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.

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.

Speaking of Harry Potter, I recently watched the BBC David Copperfield with wee Harry Potter as young Copperfield. So cute!

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.

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.

I like HBP if only for the hilarious spider funeral. And the rather excellent synopsis featuring GQ Draco.

According to interviews they were showing on PBS afterwards, Maggie Smith (who is awesome as the aunt) recommended him for HP.

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.

One of my favorite added scenes is in the beginning of PoA, when Harry and his dorm-mates are sharing the noise-generating candy.

when Harry and his dorm-mates are sharing the noise-generating candy.

JZ cited that scene recently too. Ron gives good Lion, and Neville with the Elephant.