MOVIE: Thoughts on HP ep II-IV + Trailer comments (LONG)

[mediaphen at hotmail.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 21783

Hi everybody!

I hope this is on-topic, but most discussions about the movie and/or 
the trailer seem to be, so here´s my thoughts regarding the upcoming 
movies (if they actually become reality).

In the year 1997, four years prior to its release, my friends and I 
tried to cast the upcoming LOTR movies, which was good fun, but we 
didn't hit the mark at all. With HP, however, most of my grown-up 
friends haven't read the books (I am working on that, though), which 
makes it pretty hard to discuss casting of the movies, so I thought 
I'd do it here. I know you lot are up for some inspiring discussion!

These are merely my hopes and dreams and shall NOT be considered as 
rumoured and/or confirmed cast.

No matter if Chris Columbus makes a good PS/SS or not, I think it's 
best to switch directors for every movie (it worked well on SW IV-VI 
and Alien 1-4). The books, IMHO, all have different moods and the 
directors should be chosen regarding that. You will also notice that 
I see the books becoming more and more adult, and have proposed 
directors with that in mind. Also note that I firmly assume that all 
american actors are good enough to do the correct British accent.

Chamber of Secrets	
	
Director	   Ron Howard (Willow, Apollo 13)
	
Gilderoy Lockhart  Hugh Laurie(Blackadder series) (IMO perfect as the 
thick, self-obsessed pseudo DADA expert comic relief. Just watch 
Blackadder III and you'll be convinced)
Tom Riddle	   Josha Jackson (Dawson's creek)
Dobby	           Rowan Atkinson (Blackadder, Mr Bean) (no CGI 
required! Well, ok then, some...)
Arthur Weasley	   Ron Howard (I know there are about a gazillion 
fine red-haired British actors, but I can't think of any right now. 
Plus I think it's funny with the director in a small part)
Luscius Malfoy	   Julian Sands (Naked Lunch)
Cornelius Fudge	   Terence Stamp (The Limey, SW Ep I)/Kenneth Branagh 
(Hamlet, Much ado about nothing)

Prisoner of Azkaban	
	
Director	Tim Burton (Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow) (if 
_he_ doesn't create the creepiness of the dementors, no one will)
	
Sirius Black	Rufus Sewell (Cold Comfort Farm)
Remus Lupin	Hugh Jackman (X-Men)/Ewan MacGregor (Trainspotting, 
SW Ep I-III) (though Mr Jackman might not want to end up as the 
human/scary-hairy-predator actor for the rest of his life)
Wormtail	Steve Buscemi (Fargo, Reservoir Dogs) 
	
Goblet of Fire	
	
Director	Guy Ritchie (Lock Stock..., Snatch)
	
Ludo Bagman	Terry Jones (Monty Python)/Steven Fry (Wilde, 
Blackadder) (I'd prefer Fry, but my aim is to cast all remaining 
Pythons in this series)
Barty Crouch    Michael Palin (MP) (as I was saying...)
Bill Weasley	Eric Stoltz (Mask, Pulp Fiction) (the only cool red-
haired actor 25-35 yrs I know of, and a great actor, too)
Mad-Eye Moody	Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the lambs) (Need I 
comment on this one?)
Mme Maxime	Judi Dench (Shakespeare in love, The world is not 
enough) (With a little computer help she'll get the right size)
Karkaroff	Stellan Skarsgard (Aberdeen, Breaking the Waves) (I 
just needed a Swede in the cast)
Rita Skeeter	Jennifer Saunders/Joanna Lumley (Absolutely fabulous) 
(Either of these will make a perfect sneeking reporter)
Fleur Delacoeur	Julie Delpy (Troi Couleurs:Blanc)/Vanessa Paradis 
(Elisa) (Both are beautiful french actresses, and Paradis might even 
look 17 if she wants)
Lily Potter	Miranda Richardson (Blackadder, Sleepy Hollow)

That would be my rambling thoughts on the upcoming films. Does it 
show that I simply adore British comedy (esp Monty Python and 
Blackadder)?

As for the trailer, I'm yet to get it at home (curse my 33.6 modem 
(bangs modem in oven door)), but I have watched it quite a few times 
at work, so here's what I think:

Music:
Williams music is better the more imaginative the movie is. His score 
to Star Wars and Indiana Jones are nothing short of brilliant, 
whereas his bombastic let's-use-every-instrument-in-the-known-
universe-symphonies in the likes of Amistad is quite pathetic, IMO. 
The little we hear from the trailer places him this time in the 
former category. I simply love it! I find myself whistling it at work 
(catches several perplexed glimpses from my co-workers). I was a bit 
scared and surprised when I heard Williams was set as the composer, 
since I constantly heard the works of Danny Elfman while reading the 
books. Oh well, I guess he'll do the music for PoA...

Great Hall:
Loved the fact that the candles are actually floating in mid-air.

Snape:
I really don't want to say after having seen some 5 seconds, but 
isn't this the role Alan Rickman was born to do? Careth not about his 
not-too-yellowy-skin, Mr Rickman IS Snape. Period. IMNSHO.

Train:
Exterior, me like. Interior, me hate. What's with the "By train into 
the 21:st century"-look? Steam trains should have wooden benches, or 
at most comfy some worn-out, patched leather seats, not this 
bussiness-class-complete-with-a-masseuse-lean-back-and-enjoy-the-
movie-deckchairs.

Snitch:
Loved the wings and such, but let me ask: How big are walnuts in 
Britain? In Sweden they are a bit smaller than shown in the trailer. 
(Does this qualify as nitpicking, whining nag?)

Hermione:
As Rickman was put to Earth to portray Snape, was Emma Watson 
intended to be Hermione. Just watch her in the teaser, the look she 
gives Ron after successfully levitating that feather. With her in the 
cast, this movie cannot fail. IMO.


Okej, so you managed to read this far? I'm impressed! Ten points to 
your house! Add an additional point to each of the abovementioned 
actors/actresses/directors/composers you agree with. Deduct points if 
you disagree <g>.

Lilith Margana wrote:
Oh, they can make believable ghosts. At least Swedes can when making 
films where the costs are MUCH lower, and since this film is SO 
expensive I'm sure we'll get to see special effects that makes us 
drowl, no matter of the film's quality otherwise. 
  
And I say:
We can? Wow! I have completely missed that. Are you Swedish? If so, 
hej på dig, och välkommen (även om du förmodligen var här en bra 
stund innan jag)!


Now, I bid you A dieu!

Martin (Cedar, 33 cm (13"), dragon heartstring)