| Food for Thought |
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WARNING: Contents under pressure. DO NOT OPEN IN AN INTELLECTUAL VACUUM. ~ A rubber stamp
In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of. ~Confucius
"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." ~Sarah Ban Breathnach
"I would not exchange the laughter of my heart for the fortunes of the multitudes." ~Khalil Gibran
"We must be the change we wish to see in the world." ~Mahatma Gandhi
"How can we say there is peace when so many go hungry?" ~Oscar Arias Sanchez
"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Attributed to both T.H. Thompson and John Watson
"Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infans. We know more about war than we know about peace, more about killing than we know about living. ~Omar N Bradley
"If you have knowledge, let others light their candles in it." ~Margaret Fuller
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| Thursday, July 12, 2007 |
| Harry Potter Film 5 - Review |
Well, Mum and I arrived at the theater about 1.5 hours early and the line for the showing had already stretched the length of floor (later, it apparently stretched outside the entrance area and downstairs to the main lobby and out the door). I had planned to do some editing and/or pleasure reading (Robin D. Owens's Heart Dance if anyone is interested), but, as with the London premiere, it poured, poured, poured. I wasn't about to sink onto wet and grotty carpeting, thank you very much. Not that you want to hear that.
So, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." I don't consider any of the following to contain spoilers.
Verdict: It's okay. Book 4 and Film 4 remain the best of the bunch thus far.
Comments: Imelda Staunton was excellent as Dolores Umbridge. I admit I was initially skeptical when I saw the first stills way back when (in no way, shape or form would I ever describe Ms Staunton as a toadlike woman), but she really was great. One scene in particular, late in the film, when she has Harry in her office with some other students... well! Let's just say one of her actions there shocked the audience.
The adult actors are all superb, of course, but my chief complaint is that they have very, very, very little screen time. Yes, the stellar adult casting isn't put to much use; really, one might as well have not included them in the film. I always enjoy Alan Rickman as Snape, Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy and, of course, Dame Smith as Professor McGonagall. Helena Bonham Carter was perfect as Bellatrix Lestrange, but her time onscreen was severely limited as well.
Surprisingly enough, the limited screen time applied to Emma Watson and Rupert Grint (and Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy), too, although they play Harry's best friends. Rupert Grint, in particular, is left with little more than a few lines and a lot of grimacing.
My favorite scenes would be (naturally!) the Weaseley twins' spectacular antics during the fifth-year students' exams and the battle scenes at the Ministry of Magic (which wasn't quite what I expected but well done, nonetheless).
Overall, I'd say this movie is a collection of snapshots or a recap of the events in Book 5. No doubt you'll say that's to be expected, but too much was left out. I honestly don't think anyone who hasn't read the book (incredibly, there are quite a few still!) would wholly understand what happens and why in this movie. The motivation and growth of various characters that drove several plot points in the book are virtually nonexistent in the film... which makes me wonder what will happen in Film 6, The Half-blood Prince, because much of what occurs in Book 5 leads to direct consequences in the later book (and undoubtedly the final book), but since they're missing in Film 5...
As a side note, after all the credits rolled and the projector was shut off, those of us remaining in the theatre were literally left in the dark. The only light anywhere was a narrow strip (as on airplanes) along the stairs and leading to the exits. As the bulbs were red and small, they provided very little visibility. We stragglers ended up using our mobile phones to light the way.
In any case, my anticipation for the IMAX version hasn't dimmed despite my mediocre review. On a scale of 1 to 5, I'd give it a 3; on a scale of 1 to 10, probably a 6 or 7. |
posted by Cheshire Cat @ 7/12/2007 12:57:00 pm   |
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| 7 teabag(s) brewed: |
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Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire were the best movies so far. I thought the book, Order of the Phoenix,wasn't very good, just sort of a bridge to Half Blood Prince. I am supposed to be getting the last book by Saturday so I can read through it before someone blabs the ending on TV. I hate to see the series end really, but I am glad Rowling didn't draw it out as Robert Jordan did with his series - I don't think his is finished yet.
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and Hermoine has become a real biscuit!!
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Hi, PK!
*waving madly*
I definitely enjoyed Goblet of Fire (book and movie). The movies for Prisoner of Azkaban and Order of the Phoenix were good compared with the first 2 films.
I saw Order of the Phoenix on regular screen and on IMAX, so I helped contribute to the coffers of Ms Rowling and Warner Bros, lol. I can't wait for Phillip Pulman's The Golden Compass. I read the books when they first came out (trilogy) and recommended them to my friends; when I heard they were going to do a movie, I was actually surprised that Mr Pullman agreed to it. The trailer looks fabulous, so I guess his judgment is going to be rewarded. :0)
And Hermione is a lovely biscuit! :-D Actually, all the young actors sound remarkably well-adjusted and down to earth. Only time will tell if they turn out to be long-term sensible adults or crash-and-burns like MacCauley Culkin and Lindsay Lohan, etc, but I hope for much success and happiness for them all.
My copies of The Deathly Hallows won't arrive till mid-week, but I might allow myself to be dragged to one of the large bookstore festivities (Barnes & Noble at Union Square; Borders at Columbus Circle) and purchase yet another copy. I have all the UK versions up to Book 6, too.
In any case, if I do attend, I won't be dressed up, although I might use a rubber stamp of the HP scar and ink my forehead. I know, I live sooooo dangerously and excitedly, eh? :0)
I laughed re your comment on Robert Jordan's series; it rather reminded me of Piers Anthony's Xanth series, among others. Like you, I prefer there to be some type of conclusion at some point, otherwise the stories may become just like the neverending soap operas that go on for over 30 years! :-O
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You're back! Can't talk now - gotta read your blog and catch up a bit!
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Hi, ya, EC! :-D
Not much to catch up on, I'm afraid, but it's lovely to see you. :0)
I'm making a concerted effort to be good and post a little more. As usual, I'm behind in everything. I say this not to pump myself up as being sooooooo important, but because I always seem to let time run away from me. I believe it's called inefficient use of time.
Bad T&B! Bad! :-O
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Have to check out the Golden Compass...
Now that the Potter series is over I'll have to find something else to look forward too...
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The Golden Compass is the first in an excellent trilogy called His Dark Materials. It's also very anti-religion.
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Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire were the best movies so far. I thought the book, Order of the Phoenix,wasn't very good, just sort of a bridge to Half Blood Prince. I am supposed to be getting the last book by Saturday so I can read through it before someone blabs the ending on TV. I hate to see the series end really, but I am glad Rowling didn't draw it out as Robert Jordan did with his series - I don't think his is finished yet.