on the Tonys....

[jaina]

...I have only two things to say.

1. Lee Doogie Oswald! (Also, I kept identifying the Assassins by their MTG counterparts. "Well there's Steve...and Dan...now is that one Jesse, or Dave Poland?") "I'm your friend, Lee." "Your friendly what?" ... "My name is John Wilkes Booth, Lee." "John Wilkes Boothly shot Abraham Lincoln!" "Attention has been paid."

2. HUUUUUUUUUUUGH!!!!!! (schneck128, we have his song TiVo'd if you want a tape of it. Alas, Victor Garber presenting didn't make it onto the recording.)

Also, saw PoA on Saturday night (latest showing possible, to avoid the kiddies. There were some there anyway. Wanted to throttle their parents. Who takes a four-year-old to a movie that won't end till 2 am!?). Largely loved it, very puzzled/irritated by MAJOR GLARING OMISSION of key plot point.

Comments

[thedan.livejournal.com]

I wonder if it was the same plot point I was angry about. Would it have been right near the end?

Their Guiteau cheated. He grew a real beard.

BTW, Dave Poland claims he saw Seth Bisen-Hersh in the audience.

[brightcupenny.livejournal.com]

That plot point that I was totally expecting near the end during Lupin's last discussion with Harry? When he gives him back the map? And completely fails to explain the REST of it? Yeah, that one.

The beard was how I identified Guiteau.

I wouldn't doubt he saw Seth. Somehow I continue to receive the "Seth Ledger" emails and in his last he said he was going to be a seat-filler for the Tonys.

[koshka-the-cat.livejournal.com]

Ahh, then that would be the same one that annoyed me and everyone else I've spoken to.

And it would have taken what, all of a minute to do it? And if you were really concerned about time, I'm sure it could be managed in 30 seconds...

[portnoyslp.livejournal.com]

EW has reported that they made that decision conciously -- the writers and producers decided to explain that plot point in a later film, closer to when it would actually be used.

I'll admit it feels abrupt, but I confess, I'm not that broken up about it. In the end, it's just backstory exposition, laying the groundwork for future storylines. In literature, that's crucial, since it what makes or breaks a novel's reality. In a movie series, when you're still hiring the actors and production team on a movie-by-movie basis, and thus can't guarantee that the later films will be made, it's probably better to save the exposition for when it's needed, rather than take up screen time and pacing to explain it once, and then need to explain it *again* two or three years down the line.

[thedan.livejournal.com]

Actually, my missing plot point was when Sirius sends Harry permission to go to Hogsmeade next year. Other than being crucial for future plotlines, I think it establishes Sirius as a caring father figure more than any other moment in the book.

[portnoyslp.livejournal.com]

But the reason it works so well in the book is that you can see how much the Hogsmeade visits mean to Harry. There's the asking for permission from Vernon, then asking from Fudge, then hinting to the Weasley's parents, then the many many discussions about Hogsmeade once they get to Hogwarts, the asking of McGonagle once he's there, and him hearing about two separate visits to Hogsmeade before finally getting the map.

If you want to use the permission slip to show how much Sirius cares, you need to show some of that, and in the end that's adding a lot of exposition that's not necessary. Instead, you can simply do what they did -- change around another piece of the story to the end, and end with the scene they have now just before the credits.

As for him not being able to get to Hogsmeade for later films, there are other ways around that. I doubt we'll see much of Hogsmeade in the next film (since apparently they're going to be making it as one, so a lot will have to get cut), and once we get around to Order of the Phoenix Aunt Petunia might be more willing to sign.

[eliz.livejournal.com]

Along with Lupin not explaining,
Along with no Sirius sending 1. Firebolt, 2. Permission slip and 3. an Owl for Ron...

We don't get to see the Harry returning back to his aunt and uncle's house a bit more happily, holding over them the fact his godfather is an escaped wizard murderer. Especially as that was the most happiness Harry's going to have for a long time...

And also-- no Wood??!!?? And with the TriWizard tournament, I bet we don't get any more Quidditch. I'm sure they'll figure a way around the Cup match at the beginning of GoF.

But yeah, I'm going to go see it again. ;)

[schneck128.livejournal.com]

um. okay.

i didn't see it. but i'd love to.

I am very tired right now, so I'm more excited about that prospect than I sound. :o)

i'll get you an address... soon...

[brightcupenny.livejournal.com]

Am lying scumbag. TiVo ate our Tonys recording. Is el gone-o. :( :( :( I sorries.

[schneck128.livejournal.com]

no worries, not that important.

~senor(ita) el roboto (...la robota?)