BEST HP movie to date.
More later as I wake up.
Funny thing about black and white. You mix it together and you get gray. And it doesn't matter how much white you try and put back in, you're never gonna get anything but gray.
Lilah ,'Destiny'
Buffista Movies 6: lies and videotape
A place to talk about movies--old and new, good and bad, high art and high cheese. It's the place to place your kittens on the award winners, gossip about upcoming fims and discuss DVD releases and extras. Spoiler policy: White font all plot-related discussion until a movie's been in wide release two weeks, and keep the major HSQ in white font until two weeks after the video/DVD release.
Aims - Jul 11, 2007 3:31:05 am PDT #120 of 10000
Shit's all sorts of different now.
Kate P. - Jul 11, 2007 4:27:20 am PDT #121 of 10000
That's the pain / That cuts a straight line down through the heart / We call it love
I really enjoyed HP5, though I wouldn't say it's my favorite (that's still #3 for me). I'd put it on par with #4. The pacing is problematic, and that affected my reactions to some scenes that should have been more powerful. In fact, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think it would have worked better if it had been a half hour longer. It needed a little more time to establish some key elements like the purpose and importance of Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape, or the role that each kid plays in the climactic fight at the Ministry, or the impact of the prophecy.
But as noted, the acting is great, much improved over the last ones. I was quite impressed with Daniel Radcliffe (and, okay, I know I'm late to the party, but when did he actually get hot?? rowr!) and Imelda Staunton was *brilliant*. I also loved the girl who played Luna Lovegood. I thought Emma Watson was the weak link, though -- she came off kind of flat in a lot of her scenes. I've really liked her in the previous movies, so I don't know what's up with her now.
My favorite bits were the Dumbledore's Army scenes -- you really get the sense of these kids' fear of what's coming, but also their excitement at finally learning how to defend themselves and maybe even make a difference in the fight against Voldemort. Plus, Neville! Also all the teen-romance bits, often just throwaway things like a great reaction shot from Ginny when Hermione is teasing Harry about Cho Chang.
Best post-movie comment from one of my friends: "I love how Bellatrix LeStrange escaped from Azkaban -- by actually gnawing her way through the scenery."
Dana - Jul 11, 2007 4:41:41 am PDT #122 of 10000
"I'm useless alone." // "We're all useless alone. It's a good thing you're not alone."
I figured 5 would make a good movie, whereas it's a really depressing (and almost oppressive) book.
I'll believe it's better than 3 when I see it, though. Which...won't be for a while.
Frankenbuddha - Jul 11, 2007 4:49:08 am PDT #123 of 10000
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"
I figured 5 would make a good movie, whereas it's a really depressing (and almost oppressive) book.
Nodding in agreement. Umbridge was the kind of villain who is nigh intolerable in an 870 page novel, but can work very well in a movie (and given how the reviews have been praising Staunton, it sounds like that's exactly what happened).
le nubian - Jul 11, 2007 5:16:41 am PDT #124 of 10000
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."
Umbridge was the kind of villain who is nigh intolerable in an 870 page novel, but can work very well in a movie
Without having yet seen the movie, I'm in complete agreement.
Polter-Cow - Jul 11, 2007 5:21:07 am PDT #125 of 10000
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
I will certainly agree with the first part. Lord, did I hate her. And not in a love-to-hate way.
Aims - Jul 11, 2007 5:22:15 am PDT #126 of 10000
Shit's all sorts of different now.
From her first "hem-hem" to being carried off by the cenataurs, you hate her and she's just fucking bang on perfect.
le nubian - Jul 11, 2007 5:29:52 am PDT #127 of 10000
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."
Am I correct in thinking that Rowling modeled her after Thatcher?
lisah - Jul 11, 2007 5:39:32 am PDT #128 of 10000
Punishingly Intricate
She was by far the scariest villain to me in the series. Can't wait for the movie!!! (Seeing it on Friday evening)
Ailleann - Jul 11, 2007 6:02:21 am PDT #129 of 10000
vanguard of the socialist Hollywood liberal homosexualist agenda
She was by far the scariest villain to me in the series.
I was explaining this to my mother yesterday... she watches the movies, but hasn't read all the books. She's on the side of good, and she's that nasty? That's creepy as hell.
(Should we be whitefonting? This is so weird.)