My second viewing and some things I realized

[shannon.koch at pharma.novartis.com]

Dear all,

This is my second post to the group, my first being right after I saw the
film the first time when it opened at midnight in the US and I have to say,
because I am such a fan of the book, my initial take on the film was utter
disappointment because it did not follow it the way I had always envisioned
as it was for a lot of people.  However, after reading so many posts and
taking into consideration the truth that, yes, books and movies are
different vehicles and since I saw the PS/SS without ever having read a
book and loved it so much it got me into reading the series I decided it
was only fair to give it a second viewing with the thought of only seeing
it as a movie which I did yesterday afternoon during an extended lunch
break from work.

My back story being told, I have to say going in with no expectations other
than enjoying the visual world of HP I did enjoy the movie that much more
this time and I was able to look for things I had not paid attention to the
first time that have come up on the list.

Dumbledore's nails had never registered with me the first time, but now see
them and it is a bit disturbing, however given his age and remembering how
my grandmother's nails used to look at 75 (not quite as bad, but similar) I
can forgive that, though I still am disappointed that they changed the
character so much.  I know a new actor plays him differently, but IMHO
Gambon's DD is nothing like the written character would ever be.  He does
not seem as wise as I know DD is and while I know no one will ever be
Richard Harris, the character should not be so totally different in dress
and personality as to confuse people from one film to another.

There was a lot of speculation in earlier posts on whether Trelawney was an
animagus because of the cat on the chair and her subsequent hairball cough
after delivering the prediction to Harry.  Well I stared so hard at that
scene because I never had a feeling this was true and in the very end you
can still see the back end of the cat peeking out behind her as Harry is
turning to leave so I am happy to report that she is human, not that I ever
had a doubt.  I was not sure if I saw anyone else post this yet and sorry
if you have.

The ticking during H/H time turner scene.  I think I noticed it the first
time and never made a mental note and then saw so many posts from people
who had seen it 2 -3 times and did not hear it that I started to wonder
myself, though I was totally delighted to see this time that I definitely
did hear it.  there are times when it fades out almost totally but it
always comes back.

There were other things I though could have been added as do most people,
like a better explanation of the map but those are small issues that I can
live with I guess cause I have that knowledge.

So I guess the reason I am writing is to just amend my earlier panning of
the film and to ask some of those who, like me, were disappointed  to try
to see it as I did, as just a film and see the story that Cuaron/Kloves
tell as it's own and save the movie we have in our heads for when we red
the book again.

Shannon