Harry Potter

[Hemiola]

Well, I saw the new film last night, and I figured I'd write my impressions while they are still fresh. Of course, for those of you who haven't seen it, read no further since the following will constitute
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1. Surprisingly, this is the shortest of the Potter films so far--only about 2 hours 15 minutes. They seem to have accomplished this by omitting about 50% of the book! Nonetheless, they have kept the Harry-centered part of the story, and have done so faithfully.

2. Lots of fine newcomers in the cast along with the returning favorites. Imelda Staunton is just wonderful as Dolores Umbridge: a perfect pink fascist. Helena Bonham Carter is delightfully campy as Bellatrix LeStrange, while I must single out the outstanding performance of the young girl who portrays Luna Lovegood (her name escapes me).

3. Special FX are up to the standard we have come to expect, with the thestrals being especially well realized. Think of the depiction of the Horses of the Apocalypse on gothic cathedrals and you get the idea.

4. All in all I would say that this is the best so far of the HP films, with the caveat that anyone who hasn't seen the previous films (or read the books!) would find following the plot tough going.

I'm still in the middle of "Deathly Hallows", so I can't comment on that yet.

[Culzean]

This is the first HP film I've seen where I read the book first. I generally do prefer to see a movie and then read a book. There's always going to be more in the book to discover and enjoy.

I did enjoy this movie, but I kept comparing it to the book and I kept wanting more. I wanted to see more of Tonks, Serius Black, Bellatrix, and Snape.

Actually, I'd be very happy if they would just make these Harry Potter books into four hour movies. So long as they throw in an intermission in the middle so I can hit the restroom I'd be fine. I remember they did that for Ben Hur. When something's as good as Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, I'm more then happy to invest my time.

I saw this film in the Imax theater, which features a 20 minute segment in 3-D. It was fun, but I'm sure the regular edition of the film is none the less for not having this feature.

I want to see this movie again this weekend. This time I should be able to turn off the part of my brain that read the book and enjoy it even more.

Oh, and Deathly Hallows rocks!

[Kieli]

Well Dumbledore has finally been outed, poor old sod. Oh the fanfiction that will come of this. I'd hazard to guess that she's already read some of the racier ones with D/H or D/Sirius pairings.

NEW YORK - Harry Potter fans, the rumors are true: Albus Dumbledore, master wizard and Headmaster of Hogwarts, is gay. J.K. Rowling, author of the mega-selling fantasy series that ended last summer, outed the beloved character Friday night while appearing before a full house at Carnegie Hall.

After reading briefly from the final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," she took questions from audience members.

She was asked by one young fan whether Dumbledore finds "true love."

"Dumbledore is gay," the author responded to gasps and applause.

She then explained that Dumbledore was smitten with rival Gellert Grindelwald, whom he defeated long ago in a battle between good and bad wizards. "Falling in love can blind us to an extent," Rowling said of Dumbledore's feelings, adding that Dumbledore was "horribly, terribly let down."

Dumbledore's love, she observed, was his "great tragedy."

"Oh, my god," Rowling concluded with a laugh, "the fan fiction."

Potter readers on fan sites and elsewhere on the Internet have speculated on the sexuality of Dumbledore, noting that he has no close relationship with women and a mysterious, troubled past. And explicit scenes with Dumbledore already have appeared in fan fiction.

Rowling told the audience that while working on the planned sixth Potter film, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," she spotted a reference in the script to a girl who once was of interest to Dumbledore. A note was duly passed to director David Yates, revealing the truth about her character.

Rowling, finishing a brief "Open Book Tour" of the United States, her first tour here since 2000, also said that she regarded her Potter books as a "prolonged argument for tolerance" and urged her fans to "question authority."

Not everyone likes her work, Rowling said, likely referring to Christian groups that have alleged the books promote witchcraft. Her news about Dumbledore, she said, will give them one more reason.

[Hemiola]

Hi Kieli! *waves*
Interestingly, this was a big enough story that my local 24-hour newsradio station felt that it was important enough to do a feature on it.

In the final analysis, though, it's of little importance since sexuality of any kind plays almost no part in the stories. In fact, it could be argued that the truly great tragic/romantic love story of the series is that of Snape and Lily!

[Kieli]

Hi Kieli! *waves*

Oiii

Interestingly, this was a big enough story that my local 24-hour newsradio station felt that it was important enough to do a feature on it.

I suspect JK is going to get a fair amount of grilling over it. Too late, though, she's already worth millions *LOL*

In the final analysis, though, it's of little importance since sexuality of any kind plays almost no part in the stories. In fact, it could be argued that the truly great tragic/romantic love story of the series is that of Snape and Lily!

I suppose I could argue that if I really thought Lily was interested in Snape, romantically. I'm just finding it hard to believe (like I find it hard to believe that Hermione was good with anyone else but Harry....oh the agony!)

[Hemiola]

Actually, I suspected that Harry would end up with Ginny right from the time he rescued her in "Chamber of Secrets". As for Ron and Hermione, they fought way too much not to actually be in love with each other.

You are certainly right about the "grilling" she will probably have to put up with--this just provides one more reason for the "Fundies" to hate the series (they already despise it for "promoting witchcraft" :rotflol ).

In any case, I'm sure Rowling will cry about it all the way to the bank...

[Kieli]

Actually, I suspected that Harry would end up with Ginny right from the time he rescued her in "Chamber of Secrets". As for Ron and Hermione, they fought way too much not to actually be in love with each other.

I don't necessarily believe in that line of logic. For example, I fought with my ex-best friend's boyfriend (now husband) constantly. He irritated the living crap out of me. Does that imply that I was in love with him? Certainly not, and I was around that bastard all of the time! I firmly believe that he actually helped make me more gay

Ginny...god love the woman, she's way too strong for Harry. He'll be henpecked *chuckle* I read a few Ginny/Hr fanfics that were halfway decent and they almost succeeded in convincing me that the pairing might work. Must have been my wishful thinking

In any case, I'm sure Rowling will cry about it all the way to the bank...

Isn't that the truth. I bet the Fundies wish they had her bank account...god knows I wish I did

[Alcy]

You kinda wish that she had said it when the books were being written but oh well, it makes sense anyway for the character but it does almost seem pointless to reveal something like this when everything is done and dusted.

[sheila wt]

The Leaky Cauldron's Interview with GLAAD about Dumbledore being gay includes references to our two beloved witches:

http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/2007/10/24/leaky-interview-with-glaad-the-gay-and-lesbian-alliance-against-defamation

[Hemiola]

Yes indeed, a very nice interview. Good also to be reminded that W/T were "a lovely couple"--it brings back memories that are still painfull.

An interesting point: this "revelation" was not made in the books! To my way of thinking, this kind of serriously compromises the impact. Think about it--what if in, say, "Goblet Of Fire", one of the students had asked if Dumbledore was taking anyone to the ball. Then McGonigle might have replied "I'm afraid that Albus is not currently seeing anyone of his gender at this time."

Now THAT would have been a revelation!!

[LestatDraconus]

I've watched the 5 movies. I thought that the forth movie would have little non-noticable cuts like the previous movies. Alas, I've never hated Hollywood more.

Spoiler:

My mother hasn't even read the forth and fifth books. She didn't get how they could magically jump from plot point to plot point with no reference of anything in between. As for them changing the Forth book-to-movie so that Doctor Who could have more screen time and flash his nutso grin, and for the entire Hermione S.P.E.W fiasco being chucked out the window just pissed me off.

And for the fifth movie, well, how on earth could they change the death of Sirius completely? And I did not like HBC in the role of Bellatrix, but I wouldn't really know who to replace her with. And where the hell was Tonks? More screen time please. The only enjoyment I got out of the movie consisted of Voldemort, Emo Harry and of course, Emma Watson's Eyebrows of DOOM.

[Hemiola]

Well, I've just purchased and viewed the 2-disc DVD edition of "Order of the Phoenix".

Viewing the film in a home environment just emphasizes how much of the book was omitted. It's a shame, but I guess it was either that or produce a 4-hour film with vastly more expensive spfx.

The "extras" are OK, but only OK. The "Additional Scenes" turn out to be just extended versions of existing scenes, and one of them is really just comic shtick by Emma Thompson (Prof. Trelawney) during the Umbridge introduction speech. The best feature is probably "Trailing Tonks", a tour of the studio by Natalia Tema (who turns out to be very charming ). The "Hidden Secrets" documentary is really just a review of the films up to this point, and I don't especially care for the "DIY Editing" feature.

In short, a good purchase if, like me, you are a "completist".

[Hemiola]

Well, I''m just back from "Half-Blood Prince". After reading the book, I have to admit that I wondered how they would even be able to make a film out of it, since so much of it takes place in Dumbledore's memory.

On the whole, though, it's not a bad try. As before, a great deal of the book is lost, and I don't see how any newcomer to the series would be able to follow what's going on if they hadn't read the books or at least seen all of the previous movies.

As was expected, all the performances and spfx were outstanding. I especially enjoyed the young man who plays Draco Malfoy, who gave a truly tortured performance of a boy faced with an impossible situation. He'll make a fine leading man some day. The more I see him, the more I appreciate the understated, masterful acting of Alan Rickman as Snape. He was truly an inspired choice for the part. Rupert Grint is a natural comedian, and Emma Watson just gets prettier and prettier. Jim Broadbent is alway first class, and he was a good choice for Slughorn. And how can you not love Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix: she obviously has a lot of fun playing a character who is, as she said in an interview, "barking".

I've got to mention something else. Maybe it was the sound system in the theatre, maybe it was the accents used by some of the actors, but I had a great deal of difficulty understanding a lot of the dialogue. Was it just me??

Anyway, I felt it was worth the admission price. It obviously serves as a prelude for "Deathly Hallows", which we now know will be in two (2) parts. We'll just have to see how faithful they remain to Rowling's vision.

[Faitheus88]

I'm afraid that I've liked each movie less and less. Why can I say? I'm too picky. they change so much and keep so little of the book.
i'm hoping that since Deathly Hallows is two movies it will be the best.