...that "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" ROCKS!!!!
Saw it this morning.....drool...full of the Potter love.
***WARNING. This was only supposed to be a short post, but I got carried away. This may contain plot spoilers for those 2 people who haven't read the books and know what happens anyway. I warned you!***
Definitely the darkest so far, and fully deserving of its M rating I think. Very visual horror - the appearance of Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort returning to his body in particular. Just last week I was drooling over Ralph in "The Constant Gardener"; today he terrified me with his slit-nostriled, snake-eyed, softly spoken personification of evil. EVIL!!!
It was well adapted from the novel - but obviously most of the subplots were cut out. This had ramifications for most characters. We saw very little of Snape and McGonagall (they still left their mark though!), Gary Oldman was just a head in the fire briefly (undermining the close relationship he and Harry need to have established by the shocking end of Book 5), even Hermione was a bit useless, as they cut out a lot of the vital role she plays as Harry's dependable and fiercely loyal researcher/teacher. I guess they figure we know that by now.
Ron was hilarious as he spent most of the film moping - about school, about girls, about Harry, about basically anything. Rupert Grint is just superbly watchable. Fred and George (now with flowing locks) mischievous as usual, Ginny given slightly more of a presence, a wonderful idea to involve Neville in Harry's second task, a cute cameo by Moaning Myrtle and a sufficient use of Malfoy and his goons.
The Hagrid/Madame Maxime romance was nicely realised, but only alluded to Hagrid's giant ancestry. Cho Chang's appearances were sweet, if brief - especially with her fantastic Glaswegian accent. As for the Tri-Wizard champions themselves...well they actually had very little to do, as most of the action focused on Harry. Fleur was pretty but also pretty useless. Krum was suitably scowly, but didn't give me any reason to believe why Hermione would get so flushed around him. The best was undoubtably Cedric, who was believable and made you like him, which only made the end so much worse.
Brendan Gleeson was wonderful as Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody. I look forward to seeing more of him - even though it will no doubt be in a reduced capacity (if at all, knowing the brutal nature of the adaptations). And Michael Gambon proves again why Dumbledore rocks. He is full of strength and vitality, yet gets across those moments of weakness in which you realise the man who is truly wise is the one who knows he knows nothing. If that makes sense. You can tell both Gleeson and Gambon's Irish accents at certain points too!
A special mention to one of my very favourite actors - Miranda Richardson, who played nosy reporter (mmm, why does that appeal) Rita Skeeter. A fabulous characterisation - but sadly under-used. And the wonderfully ironic subplot of her being an unregistered animagus who literally "bugged" people's conversations was one of the few I wished they'd kept in.
There were some great set pieces - Harry's fight with the Hungarian Horntail (even if it was a bit over-dramatic - I don't remember the Dragon breaking free of its chain and chasing Harry around the Hogwarts castle turrets in the book!). The Yule Ball and the "asking-girls-out-and-having-to-dance-with-them" comedy that brought was a joy. Some decent music too, thanks to Jarvis Cocker and various other Britpop people playing the "Weird Sisters". The climactic graveyard scene was dark, and scary, and violent, and yet beautiful. The Quidditch World Cup at the beginning was very atmospheric - and it was a shame they couldn't at least show some highlights of the Ireland/Bulgaria match. The appearance of the Death Eaters and the burning of the camp was truly terrifying. And of course it incorporated an appearance by Bartemius Crouch, Junior, played by my new favourite - David Tennant.
I think Greg will be OK with this when I say - I want to marry David Tennant. ;) He is just a revelation as Barty Crouch Jnr. I've not seen him in a lot of things - like many others I've probably just become keen since he was cast as the Tenth Doctor. But for someone who has a great line in witty and charming, he makes a fabulous villain. Actually, that's probably why! He's only in a handful of scenes in this, but he completely captures your attention. And as for that tongue-flick.....
So David Tennant joins the relatively short list of "Men Natalie Must Try to Do It With at Some Point". The only other entrant this year was Richard Armitage, who played Mr Thornton in "North and South". Hmm. There's obviously something about Tall British Men with Dark Hair. ;)
And that was "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire". Wow! Now I have just three sweet days in which to lord it over people that I've seen it ahead of its release!
Cheers all, Natalie.
Nov 28, 2005
Nov 16, 2005
Tragedy....
...is when you get invited to a super special advance screening of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and you can't go because you have to work.
D'oh!
Still, trying to come to some sort of arrangement with the good people at Roadshow.
Otherwise I'll have to line up with all the other plebs. Ugh.
JUST KIDDING! I would smile and tell John Howard I agreed with his policies to get in to see GoF. I'm just that much of a Harry Potter tragic. Or a sell-out. Whichever, who cares, just get me in to see the movie. ;)
Actually Greg - who's never read any of the Potter books despite my continued nagging to do so - has an uncanny ability to make reasonably clever predictions about future plot points and character developments. He would probably tell you it's because J.K. Rowling is totally derivative (he's got a point), and that if you read "Dark is Rising" 20 years ago you'd know it all already. But I just think he's being a clever-clogs. ;)
Meanwhile the house-hunting continues. It's a very frustrating process - because I'm trying to find something I will like, but something that my loved ones will also approve of and be happy to come visit. I have a sort of paranoia that people won't come visit me if the place is a) not centrally located and b) a shithole.
I just want to do the right thing. I guess that's the general motivation of my entire life at the moment.
I've also realised that I'm a 60-year-old boring woman in the body of a 25-year-old. How did I get this way? Probably listening to the incessant ramblings of 4BC listeners doesn't help. Since when did I become the enemy of fun? My gran sent me a postcard today from France, where she went to see the Bayeux tapestry. How is it that my octagenarian grandmother has more spirit than me? (and forget spirit, she's onto the champagne!)
So yes, I feel I'm now Little Miss Square - she doesn't like anyone to enjoy themselves. Well screw that. I'm going to try to have more fun.
But first of all, people need to accept that watching DVDs of Blackadder, Yes Minister, Kath and Kim and other comedies is TOTALLY fun. Dammit I'm going to stand up for that one.
But as to other things - well I'm going to try to loosen up a bit more. I wish I could launch headfirst into drinking, but let's face it, I'm too scaredy cat to do that. I'm going to move out one way or another soon enough and I'm going to have parties and board game nights and video nights and stuff.
But first of all, I'm going to go to a jelly-wrestling party in a few weeks - and dammit, I'm going to wrestle!
Now I just need to start training and find a costume...
Cheers, Natalie.
D'oh!
Still, trying to come to some sort of arrangement with the good people at Roadshow.
Otherwise I'll have to line up with all the other plebs. Ugh.
JUST KIDDING! I would smile and tell John Howard I agreed with his policies to get in to see GoF. I'm just that much of a Harry Potter tragic. Or a sell-out. Whichever, who cares, just get me in to see the movie. ;)
Actually Greg - who's never read any of the Potter books despite my continued nagging to do so - has an uncanny ability to make reasonably clever predictions about future plot points and character developments. He would probably tell you it's because J.K. Rowling is totally derivative (he's got a point), and that if you read "Dark is Rising" 20 years ago you'd know it all already. But I just think he's being a clever-clogs. ;)
Meanwhile the house-hunting continues. It's a very frustrating process - because I'm trying to find something I will like, but something that my loved ones will also approve of and be happy to come visit. I have a sort of paranoia that people won't come visit me if the place is a) not centrally located and b) a shithole.
I just want to do the right thing. I guess that's the general motivation of my entire life at the moment.
I've also realised that I'm a 60-year-old boring woman in the body of a 25-year-old. How did I get this way? Probably listening to the incessant ramblings of 4BC listeners doesn't help. Since when did I become the enemy of fun? My gran sent me a postcard today from France, where she went to see the Bayeux tapestry. How is it that my octagenarian grandmother has more spirit than me? (and forget spirit, she's onto the champagne!)
So yes, I feel I'm now Little Miss Square - she doesn't like anyone to enjoy themselves. Well screw that. I'm going to try to have more fun.
But first of all, people need to accept that watching DVDs of Blackadder, Yes Minister, Kath and Kim and other comedies is TOTALLY fun. Dammit I'm going to stand up for that one.
But as to other things - well I'm going to try to loosen up a bit more. I wish I could launch headfirst into drinking, but let's face it, I'm too scaredy cat to do that. I'm going to move out one way or another soon enough and I'm going to have parties and board game nights and video nights and stuff.
But first of all, I'm going to go to a jelly-wrestling party in a few weeks - and dammit, I'm going to wrestle!
Now I just need to start training and find a costume...
Cheers, Natalie.
Nov 1, 2005
Shaken, not stirred.
So this is cool, right?
I love James Bond. Plus I think Daniel Craig will be very good as the new 007. Rock on. Can't wait for "Casino Royale" next year.
Thank you to anybody who's reading this blog - somebody posted after my last entry and I have no idea who they are...but thank you anyway.
I saw Wolf Creek last night - blimey but it was terrifying. It's certainly put me off a touring trip around the Great Outback. You forget just how HUGE and EMPTY it all is out there. It's certainly very possible that you could dump a body and it would never be found. John Jarratt as the serial killer is horrific. Very good acting - and his carpentry skills from "Better Homes and Gardens" certainly came in handy - if in a particularly gruesome way!
I'm also feeling sick. A bad sore throat - which is normally an indication of impending sickness. I'm just lucky it's hitting now - once the show's over.
Oh yes, the show is over. I hope the end of it will give me some time to relax, re-couperate, and spend some time with myself. I had a wonderful time playing Lord Hong, and I'm so glad it went well, got good audiences and people liked it.
Cheers, Natalie
You scored as James Bond, Agent 007. James Bond is MI6's best agent, a suave, sophisticated super spy with charm, cunning, and a license's to kill. He doesn't care about rules or regulations and somewhat amoral. He does care about saving humanity though, as well as the beautiful women who fill his world. Bond has expensive tastes, a wide knowledge of many subjects, and his usually armed with a clever gadget and an appropriate one-liner.
Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com |
I love James Bond. Plus I think Daniel Craig will be very good as the new 007. Rock on. Can't wait for "Casino Royale" next year.
Thank you to anybody who's reading this blog - somebody posted after my last entry and I have no idea who they are...but thank you anyway.
I saw Wolf Creek last night - blimey but it was terrifying. It's certainly put me off a touring trip around the Great Outback. You forget just how HUGE and EMPTY it all is out there. It's certainly very possible that you could dump a body and it would never be found. John Jarratt as the serial killer is horrific. Very good acting - and his carpentry skills from "Better Homes and Gardens" certainly came in handy - if in a particularly gruesome way!
I'm also feeling sick. A bad sore throat - which is normally an indication of impending sickness. I'm just lucky it's hitting now - once the show's over.
Oh yes, the show is over. I hope the end of it will give me some time to relax, re-couperate, and spend some time with myself. I had a wonderful time playing Lord Hong, and I'm so glad it went well, got good audiences and people liked it.
Cheers, Natalie
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