How this for odd. The first four Harry Potter entries I listened to on audiobook but haven't see them in movie form yet. The fifth entry I have not listen to its audiobook but have seen the movie. Weird.
Yes, due to Jen's niece wanting to see the young wizard, Jen, her niece and her parents and I went to see Harry Potter.
How was it? I liked it.
But I was thankful for having at least listened to the other books beforehand. I'd figure that if I hadn't, I'd be pretty much lost.
It was interesting to see the characters from the book in live action. I expected something different. The movie was more, well, modern. Yes, I know that the books are supposed to take place in the present day. But in my mind they were kind of timeless. Like they could be at home in the 50's as well as now.
I liked all the characters. Especially Luna Lovegood. Man, she is an odd little girl but she is also serene and peaceful. As someone who was picked on in school, I wished that I had just a bit of her grace back then.
The movie moved along fairly well and told the story well. The acting was first rate, which is not hard to imagine considering they have the cream of the British acting crop working in it.
The one thing that came to me during the movie, about what the true identity of Voldemort. I was struck with the idea that Voldemort might be Harry's father. I judge this based on a scene in flashback where Harry's father was excessively cruel to a young Snape. Now, my wife, who actually read the book, said that the elder Potter was portrayed a little more sympatetically in the novel.
Another qualm I had with the movie, and I am trying to dance around this as to avoid spoilers, is that the deadly device that appears during the climax (readers should have a "doorway" to understanding what I am talking about), didn't have its deadliness explained enough in the movie. Again, this was another one my wife helped me out with. In the book, it is clear that the object means death to anyone who comes to use it. The movie doesn't explain that at all, leaving the audience to wonder why that part of the final act is supposed to have such dramatic impact.
All in all, a good movie, which makes me want to not only start reading the Half-Blood Prince (which has been sitting in our bedroom since the day it was released), but also read the Order of the Phoenix. I think that is a good quality to have.
Now, previews:
- Bratz: Yeah, I had to sit through another preview for this stupid movie. Luckily, it was just the teaser so it was over quickly.
- The Dark is Rising: Another comic book-y movie, based on a kid's novel. Basically, a kid has great powers as his birthright and must fight evil. Maybe. Because when his mentor is Ian McShane from Deadwood, I think there might be a final act swerve coming. Yes, he doesn't have to as evil in every movie as he was in Deadwood. But when you see him on screen, you want to scream "Don't believe him , kid!"
- Enchanted: They say that Times Square in NYC has become "Disney-fied". This movie finally makes that true. A typical Disney princess is cast out of her animated world and arrives in Times Square. Hilarity ensues. I am actually kind of excited about this movie. It's got a great cast-Amy Adams as the princess, Susan Sarandon as the evil queen, James "Cyclops" Marsden as the Prince, and Patrick Dempsey. Wow, Patrick Dempsey man. He want from dorky kid to someone women swoon over. I wish that happened to me. But anyway, the movie seems to have a gentle, silly sense of humor which pokes fun on Disney movie conventions--all the while being put out by Disney. I think I might want to see it.
- The Golden Compass: A different version of the trailer, this one promising a armored polar bear on armored polar bear slap fight.
- 10,000 B.C.: From the director of Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow comes a movie that reminds you of a less interesting Apocalypso. And since I had absolutely no interest in Apocalypso, this is meant as an insult. They actually advertise that the director did those movies in the trailer. Someone should tell the powers that be that people didn't go to see those movies for a great story, but rather to see national landmarks get blown up by aliens and the weather, respectively. And since this move takes place in 10,000 B.C., it won't carry the same appeal.
- Get Smart: If there was anything such as perfect anti-type casting, it would be Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart. He is completely different as an actor than Don Adams but yet is a perfect choice for the character. And considering the movie also stars Anne Hathaway and The Rock, I am so there next summer.
- Fred Claus: When I saw the teaser trailer for this, I thought the story would be about Santa coming to the real world and dealing with his brother. But instead, Fred goes to the North Pole, which I think is a less funny idea. As a matter of fact, this movie strongly strikes me as an "Elf" ripoff. Change the familiar relations, change the path the characters take, cast Elf's director Jon Favreau's Swinger's co-star in the lead, and voila! There's even a "embarrassing relative starts a dance party in the work place cutting into production and the his boss relative has to deal with it" scene. But it does have great actors in it; I think Vince Vaughn is a demigod who is great even in bad stuff, the always good Paul Giamatti as Santa, Kevin Spacey, who is playing and officious corporate goon, a part he was born to play. In addition, Miranda Richardson as Mrs. Claus, Kathy Bates as mother Claus and even Rachel Weisz in some sort of role. I mean, look at all the Oscar nominations and wins in that cast! And it might be worthy just to see the elves. I recognize Ludacris and John Michael Higgins as soem of the elves, which means they might be computer altered for the roles. That would be weird to see.
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