Half Blood Prince Movie REVIEW

The trio eyes Lavender with some apprehension...

Avert your eyes if you've not seen HP6 yet....
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Since I've been in list mode for the last two weeks, I'll break this down as my hot and not so hot moments of the film.

NOT SO HOT
1. Dumbledore's funeral got cut. This movie needed that scene. It ends too abruptly, with an awkward trio scene at the top of the astronomy tower (as if Harry would want to hang out there now).
2. WTF was up with the whole "Lily gave me a fish in a bowl" speech from Slughhorn? It was just dumb. The interchange between Harry and Slughorn, when he finally gives Harry the memory, is beautifully written in the book, and would have worked well on camera. Fish in a bowl, my arse...
3. The cave scene wasn't as dramatic as it might have been. We don't get a sense of Dumbledore's frailty whatsoever.
4. The burning Burrow. I had high hopes for this, but the inclusion of this scene doesn't heighten the drama all that much, and the Weasleys ENTIRE HOUSE BURNS DOWN, and they just stand there, with "Doh!" looks on their faces. The scene then cuts, abruptly again, to Lavender giving Ron the sweetheart necklace. I think I got whiplash watching it.
5. The entire film is DARK. And by dark, I don't mean an emotional tone, but rather, the lighting. So dark, that at times, I couldn't see what was going on. Turn on the light, Yates.

HOT
1. Comedy. This was the funniest HP movie of all. Ron is exquisite as a lovelorn, potion drunk mess. But the real comedian here is Dan Radcliffe's Harry. Radcliffe did a stint on "Extras" that was comedy gold, so I'm not surprised how funny he can be, especially in the Felix Felicis scene. I'm going to see the flick again just for that. There's physical comedy here, too. Quidditch namely, but there's a brief moment when Harry and Ron fight over who is getting the newest Potions book in the cabinet, and they struggle over it the way 11th grade boys would--viciously and funny as hell. Those moments came off as particularly true.
2. Romance. It was done well here, and Hermione's plight is really touching. Movie Hermione is a lot less subtle than book Hermione, but I think that works. The canary scene was brilliant (and also reinforced her friendship with Harry in a nice way) and the hospital scene with Ron (Er-my-knee) was funny and sweet. The Ginny/Harry stuff comes off as a bit less true, but tender nevertheless, especially when Ginny helps Harry hide his Potions book, and when she holds him next to Dumbledore's corpse.
3. Lavender Brown gets her very own number here. Jessie Cave was wonderful, manic, lovable. At one point, she fogs up a glass to write "R + L" on it, and it is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.
4. Draco. Well done, Tom Felton. He is vulnerable and horrible at once. I didn't know Tom had it in him.
5. Horace Slughorn is, perhaps, the most perfect rendition of a Hogwart's professor in the films.

As I said, I'm definitely going to see this again. Some of my favorite filmic moments of the series are in this one, though I wouldn't say it's my favorite movie overall. That title still goes to Cuaron's PRISONER OF AZKABAN. Can HP7 top it? Well, we have about three hundred days before we find out:)

V--I turn it all over to you and your NEW MOON madness. Prof. H is out.

Top Three Countdown: Day 1

Here we are! I've been humming Etta all morning--"At laaaast, my looooove has come alooong..."

Last November, when the movie was originally scheduled for release, seems like a lifetime ago. There's nothing better for a fan than this moment right now, hours away from a new movie. The worst? The moment the movie is over, and the countdown in our heads begins again, for HP7.1.

The plan is to see HP6 this morning, fingers crossed that there aren't any summer camps in attendance. It's going to be glooooorious.

And in celebration of today, here is my most favorite HP moment of all time!

The Mirror of Erised!




Source.


The tenderness of this chapter calls to mind all the great childhood classics--Anne of Green Gables longing for a home, Annie loving on Daddy Warbucks, the Pevensie children sent off to live in the country, Heidi and her grandfather, Huck bonding with Jim on the river...Orphan stories, all, speaking to our deepest fears as children, that we will be parentless and alone in the world. This is Harry's story, too, and the Mirror of Erised, which reflects one's most fundamental desires, shimmers and produces a family for Harry.

The boy returns to it night after night, imagining what might have been had Voldemort not selected him as an enemy. It is only when Dumbledore interferes, advising, "It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget to live," that the spell is broken, and Harry is cast back to the reality of his orphan life.

Heartbreaking and beautiful, this chapter from THE SORCERER'S STONE is my favorite, and an early indication of the depth and wisdom this series would offer. Again, the scene is reproduced in the final chapters of DEATHLY HALLOWS, when Harry's family returns, ghost-like, reflection-like, to offer the only thing they can in Harry's darkest hour--the knowledge for Harry that he has been loved.

Ah.

Review of the movie to come, AFTER Jedi J has seen it:)

Countdown: Two Days!

Okay, if you're one of the midnight showing people, it's only 16 hours for you. As I like staying awake for my movies, it's two days for me.

I'm cheating on this one. My #2 favorite HP moments both involve a kiss:

The Silver Doe chapter:




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I'm certain I've said this before on this blog, but The Silver Doe is my favorite chapter in all of HP canon. The entire series rests on the trio's strength as, well, a trio. Here is where it all reaches it's decisive and dramatic point. The trio succeeds or fails here. When Riddle Harry and Riddle Hermione emerge from that locket for a makeout session, we aren't sure how our boy Ron will take it. For a moment, we think he's possessed, that it's over for Ron, but he comes through like a champ. The series again reveals it's structure--Ron's journey begins in book 1 with a kickass chess match, and here, against the locket. Both times, he proves why the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor.

And, of course, THIS. KISS. YAY.



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Man, we waited a long time for this one, slogged through a bunch of fanfic to get our fix, and kept our fingers crossed that these two would snog before either one got killed by Voldie. JK delivered, as usual, and gave us a satisfying but not overly saccharine resolution to this relationship. I read that Watson and Grint have already filmed this scene. It better be hot, or I will, will, um, write a VERY angry blog post about it. There. Quake in your boots, Watson and Grint.

I've saved my bestest moment for last. Check in tomorrow, and then, go see the damn movie.

One Week Countdown: Day 5

Five fabulous days, folks (say it five times fast).

My #5 favorite HP moment is...

Our first look at the BURROW!

Ron: "It's not much, but it's home."
Harry: "I think it's brilliant."

And wouldn't you know it, the Burrow has it's own Wiki entry, where you'll learn it's on the outskirts of a little village called Ottery-Saint Catchpole (Hermione's Patronus is an otter. Is there a connection?), and it's architecture is nothing short of magical, with rooms popping up here and there and impossibly held together.

More importantly, it's the only home, aside from Hogwart's, that Harry knows. The Burrow is all warmth, fun, and mollycoddling--just what Harry has never had. It makes me so happy to know that these will be his in-laws.

We're winding down now, folks. Jedi J.? Your take?

Two Week Countdown: Day 8

Eight! Eight! Eight!

My #8 favorite HP moment comes from Deathly Hallows, and is shippy again (I'm saving the more poignant, less shippy moments for later in the countdown, natch):

"Always the tone of surprise."



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Why I like this: All through books 1-6, we blame the failure of the Ron/Hermione relationship on Ron. Truly, the boy is thick. But he isn't all to blame. Hermione dishes out a particular brand of superiority that's hard to fall in love with. In this scene from DH, the members of the Order, having Polyjuiced themselves to look like Harry in order to get the Boy Who Lived to safety, are attacked by Deatheaters. Hermione arrives safely at the Burrow first, and has to wait for Ron to arrive. When he does, she embraces him while Tonks commends Ron's prowess with a wand. Hermione, characteristically, responds in disbelief. Hence Ron's clever retort: "Always the tone of surprise," which he uses again later in the book.

For the first time, Ron is calling Hermione out on her treatment of him (though in a gentle way). The girl learns her lesson, though, gushing about "her man" in one of the final chapters and leading to the shippiest moment of all...

NOTE: Jedi J has been posting her favorites in the comments. Check 'em out! And thanks J:) Now, where IS that V?

The Boys

Here's a pic from the HP Magical Train Tour making the rounds in Europe. The boys are so handsome and grown up. And who would ever have guessed Matthew Lewis, aka "Neville" would be the HP heartthrob?



Less than a month to go for HBP, folks...

I Like These Better!: UPDATED

Professor H previously posted the movie posters with Harry and Professor Dumbledore. However, I happen to like these a lot more. OOOOhhh the drama! My favorite is the one with Draco and Professor Snape. Which one is your favorite?






P.S.
Prof. H, Doesn't Ron Weasly look HOT is that picture!


V.

UPDATE:
Yes, V. Yes, he does:)
Prof. H

Half Blood Prince Test Screening

Someone has seen The Half Blood Prince, and alas, it wasn't me. There was a test-screening in Chicago yesterday, and up at the Leaky Cauldron, they've posted a detailed review. People, MAJOR SPOILERS when you follow the link.

I read through the thing and am ridiculously excited. Yes, there are many, many deviations from the novel, but I think they capture the essence of the book. Read if you must, and judge for yourself.

Prof. H

Christmas at the Burrow

Aah, the holidays at the Weasley home. Full of pumpkin pasties, knitted initial sweaters, and loads of Weasley goodness.

It also reminds me that Harry Potter movies are best viewed DURING. THE. HOLIDAYS.

Not July.

Prof. H

Leaked Script: UPDATED

We live in an age of instant information, camera phones that rival spy gear, and a vast, vast blogosphere. In such an atmosphere, will Warner Bros be able to keep a lid on The Half Blood Prince, a film that's already completed?

Nope.

And as a fan irked by the delay, I welcome any and all leaks. WB pushes back my movie, so I get my kicks when I can.

That said, the first of the leaks has begun. Click here for a leaked scene script from the eight-months-away-movie. The fans of the romance in the book will enjoy this. Four words: Ginny, Dean, Ron, Hermione.

And a fifth. Squee.

Prof. H

UPDATE:

And there's more...scripts from a quidditch scene, the attack of the Burrow, and a Slughorn pensieve memory here.

Jedi J Sends Her Sympathies (and makes a Twilight announcement?)

Dear Professor H,

I am sorry to hear that your movie will not be released until next year. If Master Lucas ever did that to me I would have the same reaction that you did, maybe even worse (having to explain to youngling sitters that I will not need their services after I had booked them so far in advanced).

I want you to know that some good will come of this horrible deed that the WB has done to us all. Sorry V, for stepping onto your turf, but I wanted everyone to know that Twilight will be taking Harry Potter's date now that it is vacated. No more waiting until December. November 21 is now the day you can go see the movie.

As for me, I was so exhausted getting my classroom ready at the Jedi Academy for my younglings that I could not go see Clone Wars. As soon as I go see it I will let you know what I think about it.

My sympathies,

Jedi J

Even More Healing (Of the Potential Snogging Kind)

Ah, WB, your transparent attempt at appeasing us with photos is...working:)



I may have uttered a feeble little squee at that one. Then...behold...



Ah, Rupert, making everything better again.

Prof. H

You Fail, WB!

Photo by ~oddman~exe

My heart. 'Tis broken into a thousand pieces. I think I may have to build a few horcruxes just to put myself together. Alas, Warner Bros. has pushed The Half Blood Prince movie back from its November 2008 release to July 2009.

Epic fail, WB. Epic fail.

Also, no fair. V. gets her Twilight movie. Jedi J gets her Clone Wars flick. What do I get? All I want is my fair share. All I want is what's coming to me (to quote Peanuts' Sally).

Epic. Fail.


Prof H

Let the Hyperventilicationifying Begin!

Half-Blood Prince movie news is finally here. USA Today has a preview of the film here. Make sure to click on the gallery for new pictures, including a love-sick Ron holding Romilda Vane's potioned-up chocolates, a slick, slick Draco, and Hermione sniffing some Amortentia.

Empire magazine has put our favorite boy-who-lived on the cover, looking bloody, cracked and, dare I say, a bit sexy (above). Click on the link for a bigger shot.

From the rumor mill: The HPB trailer is coming ahead of Batman.

Excuse me while I go breathe into a paper bag...

Prof. H

New Ink from Rowling

Art by suetlilanglz

The Harry Potter prequel we told you about earlier has been posted online. Go here to read about James' and Sirius' adventures with a pair of Muggle policement. The story includes phoenix t-shirts, Sirius' flying motorcycle, and more James Potter cheekiness than anyone should be able to stomach (Oh, Lily, you poor woman). Some fan artist will draw something for it soon, but in the meantime, I've supplied a neat pic of the Marauders for you above.

I must say, the 800 word story feels a bit different from the Potter books. I suppose, for the first time since the opening chapter of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in which we are in Vernon Dursley's head for a long time, the perspective is wholly Muggle. I think it was a good choice for this story.

I also must say that as the story loaded on my computer, I inexplicably danced around my kitchen singing "Billie Jean." Don't ask why. It's inexplicable.

There's also THIS. THIS new picture from the new Half-Blood Prince movie, in which Harry gives Ginny a sweet, sweet lovin' hug. Squee! Enjoy the Potter-y!

Half-Blood Prince Movie Picture

A new picture (I write, as I clap hysterically and bounce in glee). November can't come soon enough...

Prof.H