I went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix last night at a sold-out, opening night screening. While this isn’t the best Potter film yet (that honor belongs to the fourth, The Goblet of Fire), the Order of the Phoenix will satisfy die-hard fans like me and entertain casual fans. Although the movie is very fast-paced, there are still two more movies left in the saga, and at times story lines feel incomplete.

New cast additions Imelda Staunton, Helena Bonham Carter, and Evanna Lynch turn in excellent performances as Dolores Umbridge, Bellatrix Lestrange, and Luna Lovegood, respectively. The three young leads have all matured into talented actors, though Emma Watson constantly looks and sounds breathless.

Rated PG-13, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix isn’t a kids movie, but an action-filled drama starring teenagers. SEE IT!

Everybody has one summer blockbuster they can not wait to see. For some, it is The Simpsons. For others, it is Pirates of the Caribbean. For me, there is only one must-SEE IT movie this summer: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. I just finished re-reading all the books in time for the July 21 release of the final book, and in the meantime I can’t wait to see the next movie. I am a total dweeb, and that’s ok.

This is the second trailer released by Warner Brothers. (For the first trailer, click here.) I continue to be amazed at how this franchise just continues to get better and better. The story is becoming more layered and the younger actors have become so skilled that they can go toe to toe against their Oscar-winning co-stars. Judging by both trailers, Order of the Phoenix looks like a suspense-filled movie that can stand on its own and entertain even non-Potter fans (such people exist?) who find themselves in the cinema. (How scary is that shot of Voldemort in a three-piece suit?)

And now, a casting question. The sixth Potter film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is in pre-production and there is one small but juicy role to be cast. Narcissa Malfoy, mother of Draco and wife of evil Lucius, makes her first appearance in a pivotal scene at the start of the story. Narcissa is described as having blonde hair, blue eyes, and “a look on her face as if there were something smelly under her nose.” She has a sixteen-year-old son, so she would be at least 36 years old. Like the rest of the cast, the actress that plays her must be British. Naomi Watts’ name has been bandied about (she grew up in the UK), but she looks a little young and is identified as Australian. So who should play icy Narcissa Malfoy?

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is rated PG-13 and opens on July 13. I can’t wait! (Official site)

It’s Tuesday, and you know what that means–new DVDs! Today is the DVD release date for one of my favorite movies of 2006, Stranger Than Fiction. In Stranger Than Fiction, Will Ferrell did something completely out of the ordinary for him–he played a normal, nondescript guy. Specifically, he portrayed Howard Crick, an analytical tax man who starts hearing a voice in his head. The voice is narrating Howard’s life, and it tells him his days are numbered.

Stranger Than Fiction is an ingenious, thought-provoking, original comedy. The strength of the film comes from Ferrell’s performance and Zach Helm’s script, which was nominated for a Writer’s Guild Award. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, and Queen Latifah round out the cast in an unusual combination that works. Put it on your Netflix queue immediately.

Also out this week are Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, Alexander - The Final Cut, and Don’t Look Back, a film of Bob Dylan’s 1965 tour of England. Check out DVD Talk for the full list.

If you’re looking for me on July 13, look no further than the largest auditorium at the Loews Kips Bay cinema, where I’ll happily be watching the newest installment of the Harry Potter movies.

There’s no suspense here–obviously I can’t wait to SEE IT. The Order of the Phoenix actually looks like it may be an improvement upon the book, which is saying alot. The kids have gotten better and better with each film. And the franchise continues to attract Britain’s top acting talent. This time around, Helena Bonham Carter and Imelda Staunton join the cast that already includes Alan Rickman, Emma Thompson, Gary Oldman, Maggie Smith, and Jason Isaacs. Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort was so evil, so scary, in the last ten minutes of the last installment that I can’t wait to see Voldemort with more screen time. But whatever, man, I’m just there for the Quidditch.

So now, without further ado, here is the teaser for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is not yet rated and opens July 13. (Official site)