it's a magical weekend
So on Saturday it was a grand episode of Merlin!
I really enjoyed that! I really want to see any and all cut scenes!
Why don't any other knights of Camelot enter such tournaments? (It was suggested that they've been banned from doing so in order that Camelot will retain its fighting force, which is eminently logical and probably never hit the minds of any of the writers. LOL)
And was Arthur's first fight a bit of a nod to Indiana Jones, or is it just me? (The guy swinging two swords like crazy, and the moment he's in range Arthur just decks him.)
And the guards actually noticed somebody using magic! Good gracious, somebody's been educating the defenders of Camelot!
The moment when Merlin reveals himself to Gilli with the fire in his palm - I choked up a bit. So beautiful! And the scene was lovely too. All of their conversations were great, I really liked that somebody asked Merlin these pointed questions, and that he actually seemed to think about the answers.
I also loved that Gilli was tormented by the thought of killing another man, and that he didn't want to keep going, but the adulation of the crowd egged him on. It felt real, he felt real, in a way that lots of Merlin guests don't.
Best conversation with the dragon since the first one. Merlin actually seemed to treat him like a peer, rather than a tool, for a moment. Perhaps reconciliation is possible.
I love that Gilli lived! Yay! And he seems to be genuinely forgiving of Merlin, shaking hands in kinship and all! I was worried that in his anger he would in turn betray Merlin.
But hurrah, another magic user in the world that Merlin might be able to call upon later.
And Arthur was really amazing in the whole thing, especially with Uther. His face when he's brooding in his room! So cute! And then he actually has a conversation with Merlin, asks for advice and takes it when he receives it. I love that Uther acknowledged what Arthur did, and the little gesture Tony made to his side when he talked about watching Arthur learn the sword since he was a boy! So adorable, and wonderfully humanizing. The look on Morgana's face - priceless.
All in all, except for the conspicuous total absence of Gwen, it was a great episode! (Wonder if she's in any cut scenes?)
Then I went out today with my parents to catch the matinee of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, which we all enjoyed.
I was surprised, after all the mediocre reviews it got, but I really enjoyed the whole thing. I thought it moved well, had a great visual style, and managed to get all the important bits in.
I was very happy to see all the great characters at the Burrow, and the Seven Potters scene was very well done. I do wish we'd gotten a wee touch of the dialogue between Dudley and Harry in the very beginning.
I cheered to myself every time Luna was on screen.
I didn't mind the Ginny/Harry stuff at all, thought it was well done, and since we didn't see Harry do any pining, it didn't feel so tortured. George in the kitchen during that kiss was adorable.
The Malfoy Manor scene set the tone of real darkness, too, which prompted my mom to lean over and say, "Are you sure this is a kids' movie?" It was REALLY HORRIFYING. Charity Burbage's death when rendered in words was bad enough, but as a visual it really underscored the way that this conflict has become a real war, a horror that Wizarding Society, and even Muggle Society, cannot escape. Not to mention it was horrible and traumatizing and NO WONDER Draco was so upset. He probably has nightmares, the poor kid.
The Ministry bit was really great - I want some of that anti-Muggle propaganda! The production designer must have had fun with those.
The camping I did not find horrible, there was just enough moving around and skimming over the stuff from the book that it served its purpose.
Godric's Hollow was awesome. I wish they'd kept the sign at the house in addition to all the rest of the moments, but I can understand why they didn't, in terms of the dramatic arc for the film.
The Harry-Voldemort connection was also handled well, I thought, although I had trouble understanding all the dialogue at times.
Bellatrix's torture of Hermione was even worse than if she had used the Cruciatus Curse, I thought. Making it personal and intimate like that, plus the actual injury.
The Shell Cottage bits were lovely, although presumably we'll find out for certain why Ron said "Trust me," when directing Dobby. Oh, Dobby! That was a good death scene! And more Luna, being comforting! So so great to see her.
The movie ended in the perfect place. Very well done, beautifully shot. I am ready to be excited for the next one now!
Things I missed that probably weren't actually necessary but might become relevant in the next film:
- the conversation about Invisibility Cloaks with Xenophilius Lovegood, during which we get a clue about Harry's cloak being a Hallow.
- Ron telling the other two that Voldemort's name is cursed and that's why they've been followed so often. But since they passed over that bit, it may not become relevant at all.
And Peter met us for a late lunch after the movie, which was lovely. I am happy when the four of us can sit around and just be together. And often silly. :)
This entry was originally posted at http://zephre.dreamwidth.org/464841.html.
comments posted to original post.
I really enjoyed that! I really want to see any and all cut scenes!
Why don't any other knights of Camelot enter such tournaments? (It was suggested that they've been banned from doing so in order that Camelot will retain its fighting force, which is eminently logical and probably never hit the minds of any of the writers. LOL)
And was Arthur's first fight a bit of a nod to Indiana Jones, or is it just me? (The guy swinging two swords like crazy, and the moment he's in range Arthur just decks him.)
And the guards actually noticed somebody using magic! Good gracious, somebody's been educating the defenders of Camelot!
The moment when Merlin reveals himself to Gilli with the fire in his palm - I choked up a bit. So beautiful! And the scene was lovely too. All of their conversations were great, I really liked that somebody asked Merlin these pointed questions, and that he actually seemed to think about the answers.
I also loved that Gilli was tormented by the thought of killing another man, and that he didn't want to keep going, but the adulation of the crowd egged him on. It felt real, he felt real, in a way that lots of Merlin guests don't.
Best conversation with the dragon since the first one. Merlin actually seemed to treat him like a peer, rather than a tool, for a moment. Perhaps reconciliation is possible.
I love that Gilli lived! Yay! And he seems to be genuinely forgiving of Merlin, shaking hands in kinship and all! I was worried that in his anger he would in turn betray Merlin.
But hurrah, another magic user in the world that Merlin might be able to call upon later.
And Arthur was really amazing in the whole thing, especially with Uther. His face when he's brooding in his room! So cute! And then he actually has a conversation with Merlin, asks for advice and takes it when he receives it. I love that Uther acknowledged what Arthur did, and the little gesture Tony made to his side when he talked about watching Arthur learn the sword since he was a boy! So adorable, and wonderfully humanizing. The look on Morgana's face - priceless.
All in all, except for the conspicuous total absence of Gwen, it was a great episode! (Wonder if she's in any cut scenes?)
Then I went out today with my parents to catch the matinee of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1, which we all enjoyed.
I was surprised, after all the mediocre reviews it got, but I really enjoyed the whole thing. I thought it moved well, had a great visual style, and managed to get all the important bits in.
I was very happy to see all the great characters at the Burrow, and the Seven Potters scene was very well done. I do wish we'd gotten a wee touch of the dialogue between Dudley and Harry in the very beginning.
I cheered to myself every time Luna was on screen.
I didn't mind the Ginny/Harry stuff at all, thought it was well done, and since we didn't see Harry do any pining, it didn't feel so tortured. George in the kitchen during that kiss was adorable.
The Malfoy Manor scene set the tone of real darkness, too, which prompted my mom to lean over and say, "Are you sure this is a kids' movie?" It was REALLY HORRIFYING. Charity Burbage's death when rendered in words was bad enough, but as a visual it really underscored the way that this conflict has become a real war, a horror that Wizarding Society, and even Muggle Society, cannot escape. Not to mention it was horrible and traumatizing and NO WONDER Draco was so upset. He probably has nightmares, the poor kid.
The Ministry bit was really great - I want some of that anti-Muggle propaganda! The production designer must have had fun with those.
The camping I did not find horrible, there was just enough moving around and skimming over the stuff from the book that it served its purpose.
Godric's Hollow was awesome. I wish they'd kept the sign at the house in addition to all the rest of the moments, but I can understand why they didn't, in terms of the dramatic arc for the film.
The Harry-Voldemort connection was also handled well, I thought, although I had trouble understanding all the dialogue at times.
Bellatrix's torture of Hermione was even worse than if she had used the Cruciatus Curse, I thought. Making it personal and intimate like that, plus the actual injury.
The Shell Cottage bits were lovely, although presumably we'll find out for certain why Ron said "Trust me," when directing Dobby. Oh, Dobby! That was a good death scene! And more Luna, being comforting! So so great to see her.
The movie ended in the perfect place. Very well done, beautifully shot. I am ready to be excited for the next one now!
Things I missed that probably weren't actually necessary but might become relevant in the next film:
- the conversation about Invisibility Cloaks with Xenophilius Lovegood, during which we get a clue about Harry's cloak being a Hallow.
- Ron telling the other two that Voldemort's name is cursed and that's why they've been followed so often. But since they passed over that bit, it may not become relevant at all.
And Peter met us for a late lunch after the movie, which was lovely. I am happy when the four of us can sit around and just be together. And often silly. :)
This entry was originally posted at http://zephre.dreamwidth.org/464841.html.
comments posted to original post.