Harry Potter and the Many Fans

[GoTeamGirl]

I love Harry Potter, the books, the movies...everything. Interestingly enough when I read the first Harry Potter book I didn't like it at all until the end, which is the only reason I decided to read the second book. Chamber of Secrets was much better, and I've loved Harry Potter ever since.

The last book was amazing. I hear they're going to do the last movie in two parts, in which case it should be closer to the book than the others, which is great. :)

[TransWarpDrive]

I've seen three of the movies, and I've got two of them on DVD. I've been meaning to get around to reading the books, but I've got a lot of other books I'd also like to read. I'm not really big on fantasy, but the "Harry Potter" stuff I find fascinating.

[jeriddian]

I have all five Harry Potter movies as well, enjoyed the heck out of them, even though I know they are supposed to be significant departures ijn many ways form the books themselves ( I haven't read them myself). The books are done. Only three movies to go.

[GoTeamGirl]

I found this a few days ago (but it's older than that). J.K. Rowling wrote a two-page "prequel" to Harry Potter. It can be found here and focuses on James Potter and Sirius Black (two characters whom I've always wondered about). It can be read here:
http://www.mugglenet.com/app/news/full_story/1684

Quite funny.

[Fireand'chutes77]

Ironically, our family just finished listening to the 7th book-on-CD while driving home from Canada.

Mr. Jim Dale is absolutely amazing; our entire family loves how he gives character to all the people in the story. These books-on-tape (which have now become books-on-CD) are wonderful for the long, 14-hour-each-way drive to Canada and back. A single book lasts the entire trip, both ways, and my sister and I never squabble over what to listen to on the radio because it's always, automatically, "Harry Potter."

My mom, my sister, and I have all read the books; my dad doesn't have time to read them, but he catches up during our drives to Canada and the beach.

Our family has also seen all the movies, and we've come to the consensus that they're never as good as the books - although if they get the special effects right, the 7th movie will be very interesting....

[TransWarpDrive]

Ironically, our family just finished listening to the 7th book-on-CD while driving home from Canada.

Mr. Jim Dale is absolutely amazing; our entire family loves how he gives character to all the people in the story. These books-on-tape (which have now become books-on-CD) are wonderful for the long, 14-hour-each-way drive to Canada and back. A single book lasts the entire trip, both ways, and my sister and I never squabble over what to listen to on the radio because it's always, automatically, "Harry Potter."

My mom, my sister, and I have all read the books; my dad doesn't have time to read them, but he catches up during our drives to Canada and the beach.

Our family has also seen all the movies, and we've come to the consensus that they're never as good as the books - although if they get the special effects right, the 7th movie will be very interesting....

Yes, a good actor can really make an audiobook "come to life" the way you describe it, 'chutes.
I've heard a number of people sing the praises of audiobooks on long car trips. It gives you something to listen to instead of music, and helps make the time go by faster. I myself have listened to a few audiobooks while driving long distances. One year, I listened to a couple of "Star Trek" audiobooks about Captain Sulu as commander of the U.S.S. Excelsior (he commanded that ship in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country"). One was titled "Cacophony," and told how Capt. Sulu had to stop a reckless broadcaster from destroying the ecosystem of his homeworld with his audio/radio broadcasts; IIRC, the other, "Transformations," dealt with a malevolent alien spirit who possessed other people's bodies. Both starred George Takei as Capt. Sulu; and were well-done, interesting stories. I have another Capt. Sulu story on audiocassette somewhere; I'll have to dig it out and play it some time.
Of course, every December, I listen to Patrick Stewart's one-man reading of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" - marvelous acting, there! :thumbup:

[GoTeamGirl]

I've only got one Harry Potter audio-book, Goblet of Fire, and I thought it was very good.

The movies usually are never as good as the books for any movie/book combination. Order of the Phoenix left a lot out, and I was upset by the fact that the whole Kreacher and Sirius plotline was left out. My favorite of the Harry Potter movies was probably Prisoner of Azkaban, although the Shrieking Shack scene was very short.

The only movie I've ever thought better than the book was "Prince Caspian" of the Narnia series, but that is another fandom entirely...

I did hear that the 7th Harry Potter book is being split into two movies. That should be interesting...

[jeriddian]

I've only got one Harry Potter audio-book, Goblet of Fire, and I thought it was very good.

The movies usually are never as good as the books for any movie/book combination. Order of the Phoenix left a lot out, and I was upset by the fact that the whole Kreacher and Sirius plotline was left out. My favorite of the Harry Potter movies was probably Prisoner of Azkaban, although the Shrieking Shack scene was very short.

The only movie I've ever thought better than the book was "Prince Caspian" of the Narnia series, but that is another fandom entirely...

I did hear that the 7th Harry Potter book is being split into two movies. That should be interesting...

You are correct in that. The last book will be done in two separate movies.

[GoTeamGirl]

I hope they don't wait to release the two movies too far apart. I wonder if they'll release them as one DVD or two separate ones.

As for now, I can't wait for Half Blood Prince. It wasn't my favorite book, but there are some pretty interesting scenes and a lot on Voldemort.

[TransWarpDrive]

I hope they don't wait to release the two movies too far apart. I wonder if they'll release them as one DVD or two separate ones.

That's an interesting point you've made there, GTG. If their marketing people are smart, they'll release both films on DVD in one package shortly after the second part hits the cinemas. By then, the fans will have seen both parts and want to see the whole story again and again on home video.
But - hey, that's only my opinion...
We'll just have to wait and see what they do.

[canuck31003]

fyi, the next movie's release has been delayed to July 2009 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7562557.stm).

[GoTeamGirl]

Either that, or they'll wait a few months after the second part of Deathly Hallows comes out to release both parts on DVD. In which case, fans will be waiting a long, long time.

I am not happy about the delay in release of Half Blood Prince. Especially since I saw the trailer and it got me excited. And now there's a whole year of waiting left rather than a few months.

[TransWarpDrive]

Either that, or they'll wait a few months after the second part of Deathly Hallows comes out to release both parts on DVD. In which case, fans will be waiting a long, long time.

I am not happy about the delay in release of Half Blood Prince. Especially since I saw the trailer and it got me excited. And now there's a whole year of waiting left rather than a few months.

That reminds me of audience reactions to "The Empire Strikes Back" when it first came out in 1980. The way the filmmakers left Han Solo frozen in carbonite at the movie's end had some theatergoers grumbling about having to wait three years to see what happened next. :laugh: More than once, I heard people mutter phrases like "rip-off" and "that stinks" as they exited the cinemas.

[GoTeamGirl]

Either that, or they'll wait a few months after the second part of Deathly Hallows comes out to release both parts on DVD. In which case, fans will be waiting a long, long time.

I am not happy about the delay in release of Half Blood Prince. Especially since I saw the trailer and it got me excited. And now there's a whole year of waiting left rather than a few months.

That reminds me of audience reactions to "The Empire Strikes Back" when it first came out in 1980. The way the filmmakers left Han Solo frozen in carbonite at the movie's end had some theatergoers grumbling about having to wait three years to see what happened next. :laugh: More than once, I heard people mutter phrases like "rip-off" and "that stinks" as they exited the cinemas.

That does stink. At least I do know what's happened next. I just want to see it on screen and what they leave out and keep in. After all, Order of the Phoenix was very different from the book.

[rufus_is_my_homie]

Uh...even out of Harry Potter forums I cannot stay away from it...I tell you, it is an addiction! :o

Well, I've been reading the books since 2000, and my favorite ones have to be Deathly Hallows, closely followed by Goblet of Fire and Prisioner of Azkaban.

As for the movies, the one I could watch and rewatch ad infinitum is PoA...despite the odd-looking werepoodle Lupin.

Anyways, it is less than a month till the new movie comes out! Is anyone going to watch it on the opening night?

[Fireand'chutes77]

Anyways, it is less than a month till the new movie comes out! Is anyone going to watch it on the opening night?
My sister's trying to find a theater with a midnight showing to see it with friends.... I'm not quite as frantic. I'd like to see it, but I don't need to run all over town.

[rufus_is_my_homie]

I have to say I've never gone to a midnight showing, but considering there are no more midnight book releases to go to, I might join in the movie craze. :P

[Luke Danger]

Well, I really liked the series. Sure, Death Hallows kicked a bit below the belt with the casualty list (Lupin, Tonks, Moody...), but still, it was good.

Best part about Deathly Hollows:
Lord Voldermort's classic villian death: Death by Legal Loophole

The Loophole: The Elder Wand's pickiness about who it's master is.


Anyways, the movies are doing the books justice, and keep close enough to the plot that it's definitly Harry Potter. There we some disapointments (Ron not going for Keeper in the 5th, the World Cup & Fred/George/Bagmen plotline, the Joke Shop planning in 4/5, skipping most of the Quidditch season and explanation of the Marauders in the 3rd, etc.), but still, the movies have impressed me enough so far, and sure the action/fight sequences depart from the book a few times (especially in Order of the Phoenix), but they did a good job in making it theatically great while maintaining the plotline.

Infact, I liked the little addition of Moody smacking his walking stick down and blowing the Death Eaters away. My comment on that bit? HEADSHOT!

[TransWarpDrive]

I suppose I'll go and see the new "Harry Potter" movie when it comes out. I've seen several of the previous films, and I like them. Even though I mostly read science fiction and nautical fiction, I also enjoy the occasional fantasy film. And the HP films "fill the bill" quite nicely.:thumbup:

[jeriddian]

I suppose I'll go and see the new "Harry Potter" movie when it comes out. I've seen several of the previous films, and I like them. Even though I mostly read science fiction and nautical fiction, I also enjoy the occasional fantasy film. and the HP films "fill the bill" quite nicely.:thumbup:

Me, too. I have not read the books. I do understand that the movies do differ a fair bit from them, but keep the general plot on track.

[TransWarpDrive]

I suppose I'll go and see the new "Harry Potter" movie when it comes out. I've seen several of the previous films, and I like them. Even though I mostly read science fiction and nautical fiction, I also enjoy the occasional fantasy film. And the HP films "fill the bill" quite nicely.:thumbup:

Me, too. I have not read the books. I do understand that the movies do differ a fair bit from them, but keep the general plot on track.

Yeah, it's fun to lose yourself in a fantasy film like the "Potters" or the "Lord of the Rings" series every now and then....:thumbup:

[jeriddian]

Well, I saw the Harry Potter film today. This one is number six in the series, and I have to say it is by far the best one yet. And it was a bit of a shock at the end for me. DON'T READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU HAVEN"T SEEN THE MOVIE (OR READ THE BOOKS)........SPOILERS: I knew that Dumbledore dies in teh end, but I did not expect that the half-blood prince was Snape himself. Absolutely floored me. You can see from the beginning that he is clearly in the Dark Lord's camp, but I have a very sneaky suspicion that there's more to his story than is known. I am absolutely convinced that during the meeting between Dumbledore and Snape shortly before the end, Dumbledore had ordered Snape to do something, which Snape did not want to do, but he was compelled by Dumbledore to do it. He then went off. It was later when he came back after the Deatheaters and young Malfoy had cornered Dumbledore, that Snape killed the Headmaster. I think Dumbledore knew what was going to happen and he ordered Snape to carry out the assassination as planned by the Bellatrix and the Deatheaters as ordered by Valedemort. If so, Snape may not be the fully evil wizard we think he is.;)

Of course, I haven't read the books, and those of you who have read the books already know what happen. If I'm wrong, don't tell me. I'll wait until the final two movies come out..........:D

[Fireand'chutes77]

Gaahhhhh, you just gotta read the books! :D The movies have to leave out so much stuff.

Still, I think HBP was one of the best so far. As for the meeting between Snape and Dumbledore, it was much subtler and easier to miss/overlook/ignore in the book, so the ending was far more of a shock. For someone who has not read the books, you're very astute. ;) (But that's why you're a doctor. ;) :P)

The presentation of the identity of the HBP was different too. After the Tower incident in the book, the identity reveal seems more like a footnote after so much trauma. There's also a lot more physical real-world time between the events in the movie and the book, depending on your reading speed.

The movie's ending seemed a bit flat. Ron just sitting there seemed odd, when there appeared to be room at the railing for him if Hermione just scooted over, and there was a lot more UST (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnresolvedSexualTension?from=Main.UST) (here and throughout the movie) between Harry and Hermione than I sensed in the book. And the camera should have 'snagged' backward on Faux's feet, so the POV looked backward on the trio and the tower as the phoenix flew away, smoothly revealing a wide landscape shot of Hogwarts before snapping to black and the credits.

[jeriddian]

Gaahhhhh, you just gotta read the books! :D The movies have to leave out so much stuff.

Still, I think HBP was one of the best so far. As for the meeting between Snape and Dumbledore, it was much subtler and easier to miss/overlook/ignore in the book, so the ending was far more of a shock. For someone who has not read the books, you're very astute. ;) (But that's why you're a doctor. ;) :P)

The presentation of the identity of the HBP was different too. After the Tower incident in the book, the identity reveal seems more like a footnote after so much trauma. There's also a lot more physical real-world time between the events in the movie and the book, depending on your reading speed.

The movie's ending seemed a bit flat. Ron just sitting there seemed odd, when there appeared to be room at the railing for him if Hermione just scooted over, and there was a lot more UST (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnresolvedSexualTension?from=Main.UST) (here and throughout the movie) between Harry and Hermione than I sensed in the book. And the camera should have 'snagged' backward on Faux's feet, so the POV looked backward on the trio and the tower as the phoenix flew away, smoothly revealing a wide landscape shot of Hogwarts before snapping to black and the credits.

Oh, I'm sure the books were more thorough and much more detailed. They always are. Also reviews of the film commented exactly on what you just said. The surprise ending of book 6 was far less climactic in the movie which was the only thing they didn't like about the movie. After the trauma just beforehand, the revealing of the HBP was just like a footnote, instead of the climactic scene they say it was in the book. But there was no question the film was very, very well done, and I think superior to the previous five, although granted not by that much. As to the three heores at the end looking out of that tower. They did catch all three together from the back, so Ron did finally come up and join them. SPOILER: About time too that Ron and Hermione started snogging! Hmmmph!:P:laugh: Well, I'll be anticipating the last films eagerly. Maybe one of these days I will sit down and read the books after all.

[canuck31003]

I've seen all the previous Potter movies in the theater, but for some reason I no longer have the urge. I'm going to wait to rent it, I guess.

Potter must be one of the longest running movie sequels. It will surpass the two Star Wars trilogies, and the only franchise I can think of that's longer is James Bond.

[TransWarpDrive]

Right now, they've got a "Harry Potter" exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry from now until Sep. 27. They're also showing Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in IMAX at the museum's Omnimax theater, located in the Henry Crown Space Center. The film also runs until Sep. 27.:alumnus:

[GoTeamGirl]

The movie's ending seemed a bit flat. Ron just sitting there seemed odd, when there appeared to be room at the railing for him if Hermione just scooted over, and there was a lot more UST (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/UnresolvedSexualTension?from=Main.UST) (here and throughout the movie) between Harry and Hermione than I sensed in the book. And the camera should have 'snagged' backward on Faux's feet, so the POV looked backward on the trio and the tower as the phoenix flew away, smoothly revealing a wide landscape shot of Hogwarts before snapping to black and the credits.

I agree. Compared to the rest of the movie, the ending was uninteresting. It reminds me of the ending of Goblet of Fire (the movie). I wish they would have done it differently. I can't remember how it ended in the book, though. Must re-read.