I saw the latest Harry Potter movie, Order of the Phoenix, a few days ago with Whalesalad. It wasn’t that great.
Of course, I wasn’t expecting too much (the other ones had never really impressed me) but the trailers and everything seemed really good so I was a bit disappointed. The CG and special effects were quite spectacular, but I feel the acting, scenes, etc. just lacked a lot compared to the book and how I envisioned it all in my head. There were really good dialogues and scenes from the book that were just totally butchered or boring, in my opinion.
I also found a few problems in the movie: when they see the thestrals, Neville wasn’t supposed to be there. In the book he’s not, and he, like Luna and Harry, would be able to see the thestrals. But he didn’t, or at least he didn’t say he did when Harry asked them and they said nothing was there. But another big thing I’ve been wondering about is why Harry hasn’t been able to see them from the beginning? He did, after all, see his parents die. Just like Diggory— same curse, same person. He even has dreams about it and remembers it when the dementors come close. So what’s up with that? Is that just a mistake?
Anyways, all-in-all I give the movie a C+. It’s one of those where you walk out of the theater feeling a little happy, but that might just be because you’re glad its over. It’s not necessarily boring, and fans of the book will of course like it just because, but it’s not a great movie in itself. Maybe wait till it comes out on DVD..
The book was still fresh in my mind, as I had read it less than a week ago. (And books are always, as a rule, better than their movies—the only exceptions would be the Bourne series, where they’re both good, and possibly Lord of the Rings)
In the last week or two, I’ve been rereading all six books for one last time, in preparation for Deathly Hallows, the last and seventh book, which comes out on the 21st.
Here are a few of my theories, or things I believe will happen:
(For those of you who don’t read or like Harry Potter or aren’t familar with book 6, there’s no point reading this as it’ll probably make little or no sense.)
Snape is good — Dumbledore saying please was “please do what I told you to, or what we had planned earlier.”
Peter Pettigrew will play an important part, (he still owes his life) and will possibly play a hero role when Harry or someone good gets in a tight spot. Maybe sacrificing his life.
Fawkes is still important. I think he’ll either kill Nagini or they’ll both die. We’ve seen him take out a basilisk. Also, Voldemort probably doesn’t know (though Ollivander may have spilled the beans) that his wand feather comes from Fawkes. We’ve seen significance of this in the past (the duel with the finite incantatem) and I imagine some similar phenomenon will happen again. I also think that since Harry is “Dumbledore’s man” and loyal and all, Fawkes will come to him just as he did in #2 in the chamber.
The 6 books only cover a fraction of the wizarding world and characters out there, yet we’re already 6/7 in and I’m expecting a lot of new information but not that many new characters. That means RAB would probably be someone mentioned in passing (this is something I see a lot, people or ideas are mentioned many books in advance as trivial things; only to later show up as huge plot elements—I really like this about the series and to me demonstrates quality writing and planning) leaving the most probably choice (as greatly speculated online) as Regulus A? Black. So the Slytherin locket horcrux is probably with Kreacher.
Another great theory I read somewhere involves the night Voldemort died, Godric’s Hollow (where that went down) and him planning to make a horcrux that night. If he did, that would mean he had it with him (maybe Hufflepuff’s cup) and since he died I’d guess that he dropped it or something. The house is of course destroyed (I’m not sure if it’s caved in flat to the ground or just in heavy ruins) so this might be interesting. The other big idea around this is that Harry became a horcrux. Dumbledore said a part of Voldemort (not intentionally) had gone to Harry. Could that be a part of his soul? We can see this in how he is a parselmouth, etc. It is possible for horcruxes to be living, though not usually advised (ie. Nagini) since of course they are mortal.
Now an interesting part is the current Voldemort. Does he have a fraction of his old soul? I think he’s got a problem or a weakness that he’s not aware of.. sort of like a backdoor. Since he consists of basically Nagini (part of his soul?), Harry (another part?), and Wormtail (who owes his life to Harry, but I don’t think Voldemort knew—he’ll probably be pissed when he finds out). I don’t know what this means, but there will probably be some ancient magic rule thing, similar to whats happened in the past (his mom, the duel with the wands), that will help Harry out.
Since Voldy lost the 1/7 of his soul that was inside of him, on the night Harry lived (I’d imagine), and 1/7 in the diary, 1/7 by Dumbledore and the ring… that leaves 4/7, or 3/7 depending how far RAB got. Now that’s a lot to do in one book, considering that only 3 have been done in six.
I’m a bit uneasy about how JK is going to wrap up so many things all in one book, that is said to be even shorter than Phoenix. From the point where we are right now, it seems like we’d have at least a couple books to go. Well, at least there shouldn’t be any loose ends or cliffhangers this time.
I, for one, am anxiously awaiting (among other things, also to be revealed in another post very soon) next week. I did the thing with Amazon where the book should be delivered on the day it’s released. I figure it’s more convenient than having to go to the bookstore and pick it up at midnight. Then I can read it normally rather than staying up till sunrise, as with all the other ones.
Comments
This place isn't ALL about me — just mostly.
Bikram
1 year, 1 month ago
Well, I had picked my 1st Potter book only to see what were all the fuss about. And ever since, have always finished all Potter books at a stretch in about 3 - 4 days. Am eagerly waiting for the final book to arrive.
About your theories, I totally agree with you on Snape’s loyalty. Despite his Grey shades, he’s always been loyal to Dumbledore and also helped out Harry at some points.
Earlier I didn’t believe that JKR will kill Harry in the final book. But in a recent interview, She has stated that a lot of people will loathe the final book. That made me rethink. Can she possibly kill him …?? That’s Gross.
Bikram
1 year, 1 month ago
Hi there,
Finally an authentic spoiler of HP7 is doing the rounds on net. Read about it here.
Don’t worry, I haven’t posted the spoiler link there. Currently am gathering reader opinion whether they’d link to read the spoiler. Have a look at it.
Those were all the comments. But don't be shy — Add your own!