Cuaron, Columbus, who to blame and a little foreshadowing

[Theresa]

Hope you all do not mind me combining a few comments here. Just I was 
gone from the computer Friday thru Sunday and it took me until today 
to catch up to the topics. Whew what a task but it was enjoyable. 
First of all, I did enjoy the movie. Saw it on the 23rd (sneak 
preview) and on opening day (the 4th). I think it gets better with 
multiple viewings. But, I am happy to read conflicting reviews 
because though I liked it, I disliked certain things and like another 
member stated - when something is your favorite you nicpic more and I 
loved POA the book best out of JK's works thus far. So 2 minutes 
after I left the first time I did sound like those of you who did not 
like it but I had taken 3 boys (8, 9 and 12) and they liked it. The 
12 year old and I have discussed it since and his first point to me 
was well Kloves and JK write to each other and he asks her before he 
cuts anything out of the script. To which I said - where did you hear 
that and he promptly pulled out disk 2 of COS and played the 
interview of JK and Kloves. And he was right, she says that they 
email each other and he said he asks her if something should be left 
in for further referrence. They also said "They" were about 1/2 way 
along writing POA and she said it was coming along nicely. So I think 
she still has her fingers in the pie so to speak. With that said, 
maybe it was not as butchered as we think. Still, I am deeply wounded 
that the marauder's map and the animagi pieces and the 12 muggles 
killed were never mentioned. I thought they really added to the book. 

Now as for Cuaron vs. Columbus... I have enjoyed all three movies. I 
believe that Columbus was good for the first book to film as that was 
a fondation book and it really was a family oriented storyline which 
Columbus is excellent for bringing to screen. I think for COS - in 
some areas he cut things that should not have been - I wanted the 
Borgins-Malfoy interaction - showed how slimy Draco's dad is. In fact 
if you play all of the 'deleted' scenes - they would not have even 
add 15 minutes to the film so why leave them out. I especially liked 
the Justin saying he is muggleborn and the library scene extended. 
Now since POA is in fact beginning to not really be a kiddie book - I 
mean really how is a 6 year old going to fully understand the 
psychology behind the dementors? My 9 year old just reread POA for 
school this year and he said to me that he never realized they caused 
you to have "Daymares" (his word = Non sleeping nightmares). I also 
wanted to see more than close ups so I was thankful for Cuaron's wide 
angles. One thing I loved about POA is something I enjoyed in the 
Little Princess, his imagery and subtext. It is fantastic and I liked 
how you would see something and later on go "oh that was why that was 
there earlier." So in my opinion both directors were great and I am 
glad Columbus did #1 and Cuaron #3, not sure how Mike Newell will be 
as one of the things great about Columbus and Cuaron is their 
childlike qualities, which come out in the films. I do not think 
Newell has done any children's movies so I am a bit nervous.

Now as for a bit of foreshadowing...someone has mentioned that Cuaron 
said their was a tip of the hat to Y Tu Mama Tambien and people are 
guessing in is the 3 way hug for the trio. What if that is what he 
was doing there and JK knew he was tipping the hat there and it was 
also foreshadowing something. If that is true, I am worried for the 
trio. For those of you who have not see YTMT, the boys are best 
friends from childhood, they meet an older woman and go for a car 
trip. As it progresses they get to know her and both fall in love 
with her - however, she did not seem to really want either of them 
(you realize why later-don't want to spoil it) but in the meantime 
the boys become rivals for her love and it drives a wedge into their 
friendship. I hope I am wrong because I would be so sad would that 
happen to them. But it was a thought I had while trying to catch up 
to all the post.

As for Ron being a seer - I could see that. He is the typical person 
to possess a talent, not realize it nor utilize it.

The prediction of Lupin loving Lily...I just cannot imagine. But 
maybe he did. I tend to think she was more a sister to him because 
even if he did love her, I don't think he is the type to tell Harry, 
he used to secretly love his mom. It would serve no purpose to tell 
him and might even hurt his feelings, so I don't see JK putting that 
in her books. I tend to see her as a confidant and advice giver for 
him from his comments to Harry. Maybe Lupin tried to kill himself and 
she stopped him. It's a thought anyway.

Anyhoo, sorry this is long and may be choppy...just got back today 
from a one day business trip from Phoenix to Los Angeles (left at 6 
am and returned at 7 pm) and I am tired (well my eyes are at least.)

Continue to poist - both positive and negative reviews - I think they 
are great and no one with get tomatoes thrown by me. The banter is 
why I joined these groups in the first place. Where else can you 
maturely discuss something, have oppossing opinions and no one 
chastizes anyone's point of view. I cannot say the same for my 
hubby's discussion groups - they call each other names (like that was 
really stupid, brainless moron etc). I love that we are grown ups who 
love HP and can debate peacefully. So banter on my friends.

PS: that link to POA in 15 min was hillarious, Thanks for sharing. I 
especially liked the referrence to Dory in Finding Nemo - "Seamonkeys 
stole my money". Thanks for sharing that.

Theresa