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*staggers into journal*
All hail the gods of the internet who have gazed upon me and once more deemed me worthy of access!
Yes, just when our ISP had put us back on broadband speed, and we were once more enjoying all the good things that brings (like very large downloads *cough*) our connection went down! In the early AM Friday morning all internet joy vanished, and has only JUST come back. Oh, and the tech is coming out tomorrow. :~P The why is, of course, a mystery.
And, in that time I have FINALLY seen the film! Yes, the boat carrying GoF to our fair shores arrived on Thursday, and 3 of my kids got the day off school to come see it with me.
But, the night before, I insisted on a wee marthon of the other films. We didn't have time for all three, so we started with CoS, which I found fascinating this time round. (apart from the end, which was abysmal as usual) I don't think I've seen it since reading book 6 and the horcrux stuff gives so much of it new meaning! I must read all the books again now. (actually, I'll listen to them while I paint thanks to Stephen Fry!)
What really jumped out at me was the huge improvement of the 3rd film from the first 2. The first 2 were slow and stilted by comparision. And I don't mean storywise, I mean editing wise. There are great pauses between lines in CoS that annoy the hell out of me and, of course, I adore the visuals of PoA.
GoF...
My initial reaction was... disappointment. Which really disappointed me. Particularly because I was SO enthusiastic and excited by PoA when it first came out. (I seriously hadn't felt that way about a film since the first Star Wars!) The speed with which GoF chopped from scene to scene annoyed me - it felt like every time we were getting to the crux or juicy part of a scene, it was cut! And then we were into the next. I'll also admit to having watched every clip I could get my hands on prior to seeing the film, so the film itself ended up feeling like a series of clips I hadn't seen between clips I had.
Before we went to the film I successfully *cough*downloaded*cough* it, so I had that waiting for me when we got home. So I watched the whole thing again, and have spent some of my internet-less hours re-watching all my favourite bits. And it's definitely growing on me. :~) There's more I liked about the film than didn't like.
And today we took 13 kids to see it (4 of whom were ours) for my daughter's 11th birthday. Watching it with the kids (most of whom were 11) gave me a different perspective on it altogether. Certainly made me appreciate the need for speeding through the scenes. They didn't have time to get restless, or if they did, it wasn't long before the next scene rivited them again. What can I say but 'welcome to the post-video game market' :~P
Things I loved -
The twins. Every moment with them was a gem! From their teasing of Ron at the QWC to "wicked" and "well done dragon!"
Rupert. Perfect.
Dan. I thought his acting was good in PoA, but he's excellent in this. His expression when Hermione turns on him during the Yule Brawl and subsequent glower at Ron were perfect and, don't ask me why, but I found him walking into the dorm with his toothbrush and toiletry bag totally squeeee. And the scene with Moaning Myrtle... heh.
Neville! So gorgeous in this film! One of the things I've always adored about JK's books is that she manages to write the kids perfectly at their respective ages. Ron and Harry were both too immature for the Ball, and yet Neville was not. And that comes across perfectly. :~D
Hermione. I liked her much better in this film. I feel like I saw more Hermione and less Emma.
The end scene with Amos Diggory and his reaction... heartbreaking and SO SO perfect.
I loved seeing Ernie McMillan and Hannah Abbott again. :~)
I did like the bit with Harry and Voldemort's wands connecting but had to stop myself from shouting "Ghostbusters!" inappropriately. :~P
Voldemort stepping on Cedric's face...brilliant.
Cedric. Perfect. :~)
Things I didn't like -
Dumbledore. Who was this wimpy psycho? Dumbledore can read Harry's mind! He knows Harry didn't put his name in!! And he certainly wouldn't go around shoving him!
Ron knowing about the dragons. Seeing the dragons in the first Task was what made Ron believe Harry in the book. If he had seen them prior, I'm sure the result would have been the same - he would have believed Harry and therefore made-up with him sooner.
While I enjoyed the dragon escaping and chasing Harry all over Hogwarts, I found it hard to believe that the staff etc would just sit there, waiting, while they had a potentially lethal dragon running riot. Not to mention the threat to Harry.
Why was Snape's storeroom NOT in the dungeons??
You could see Hogwarts from that bridge! The viaduct, you know? The one they fly around in the car in #2 in daylight then get to Hogwarts hours later when it's dark... I mean, it LOOKED good, but... My 14yo just suggested we pretend it's another, very similar bridge. Ok. I can do that... I think. O.o
The Patil twins both being in Gryffindor! What was with that?? Irritating.
Uh... it's heading for 1am. I HAVE to go to bed. More tomorrow maybe...
All hail the gods of the internet who have gazed upon me and once more deemed me worthy of access!
Yes, just when our ISP had put us back on broadband speed, and we were once more enjoying all the good things that brings (like very large downloads *cough*) our connection went down! In the early AM Friday morning all internet joy vanished, and has only JUST come back. Oh, and the tech is coming out tomorrow. :~P The why is, of course, a mystery.
And, in that time I have FINALLY seen the film! Yes, the boat carrying GoF to our fair shores arrived on Thursday, and 3 of my kids got the day off school to come see it with me.
But, the night before, I insisted on a wee marthon of the other films. We didn't have time for all three, so we started with CoS, which I found fascinating this time round. (apart from the end, which was abysmal as usual) I don't think I've seen it since reading book 6 and the horcrux stuff gives so much of it new meaning! I must read all the books again now. (actually, I'll listen to them while I paint thanks to Stephen Fry!)
What really jumped out at me was the huge improvement of the 3rd film from the first 2. The first 2 were slow and stilted by comparision. And I don't mean storywise, I mean editing wise. There are great pauses between lines in CoS that annoy the hell out of me and, of course, I adore the visuals of PoA.
GoF...
My initial reaction was... disappointment. Which really disappointed me. Particularly because I was SO enthusiastic and excited by PoA when it first came out. (I seriously hadn't felt that way about a film since the first Star Wars!) The speed with which GoF chopped from scene to scene annoyed me - it felt like every time we were getting to the crux or juicy part of a scene, it was cut! And then we were into the next. I'll also admit to having watched every clip I could get my hands on prior to seeing the film, so the film itself ended up feeling like a series of clips I hadn't seen between clips I had.
Before we went to the film I successfully *cough*downloaded*cough* it, so I had that waiting for me when we got home. So I watched the whole thing again, and have spent some of my internet-less hours re-watching all my favourite bits. And it's definitely growing on me. :~) There's more I liked about the film than didn't like.
And today we took 13 kids to see it (4 of whom were ours) for my daughter's 11th birthday. Watching it with the kids (most of whom were 11) gave me a different perspective on it altogether. Certainly made me appreciate the need for speeding through the scenes. They didn't have time to get restless, or if they did, it wasn't long before the next scene rivited them again. What can I say but 'welcome to the post-video game market' :~P
Things I loved -
The twins. Every moment with them was a gem! From their teasing of Ron at the QWC to "wicked" and "well done dragon!"
Rupert. Perfect.
Dan. I thought his acting was good in PoA, but he's excellent in this. His expression when Hermione turns on him during the Yule Brawl and subsequent glower at Ron were perfect and, don't ask me why, but I found him walking into the dorm with his toothbrush and toiletry bag totally squeeee. And the scene with Moaning Myrtle... heh.
Neville! So gorgeous in this film! One of the things I've always adored about JK's books is that she manages to write the kids perfectly at their respective ages. Ron and Harry were both too immature for the Ball, and yet Neville was not. And that comes across perfectly. :~D
Hermione. I liked her much better in this film. I feel like I saw more Hermione and less Emma.
The end scene with Amos Diggory and his reaction... heartbreaking and SO SO perfect.
I loved seeing Ernie McMillan and Hannah Abbott again. :~)
I did like the bit with Harry and Voldemort's wands connecting but had to stop myself from shouting "Ghostbusters!" inappropriately. :~P
Voldemort stepping on Cedric's face...brilliant.
Cedric. Perfect. :~)
Things I didn't like -
Dumbledore. Who was this wimpy psycho? Dumbledore can read Harry's mind! He knows Harry didn't put his name in!! And he certainly wouldn't go around shoving him!
Ron knowing about the dragons. Seeing the dragons in the first Task was what made Ron believe Harry in the book. If he had seen them prior, I'm sure the result would have been the same - he would have believed Harry and therefore made-up with him sooner.
While I enjoyed the dragon escaping and chasing Harry all over Hogwarts, I found it hard to believe that the staff etc would just sit there, waiting, while they had a potentially lethal dragon running riot. Not to mention the threat to Harry.
Why was Snape's storeroom NOT in the dungeons??
You could see Hogwarts from that bridge! The viaduct, you know? The one they fly around in the car in #2 in daylight then get to Hogwarts hours later when it's dark... I mean, it LOOKED good, but... My 14yo just suggested we pretend it's another, very similar bridge. Ok. I can do that... I think. O.o
The Patil twins both being in Gryffindor! What was with that?? Irritating.
Uh... it's heading for 1am. I HAVE to go to bed. More tomorrow maybe...
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From:
no subject
But Weasley Twins
*squee*
I really was disapointed in it till they all got to school, it felt like it was much too jerky and no quiddith at teh world cup.....wtf!
All in all I loved it though, but then again I think it has something to do with Twins everywhere I looked!
From:
no subject
Yes, the twins and Neville rule.
And isn't Rupert a genius?
I know what you mean about the dragons, yes, he shouldn't have known.
But I can forgive a hell of a lot for "So it was really me all along. I thought we'd be alright once you worked that out." and "Well, I was a bit distraught."
And that look Harry gives Ron when Hermione sends them to bed is just perfection.
As is Harry/tooth brush, you are so right.
From:
no subject
I randomly friended you awhile back because I adore your art work and didn't want to miss any you might post. Since then I realize that we have a few things in common (parenthood, HP and Star Wars fandom etc.). Anyway I just wanted to introduce myself before I commented for the first time so you didn't go who TF is this?
Totally agree with your assessment of the GoF movie. Dumbledore was a particular disappointment. But there was alot that was v. positive about the movie too, so.... I was also quite disappointed that Snape didn't show his dark mark to Karkaroff, it seemed quite a superfluous scene without that. All of the kids's acting is coming along v. well, though and that bodes well for the future.
From:
no subject
*giggling* Oh, gosh, I'd nearly forgotten about that! My boyfriend laughed when Harry went after both of them, after Ron came back in faint from asking Fleur, and he went "Excellent, he's taking twins to the Ball! Pimp Harry!"
From:
no subject
BTW, on a completely unrelated note--did you notice your gift for
From:
no subject
Re: Ron and the dragons, my friend and I turned to one another in the theatre and quite loudly said, WTF! And even though it's cute where Ron tells Harry that he was the one who'd gotten Harry to go and talk to Hagrid afterward, it still bothers me that they'd hurt his character ... again.
That bit where Harry and Ron are talking in the dorm after Harry's name is pulled from the Goblet had me wibbling. Rupert is such a strong actor that I wish they would give him more drama and quit using him as the comic relief. I loved the fight with Hermione. And you're right, there's less Emma this time and more of her character.
Cedric was spot on and I loved Voldemort. He was amazingly awesome.
From:
no subject
I love that your 14yo suggested that.
"Mummy.. calm DOWN!"