Anyone see the latest Harry Potter

[wwhopper]

All this talk about the I-Phone, and nothing about Harry Potter, what's up with that?

We went last night (not with the segs, though we should have, as traffic was terrible) and it was a sold out house at the biggest screen in town. Not sure if we will go see it on I-Max this time, as we did last time.

I thought they rushed through it, and no question it was a darker than in previous films.

Overall I thought it was good, but not as good as the previous films, The sets were OK, where as in each prior film they became more elaborate, this time they sort of were holding steady.

Interesting to see them trying to keep the actors young, when they are getting so much older.

We of course will buy the DVD when it comes out, and are looking forward to the book coming out later on this month.

[gbrandwood]

You know what Will, I tried my best to convince my daughter she wanted to go (so I could take her and get to see the film) but she wasn't interested. I will try again, but otherwise I'll be waiting until it comes out on DVD.

They showed the first film on TV a few days back and it really shows how much the actors have aged. They really need to work back-to-back to get the remaining films done before Harry Potter is just too damn old!

[quade]

Interesting to see them trying to keep the actors young, when they are getting so much older.

I believe that they are in reality only two years older than their characters. Emma Watson mentioned she was 17 when she was on Letterman last week.

The most common complaint I've heard so far to date about this movie is that it doesn't cover everything in the book. This is actually a pretty common complaint when books are turned into movies, but it's just the nature of the beast. It's simply impossible to cover as much detail in a movie. The main focus of the movie is and should be Harry's story, so I can forgive them the details of Ron becoming a Prefect or all of that S.P.E.W. stuff being left out. It's nice detail, but if it doesn't really move the main story, it's going to be difficult to fit into a movie. Just a couple examples and there are many others.

I was pleasantly surprized by how they handled Luna. She actually seems like she's the most together person in the entire film with a lot of grace under pressure. Quite different than I remember her from the book, but maybe they're going somewhere here I hadn't previously thought about.

One detail that I thought they dealt with very nicely was showing us a bit of why Snape is the way he is and why he holds the elder Potter with such ill will. My theory of story telling tells me that every character has to believe they are doing the right thing at every moment. By showing us a piece of Snape's motivation, we can see him as being a bit more human and actually have some sympathy for him . . . we even root for a decision he makes a little while later in the movie.

This does, however, set up an interesting issue for the next movie. It will be interesting to see how they resolve that.

. . . and no question it was a darker than in previous films.

As are all epic tales of a hero's journey. While JKR may not have orginally set out to even make an entire series, once she had the series established, she is follows the classic format of "the hero's journey" in her story telling. So, certain things kind of have to happen and one of them is that the each part must be somewhat darker than the one before it. Lucas does the exact same thing if you look at the Star Wars series, not as they were made and released, but as they are chaptered and finally intended to be viewed as a collective.

Can hardly wait to read the last book.

[florin]

I haven't seen the movie yet.

In every movie they have dropped certain parts of the book. In the first book the part about Norbert the dragon is much longer then in the movie, and if I'm not misstaken Ron was bitten by Norbert. By leaving that out of the story, some parts of the story line of movie one are even incorrect. But who cares, it are all great movies.

I'm looking forward for the book too, only 5 more days of waiting.

[Desert_Seg]

Harry who?

What's all this fuss about this guy? My goodness, I hear he can't even afford a Segway and has to use a broomstick or something like that!

Steven

[florin]

I hear he can't even afford a Segway and has to use a broomstick or something like that!

He does have enough money to afford one, but unfortunately he has the firebolt, the fatsest broomstick of the world, so he doesn't really need a segway :(

[macgeek]

http://bandster.us/potter.jpg


Jonathan

[florin]

Harry says: "I Solemnly swear I am up to no good"

And there his brand new Segway X2 appeared (fully charged of course :)), when he finished gliding, he just says: "Mischief Managed"

[macgeek]

He does have enough money to afford one, but unfortunately he has the firebolt, the fatsest broomstick of the world, so he doesn't really need a segway :(

I wonder how many galleons a segway would be, from Segway of Diagon Alley

lets see

5000 US Dollar = 1037 galleons, 0 sickles and 9 knuts

http://cgi.money.cnn.com/apps/hpcurrconv

Jonathan

[wwhopper]

Keep up the fun posts!

Anyone gliding to the bookstore on Friday night?

[macgeek]

Keep up the fun posts!

Anyone gliding to the bookstore on Friday night?

Midnight... Segway..... Sleep.. hallows.....

Oh the choices one must make......


Jonathan

[wwhopper]

Jim Dale makes it very interesting as he tells the story.

Though I hear that there is a different version in the UK, than here. I also hear that there is a different UK book....

Any of our UK folk can tell us what the difference might be?

[florin]

Jim Dale makes it very interesting as he tells the story.

Though I hear that there is a different version in the UK, than here. I also hear that there is a different UK book....

Any of our UK folk can tell us what the difference might be?


Did you already finish the book? I'm curious about your (and others) opinion about the last chapter. Personally I regret the last chapter, it's a smart move from JK Rowling, because now the story is really finished. But personally I would have rather have seen a more open end, which could be continued in a next book.

Although I'm not from the UK, I do think I know the answer [:O]

The text in all the versions (UK Kids, UK Adult, US) of the books are the same, the only difference is the cover:

UK Kids version:
http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51tB0kftR-L._SS400_.jpg

US Version:
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/41qTZcMasSL._SS400_.jpg

I have no knowledge about any differences regarding audio books, but perhaps somebody else can tell a bit more about it.

[nickyboy]

OK. Finished it last night. Wow! I don't normally read fiction, but the whole series has really gripped me.

Your right Florin, the only difference is the cover. I agree about the last chapter as well, not up to JK's usual standard.

Gareth, I have the opposite problem to you. With the kids on school holiday, I have threatened them that they cannot go to see it without me!

Oh, and don't you just know that the dementors are actually gliding on Segways under those robes!

With regards to the actors getting older, apparently the actor who plays Neville (sorry dude, can't remember your name) says the make up ladies are constantly complaining about his lack of a close shave in the mornings.

[nickyboy]

As are all epic tales of a hero's journey. While JKR may not have orginally set out to even make an entire series, once she had the series established, she is follows the classic format of "the hero's journey" in her story telling. So, certain things kind of have to happen and one of them is that the each part must be somewhat darker than the one before it. Lucas does the exact same thing if you look at the Star Wars series, not as they were made and released, but as they are chaptered and finally intended to be viewed as a collective.

Can hardly wait to read the last book.[/QUOTE]

JK had the whole story mapped out almost immediatly, apparently it took her a year to work it into the various "chapters" or years of Harry's life.

[pam]

I got it the first morning available and read it all day <G>. According to an interview here in the States, Rowling had originally intended to add more to the last chapter, but changed her mind. Personally, I like that it's the end of the series. I'm curious to see what else will come from her pen after a much needed (I'm sure) rest.

Pam

[macgeek]

I finished it as well, Rumor has it 'Ro (as her friends call her) will do a Harry Potter Encyclopedia That will give more details and stories.

But I expect that wont be out for a few years.

Jonathan

[pam]

Yes, that was a rumor discussed in the NBC interview. I am eagerly awaiting that one.
Pam

[wwhopper]

But enjoying every page.

And once we finish the book, we will then listen and relisten to the CD's which are as much fun or more than the movies.

All three, the book, the CD and the Movies provide a different Harry Potter experience.

[nickyboy]

Are there meetings for Potter Holics

(stands up) .. Hi, my name is Will and I'm a Potter Holic :D

[wwhopper]

Because both my other half and I really love it, but I am not that found of some of the other sci-fi or fantsy type of stories.

This was one of those stories that I never got into, but since the kids in the neighborhood were into it, we found out about it 2 books into the series.

And have been hooked ever since.

I do have a life... Really I do. Segways and Harry Potter... Oh and fast cars now and again as well!

[macgeek]

Are there meetings for Potter Holics

(stands up) .. Hi, my name is Will and I'm a Potter Holic :D

Wouldn't he be called a "pot head" ?

Jonathan

[BillPaxton]

..but dreading the final chapter. No matter what, it's going to be better than the last Sopranos tho....

[pam]

Ahh, Bill, you'll love it - and the afterward.
P

[Eric Payne]

..but dreading the final chapter. No matter what, it's going to be better than the last Sopranos tho....

You didn't like the finale of the Sop

[BillPaxton]

No, I really didn't.
I get it, I recognize the symbolism, the cast of characters from the first through last seasons, allusion of the second before a bullet hits....etc...Ok we get that Dave Chase is a good writer
-but-
What I *wanted* was real first-season stuff, old school gang war (although Phil Leotardo's curtain call was supurbly done), to see the bad guy get it. Even if he ended up in jail it would have been more rewarding.

I consider it a bad final episode. Now in contrast Six Feet Under final episode was perhaps the BEST finale I have ever seen but that's a whole other thread, kinda off topic even for Off Topic!

[Eric Payne]

Well, actually, with the "you didn't like the finale of the Sop" comment, and the omission of my signature line, I was attempting - in a very subtle way, mind you... apparently, very, very subtle - to poke fun at the "just turn it off" way the series ended. I, too, was expecting more and was a little confused that Sunday night, though, later, the whole "everything just goes on" concept of the finale made some sense.

BTW... Jupiter, FL, I know, became somewhat of an East Coast actor's haven a couple of decades ago when Burt Reynolds relocated there... and your name is the same as one of a more prolific screen actor's... so, I have to ask... are you THAT Bill Paxton? And, if so, if you have personal photographs of the T wreckage, I would love to see them, as she's been my passion for over 25 years.

And if you're not THAT Bill Paxton, the above will make no sense to you, whatsoever! :-)

Eric Payne
Glendale, AZ

[BillPaxton]

Well, actually, with the "you didn't like the finale of the Sop" comment, and the omission of my signature line, I was attempting - in a very subtle way, mind you... apparently, very, very subtle - to poke fun at the "just turn it off" way the series ended. I, too, was expecting more and was a little confused that Sunday night, though, later, the whole "everything just goes on" concept of the finale made some sense.

BTW... Jupiter, FL, I know, became somewhat of an East Coast actor's haven a couple of decades ago when Burt Reynolds relocated there... and your name is the same as one of a more prolific screen actor's... so, I have to ask... are you THAT Bill Paxton? And, if so, if you have personal photographs of the T wreckage, I would love to see them, as she's been my passion for over 25 years.

And if you're not THAT Bill Paxton, the above will make no sense to you, whatsoever! :-)

Eric Paynee
Glendale, AZ
I get that alot - and believe it or not, in my home town there were over a dozen Bill Paxtons (my dad says we are ALL related to *THE* BP but I would think there are many degrees of separation). I believe Mr. Paxton resides on the other coast, in order to facilitate the filming of 'Big Love". I've actually spoken with him and he is just a regular guy with a much better job than us, very down-to-Earth and extremely pleasant. I hope my dad was right, he's a good spokesperson for the family name.

That said, I have alot of pretty pictures of an old boat you may be interested in...

Irregardless, just finished Harry Potter - I liked it but I prefer Gregory Maguire

[Eric Payne]

So do I. She is, as I said, one of my personal passions. Walter Lord was a very dear friend of mine, I was an advisor on a video game a few years back based on her, and I wrote a "museum piece" (a tour of "artifacts" taken while wearing a cassette/CD player that automatically plays information while touring) that toured the country and is presently, I believe, based full-time in the Orlando area.

Actually, I was hoping you might be THAT BP so I could get snuck aboard the Kheldish and the MIR....

:-)

Eric Payne
Glendale, AZ