More Harry Potter
The movie marathon was FANTASTIC and I'm so glad I did it. One thing I didn't expect was that I would enjoy the crowd so much. Of course I knew they would all be fans. I mean, who else commits to 5.5 hours a night for four days? But I also enjoyed the conversations I overheard, including the ones that weren't HP-related at all. People have such amusing drama.
I'd wondered what the situation would be re: trailers. In my head, the best case scenario was that they would show us trailers for the other HP movies. But we didn't get any trailers at all! I was sure that would change for the last movie, but no! Pretty cool, especially considering how cheap the tickets were. It also meant that we left the theater well before everyone else who came to a midnight show, and that was very nice. I didn't have to battle traffic!
I did eat from the concessions stand a bit, because I felt a little guilty about how cheap the tickets were. Also, it was kind of a pain to sneak in food, and then I never wanted what I had. Between theater food and all that sitting, I was sure I was going to gain about 10 pounds this week. I haven't weighed in, but my clothes are feeling looser than they did last weekend, so I'm not too worried about it. Also, I'd already decided it would be worth it, so it's all good. Back on the wagon yesterday.
Anyway, the best part of seeing it in the theater was the crowd's reactions. In most theaters, people react quietly. When I laugh at something, I keep it to myself, and so do most people. If something makes me cry, I try to sniffle quietly. The same is true when I watch a movie with a friend at home. I like sharing experiences with people, and I don't usually get that with movies. But this was different. People laughed out loud every time one of Seamus's spells blew up, they cheered for Neville, and you could hear when people were crying.
Apparently I miss Flicks.
And because I watched all the movies in such a short period of time, I'm sure I noticed things I wouldn't have otherwise. I'm amazed by what they've accomplished in the last 10 years, putting together this epic. Thanks to the suckfest that is the Twilight movies, I appreciate it even more. They did an amazing job of adapting the saga for the screen, and I can count the moments/changes that make me cringe (because there are so few). Actually, there's only one time I can think of where a tiny change had huge significance to me. Sure, things were left out along the way, but I'm ultimately pleased with how the movie-makers adapted the story. And perhaps I'm glad for some of them. When I watch Prisoner of Azkaban, I'm always sad that they don't explain more about the Marauders. I accept that it's not critical to the overall storyline, and the movies can't include everything in the books. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of how much richer the books are, and makes me want to re-read them.
But I do miss sock-crazed Dobby. Seems like a detail they could've carried over pretty easily.
But the movies have their own beauty, their own personality. The continuity of supporting characters and how the little details get carried through. Being able to see and notice things that aren't in the book because Harry doesn't notice. Visual details that you just can't get in a book -- but which are still true to Rowling's descriptions. I love watching Ginny surprise everyone, including herself, with her strength and power.
I already have plans to see it in the theater a few more times. I'm even taking the day off work on Wednesday to see it with a specific friend. I'm not sure what I'll do in the meantime. I'm guessing I'll run through the movies again; doing the math, I may want to start that now. I was planning to resume re-reading, but perhaps I should hold off on that. It occurred to me that maybe I should just read Deathly Hallows (if I have time), so I can catch/appreciate details of the movie that I might've overlooked. Plus, I need to resolve the book-to-movie differences, and I think a re-read will help. That's an odd thing to say, because at first I thought that it would be easier to keep books and movies separate at this point. But Rowling has given her blessing, and she's been a strong force in making sure the movies fit her vision. There are a few changes, but I'm sure that ultimately they'll be consistent with the book.
My sister wants me to read Hunger Games, and soon. Last weekend she finally asked how long before I'm done with Harry Potter so I can read Hunger Games. I guessed about two weeks, and I realized it's probably good to have a sort of deadline. I love immersing myself in this, but I do need to look ahead. And look around. I'm sure my day job has suffered a little this last week. At least my new client is a Harry Potter (and Twilight) fan. :)
I'd wondered what the situation would be re: trailers. In my head, the best case scenario was that they would show us trailers for the other HP movies. But we didn't get any trailers at all! I was sure that would change for the last movie, but no! Pretty cool, especially considering how cheap the tickets were. It also meant that we left the theater well before everyone else who came to a midnight show, and that was very nice. I didn't have to battle traffic!
I did eat from the concessions stand a bit, because I felt a little guilty about how cheap the tickets were. Also, it was kind of a pain to sneak in food, and then I never wanted what I had. Between theater food and all that sitting, I was sure I was going to gain about 10 pounds this week. I haven't weighed in, but my clothes are feeling looser than they did last weekend, so I'm not too worried about it. Also, I'd already decided it would be worth it, so it's all good. Back on the wagon yesterday.
Anyway, the best part of seeing it in the theater was the crowd's reactions. In most theaters, people react quietly. When I laugh at something, I keep it to myself, and so do most people. If something makes me cry, I try to sniffle quietly. The same is true when I watch a movie with a friend at home. I like sharing experiences with people, and I don't usually get that with movies. But this was different. People laughed out loud every time one of Seamus's spells blew up, they cheered for Neville, and you could hear when people were crying.
Apparently I miss Flicks.
And because I watched all the movies in such a short period of time, I'm sure I noticed things I wouldn't have otherwise. I'm amazed by what they've accomplished in the last 10 years, putting together this epic. Thanks to the suckfest that is the Twilight movies, I appreciate it even more. They did an amazing job of adapting the saga for the screen, and I can count the moments/changes that make me cringe (because there are so few). Actually, there's only one time I can think of where a tiny change had huge significance to me. Sure, things were left out along the way, but I'm ultimately pleased with how the movie-makers adapted the story. And perhaps I'm glad for some of them. When I watch Prisoner of Azkaban, I'm always sad that they don't explain more about the Marauders. I accept that it's not critical to the overall storyline, and the movies can't include everything in the books. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder of how much richer the books are, and makes me want to re-read them.
But I do miss sock-crazed Dobby. Seems like a detail they could've carried over pretty easily.
But the movies have their own beauty, their own personality. The continuity of supporting characters and how the little details get carried through. Being able to see and notice things that aren't in the book because Harry doesn't notice. Visual details that you just can't get in a book -- but which are still true to Rowling's descriptions. I love watching Ginny surprise everyone, including herself, with her strength and power.
I already have plans to see it in the theater a few more times. I'm even taking the day off work on Wednesday to see it with a specific friend. I'm not sure what I'll do in the meantime. I'm guessing I'll run through the movies again; doing the math, I may want to start that now. I was planning to resume re-reading, but perhaps I should hold off on that. It occurred to me that maybe I should just read Deathly Hallows (if I have time), so I can catch/appreciate details of the movie that I might've overlooked. Plus, I need to resolve the book-to-movie differences, and I think a re-read will help. That's an odd thing to say, because at first I thought that it would be easier to keep books and movies separate at this point. But Rowling has given her blessing, and she's been a strong force in making sure the movies fit her vision. There are a few changes, but I'm sure that ultimately they'll be consistent with the book.
My sister wants me to read Hunger Games, and soon. Last weekend she finally asked how long before I'm done with Harry Potter so I can read Hunger Games. I guessed about two weeks, and I realized it's probably good to have a sort of deadline. I love immersing myself in this, but I do need to look ahead. And look around. I'm sure my day job has suffered a little this last week. At least my new client is a Harry Potter (and Twilight) fan. :)