Harry Potter

[Shinnen]

Well... I'm not sure if i'm blind or there's no thread for Harry Potter movies... i've decided to start one. Move this if there's already a thread.

As most Harry Potter movie fans know, there's no parts slated for 2003 screening. But I've found the latest movie "HP:Prisoner of Azkaban" teaser to be rather interesting. Here's the link to watch the teaser.

Harry Potter: The Prisoner of Azkaban

CheerZ

Shinnen



She's the most amazing girl in the whole world. She's the only girl who makes my heart beat faster and slower at the same time. When I'm not with her, I'm not living. I'm not existing until I can hold her in my arms again.

[urnofosiris]

Thanks Shinnen. We do have a thread for Harry Potter, but that dealt more with the books than the movies and when this forum was created that thread stayed on the Kitten. There will inevitably be overlap between these two threads, but if anyone wants to talk about the books, please visit the The Harry Potter Book Thread



I'll link this thread in the book thread as well. I saw an interview with the wonderful Emma Thompson a week or so ago and I did not know she was going to be in the next movie. That was a pleasant surprise, and all the more reason for me to look forward to the next movie. She is going to be playing professor Trelawny. I can't wait to see her in action.

The last mosquito that bit me had to check into the Betty Ford Clinic.

--Patsy Stone

Edited by: DrG at: 11/16/03 12:12 pm

[Cicca]

I'd forgotten that!!!!! Emma Thompson was on Ellen last week and they showed the clip from when she was on Ellen's sitcom. Just hilarious. And then she was describing her wedding. That woman is damn funny! She'll be excellent as Trelawny.

I don't remember if Dawn French has a role or if that's just my wishful thinking.



Gary Oldman is going to be fantastic.





I caught the Azkaban trailer the other day. It looks great! The June 4 date has me pouting. So far away!!!



I hope they get filming the the next two books soon. Those kids are growing up SO fast.



And anyone else who watches the trailer, let me know if you're wondering when Richard Harris filmed this. I was amazed.

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

[urnofosiris]

Oh yeah, Dawn French is in the cast list, but it didn't say who she is going to be.

The last mosquito that bit me had to check into the Betty Ford Clinic.

--Patsy Stone

[Scout]

Quote:

---

let me know if you're wondering when Richard Harris filmed this. I was amazed.

---

I was under the impression that Michael Gambon is playing Dumbledore throughout the movie, unless I'm mistaken.



As for Dawn French I read, "Dawn French, the British comedienne, will star in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban as the Fat Lady. Dawn, who created a Harry Potter spoof for Comic Relief, will take over the job of guarding Gryffindor tower from Elizabeth Spriggs."

[urnofosiris]

Thanks scout. Now that you mention it, I remember reading somewhere about Dawn French playing the fat lady. Those Dumbledores certainly do look a lot alike, from this brief clip I can't tell them apart. The trailer looks good, and those kids really are growing up fast. Does anyone know why the movie was posponed?

The last mosquito that bit me had to check into the Betty Ford Clinic.

--Patsy Stone

[Cicca]

Yeah, it is Michael Gambon playing Dumbledore. I got confused when I saw the trailer because he looks and sounds so much like Richard Harris. Amazing.



And it popped into my head that Dawn French is the fat lady. If only they could find a part for Jennifer Saunders!



DrG, what do you mean about the movie being postponed? Was it supposed to be released sooner?

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

[urnofosiris]

Well I assume the third movie is finished. Why do they release in june instead of december like the first two? Those kids are growing like mad as it is. Harry Potter ages one year in each book. If they wait too long making the movies, he'll be a very mature 18 year old by the time part 7 is supposed to be shot. Ah and Jennifer Saunders, I can think of a part for her actually, that gossiping reporter who is also an animagus, what was her name again?

The last mosquito that bit me had to check into the Betty Ford Clinic.

--Patsy Stone

[Scout]

Rita Skeeter - yeah, Jennifer would be great in that role.



The reason I heard repeated the most regarding the delay was, "Warner Bros officially announced that 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban' will not be released until 2004 according to CBBC Newsround. This rumour had been circulating for a long time and Warner Bros have said the reason for the delay is to give returning cast members Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson a good rest before filming starts. The real reason is because of money, as you'd expect. Warner Bros plan to release the final chapter of The Matrix Trilogy, 'Revolutions' in Harry's November spot and they don't want to have two of their own movies competing against each other for your all important box office dollar."



I agree though about them growing up so fast. Get the kids into the studio while you can. They won't be the right age forever.

[dazed and confused]

Hey everyone ...long time, no post.



I was thinking the same about the kids ages but they are just about in time with the books. Daniel Radcliffe is 14 now (if his official website is correct) and about to start filming book 4 (which is in pre-production right now). In book 4 Harry was 14 having started Hogwarts at age 11 in book 1. Emma Watson is 14 or 15 as is Rupert Grint (again, based on info from their "official" websites. The one I'm thinking might sprout quicker than the others is Tom Felton. He's 15 already and he looks a lot older in the trailer than in the last movie.



Also, I know that the 3rd movie is in post-production right now and the Matrix release was also a big reason in the delay by WB but if I'm not mistaken filming was delayed a bit because they wanted to give the kids a little time off. If they film 4 & 5 in succession (and JK allows the movies to be shorter than 4 hours) then I think the actors will still be believable for all of the movies.



What do you all think about the "updated" look of the new film? I was surprised to see the kids in street clothes instead of their uniforms. I think its an interesting development that I'm not sure we'd have gotten if Chris Columbus were still directing.



dnc

[Scout]

I know what you mean about the street clothes. It was funny to see Hermione in jeans!



I read that all three kids had a contract for three movies, but they all expressed an interest in going beyond the third movie - assuming contract negotiations go well. I know Dan Radcliffe recently said he definitely wanted to do the fourth movie because it was his favorite book.



Supposedly the fourth movie may be broken down into two movies (due to the length of the book) and released the same year like the Matrix.

[dazed and confused]

I really hope they don't break up the movies like they did with the Matrix. I find it really took away from my enjoyment and although I haven't seen the final installment yet, I've heard that it's pretty bad because the meat of the story is in the first two and the third is left to mop up the ending and that without the fx, it wouldn't be worth seeing.



I just hate having a story interrupted. Ya know what I mean?



dnc

[Scout]

The issue seems to have developed into a bit of a protest. Apparently, word got out that Warner Bros. asked for a 2 1/2 hour screenplay for "Goblet of Fire," and when fans heard about it they started a Savegof.com campaign to petition Warnes Bros to either make it two movies or make the one movie at least three to four hours long. They're worried that a shorter movie will result in a hack job on the longer "GOF" story.



I haven't seen the Matrix movies, so I'm not sure how it's working out. But I could understand how a long wait between two movies would result in a loss of momentum. Should be interesting to see what they finally decide to do.

[Cicca]

ding ding ding!!!



Yes, Jennifer Saunders would be so great as Rita Skeeter!

So cool.



And thanks for the explanation about the movie timing. So long as those kids are able, they should be filming these movies! I'd really hate to see them recast









Editing because I've heard another suggestion for Jennifer Saunders. Madame Maxime from Beauxbatons. heehee She'd do a hilarious french accent.

Is there a hyphen in anal-retentive?

Edited by: Cicca  at: 11/28/03 12:46 pm

[Twisted Minstrel]

Big warning - this review (if you've not read the book), is a bit SPOILERIFIC (and if this is inappropriate, mods, I am at your mercy.



Right...I'd like to say, first off, Azkeban prison has yet to make an appearance in a Harry Potter movie.



That said, I really don't care.



Alphone Curon has painted such a lovely film, who needs a filthy old dungeon anyway?



Unlike the first two Potter films (directed by anglophile hack Chris Columbus), The Prisoner of Azkeban has no "precious moments,' no wishy washy platitudes, no joyous reunions or monotomous blue skies. Curon's film is, instead, especially dark and gray, autumnal even - this isn't the story of a wily and clever young hero born to power - but a tellingly tragic play about friendship.



Harry Potter is, first and foremost, not the central character of his own story. Though he is the cover boy and what everything tends to revolve around, it is his relationship with those around him that define him, and, therefore, give him his strength. Whether the adorable, devoted and slightly cowardly Ron or the brilliantly clever (to the point of being scary) Hermoine (Emma Watson owns this film), Potter is upheld by his peers. Though I still fail to find value in the character of Hagrid (just why does everyone love him?), and the other professors from past films (Dumbledore, McGonagal and Snape) are little more than momentary magical glimpses, its the ones that are just 'passing by' that give this film such a deep, delicious edge.



Professor Lupin (wonderful to see David Thewliss on the screen again) is a gentle, generous man hiding a terrible secret (two, actually). Curon's use of symbolic foreshadowing throughout the film is given its heart in the sad figure of Lupin, who gives the film an almost touching, dramatic weight. As the maligned and misunderstood Sirius Black, Gary Oldman is hardly available, appearing only in the last 20 minutes of the film - which, unfortunately, negates a huge plot point. But more on that later.



The first hour and a half of this film (it's about 2.5 hours total) is simply a delight for the senses. Curon takes care to make Harry's world so real - not merely the fairytale trappings of the first film - by using more outdoor, actual locations. Everything about this film is tangible, almost edible. The detail of the set pieces, from Lupin's classroom to delightful exteriors of Hogsmeade, are simple wonders. You feel as if you could roam about the grounds yourself. The skies are perpetually gray and the shift of seasons is done with a painter's touch - the visuals here I have to say rival, if not in some ways surpass the genius of even The Return of the King. Especially thrilling is the Quidditch match in the storm (with Harry surrounded by Dementors) - or one of the early scenes on the train when everything becomes slowly frozen (heralding the Dementor's arrival).



What really works though, are moments that require little in effects and more in wit and imagination. What I disliked about the first two films was their lameness of exposition, dialogue and character development. While Azkaban is a big story (the ending is a bit rushed off), Curon takes care to let his characters breathe a little and we see a broader glimpse of Potter and his friends, as well as the mysterious Lupin.



Especially impressive here is the ubiquitious and strangely omnipresent Ms. Granger. Emma Watson is clearly the standout actor of the three young leads, with her intense and ever-present scowl, she gets one of the film's most winning moments (at the expense of mindlessly arrogant bully Malfoy), and, more importantly, gets to play Hermoine as something other than 'the girl' or 'the vicitim.' If Ron is the heart and Harry is the hand, Hermoine is definitely the head. It's her brains (and unerringly good common sense) that save the day on more than one occassion, which elevates her beyond a mere 'sidekick.'



As Ron, Rupert Grint is getting to be quite the cutie (were those troublesome sparks between Ms. Granger and Mr. Weasley?), but remains the slightly clueless, yet devoted 'pal.' Ron displays none of the righteous bravery that won him points in the first film, and as comic relief, he's seen better days. He has certainly reached that 'awkward' stage and it will be interesting to see where his studies (or lack thereof) take him (I've not read the books, so I don't know and please don't tell me).



As Harry, Daniel Radcliffe is still a bit of a one-note, even when's he angry. Always in the center of every storm, his Harry is never really what the moment is about. Harry is not particularly witty, but his 'rights from birth' (always a dodgy and usually sexist character flaw) is little more than a deux ex machina - Harry has done little so far to deserve his hero status, and I personally don't like having a story explained to me after the fact. So much of Harry's backstory with his parents is given to us piecemeal by people he meets (Dumbledore, Lupin, Black), which is a serious letdown. We want Harry to be Harry on his own, not a character doomed by his past.



But Harry is doomed. This film, more than the others, takes seriously the journey Harry has ahead of him. While the opening scene is nothing short of hilarious, it is spawned from Harry's righteous anger (which, no doubt, will prove to be a tragic character flaw); later, after learning the truth about Sirius (told all too quickly and conveniently and all too easily believed), he wants to go live with him. Harry wants a home and a life of his own - and one suspects he probably won't get it. Whether the Dementor's early attack on the train or later, in Professor's Trelawney's Divination class, where Harry learns about 'the grim' that surrounds him (Ron - reading Harry's future from tea leaves - 'you're going to suffer...but you'll be happy about it'), death surrounds Harry and clouds his future. Whether it will affect him directly or someone he cares about (yes yes, I know all about the Order of the Phoenix...I have nephews....thank you very much), is still foggy - and, hopefully, far off.



What to watch for:



1. The Whomping Willow's love of birds.

2. Hermoine's fist.

3. Hermoine (where did she come from all of a sudden?)

4. Lupin's fear.

5. The Knight Bus

6. 'I swear I am up to no good'

7. Dawn French

8. 'you're supposed to stroke it.'



I sincerely hope Alphonse Curon will consider directing the next feature; his style brings out the richness of the stories and the characters, despire themselves. He is ably abetted by writer Steve Kloves (The Fabulous Baker Boys), who brings out the wit, humor, and underlying tragedy of these young heroes.



Worth another look this weekend, I think.



If I can get a seat....but that's another story for another day.

Edited by: Warduke at: 6/4/04 6:36 am

[KiwiAlcyone]

I just skimmed the review (which was excellent btw) because its not out here yet.





Anyway, this isn't spoilerish but Alfonso isn't directing The Goblet of Fire.



It's being directed by Mike Newell who did Four Weddings and a Funeral and Mona Lisa Smile - weird choice methinks.



Alcy

Reality continues to ruin my life - Calvin and Hobbes

Edited by: KiwiAlcyone  at: 6/4/04 7:59 pm

[urnofosiris]

I am looking forward to seeing this movie. I think the books are getting better with each part and it sounds like this movie is better than the first two as well. What a difference a year makes btw. Judging from the previews I´ve seen, it looks like those kids are growing up at light speed.

[ChelleKat]

I can't wait to see this movie also. Prisoner of Azkaban is my favourite book of the six so far. Ooh and I just saw the preview where Hermione does something I cheered for when I read the book... I'm so glad they included it... *grins* I won't say what because not everyone may have read the book or seen the movie... but... go Hermione! You've just gotta love that girl.

As this ink fades so shall I, its imprint a reminder...

[TyRex316]

Harry Potter and the POA is great. Definitely the best so far, these kids are growing up fast and right before our eyes. That quiddich match in the rain was superb and was just one of many scenes that encompassed just how visually stunning this movie is. USA Today called it beautiful and it definitely is. can't wait for the Goblet of Fire. And I'm definitely going to see this one again

[justin]

I just saw HP & POA (For some reason I keep calling Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Zenda ) and it's very good. It is certainly better than the first 2.



However given how much they had to leave out I wonder how they're going to adapt the fourth and, especially, the fifth. For the fifth they might have to do what Peter Jackson did for Return of the King. Have a shorter version for cinemas, then release the full version on DVD.

"To mess up a Linux box you need to work at it; to mess up a Windows box you just need to work on it."

[effrena]

i`m still in hp-daze!!!!!!!! i watched it yesterday and i can`t believe how different it was! i loved it! so much darker and way more "artistic". is that a word in english? anyway.... i still got that warm fuzzy feeling though. i just love the three of them, especially hermione and ron! they were amazing! so many cute scenes!

the only thing that irritated me was, that they changed they music so much, but well, i`ll just watched it again, and i am used to it!

and i totally go with justin! i would love an extended version!

Can`t we not suck anymore?! Ellen DeGeneres

[Iamyouknowyours]

I am so surprised at the positive reviews. I thought it was terrible! I don't mind the darkness but it jumped around from event to event with no exposition, no character development. None of the characters changed in anyway from start to finish, which should never be the case in ANY film. Way too much was left out. I've read the books about five times and it still took a while to figure out what was going on in each scene. My poor friend who never read the books had no idea what was going on and still can't figure out what the movie is about. The connection between the map and its makers is never made. Hogsmeade isn't explained (how about mentioning where the sweets come from instead of having them randomly snacking on them and then showing Harry pouting because he can't go somewhere but they won't tell you where or what it has to do with anything). Where's the grim? He shows up what once, twice? Instead of being everywhere all the time and constantly freaking Harry out. The Double Double Toil and Trouble was cool for the previews but wasted valuable plot time that could have been used for ... plot instead of something random and pointless. So little is shown of divination class that Hermione quiting comes out of nowhere. Explain what the frick a bogart is and why it would be in the closet. I mean add a sentence to Hermione's explination and actually explain. They almost shouldn't have added in the firebolt is they were going to do it as such an afterthought. Lame ending. Buckbeak's trail is thrown in haphazardly last minute, it comes out of nowhere. Even when Hermione explains her necklace, she barely does so. Throw in some clues about Lupin, geez. JK Rowling is usually pretty sparse with the clues before the fact in the books but there definitely was some foreshadowing of it in the book version of Azcaban. Tell those who might not know (like Harry Potter himself!) what a dementors kiss is. Sheesh. And the humor is sporadiac and wildly out of character and innapropriate (practical Hermione is going to worry about her hair while facing certain death? I think not. And Dumbleddore isn't the type to further beat up the injured). The humor serves no dramatic purpose, when it could have been used to add to or release tension in some scenes. Come back Chris!!! Come back and save The Goblet of Fire (my favorite of the books)!!! Those kids have so much more talent than that lousy script allowed them to show, and talk about wasting Gary Oldman!



Still worth seeing for Hermione punching out Draco and for having Hedwig finally called by her name. And the special effects were cleaner, but I'd take a decent movie with cheesy effects over a bad movie with good effects ANYDAY.



Hard core fans only. Read the book first. And see it at a matenee. Buy popcorn or something to keep you interested. And don't bother buying the DVD.

[Twisted Minstrel]

This is quite shocking to me, really. I've never read the books and I don't profess to be a hardcore HP fan in any way (my nephews handle that one) - but I thought the film stood entirely on its own and wasn't the least confusing. I like that it didn't explain every little detail to me and let me figure things out on my own. Much of which, honestly, wasn't very hard.



Perhaps as an adaptation it is a disappointment, but on its own I felt it was very good, and while I don't put a lot of stock in special effects, this film was beautiful.



I'm sure all the points you mentioned are essential and I would hope a DVD version might include anything left out, but I really don't expect an adaptation of a novel so dense (I'm sure it is) to be perfect. I think PoA stands on its own merits, warts and all.

[Kieli]

I agree with TS and I've not read the novels at all (my partner has everything even remotely related to Harry Potter and she's been giving me the Cliff Notes version of what the movie did not contain). We both agreed that adaptations of HUGE novel series is extremely difficult to bring to the silver screen as, if one were to include everything contained in a particular book, the movie would be hours longer than is normal. That's what extended DVD's are for IMHO. There are always going to be purists who want movies to recreate a book verbatim. That is unrealistic. It simply can't happen within the time constraints of moving pictures.



Overall, while there were some things that I was confused about, I agree with someone else who said that Hermione owned this movie. She so rocked and I kept muttering, "Leave it to a woman to do all the bloody thinking and to save the day." It was clear to me that Harry, Ron, Sirius and Lupin could not have done much without her quick thinking, bravery and knowledge. I just wanted to give her a great big hug and go "Well done! You go, grrlfriend!"



Is it sad to say that we've seen it three times already?

Time flies by when the Devil drives.
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

[Puff]

It's all well and good hoping that the extended DVD will explain what was missed out. (The origins of the map being the main thing.) But there won't be an extended version as the scenes were not even shot. They decided to explain things later on...because of course the books don't get longer. My one complaint was why didn't they use either Crabbe or Goyle for a lot of the movie when we saw the actor there in one scene? I love watching how they are growing up.



I enjoyed the PoA, not as much as the first two movies though. I guess we have to wait and see what the next director chooses to do for GoF. They better hurry up and shoot the movies, the kids are growing up fast.

---

It's a moo point. It's like a cow's opinion. It's moo.
Words of wisdom from 'Friends'

[AmbeRocks]

i saw it yesterday, and i can't say i liked it a lot. I really really enjoyed the books, but the movies are not so great. i mean yes, they are very well done visually and all, but it's like they can't get my attention for that long, i find that there's not enough happening. I think i liked the 2 firsts more than the third, i really feel like nothing happened in it.

oh and i know it's not the same person playing dumbledore, but what's with the change of style? and hagrid's house, it has been moved right?

anyway, it was ok in it's ensemble, big fans will like it of course.



jen

There is such a variety of well-invented things that the earth is like the breasts of a woman: useful as well as pleasing - Nietzsche

[Spikeizmine87]

I saw that movie last weekend! It was sooo good! Very dark, very spooky. I love how it was directed! Although in some parts I was disapointed. Some things weren't in the movie that was in the book and some parts i felt were really important. And I dont really like the new actor who plays Dumbledore at all! But it was good anyway and i cant wait for the next one!

-Rose

Dude Im fuckin loved! Im loved and I dont care about anything else! And Im cared for! Im fuckin cared for by someone that MATTERS!

[Iamyouknowyours]

I'm not saying everything from the books should be in the movies. Good God! A BBC huge, long miniseries would be the only way to come remotely close to that. Besides what works for the books doesn't always transfer well to the silver screen. I just think some simple exposition (which would have added a full five extra minutes to the movie) would have helped establish what was going on. My main problem with the film is that it just didn't have the heart of the others. I frickin' love Hermione (Emma was SO well cast) and she was about the only character you could even care about. The first movie stressed the importance of knowledge, courage and friendship. I didn't get much of any of those here, the friendship angle being the most sorely missed.



This seems to be the film people either loved or hated, while it seems that most people liked the first two films.



On the plus side the little flirtations between Ron and Hermione give me hope that my theory that there will be smoochies between the two of them in the next couple of books is right! (Given that JK Rowlings told the director and actors secrets about the rest of the series).

[Kieli]

Quote:

---

I frickin' love Hermione (Emma was SO well cast) and she was about the only character you could even care about. The first movie stressed the importance of knowledge, courage and friendship.

---

I totally agree about Hermione/Emma. That was one of the best things done with the HP series, the casting of Emma Watson (who is going to be drop dead gorgeous when she gets older).

Quote:

---

On the plus side the little flirtations between Ron and Hermione give me hope that my theory that there will be smoochies between the two of them in the next couple of books is right!

---

Actually I saw and felt more chemistry between her and Harry than her and Ron. She and Ron fought through the whole thing and I noticed that every time she touched Ron, he kind of acted like he didn't want her to. Harry, on the other hand, was touching her contstantly (i.e. hugging her to comfort her, holding her hand throughout the chases and Hermione throwing herself in front of Harry constantly, heedless of the danger to herself (and not really doing that for Ron)). I found that more telling (well and I really think that Harry and Hermione are the James and Lily of the Harry Potter series....they are far and away more suited for each other than Ron and Hermione IMHO), like the Sirius/Lupin interaction.

Time flies by when the Devil drives.
It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.

Edited by: xita  at: 6/10/04 7:04 am

[KiwiAlcyone]

This film finally came out in NZ yesterday and I went to see it twice but hey, I am a fan and all...



Anyway, just adding my little opinion to everyone else's and I have to say that I loved it. This film definitely captured the essence of the books a lot more sucessfully than the first two which, although I did enjoy them, felt as though they were too mechanical. PoA was organic in a way they never were, from the redesigned Hogwarts to the greater emphasis on using beautiful Scotland as a backdrop for outdoor location scenes.



David Thewlis was tragically fantastic as Lupin, Gary Oldman was tortured and yet human as Sirius and I look forward to seeing more of him in the next two films. I wasnt thoroughly taken away by Michael Gambon as Dumbledore but Richard Harris is a hard act to follow and is irreplaceable.



Emma Watson was fantastic, Dan was admirable as I definitely think Harry's character is exceeding tough to play convincingly. I'm glad that much of the humour this time around was not based on Ron's facial expressions or stupid noises.



This film gets lotsa stars in my book, and I'm going to see it again on Saturday



Alcy

Reality continues to ruin my life - Calvin and Hobbes