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Post by TheLuckyOne on Jul 16, 2009 22:14:55 GMT -5
Have things gotten so dead around here that two days later, there's no thread about Harry Potter? I am halfway convinced that Lissa might actually be in a coma. C'mon, what'd everyone think?!
I'm going Kyle and just throwing out random thoughts. Brace yourselves, things might get uncapitalized.
-didn't dean used to be... uh, black? racism, or homage to mj?
-makes sense that they'd change things to give ginny a more prominent role. hard to be a credible love interest when all your scenes got cut from the previous movies. however, we never see her break up with whitedean, so i believe she is what the kids call a "hoochie." discuss!
-showdown btwn harry and snape = FAIL. booksnape = embittered, furious, tormented. filmsnape = "oh harry, you simply must try these scones, they're delicious!"
-snape: "oh, and for no reason you'll ever learn, i'm the half blood prince. whee!"
-california here we come, right back where we started from
-d
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Post by BlackCatWhiteCat on Jul 17, 2009 0:32:45 GMT -5
I watched the 11 o'clock showing with a friend last night. We both really loved it.
My problem, in trying to have much of an intelligent discussion of Harry Potter with anyone, is that I never got all that into them. I own the first book and first movie, because both were given to me. I've seen all of the movies except for Chamber of Secrets, but that's only because other people wanted me to go with them.
So...while I truly enjoyed the movie I don't make a very good person to bring up Harry Potter.
Honestly I was saying to myself "Who's Dean?" Then you threw "snogging" in there and I was all "Yeah, the expendable dude she kissed!"
I do totally agree about the Harry vs. Snape issue. Having not read past the first book I have no feelings about book vs. film Snape, but that scene was disappointing to me. Also, having not read the book I'm really interested in asking someone who has whether or not what I think is actually going on with Snape is, or if I have things totally wrong.
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Post by StarOpal on Jul 18, 2009 19:21:27 GMT -5
Saw it today. Hmm... Wasn't Dean black in the movie? Or did I just fill that in??? -showdown btwn harry and snape = FAIL. booksnape = embittered, furious, tormented. filmsnape = "oh harry, you simply must try these scones, they're delicious!" -snape: "oh, and for no reason you'll ever learn, i'm the half blood prince. whee!" I see your "FAIL" and raise you an "EPIC." Of course considering Snape's been pooed on in all the movies (either having his lines given to other characters or losing scenes) I'm not surprised. But, I admit, his "Don't call me a coward!"(I quote from memory) was something I was looking forward to and all I got was "Ho hum, Harry, take a nap while I go for a stroll. Oh, and by the by, that's my book, just because. Toodles." And yet they left in Fenrir and I ask - Hawhuh? Since they cut out Bill and didn't explain the connection to Remus it's just kinda weird. Like really distractingly weird. All I ask is, if you're going to make changes 1) have them make sense 2) be consistent. The ending felt like a Lord of the Rings movie. Enya could'a started singing and I wouldn't have been surprised. Some parts worked, but, I dunno, it wasn't all that it could be. Heather, all my books are in boxes (but not for long WHEE!), but I'd give answering questions a go if you want. |
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Post by TheLuckyOne on Jul 20, 2009 9:12:19 GMT -5
Saw it today. Hmm... Wasn't Dean black in the movie? Or did I just fill that in??? You know, you're not the first person to question that. All I can say is this- I didn't clearly see who she was with in the pub scene. Earlier in the movie, however, she was definitely with a white guy. Maybe she was dating two different guys? I didn't remember that from the book, but it's been a while. The theatre I saw it in was built in 1831 and doesn't have the best acoustics, so they might have mentioned her breaking up with white guy and dating Dean at some point and I missed it. That's the only explanation I can come up with. -D |
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Post by BlackCatWhiteCat on Jul 20, 2009 11:37:29 GMT -5
Saw it today. Hmm... Wasn't Dean black in the movie? Or did I just fill that in??? -showdown btwn harry and snape = FAIL. booksnape = embittered, furious, tormented. filmsnape = "oh harry, you simply must try these scones, they're delicious!" -snape: "oh, and for no reason you'll ever learn, i'm the half blood prince. whee!" I see your "FAIL" and raise you an "EPIC." Of course considering Snape's been pooed on in all the movies (either having his lines given to other characters or losing scenes) I'm not surprised. But, I admit, his "Don't call me a coward!"(I quote from memory) was something I was looking forward to and all I got was "Ho hum, Harry, take a nap while I go for a stroll. Oh, and by the by, that's my book, just because. Toodles." And yet they left in Fenrir and I ask - Hawhuh? Since they cut out Bill and didn't explain the connection to Remus it's just kinda weird. Like really distractingly weird. All I ask is, if you're going to make changes 1) have them make sense 2) be consistent. The ending felt like a Lord of the Rings movie. Enya could'a started singing and I wouldn't have been surprised. Some parts worked, but, I dunno, it wasn't all that it could be. Heather, all my books are in boxes (but not for long WHEE!), but I'd give answering questions a go if you want. Sweet. I'll e-mail or PM 'ya. |
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Post by DarthShady on Jul 20, 2009 13:16:10 GMT -5
-makes sense that they'd change things to give ginny a more prominent role. hard to be a credible love interest when all your scenes got cut from the previous movies. however, we never see her break up with whitedean, so i believe she is what the kids call a "hoochie." discuss! In the immortal (kind of) words of Gred & Forge, that Ginny gets around; she Hogwarts' easiest girl. |
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Post by PoolMan on Jul 20, 2009 15:19:55 GMT -5
Saw it today. Hmm... Wasn't Dean black in the movie? Or did I just fill that in??? You know, you're not the first person to question that. All I can say is this- I didn't clearly see who she was with in the pub scene. Earlier in the movie, however, she was definitely with a white guy. Maybe she was dating two different guys? I didn't remember that from the book, but it's been a while. The theatre I saw it in was built in 1831 and doesn't have the best acoustics, so they might have mentioned her breaking up with white guy and dating Dean at some point and I missed it. That's the only explanation I can come up with. I read your original note (about Dean being white) before I saw the movie, and I think I have the answer. Somebody mentions Ginny dating Dean Thomas, and then the scene IMMEDIATELY cuts to a big white guy. Except, it's not Dean. It's McCleggan (sp?), and the scene is totally unrelated. Ginny is later seen kissing a happy black kid in the pub. This is presumably Dean (I don't actually think we see much of his face, but he IS black, I promise). Weird, weird editing, but I think that's all it is. As for the rest of the movie, I liked it just fine, but there's a "ho hum" I just can't shake off for some reason. Can't put my finger on it. Was anyone else wildly confused about the attack on the Weasley Burrow? In a movie filled with cuts from the source material, they inserted a non-canon scene that doesn't actually serve any purpose (except, possibly, properly introducing Grayback as a serious creep)? Odd choice at the end, having Harry see Snape on the way up the tower, but not having Dumbledore petrify Harry to hold him. I'm still trying to figure out why they did that. |
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Post by TheLuckyOne on Jul 20, 2009 16:24:26 GMT -5
You might be right, Poolie. That's as good an explanation as any I've heard, anyway, and since I walked out of the theater thinking "Oooh, people are gonna be pissed about that" and haven't heard anything, I'm going to assume I just misinterpreted things. (Dammit, I was really hoping to get through my whole life never having been wrong. This is really annoying.) Was anyone else wildly confused about the attack on the Weasley Burrow? In a movie filled with cuts from the source material, they inserted a non-canon scene that doesn't actually serve any purpose (except, possibly, properly introducing Grayback as a serious creep)? Agreed, in that I thought it was odd they cut so much but added that scene. Here's my guess: J.K. Rowling said in interviews that Ginny is Harry's ideal girl: spunky, rebellious, strong-willed. I actually think she was one of the more underdeveloped characters, in that for the first four books she was essentially wallpaper, but those attributes started to emerge more in books 5 and 6. But movies being a visual medium (and some of Ginny's few scenes from past books being cut from the movies), audiences may barely remember her, let alone think she's a fiery, spirited match for the great Harry Potter, especially since we don't have Harry's inner thoughts telling us how he's starting to feel about her. The Burrow scene served the dual purpose of giving them an almost-kissed moment on the stairs, and then showing that Ginny will (literally) run through fire for Harry and is willing and capable of backing him up against the worst of the worst. We can all argue about whether or not it was effective in doing so, but I'm guessing that was the intent. I will say that when Ginny knelt down to Harry's waist to tie his shoe, I can't be the only one who thought, "Inappropriate! INAPPROPRIATE!" -D |
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DTH
Ghostbuster
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Posts: 582
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Post by DTH on Jul 21, 2009 6:47:11 GMT -5
My first impression was "Good film". It entertained me and was a good interpretation of the books. The things they added in largely made sense (actually showing us that the Death Eaters were blowing up muggle stuff) and where they changed bits, I can understand why.
However.
The biggest and most unforgivable alteration was the whole Vanishing Cabinet.
SPOILERS
In the book, Draco's been told to let a load of Death Eaters in to Hogwarts through the Vanishing Cabinet (because Hogwart's is magically protected against them teleporting/walking through the front gates). These Death Eaters are supposed to then do something other than have a merry wander up to the top of Hogwarts back down to the ground, with a bit of random vandalism and arson on the trip. Which is what they end up doing in this movie.
So...were these Death Eaters supposed to be back up for Draco should he need it? Were they supposed to witness that he'd done it for the Dark Lord? Were they there just so they could say "Yeah, we trespassed in Hog, we're EEEEVIL!"
In the book, they turn up and cause such havoc that it takes the entire might of the school to turn them back and while this is happening, Draco sneaks up to Dumbledore and has every opportunity to aveda kedava him. This makes sense and is a good plan.
Draco just wandering up there with a paltry crew of Death Eaters on the Hogwarts tour is a bit...ho hum.
The big reveal that Snape was the Half-Blood Prince had about as much impact as a wet sock.
And Fenrir was completely wasted. I don't recall it ONCE saying he was a werewolf and it definitely didn't tell us how much he enjoys being a werewolf and eating people and biting them to them in to werewolves.
Instead, he was a man with a funny face. That's it.
The attack on the Burrow was really to remind everyone that Bellatrix killed Sirius Black and that she's EEEVIL. Plus, it helps build more heat between her and Mrs Weasley come the last film...
I may sound a harsh critic and perhaps I am but I have to stress that this is probably the third best film (Azkaban and Goblet are tied for first place, since Azkaban is my favourite book and the film is very well directed, Goblet makes for a better film purely by dint of the Triwizard Tournament and the ball etc). I liked it a lot and it had more laugh out loud moments than any of the others (Luna at the dinner table was THE funniest moment in any of the films).
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katoot
Mini-Mutant
Too Much Fun
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Post by katoot on Jul 21, 2009 10:56:17 GMT -5
I believe I read somewhere (sorry, I don't remember, or else I would have supplied a link), but I believe I read that the attack on the Burrow was to show that the Death Eaters were not only attacking muggles, but in the Wizarding World as well. Since the only Wizarding places we really know about in the movies are Diagon Alley (which was already attacked), and the Burrow. In the books, Hermione is constantly checking the Daily Prophet for possible news about members of the Order of the Phoenix. This attack showed that even members of the Order are not safe. That and, perhaps as Kyle said, as a way to establish Ginny as a good choice of someone for Harry to go for.
Also, indeed, they did not say that Fenrir was a werewolf, but I believe he did have a line about how delicious Ginny looked during the attack.
As for Harry not being petrified, I believe even though Harry had his doubts about Snape, everyone was reassuring him that he was a part of the Order. Snape also didn't bother questioning Harry as to why he was hiding there, so Snape gave Harry no reason to doubt that he was there to help Dumbledore.
That being said, I really enjoyed HBP. I've already seen it twice, and will undoubtedly see it again, be it in the theater or on DVD.
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Post by TheLuckyOne on Jul 21, 2009 12:13:00 GMT -5
That and, perhaps as Kyle said, as a way to establish Ginny as a good choice of someone for Harry to go for. First post notwithstanding, I'm actually Drew. You can tell because all my follow-up posts had capitalization.  Also, indeed, they did not say that Fenrir was a werewolf, but I believe he did have a line about how delicious Ginny looked during the attack. True... if you didn't know he was a werewolf, you'd at least think he was kind of a pervert. -D |
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katoot
Mini-Mutant
Too Much Fun
Posts: 15
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Post by katoot on Jul 22, 2009 15:43:20 GMT -5
Sorry Drew...I may have been drunk at the time  ...it's been a bit of a stressful week. And yes, I could also see him being perceived as a perv.... |
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Post by StarOpal on Jul 22, 2009 23:44:25 GMT -5
In the book, Draco's been told to let a load of Death Eaters in to Hogwarts through the Vanishing Cabinet (because Hogwart's is magically protected against them teleporting/walking through the front gates). These Death Eaters are supposed to then do something other than have a merry wander up to the top of Hogwarts back down to the ground, with a bit of random vandalism and arson on the trip. Which is what they end up doing in this movie. So...were these Death Eaters supposed to be back up for Draco should he need it? Were they supposed to witness that he'd done it for the Dark Lord? Were they there just so they could say "Yeah, we trespassed in Hog, we're EEEEVIL!" In the book, they turn up and cause such havoc that it takes the entire might of the school to turn them back and while this is happening, Draco sneaks up to Dumbledore and has every opportunity to aveda kedava him. This makes sense and is a good plan. Draco just wandering up there with a paltry crew of Death Eaters on the Hogwarts tour is a bit...ho hum. Ha! I feel the same way. On the one hand I see the logic of saving the big fight for Deathly Hallows (as Courtney says in her review), but on the other... Well let me just say that if I were a wizarding parent I'd be pretty pissed that the apparent only security on the place was a wizened old man. Where were they the Three Broomsticks getting snockered? Is Camp Crystal Lake in need of new counselors, 'cause I got some great candidates. And I mean, THEY SHOW AURORS GUARDING THE SCHOOL and then do absolutely nothing with them. Whyyy?! Sorry, when my logical thinking gets discombobulated it makes me type 'y' three times and resort to caps lock. Plus I always liked the irony of the good guys breaking in and causing havoc in Hallows. |
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Post by sandrine on Jul 23, 2009 5:30:19 GMT -5
I really enjoyed the film (since I haven't read the book since it came out, I could ignore mistakes for the most part), but the only thing that really irritated me was the Snape thing.
Am I the only one who finds Snape's love for Lily the most emotionally involving part of the book? Finally the director gets the chance to turn Snape into a fully-rounded character, and he passes it up. Seriously, would five minutes less of the Ron/Hermione/Lavender triangle to put in Snape's missing scenes have really made a difference?
Oh yes, it might have made it BETTER.
To be honest, I was one of the Brits who sniggered when they changed the title of the first book for the American market ("Bless," we all thought. "They don't understand Philosipher, when 10-year-olds in our country have no difficulty with it." You go, Mr US Publisher. Stand up for your country's right to be thought intelligent), but I could honestly understand if they had changed the title of this film to "HP and The Island of Ice" or something, and cut out the references to the Half-Blood Prince. They could have kept the annotated potions book, and just ignored who wrote on it. Having the tatalising beginnings of the story and just ignoring it was really unsatisfying.
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Post by StarOpal on Jul 23, 2009 8:26:13 GMT -5
Am I the only one who finds Snape's love for Lily the most emotionally involving part of the book? Finally the director gets the chance to turn Snape into a fully-rounded character, and he passes it up. Seriously, would five minutes less of the Ron/Hermione/Lavender triangle to put in Snape's missing scenes have really made a difference? No you're not the only one, but I was resigned to this fact a long time ago. Either they're really going to leave the whole thing out of the Hallows movies (which would completely ruin the ending of for me) or it's going to come out of left field and be resolved in two seconds. At least that's what I feel like is going to happen. I mean, if Kloves is going to continue to write the movies as Harry/Hermione ships, with Ron thrown in because "that's what happens in the books" (Jeeze, Rowling), then I guess he can continue to ignore Snape. |
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"If I'm going to be desensitized into a mindless stock animal, I may as well do it with a cushy ergonomic seat and magnificent THX-certified sound. -Kevin Murphy
...it's been a bit of a stressful week.