Scene stealers

As much as I was impressed by how Snape brought justice to his role in the last installation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — reversing our once biased distaste into one of easy understanding and compassion — it was more the lesser characters’ reinvention in real life that made me sit up and take notice. Ten years of filming seven installations will amount to a very visible change, especially with the cast. Emma Watson, once everything was a wrap, chopped off all her locks to sport a truly hip cropped do. For the premiere of the Deathly Hallows Part 2, she went all sleek and sultry with aerodynamic polished hair and a bold black and gold swipe on the eyes. Very sophisticated and grown-up. Transformed would be a more appropriate term — too bad I cant say much for the rest of the actors. But among all, I have to say that the award for best in reinvention will have to go to the actor Matthew Lewis who played Neville Longbottom. Although from the get-go he was already adorable, all but that open-mouthed naivety eventually had to melt off into this dapper young man who’s even hotter than Harry and Ron combined.

Sleek and sophisticated: As if to formally end ties with the formerly frizzy-haired Hermione, Emma Watson rocks a polished Twiggy-esque ‘do.

Lesser characters or second mains, I’m more interested in them because sometimes the heroes can be quite annoying with their too-good-to-be-true blockbusterness. I’m definitely more Hans Solo than Luke Skywalker. Right now, the most famous second main would have to be Catherine Windsor’s younger sis, Pippa Middleton. She in that Sarah Burton dress has spawned websites, forums and Facebook pages. Speaking of younger sisters, the lesser-known Olsen is also getting attention. Elizabeth Olsen was the breakout star in two indie films in Sundance early this year and was also at the international film festival Cannes looking surprisingly healthy (in contrast to the twins’ emaciated frames).

And if that’s not enough second fiddling, take the bridesmaid that got everyones attention — considering the bride was Kate Moss. 13-year-old Charlotte Moss, Kate’s half sister stood out from the other 14 bridesmaids and I seriously think she’s stunning! She’s even got that signature unfocused eye thing going on. Maybe its time for the style crown to be passed on. At least the jewels still remain within the family.

The Other Olsen Girl: No longer just half-a-name in the Olsen twins’ label Elizabeth and James, Elizabeth is making a name for herself.

Even the most recent movie I’ve seen, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank in the roster of Cinemalaya films, had a memorable extra: That director in the coffee shop who came from Venice totally owned that scene. Totally. See, I’m even turning surfer.

I might still be having an ABSST(Ang Babae sa Septic Tank) hangover because the latter movie’s plot sort of revolves around these two kids wanting to make a film that will be recognized in Cannes or even the Oscars! Again, random, but I think that’s my subconsciousness saying that you guys should go and watch it. Witty and hilarious at the same time, Marlon Rivera’s directorial debut has jolted me out of my mainstream movie brain dead stupor. I don’t review films, so I’m just going to stop there as I might just do Marlon’s movie a grave injustice. But yes, please do, as Cinemalaya ends tomorrow.

From Zero to Hero: Matthew Lewis’ sudden hotness has taken Potter fans and moviegoers by surprise.

Actually, in the end, second mains have their allure because like Prince Harry, they’re part of the big picture, but not exactly fused to the front, so they’re able to do everything else with lesser public scutiny. In other words, a little bit like the rest of us. A bit part-normal and a bit part-wanting to be recognized.

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Daily thoughts at stylesamurai.blogspot.com.