I played hooky (or as hooky as a self-employed person can play) and saw the 10:30am showing today. No crowd at all. Quite nice.

I have to say, I was not impressed with the photos of the actress playing Luna, but the portrayal was terrific. The W!Twins are getting more and more adorable with each film and goodlord, they have gotten so tall, they seem to need to stoop to remain in the shot.

I agree with everything said upthread, especially about Ginny 's priceless expressions through out. Can't wait to see that actor have more to do.

I was sorely disappointed in Emma Watson and can't figure out what happened...except for a sneaking suspicion that she is suffering from her own press. Too bad, that...if it is true.

I've mentioned before how I have the audiobooks well and truly memorized, so the films can never really meet my desires. This one did a good job of actually making me interested in seeing Umbridge on screen, which I didn't think was possible.

I have to confess...never having had the Daniel oost before now, his hotness was seriously distracting.

I suppose I can't criticize, since I bought a ticket to Batman Begins in order to see War of the Worlds. But money was paid for admission! I just... was not finding my viewing experience of Christian Bale all angsty and vigilante-ey and shirtless satisfying... and thus opted to watch another movie with Morgan Freeman in it instead. Yeah, that's the ticket!

Watson's portrayal of Hermione disappointed me in Goblet of Fire, in particular. She had some nice moments there ("I am not an owl!" and her little bit with Ron when he was asking her to the ball), but she's interpreting "bossy" as "strident," and making me hate the character instead of recognizing bits of me in her, which I do in the books. It's partly the directors' faults for not steering her away from the harsher portrayal, but it really shows her limitations as an actress, IMO.

The GoF director (Mike Newell, right?) did a good job eliminating Grint's mugging for the camera, and I hope that trend continues in the new film.

It really does. Rupert ended up with not much to do. But did much less mugging.

I fear for his range outside this character and am hoping that someone gives him some guidance so he doesn't end up a one hit wonder. If he even wants to act after this.

I was massively surprised by the story telling element of making Cho the tattler on the DA . I understand needing to cut story lines, but adding big 'ol canon changes like that make me squirm.

As suggested before, doing so might really paint film 7's director into a corner. Unless they have some sooper sekrit plan with JK in place already.

I do know from reading an interview with either the director or screenwriter last week (can't remember which), that JKR made sure that they included (relatively minor spoiler for Book 7!) Kreacher in this film, since he's apparently going to pop up in Deathly Hallows in an important scene.

::plugs ears and goes, "LA LA LA!" while y'all talk about watching movies you din't pay for::

edit: funny story... one time a guy came in and gave us $300 in cash. He said he was going through the twelve step program and he needed to atone for all the times he snuck into movies when he was abusing. I said, "wow you must have really worked at it!" We donated the money to a charity that renovates libraries and runs a reading program for kids.

Emmett and I saw OOTP today. It was excellent. Daniel's acting was much improved - much more contained but sad. Not one note.

Rupert's not mugging at all in this, and Ron is back to being a stalwart friend instead of a git and a fuckup.

Emma was okay. Charming in parts, though she does tend to do too much Eyebrow Acting.

Oldman was heartbreakingly warm and present as Sirius.

It was difficult to watch Dolores Umbridge because she was basically exactly like my evil boss at my last job. Sugar coated malice.

Luna was perfect. The actor who plays Neville did an excellent job. I liked Ginny.

They did the LoTR trick (though too a much smaller degree) of simply alluding to scenes from the book that they cut. For example, having Percy obviously siding with the ministry and hauling Harry in.

Eyebrow Acting

Oh my God! Is this a Thing, cause I totally thought I made it up! Hahahahahahaha

Oh my God! Is this a Thing, cause I totally thought I made it up! Hahahahahahaha

Somebody was complaining about her overactive eyebrows over at the Leaky Cauldron, but I always think about Joey Trebiani's acting advice. "Just pretend you got a fishhook in your eyebrow."

Eyebrow Acting

Oh my God! Is this a Thing, cause I totally thought I made it up!

You don't remember A Follicle Prepares, by Konstantin Stanibrowski? And the opposing school - The Tweezner - founded by none other than Sanford Tweezner?