Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Movie)

[KeithS]

Hey - it is not like us to not have a thread on the next Harry Potter movie or book. I don't know how this movie managed to sneak up on us without talking about it.

Anyway - has anyone else gone and seen it yet?

Della and I went last night to Burwood - and I REALLY enjoyed this one. And for once, we were in a movie at Burwood with a full house without people talking on their mobiles, getting up, talking, or crying kids etc...Everyone just sat still and watched (and laughed of course, it does have some very humorous moments...)

For a movie/book that had a lot of exposition, they have done a really good job at keeping this one ticking along. I'm looking forward to hearing other's opinions!

And it is really well set up for the final chapter!

[sandie]

Saw it today and I agree although maybe thats because we have read the book - it didn't sit that welll with the rest of my family and I had to explain a heap of stuff afterwards.

And its the last 2 movies we are being set up for

Sandie

[ajp]

We went and saw it last Wednesday (we just HAD to see it on release day! ).

I enjoyed it, for someone who hasn't read the book. The humour, which I thought formed a big part of this story was very well delivered. Although there were parts of the movie when a majority of the cinema were laughing and those who obviously haven't read the book were not, but then that is bound to happen. The post movie explanation helped put some pieces together which has me now awaiting the final 2 episodes.

Now I do have one gripe, which I will precede by saying that I do understand why they did this and accept it's part of the fantasy and the environment they wanted to portray. But I do not like watching movies where you can't see half what is going on because it is too dark. I found parts of this movie to be so dark that it was difficult to watch. I appreciate why and all that, but it's just me that I am sure we as audiences are capable of "seeing" dark, without it actually being that dark.

But that's the only gripe from me, overall enjoyed this one and look forward to the next couple now.

[mushu mama]

Am I the only one that hasn't seen this yet? I ended up going to Adelaide for the weekend and now have a rotten cold so am not going to movies until I am well enough to properly enjoy it.

sounds like its good though

Lisa.

[KeithS]

Interesting comments about the darkness, Anthony. Although there is a lot of darkness in this film, I didn't have a problem with it at Burwood.

I have read somewhere recently that some cinemas have been using lower wattage projection bulbs in cinemas to save money. Normal xenon bulbs for cinemas are around 2400W (and will burn your retinas if you look directly at them - for comparison, your normal home ceiling bulb is 100W).

You'll also notice that the advertisements at cinemas are normally a bit darker because they also use the cheaper bulbs.

Alternatively, the bulbs may have been a little old, so no longer functioning as well, or the projection glass may not be as clean - that can prevent a significant amount of light.

Of course, maybe the film was just dark

[ajp]

Hmm, all those could be valid Keith, but we were in the "new" V-Max in Campbelltown, so I would hope that age wasn't an issue, but saving money on less bright bulbs could be a real possibility.

[KeithS]

Hmm, all those could be valid Keith, but we were in the "new" V-Max in Campbelltown

I would have thought that would have been fine - new screen, good glass and a new bulb.

The worst cinema I've been to recently was the Greater Union in Miranda where it looked like they were using a low powered bulb. I'm guessing they have lowered powered bulbs in the smaller screening rooms, whereas the big rooms like the Cinemaxx screens have higher powered one - it looked like they were using a lower powered one.

Anyway - like we discussed, maybe this film was really dark (which it was) and/or a combination of other factors.

[churros]

I just finished reading the books again and am about to start watching all the movies. I am waiting for Angus to get back from his school band tour of South Island NZ to see the movie. Might give La Premiere a go!

[Mel]

Haven't seen it. I am hoping to get a 'Babes in Arms' session once school goes back. Jared STILL will not take a bottle and even when I was gone for an hour and a half last night and fed him before I went, he still cracked it Talk about a mummy's boy!

[mushu mama]

Am finally feeling almost human again so its looking like Millie and I will be hitting the cinema to see HP this weekend. She's been complaining bitterly considering this is the first of the movies we haven't seen on opening night. Really looking forward to it, everyone I've spoken to has loved it.

Lisa -/

[Mel]

Yayayayayayayay!!!! They are having a Babes in Arms session at Macarthur on Wednesday! I've already lined up a babysitter for Ben, so it'll be just Jared and me I am SO excited!!!!

[KeithS]

They are having a Babes in Arms session at Macarthur on Wednesday!

Yayayayay!! We need more people to see it so we can begin to discuss!

It rocks

[churros]

Still haven't seen it and this weekend isn't looking promising.

[mushu mama]

At least I'm not the only one. We were going to go last weekend but it didn't happen in the end. Millie and I are going to make another attempt this Sunday. Everyone keeps telling me how good it is though so it hopefully will be worth the wait.

Lisa. -/

[Mel]

Saw it and loved it. My favourite HP movie so far.

Anthony I went to the Senstadium cinema (or whatever they are calling it now) and had no issue with the darkness. Would have had a problem with the $19 pricetag, but enjoyed it so much in the end that I got over it