I hated Half-Blood Prince so much. The movie, I mean. I was surprised by how much it disappointed me.
Zoe: Preacher, don't the Bible have some pretty specific things to say about killing? Book: Quite specific. It is, however, somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps.
'War Stories'
Buffista Movies 7: Brides for 7 Samurai
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.
Amy - Jun 07, 2010 7:12:53 am PDT #8800 of 30000
Because books.
DavidS - Jun 07, 2010 7:24:47 am PDT #8801 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
I liked Half Blood Prince (the movie), though I think they should have done more on Snape's backstory. I didn't like how they left out the battle at the end of HBP either, though I could understand the narrative logic of ending on Dumbledore's death.
I find that I love the movie version of Order of the Phoenix much more than the book. Book!Umbridge and WhinyTeen!Harry are poor company in the book, and the book desperately needs pruning. (Though that's even more true of Goblet of Fire.)
In the movie, Imelda Staunton's performance makes Umbridge much more interesting, though no less vile. And Harry in the movie seems more anguished and less pissy. Also, the climactic battle in the movie is better realized and more coherent than the endless running into Mysterious Rooms of the book.
I prefer Luna in the movies; I think Evanna Lynch's performance adds a great deal to the character. Same with Jim Broadbent's Slughorn.
Sue - Jun 07, 2010 7:26:17 am PDT #8802 of 30000
hip deep in pie
I don't really remember much about the movie. For the most part, the Harry Potter movies always disappoint. But I still get excited for every one of them. I have to find my fun where I can.
megan walker - Jun 07, 2010 7:30:15 am PDT #8803 of 30000
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
Speaking of Harry Potter, I recently watched the BBC David Copperfield with wee Harry Potter as young Copperfield. So cute!
DavidS - Jun 07, 2010 7:30:17 am PDT #8804 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
I suppose I should note that we've been completely wallowing in the Harry Potter universe this year as Matilda has been watching and rewatching the movies and Emmett and I have been listening (and relistening) to the audiobooks.
My favorite thing from the movies that's not in the books is the little grace note story by Slughorn explaining where he got his little fish from Lilly.
Also, the scene with the dragon and Harry in GoF is fantastically well done, and better than in the book. That whole bit of the dragon scrabbling along the roof, crawling like a bat is gorgeous nightmare stuff.
DavidS - Jun 07, 2010 7:30:48 am PDT #8805 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Speaking of Harry Potter, I recently watched the BBC David Copperfield with wee Harry Potter as young Copperfield. So cute!
That was the role that brought him to their attention, I think.
billytea - Jun 07, 2010 7:31:48 am PDT #8806 of 30000
You were a wrong baby who grew up wrong. The wrong kind of wrong. It's better you hear it from a friend.
I like HBP if only for the hilarious spider funeral. And the rather excellent synopsis featuring GQ Draco.
megan walker - Jun 07, 2010 7:32:01 am PDT #8807 of 30000
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist
According to interviews they were showing on PBS afterwards, Maggie Smith (who is awesome as the aunt) recommended him for HP.
DavidS - Jun 07, 2010 7:33:58 am PDT #8808 of 30000
"Look, son, if it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you."
Maggie Smith (who is awesome as the aunt) recommended him for HP.
Awwwww. I hope she's going to recover from the cancer. I'm glad she got to finish filming.
She's like a master class in how to steal a scene in three lines.
Kathy A - Jun 07, 2010 7:34:11 am PDT #8809 of 30000
We're very stretchy. - Connie Neil
One of my favorite added scenes is in the beginning of PoA, when Harry and his dorm-mates are sharing the noise-generating candy.