Order of the Phoenix

[Elwen]

Well, I know it is early but I read a bit of information about this in the UK Independent a few days ago.... It isn't on their website so I have to paraphrase it...

The gist of the news was that they are currently preparing for shooting OOtP and that this will include a broom ride along the Thames into London. They are currently having trouble to get permission from all the local councils on the way but they said that they still have a few months to sort it out.


I assume that this must be Harry's trip to Grimmauld Place?



EDIT: mugglenet had the full text:

Yates comments on OOTP hold-up
Today there was a small article in The Independent about the politics behind shooting certain scenes for the next Harry Potter installment. Right now Order of the Phoenix director David Yates needs to secure 17 different councils to shoot the scenes for the next movie, and some of them are not being cooperative.

"A highlight of the superhero's next film outing will (hopefully) see Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe leading a high-speed broomstick chase, James Bond-style, down the Thames.

Unfortunately, the film's director, David Yates, who is currently masterminding pre-production, says that several local councils are refusing to play ball.

"So far, we have spent a lot of time on boats on the Thames," he tells me. "I want to do a great big wizard chase past the London landmarks and it is going to be very exciting, but it has not been easy to set up."

Yates has assigned the task of sorting all this out to his location manager over the next four months. Filming for OOTP is scheduled to begin next spring.




hmmm.... what scene IS this? Thestrals, not broomsticks? Thestrals replaced by broomsticks?

[Fleurdelacour]

hmmm.... what scene IS this? Thestrals, not broomsticks? Thestrals replaced by broomsticks?

I was thinking it was going to be when they're going from Little Whinging to London... But Moody says they must avoid the landmarks and such...

...Or maybe it's just journalists being Potter-ignorant again... :rollseyes:

[Pilgrim Grey]

But Yates said it was going to be a "chase"... Maybe they're addding some Death Eaters/Dementors on the way to Grimmauld Place. I can't see why, the book's too long to be deccently filmable anyway, and adding an action setpiece early on would just take up too much time... Actually, that's probably why they're doing it, to ramp up tension in the early stages (because other than Dudley Demented, which I could see being cut, there's no real action scenes for a very long time), but still, you'd think they'd come up with something a bit more original.

[Elwen]

Well, I won't mind if they travel to grimmauld Place along the Thames - this will look good, and could be fun. I dunno - past the landmarks of London on a broomstick could be very cheesy, or actually rather a lot of fun. let is hope it is the latter.

I'd rather not have any enemies on their tails. 'Chase' could just mean a very hasty journey, couldn't it?

I am probably too optimistic....

[ChianaWeasley]

Question.

Who is in this cast?!?!

[ElfTBD]

Question.

Who is in this cast?!?!

Ooh! I know one thing!! Ralph Fiennes is playing Voldemort!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oooh, he's going to be creeepy!!! :)

(If you've ever seen Red Dragon, you know why!)

[Elwen]

Chiana, I am not sure whether there has been any news of the cast of Order of the Phoenix (like some of the new characters such as Tonks and so on).
I hope someone proves me wrong, but I don;t remember seeing anything about that.

[Eriol]

I just read in Starlog that Radcliffe will be in, there's a new director whose name I forget and filming starts in january.

[ChianaWeasley]

What about Emma and Rupert? Will they be cast in as well???

[Elwen]

From hints we have heard, it seems they will be?
I have the feeling that, unless something unforeseen happens, they'll all be in for all seven. Just a hunch.



But have you all come across the really cool news? Looks like Imelda Staunton will be Dolores Umbridge!

Now THAT will be a sight to behold! :eek:

I am sure she can do the character justice <shudder>

[Lanen]

Elwen, hon, who is Imelda Staunton and what might I have seen her in? Just wondering because she'll have to be a d**n good actress to get across that casual sense of true evil.

*shudder*

Lanen

[Elwen]

Lanen, :wb:

Nice to see you around!

Imelda Staunton is well known in the UK. She was nominated for an Oscar for her amazing performance in Vera Drake last year.

Otherwise she appears in films as rather mousy supporting types - but she really is capable of much more.

If you haven't seen Vera Drake (an amazing film!!) you might know her as the nurse in Shakespeare in Love, and she has a similar role in Much Ado About Nothing.

She also turns up in Sense & Sensibility (the ever giggling wife of the unhappy member of parliament).

Check her out at imdb (http://uk.imdb.com/name/nm0001767/) - her photograph there is totally ludicrous and must date from the 80's, but at least you can check which of her films you might have seen.


a better picture is here (http://uk.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/2859/ImeldaStau_Mazur_4329255_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Staunton,%20Imelda&seq=4)

She is the ultimate choice for someone who looks cuddly and giggly but who can play a person with a real abyss under that nice surface. :eek:

[Lanen]

Elwen -

Yet again, thanks. I haven't seen Vera Drake, though it is on my list (!), but I know the other movies, the Shakespeare and the Austen - yes, she is a terrific character actress, she should be fab as Umbridge! And what a juicy part, eh?

Wheee! Not long now! :D

[Princess Aurora]

Ooh, Imelda Staunton looks EXACTLY how I pictured Umbridge. This will be wonderful! I can't wait to hear her "*hem hem*" :D

[Irys]

Luna http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4670000/newsid_4674400/4674452.stm

Adore the second pic!

Also:
George Harris as Kingsley Shacklebolt
Helen McCrory as Bellatrix Lestrange
Natalia Tena as Nymphadora Tonks
Kathryn Hunter as Mrs. Figg

[Reba]

filming is starting on Monday apparently for a release date of sometime in 2007.

Why must they drag this out so long? The "kids" will be in their 30's by the time we get to movie 7 :p :rolleyes:

[Eriol]

The little article in my paper that announced Luna's casting said she would be a love interest for Harry.

Reporters. :doh:

[Elwen]

Argh! I hope it is only the reporters....

Reba - I heard that filming will be interrupted because so e of the actors have to sit their GCSEs (the real UK equivalents of OWLS, so to speak)... that would be next May or thereabouts.

I hope it'll be another summer release :) - to ride on the publicity wave of the publication of book VII (well, I hope it comes out around summer 2007!).

[Elwen]

Well... here are the first pictures...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/dustinwellman/hp5newphoto1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/dustinwellman/hp5newphoto2-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/dustinwellman/hp5newphoto3.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/dustinwellman/hp5newphoto4-1.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b71/dustinwellman/hp5newphoto5-1.jpg


Umbridge is brilliant and absolutely scary (in her pink kittenish way) :eek: :scared:

[ElfTBD]

OH good! They got rid of Dan's Star Wars-ish hair. It's ok for Hayden, not so good for Dan. Phew! :p :D

[Elwen]

And Ron's hair is shorter, too.... the long hair he had in the last film was pretty awful....

[Moxie]

Umbridge in her office is perfect. Perfectly fluffy evil, of course.

[Colli]

Wow.... pink..... :suspect2:

[Elwen]

... and those fluffy kittens on plates.... :eek:

[lizz]

umbridge is perfect :cool:

[Reba]

anyone catch the issue of Movie Magic that's just full of all things Harry Potter and the countdown to OoTP?

Some of the same photos that are already posted above are in the mag, but there's some fairly in-depth interviews with the actors and director as well. Along with some comparison early photos of the kids as they were from movie one to now. They all look completely different, in a same kid kinda way. If you follow.

There's also shots of Harry's first kiss with Cho, a nice shot of Ginny Weasly in some sort of frilly frock, and and entire section titled "Harry Potter and his Amazing Fan Community" with some fic and artwork.

Its on stands until July 2nd or so.

There's also stuff about other summer blockbusters, but we don't have a site for Pirates of the Caribbean (oddly enough) so I'll just post about it here. ;)

[Eriol]

That totally does not fit my image of Umbridge. I imagine her a squat, wide, mean looking ugly woman with a very broad, sinister face.

[Amberion]

I agree Eriol, more something along the lines of the old woman from Monsters inc

[Elwen]

I thought that it was the point of Umbridge that she had the exterior of a harmless middle aged/elderly lady (not pretty but in a way sweet, if eccentricly girlish in her dress sense) - which made her utter nastiness even worse.... If she already looked evil (in the traditional sense) the impact would be much less shocking, IMHO....

The only thing that I find surprising is that they didn't cast her a bit younger - I thought of her as somewhat younger....

[Master Samwise]

I had always pictured Umbridge as looking much more toad-like than she is. She seems to be a very twee, granny like figure. Personally, I'd have cast the actress who plays Professor Sprout (whoever she may be) as Umbridge, but obviously that's not possible anymore...

[Master Samwise]

:didnt: Oh! And why is Harry wearing a cardigan?

[Eriol]

Actually, none of them are dressed rightly.

[Fleurdelacour]

As suspected, Umbridge looks WORRYING like my old headmistress... My old headmistress was also alike Umbridge in her teaching methods too. But it's perfect how they've done her - exactly how I've imagined!

[Irys]

I really like most of the casting. Umbridge, Luna, etc.

New trailer up! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14KlsramMHg

[Reba]

WOW! It looks pretty intense dunnit!? :eek:

I like Ron's line "who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?" :LOL:

[Elwen]

Amazing trailer.... pretty exciting - and looks realy dark and rather stylish - perhaps closest to the Cuaron film? I'd like that!!! :)

And the trailer so far looks as if they had included all the favourite scenes! Amazing. I hope it lives up to expectations....

[Irys]

Intense and exciting where exactly my adjectives (when texting my BFF with the link)... guess I forgot to mention that here! lol

The first trailer was decent, but this one makes the waiting difficult.

[Master Samwise]

No kidding: the way Umbridge behaves is EXACTLY like the head mistress in my school. I can see the nickname sticking already once the kids have been to see the film; more awkward conversations in class while the kids slag the hell out of her (with me not knowing where to look, while knowing they're right)...

Damn, top buttons and no snogging in corridors. Umbridge rules in my school.

[Reba]

Wow, where the heck is everybody? We've got a movie coming up soon don't we? What's with the cobwebs?

Here's the movie official site http://www.harrypotterorderofthephoenix.com/ Looks pretty cool. Have you joined Dumbledore's Army yet? Reserved your tickets for opening day? Booked the day off work so you can see it a couple of times?

We'll probably see it opening day, but after I'm done work. I can't afford a day off (no paid vacation time).

I'm at work at the mo, and my monitor resolution here is absolute crap and download speed is really slow. But I'm bored out of my mind. *sigh*

[Elwen]

I can't believe it... on the day when it comes out all over the world, I'll be in the ONLY country (pretty much) where this doesn't come out before September (IIRC). Yes, that's Greece. Even CHina gets the film earlier.

I'll probably see it four weeks late, and dubbed into German if I am unlucky. :(

What I have seen so far looks great, though!

[Reba]

Ah, poor Elwen ! :( Take some ice with you, by the sounds of the news reports, you may need it! :heat:

Maybe someone will pirate it and you can download it in a day or two :whistle:

this site in no way shape or form is condoning piracy of any sort, and if any pirated materials or unlicensed screen caps or portions of the book are posted here, they'll be deleted post hastey. but we are aware it does happen on other websites, of which we have no control over.

There, howzat? ;)

[Elwen]

Great.... luckily, I have no idea how to download ilegal movies - I never tried to find out, and I am not intending to, either. I'll catch up with it at some point.

Oh, and the only thing I'll be co plaing about in greece is air conditioning. I love te heat, and I am in sore need of a good, hot summer - as I am writing this I am sitting next to a warm radiator with a pot of tea - it is freezing here in the UK....:eek:

Where were we?

Oh, OOTP..... I have watched a few of the clips and I think it looks great. Although it is the biggest book I think it will cut down to film length much more easily than POA or GOF....

[Reba]

Is 46C going to be warm enough for you ya think? :eek: You could probably make your tea out on the pavement!

I'm wondering if this will have a midnight opening. I somehow doubt it though, considering its a Wednesday instead of a weekend. But, kids are out of school now, so ya never know.

[Fleurdelacour]

I'm sitting by a radiator too Elwen... This weather is PATHETIC. I'm going to Malta in August, I hope the southern European heatwave is over by then, they need to at least share the heat!

I'm really looking forward to the film, insanely excited. After my enounters with Daniel, it'll be very odd seeing him as Harry Potter as opposed to Alan Strang in Equus and himself...

From what I've seen, Luna and Umbridge look EXACTLY how I imagined them!

I think there are midnight openings here, not too sure...!

[Elwen]

Well, as far as I have seen there are midnight openings here in Swansea. I think that this is possible now since they changed the licencing laws in the UK - when the LotR films came out they couldn't actually do midnight showings (and I was always lucky that the premieres were close enough to Christmas to allow me to fly home to Austria where midnight premieres did happen even then :) )

Anyway - if the UK does them I'd be surprised if the US didn't... it is an advantage for the film company because it makes the first weekend gross look bigger. :)



Oh, and Reba - 46C is about right :D ;) ... nah, that's hot even for me. But I am OK with it, actually. The one thing that worries me are the forest fires in southern Europe (most fires in greece are actually started by property developers.... GRRR :mad: )

[Reba]

46C is waaaaaaaaaaaay too hot for me. I'm quite comfortable somewhere around 25C. If it could stay that temperature year round, I'd be happy!

I haven't seen anything advertised here yet for midnight shows, but for some odd reason, they don't usually advertise it til a couple days before. The odd time it'll get out that there will be advanced tickets, but not often. And heck, we dunno yet even if our cinema here in town will be showing it at all! They're kinda weird.

I'm getting very ansty though, for both the movie and the book.

[Elwen]

Wow... doesn't your cinema have a website? All (non-athouse) cinemas I have had to deal with in the last few years have websites and events like HP will be advertised there at least two weeks in advance, especially if there is a midnight premiere! Otherwise, schedules for the following week are published on Wednesdays....

By the way, I saw somewhere that in some places in the US they are planning 10pm 'midnight premieres'... that was either on an awards site or on a box office site, neither of which I could link here because of their use of rather un-PG language.... But don't quote me on that - who knows what tricks my addled brain may play on me....

[Reba]

Nope, the don't have a website. They have showtimes posted through the local newspaper website and other movie showtimes websites, but that's about it. And showtimes are not up usually more than a few days in advance.

I think we found out about Spiderman showing at midnight when a friend was over there to see some other movie and he asked the ticket seller. They didn't advertise it. Same with Pirates of the Caribbean. Just word of mouth, no specific advertising other than a note taped to the box office window the day before er summat :rolleyes:

Small town, gotta love it. ;)

[Irys]

I'm afraid I won't get to see it opening day, unless I want to go alone, which wouldn't be much fun, since I wouldn't get to whisper with anyone about the good and bad. :( But maybe I'll luck out and find someone who doesn't work at the theater who'll be able to go see it opening day.

[Elwen]

Wow, Reba.... that's impressive :D REAL small town stuff! :)
I hope you get lucky :)


And good luck to you, too, Irys.... you'll still see it LONG before me!!

[Reba]

We're going over there today to see Transformers, so I'm going to ask them about tickets for Harry Potter.

We should start thinking about organising meet ups for the last movie in 2009. For the last one we really should go en masse, dontcha think? ;)

[Elwen]

Wow... that would be fun..... depends on the date, really. Summer is easier than the pre-Christmas date...

[Reba]

I'm not sure they have a specific release date yet for movie #7. I know the release date for #6 is late 2008, but so far for #7 its just "2009".

And we asked about show times for OoTP at the cinema today, and he said they don't know yet. :rolleyes:

Transformers was pretty good though! Very fun, I was actually surprised! :)

[Amberion]

I was thinking of heading over your way next year - but could put it off til 2009 for a special occasion

Would love to see Mumma Daisy again if you talk to her Reba

:didnt: Just love this smilie

[Reba]

yeah, I talk to her every now and again. ;)

[Fleurdelacour]

I've just discovered that my local-to-my-evening-job cinemas are infact NOT showing the film, despite the fact that these cinemas are in central London... and there is no midnight matinee for geeks like me!

So I'll either have to pay £13 to see the film at one of the Leicester Square cinemas, or just *gasp* wait until next Sunday, or the Sunday after! Argh!

[Amberion]

OOTP starts here in about 36 hours

As I am on holidays I might just go out and see this

[Reba]

Wow, that's a lot of money to go see a movie Fleur! I thought downtown Toronto was bad at $15!

Our local cinema finally posted their showtimes, and it IS opening here on Wednesday, but not til just before noon. Apparently there is a local daycare taking their entire school during the afternoon, so even if I could manage the afternoon off, there's no way I'd wanna be there anyway :p

We'll probably catch it Wednesday evening, after I get out of work. And maybe again on Saturday. A friend said there is a new "adult friendly" cinema up in Asheville that does not allow children under the age of 17 except on Tuesdays, and teens are only allowed if accompanied by a parent. AND! cell phones are NOT permitted. You'll be ejected if you disrupt the movie with your cell phone. This I gotta see, and may well be worth the one hour drive up the mountain!

[Haldomere Banks]

The critics seem to like OotP.

A good review and some nice pix at:
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070710/ENT01/707100386&theme=POTTER072007

Kreacher looks like Captain Bligh.

Hjal

[Irys]

My Jace saw it last night, but I haven't been able to talk to him yet, so I don't know what the theater crowd's verdict is yet.

[Re-reader]

Overall I was very impressed. I walked out of there (at almost 3 a.m.) wanting to see it again immediately.

Our theater in Houston, Texas had three midnight showings: 12:05, 12:06 and 12:07. All three were sold out (we bought our tickets last week on the internet). We got there at 10 p.m. and there were already 50 people in line in front of us. By 11 p.m. all three lines snaked out into the lobby and beyond. There were a fair number of people dressed up (including one convincing Hagrid with bushy hair and beard and a pink umbrella), and a lot of teenage girls with lightning-bolt scars drawn on to their foreheads. The audience was rowdy but well-behaved and clapped and cheered during certain scenes in the movie.

Here are some random first impressions (I have taken off some of the spoiler tags):

There were LOTS of lines taken straight from the book, which I love.

Dudley (although he looks hilarious in his "Big D" pseudo-gangster getup) is horribly cruel to Harry in the playground, just like in the book. "Is Cedric your boyfriend?" "He's going to kill me, mum!"

I enjoyed seeing Tonks, her hair changing color, her funny noses and her clumsiness, but her appearances were unfortunately so brief. I wish we had gotten at least one "Wotcher, Harry!"

12 Grimmauld Place is claustrophobic and creepy. Kreacher was well done, I thought; much better than Dobby. The close, loving relationship between Harry and Sirius is played up, which was nice. It was wonderful to see Lupin; wish his appearances had not been so brief.

I wished Moody could have said his line about losing a buttock from a wand in the back pocket...

George and Fred apparating into Harry's room, and apparating downstairs! Very cool.

Extendable ears!

The Ministry of Magic looks awesome.

Michael Gambon as Dumbledore was OK, I guess, but I think he will never "get" who Dumbledore is. I think his emotions/reactions were wrong half of the time.

Umbridge struck me as too pretty and less toad-like than the book, but her character is nailed, spot on. She is delightfully horrid. Her little giggle and "hem, hem" is PERFECT. "Progress for progress's sake must be discouraged. . ."

Weasly's Wizard Wheezes make a brief appearance, with Fred and George testing things on poor little first years. Very funny. I love the twins who play Fred and George; they are absolutely spot-on in my opinion.

The Grawp scene is in, but fairly short (and rather funny). Ron is cute standing up for Hermione.

No Quidditch at all, no Weasly is our King.

The Dumbledore's Army scenes are perfect. I loved the patronus lesson. We can see Harry really becoming a leader. I also enjoyed getting the glimpse of Aberforth and his goat.

Harry and Cho's kiss is sweet (and quite long!) and the scene afterwards with Harry, Ron and Hermione is hilarious, even better than the book. "How was it?" "Wet." "No one person can feel all of those things; they would explode!" "Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon..."

It is interesting to watch Ginny's reactions to Harry and Cho, and to see her eyes linger on Harry. Foreshadowing!

The whole Cho-as-betrayer thing was not well-handled, I think. It was much too subtle and never really explained.

Luna appears a bit different from what I had pictured, but again, her character is nailed. The first time we see her, she is reading the Quibbler upside down, wearing radish earrings and carrying a charm to keep away "nargles."

I liked the way the movie had "montages" with Daily Prophet headlines, although they went by so fast that I barely had time to read them.

I'm sorry they left out the Quibbler article (which explains, if I recall correctly, why Seamus starts to believe Harry). They probably could have set up the Quibbler article through Luna without having to introduce Rita Skeeter again.

The "I must not tell lies" scene is brief, but well-done. Daniel Radcliffe's shocked, wide-eyed reaction to his hand being cut is perfect. I think his acting is getting better and better.

The whole Ministry of Magic battle was well-done, and certain parts of it, I think, actually improved on the book by taking the core ideas from the book's story and expressing them (I thought) more clearly. The possession scene was particularly well-done and almost made me cry, when Harry realizes that "love" is what distinguishes him from Voldemort. One change-from-the-book that I thought was interesting was Voldemort telling Harry to go ahead and kill Bellatrix, "she deserves it." It was like Voldemort wanted Harry to find the darkness within himself and be able to use the AK curse and "really mean it." Voldemort perhaps still wants Harry to "turn to the dark side."

But Harry can't do it. He misses his chance to kill Bellatrix.

So Harry's choice here ties in with his previous discussion with Sirus about how we all have both light and darkness within us and that it is our choices that make us who we really are (similar to what Dumbledore told Harry at the end of CoS.).

The choice between anger/rage/murder and love/friendship also ties in with Harry's "possession" scene, which was also slightly different from the book but which I thought was excellently done. It really almost made me cry. "You will never know love or friendship; I feel sorry for you." I know that line hit some people wrong but for some reason it worked for me, and (as someone else pointed out) ties nicely into Harry's feelings of pity in Half Blood Prince. Interestingly, the line "Don't fight him, Harry, you can't win" from the trailer was cut (unless I just completely missed it).

I know JK Rowling had some input into the script and I wonder if she had anything to do with these changes. It is my understanding (again, someone correct me if I am remembering wrong) that JK Rowling approved the change in the script at the end of the Sorcerer's Stone movie where Voldemort tells Harry, "join me, and you can have your parents back again," and Harry says "Never!"

I just like the way the theme of "choice" is highlighted again and again in the story.

The attack on Mr. Weasly is shown, but there was no St. Mungo's hospital scene, which was the main cut that I wished had not been necessary. The fate of Neville's parents is mentioned and hinted at, but is never made explicitly clear.

As for the good/bad Snape thing - when Snape was telling Harry about how the Dark Lord used to take pleasure in invading the minds of his victims and extracting the last exquisite drop of agony before killing them, that part reminded me of in Half Blood Prince when Snape is describing the dark arts in almost loving terms. It was creepy and struck me as "bad Snape."

I think it came out (although not explicitly) that Snape's Occlumency lessons were not really helpful, and Snape mostly used them as an excuse to taunt and belittle Harry and make fun of the memories he sees in Harry's mind. He never instructs Harry HOW to resist or gives him any clue about what to do; he just starts attacking Harry and yelling at him for not being able to resist him. For the record, I am leaning toward a belief that Snape will turn out to be bad, and I got no "good Snape" vibes at all from the movie. Maybe we all see what we are expecting to see? This movie made me hate the character of Snape even more (although I adore Alan Rickman's performance of him).

I particularly liked the use of clips from past movies, for example the 11-year-old Harry looking into the Miror of Erised at his parents, and Snape appearing behind him and saying sardonically, "Feeling sentimental, are we?"

The added scene with Harry worrying to Sirius about becoming "a bad person" was good, I think, because it allowed the movie viewers to get inside Harry's head a bit, which we did in the book but which is harder to show in a movie.

The "Snape's Worst Memory" scene is MUCH too short, and must have been cut extensively. You barely get a glimpse of James, and I never saw Sirius, Lupin, Pettigrew or Lily (perhaps if I could have paused and freeze-framed that scene I might have seen them...).

Fred and George's escape from Hogwarts and their fireworks, that whole scene, is absolutely awesome. It had the whole theater cheering. I do wish Fred and George would have told SOMEONE, if not Peeves, to "give her hell for us!" That would have capped off an absolutely smashing scene. I loved when Flitwick did his little victory sign in support of the Weasely twins' exit!

I wish Umbridge would have told them that she was the one who sent the dementors to Little Whinging. Knowing that she had sent them gives Umbridge's first line at the hearing a bit more "zing," doesn't it? "Silly, me, (giggle) I thought for the teensiest second that you were accusing the Ministry of ordering this attack?"

The aftermath, I think, was much too short. The film's biggest flaw was the rushed ending. I needed a longer scene between Harry and Dumbledore at the end, Harry's expression of grief for Sirius, Harry's anger at Dumbledore, more discussion of the prophesy, perhaps even a bit of CAPLOCK HARRY's yelling and smashing things.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if they put out a DVD "extended cut" similar to the Lord of the Rings special editions? I loved this movie overall, but it would have been much better with better editing and a few more added scenes.

One of the funniest scenes in the movie is when the centaurs are taking Umbridge away, she begs Harry to "tell them I mean no harm!" And Harry replies: "Sorry, professor; I must not tell lies." Beautiful.

Overall, I think the main themes of the book are brought out, and overall the movie was excellent. I can't wait to see it again.

[Haldomere Banks]

Very nice write-up, R-r.

The SF Chronicle didn't like it. Too long says Mick, and he would have cut the whole Dementor and trial sequence at the beginning, which actually makes sense to me, since something has to be cut. I think that I would have preferred the St. Mungo's sequence. He loved Umbridge.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/10/DDG3IQSIV91.DTL&type=movies

His Little Man is just sitting and watching.

Hjal

[Reba]

I actually thought it was just the right length. My only wish is that someone somewhere will invent adjustable cinema seats for those of us who are height challenged :p

No time this morning to type much more, but we did enjoy the movie and we're going back on Saturday for another viewing.

Kreecher was kinda creepy, and we missed the paintings in the house, and the cusions in the room of requirement, and I'd forgotten who it was that dies in this part (believe it or not!), and then it all came rushing back to me. I'll remember to bring kleenex on Saturday!

[Elwen]

Wow.... I am SO jealous!!!!

Not that being in Greece is a bad thing, but I'd love to be able to see this soon.... sounds like it works! Good news! :)

[lithorose]

Oh my, that's a great, big black box!

Haven't seen the movie yet but I'm planning to soon. Haven't read anything about it, nor even seen pictures of Umbridge yet.

[Tami of Ithilien]

I saw this on Thursday and enjoyed it a lot. I pretty much agree with Re-reader's comments. It definitely brought out the themes of the book - Harry's increasing alientation (much of it self inflicted), the Ministry vs Hogwards, the magical community starting to mobilise for war, choices etc

On the way out I heard a few people mutter that it was boring and I can see where they're coming from. It's not an action packed movie and I'm not sure there's a whole lot for non Potter fans. It's perhaps necessary to remember that it is kids/young adult movie about a teenage wizard and, in this installment, a stroppy, teenage wizard! That's not to say it can't be a good movie, but it's not a big, flashy, hollywood blockbuster full of special effects and is simply not going to appeal to everyone. I think some people will be disappointed by the lack of action and a strong plot.

I also think some of the more ardent Potter fans will be unhappy with some of the omissions and changes from the book, but I think that most of those were in the best interests of the movie. And lets face it - book 5 really needed a serious edit. This is definitely a pared down version of the book. The result of that is that it does feel a bit rushed at times and at little over 2 hours it could have easily been 10-15 mins longer. I would have liked to have seen more changes of pace throughout the movie too.

It's also a shame that several characters - newbies and regulars - had little to do. McGonagall had only a handful of lines in 2 or 3 scenes and Tonks was little more than a face in the crowd. Ommisions were inevitable but I would like to have seen St Mungos which was totally left out. There was also no mention of Ron and Hermione being prefects. Snapes occlumancy lessons weren't given much time either and I did wonder whether those who hadn't read the book would have a clue what that was all about.

The death was a bit of a blink and you miss it moment. I know it's rather like that in the book, but the preceding battle in the movie seemed very quick. I almost missed it because I wasn't expecting it to happen so quickly. There was no significance attached to the veil either. I'd have liked a bit more time to be spent in that room, esp before the death eaters arrived on the scene. It would have been a perfect opportunity for a change of pace after the battle with the death eaters in the hall of prophecy.

Overall though, I'd give this a thumbs up and am going to go and see it again next week.

What I particularly liked about it:

Umbridge - played to perfection by Imelda Staunton from the first "hem hem". Exactly how I imagined her

Harry - Daniel Radcliffe can actually act! Yes, really! He was rather good, imo. Managed portray the teenage angst without being quite so annoying as in the book. Harry's loneliness and feelings of alienation were obvious, although I could have done without Cho spelling it out.

The relationship between Harry and Sirius - a couple of very touching scenes between them.

Luna - not exactly how I imagined her but good.

The scene towards the end when Harry was possessed by Voldemort - the sight of Voldie's head on Harry's body was rather creepy.


edited to add: I've just been reading some reviews of the movie (I always like to wait until I see a movie before I read any reviews) and this quote from the Boston Globe reviews says exactly what I was trying to say.

This may not be the "Phoenix" a lot of people want to see. There are two audiences for a "Harry Potter" film. The first wants the book replicated on the screen down to the last period and portkey, and if it isn't, lo, the instant-message tantrums will be many and studded with exclamation points. (There's a reason this reviewer elects not to read the books: I'd rather focus on what's in the movie than be distracted by what's left out.)

The second audience wanders in wondering what the fuss is about and hoping for a good circus. "Phoenix" doesn't really deliver that, either. No Hungarian Horntails on the roof of Hogwarts this time, just a few centaurs and a sense of growing fury that the grown-ups aren't listening. This one's for the Rowling fans who understand movies can be much, much more than photocopied books. The question is whether they're out there.

http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=8999

Spot on. And I like to think I'm the Rowling fan he mentions at the end :wink:

[Reba]

We went last night to see it a second time, and I caught a couple of things that I'd missed the first time around. But despite advertising that the theatre was supposed to be adults only, there were several children in the audience, and most of them were under the age of 5, and very distracting with their wailing "I want my pizza!" :mad:

Seriously, are toddlers the right audience for this type of movie? A bit dark and scary for a little kid ain't it? Rattatoille (sp?) was playing just down the hall. :p

I'm guessing there was some legal reason for them to have to admit children, but I wish people could just leave the kids at home. Really. (the theatre just opened this week, it serves food and drink inside the cinema with wait staff and tables and is highly over-hyped and over-priced)

Anyhoo...Now that I've seen it twice, my next view of it will likely be after the DVD is released. But it is well worth to see it on the big screen, and a lot would be lost if you wait for the DVD. The scenes flying over London are really cool, and the battle at the Ministry needs a big screen.

There really could have been more time spent on a few of the archs, but alas I'm guessing the director or the studio was determined to keep it under 2 and a half hours sadly. More could have gone to explain how Cho betrayed the group, and yes it would have been nice to see St. Mungos and explain a bit more about Neville's parents. I imagine if you haven't read the books, for all you know they're dead. That's a shame.

No, Phoenix is not a stand alone movie by any means. It has to be watched as part of this series. It is an integral part of the story. Daniel Radcliffe gets better and better with each movie. As does Rupert Grint. Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort is brilliant (does he really have freakishly long fingers or are they movie prosthetics?). I still miss Richard Harris as Dumbledore, but Michael Gambon is growing on me. And the young actress who plays Luna Lovegood is nearly spot on from how I pictured her in the book! If a bit more squeeky voiced.

[lizz]

I´d say those Potter fans this rewiver wonders aboutu are hanging out here :D


I liked it very much, for me it was too short, it felt rushed but in a far better way than GOF

I loved those little Ron Hermione moments. :)
I really liked Grwap. I think he came across very well, I liked him much better in the movie than in the book. I liked the interaction between him and Hermione.

I didnt really like what they did to Cho It didnt really come across that Harry had a crush on her without knowing anything about her. And I didnt like that it was her who betrayed Dumbledoires army. She betrayed them after she had b een given Veritaserum, so you cant say it was really her choice to betray them.


Umbridge ws abolutly perfect. :cool:

And the fight in the ministry and sirius death was very well handled. The possesion scene was very impressive and thoughprovoking, and I have to see it again simply for this.

[Pearl]

:wave: to Elwen and Lizz. :)

I've seen it twice already!

Absolutely love this film. Love it love it LOVE IT.

Everybody in it is fantastic. Loved Luna. Loved Tonks. Imelda Staunton is seriously, awesomely, wonderfully ghastly as Umbridge. Helena Bonham Carter is deliciously deranged as Bellatrix. Gary Oldman gives a truly lovely performance as Sirius.

I already knew young Dan could act - I was lucky enough to catch him in 'Equus', and he was sensational in it, as was Richard Griffiths (who plays Uncle Vernon!) as the psychiatrist.

He is EXCELLENT in this. Whereas in the book I wanted to slap Harry, in the film I was like: "baby! come to mama!!" Yes, Dan plays the Harry-angst pitch-perfect.

OotP is my least favourite of the books: I'm very much of the opinion that in GoF and even more so in OotP Rowling sacrifices characterisation to plot mechanics. But this film director has taken an overly bloated book and turned it into a darkly glittering, stylish, exciting, emotional and pretty fabulous film.

And young Dan is, um, quite the dish. :yum: :p

What can I say? I have this thing about orphaned heroes who are All Alone in the World. ;)

And if they happen to be rather delectable, that's all to the good too. :D

[Lanen]

I quite enjoyed it, and am of the general opinion that despite having to leave out a lot (it was, after all, a heck of a thick book!), the movie is a good parallel to the book and there were some outstanding performances. The three main characters, of course, Rickman, Staunton (fabulous) - though I agree with whoever said that Michael Gambon just doesn't get Dumbledore at all, really. His acting is reliably good, in fact I think he's terrific in everything else I've seen him in - but somehow he doesn't seem to have (sorry) the magic that Dumbledore needs not to come over all sentimental.

And on a different note entirely, and at the risk of being accused of being (a) insane or (b) a cradle snatcher - I quite fancy the young lad Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville. Hasn't he come on a treat!? I think he's quite cute, for that type, and he has managed to temper Neville's ubiquitous vulnerability with strength and determination. Well done that lad! :)

[Pearl]

Yeah, Neville is terrific! :)

As for Book Dumbledore, I certainly don't think anybody could ever accuse him of being overly sentimental. :rolleyes:

:D

[Re-reader]

Hi Pearl!

I agree that Daniel Radcliffe has a striking, magnetic screen presence. It's hard to tear your eyes away from him. (sort of the same quality Elijah Wood has). I remember thinking the same thing about Daniel Radcliffe when he was 11 or 12 years old in the first movie, so it's not precisely just that he's growing up into a very good-looking young man (which he is) but its some quality that he has, and had, even as a child, that draws the audience in. He was perfectly cast as Harry, IMO.

[Rosie Gamgee]

Hi! I haven't been around for ages, but I knew where to go to discuss this movie! :D

Well, I'm just bummed that they cut so much out...and without the excuse of being too long! The could've added 30 minutes and been just fine. Man. Not enough Tonks. TOTALLY not enough Lupin. Way too little on Snape's memories.

Question: What the heck!! Beatrix kills Sirius with the killing curse?? Why? 'Cause there wasn't time to talk about the archway?? ADD FIVE MINUTES PLEASE. Sheesh. Now the archway is totally meaningless. Granted, I'm no HP scholar, but wasn't it supposed to be like a gateway to death or something? She didn't use the killing curse on him in the book, did she? I thought he got kinda blasted into the archway.

Did anyone get a good look at Lupin as a young'en? It happened too fast for me to see and I've only seen the movie once. The young Snape was GREAT.

[lizz]

Hi Pearl :wave: good to see you here :)

Rosie I agree the memory scene was far too short, I didnt catch who was supposed to be who. But I loved the little smirk alan gabe Snape as if he had wished for Harry to see that special memoriy. Maybe I´m interpreting too m8uch but thats what I started to think about it and I managed to find confirmation in the movie. Or maybe he just wanted a reason to end teaching Harry Occlumency. Ok, wrong thread :D

I´ve got to see it again, I didnt get that Bellatrix hit Sirius with the AK. And we dont really know what the arch and the veil are.

I loved the connection between Sirius and Harry. Sitirus made a better impression in the movie than the book. He looked quite like an oldfashioned gentlewizard. Anyone else missing that long hair :o I didnt like that he actually CALLED Harry James. He didnt in the book, if I havent missed it. And in the movie he did it just seconds before he died. Poor Harry :(

I liked nevile very much, except for his hairstyle. Its almost as he if he tires to hide behind his hair. Another thing thats actually fitting.

[Rosie Gamgee]

Hi, Lizz. :) I would tend to thinkthat Sirius calling Harry "James" is not so bad, as it really reflects how much Harry is like his father. I actually thought it was cool. But I can see where that could be taken in a negative way.

And, yes, Bellatrix did use the Aveda Kadavera (sp?) because my jaw dropped when she did. Myself I always had doubts whether or not Sirius was truly dead, but this movie kinda makes it totally clear. :( There's no way around that curse.

[Tami of Ithilien]

Well I've been to see it again and have amended my previous opinion. I now think it's really good. Somehow it seemed less rushed and better paced this time round - which of course it can't have been as it's the same movie - isn't it odd how that happens when you see something a second time? It all seemed to flow so much better and I'm hard pushed to find any fault with it. I also noticed little things I missed last time.

I'm not sure how I feel about Bellatrix killing Sirius with the killing curse. I deliberately didn't read the book just before seeing it (but did re-read a few months ago) and I actually can't remember how it happened in the book. Am I right in thinking that it didnt' actually specify what spell she used? I don't have a problem with her using Avada kedavra in the film. JKR has always said that Sirius is definitely dead and we don't know yet what, if any, significance the veil will have in bok 7. If JKR had input into this film then I can't imagine she would allow them to do that if it was going to contradict anything in future books.

I've not been overly impressed with MG's Dumbledore up until now but he finally seems to be merging with the book's Dumbledore for me now.

I liked the fact that Sirius called Harry James at the Ministry. To me it just emphasized the point that Sirius is, to a certain extent, reliving his friendship with James through Harry. It seemed fitting to me that in the heat of battle he would forget it was Harry and not James by his side. It was a rather sad moment to me.

One thing that really struck me on 2nd viewing was the difference between the battles between adults (Death Eaters vs OotP and Voldemort vs Dumbledore) and those that involved students. The power in those battles was so much greater than in any that involved Harry & co, and also with most of the magic we've seen so far (which of course we see primarily through the students). I loved all the scenes at the ministry. And the scene where Voldemort possesses Harry were even better than I remembered.

I think I'm going to have to go to see it a third time now :)

[Colli]

Well, I haven't seen it, but from what I can gather, I bet Rowling specifically asked/told/advised them to make it so that AK killed Sirius. Sick and tired of fans arguing with her about what she says happened, probably! :)

[Tami of Ithilien]

Well, I'm just bummed that they cut so much out...and without the excuse of being too long! The could've added 30 minutes and been just fine. Man. Not enough Tonks. TOTALLY not enough Lupin. Way too little on Snape's memories.



Much as I'd have welcomed a bit more Tonks and a bit more Lupin, neither are intrinsic to the plot in book 5 - they don't really do anything, do they? - so there wouldn't really be any real justification for adding extra scenes, imo. Same with Snape's memories - they just needed enough to show that James wasn't the perfect person that Harry thinks he was, and a reason for Snape to stop the occlumancy lessons. And the clip showing his memories did that.

I would have been happy with it being about 10-15 mins longer, but I think an extra half an hour would have been too long. There's just not enough happens in book 5 to justify a film close to 3 hours, imo.

[Rosie Gamgee]

Hey, Tami. :) I guess I'm always looking at the film from both a reader's and a complete newbie's point of view. Anyone watching that film and not having any other HP exposure would be lost. Just MO. :)

I also feel they took out all the fun. I mean...there were laughs in OOTP, weren't there? The book, I mean. The movie was just dark and grim...Fred and George's exit was SO welcome and so needed.

Not to say I didn't enjoy it, I did. :) I just was disappointed that so much was needlessly left out.

[Tami of Ithilien]

Hey, Tami. :) I guess I'm always looking at the film from both a reader's and a complete newbie's point of view. Anyone watching that film and not having any other HP exposure would be lost. Just MO. :)

That's true. But I do think it's reasonable to expect people to have seen the previous 4 movies. I don't think there was anything that those who had seen the previous movies wouldn't understand?

I've never really had a problem with movies deviating from the book, so long as they remain true to the spirit of the book, and I think this did. Heck, I liked movie Faramir in TTT! :wink: :LOL: I just see them as 2 different things - like cats and dogs. A book's a book and a film is a film. I can get the detail and the sub plots from reading the book. I want the film to offer me something a bit different, without deviating from the main thrust of the story.

I also feel they took out all the fun. I mean...there were laughs in OOTP, weren't there? The book, I mean. The movie was just dark and grim...Fred and George's exit was SO welcome and so needed.

Funny thing is, first time I saw it I didn't notice a lot of the humour. But last night, the audience laughed out loud a lot (much more than in my first viewing) and it made me realise that there were more lighter moments than I'd remembered. But yes, overall it is a bit humourless, but the book isn't exactly a barrel of laughs :)

[lizz]

Well, I haven't seen it, but from what I can gather, I bet Rowling specifically asked/told/advised them to make it so that AK killed Sirius. Sick and tired of fans arguing with her about what she says happened, probably! :)

and probaly wishing she HAD used Ak in the book :D
I was assuming he was stunned and killed throught the veil, but thats hard to show in the movie.

[Eriol]

Well, I saw it yesterday. A good movie in its own right. They made a lot of changes and some seemed to take the flavor of the book away. A little lifeless, too. But it was a huge book, so they did well.

[Lembas]

I saw it on Monday and absolutely loved it. May be my favorite of the five, although I love them all. So many things to enjoy, so here goes:

Although Mundungus Fletcher (I just love saying that name :D) was nowhere to be seen, I can see why he'd be left out as maybe an extraneous character. Works for the book but maybe not the film. However, I enjoyed Mrs. Figg. She wasn't quite as angry as she was in the book, but MF's non-appearance could be the reason for that. She was also funny at the trial when the court votes "not guilty" for Harry and she raises her hand, realizes it and puts her hand down. Funny!

The Dementor attack on Harry and Dudley was handled really well. It was a truly spooky way to start the film, what with the roiling clouds and all, and set the mood for the film nicely. And Dudders was a complete moron---well acted, of course.

When the Order of the Phoenix arrive to get Harry, I loved Tonks' reaction to Mad-Eye calling her Nymphadora as her hair turned a ticked-off-red color. It was fun as she and Harry were flying and he didn't noticing the ferry because he was looking at her and they both dodge it at the last second. I was glad to see her face-morphing at the dinner table with Ginny laughing. I wasn't overly bothered with the shortness of her and Lupin's appearance in this film. Their big story is in book and movie 6 and I hope they include that storyline.

Kreacher was cool. His grumbling and talking about "half-blood traitors" was just as I imagined it in the book. They didn't have the shreiking paintings but the film did show Kreacher pawing and petting at the veiled frame of Sirius' mother. And I could have sworn I heard some of the pictures muttering, but that could have been Kreacher.

Loved Sirius as the dog showing up to see Harry off at the train and the slight expansion of that scene with him and Harry in the deserted room. I believe in that scene, with Harry looking at the original Order, Sirius did say that Neville's parents were tortured until they went mad. I'll have to see it again to make sure.

Luna Lovegood. What can I say? She's one of my favorite J.K. Rowling creations and Evanna Lynch played her to perfection, IMHO in this film. I loved how she would look off into space and then say something crazy, then something profound, just like the book. There was a big laugh in the theater when she told Harry, "You're not mad. I can see them too," all the while holding the magazine upside down. I loved her soft, innocent voice and the way she skipped down the corridors without a care, yet when it came time to fight at the Ministry, she was totally wheels-on. I hope she plays a part in the last book.

Imelda Staunton was perfection as Umbridge. Some have complained that she wasn't nearly as big or "toad-like" as described in the book, but I imagine if they made her that way they would have had to have spent a bundle on prothetics to reproduce exactly how she is described. I can only imagine what they'll do for Horace Slughorn for the next film. Anyway, Staunton was brilliant with her "hem-hem" s and her little titter of a laugh after having just busted out in anger. Then her quite mad look of greed as she approached Dumbledore after his confession of forming the D.A. Great character very well played. Probably too much to ask of the Academy but I'd love to see her nominated for an Oscar next year for Supporting Actress.

As there is no Peeves in the films, I totally loved the Weasley twins vacating the school while raising a ruckus. All the Educational Degrees shattering and then falling to the floor was a great signal that Umbridge's reign was falling apart. Loved it that Fred and George's Extendable Ears made it into the film and that Crookshanks ruined them. Good stuff!

I agree with lizz that Grawp was better in the film than in the book. I liked that they made him much more kindlier in the film (although just as clumsy). His gift of the bike handles with the bell to Hermione was great. When she rang the bell, it got a great laugh. Loved seeing him holding Umbridge by the scruff.

I feel David Bradley as Filch doesn't get enough love. I think he's brilliant in this movie, putting up the Decrees with glee, sitting outside the Room of Requirement and falling asleep as the OotP escaped the back route, shaking the painting till the occupants fell out of the frame, and most funnily, showing Umbridge the ginormous pimples on his face with one them actually bursting! Bradley is great and I'm wondering why people don't realize that this character is evil! He wants to hurt children! He must die in the last book! :p

The Room of Requirement is fun. Especially when they all create their own personal Patronus. Funny that Ron's was a dog that knocks Neville down.

I missed St. Mungo's also as it's one of my favorite chapters in the book, but I can see why it was cut as it probably would have hurt the flow of the film with that sidetrip. They handled it well enough with the attack and Mr. Weasley coming home a bit banged up.

As I really never gave a rip one way or the other about Cho, I wasn't too hurt to see her be the one that betrays the order. It was definitely stated in the film that Umbridge gave her some of Snape's Veritaserum, so that was good enough for me. I can see that they'd use an already existing character to betray them instead of introducing another character like Cho's friend, Marietta. And it was a good excuse for Harry and Cho not to be together to make way for Ginny and him. Still, it did leave Cho as the innocent victim of Umbridge's reign of terror. Very nice touches of Ginny looking stirred up when Hermoine mentioned Cho looking at Harry and another of Ginny looking at Harry as he walks by.

I've grown very fond of Gambon as Dumbledore. I've noticed that the filmmakers have made his hair longer and whiter as in the books. I enjoyed his escape with the help of Fawkes and the wink he gave Harry before he disappeared. His worry over Harry as he struggled with Voldemort's possession was very well acted.

The Thestrals were cool. I especially enjoyed the little colt that wouldn't eat Luna's apple but snarfed down the raw meat she gave her.

The battle at the Ministry of Magic was terrific with wands shooting everywhere and people apparating and disapparating and flying everywhere. I did kind of miss the circular room with the revolving wall and the Death Eater who got his head turned into a baby's. That would have been hilarious on the screen. Still, greatness. Love it that the students were kicking booty for a good while till they were taken hostage. For anybody who hasn't read the books, it would have made for an "aha!" moment if they had made it clear that it was Trelawney that made the prophecy about Harry. Still, I guess it isn't important in the long run or Rowling would probably have insisted they keep it in. I'm glad they made it the Killing Curse that Bellatrix shoots Sirius with. It works well for the film. It wouldn't have made sense otherwise. I know there are complaints about what the Veil is, but maybe Rowling will come back to that in book 7. Or not. Maybe the Ministry will take forever to study it. Lots of stuff to study there. Helena Bonham Carter was terrific in the short amount of space she got, especially taunting Harry with, "I killed Sirius! I killed Sirius!" as he chased her.

Gary Oldman was great as Sirius again. His love for Harry was very obvious and the death scene was nicely done. The silence of Harry's screams was deafening, if you know what I mean.

I was kind of glad that they handled the exposition of what the Prophecy meant during the course of the action instead of a final, "Dumbledore Explains It All" scene at the end. I liked the shortned version of his conversation with Harry. Sets up the next film nicely when Dumbledore takes him into his confidence more fully. Just MHO of course.

All-in-all, a fine addition to the films and one I'm definitely going to see again.

[Lady Haleth]

Saw the movie last night and absolutely loved it. DR is getting to be a very good actor, but once again it was the "old" pros who made the movie. But unfortunately there was way too little of the old pros. I would have enjoyed seeing more of the actual OotP. (I'm afraid that anyone who hadn't read the book would be completely confused about what was going on at Grimmauld Place.) The newcomers (Tonks, Luna) were fun additions to the cast. Imelda Staunton was *perfect* as Dolores Umbridge. The final battle scenes were incredible.

It was wonderful that they had the very brief scene of James et al taunting Snape. (I enjoyed reading about Snape's background in the book.) Like you all I wished there had been the St Mungos scene or more info about Neville and his parents, but since the whole concept that Neville also fit the prophesy was not addressed, I guess his parents' fate wasn't relevant. (Could that have been a mistake? Could that come up again in the final book?)

FTR I went with my 16 yr son and his two friends (which surprised me since I thought they were too old or cool for HP) and my husband who hadn't seen any of the films since the first. He was completely confused but enjoyed playing "Name that Guy (Famous British Character Actor)" throughout.

[Fleurdelacour]

Saw it on Thursday, absoloutely loved it! Best one so far.

Umbridge - PERFECT. Abosoloutely perfect.

Harry and Daniel - Improved so much. Can't wait to see how his acting skills have progressed post-Equus. I saw that play everyday, and he was amazing. It was quite a shock to hear his voice though, kept expecting him to break out into one of his speeches from the play!

Hermione and Emma - Still cannot stand the girl. I wish they would just cast someone else as Hermione. She RUINS Hermione for me.

Ron and Rupert - He was better at the beginning of the series, but Ron seems to be pulling the same bemused/gawking face over and over again and it's pissing me off...

Luna - SO PERFECT IN EVERY WAY! I wanted more of Luna. Evanna Lynch is a mad mad girl, and possibly the most perfect casting along with Imelda Stunton.

Bellatrix - Oh god, yes, perfection AGAIN. Creepy, evil and just fabulously entertaining.

I can't remember what else... DH is playing on my mind, and watching this was a few days ago now! Probaly more plot stuff later...

All I know is, I am going to try my hardest to get a work experience placement on these movies in the next two years as a set & costume design student - I became worryingly geeky over the set and costumes...

[Xazinon]

Hi! I haven't been around for ages, but I knew where to go to discuss this movie! :D




Hey, it's Rosie G!!!!! Hiya Rosie, looong time no see, how ya keeping?? Watson sends his regards! :hug: ;) :D

Saw this movie on Friday, enjoyed it muchly! Umbridge was very good, such an evil woman, well played Imelda! :)

I loved Grawp, he was so cute in the movie, with the bike bells and all, awww! :D Good on the Weasleys for causing a ruckus, I liked Flitwick's reaction too, I would have liked to have seen him fencing off a bit of that swamp or whatever that they made in the book just because it was such good Charm work though, hehe!

I hadn't read the book before I saw the movie either so I can't remember everything that they left out, but I thought the movie flowed through pretty well. I imagine a fair bit of it might be included on the DVD so that's something to look forward to, all in all though a good show! Interesting to look back on some of it now in light of the events of Book 7 though, I'll be interested to see how the next two movies play out, hmmmm!

[Telchar II]

I saw the movie the day I finished the book, so I'm having a little trouble keeping them apart.

But if Harry's screams by the archway were indeed silent, then that is very reminiscent of Frodo at the Bridge of Khazad-dum.

[Niphredil]

I've seen it now and was strangely underwhelmed, but I think that's because I've always enjoyed watching the HP films at home much more than in a cinema.

Sirius, though, was wonderful. A lovely performance. Fatherly, almost saintlike in an odd sort of way.

I rather liked Luna, too.

Enjoyed Imelda's performance very much, but her Umbridge didn't quite convincing me. Doesn't matter. Really liked it. Loved the set of her office and her clothes and props.

[Re-reader]

Did anybody catch Daniel Radcliffe's cameo on the HBO show, "Extras"? It was funny and quite bawdy - Daniel is this 17-year-old sex fiend carrying a condom around trying to chat up grown women.

Ian McKellan and Orlando Bloom have also appeared in episodes of "Extras," and both of their cameos were funny as well.

[lithorose]

Saw it! Much like the last film, it never rested on a moment, but kept plowing through the plot a little too fast. Luna was spot-on, though still different than how I pictured her. Umbridge- also quite different than how I pictured her but very-ick. Fred and George are really looking a little too old for their in-story selves, but I wouldn't trade them out.:D

[Elwen]

Finally seen it!

I really like this film. I think it is better than all the others.

1) the kids are really getting better at acting (especially Radcliffe - really good performance, I thought).

2) a lot of emphasis on character development and Harry's dilemmas - I think that was nicely done, and perhaps even better explained than the book... a friend of mine who dislikes Harry especially because of the fifth book thouight that she understood his behaviour better in the film....

I guess I'll have to write more next time I manage to log on, but I really enjoyed this.