As I sit outside waiting to see Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for perhaps the 10th time, although the first in IMAX 3-D, I wonder about a pervasive feeling amongst the fandom, and casual film-goers alike, that this film is somehow anti-climactic. One film critic even likened it to STAR WARS episode 5 (The Empire Strikes Back), and in some ways I can see the parallel. They both ended leaving us on the threshold of the final adventure. Both had a “down” sort of ending—but the difference here, for book fans anyway, is that we KNOW the final outcome … and that perhaps is the source of the malaise. When it’s over, it’s over and we sit in the darkened theatre watching the credits, listening to Nicholas Hooper’s score for HBP, dreading what we know will be the final chapter (even split into two parts) of this amazing story. The story we never wanted to end.

That is, I think, the main reason, although few will admit to it, that Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was so reviled by long-time book fans. Jo Rowling ended the story—and ended it HER way. So, we are experiencing a profound sense of déjà vu—and this time, we know not only that we have been here before, but that we are going someplace else, and we’ve been there before too. Sad really.

I thought the film adaptation of HBP was absolutely brilliant. As true to the source material as it could get without being bogged down in countless explanations that only the book-readers would enjoy, it is a fine piece of story-telling, beautifully photographed, and amazingly well-acted. I laughed and cried my way through the film and the final horrific scenes, just as I did with the book. And I SAW the “last sun-filled day” with the trio—it was not a let down, but a logical place to stand and look toward the twisted road leading us (and them) to the final showdown with Voldemort.

I too, dread the finality of the last 2 films, as I dreaded the arrival of the book of Deathly Hallows. Not because I am afraid of what the filmmakers will do to “my Harry”—after six fabulous films I feel the story is in good and practiced hands. No, I fear it because it truly IS the end . . . At least with the last book I knew I had 2 (now 3) films left to anticipate.

It is that same fear of THE END, I think, that has gripped the fans, and even the casual film-goers who will no longer have Harry around. What ever will we do without him?

So, it's been a year and there's a new HP film on the horizon, so I figured it was time for a new HBP-themed desktop wallpaper. I challenge my f-list to post up THEIR latest destop.

Do it!

NOW!



If anyone want's a copy of the background to use, feel free to nick from this link:

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g318/Hagiographer13/wallpapers/hbptheatredisplayed2.jpg

I am SO excited for the new film!

This AWESOME featurette makes me believe that Daniel Radcliffe is spot-on with
that "best yet" statement --









All you Gambon-haters and Kloves-nay-sayers . . . thumb-nose to you! This HBP looks to be the PERFECT mixture of Rowling canon and thoughtful cinematic license.

Is it July yet?

... and she desperately wants them back!

Created by Train Horns

But of course, this begs the question ... who freaking cares!

(Can you hear me now?)

Baaa, I am a nerdly sheep! :P





Yay, I am a Nerd Queen! *looks for tiara--no not THAT one!*

It was inevitable that I would end up loving David Tennant as Dr. Who. I blame donnahosie ... and thank her for it! So, I suffered through the 9th Doctor, embraced Billie Piper's utter chav-ness, and happily gobbled up DT as the tenth Doctor. I even ended up cheering for the inimitable Catherine Tate as Donna! (I am still paying off my complete "New WHO" DVD set, thankyouverymuch.) *sigh*



When I read that DT was quitting Dr. Who I braced to face the inevitable. I knew no one could properly fill his Chuck Taylors. I had my fingers crossed for a strike against convention with a female Doctor next--Catherine Tate anyone?

But, really, Matt Smith? WTF and Ewww!

The Eleventh Doctor

I know I am being SO shallow, but ... Ewww!

Gacked this very fun meme from ani_bester (amongst others) --

Which creature of the night are you? Your Result: Sorceror   Control is the name of your game. You are a studied tactician and scientist and you seek a kingdom where things make sense, damn the morals, even if you have to create it. You are cold, calm and calculating.
Cthulu Spawn
Werewolf
Vampire
Demon
Incubus/Succubus
Ghost
Which creature of the night are you? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

(Your favourite actor--Gary Oldman, LOZ!)

Now, if I could only get this ruddy wand to stop smoking and start doing the good stuff! Oy, Mr. Ollivander!

Woohoo--my first LJ poll! *squees like a crazy elf*

This is about the new film of Stephanie Meyers' Twilight. And if ONE MORE fangirl tells me that this is taking the place vacated by the HP books/films, I'm gonna sic a zombie on 'em!



Poll #1306991 What did you think of the TWILIGHT film?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 9

What did you think of the TWILIGHT film?

Personally I was unimpressed. It was all rather silly, the heroine seemed bored out of her mind (or was that ME?) and the only credible acting was by Rob Pattinson who tried valiantly to make the best of a horrible script and lack-luster direction. The latter two had best be changed for the inevitable sequel. And, hey guys, we're talking vampires here--could we pony-up for some fake blood?

(Title with apologies to the inimitable Stephen Sondheim!)

I gacked this strange little meme from the also inimitable rotae --






Now, this is a bit odd, since, well, rainbows traditionally are all about ALL the colours. And, of course, rainbows mean lots of different things to different people. *nudge*nudge*wink*

Anywho--I feel so utterly drained and uncreative these days, that a bizarro meme is about all I'm good for. I hope those who celebrate it had an awesome Thanksgiving.

I will post my first-ever LJ poll this weekend (if I survive the continuing onslaught of holiday meet-ups.) Are you excited and trembling in antici--pation? I know I am! :P

These images from the new HBP trailer are making my head spin . . . in wonderful and creative ways!

Hogwarts gate!



( More pix & squees under here )

Say what you like about the films, and the screenwriters, and not sticking to HP book canon all you want . . . these films are incredibly well-crafted and exciting to watch. And this one just may be the best one yet!

" . . . but I just washed ma hay-ya!" Name the film, name the star, extra points for the year, and, yup -- it's ME!!!!!

Your result for Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz...

You Are a Bette!

Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

"Fasten your seatbelts, it's gonna be a bumpy night!"

A fantastic follow-up to the SNL skit I featured here is this send-up of the Veep debate with the amazing Tina Fey as Palin, Jason Sudeikis as Biden, and the fabbo Queen Latifah as the moderator.



This stuff is just too funny not to enjoy despite my LOATHING of politics . . . And remember, we are ALL mavericks (pass me another Heiny, woncha?)

Not me!

You are a Social Liberal (75% permissive) and an... Economic Liberal (23% permissive) You are best described as a: Strong Democrat Link: The Politics Test on Ok Cupid Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Does this count as a political post too? :P

I know everyone has probably already seen this, but it's too good not to post here. SNL--finally you are funny again after like 10 years of yuck!



BTW--WHAT was McCain thinking? This "running-mate" choice shows he has clearly gone around the twist and that he needs to be retiring to a nice little trout farm in the White Mountains.

It would be spectacular to read a "review" of the super-secret sneak-peek of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by someone who truly LIKES the films (they could have flown ME to Chicago, I wasn't busy.) *sigh*

But in spite of her obvious anti-Kloves/I-hate-Gambon bias, the TLC reader who sent in her "review"
(here) liked the film. Sadly, now we have to put up with 10 solid months of whinging and complaining about this part that got changed and that part that got left out, oh, and that other part they added for no apparent reason . . . *more sighs*

Say it loud and proud: I LOVE THE HP FILMS!!!!! I appreciate them for their artistry and fine-craftsmanship. I appreciate the care and consideration that every person working on these films obviously has given, from PA all the way up to Dan Radcliffe. It is an INSULT to these hard-working actors and filmmakers to constantly complain about the films just because they are not how some book fan feels they should have been made. If you think you can make a better HP film--go for it. Cut a 700-page tome into a 2.5 hour movie--I dare ya! AND, make it interesting enough for the millions of film-goers who DON'T read the books (their loss, but that is for another rant ) to enjoy.

Now, let me be perfectly clear--I support constructive criticism. But 99.9% of the anti-HP-film criticism I have heard and /or read is hardly constructive, and often completely incoherent. Non-constructive criticism is the umbrage of the unthinking.

Finally--to all you sad folks who hate the films, and want to "kill WB" for moving the opening: you are pathetic, imho. Don't go see the film then, boycott it--you're like babies who got their toys taken away. For myself, I am taking the whole first opening week off from work so I can see the film as many times as I can afford to help offset this senseless "fan" boycott.

Oh, for heaven's sake--let's all condemn WB for wanting to move the HBP film to next summer for a better placement! Personally, I am thrilled that the next HP film won't have to compete with Batman: the Dark Knight for the top spot of 2008. Or with Twilight for the squeeing fangirls, who would abandon multiple visits to HP for pretty-boy vampires in a heartbeat!

I have no problem whatsoever with waiting a bit longer (I always knew the Writers' strike would somehow affect the HP films.) I really do have the patience to build up anticipation for awesome scenes like the Unbreakable Vow --



I know I am in the minority here--and you know what? I don't bloody care if I am!

Hem-hem! I got shamed into starting a FanArt-centered blog over at the Leaky Cauldron. Didn't take much shoving, actually--anyone who knows me knows I love to blather on about fan art (and film), so it was just a matter of me shutting up and writing it down.





So head on over and check it out, and tell me what you think and what you would be interested in reading more about. Once they get me started they may find they can't shut me up!

This is for my bestest-buddy k1j2cat because we all need some nice shades of emo on our palettes --



TLC blog stuff coming . . . but insomnia only lasts so long . . . zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz