So I bought the DVD...
Welsh Dog
This was the first time I'd seen it since the twice I saw it at the
movies... once at the iMax and once 'normal'
For the first time I'd *not* rushed home to download a freebie copy
because I couldn't wait to see it again... and when I watched it I
understood why... it simply isn't a very good film at all.
There were none of the familiar themes... the storyline was skewed...
those additions such as burning The Burrow were just dire and it was a
wholly unsatisfactory experience.
Yet again I *cringed* when I saw Neville being used to serve drinks at
Slughorn's party. The post-Ministry Neville would *never* have
submitted to such an indignity!
The Room of Requirement scenes were god-awful travesties of the 'real'
thing and that pathetic "I'll just smear my lips on your cheek a
little" kiss between Ginny and Harry was just.... geez... where do I
stop?
I've not yet sat and watched the additional material... so perhaps
there may be something worth looking at... but the film is without
doubt *the* worst of the series and that's including the Debacle of
Goblet of Fire which itself was a travesty of the story.
Please Lord let them not have wrecked the ending?? Please.... ??
Welshdog
--
Don't just whinge - make your opinion count!
Australian Opinion
http://australianopinion.com.au
mag3
>Bought the DVD and watched it.
>
>This was the first time I'd seen it since the twice I saw it at the
>movies... once at the iMax and once 'normal'
This is HP6 you are discussing, right? Unfortunately, we here in the
USA are at a bit of a disadvantage as the DVD won't be released for us
until 8, December, 2009. So we have maybe a couple more weeks to go.
I only saw it once in theater (non-iMax). And I missed a portion of it since
I had to look after my nephew who was with me.
>For the first time I'd *not* rushed home to download a freebie copy
>because I couldn't wait to see it again... and when I watched it I
>understood why... it simply isn't a very good film at all.
[SNIP]
>I've not yet sat and watched the additional material... so perhaps
>there may be something worth looking at... but the film is without
>doubt *the* worst of the series and that's including the Debacle of
>Goblet of Fire which itself was a travesty of the story.
>
>Please Lord let them not have wrecked the ending?? Please.... ??
From what I saw and remember of it, I agree with your assessment above.
I think they're getting way too afar from the books. Why they are, is a mystery
to me. Is isn't about the story anymore. It's about the visual effects, and audience
grabbers (well.... the "gullible audience" grabbers anyway ;-) ) etc.... It's about
giving the "stars" as much face time as they can get... It's about the producers/
writer's willingness to cow tow to all that Hollywood Movie junk to make money
than to represent the story faithfully. I guess that's not as profitable in the USA,
but someone out there is eating it up all over the world. << Sigh >>
I have no idea what will happen in the DH movies now. I fear for them. But I guess
they figure, they have us now so they can do whatever they want. At least the
Dursleys will make one last appearance.
____________________________________________
Regards,
Arnold
Edward McArdle
zmpmag...@yahoo.com wrote:
I am more optimistic.
The books are bought and owned, so whatever happens in the films will not
affect them, and they now have several hours to finish off the story. I
don't know if the producers read newsgroups, but they will have absorbed
some feedback about how people want to know more about the other
characters - and you can do that in seconds in a film. You just have a
crowd of all the people you want to know about, all looking happy.
Throw in someone's birthday party perhaps. The Malfoys are there, the
Dursleys are there - well, parhaps just Dudley. Looking slimmer.
--
Edward McArdle
DaveD
"Welsh Dog" <wels...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:aipmg5logo0raqeum...@4ax.com...
Ouch!
You say you saw it twice at the movies - did you also dislike it then, or
was it just watching it on the DVD that you didn't like it?
Some of the HP films have grown on me (POA a huge amount: didn't much like
it the first time, now it's one of my favourites), GoF I like a bit more now
than when I saw it in the cinema, OotP gradually irritated me less with
subsequent viewings (a bit like the book!) but I still don't like it much,
so I was surprised when I saw HBP just how much I enjoyed it, especially as
it was the same director as OotP which was my least favourite.
I went in expecting to dislike it given all the changes from the book but I
didn't mind as I found it easy to take the film on its own merits with a
separate identify from the book, which hasn't been the case for the other
films. So I'm hoping the DVD won't spoil that.
I have to say, I just watched the DVD of Star Trek - I thought the film was
amazing in the cinema (IMAX), and the DVD was equally good. I'm hoping the
same will apply to HBP!
DaveD
DaveD
news:mcardle-2511...@192.168.1.7...
> In article <7meng55spf49efmvv...@4ax.com>,
> zmpmag...@yahoo.com wrote:
>>On Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:58:32 +1100, Welsh Dog <wels...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Bought the DVD and watched it.
>>>
>>
Despite my liking HBP, I must disagree - I think the problem is too often
Hollywood caters to the lowest common denominator rather than to quality. A
good director should be able to do something s/he thinks is right rather
than just produce something targeted to generate the biggest
profit/audience. My fear is that they won't so much have looked at feedback
as proactively gone out and looked into what sort of film and what details
the less-committed teen fans would like, so as to make them more likely to
see it, rather than having the courage of their convictions and just trying
to produce a good film that will bring people on on quality. So more teen
angst, snogging, and embarrassing attempts at humour, etc.
That said, despite those factors (which were present in HBP) I still really
enjoyed it! As a film anyway, now for the DVD... and the deleted scenes,
woohoo :D
DaveD
Welsh Dog
<dav...@DELETETHISBITgmx.co.uk> wrote:
>"Welsh Dog" <wels...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:aipmg5logo0raqeum...@4ax.com...
>> Bought the DVD and watched it.
Forgot to mention I meant the DVD of the film of "Half Blood Prince".
>> This was the first time I'd seen it since the twice I saw it at the
>> movies... once at the iMax and once 'normal'
>> For the first time I'd *not* rushed home to download a freebie copy
>> because I couldn't wait to see it again... and when I watched it I
>> understood why... it simply isn't a very good film at all.
>> There were none of the familiar themes... the storyline was skewed...
>> those additions such as burning The Burrow were just dire and it was a
>> wholly unsatisfactory experience.
>> Yet again I *cringed* when I saw Neville being used to serve drinks at
>> Slughorn's party. The post-Ministry Neville would *never* have
>> submitted to such an indignity!
>> The Room of Requirement scenes were god-awful travesties of the 'real'
>> thing and that pathetic "I'll just smear my lips on your cheek a
>> little" kiss between Ginny and Harry was just.... geez... where do I
>> stop?
>> I've not yet sat and watched the additional material... so perhaps
>> there may be something worth looking at... but the film is without
>> doubt *the* worst of the series and that's including the Debacle of
>> Goblet of Fire which itself was a travesty of the story.
>> Please Lord let them not have wrecked the ending?? Please.... ??
>Ouch!
>You say you saw it twice at the movies - did you also dislike it then, or
>was it just watching it on the DVD that you didn't like it?
The film as a film was ok - good to watch the special effects and an
exciting storyline... but it *wasn't* the HBP we know and loved or
hated. There was so much left out that was required and so much added
that was unnecessary that it spoiled what could have been... yet
again.
>Some of the HP films have grown on me (POA a huge amount: didn't much like
>it the first time, now it's one of my favourites), GoF I like a bit more now
>than when I saw it in the cinema, OotP gradually irritated me less with
>subsequent viewings (a bit like the book!) but I still don't like it much,
>so I was surprised when I saw HBP just how much I enjoyed it, especially as
>it was the same director as OotP which was my least favourite.
Actually... what *has* really grown on me is Emma Watson's dreadful
acting. I quite honestly watch the GoF films just to see those flared
nostrils and shoulder lifts that precede every bit of acting she
does... absolutely gorgeous. And of course in HPB she is just sodding
lovely... can't act her way out of a paper bag but *so* much fun to
watch.
As for the films... I quite liked OoP but the first three were best...
and PS most of all (probably because it was closest to the book).
>I went in expecting to dislike it given all the changes from the book but I
>didn't mind as I found it easy to take the film on its own merits with a
>separate identify from the book, which hasn't been the case for the other
>films. So I'm hoping the DVD won't spoil that.
As a film... passable. As a visually effective interpretation of
HBP... forget it :(
>I have to say, I just watched the DVD of Star Trek - I thought the film was
>amazing in the cinema (IMAX), and the DVD was equally good. I'm hoping the
>same will apply to HBP!
I wish I could whet your appetite with snippets of wonder... but it is
far and away the worst 'interpretation' of a book I've seen since
someone decided to condense The Forsyte Saga into a 2 hour movie !!!
Lastly... apart from really missing the familiar musical themes... did
anyone see Hedwig through the entire movie?? I have the feeling we saw
a flash of her at The Burrow... but can't be sure unless I watch it
again... and I don't want to. (but probably will soon enough) :(
DaveD
> On Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:57:37 -0000, "DaveD"
> <dav...@DELETETHISBITgmx.co.uk> wrote:
>>"Welsh Dog" <wels...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>news:aipmg5logo0raqeum...@4ax.com...
>>> Bought the DVD and watched it.
[snip]
Well I watched the dvd at home but thought the film was much better!
However, the dvds usually grow on me although recently I didn't think much
of the films so I'll see if that happens this time given I did like the
film. Odd though...
Of course it probably wasn't helped by the fact my heating had gone earlier
in the day and it was very cold so I was sitting there in about 4 layers of
clothing and wrapped in a duvet, with a (very inefficient) fan heater making
a lot of noise in the background so couldn't really get into it properly
lol.
I thought Emma's acting was a bit better (loved the bit when she seems drunk
as they get back from the pub), Ron was fine but just didn't get much
opportunity, but I really did like Harry after taking Felix - he even looks
different, somehow his eyes and face change shape. And his cheekiness - very
funny.
We got a few bars of Hedwig's theme looking down on the train to Hogwarts,
and Ginny says Hedwig's there so where's Harry, so I think we saw him for a
few seconds but I can't actually remember that either! Hopefully they won't
have Hedwig in the next film as his only part there is to get blasted with
an AK so I'd rather not, it'll just have me in tears right at the start of
the film :(
Oh well, probably watch one of the first two films over Christmas as they
seem very Christmassy films somehow, then possibly try HBP later if I'm in
the mood to watch it properly (assuming the heating's still working!)
DaveD
Welsh Dog
<dav...@DELETETHISBITgmx.co.uk> wrote:
>"Welsh Dog" <wels...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:cfurg51rtme925fpe...@4ax.com...
>> On Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:57:37 -0000, "DaveD"
>> <dav...@DELETETHISBITgmx.co.uk> wrote:
>>>"Welsh Dog" <wels...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>>>news:aipmg5logo0raqeum...@4ax.com...
>[snip]
>I thought Emma's acting was a bit better (loved the bit when she seems drunk
>as they get back from the pub), Ron was fine but just didn't get much
>opportunity, but I really did like Harry after taking Felix - he even looks
>different, somehow his eyes and face change shape. And his cheekiness - very
>funny.
I really fell in love with Emma during this movie... she isn't really
that pretty and her acting is quite awful in parts... but she has a
'quality' to her that's really appealing.
I was listening to the Tale of Despereaux the other day and Emma's
voice rang out clear and true as the princess... except of course what
I *saw* in my mind was Hermione speaking the words. I wonder if I'll
ever be able to see her as anything/anyone else?
Actually... I think it's her shonky acting that's one of her most
appealing features. I almost wish I was 40 years younger... rich of
course... much better looking... thinner... back in the UK or in a US
university... hmmm... ok... all that's probably a bit much even for
Dumbledore to fix. I'll just look at her with grandfatherly affection
and dream of reincarnation. :)
DaveD
I honestly don't think her acting's that bad (I know, I'm in a minority of
one!) as I recall quite a few girls behaving exactly like that when I was at
school. She does look very different in this film though - older and more
mature in a more elegant sort of way (possibly the help of the modelling
house she's now signed with, perhaps slightly more plucked eyebrows...)
And I'm pleased to say that the DVD was far more enjoyable the second time
round - this time with central heating, rather than the time 2 weeks ago
when the heating broke down and I was wrapped up in a duvet with a fan
heater clicking on and off in the background drowning out what people were
saying. And yes we definitely saw Hedwig for all of 2 secs!
I've heard the argument behind the burning of The Burrow (don't agree with
it, mind) and Dd's death could have been done a lot more dramatically, but
most of all, I still don't understand that cafe scene at the beginning -
why, what was the point, what were they trying to say especially with Harry
already falling for Ginny???
DaveD
Edward McArdle
<dav...@DELETETHISBITgmx.co.uk> wrote:
>"Welsh Dog" <wels...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:s4o3j5htlh7jve7b4...@4ax.com...
>> Actually... I think it's her shonky acting that's one of her most
>> appealing features. I almost wish I was 40 years younger... rich of
>> course... much better looking... thinner... back in the UK or in a US
>> university... hmmm... ok... all that's probably a bit much even for
>> Dumbledore to fix. I'll just look at her with grandfatherly affection
>> and dream of reincarnation. :)
>>
>> Welshdog
>
>
>I honestly don't think her acting's that bad (I know, I'm in a minority of
>one!) as I recall quite a few girls behaving exactly like that when I was at
>school. She does look very different in this film though - older and more
>mature in a more elegant sort of way (possibly the help of the modelling
>house she's now signed with, perhaps slightly more plucked eyebrows...)
>
>And I'm pleased to say that the DVD was far more enjoyable the second time
>round - this time with central heating, rather than the time 2 weeks ago
>when the heating broke down and I was wrapped up in a duvet with a fan
>heater clicking on and off in the background drowning out what people were
>saying. And yes we definitely saw Hedwig for all of 2 secs!
>
>I've heard the argument behind the burning of The Burrow (don't agree with
>it, mind) and Dd's death could have been done a lot more dramatically, but
>most of all, I still don't understand that cafe scene at the beginning -
>why, what was the point, what were they trying to say especially with Harry
>already falling for Ginny???
>
>DaveD
I'm with you. I think the acting in the show is quite good. I can't see
the need for the scene at the beginning, but... Harry is a reasonably
attractive teenage boy. He might think Ginny is very attractive, but he is
still going to flirt.
Except that that is not the Harry in the books.
--
Edward McArdle
mag3
>I've heard the argument behind the burning of The Burrow (don't agree with
>it, mind) and Dd's death could have been done a lot more dramatically, but
>most of all, I still don't understand that cafe scene at the beginning -
>why, what was the point, what were they trying to say especially with Harry
>already falling for Ginny???
>
>DaveD
I thought it was for a few reasons -
1) To show the wizard world functioning within the context of the muggle
community (it seems there's at least one scene of that towards the
beginning of all the movies - usually it's Harry with one or more of the
Dursleys... GOF had the housekeeper that was killed by Voldie etc.)...
Perhaps, this is so that we muggles have some reference point of
understanding before we zoom off into Potterverse. Maybe sort of like
Dorothy in the "black & white" scenes in Kansas... etc...
2) To promote more "ethnic diversity" and give more exposure to people
of color within the HP series. You'll notice that the "Patil" twins did not
have a significant presence in this film, nor did Dean Thomas (even
though he was supposed to be Harry's foil for Ginny's interest), and Cho
Chang wasn't even in the film.
3) Perhaps to showcase this specific actress (who was, rather talented and
attractive)...
As for burning the burrow.... What *is* the argument for doing it in HP6? It would
seem to make things difficult for the Weasleys to host the wedding in HP7 if the Burrow
is gone, no? As for DD's death, yes, I would have hoped for something a bit more
dramatic.... Something in re: the "White Tomb" and how that worked. I was also
somewhat concerned that Snape's revelation of being the HBP was a bit too easily
done. There should have been more drama there as well.
____________________________________________
Regards,
Arnold
Draco Malfoy
> I've heard the argument behind the burning of The Burrow (don't agree with
> it, mind) and Dd's death could have been done a lot more dramatically, but
> most of all, I still don't understand that cafe scene at the beginning -
> why, what was the point, what were they trying to say especially with Harry
> already falling for Ginny???
>
> DaveD
They were trying to say that Potter has a set and maybe some brains to
boot.
--
The fans rightly adore me !
https://twitter.com/TomFelton