luna Lovegood, and Imelda Staunton creates a villain in Delores Umbridge nearly equal to the series' primary antagonist, Lord Voldemort (aka He Who Must Not Be Named aka Tom Riddle aka T.Riddy).

The fight scenes are epic and the movie does exactly what it's supposed to do: makes you want to be be wizard or witch. This is one fun ride that leaves you craving for the next installment. Go see this movie.

It's hotter than Satan today. I can't remember the last time I used air conditioning on my way driving in to work.

focuspoint show tonight, everyone. We're playing with a couple other cool bands, and, hello, Nectar has outdoor seating. What more can you ask for on a hot Tuesday night? I'm publicly peer pressuring Jeanna to blog about the show for Metroblogging Seattle.

Hmm. Paolo is not too happy with W. right now.

Last week, of course, he "commuted" Scooter Libby's 30-month sentence (so Libby doesn't have to serve jail time, just pay the $250,000 fines, which the GOP is conveniently covering). I could at least handle that.

I mean, why not grant a man's Independence for Independence Day, right? Tis the season. Or, as the P-I puts it, "Why not give a hand to someone who is helping cover up the political motivations behind leaking the name of a CIA agent whose husband happened to be an outspoken critic of the campaign to wage a war on Iraq?" And W. is so appreciative he said last week that a full-on pardon isn't out of the question. Someone's feeling the love.

But today, the AP reports that W. has invoked executive privilege to deny requests by Congress for testimony from two former aides about the firings of federal prosecutors. I thought those U.S. attorney firings alone smelled fishy, but combined with several investigations into use of executive powers (Read: wiretapping), the White House reeks like the Port of Tacoma.

Back in the day. Nonna holding Jimmy and I front and center. Jimmy's sisters Mariangela (left) and Antonella (right).

Senior portrait.

Playing guitar.

Me at one of Jimmy's memorials.