tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post7723287780690810451..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: We Can't Wait #15 Harry Potter and the Half Blood PrinceNATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-6971224636963183522008-02-13T05:05:00.000-05:002008-02-13T05:05:00.000-05:00The books held me in thrall in a way the films nev...The books held me in thrall in a way the films never managed to so I'm fairly indifferent to this next film. Although, I think I would really love the film version of the climax of Half-Blood. Great moment for Alan Rickman to play.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-23839157995026548212008-02-13T03:10:00.000-05:002008-02-13T03:10:00.000-05:00Christ! I want to pull me hair out! 'Outside of th...Christ! I want to pull me hair out! 'Outside of the book universe'... really? AZKABAN attempted to pile on as much of that manuscript into its screenplay as possible resulting in my ultimate movie faux pax which is hammeringasmuchdialogintoeverpossible<BR/>secondoffilmbecausethereissomuchtosay<BR/>andwehavetosayitallresultinginwordsrunning<BR/>intothemselvesandconceptsultimatelymaking<BR/>nosensewhatsoeverandconfusingitsaudience<BR/>completely. Also, both Cuarón and Yates' über-gloomy stylistic take, treating the material so seriously as well as saturating their films in depressed, muddy hues of blue, bled all sense of whimsy from their tales, which is ultimately what makes <I>Potter</I> enjoyable. Let's all remember, the author of this series is <I>Rowling</I>, not <I>Dostoyevsky</I>WickedScorphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01124962477489100493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-36360129275414527362008-02-13T02:28:00.000-05:002008-02-13T02:28:00.000-05:00Hey Nathaniel, I totally hear what you're saying a...Hey Nathaniel, I totally hear what you're saying about that wretched middle patch of Deathly Hallows. <BR/><BR/>I just think though that unless the final film is a full 3 hours, it will feel too insanely rushed trying to fit in the full chain of events that lead to the big final face-off: Ambushes, ministry infiltrations, snake in the house, Luna's Dad, close calls with Death Eaters, Dumbledore's secret, everything at Hogwarts etc etc.<BR/><BR/>And I really don't believe you can start pulling out links from this chain because then the logic of certain plot progressions is lost.<BR/><BR/>I'd rather they break the film at a certain point - perhaps pull an Empire Strikes Back and end Part 1 with our heroes at their greatest moment of peril. That way the audience is utterly compelled to return to the cinema in 3-6 months' time for Part 2.Pfangirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04881211213654928985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-58349882183954346102008-02-12T21:13:00.000-05:002008-02-12T21:13:00.000-05:00For me, despite all the films obviously dealing wi...For me, despite all the films obviously dealing with magic and fantasy, <I>Azkaban</I> and <I>Phoenix</I> were the only two that really felt like they were taking advantage of it. They were stories <B>about</B> magic, not merely stories with magic strewn about like I felt the others were. Although I may be forgetting the first two because they were so bad. Sometimes it's like "oh, here's a quidditch match for no reason other than to show them flying about on broomsticks". <BR/><BR/>All the training stuff in <I>Phoenix</I> was fascinating. That felt geniune.Glenn Dunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05424659636310160482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-52212044418430718662008-02-12T15:30:00.000-05:002008-02-12T15:30:00.000-05:00Duh, yes I did read that--though not very carefull...Duh, yes I did read that--though not very carefully!<BR/><BR/>A return to Cuaron for "Deathly Hallows" would be great. I don't think the reaction of hardcore "Potterheads" will be the deciding factor. As I recall, J.K. Rowling liked his adaptation.<BR/><BR/>If that happens, it would be the upside of his not taking on "The Hobbit."SusanPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09247068663993460537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-59896909385835445642008-02-12T14:36:00.000-05:002008-02-12T14:36:00.000-05:00i'd love to see that too. but sadly, since the pot...i'd love to see that too. but sadly, since the potterheads (or whatever they're called) have such issues with the movie version of Azkaban --i guess many people don't realize that movies based on books are not books with pictures but movies -- i highly doubt will get that.<BR/><BR/>great idea though. I wish you were in charge ;)NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-60562533650403430612008-02-12T13:47:00.000-05:002008-02-12T13:47:00.000-05:00I've been a parent during the Potter books, so of ...I've been a parent during the Potter books, so of course I've read all the books and seen all the movies (first showings yet). I like the books, but I think of Rowling as a great synthesizer, rather than an original. (For an original, fantasy writers themselves rever Dianna Wynne Jones, author of "Howl's Moving Castle". I remember that you liked that heroine, Nathaniel).<BR/><BR/>I think the first couple of movies did an excellent job in creating the setting and the look of the series (which is fabulous), assembling the terrific older cast, and making the child actors comfortable and competent. So credit to Colombus for that.<BR/><BR/>I thought Yates in the latest movie got too seduced by the most talented members of the cast, becoming (understandably) entranced by Imelda Staunton. But the story has to be about the kids, even if they are the least experienced members of the cast.<BR/><BR/>I would like to see the last movie (#7) directed by Alfonso Cuaron and written by Steve Kloves (who deserves an Oscar for screeen writing). It's tabu to say so, but Kloves improved on Rowling's writing, editing, sharpening, adding litle points that cleared up plot difficulties. (She's the billionaire, though!)<BR/><BR/>When reading the books I was pleased to see that Alan Rickman will get the complex character that he will undoubtedly play to great effect. That's one of the reasons I'd like Cuaron for the last movie, with his poetic sensibility and his delicate emotional touch. So that the finale has shades of emotional meaning for all the kids who've grown up with the story.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-51844830273899926892008-02-12T12:07:00.000-05:002008-02-12T12:07:00.000-05:00i have read the book yes... which is why i worry a...i have read the book yes... which is why i worry about the middle act. they sit inside that tent for what seems like 200 pages.<BR/><BR/>ughNATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-39980058481347134312008-02-12T11:29:00.000-05:002008-02-12T11:29:00.000-05:00I'm with the general (though not unanimous) consen...I'm with the general (though not unanimous) consensus that Azkaban is easily the best of the films, but I think a lot of that book's strengths are mirrored in Half-Blood Prince, which gives me a lot of hope. It's not as meandering or multi-threaded as four or five, it's mainly confined to Hogwarts, and there's no ridiculous Voldemort-appearance ending.<BR/><BR/>So I have hope. I wasn't crazy about Yates' Order of the Phoenix, but at least he didn't make as much of a muddle as Newell did. And yes: more Snape, please.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12987834840694434326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-69860136282851285082008-02-12T11:24:00.000-05:002008-02-12T11:24:00.000-05:00Nat, have you read Deathly Hallows?Re: the films, ...Nat, have you read Deathly Hallows?<BR/><BR/>Re: the films, I'm in the "Prisoner" is the best camp. Fully agree with Glenn's assessment that it's the only book to TRULY live outside of the book universe. Both "Goblet" and "Phoenix" are also quite good, but "Prisoner" is the only one that didn't seem to check off book-to-screen plot points as it went along. Not surprisingly, the most intense Potter book fans I know had real problems with it.<BR/><BR/>I'm definitely looking forward to "Half Blood Prince," as it's my second favorite book (next to "Prisoner") in the series. I think "DH" will also be good, though I worry a little about the structure, since it differs so drastically from all the other books and will rely even more on the three young stars (but that could be a great thing for the film, less of the repetition that Nat points to).SusanPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09247068663993460537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-76968249581890050542008-02-12T10:19:00.000-05:002008-02-12T10:19:00.000-05:00pfangirl i don't actually know why people are so e...<B>pfangirl</B> i don't actually know why people are so excited about the concept of <I>deathly hallows</I> as a two parter. You lose the middle act and you've lost virtually no story. there's a lot of filler there ;)<BR/><BR/>but then again, i'm not a die hard Potter fan. I think the books are cute but hardly the greatest thing.<BR/><BR/>i just remember being very interested in the beginning and being about ready to throw the book off my balcony in the middle it was so repetitiveNATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-69761141310645528182008-02-12T09:49:00.000-05:002008-02-12T09:49:00.000-05:00I'm not a fan of Harry Potter movies (although I t...I'm not a fan of Harry Potter movies (although I think Prisoner of Azkaban was quite good), but I just recalled myself that while reading Half-Blood Prince, I thought "Jim Broadbent" the instant I finished reading the first description of Slughorn. Such an obvious choice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-3925956700012837752008-02-12T05:23:00.000-05:002008-02-12T05:23:00.000-05:00I think the books are a great read (even though th...I think the books are a great read (even though they peaked with #4, and then the quality went downhill), but I've never been able to think of the films as anything more than fluff preprogrammed for success by the marketing people. I'm not holding my breath for neither of the remaining two.<BR/><BR/>I am hoping Bruno Delbonnel (who is one of my favourite DPs) will be allowed to make something refreshing with the look of the series, though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-16536283812439276082008-02-12T03:59:00.000-05:002008-02-12T03:59:00.000-05:00Phoenix was definitely my favourite of film adapta...Phoenix was definitely my favourite of film adaptations so far, so I'm all for the return of Yates. <BR/><BR/>My only concern is that Steve Kloves in back scripting as opposed to Phoenix's Michael Goldenberg. Kloves' Goblet felt horribly rushed whereas Goldenberg managed to do the whole "Potter highlights package" thing while letting things unroll at a quick, but more natural-feeling pace. <BR/><BR/>Deathly Hallows so has to be a 2 parter!Pfangirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04881211213654928985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-27220866256252674502008-02-12T03:16:00.000-05:002008-02-12T03:16:00.000-05:00I've never been able to get into the Potter books,...I've never been able to get into the Potter books, but I've become a fan of the films. I agree with the comment that Cuaron saved the franchise. I'd say that Newell nearly elevated it to greatness (all that underwater stuff!!) and Yates did some fine work with actors (Staunton, of course, and the Looney chick...) But strangely, I find that in between films I forget about half of the details of what's gone on. I guess that sort of makes them the equivalent of fast food to me...love 'em while I've got 'em -- but they don't have a lot of lasting nutrition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-90162060044955477512008-02-12T03:08:00.000-05:002008-02-12T03:08:00.000-05:00@adam k.obviously, winslet is too big a star, why ...@adam k.<BR/><BR/>obviously, winslet is too big a star, why not kristin scott-thomas, instead?<BR/><BR/>and on an oscar note, christie has also been potterized. she was in "azkaban."ryansumerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07445595071781189432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-58672120497594177602008-02-12T02:53:00.000-05:002008-02-12T02:53:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.ryansumerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07445595071781189432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-218165314674037892008-02-12T01:10:00.000-05:002008-02-12T01:10:00.000-05:00Oh, and about Equus and Jamie Bell (aka my husband...Oh, and about <I>Equus</I> and Jamie Bell (aka my husband) I think it was either not a true rumour or he dropped out because Lily Allen's brother is currently on stage in London.Glenn Dunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05424659636310160482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-39628430267546395132008-02-12T01:08:00.000-05:002008-02-12T01:08:00.000-05:00Isabel, I've found that people who are big fans of...Isabel, I've found that people who are big fans of the books didn't think <I>Order of the Phoenix</I> (the movie) was as good as could be. It was, after all, the largest book, yet the shortest film. It's my second fave <I>HP</I> film - I loved all the new additions, whereas <I>Goblet of Fire</I> seemed like just one big film (albeit, an enjoyable one) for one big plot point. <BR/><BR/>But, as I said, <I>Prisoner of Azkaban</I> will most likely never be bettered. Felt like a film that existed outside of the book universe.Glenn Dunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05424659636310160482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1464720154503658382008-02-12T00:16:00.000-05:002008-02-12T00:16:00.000-05:00I'm a mad HP fan so Half-Blood Prince is my #1 Can...I'm a mad HP fan so <I>Half-Blood Prince</I> is my #1 Can't Wait film. Although I was disappointed with the last entry (and I don't know why exactly), I'm anxious--and much more hopeful--for this one. But David Yates still has to prove himself to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-51928843824181540192008-02-11T23:47:00.000-05:002008-02-11T23:47:00.000-05:00Yikes. My ranking looks something like this for t...Yikes. <BR/><BR/>My ranking looks something like this for the Harry Potter movies:<BR/><BR/>B+ - Prisoner of Azkaban<BR/>B- - Sorcerer's Stone<BR/>C - Order of the Phoenix<BR/>C- - Goblet of Fire<BR/>D - Chamber of Secrets<BR/><BR/>So, I'll see it, because I love love love the books, but I'm not particularly excited about it.<BR/><BR/>There's gotta be more exciting stuff than this coming out in 2008. Or else, what a depressing year.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-66404540128359944762008-02-11T22:50:00.000-05:002008-02-11T22:50:00.000-05:00I get the feeling that the Potter films are just n...I get the feeling that the Potter films are just not for lay people. If you're a fan of the book and you can fill in the character and story depth from the text, I suppose they're utterly delightful. But for me, I can rarely decipher what's going on most of the time.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178975866741187681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-63190087948136495852008-02-11T22:11:00.001-05:002008-02-11T22:11:00.001-05:001. Gave up. I'll be glad when the whole thing is...1. Gave up. I'll be glad when the whole thing is over and done with.<BR/><BR/>2. Daniel Radcliffe did Equus in Britain as well. Don't know about the Jamie Bell rumour. And yes, it is a fucking masterpiece of a play.<BR/><BR/>3. Cuaron's film is joyless? Never. True, he is not all that interested in the text, but frankly, neither was I. When Buckbeak takes flight, I'm right there with him. When the Dementors attack, I recoil. The limitations Cuaron's dealing with are certainly there (plotting, Harry Potter/Daniel Radcliffe) but whatever. It's a film full of marvelous setpieces, and it still has the greatest Potter performance with David Thewlis.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-46834589310481418522008-02-11T22:11:00.000-05:002008-02-11T22:11:00.000-05:00Cuaron deserves a "thank you" note for saving the ...Cuaron deserves a "thank you" note for saving the Potter series from itself. He placed the series on a pedestal, a series much more consistent than Pirates or Spidey. I loved what Yates did to Order of the Phoenix... he proved that blockbusters can actually have some emotional depth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-62236846270663979982008-02-11T22:09:00.000-05:002008-02-11T22:09:00.000-05:00I must give props to Newell for condensing what wa...I must give props to Newell for condensing what was a momentously frustrating of the books into an enjoyable film. Still I wouldn't mind if the series experimented with alternate directors. When Cuaron first got the gig he was considered an unlikely choice and I think the producers would do well to venture out and try someone like Shane Meadows or Edgar Wright.El Gigantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12273552212921198816noreply@blogger.com