Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 1 [Archive]

daniellaaarisen

11-15-2010, 10:36 PM

For some reason I could never get into the whole Harry Potter thing. I've only read the first 4 books, and watched a couple of the movies and didn't really get it but I guess I have to watch them all from the start. :p

The only books really worth reading are 5-7. The first four are really accurately depicted through the movies. But 5-7 are dark and bring up some really interesting and relevant questions. The series is MUCH more intellectually and emotionally stimulating than people give it credit for. During the sixth and seventh books especially, I laughed and cried (to be honest, more crying). And the end of the 7th book was absolutely, stunningly mind-bending. I HIGHLY recommend you try the series out again. The last few books are stunning.

mylittledemon

11-15-2010, 10:38 PM

I'll be seeing it Wednesday night here with wifey. She's excited. I really liked the 5th film. The rest of them are "meh".

PS... Bellatrix is kinda hot.

daniellaaarisen

11-15-2010, 10:42 PM

I'll be seeing it Wednesday night here with wifey. She's excited. I really liked the 5th film. The rest of them are "meh".

PS... Bellatrix is kinda hot.

Have you read the series? Have a favorite book?

I think the 5th film is the best, too. Or maybe the 6th... but the 7th is BY FAR my favorite of the novels so I am really excited to see how they do it.

I'm jealous that you get to see it before I do :(

iamnotafraid

11-15-2010, 10:45 PM

PS... Bellatrix is kinda hot.

Is that Helena Bonham Carter in that poster?

mylittledemon

11-15-2010, 10:49 PM

Have you read the series? Have a favorite book?

I think the 5th film is the best, too. Or maybe the 6th... but the 7th is BY FAR my favorite of the novels so I am really excited to see how they do it.

I'm jealous that you get to see it before I do :(

Yeah but we're only about 16 hrs ahead of you guys. ;)

I have read the first two books. Frankly I lost interest in the books after I saw the 3rd film.

louielouie2000

11-15-2010, 10:50 PM

I've enjoyed watching the movies as they've come out over the past decade. I'll definitely be going to see the film... though I'll more than likely wait a week or two for the crowds to calm down :thumbsup:.

daniellaaarisen

11-15-2010, 10:55 PM

Is that Helena Bonham Carter in that poster?

Yup! Love her.

Yeah but we're only about 16 hrs ahead of you guys. ;)

I have read the first two books. Frankly I lost interest in the books after I saw the 3rd film.

You're missing out. The 5th, 6th and 7th books are SO MUCH BETTER than the movies.

Nikolaj

11-15-2010, 11:18 PM

I enjoy the franchise. And now they're all grown up, so this film will be interesting to see the same characters/actors as young adults whom we first saw as children.

mylittledemon

11-15-2010, 11:19 PM

I might get around to it. What I've noticed that I DO dislike about the Potter books is character development. There are so many interesting characters within the story... Snape, Bellatrix, Dumbledore, Lupin... and we don't get enough background on them. I mean maybe that's why we like them so much because they intrigue us. But yeah... there you have it ;)

daniellaaarisen

11-15-2010, 11:51 PM

amberlemegan

11-15-2010, 11:59 PM

I would be one of those crazy Harry Potter fans :thumbsup:

I reread all the books this summer because I never read the 7th one so I just started over. I found my love for them again!!!

The 5-7th books are definatly the best and the 7th was amazing. I have no idea why I never read it when it first came out...

daniellaaarisen

11-16-2010, 12:10 AM

CreepingDeath

11-16-2010, 01:59 AM

I've been a HUGE Harry Potter fan ever since the Sorcerer's Stone came in '97 when I was 13. I adore Alan Rickman and Maggie Smith, but for the most part I loathe the movies. There have just been way too many changes and none of them for the better. I gave up on them completely after seeing the fourth one. What a cluster**** of crap that was. Michael Gambon was shockingly terrible as Dumbledore. :shocked:

The books are SO much better.

mylittledemon

11-16-2010, 02:30 AM

Michael Gambon was shockingly terrible as Dumbledore. :shocked:

You're joking. He gave way more spunk to the character than Richard Harris did, God rest his soul.

CreepingDeath

11-16-2010, 02:50 AM

You're joking. He gave way more spunk to the character than Richard Harris did, God rest his soul.

To each their own, but to me Gambon is just embarrassing in the role. He doesn't capture the wisdom, presence, or serenity that embodies the character. He comes off as a manic old hippy. Take the scene in The Goblet of Fire where he nearly strangles Harry after slamming him into the trophy case. That's not how Dumbledore is supposed to be. He had amazing power but was able to control it. Gambon's version is just a frantic mess.

Artemis

11-16-2010, 03:03 AM

Have to agree that books 5-7 are far superior to the first 4. Book 5 is really where the series "evolves" imo, and book 6 remains the only book I've ever cried at.

I'm so excited for the movie! I'm either seeing it on Friday afternoon or midnight on Friday. We're booking our tickets today.

iamnotafraid

11-16-2010, 04:01 AM

Yup! Love her.

I like her too. And
I like names like that.

daniellaaarisen

11-16-2010, 05:06 AM

To each their own, but to me Gambon is just embarrassing in the role. He doesn't capture the wisdom, presence, or serenity that embodies the character. He comes off as a manic old hippy. Take the scene in The Goblet of Fire where he nearly strangles Harry after slamming him into the trophy case. That's not how Dumbledore is supposed to be. He had amazing power but was able to control it. Gambon's version is just a frantic mess.

Agreed. I don't like Gambon as Dumbledore but Richard Harris was PERFECT.

chelluversu

11-16-2010, 05:41 AM

I have an actual Gryffindor tie :)
My friends are going to the midnight premiere on thursday (technically friday).
I get to see it with my sister (not biological) when she comes home during thanksgiving break. I can't wait!!!!!:woohoo:

GypsySorcerer

11-16-2010, 08:33 AM

I love, love, love the Harry Potter series. I actually avoided reading the books for a LONG time (until like two years ago), because I was convinced that something so popular couldn't be good. I was dead wrong. Rowling is a tremendously gifted storyteller.

I really loved books 6-7. Five felt a little long, and I was bummed that one of my favorite characters was killed off.

The movies....eh, don't come anywhere close to the books. I am excited to see these last two, though. :)

Artemis

11-16-2010, 08:47 AM

My favourite movie so far has to be book 5. Helena Bonham Carter is the PERFECT Bellatrix, and Dolores Umbridge is perfection!

I prefered Richard Harris as Dumbledore as well, but, I don't think he could have done the scenes in movies 5 and 6 that New-Dumbledore did. I still like him though.

CreepingDeath

11-16-2010, 01:32 PM

mylittledemon

11-16-2010, 01:36 PM

To each their own, but to me Gambon is just embarrassing in the role. He doesn't capture the wisdom, presence, or serenity that embodies the character. He comes off as a manic old hippy. Take the scene in The Goblet of Fire where he nearly strangles Harry after slamming him into the trophy case. That's not how Dumbledore is supposed to be. He had amazing power but was able to control it. Gambon's version is just a frantic mess.

Interesting. I hear what you're saying... I just feel Gambon makes for more interesting viewing.

Dodfather

11-16-2010, 01:37 PM

Dani - I'm a big Harry Potter geek! My favourite book is by far book 6. I know alot of people don't like it because they say it is very different and little happens until the end but that's exactly what I love about it. It sets up book 7 so well by giving the essential background to the villain. More knowledge is very important because things get very complicated, very quickly, in book 7!

I think that for books 4 and 5 she really needed an editor - 5 is just too long and the entire quddditch world cup section in 4 could have been cut a bit. The strange thing is though, that book 5 made the best film out of all of them so far - it's excellent!

I really, really wish they'd done a better job of book 6 on screen though. Maybe just because of what I've already said about the book but... They may as well not have had Greyback in it, he didn't even have any lines, and he is important! The same goes for the ending, the battle should have been there! Apparently it was to avoid repetition with the next two films but I don't think it would have mattered.

I'm seeing the new film on Sunday and can't wait!

p.s: Any pics of you as Bellatrix?!

Dodfather

11-16-2010, 01:42 PM

Helena Bonham Carter is the PERFECT Bellatrix, and Dolores Umbridge is perfection!

Oh absolutely! As much as I stand by my above comments of book 5, Delores Umbidge is a fantastic character! I've rarely had such a visceral reaction to a fictional character before! Every time I read "he-hem!" I wanted to rip the page!

Helena is awesome.

Silver Springs

11-16-2010, 03:03 PM

I've been a huge potter junkie since the first page of the first book back when I started Reading it in class when I was ten. The books will never be beaten by the movies in my opinion although, being a huge Severus head, the wonderul revelation that is Alan Rickman brings them darn close.

ButterCookie

11-16-2010, 03:17 PM

I don't want to but I have to wait :( I gotta scrape some money together to go to the cinema.

I went to the first showing of HBP last year and I've never seen a cinema so packed, it was awesome :blob2:

london

11-16-2010, 04:47 PM

Count me in as a hardcore HP fan! I love all of the movies...LOVE the books even more...named my cat Potter (RIP)...I dress as Professor Minerva McGonagall for Potter related events...I had the pleasure of visiting The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park last month (the attention to detail is AMAZING!)...and yes, I'll be at the movie theater this Friday to watch the beginning of the end on film. Eee! :]

mylittledemon

11-16-2010, 04:56 PM

11 more hours to go...

Erin

11-16-2010, 07:53 PM

Going Friday afternoon with some fellow geeks! Since it's cold I should be able to wear my Grffyndor scarf. I'm worried about these movies. Since they're doing two films it appears they're throwing in characters that have never been mentioned in the films before. I don't think that bodes well for the film series. I'm also anticipating that my beloved Alan Rickman will have at most two lines in Part 1, and maybe 4 in part 2. Never mind how integral Snape is to the whole series, I just know he's going to get the shaft. I can't believe how badly Yates screwed up the flashback scene in OOTP. That said, it's my favorite film after Prisoner of Azkaban. I really wish Cuaron would have been able to stay on.

Anyway, favorite books in the series are Azkaban, Phoenix, and Hallows, in that order. My biggest Harry Potter freak out moment was winning tickets to see J.K. Rowling at Carnegie Hall in 2007. When it was my turn to have my book signed she told me I looked just like a Weasley, and that she loved my hair! This was the event where she outed Dumbledore. It was very odd waking up the next morning and seeing it as a banner headline on CNN. I couldn't believe people were making such a big deal about it.

Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak!:p

daniellaaarisen

11-16-2010, 10:59 PM

APerfectLie

11-17-2010, 12:19 AM

I have to admit, I have never read a Harry Potter book nor have I seen a Harry Potter movie. HP became so popular so fast, I just could not bring myself to partake in it. All these douche bags I hated in school could be found obsessing over HP, so HP was definitely the last thing I wanted to associate myself with. However, as the years have gone by, I think I would really really really enjoy HP! I think it is right up my alley! So here recently I have wanted to read all of the books, but it seems like such a daunting task. I love reading, but over 4000 pages is a lot! But I do plan on having them all read by the time the last movie is out on DVD so I can just buy all the DVDs and have a HP movie marathon weekend!

daniellaaarisen

11-17-2010, 12:58 AM

CreepingDeath

11-17-2010, 02:57 AM

Start reading them. I can read one of the 800+ page books in three days EASILY. You're gonna get hooked.

This. I've read these books more times than I care to admit, and they're still fresh.

Meowi

11-17-2010, 03:08 AM

I would like to get into the HP series, but as a PerfectLie said - it just came around so fast. Anyway, I'm still stuck in the world of Michael Crichton.

mylittledemon

11-17-2010, 05:06 AM

Dani... heading out in the door in 10 min to go see the movie :blob2:

daniellaaarisen

11-17-2010, 05:50 AM

Dani... heading out in the door in 10 min to go see the movie :blob2:

YOU GOTTA TELL ME HOW IT IS!!!!

Silver Springs

11-17-2010, 07:10 AM

Start reading them. I can read one of the 800+ page books in three days EASILY. You're gonna get hooked.

Three days? I'd shut myself in my bedroom and knock them out in a day. Granted food and sleep was a no no (Unless a straw was provided rofl) but steeeeelllll. Having said that, I've always been a gifted speed reader. We once did a "Read Around The World" event at my first school where we had to read a ton of books in a month to earn a medal. I read far more than anybody else (Over a hundred because I would NEVER have my face out of a book when I was younger).

Artemis

11-17-2010, 08:07 AM

I made sure to read Books 5, 6 and 7 in one day when they came out. Got them at the midnight launch and everything. Turned off my phone and the internet and just read. I wasn't going to let anyone spoil it for me :laugh:

Me and my friend booked our tickets last night. Half 11 on Friday night. Woo!

mylittledemon

11-17-2010, 08:53 AM

YOU GOTTA TELL ME HOW IT IS!!!!

It may be the fact that I was tired... But it wasn't thrilling. There were a few lighthearted moments that made the whole audience laugh. Ultimately, I felt the story wasn't being moved forward enough... There were waaaaay too many scenes that lingered and I felt bored. I did, however, like it more than the 6th film. Hmm... I give it 7/10.

Silver Springs

11-17-2010, 09:01 AM

It may be the fact that I was tired... But it wasn't thrilling. There were a few lighthearted moments that made the whole audience laugh. Ultimately, I felt the story wasn't being moved forward enough... There were waaaaay too many scenes that lingered and I felt bored. I did, however, like it more than the 6th film. Hmm... I give it 7/10.

Worryingly, this isn't the first review I've read that saidf it was somewhat slow and langourous :shrug:

I think all in all, Chamber of Secrets is my favourite of the movie franchise. After that point they seemed to really go down hill. In my humble opinion, of course.

MissLadyLoki

11-17-2010, 09:06 AM

I'm yet to see it, but I am (unsuccessfully so far) trying to arrange seeing it with my fellow nerds at the Sci Fi Forum. Maybe I'll mention it again at tomorrow night's meeting.

daniellaaarisen

11-17-2010, 06:54 PM

It may be the fact that I was tired... But it wasn't thrilling. There were a few lighthearted moments that made the whole audience laugh. Ultimately, I felt the story wasn't being moved forward enough... There were waaaaay too many scenes that lingered and I felt bored. I did, however, like it more than the 6th film. Hmm... I give it 7/10.

As long as there's lots of Bellatrix Lestrange I think I'll be ok.

Also, the 7th book lags a LOT in the first half so it actually doesn't surprise me.... :/

mylittledemon

11-17-2010, 10:49 PM

As long as there's lots of Bellatrix Lestrange I think I'll be ok.

:/

Nope. Sorry.

CreepingDeath

11-18-2010, 01:41 AM

Nope. Sorry.

:(

At least tell me there's a lot of my beloved Snape.

mylittledemon

11-18-2010, 01:18 PM

Nope. Not a lot of him either.

Erin

11-18-2010, 02:35 PM

^^
Not surprised. A lot of running around in the woods, I presume. I'm still holding out hope for the last movie in July.

mylittledemon

11-18-2010, 10:11 PM

^^
Not surprised. A lot of running around in the woods, I presume.

Yep. Yawn.

daniellaaarisen

11-19-2010, 06:46 AM

Best movie thus far.

Brandon, I'm 95% sure you didn't like it because you haven't read the book. Astonishingly accurate to the novel (most the time), kept to the absolute essential details. This book is a LOT of backstory and it won't make ANY sense without it, so I was expecting that.

Honestly, the other six movies simply don't compare compared to this one from a Harry Potter reader's standpoint.

I'm going to post more pictures from the premiere later, but here's a taste of my Bellatrix costume....

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs998.snc4/77111_1578737742164_1047240440_31808020_1508154_n.jpg

Yes, I handcarved and painted my wand. I don't have any full body pictures yet but they're coming.

My Dark Mark:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs606.ash2/155883_1578737942169_1047240440_31808022_6700696_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs975.snc4/76879_1578738062172_1047240440_31808023_2092024_n.jpg

CreepingDeath

11-19-2010, 01:43 PM

^^^

Many thanks for the info, Dani. It's nice to hear that the movie is true to the book. I might go see it this weekend now...

BTW- Love your Dark Mark. :thumbsup:

mylittledemon

11-19-2010, 02:37 PM

I've been thinking about it more since the viewing... I'm still sticking with my initial thoughts. I think the 5th film is still the best one. :shrug:

Erin

11-19-2010, 09:11 PM

Brandon, what I think you're missing from this film is Hogwarts. If you haven't read the book, like Daniela mentioned, it isn't going to be that interesting. Hogwarts is its own character and I was sorely missing it both in the film and in the book.

I liked the film.I would have appreciated some more time in Malfoy Manner. Poor Lucius was looking pretty hagard. Alan Rickman, sigh... I thought the trio did a good job. I was surprised by the amount of sexy time. The Harry/Hermione people must have been happy campers.:eek:

I think my favorite film is still Azkaban followed by Phoenix, but this one is coming in at number three right now. It was certainly better than Half-Blood Prince.

I love you Gred and Forge!

daniellaaarisen

11-19-2010, 09:31 PM

I'm going again. In costume... again.

amberlemegan

11-19-2010, 10:41 PM

I'm going again. In costume... again.

I must say your costume is amazing! I can't believe you even had the dark mark. That's so cool!!!

I completely agree with you about the movie too. I really liked it.

bucklind17

11-19-2010, 11:04 PM

I liked it, didn't LOVE it, but it did what it had to do to set up well for the final film, which I am super psyched for. I didn't realize until tonight how much I love Ron Weasley, Rupert's performance in this film was so fantastic. I really, really felt for him.

I also love seeing movies in New York because audiences are so amazing and ridiculous. Legit rounds of applause at certain moments.

I also have to say, I have had such a wonderful time watching these three young actors really come into their own. I mentioned Rupert already, but especially Daniel Radcliffe. I have adored this boy since I saw the first preview of Equus in the West End. He had just done the whole show straight through for a paying audience for the first time and had done a tremendous job, he comes out for the curtain call and he is just wearing a pair of jeans he had thrown on following the final scene (in which he's completely naked). He looked SO overwhelmed by the praise he was getting, like he was about to start bawling at any moment, and Richard Griffiths put an arm around him and pulled him to him and it was just the sweetest, most tender moment. I knew that night that Daniel Radcliffe had so much more coming to him and when I went to see the 5th movie following that (my favorite) I was so happy to see the talent I had seen on stage reflected in the film. I adore that boy, plain and simple.

Anyway, that was a tangent. Enjoyed the film, thought it followed the books pretty well except for a few things here and there. As always, I wish they could have found a way to make more room for some of the other characters that are more present in parts of the book, but I understand why the focus was so much on the three-some, as it very much is in this book. Some of those scenes were gorgeous! And Harry and Hermione dancing, oh my. Can't believe this is almost over!

Artemis

11-19-2010, 11:44 PM

I LOVED the movie. I thought it was all just... perfect.

Slightly wish there was more Umbridge though, I LOVE to hate that woman - she's the PERFECT villain. So glad when she got hit by that spell :laugh:

Everyone in the cinema groaned when the credits came up. It was hilarious.

louielouie2000

11-20-2010, 03:52 AM

Brandon, what I think you're missing from this film is Hogwarts. If you haven't read the book, like Daniela mentioned, it isn't going to be that interesting. Hogwarts is its own character and I was sorely missing it both in the film and in the book.

No Hogwarts in this film? I don't know if I'll be going to see it then. To me, it was the "character" that made the movies so special, magical, and beautiful to watch. :distress: To me, seeing Harry Potter wander around in the mundane modern world holds zero allure. The reason I watch these movies to escape reality. Maybe I'll just wait and see this one on DVD.

daniellaaarisen

11-20-2010, 04:00 AM

No Hogwarts in this film? I don't know if I'll be going to see it then. To me, it was the "character" that made the movies so special, magical, and beautiful to watch. :distress: To me, seeing Harry Potter wander around in the mundane modern world holds zero allure. The reason I watch these movies to escape reality. Maybe I'll just wait and see this one on DVD.

No Hogwarts, but there's TONS of magic. Tons of dark magic.

daniellaaarisen

11-20-2010, 05:12 AM

Hey Harry Potter nerds, I have a theory for you. I think it's pretty obvious that these references exist in the novels, but I'm just starting to realize how widespread these supremacist criticisms are in the novel.

Harry Potter (specifically the 6th and 7th books) reflects the problems of national socialism and, more specifically, Nazi rule. Think about it-- the emphasis on pureblood wizarding families is just the beginning. Dolores Umbridge, by no means a Death Eater, was notorious for her prejudices towards "half breeds" such as Hagrid (part giant) and the centaurs. In the 7th book, Harry discovered that Dumbledore was very close friends with an aspiring dark wizard when he was younger. That wizard, who was coincidentally a German named Grindelwald, justified his terrorization of half-blood and "mudblood" individuals by the slogan "For the Greater Good." He had created a prison during his life that held all of his enemies and those he wished to isolate-- this prison was called Nurmengard. Sounds an awful lot like "Nuremberg", as in the Nuremberg trials that decided the fates of the caught Nazi leaders.

So eventually, Grindelwald is killed by Dumbledore, who is considered the most avid Muggle rights activist in the wizarding community. Then Voldemort comes along and essentially continues Grindelwald's process of eradicating half-blood and Muggle-born witches and wizards. The wizarding community didn't do a whole lot to top him despite his 30+ year "reign of terror," simply because they were petrified of his power and significance; they wouldn't even speak his name, let alone band together to support their family and friends who would be targeted by Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Many people, even those who far from supported Voldemort, began to believe that pure blood was better blood.

In the 7th book, Voldemort took over the Ministry of Magic and changed the Ministry's slogan to "Magic is Might." The new regime took all half-blood and Muggle-born witches and wizards and gave them a completely unfair trial that always ended in getting their wands destroyed. The chairs at these hearings for those Muggle-borns were made of bones, like the stacks of bones found at concentration camps. Holocaust: Wizarding Style. And Dumbledore beat Grindelwald in 1945, the same year that Hitler was defeated.

Crazy.

louielouie2000

11-20-2010, 07:46 AM

Harry Potter (specifically the 6th and 7th books) reflects the problems of national socialism and, more specifically, Fascist and Nazi rule.

I'm no Potter scholar, but you do understand Socialism and Fascism are on the complete opposite ends of the political spectrum, right? Of course, extremism of either political ideal equals loss of individual liberty.

I definitely see shades of Fascism in the movies, with Voldemort being the strong central leader who smites any opposition to his ideals. He also strongly believes in the ethnic purification of magic. There are definitely parallels to be made between Voldemort and Hitler, in that manner. I don't know Voldemort's lineage, but if he were to have some muggle blood in his past, that would be the key giveaway that he is supposed to be representative of Hitler (as Hitler very likely had a Jewish Grandfather, yet he exterminated 6 million Jews).

If anyone were to be labeled a Socialist in the movies, I'd have to go with Dumbledore... he seems to believe in making an equal playing field for all who possess magical talents, regardless of their lineage or economic status. He definitely eschews the Feudalistic ideals held by people like the Malfoys, and believes everyone has a right the the same education in magic under the same roof, and in turn, does not believe in class stratification either.

Taking those things into account, the movies seem to warn against Fascism while uplifting Socialism. That's an incredibly simplistic way of painting the movies, but that's the way I'd sum them up regardless.

GypsySorcerer

11-20-2010, 08:56 AM

I definitely see shades of Fascism in the movies, with Voldemort being the strong central leader who smites any opposition to his ideals. He also strongly believes in the ethnic purification of magic. There are definitely parallels to be made between Voldemort and Hitler, in that manner. I don't know Voldemort's lineage, but if he were to have some muggle blood in his past, that would be the key giveaway that he is supposed to be representative of Hitler (as Hitler very likely had a Jewish Grandfather, yet he exterminated 6 million Jews).

Voldemort is a "half-blood," from his muggle father....so yes, quite parallel to Hitler in that respect.

Silver Springs

11-20-2010, 12:02 PM

It actually really surprised me how much I enjoyed this film. Harry didn't even annoy me and he's my least favourite character (aside from Umbridge and her f******* Barbie Pink aura). Despite some of the complaints regarding the slow pace of the plot, I feel it helped instill a sense of tension and anticipation in the audience, almost to put them in the mindset of the trio themselves. And I must admit, although I very much loathe to admit it, I was one of the few who cried when Dobby died. That's right. I hold my hands up to it. But he had a Hero's death, just like Hedwig in a way, so that was somewhat comforting. I gave up long ago on the notion of the films being true to the books, because I've begun to believe that only in rare cases this is possible, and so I didn't have my Nerdish "but that's not right! So and so did that when he did whatchamacallit" head on, and thus I was more able to enjoy the film for what it was aside from its obviously superior roots.

LikeAWillow

11-20-2010, 02:30 PM

I'm no Potter scholar, but you do understand Socialism and Fascism are on the complete opposite ends of the political spectrum, right? Of course, extremism of either political ideal equals loss of individual liberty.

I definitely see shades of Fascism in the movies, with Voldemort being the strong central leader who smites any opposition to his ideals. He also strongly believes in the ethnic purification of magic. There are definitely parallels to be made between Voldemort and Hitler, in that manner. I don't know Voldemort's lineage, but if he were to have some muggle blood in his past, that would be the key giveaway that he is supposed to be representative of Hitler (as Hitler very likely had a Jewish Grandfather, yet he exterminated 6 million Jews).

If anyone were to be labeled a Socialist in the movies, I'd have to go with Dumbledore... he seems to believe in making an equal playing field for all who possess magical talents, regardless of their lineage or economic status. He definitely eschews the Feudalistic ideals held by people like the Malfoys, and believes everyone has a right the the same education in magic under the same roof, and in turn, does not believe in class stratification either.

Taking those things into account, the movies seem to warn against Fascism while uplifting Socialism. That's an incredibly simplistic way of painting the movies, but that's the way I'd sum them up regardless.

Jesus Christ, Louie, this was exactly the response I was crafting in my head when I read Dani's post.

daniellaaarisen

11-20-2010, 03:03 PM

I'm no Potter scholar, but you do understand Socialism and Fascism are on the complete opposite ends of the political spectrum, right? Of course, extremism of either political ideal equals loss of individual liberty.

I definitely see shades of Fascism in the movies, with Voldemort being the strong central leader who smites any opposition to his ideals. He also strongly believes in the ethnic purification of magic. There are definitely parallels to be made between Voldemort and Hitler, in that manner. I don't know Voldemort's lineage, but if he were to have some muggle blood in his past, that would be the key giveaway that he is supposed to be representative of Hitler (as Hitler very likely had a Jewish Grandfather, yet he exterminated 6 million Jews).

If anyone were to be labeled a Socialist in the movies, I'd have to go with Dumbledore... he seems to believe in making an equal playing field for all who possess magical talents, regardless of their lineage or economic status. He definitely eschews the Feudalistic ideals held by people like the Malfoys, and believes everyone has a right the the same education in magic under the same roof, and in turn, does not believe in class stratification either.

Taking those things into account, the movies seem to warn against Fascism while uplifting Socialism. That's an incredibly simplistic way of painting the movies, but that's the way I'd sum them up regardless.

Yeah, I know they're completely different. I kinda phrased that first sentence in a weird way, but you still understood what I meant-- how both are in there. Completely agree with you.

Erin

11-20-2010, 03:13 PM

If you remember the first book, on Dumbledore's wizard card it stated he defeated Grundelwald in 1945. Before the last book was published someone asked Rowling if the date was significant and she said yes. So she was obviously going with the Nazi parallels from the beginning. I thought it was interesting that it insinuates that Grundlewald was somehow effecting what was going on in WWII.

daniellaaarisen

11-22-2010, 09:56 PM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs604.ash2/155689_1583685905865_1047240440_31818222_7519596_n.jpg

mylittledemon

11-23-2010, 12:18 AM

Hot!

Now all you need is this...

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=8866153

daniellaaarisen

11-23-2010, 01:21 AM

My hair was higher, you just can't see it in this picture because the background is so dark :(

and I know! I chiseled my own wand (literally.... from a log.... and sandpapered/painted it) but I wanna have the Bellatrix wand by the July premiere.

tilthefirefades

11-23-2010, 02:26 AM

Did Dobby really have to die?? I hadn't seen a HP movie since Azkaban, but this onewas really good even though I had absolutely no idea what was going on.

Dodfather

11-23-2010, 04:08 AM

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs604.ash2/155689_1583685905865_1047240440_31818222_7519596_n.jpg

Dani - you look HOT! Hell yeah...

Ok, so now I'm dragging my thoughts back to the film.... it was incredible. By far the best film of the series and, being a huge fan of the books, it was incredibly faithful and yet very much its own entity as a "film", so not slavishly shackled to the novel.

Nothing was really cut, just some scenes were condensed (the bequests from Dumbledore, the first few minutes in the Muggle world) and that got things going very well. I had been wondering for ages about where they were going to split the film and, of course, I was wrong with my guess! They went much further into the book than I thought but actually split it at the perfect place.

It made perfect sense to cut where they did, since now the next film can have only two main settings as opposed to the various in this one and of course the return of so many characters that just wouldn't have fit in this film.

Visually, the closest I can compare it to is the split in Back to the Future II and III - which were filmed back to back but if were released as one long film the differences in setting etc may have been very jarring to see (this does not count for the plot of course).

One tiny thing could have been better (isn't there always, haha) and that was just that Hermione could have gone far more nuts when Ron returns! That part is excellently written in the books and although Emma Watson is great at it, it's severely toned down from what's on the page! Also, Emma Watson continues to be the best actor of the 3 leads, she is just great and, has to be said....looks awesome.

I can't wait to see the final duel between Bellatrix and Molly in the the next film, that should be great!

Overall - 5/5 - by far the best film out of what has been a patchy series so far.

bucklind17

11-23-2010, 07:40 PM

OMG this.

<object width="512" height="328" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" id="ordie_player_a1c04ce68e"><param name="movie" value="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="key=a1c04ce68e" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed width="512" height="328" flashvars="key=a1c04ce68e" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" src="http://player.ordienetworks.com/flash/fodplayer.swf" name="ordie_player_a1c04ce68e" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><div style="text-align:left;font-size:x-small;margin-top:0;width:512px;"><a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/a1c04ce68e/i-am-harry-potter" title="from Daniel Radcliffe and Judd Apatow">I Am Harry Potter</a> from <a href="http://www.funnyordie.com/daniel_radcliffe">Daniel Radcliffe</a></div>

Erin

11-23-2010, 07:50 PM

^^
Very funny. I hope he has a chance to have a career, and doesn't turn into Mark Hamill part 2.

bucklind17

11-23-2010, 08:31 PM

^^
Very funny. I hope he has a chance to have a career, and doesn't turn into Mark Hamill part 2.

I think he will. He's turned into quite the strong actor. I saw the first preview of Equus in London and then saw it again when it came to Broadway and he improved so much even there, and I thought he was really quite good for his stage debut even that early in the West End run. It's going to be interesting to see how he does with a musical this season, but he's clearly game for anything and definitely has a versatility that I think some people are surprised by. Even now, his performance in Equus is one of my favorite things I've seen on a stage, SO different from Harry but so well done and thrilling to watch.

ButterCookie

11-24-2010, 06:01 PM

AHHHHHH THAT WAS SO FREAKING AMAZING OH MY GOD!!!!!! I have no words. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn't breath omg omg omg omg omg

mylittledemon

11-24-2010, 08:12 PM

Easy there, Cookie :laugh:

Black_Moon

12-01-2010, 10:11 AM

I loved this film the most out of all of them because it stayed most true to the novel, and whilst it did omit details that I would have preferred to have been left in - such as Lupin visiting Harry and co. at Grimmauld Place - it was a pretty comprehensive take on it. However, I think it's time to admit that Daniel Radcliffe is an awful actor. I'm sure he was given far more leeway as a child, but now that he's an adult it's obvious compared to Rupert Grint (the best actor of the three, in my opinion) and Emma Watson (who I've generally found mediocre but has improved massively) that he's lacklustre as hell. The part where Ron's trying to get rid of the Horcrux and Harry and Hermione appear naked and kissing definitely shed a new light on my childhood, though!

Ghost_Tracker

12-02-2010, 10:10 AM

Anything I'd want to say has been said already except -
I am - - - HUGELY proud of all the kids - both in here
and, well - EVERYWHERE - for "keeping the secret" to
themselves. I don't need to read the books to be able to take
a "pretty good guess" as to what ends up happening with a
certain character; but it's gonna be so much more fun to
see the final movie without having it ruined by "spoilers."
Way to keep it fun for the rest of us!!! :thumbsup:

Ghost_Tracker

12-02-2010, 10:19 AM

By the way though - not like the money she's made is the "best" way to measure this but - - - Stephen King, for example, has been writing for DECADES and some people consider him to be a VERY good writer. Dean Koontz struggled for fifteen years before his first hit. Both have written probably over 50 books each. I don't know if King is a billionaire yet - wouldn't surprise me but - if so, it took him 3o+ years of VERY hard work. Koontz? No way.
This person made a billion dollars, cash, in less than ten years, off of this. And she got millions of kids reading LONG novels.
i.m.o., any writer or any kind of creative person who isn't "given significant pause" by that, just simply isn't paying attention. i.m.o. this is a remarkable accomplishment; and as far as I'm concerned she deserves to take her place right next to J.R.R. Tolkien or Frank Herbert (the author of "Dune").