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gateslacker My little outing yesterday was wonderful, probably because it was guilt free. I didn’t have time to do any Christmas shopping as Brandon had to be back for work and groceries took precedence over any “fun” shopping.
DH part one was good, even if I was very disappointed in how they seemed to gloss over the events in Godric’s Hollow, one of my favorite parts of the book. But that is the only bit where reading the book resulted in disappointment in the film version. Probably because it doesn’t matter how many times I read the books, I am still sketchy on the details or proper sequence of events. However, I can imagine that folks who have not read the books might feel a bit confused about just what is going on. I know Brandon asked me questions throughout the entire film. It is strange but, with all the bad stuff going on in the film, the part where Hermione erases her parents’ memories was the most gut wrenching part for me. That alone was enough to show the gravity of the situation and that scene was well played. Overall, I am left with the impression that this movie is more of a set up for the next and even though, yeah, Glenda, of course it is a set up….the events of the book are a set up for the final confrontation…but, I still felt it more while watching the film than I do when reading the book. Am I making any sense? I also am disliking the darkness, and I mean literally. The lighting is so dark in these past two films that I find myself squinting. Yes, I realize that it is meant to create a mood or atmosphere but there were some scenes where I could hardly tell what was going on.
Speaking of set ups, the latest episode of Merlin is also one giant really contrived setup. I know, I know. I don’t watch this show for its brilliant plots but even I can’t ignore this one. It was exciting going in when I really believed that, OMG, they killed Sir Leon!!! But then he was saved by this cup of life and I breathed a sigh of relief. And then it gets tricky. First they refer to Nimueh and the Isle of the Blessed. Am I to understand that this is the same cup of life that saved Arthur from the deadly consequences of the Questing beast at the end of series one? The same cup that to drink from results in tragic consequences in order to maintain the “balance of life” or whatever. Or is this a different cup of life? (There’s more than one???) So, Arthur gets the cup and loses it practically the moment they leave the druid cave? *eye roll* (And who, besides me, was a wee bit bothered with Arthur threatening a child.) I am also kind of over injured, near death Arthur, because it happens practically in every other episode, and Merlin who seemingly can do no amazing magic other than start fires and toss people about….LOL. I wanna see some kick butt magic, people!!!
I know. It seems that I hated this episode. And I would, probably, if not for the character moments. This cast can save any ill conceived plot contrivance, it seems. I loved everything about the character interaction from the Beauty that is Arthur, Merlin, and Gwaine working together to Arthur’s poor, dear faaaaace when he realizes the truth about Morgana. It was ALL GOOD and it must be some sort of TV crack that keeps me begging for more even when the story is shite. Because I still believe that the setup will produce one EPIC finale!
DH part one was good, even if I was very disappointed in how they seemed to gloss over the events in Godric’s Hollow, one of my favorite parts of the book. But that is the only bit where reading the book resulted in disappointment in the film version. Probably because it doesn’t matter how many times I read the books, I am still sketchy on the details or proper sequence of events. However, I can imagine that folks who have not read the books might feel a bit confused about just what is going on. I know Brandon asked me questions throughout the entire film. It is strange but, with all the bad stuff going on in the film, the part where Hermione erases her parents’ memories was the most gut wrenching part for me. That alone was enough to show the gravity of the situation and that scene was well played. Overall, I am left with the impression that this movie is more of a set up for the next and even though, yeah, Glenda, of course it is a set up….the events of the book are a set up for the final confrontation…but, I still felt it more while watching the film than I do when reading the book. Am I making any sense? I also am disliking the darkness, and I mean literally. The lighting is so dark in these past two films that I find myself squinting. Yes, I realize that it is meant to create a mood or atmosphere but there were some scenes where I could hardly tell what was going on.
Speaking of set ups, the latest episode of Merlin is also one giant really contrived setup. I know, I know. I don’t watch this show for its brilliant plots but even I can’t ignore this one. It was exciting going in when I really believed that, OMG, they killed Sir Leon!!! But then he was saved by this cup of life and I breathed a sigh of relief. And then it gets tricky. First they refer to Nimueh and the Isle of the Blessed. Am I to understand that this is the same cup of life that saved Arthur from the deadly consequences of the Questing beast at the end of series one? The same cup that to drink from results in tragic consequences in order to maintain the “balance of life” or whatever. Or is this a different cup of life? (There’s more than one???) So, Arthur gets the cup and loses it practically the moment they leave the druid cave? *eye roll* (And who, besides me, was a wee bit bothered with Arthur threatening a child.) I am also kind of over injured, near death Arthur, because it happens practically in every other episode, and Merlin who seemingly can do no amazing magic other than start fires and toss people about….LOL. I wanna see some kick butt magic, people!!!
I know. It seems that I hated this episode. And I would, probably, if not for the character moments. This cast can save any ill conceived plot contrivance, it seems. I loved everything about the character interaction from the Beauty that is Arthur, Merlin, and Gwaine working together to Arthur’s poor, dear faaaaace when he realizes the truth about Morgana. It was ALL GOOD and it must be some sort of TV crack that keeps me begging for more even when the story is shite. Because I still believe that the setup will produce one EPIC finale!
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no subject
Date: 2010-11-28 05:31 pm (UTC)Yes I was slightly bothered by this. I think that it can be explained by the fact: 1) Arthur knew how important it was to get the cup. 2) He has been bought up to distrust magic and the Druids are people of magic.
Also things did not go further because the cup was given to him. His bluff (which I think it was) was not called.
LOL yes I did find myself thinking how many times Arthur has been a deaths door!
I loved the interaction between the charactors. I think dispite all Arthur's moaning about Merlin he is very fond of him and would feel uncomplete without him.
I agree with your comments on HP.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-03 02:26 pm (UTC)I loved the interaction between the charactors. I think dispite all Arthur's moaning about Merlin he is very fond of him and would feel uncomplete without him.
THIS! And it is the real reason why I am so addicted to this show!
Oh, and I meant to post earlier and I got really busy and now your entry is lost in the backlog.
But, anyway, I got quite the laugh about your mother telling your father to hurry as she "had a date with Jack Bauer". Fangirls really are everywhere!!
(((hugs)))
no subject
Date: 2010-11-28 08:27 pm (UTC)Deathly Hallows definitely improved on the book in a few areas; most specifically "the deathly camping trip." I got SO bored during that part of the book and this made it much more succinct.
Yeah. There are a few moments I'm bummed were dropped or altered. But I enjoyed it, for the most part.
It sucks we'll have to wait until July for the end!
no subject
Date: 2010-12-03 02:28 pm (UTC)Yeah, I agree with this wholeheartedly. That was an improvement.
I hate waiting but at least it is July and not next November..LOL. It will be sad when it is all over, though.
no subject
Date: 2010-11-28 11:55 pm (UTC)Yep, it's a set up but I didn't remember feeling 'set up' in the first part of the last book when I read it. To me, movie and book six gave that impression more vividly. I found both versions extremely long and drawn out. I own movie six just to keep the series complete. It's easily my least favorite.
no subject
Date: 2010-12-03 02:31 pm (UTC)That scene with Hermione is one of the best of the whole movie series, I reckon.