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Quint burps up slugs and swallows HARRY POTTER & THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS!
Hey folks, Harry here with the AICN staffer that actually gets all the missing pieces in the movie that are apparently in the books. For you folks, screaming at me to read the books, I will... just not till after the film series is over. Every other major contributor at AICN has read the books, and we don't have someone on staff, other than me that is approaching these movies as movies first, book adaptations second. I've heard the explanations for what is going on at the end of this film and the last film, the explanations about why Harry wouldn't loan Ron the money for a fixed up wand... However, these things are not handled in the film... not addressed as subtext and are flaws with the film in terms of bringing it all to light. HOWEVER, for you readers, the book is the film's crutch for it to lean on. However, great adaptations don't need crutches for plot holes in my opinion. This latest Potter film is fantastic, and my nitpicks are NITPICKS on an otherwise sterling film. Here's Quint's view....
Ahoy squirts! Quint here with my look at HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS. This review's a little late as I saw the film last Sunday. I wanted to get this review up and out pretty quickly, but I ended up in Chicago immediately after the screening, hanging out on the set of Robert Altman's new flick, THE COMPANY, and spending all my time either sleeping, warding off a bitch of a cold or watching the awesome Malcolm McDowell and the beautiful Neve Campbell do their thing, guided by one of cinema's greatest directors... But more on that sometime in the next week... On to Potter!
Quickly, I'm a huge Harry Potter nut. I caught on pretty late in the game, though. About a year and a half ago I was contacted about interviewing a screenwriter by the name of Steven Kloves during the quiet re-release and Golden Globe push of a damn good film he wrote called WONDERBOYS. A quick visit to IMDb showed that he was writing the screenplay for the first Harry Potter film. Knowing what a big deal this whole Harry Potter phenomenon was, I quickly grabbed the first two books from my little brother about a week before I was scheduled to talk with Mr. Kloves.
I had kinda lumped Harry Potter in with Pokemon... A kid's thing. Couldn't be nearly as cool as The Worst Witch (the original cable movie starring Tim Curry and Fairuza Balk, not that shitty series on Showtime), I thought. Well, I started reading Book 1 six or seven days before the interview and by the time I was conducting the interview I was halfway through Book 3, with the newly purchased GOBLET OF FIRE sitting on the kitchen table, waiting to be read. It totally sucked me in. The interview is probably one of the best I've done... It kinda comes off a mutual geekout over the books, the upcoming film, everything Harry Potter. (read it here!!!http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=8111)
I really, really dug the first film. It was slow, yes, but I never found it boring. I loved the cast. Some of the effects were a bit shoddy, but at least they had personality. I was disappointed at the lack of character and plot detail... The missing small touches that would have made the ending come off a lot less corny and sappy, but overall I felt there was a kind of magic captured with the movie.
CHAMBER OF SECRETS was one of my favorites of the books. Now, that's a personal choice of mine, which I don't expect to be shared by too many others. I think AZKABAN is the BEST book from beginning to end and I think the last 75 pages of GOBLET OF FIRE is hands down the best material in the whole series, but being a horror junkie, I had to love how CHAMBER OF SECRETS read like a horror film. It's a monster movie, no doubt.
So that's how I entered into this movie, my level of expectation was high indeed. From beginning to end, HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS is a better film than HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S/PHILOSOPHER'S STONE, but I also think some of the magic from the first film is gone. Some of the awe and wonder and giddy excitement is gone. It could be that we are already familiar totally with the world it takes place in, we've already met damn near all the characters... We know what Hogwarts looks like... Hell, I could have just been tired when I was watching the movie... It could be all or none of those things... Whatever reason, that feeling is not as powerful as it was in the first film.
That being so, the movie flows very well and has some geekastic sequences, including my favorite scene out of both films so far: Snape vs. Lockhart at the dueling club. You'll know it when you see it. That scene is the reason you have Alan Rickman in the movie. Period.
Speaking of Lockhart, Kenneth Branagh damn near steals the show as new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Now, I still stand firm in my belief that if this film had been made in the '80s or early '90s, there would have been no one better to play Lockhart than Tim Curry. Alas, Curry has grown too old for the role, but Branagh steps into the role marvelously, giving an unforgettable, hilarious performance. Just look at the big painting of himself at the front of the class... Classic!
Also new to the cast is Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy who turns in a terribly cold, but great villainous performance. He's got a great look, that of long, straight silver hair and totally black clothes... not to mention the icy stare and snarl that always seems to be breaking out. Although I had always thought of Tim Roth when reading about the dirty deeds of Lucius Malfoy, Isaacs has made me change my mind. That's quite alright, though. That just leaves Roth open to play Voldemort in the next few films. hehe
Now on to Dobby, the self abusing, totally CG house elf. I've been hearing lots of comparisons with Jar Jar and I have to say... the comparisons are not totally off base. HOLD ON!!! I don't mean in a character way. As a character, Dobby is awesome and perfectly voiced by Toby Jones who strikes a great pathetic, yet lovable tone. How Dobby compares to Jar Jar is only in how he's animated. He suffers a bit from being a little over animated. He always has to be doing something. He can't have any quiet moments. It does fit his character a bit, which is why it doesn't really bug me, but while that may be true it's also a trap that a lot of CG characters, including Mr. Binks, fall into. So, while it can be passed off as part of Dobby's character, it's still a bit distracting... Plus the pillowcase he wears is pretty terribly animated, much like Jar Jar's clothes in the prequels... It doesn't look like fabric, doesn't move like fabric. That being said, I love Dobby as a character. I did while reading the book and do so even more after seeing the movie. My problem with the animation is very small in the whole scheme of things. They got the character right, that's what's important.
Speaking of getting the character right, we also have Shirley Henderson perfectly realizing Moaning Myrtle. Actually, she kind of plays her creepier than I had imagined. Good job, lady! Christian Coulson also does a fine job as Tom Riddle, a small, but key character in the film. It's a difficult role, one with lots of exposition and he did the best job he could with it.
The main 3, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are just as good as they were in the first film, although Radcliffe seems to be acting a bit more self-aware this time out and has a few scenes where it seems he's trying a bit too hard. Grint is awesome as Ron again. He brings the same level of humor and kindness he did the first time out. Emma Watson likewise reprises her role of book-smart Hermione Granger with great ease... And damn if she isn't growing up. Mark my words, by the time Goblet of Fire is shooting, she'll be illegally lusted after with a fervor close to that which surrounded Natalie Portman in the time between LEON and THE PHANTOM MENACE.
There's a great scene in the film I have to spotlight before I move on that features the above three... It comes at the end of the film, after the climax battle... It's a reunion of the three leads and the way they react to each other is perfect. Without a word spoken, their friendships are shown to us... Harry's relationship with Hermione is much different than Ron's relationship with Hermione and that difference is captured perfectly in this one scene in the Great Hall at the very end of the film.
One of the things that I really dug about CHAMBER OF SECRETS was how they brought back every little character from the first film. If you've had a line or were on screen for more than 2 seconds, you're back in the next film! I really like that. It helps to bring you back into Harry Potter's world when not only are the main actors reprising their roles, but seemingly everyone is back. This is one of the main reasons why I've been disappointed by the rumor that Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint might be leaving the series after GOBLET OF FIRE. What really got me excited about the idea of doing the Harry Potter books as movies was that we'd have the kind of continuity we don't get too often with series like this.
They found the perfect kids for these roles. They might not be the best actors in the world, but they're certainly far from the worst. No matter what Radcliffe IS Harry Potter. Watson IS Hermione Granger. Rupert Grint IS Ron Weasley. Warner Brothers... You've successfully set up your world. Don't fuck it up because you get too stingy with the actors. It's one thing to have to recast Dumbledore because of Richard Harris' passing, but I'm telling you studio people... Do whatever it takes to keep these kids coming back.
OK... that was a bit of tangent... Sorry, I'm a bit high off all the cold medicine I've been taking recently, forgive this rambling review... I guess I really just have to say that my only problem with the movie is the same problem I had with the first one, the missing details that make the books so great. I realize you can't fit everything from the book into the movie. I don't want that. But as it stands right now, CHAMBER OF SECRETS does come off a little rushed. It seems like they keep jumping from plot point to plot point to plot point, not slowing down enough to give us a really good look at the characters. The dialogue comes off a bit rushed, also, like Chris Columbus was holding a stopwatch behind the camera, making sure they rapid-fired off some of this dialogue to fit it all in.
At any rate, while I think Columbus did a great job in setting up the series, I'm very relieved he's bowing out of the director's chair. I think this next film is a crucial point and needs that new blood behind the camera. I think Alfonso Cuaron will bring a different approach to the series, which I think will keep the films alive and electric. He has his hands full with the next film, though. A lot of eyes are going to be on him and fans will rip him apart if he fails... But they'll also lift him up and proclaim him King of the Universe if he pulls it off.
Since this has been just an over the counter drug induced scatterbrained review, I think I'll go ahead and wrap it up... As a fan of the series I highly recommend this film, but I miss the character beats and some plot detail from the books. Alan Rickman is still criminally underused, but that'll change with the next few films, hopefully... Branagh and Isaacs are great, fresh new additions to the series, Aragog kicks ass, Fawkes is cool as hell and the Basilisk is pretty damn neat, too. Again, I think CHAMBER OF SECRETS is a better overall film than SORCERER'S STONE, but it suffers from the same lack of detail the first film did. I'd recommend this film to anyone with kids or anyone who's still a kid at heart.
So, for the next film... For you fans of the books... I say Ewan McGregor for Professor Lupin (easily one of my favorite characters in all the books), Jude Law as Sirius Black (he can look emaciated and creepy, but can also play kind... Just age him up a bit and he's a shoe in) and I guess either Ian McKellan or an unknown for Dumbledore... What do you guys think? Looking even further ahead, who could play Mad Eye Moody? How about Peter Jackson? Not British, but he has an accent, so it counts... right?
-Quint
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When he loses interest in magic, sniffs glue and uses his spells to make clothes disappear?
Like those zany 80s teen comedies promised me?
Honestly, a teen wizard that listened to nu-metal and shoplifted would rule. -
Nov 14, 2002 8:52:33 AM CST
I think the spin-off should be called Run Ron Run with Hulk Hoga
by chaffro
"To bring down the beast, brother, you have to take out his heart. Brother."
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I didn't even think about Jude Law as Sirius until you brought it up. Good idea. I still love the idea of Ewan to play Lupin. I am just afraid that when the vocal LOTR group sees the Dementors they are going to say that Rowling ripped off the Ringwraiths. I hope everything works on the third one. I am totally jazzed about seeing Chamber of Secrets and I am going with my fiancee and her sister on Sunday.
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I've always wondered what Gene Hackman would do with Dumbledore. He can twinkle with the best of them, but has a real sense of power about him. Or if you have to go british Ian Holm or Jim Broadbent or even Billy Connely.
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Dobby the house elf is funny in the books, but I worry he'll simply be annoying in the film. There's another house elf in Goblet of Fire, a female, that is so obviously written to be the next big thing in kids' toys.
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How bout Malcolm McDowell as Mad Eye Moody? Or P.H. Moriarty (played Hatchet Harry in LockStock&2SmokingBarrels)? I feel that Ewan McGregor is too young for Lupin, but that's just me.
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...Christopher Eccleston. He can do haunted, hunted, psycho and loving with barely a wiggle of his ears.
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i saw the first harry potter movie an i just didnt get it, it wasnt any fun. for a movie to be fun its gotta have a monkey, and for a monkey to be any fun its gotta be wearin a space suit. whole time i was in the theater i was sayin to chris, "chris, wheres the space monkey?" "space monkey's comin up faf," hed say. "is the big dog the space monkey? cause he dont look like no space monkey." "shut up an eat yer chicken." chris was eatin chicken. i got real loud and complained to the usher about it while the guy with the green face did his magicy thing and we got thrown out for bringin in outside food.
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Christian Bale for Sirius all the way, he's got form in playing (imagined) serial killers! As for the Dobby vs Jar Jar debate, that's easy - Jar Jar sucked, Dobby doesn't. Dobby's not in the film for long enough to test your patience anyway, so relax. Not every CGI sidekick has to piss you off, you know. The Phantom Menace was three years ago, can we move on now?!
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Easy Quint...easy. Put down the NyQuil...
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I think Peter O'Toole would be excellent!! He brings that old English acting style that Harris did. And it's a nice nod to Harris. But I am intrigued by the thought of Billy Connelly. He and Harris have very similar features, plus he is younger and should be able to last the series. Plus he is Great Actor, if you don't think so rent Mrs. Brown again and rethink.
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Lupin: Tom Wilkinson ("Full Monty," "The Patriot"). Sirius Black: Colin Firth ("Bridget Jones' Diary"). Wormtail: Alan Cumming.
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When you think about it, Harry's parents, Sirius, Lupus and Snape need to all be around the same age, since they all went to school at the same time. I think Snape might have been either a lil younger or a lil older, but they were all within a year or two of each other. So really, you have to consider: is Ewan MacGregor old enough to have a 12-year-old kid ? By proxy, of course, since Lupin doesn't actually have a kid; he's just ostensibly the same age as the people who did. Lookin at imdb.com, I'd say "unless he was a high school dropout dad." Heh. Granted, I think Ewan would be an awesome choice in a visual sense, it just wouldn't be terribly believable to me. I'm trying to think of all the scary mofos out there who could do Moody well... Unfortunately, most of the people I can think of are Americans.. heh.. Ian McKellen would be a good choice for Dumbledore, but I think they did a disservice to the character to cast him so incredibly old. IN the books, Dumbledore strikes me as someone in his early 60's, someone who still looks pretty young despite the white hair. Visually, I think Steve Martin (young face + white hair), although he would be one wacky Dumbledore. ;) I think by making D-man look absolutely ancient, they ruin the spirit of him in the books. "But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong." -D.M.
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I assume you are referring to American Psycho when you say "imagined serial killer." I thought I'd inform you that Patrick Bateman is in fact a real serial killer, there is no question about whether he committed the crimes or not. The end of the movie was very misleading. Bret Easton Ellis himself said that the only thing he didn't like about the movie was the fact that Mary Harron's version was very ambiguous, and in the book he makes it quite clear that Bateman is definitely a killer, but that society around him is so self-absorbed that no one notices. That is, in fact, the whole point of the book. If I was wrong in my assumption, forgive my rant.
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That's all I ask. I can't stand listening to Americans fake a British accent, or vica versa. Let's stick to the culture in which the book is made, shall we?
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For Lupin, McGregor is damn near perfect. Law is a good pick for Sirius Black, but personally I'd go with Guy Pearce. As for Dumbledore, Max Von Sydow for me most perfectly captures that mix of grandfatherly kindness and intimidating power that Dumbledore is supposed to have. McKellan and Lee are too easy choices, the only reason people keep mentioning them is because of LOTR. But what if they DIDN'T replace Harris? Deviated from the books somewhat, and had Dumbledore die between Chamber and Azkaban, with McGonagall (or possibly even Snape) taking over as Headmaster? You could keep the narrative of the books intact, but the mood would be much darker, and people would stop complaining that the films are "too faithfully adapted." I don't know if this is what I'd do in their situation, but it's an interesting idea nonetheless.
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Well who knows, maybe Dumbledore is set to pass on in a future book, Obi-Wan style to Voldemort, with Harry watching, turns out Voldie's actually his dad.... Oh wait... nevermind. // Sam Neill as Sirius would work for me, he can do the haggard, slightly insane look... Oh god.. Fran Drescher as Rita Skeeter... They should let in at least ONE American, just for that.. *rotfl*
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For the simple reason that _you_ decide what everything looks like, you're not being forced to watch someone else's interpretation. Granted, the sole exception to this (at least for me) is Interview with the Vampire, cause hot damn, that was the most boring piece of literature I've ever slogged through. I can't even finish it; I keep falling asleep. // OK, how's this for casting: Ben Kingsley as Mad-Eye Moody.. I think he could totally pull it off. Ben can play one damn creepy mofo, and hey! He's English! :)
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I actually relish the idea of Christopher Lee playing a good guy for once, but I've got to believe there's an acomplished British stage actor who could take over and make it a little less jarring. If someone famous steps into Dumbledore's robes, I just feel like I'll be thinking about it too much. Ideas of "killing" Dumbledore in the movies while he's alive in the books are asenine considering we really have no idea what Rowling has in store for him. His connection to the backstory is clearly too important and I'm banking on a major revelation later in the series between Dumbledore and Voldemort. Of course, isn't everyone?
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...which was faithful to the plot to the point where it had to drop all the charm and warmth just to wedge the plot points in. A poor choice, not to mention Columbus' awful direction of his actors (the kids' screaming, the adults' sleepwalking). CHAMBER has less plot and exposition, so hopefully the filmmakers won't be forced to cut all the wit and heart. Still, the series really takes off with AZKABAN, and with a real director behind the lens THAT is the one I'm looking forward to. *** And he was the perfect choice even before Harris' passing, so I'll scream it from the rooftops: PETER O'TOOLE AS DUMBLEDORE!!!!!!
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Nov 14, 2002 10:35:32 AM CST
If this site had audio and video, I'd see a bunch of people scre
by sea bass
So he didn't read the freaking books, maybe he wants to review the film on its own merits. Maybe kid's books aren't his cup of tea. Maybe he doesn't give a fuck. What is it about these books that makes people so psychotic about convincing others to read them? Kids being taught to be wizards. It's stupid. I don't want to read about that. Don't try to make me and others feel like a phillestine for it. And nowhere in human history has any rational thinking person thought that a movie is merely a 'supplement' to a book. The book is the book, the movie is the movie. They're separate entities. Each should tell a complete story in a coherant way.
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Responding to what pete23 said earlier, Chris Eccleston is perfect for Sirius. And for my money, there is no more perfect Moody than Brian Cox.
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Sean Connery or Brian Cox. And my vote's for Brian. "Do you know how you caught me, Harry?"
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Fettastic: did you actually read the books? Based on the movies alone, I see what you mean, but reading the books helps understand. Yes, his mom actually DID die protecting him; I don't know if it was specifically because of a spell, but either way, Harry is pretty much surrounded by his mother's spirit. Also, in the books, Dumbledore actually _does_ know what's going on, he only steps in when he needs to. There was no horrifying threat to the troll, it was just large and dimwitted. In the 4th book, it's made very clear that when the shit hits the fan, Dumbledore's got some serious mojo up his sleeve. I liken him to Yoda, the Dalai Lama, Fizban, etc, in the sense that this dude is so powerful, he lets others do their thing, get their own power, only stepping in when absolutely necessary. Dumbledore doesn't need an ego trip like Snape. Actually, Dumbledore = Fizban. Heh. Cutely wacky, gives you the impression that he's not all there, but hiding some serious-ass power he's not afraid to use.
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Lance Henriksen would make an intimidating-as-all-hell Mad Eye Moody.
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Nov 14, 2002 12:13:37 PM CST
"When he discovers Harry in the strictly forbidden part of the c
by minderbinder
Actually, when Harry gets "caught" by the mirror of Erised, he's not in the forbidden part of the castle. The part that is forbidden is the third floor where Fluffy is, the Mirror is somewhere completely different.
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Paul McGann (excellent UK actor) would be brilliant as Lupin or even Sirius. He is not that well known in the US but is in his mid thirties. He starred in Withnail and I if anyone is wondering and played Dr Who in that US movie some years back.
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fettastic, I'm so terribly sorry that you feel threatened by books. Did you actually read anything in _my_ post past my first sentence, where, by the way, I was not attacking you in any way, just saying that by reading the book, you would have a more completed understanding of the movie, and an appreciation of why some of us are frustrated with the movie? I personally didn't like the first movie much at all. I also don't "completely reject who [I am] and glom on to who [I] WISH [I was]." Frankly, I read more non-fiction than anything else, because I love to learn about new things. I wouldn't say that because I've read The Elegant Universe by Brian Green, I'm "glomming" onto a quantum physicist. So rather than use excessive bandwidth to needlessly bash people who actually enjoy reading for reading's sake, try and stay on topic and talk about the movie. //The Whomping Willow looks impressive, I will say that. aliencaptive1013: I think if you put Marty's head on Brian Blessed's body, there ya have Moody. ;) Marty would've been a wee bit too short, IMO. Although I suppose I should re-read #4, does it actually say if he was tall or short?
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Nov 14, 2002 1:00:15 PM CST
Drugged out Quint still writes better than most anyone on the si
by genericgeek
Maybe with the exception of Moriarty. Now, drugged Moriarty... Anyway, I propose Christopher Lloyd as Mad Eye. In the novel I always figured him for a foreigner. I mean, not British.
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Robert Carlyle for Sirius Black. A younger Jonathan Hurt would make a great Lupin. Brian Cox is not a bad suggestion for Moody, but I'm thinking the part really needs to be done by someone tough as nails and freaky as all get out. Of course, he's an actor, and transforming into a character is what it's all about, so who am I to say he couldn't pull it off.
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Really, you can't make the accusation that Rowling ripped off the Ringwraith design for the dementors, because the evil faceless (although you do see a Dementor's face near the end of HP3) creature in all black robes has existed well before Lord of the Rings. Charles Dickens used that visage for the Ghost of Christmas Past, and that design has long suggested the persona of the Grim Reaper. Anyone who suggests Harry Potter ripped off the Ringwraith design has to say the say for Tolkein.
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Russel Crowe as Sauron, err I mean, as the evil that must not be named.
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Fettastic - It is so cute how you are bashing "geeks" and what pathetic losers they are. How fitting that _you chose_ to express your opinion in the TalkBacks of the AICN webpage. You are way too cool for us. p.s.: You are entitled to your own opinion. But no one wants to hear the irrelevant opinion of an uneducated, off-topic and insulting loser. I guess that's why no one likes you.
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As far as casting is concerned, whoever said Malcolm McDowell for Mad Eye is right on. If he's not available I'd like to vote for Tim Curry (we have to work him in some way or another before this series is through, we just have to--besides, it's not like he's doing anything. No. Family Affair doesn't count.) Brian Blessed, or Max Von Sydow. Sigh... I may get flamed for this but, I wouldn't mind seeing Rufus Sewell for Remus Lupin.
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Rowling raped so much of Tolkien's text its not funny. She stole the idea of the spiders from The Hobbit in which Bilbo fights a group of spiders. Dementors = Ringwraiths. The evil that must not be named = Sauron. Dumbledore = Gandalf. There are far too many similarities to be coincidence. Then Rowling has the gall to say that she never read Tolkien, I find this EXTREMELY hard to believe. She's such a liar.
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Rufus Sewell as Lupin, I didn't think of that. Not a bad choice.
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Nov 14, 2002 1:31:45 PM CST
Even though there wasn't much reviewing, this is one thought pro
by 007-11
I had never really thought of Lupin and Sirius as young as you're suggesting, but now that I think about it that would work out great. I'd also looked past the fact that "Prisoner of Azkaban" is going to be the big turning point movie. Cuaron has a huge weight on his shoulders. From what everyone keeps saying about Kenneth Branaugh(spoiler) it's almost too bad he won't be coming back.(spoiler end) For what it's worth, I would shit my pants with glee if they could get Sean Connery to play Mad Eye Moody. That would be the sweetest ever. Think of it! Imagine Sean Connery before he gets cleaned up in "The Rock", then add some scars and a constantly rotating blue eye. You know he is the perfect choice for Mad Eye. Make it happen Warner Brothers!! Spare no expense!
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To replace Harris, get Peter O'Toole. Or if not him, then John Mills or Jim Broadbent. I love Billy Connolly, but I think he'd be better in some other role. For Lupin, I'd get Christian Bale or Ewan McGregor. I've gotta say my fave for Sirius Black has got to be Richard E. Grant. He can play gaunt, disturbed, weird and kindly all in one. And he's the right age and has the perfect voice for the role. I also kinda like the Alan Cumming as Wormtail idea. ***Oh, and damn right Quint about Tim Curry!
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As I read through the talkbacks I see a lot of really good suggestions, and some not so good. I think Christopher Lee is a little too old for Voldemort, besides we need the magical equivalent of Hitler for Voldemort. The guy they pick has to look so evil, insane, and intimidating it'll be hard to look at him straight in the face onscreen. I still hold that there is no better choice for Mad Eye Moody than Sean Connery. Christopher Lloyd and Brian Cox are both badasses in their own right, but Sean Connery would own this part like no other.
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You ARE a geek. I'm assuming that Fettastic derives from Boba Fett but even if I'm wrong, you're reading an AICN TB for a Harry Potter movie. Game over dude. Embrace the geek within you. Don't despair, for in the hierarchy of outcasts, we geeks outrank nerds, dweebs, spazzes, stoners, and the mentally impaired. Now that your geek-bashing days are over, recommence with the funny posts. Peace out.
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First off, Paul McGann as Lupin, right on! Better in the age department, and actually would work great with my Sirius suggestion. Hell, Withnail and Marwood back together again! And as for Mad Eye, all the suggested Malcolm McDowells and Brian Blesseds are great. Can't pick a favourite. ***As for Voldemort being Harry's dad, wouldn't surprise me. Still, I'm thinking Sirius might turn out to be Harry's dad in the end. Well, guess we'll have to wait and see.
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Geeks are not inherently better than stoners. Stoners come from any and all classifications, including geeks, dorks, etc. Get with the program, man.
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Geeks are not inherently better than stoners. Stoners come from any and all classifications, including geeks, dorks, etc. Get with the program, man.
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Liam Neeson would be perfect as Black. Neeson facing off against Rickman would be incredible. Tim Roth as Voldemort is great as well. I think Jude Law would make a great Lupin.
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Jude Law is too young and pretty to play Sirius.
Daniel Day Lewis would be an awesome Sirius. I bloody mean it.
Great review Q. -
"Dementors = Ringwraiths. The evil that must not be named = Sauron. Dumbledore = Gandalf. There are far too many similarities to be coincidence."
Now, I haven't read either set of books, but doesn't the above seem kind of weird? I mean, you're describing stock fantasy characters. Lessie, Army of bad guys? Old wizened good guy? Old, bearded bad guy? RIP OFF! Good God, by that criteria, 99.9% of fantasy fiction is a rip off. Maybe it is, but that makes singling out the Poter books even more nonsensical. Oh yeah, and I don't care who they cast as anybody. ---------- Saw this last night...I thought it was better than the first, but then, I have a life, so there's no telling what the geek contingent is gonna say. And Dobby *IS* as annoying as Jar Jar. -
Connery is too tall and waay too hansome. Brian Blessed is better than Connery, but his voice is too big. Malcolm McDowell - eew.
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Hmmmm, Max Von Sydow as Dumbledore is an excellent idea, but the perfect Mad-Eye Moody has got to be Billy Connolly. He can do the dark stuff, (the Debt Collector), and can just look like the aging hippy type character that he is. An off the wall idea for Sirius Black could be Damian Lewis (Band of Brothers), just to throw that in there. If not, Guy Pearce will do fine
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Nov 14, 2002 2:47:24 PM CST
Actually, I think now the best choice for Sirius Black would be
by vegas
He played Winters on BAND OF BROTHERS. See it, and know that I am right.
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He's the right age, and has both the warmth and mystery for the role... just muss his hair up a bit first. McGann/Grant circa-Withnail would've been a great combo for Lupin/Black, but they're both too old now (I barely recognized Paul McGann in Queen Of The Damned). Howabout the Hulkster as Peter Pettigrew? ("got any cheese, brother?")
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stoner geeks outrank nongeek stoners, but how do druggie and nondruggie geeks rate against each other? I guess it depends on what circle you're in. * Speaking of nondruggie geek conglomerations . . . Hey SkiffyPup is the big soul table still in Ida Noyes??
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Ummm - about the Tolkien and the spiders thing... You forget that Tolkien ripped the spiders off from M.R. James (think that's the name: turn-of-19th-C scholar who published ghost stories). There's a line in one of them that Tolkien uses almost verbatim when describing Ungolanth (name? Shelob's First Mother) in the Silmarilion. It's a pretty evocative line, so you know it's a lift. C'mon - the guy was a medievalist. And plagarism wasn't an issue for the early/pre-modern world because Individuality and the cult of the Original just wasn't the same back then. Shakespeare ripped off everyone - he just wrote better than them. As a professor of mine once said: you don't get to be the best shortstop in the world by playing third base.
By the way, "FOTR: brought to you by the New Zealand tourism board" sucked. -
How do stoner geeks outrank non-geek stoners?
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For some reason, I've always seen Lupin as Gary Oldman without makeup; that would be pretty awesome (and he would even get to wear the wolf prosthetics!) If that doesn't work out, I could also see John Hannah (mainly because I love him and he needs a better mainstream role than The Mummy)
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PammyCat, stoner geeks are cooler than regular stoners because they do something fun while they're stoned instead of listening to crappy jam bands. And walrus, anyone who talks about their SAT scores is obviously a child who has never set foot in the real world. Just so you know for next time.
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Sorry, but "I got into college thanks to a ridiculously high SAT score which included a perfect verbal and near perfect math & science" sounds like a college freshman's first attempt at pretentiousness. And if you are truly an adult, you'd realize that grown men and women only bring up SAT scores when speaking of their children. That was my point. Just trying to bust your bubble, son. Wouldn't want you to have a big head.
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Peter Pettergrew: Jason Strathom
Siris Black: Jude Law
Remus Lupin: Ewan Mg Greger
Vodermort (shell): ????
Voldermort (Reborn): SOME LONDON STAGE ACTOR IN his 40's MUST BE LEAN AND EXTREAMLY MUSCULAR
Rita Skeeter: Rene Zellwiger
Ludo Bagman: Mark Addy
Barty Crouch Sr: Ian McKellen
Barty Crouch Jr: Unknown
Mad Eye Moody: Gary Oldman
Karloff: Tim Roth
Madam Maxime: ????
Fluer DeLacure: ????
Victor Krum: ???
Sir Cadagon: Tim Curry
Syble Trelany: M. Streep
Weird Sisters: THE SPICE GIRLS
Dumbledore: Billy Conley
Erine Prang: Christapher Lee -
Well, if you put if that way... I guess it's true. And it's PamiCat if it's anything.
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Wow - no one's mentioned Anthony yet - I don't think. Yeah, it may be a bit conventional, but I'd rather see big-name Hopkins as Mad Eye and an unknown for Lupin. I really DON'T like the idea of McGregor as Lupin - he's too prettyboy for that role, methinks. >:P
Tim Curry as Lockhart would've been HILARIOUS! If Hugh Grant dropped out, he'd have been perfect - him or Alan Cumming. I agree with another poster here that they've gotta fit Curry into the series somehow... and hey, maybe he could play a GOOD guy for once! LOL -
Gotta type more slowly... O_o
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A movie should always be able to stand by itself, regardless of what it's based on. A director should never assume that the audience has read the book. Yeah, there's things you aren't going to be able to do, but there are things you might be able to do better. (Does anyone really whine about the fact that THE WIZARD OF OZ on film is different than the book? Nope. Because each one can support itself.) Speaking of which, this is why I didn't like HARRY I and will probably skip HARRY II. If you can't entertain me just because I haven't taken the time to read about another precious English boy and his adventures in yet another fucking English boarding-school, magic or nao magic, then I got better things to do. But it won't keep me from chiming in on casting ideas: Dumbledore has to be, HAS TO BE Mike Binder from HBO's "Mind of the Married Man". Can't you imagine a kind of blank, doughy Dumbledore who always interupts the story to say some not-very-well-thought-out-pseudo-Woody-Allen monologue? However, Pacino or Cann would also work, if Mike's asking price is too high. Other than that, I'm thinking Brian O'Halloran as Lupin, David Arquette as Sirius Black, and Danny Trejo as Carlos "El Ojo" Madre, the hardened con who pops Harry's ass cherry after his "fairy dust" arrest in Book 6. And, of course, Jimmy Smits. Even if they have to create a character for him. Just get him in there. He brings magic no wizard could ever conjure. Plus, the TV ads could say, "Harry Potter and the Pederast's Wig! Jimmy Smits!"
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GEEK (noun): A Geek is someone who, through rejecting the norm (or being rejected by the norm), establishes an unbalanced notion of the importance of those things which interest him/her. Geeks exist in a variety of fields, but are always focused on the internal, non-physical aspects of their respective interests - typically stemming from a lack of motor skill, confidence, atheleticism, or from that time they had their pants pulled down in front of everyone. Traditional geek symptoms include- a strong sense of arrogance at those that do not value their interests to the same extreme degree - a tendency to feel awkward in social scenarios that don't indulge their narrow interests while excluding all others - being so consumed with their particular "geekism" that all other things become unimportant (friends with other interests; hygiene) - a mating ritual whoes highlights include extensive trembling, an inability to monitor speech volume (too quiet or too loud), and a desire to go home - Thus creating a monkish mellieu that both threatens their self-value whilst simutaneously entrenching the comfort that comes with being an expert at whatever it is they're consumed with. Geeks typically can be found at home 95% of the time - however, when they group together they can be found in places only with high geek to non-geek ratios - comic conventions, comic book stores, comic book signing, etc. Geeks typically eat at the same restaurant, or order in as the average geek may poison him or herself attempting to cook. The internet has dramtically reduced the number of public geek sightings as the means for communicatiing in large groups is now suppied at home. Sadly, this has led the modern geek to threaten its continued impact on the very interests that fuel its desire to live - shouting from afar, in comfortable anonimity while the rest of the world continues to infiltrate those bastions that the geek once ruled.....
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You know, Mr. Toilet-Diver himself was mentioned about a year ago to assume the role of Professor Lupus in this film. To me, this would be be far too good to be true, as I just breath that much easier when McGregor's involved. And I do know about many of his forgettable or regrettable film selections. But like Hugh Jackman allegedly playing some unspecified role in Ep. III, no more has been made of this, so until it's official, I'll write it off as someone's 'wish list' item that hopefully will inspire the casting director. And if you can't get Ewan, get his partner, Jude. As in production company parts, you fools. These two are too talented and too perfect for this franchise to not be utilized at some point. Plus, they're not above it. The real concern should be a potential massive casting overhaul after "Prisoner". The kids are gettin' older, and the faculty's gettin' that much cozier with Grim, as we've already sadly witnessed. And Lee as Dumbledore. I don't see it. I'd be waiting for him to go bad and betray Hogwarts at any moment (which SPOILER??? hasn't happened yet).
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Nov 14, 2002 4:44:18 PM CST
It's funny how I always thought of Tim Roth while reading these
by human tornado
... only in my mind he was PROFESSOR SNAPE! And Alan Rickman (who is great in the part but a bit too old for being at Hogwarts around the same year as Harry's father)was Voldemort.
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I know Brian Blessed so I'll be sure to pass on your suggestion. Not joking either.
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that Brian Blessed would be ideal as a character in Harry Potter though I'm not sure who exactly...I can't quite remember who Mad Eye is. Perhaps someone could refresh my memory before I say anything to Brian if I see him anytime soon.
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RICHARD E GRANT, in Withnail and I guise. Look at the article harry reads on the knight bus.
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Hell, look at Knowles and the millions of others who never cracked the books but still loved the movies. The movies make perfect sense, it's just that the books provide even more backstory (just like every other book to film adaptation). The questions that people have asked are just tiny quibbles that either ARE answered by the movies (pay attention!) or are unimportant and easitly figured out using common sense. You don't have to read the books to understand the movies, but people recommend the books simply because they are great reading and if you haven't read them, you're missing out.
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I just had a thought.....If he were still alive, Sir Alec Guiness would be PERFECT for Dumbledore....
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To those of you who claim that Voldemort can be none other than Harry's father, I ask "What are you thinking???" You're insane. I hate to keep repeating what has already been stated, but READ THE BOOKS BEFORE YOU START MAKING NONSENSICAL PREDICTIONS. Voldemort was a boy named Tom Riddle... not Potter. That much we know. MAYBE Voldemort is in some way related to Harry, possibly an uncle or something, but definitely not his father. Harry's father helped him in Book the Fourth when he and Voldemort were having the duel, and all the ghosts of the people Voldemort killed with his wand were released. Besides, who in their right minds would rip off Star Wars to THAT extent?
To those of you who "Don't read" and claim to "just want to be entertained"... get a life... books are the best entertainment out there. Actually, I feel kind of bad for you people, as you obviously need someone else to create the world for you in a movie since you don't possess the creativity to create the world of the book in your own mind. What would it be like to be you? Awful.
And one word to FETTASTIC then I'm done... since you love writing so much, I suggest you learn how to spell... REDiculous and ChronicALS... sheesh. You're arguments would stand up a lot better if you weren't a moron. (I usually don't get upset about misspelling, but since he pointed out that he loved to write, I thought I would point it out!)
Okay, done. Enjoy the rest of your talkback.... I want to have Viggo Mortensen's (Aragorn/Strider) child... does that make me a geek too?? -
No, it's not that the movies don't tell a complete story, just that the specialness of the story (at least as far as I'm concerned) isn't as well represented by the movie as the book. Which doesn't have anything to do with what you can and can't do on film. The film felt very bland to me. A linking of things from another medium. I felt like Columbus sat next tome through the whole thing, giving me the elbow, and saying, "Look, it's the moving staircases, just like in the book." And then I'd turn to him and say, "Jeez, Chris, I didn't read the book, I mean, I meant to, but. . .Cripes, I haven't even ready one Tolstoy novel in my life, should I really spend any time reading this, perhaps well-written, but nonetheless over-marketed series of books?" And then he said- and I'll never forget this- "Oh, lover, why you feel so down?" And then I smiled and said, "I can never stay angry at you." Then there was some touching,and kissing, and then. . .well, you don't need to hear everything. I guess the point I'm trying to make is that (in my opinion) the Potter movies are really not much more than the film arm of a multi-tentacled marketing ploy. It doesn't feel like a work unto itself. To me. Sorry. It's not entirely because I haven't read the books. I've read JAWS and I've seen JAWS. The movie doesn't need the book to work. That's all I'm saying.
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We all know that when The Two Towers is released, this movie will be completely forgotten. Like last year. 'Nuff said.
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The movie was, or shall I say film. I'll say film. Film sounds more mature. The basilisk! It kicks friggen ass! I'm amazesd at the sheer horror of it. Harry Potter and the Battle With the Basilisk. Fuck yeah. If the kids are replaced I'll take a gun and go Columbine on them (just kidding of course, but seriously, keep the main cast)! Anyway, Braunagh for Oscar. You heard me. And Emma Watson was terrific. Finally, that damn whomping willow made me shit my pants! It's so delightful!
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Stop channelling me.
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I think a great person to play Sirius Black is Tim Curry. And what about Anthony Hopkins as Mad Eye Moony? He is EXTREMELY good at playing the creepy, awesome characters.
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And funny you should mention the TV series of the WOrst Witch. There was a university spin-off, set in Cambridge (naturally) called Weirdsister COllege, which also starred Mr Christian Coulson, aka Tom Riddle. And my thoughts on DUmbledore... Richard Attenborough, Ian Richardson, Peter O'Toole.
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Forget about the reviews. So you won't review the movie like you did the last two. Big deal. There will probably be other contributers who haven't read the books. Read them. They're kick-ass. Besides, you'll probably break anyways, better now than later. By the By, Dellow Fellogates, Jar Jar rules!
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..."self-abusing" means something entirely different. Trust me, I'm an expert.
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Thank goodness for Spam Gamgee. I thought I'd have to go through a whole day without the spectacle that is Geek-on-Geek Verbal Violence. I wish Herc reviewed this week's South Park. All the kiddies dressed up in LOTR gear calling the HP kids geeks. It's funny 'cause it's true.
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As I was reading Prisoner of Azkaban, the ONLY image I had in my mind was of Steve Coogan, of Alan Partridge fame, for all you Brits out there. For anyone else he was The Parole Officer. Mess up the hair, keep the new glasses, voila! Perfect Lupin.
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Kinda like the First Evil's self-devouring, but backward. Think Tetsuo's slow explosion, but all done out the ass.
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I so wanted to see Peter O'Toole as Mad Eye Moody. He and Richard Harris together would have been something to behold.
How about Hugh Grant for Lupin and Collin Firth as Sirius Black? I don't think that Hugh's dance card is full for "Prisoner of Azkaban" and Collin Firth would rock as Sirius. Firth could also get a chance to distance himself from "Pride and Prejudice" fame.
Excellent review, by the way.
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Increasingly oddball casting options: David Bowie as Mad Eye. Still can't nail Lupin. Tracy Ullman as Professor Trelawney. Michael Palin as Cornelius Fudge. Hugh Jackman as Sirius Black. Throw Michael Caine and Eric Idle in there somewhere as well. Screwed up earlier when I said "Jonathan Hurt". Meant John Hurt (confused him with Jonathan Pryce) and forgot that he's already in the first one.
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Nov 14, 2002 10:56:50 PM CST
"Prisoner of Azkaban" affords a "Withnail and I" reunion...
by touch of evil
Paul McGann as Remus Lupin, Richard E. Grant as Sirius Black and of course Richard Griffiths as Vernon Dursley. My pick for Dumbledore is Peter O'Toole or Tom Baker.
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Sirius Black: Jason Carter from Babylon 5 (http://www.sff.net/people/Corgi/JasonCarter/)
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Remus Lupin: Linus Roache,
Sirius Black: Robson Green -
Just curious.
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"...And damn if she isn't growing up. Mark my words, by the time Goblet of Fire is shooting, she'll be illegally lusted after with a fervor close to that which surrounded Natalie Portman in the time between LEON and THE PHANTOM MENACE."
for example by YOU,Quint?You wanted little Nat too didn't you?I bet that Marilyn Monroe scene in Leon got you all hot and bothered didn't it?!Gross...
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I'd love Peter O'Toole as Dumbledore. And as much as I would love Ewan McGregor and Jude Law as Lupin/Black...since they made Snape around ten years older than he is in the book they will have to do the same with Lupin and Black...so McGregor/Law are both too young.
Maybe Colin Firth would be a good choice for either of them (and the last thing I heard is that he's keeping his schedule free for the time HP 3 is being done...). Christopher Ecclestone would be fitting for Black, but personally I loathe that actor. Please don't! What about Sean Bean? Ralph Fiennes... british, too, and I think he would be a great Lupin. Richard E. Grant might be fitting for Black. Same goes to Clive Owen...
All in all, if I could choose it would be Ralph Fiennes as Lupin and Clive Owen as Black. -
The Boom isn't far off from what I was thinking,with oddball casting. I was actually thinking David Bowie for Sirius Black. David Bowie, Stephen Rhea and Jason Stathom, would all make great Sirius Blacks. Jason would be a kick ass Sirius, once he got fed and 24 hrs of sleep. Stephen Rhea would be a kind of quiet, menacing yet totally kick ass Sirius Black. He has that haunted, hunted look down. David Bowie of course has that other worldly thing going for him and he is after all the Thin White Duke, plus I smell a song on the soundtrack! If they're going for a more psychotic yet sympathetic Sirius, I'd ask around about Bob Geldorf. That'd be very interesting, though I haven't seen him for awhile. For Rita Skeeter, I like Joan Collins and for Voldemort I like either Max Von Sydow or Sean Connery. Can you imagine an evil to the core Connery? I still like Rufus Sewell for Lupin although I watched A Knights Tale last night and think Paul Bettany would do a good job, although I've always thought of Remus having dark features. I'd also like to see Richard O'Brien as Wormtail, though Alan Cumming would also be good. Brian Blessed or Malcolm McDowell are still in my running for Mad Eye. Particularly Brian Blessed if they could work in the line ...Gordon's Aliiiiveee??? And as long as we're on a Flash kick, how about Tim Dalton for Harry's Father?
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Just to answer the question wayyyyyy at the bottom: nope, Peeves isn't in this one.
And Tolkien (THAT IS HOW YOU SPELL IT. Fans of said person, please note, it's a bit naff not being able to spell the name of someone you admire!) just used the "baddy, goodie & co, scary monsters" formula. For Sauron read The Emperor/Darth Vader/Lord Voldemort/Any James Bond Villain/etc.
How many books and films have been made about spiders? Tons!
The faceless enemy? Darth Vader again, The "nothing" in Neverending Story, the Ku Klux Clan.
Rowling hasn't ripped off anything, she's just written a good story.
Martje -
I have read all the Harry Potter books. Yes, Georges Melies, you read it right: All four of 'em. And I liked them very much. Prisoner of Azkaban and Goblet of Fire are, as many have said, the best of the series so far. Especially, at the end of Goblet of Fire you just can't put it down. I have seen Sorcerer's Stone and liked it. Although the books (unsurprisingly) is better. Hell, I even own the DVD. Yes, Georges Melies, you read it right: I own the DVD of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. But back is business. The thing is: The Fellowship of the Ring is a much better movie than Sorcerer's Stone. And I won't be surprised if The Two Towers is a better movie than Chamber of Secrets. As for the BO: yes, Potter made more money than LOTR. Congratulations. I counteract that with: LOTR was nominated for 13 Oscars (including Picture and Director) winning 4 and Potter only for 3 winning zero. You will no doubt say that the Oscars are meaningless, but so are BO grosses.
NEWSFLASH: L'Ebert gives Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets four stars. What a surprise! It's like we didn't see that one coming, did we? I bet he'll give the next two also four stars. Hell, I'll even bet he'll give all the seven Harry Potter movies seven stars. Two Towers probably only gets three stars and 3 1/2 stars if it's lucky. Has-been. -
Nov 15, 2002 1:43:23 PM CST
Whoops! That should've been "four stars" instead of "seven stars
by spam gamgee
But it's clear that Ebert is betting on the wrong horse(s). The Lord of the Rings movies are destined to become classics. Hell, Fellowship of the Ring is already a classic. The Potter movies will be very lucky if they ever reach that status.
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I recon Rowling did consciously lift some concepts from a couple of other books. Take butterbeer for example (Barliman anyone?). The infamous Neville also shares his family name with the Hobbit's favourite leaf. I think these are little tongue-in-cheek nods to the famous J.R. Hartley- I mean that other guy- and don't do anyone no harm, 'cos after-all it's the overall story, not just the odd concept, that counts.
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Well hello there. Was very interesting to hear your views and I must say that the vast majority were correct. I attend the college where 'Hogwarts' is set in Oxford, and to be perfectly honest, my main gripe is that we rarely have such well lit banquets and even more seldom are they so saccharine sweet as those depicted in the final scene of TCOS. I just think that flying candles of the kind evident in all the feast scenes should be provided. That's all I ask.
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Sirius = Sean Bean, although having seen '28 days Later...' I'd have no objections to Christopher Ecclestone; Lupin = no idea, Paul McGann would probably work well though; Moody = Billy Connelly, the role was bloody written for him probably; Voldemort = David Warner under prosthetics, no-one else can do cold clinical evil so well (play 'Baldur's Gate II' if you don't believe me). Still, if all that fails we could always go all Chaffro and get Hulk Hogan in as Sirius. "I ain't no murderer, brother!" (with special guest apppearence of Triple H as Peter Pettigrew!!!)
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i always envisioned dumbledore as more of the gandalf character from LOTR. that may be juss me, but i always saw as a commanding, "none shall pass!!!" character...
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She seems to do well when it comes to character development but when it comes to creating a decent plot that makes any sense and dovetailing all of the loose ends of sub and parallel plots that's she introduced, she's terrible. I've read all four books with the hope that she will improve because there is some merit in her writing but by the end of the fourth book, I realize this is not happening.
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What the hell, the books wouldn't be the same without Hermione (the most interesting character), and the films wouldn't be shit without Emma. Here's hoping Cuaron will have enough sense to give her a bigger part in Prisoner of Azkaban. Too bad she was replaced with a wax doll in the second half of Chamber of Secrets, but at least Columbus gave her a couple of scenes that really gave Emma a chance to show off her acting chops. The girl's got potential, just give her a bigger and more challenging role and see what happens.
And why bother comparing Emma to that wooden lizard bitch Portman? She hasn't done a decent job of acting since Leon or Beautiful Girls, and in every other movie she's pretty much played herself. It's like you're watching Strar Wars and you think, gee, that's Natalie Portman, acting like...um...Natalie Portman, dressed up like some Queen bitch from another planet. But when you watch Potter, you're seeing Hermione brought alive from the books. Not too shabby for a 12 year-old from Oxford without any prior professional acting experience. Plus she actually seems to enjoy meeting fans and signing autographs at premieres, while Natalie snubs everyone and sneaks in through the back door. Fuck her. -
With Alfonso Cuaron, director of "Y Tu Mama Tambien", as the next director, who knows. That hack Columbus would and could never direct a movie like "Y Tu Mama Tambien". It'll be interesting to see what Cuaron will do with Potter.
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Nov 17, 2002 12:03:39 PM CST
We all know that the Harry Potter novels are a blatant ripoff of
by spam gamgee
The young Hobbit Frodo Baggins lives with his evil aunt and uncle the Sackville-Bagginses. Frodo is an orphan. His parents died when they tried to protect him from the evil Wizard Sauron. You see, a long time ago Frodo's now-deceased uncle Bilbo had found a magical ring. And when he died, it was given to Frodo as an inheritance. It turns out that a long time ago this ring was forged by the evil Wizard Sauron and with it he could conquer the world. But he lost it in a battle between good and evil Wizards. Until Bilbo found it. It turns out Frodo is no ordinary Hobbit. He gets an invitation to go to Hobbitwarts, Middle-earth's School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, which is run by the good Wizard Gandalf. Frodo befriends his fellow Hobbits Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck. But all is not well. Sauron has apparently risen again, though he cannot take physical shape yet. In his first year Frodo and his friends have lots of adventures and learn a lot of things. They also must deal with the renewd threat of Sauron. Will Frodo be able to defeat Sauron once for all. This incredibly popular and influential novel by J.R.R. Tolkien was followed by "Frodo Baggins and the Two Towers" and "Frodo Baggins and the Quest for Mount Doom."
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Jared Harris would be a good addition to these movies... but the only part I can think of him in right now is Ron's oldest brother, the dragon hunter guy. Of course, he is probably too old to be Ron's oldest brother... but he would be a cool addition to the casting somewhere, maybe even as Mad Eye Moody.
I think Professor Trelawny has already been cast, and was sitting in the great hall at the end of "Chamber of Secrets" - the vampiress looking lady at the head table.
I would like to see Michael Palin in the movies somewhere, too, but might be overkill since John Cleese is already there. I imagined Sirius Black as a Hugh Jackman-type, but probably because we've already seen him **Spoiler** as an animal-of-sorts as Wolverine. Plus, he's not British, so that basically rules him out. What about Colin Farrell as Lupin? He's intense enough.
I would love to see Ewan and Jude in these movies somewhere as well.
And who would you like to play the French headmaster lady in Movie 4? Jennifer Saunders would be funny, I think. -
Nov 17, 2002 2:06:01 PM CST
And if that fuckhead Richard Roeper gives The Two Towers thumbs
by spam gamgee
He'll wish he had never accepted that job, by the time we're finished with him. If he thinks last year was the zenith of pissed-off LOTR fans, he ain't seen nothing yet. He's gonna get so much hate-mail, it'll make his computer crash. Basically, the guy is a fucking idiot. Gene Siskel must be spinning in his grave. He must be thinking: "This is the guy who replaced me? Who is this fucking moron? I bet Roger was smoking crack when he made the decision." Harry would've been a much better choice: Two fat guys talking about movies. That's what they shoulde call it: "Two Fat Guys Talkin' About Movies". Anyway, back to that imcompetent piece of shit. He praises the Harry Potter movies, but gives Lord of the Rings a bad review, a movie so obviously superior even the worst critic in the world would notice it. Get rid of this guy. BTW, if you wanna tell him what a complete and utter fucking idiot he is, here's his e-mail address: rroeper@suntimes.com.
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Hmm...where to start? Well, I think I'd like to begin by saying I love both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. I read The Philosopher's Stone before any other person I know on the Planet (only a couple of months after it was very 1st printed) - I never even dreamed of a film being made let alone all this incredable hype :-) I for one am thoroughly enjoying it. Yes, tPS could have been adapted beter and had better CGI, but it was the first book - it was always going to be precious (not in a Golom way you understand) tCoS tho was fantastic, a nice way for Colombus to bow out from the Director's chair - so bring on tPoA I say! This other dude sounds cool :-) Now LotR - by contrast - I haven't read, and am not going to until I finish the films. The simple reason is I adore what Peter Jakson is doing, and I want to finish with his wonderful vision first, the read the series to make up my own mind. I don't want to mingle the two together; perhaps thats how some people feel about Harry? I will defend both series till my last breath, and all this pissing about who's best and who ripped off who is rather sad - just enjoy it for Heaven's Sake!
Future casting? Ohh...lots of ideas there! Ewen McGreggor for Lupin all the way! Robert Carlise for Sirius (maybe - not too sure), Sean Connery for Moody - how wicked would that be?! I heard Jack Ryder (a cutie from V sucsesful Brit soap called "Eastenders" - doubt you'll have heard of it in the US) might be playing Cederic Diggory - which I think would be pretty cool. I would like to add something about this bussines of Lupin and Black all being 'old' - from what Petunia says in PS, it's implied (and I've always asumed) Lily and James had Harry very soon after leaving school - that would only make Lupin, Black and even Snape only about 35 - surely McGreggor could put that off?
So, lastly, I think the cast so far in Harry Potter is wicked. I think all the acting has improved since the last film, especially for the three leads, and I cant wait to see more. Rupert as Ron is my personal casting favourite, but both the Malfoys are delicious - in fact I cant think of anyone who hasn't worked.
OKay, that's it! I'd like to say that 'elenor' put across a particularly inteligent argument for which I congratulate her. Chat soon!
Helen xxx
PS. All things considered, I love what I love, and if someone else wants to classify me as a geek to make themselves feel better, then y'know what? I really dont care :-)
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