Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire – the movie
This is the Harry Potter movie I have enjoyed the most. Not surprising, given the conditions in which I watched the previous three.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001). Had not read the book. Was sitting behind a ten year old who kept stage-whispering to his parents what was going to happen next. Spent two hours lip-reading and translating the dubbed Italian version back into the original English.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). Still had not read the book(s). Was trying to stop smoking and had purchased my own weight in sweets at the cinema shop. Felt dizzy: sugar rush, or possibly the effect on me of my cinema companion (I'd gone to see the movie with a guy who I'd just met and that I was quickly growing very fond of). Almost three years later, said guy is now asleep in the next room and will most likely grumble as I slip in bed next to him after I finish writing this. And I have not smoked for two years and nine months now.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004). Saw it on the gigantic wraparound screen of the IMAX – a breathtaking experience that overshadowed the movie itself. Also, it did not help that I had finished reading the book that very week. Spent more time mentally listing the sub-sub-sub plots that had been sacrificed, than actually enjoying what was there.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, tonight. Now grown attached to the characters, book read ages ago but not forgotten, and the hundreds of pages very skillfully condensed into 150-odd minutes that fly before you realise it. Smuggled popcorn and drinks from the corner shop (old habits never die).
A very good illustration of how gauche, dark, and emotional adolescence can be. With scary fights and death hovering throughout.
I cannot remember Doctor Who being in the book though.
Tuesday 22 November 2005 at 9:51 am
I've been missing your blog.
Wednesday 23 November 2005 at 6:58 am
Thanks Ugo, it's very nice to hear that.
I have absolutely no excuse about the irregular posts and the long breaks. I used to say I have not got enough time for it, until a friend of mine pointed out that we can always find time for what we consider
important.
So I reorganised my priorities, optimised the available time, applied a few productivity hacks to my waking hours, and discovered that it can be done.
Now, keeping it up for longer than three days is going to be harder…