Sunday, July 19, 2009

To Greatness





(My thoughts after watching "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" for the first time)


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IMHO, It is one of the best, if not the best, Harry Potter movie to date. David Yates has pressure on his shoulders to surpass this as he finishes the last book adaptation and divides it into two films.


I miss the old characters because they have lesser screen times, but I like the new ones (I think Cormac McLaggen and Tom Riddle are dashing!) and I love how the main characters have evolved. There was a great improvement in Dan's and Emma's acting-- Dan because he became the sensitive and mature Harry, Emma because she became sweeter and less hysterical (haha!) while still staying Hermione-ish. Hats off to Sir Michael Gambon and to Tom Felton! The portrayal of their characters awed me.


Watching the first 20 minutes in 3D was breathtaking as expected, though I would have wanted to see the last scenes in 3D instead, starting from the cave scene. That scene reminded me of Gandalf (from "The Lord of the Rings") battling the balrog with a lot of "Gollums" crawling around him. Good thing Harry was there to remind me it was his movie (haha!). That scene was so touching it made my throat hurt. My favorite scene was when Draco lowered his wand, then Dumbledore said to Snape, "Severus, please..." I cried. A lot of people did. Maybe watching it on a screen that's 2-stories high does wonders.


I immensely enjoyed the "puppy love" moments. I appreciate the additional scenes at The Burrow, which supported what Hermione said to Harry in the next scene-- that he's an easy target. I applaud the trio's chemistry because they needed to establish that for the upcoming movie installments.


I wanted to see the D.A. (Dumbledore's Army) fight with the deatheaters when they entered Hogwarts, similar to the fight in the Department of Mysteries in the last film. I wanted to see the white tomb and all creatures mourn Dumbledore's death. The last scene with Fawkes is not as touching. I can't have it, all I guess.


The 6th book is probably the most difficult to be adapted into the big screen because it's more of a narration or explanation of how Voldemort came to be the darkest wizard in Harry's time. That's probably why some people got bored or disappointed. For me, they showed me a movie fit to portray the death of the greatest wizard who ever lived. That's enough reasonfor me to watch it again and again.

Friday, July 10, 2009

xoxo

my birthday, 2009
(For my friends. Inspired by the Wave 20 scrapbook received on July 9, 2009. Written on the scrapbook as well.)





I've read a lot of fiction in my life, but reading heartwarming greetings and messages from people who mean so much to me make me realize how great it is to be living in the real world! =)


I'm grateful I got to know each of you because every person who enters my life touches and influences me more than I could ever imagine. We all have our own differences, opinions, personalities, priorities and beliefs, yet our paths have crossed. I have always believed that everything happens for a reason. I may not know or understand it yet but eventually, I will. Still, I am grateful.


A lot of you have wished me "true love" and "lovelife", well thanks! Hahaha! But then again, love comes in a variety of ways and not just the romantic kind. I have a loving family and great friends (like you!), what more can I ask for? Long-legged duchess? Heehee.


Again, thanks for the sweet messages. I will forever treasure what we have. =)