I couldn't agree more Kate,
Here's my thoughts I put on another forum, it's all scrambled. I wrote as I remembered things so I go from the beginning of the movie to the middle back to beginning and then end. Sorry about that.
OK, so this was a slow movie, had action but it was more character driven. Clearly the action will be for part 2. I thought it was great.
Opening with
Spoiler
Snape going to the manor was nice, the table scene was nicely done, like the book. Charity's death was handled quite faithfully. Great scene.
I loved Bill Weasley. I loved Seven Potters. I missed Dudley's goodbye with Harry though. Hedwig's death hurt, I love that they gave her a heroic action rather than how it was in the book. Still didn't see Mad-Eye's death, like with the book. I'm happy about that too.
Loved the trio, Ron before leaving them was great- "yeah.. I'm still here!"
Dobby's first appearance was funny. Loved that elf! Looked different than in Chamber of Secrets and sounded a bit different too.
Locket destruction was amazingly done! Loved that moment. Hermione wanting her wand back when she finally saw Ron again was perfect! Ministry was good. Opening sequence with Hermione's parents was very sad. Removing herself from their memory. Heartbreaking. Deathly Hallows story was unique, I thought it was great. Gotta say I enjoyed it.
Godric's Hollow was nice, loved "Bathilda Bagshot". I do gotta say, there could have been a more emotional punch at the cemetery, and at the house. I missed that, book does it so much better. But it was nice to see it in the movie.
Malfoy Manor, they clearly showed that there was something very important in Bellatrix's vault at Gringotts. She was beyond panicking! And they clearly showed a strand of her hair landing on Hermione. Excellent set-up for this horcrux!
Dobby's death was sad. love that elf! Final words were still Harry Potter, a definite plus. And the end with Voldemort getting the elder wand.
Can't wait for the epic conclusion.
Posted : November 19, 2010 9:21 am
I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part One today. Excellent movie. It covers roughly the first 2/3rds of Rowling's book. Sombre, slow and introspective with bursts of high-octane action (well-paced). The story is largely character-driven (like the book); at times rather creepy and dark and so very good. The acting, music and script are all of a high-quality. I was surprised to see the acting Daniel, Emma and Rupert delivered. Great stuff! I enjoyed the humor and the 'guest' appearances of many of the cast members of years past. Dobby, the house elf was awesome. I was hugely impressed by how well the mood, danger and intimacy of the novel were translated into movie form. Easily the best made of the series but not as fun as some of the others. Definitely not for children. 8.5/10
Currently watching:
Doctor Who - Season 11
Posted : November 19, 2010 10:35 pm
The film is very dark. Very, very dark. The beginning scene at the Malfoy's is a very sobering reminder of just how evil Voldemort really is. Parts of the movie are absolutely terrifying. Screams were heard throughout the theatre. I screamed involuntarily, something very uncommon for me.
I must admit I was glad that I saw that and other parts of the film in 2D not 3D, which would have been much more terrifying. 
For that reason alone I felt that the movie deserved its M rating, rather than other concerns mentioned.
I totally agree with narnian1's comment:
Spoiler
I loved Bill Weasley. I loved Seven Potters. I missed Dudley's goodbye with Harry though. Hedwig's death hurt, I love that they gave her a heroic action rather than how it was in the book.
Despite the more terrifying bits, there was an obvious effort for the film to damp down the amount of deaths in the book. These ones include:
Spoiler
Grindelwald, Gregorovich, Wormtail and Mad-eye (whose eye wasn't pulled out of Umbridge's door). The Goblin's revenge scene was missed out as well.
If anyone is planning on seeing this film with younger people or people who like to stay away from more graphic material, keep in mind that in addition to the terrifying and disturbing elements, there are a few more graphic moments including
SpoilerRon's worst nightmare presented by the horcrux of Harry and Hermione together which is depicted in a visual manner not appropriate for younger viewers
Judging by the amount of ten year olds and upwards in the movie show, with or without parents, I wonder if this is really a problem. Except in an emergency, nobody would
Spoiler
dive into even freezing cold water clad in more than boxer shorts, though the slightly suggestive bare shoulders view shown of Hermione & Harry kissing in the horcrux scene
Despite its length, I felt the movie galloped through the book, hitting main points and leaving out much that I had enjoyed in it, though I have no argument about some changes.
Spoiler
I was glad it was George who interrupted Harry kissing Ginny, rather than Ron. The whole storyline of Lupin wanting to leave his wife was missed out, same with the Dumbledore backstory, the complete story of Regulus and Kreacher, as well as Andromeda and Ted Tonks and much that I loved about their visiting Godric's Hollow, such as how Harry's parents were remembered and also Voldemort's thoughts about the night he killed them. Though I agree the dance scene with Harry and Hermione was awkward, I think it was done to highlight that they weren't really romantically involved
The scenery was beautiful, and I cried at the end over one character's death. Yes, I enjoyed the movie in a bittersweet sort of way, and I guess the stage is set for the finale next July.
Posted : November 20, 2010 10:53 am
I posted this also in the Harry Potter thread, but wanted to post again about it here since it seems a lot of others were.
Ok, so I saw Deathly Hallows part 1 yesterday afternoon, and it was such a joy to watch! That's what I kept thinking as I sat there, just "this could go on forever and I'd be happy" 
Even the "eternal camping" scenes didn't seem draggy.
Thoughts:
(In spoilers, just in case)
Spoiler
The beginning, with Snape walking up to the Malfoy Manor, was so perfect. Seeing his face, knowing in advance from having read the book what takes place in the meeting and his part in it, was such a powerful scene!
Hermione's "Obliviate" kinda brought tears to my eyes, and it was only the very first bit of the film! 
It was even sadder later on when Ron asks her to Oblivate the Death Eaters because she's "the best in spells".
The snake scenes were stunning. I love snakes, so instead of being creeped out I thought Nagini (Spl?) rather beautiful, if evil. 
So much of it reminded me of LOTR, like the locket making them all angsty/depressed, and Harry having bad dreams, and I know there were other things I can't recall right at this moment.
Ron's vision of Harry/Hermione was kinda startling, in that while I had heard they were supposed to look topless while not showing everything, I was kinda surprised at just how much they did show. I wouldn't say it was scandelous or enough to cover little kids eyes or anything, but in the context of the HP franchise I found it slightly unusual.
I really felt like Hermione and Ron were the big characters in this film. Emma Watson and Rupert Grint can REALLY act. I reallyreallyreally like Hermione, that she's such a good role model in the film/book universe for girls, she's smart, intelligent, strong emoitionally and physically, brave, loyal, and honest. What's not to like? Oh, and she has a personality too 
The scene where George's ear gets blown off and Fred is sitting by him was rather touching, and was quite sad when you think about what happens in part 2... 
One of the funniest parts that I can remember offhand is when Ginny and Harry are kissing and George walks in. I was laughing so hard at that! Just his expression said it all.
The actors and actress who played the ministry folks that the Trio "turned into" must be pretty fabulous actors, cause you could REALLY "see" them as Harry, Hermione, and Ron. Their facial expressions, posture, and movement was spot on. Especially Harry!
I thought the Harry/Hermione dance was really cute, not weird or anything. I think, as others have said, that it was supposed to show that they didn't like eachother "That way". But also that they were lonely, and it was pretty depressing...they needed something to cheer them up. They were probably both missing Ginny and Ron.
The Hermione-being-tortured-scene...wow. So good! And by good, I mean AWFUL. Her screams/cries had me shaking and curled up in a little ball. I was initially disapointed that Ron wasn't screaming for her like he was in the book, but after thinking about it realized that on film that might have come across as slightly melodramatic and over-done.
Dobby...*Sigh* Now, you have to know that before I never cared much about Dobby. He was OK, that was it. I wasn't the least upset about his death in the book. But on screen, ohmygoodness. I was completly in tears! The whole "Dobby is happy, to be with his friend Harry Potter" just did me in 
I didn't really notice the soundtrack. When I did it didn't appear anything special--not something I'd buy to listen to. But I didn't really mind, because the movie had so much going on, so much action and things to keep up with, I feel like it needed a soundtrack that you could kind of ignore. That would help draw you in when needed but wouldn't take over the scene and the stuff you were trying to remember. The acting, and the characters carried the film, not the soundtrack.
In conclusion...it was fabulous. I really really want to see it again soon! I think it was pretty faithful to the book--there were a lot of lines I recognized as being straight from, and I think it represented it well. For someone who hadn't read the book, I could see the movie feeling a bit slow and hard to understand...those of us who've read the book know what happens and what the information they're finding out will mean. To someone who is trying to keep up with all Harry's random dreams, Hermione's mentions of Deathly Hallows and the Elder Wand and Horocruxes, and other random people, I'd imagine it'd be kind of confusing.
"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring." Marilyn Monroe
Posted : November 22, 2010 10:15 am
So I haven't seen Tangled, will be taking my niece with my sister to see it soon. But I just found this and had to post.
love this trailer for Tangled, though most are "past" movies, it is for their latest so I figured this would be a good place to share it. Disney takes a look back at their canon animated movies, hits and flops alike.
Posted : November 25, 2010 2:39 pm
Just so all of you know, I went to see Tangled and it is not "cheesy" or "dumb", in fact, it was a very good movie! (Although sadly laking originality in songs) It was a pleasant mix of humor, adventure, romance, and touchingness. And I was pleased to find that Rapunzel was very sweet and doesn't have a bad attitude (unlike so many modern movies). But, if you're not a fan of fairy tales, you probably won't like it!
Posted : November 26, 2010 6:12 am
I am personally planning to watch Tangled, but not in theaters. The trailers I've seen have me thinking that: the story will be mediocre, the dialog will alternate between cheesy and hilarious, and the visuals will be stunning, which is enough to make me see it!
"In the end, there is something to which we say: 'This I must do.'"
- Gordon T. Smith
avi by Flambeau
Posted : November 27, 2010 10:12 am
I just got back from seeing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. I don't feel like doing an analysis but I will say it isn't the best Harry Potter movie, then again part 2 isn't out yet, felt a little slow paced, but it made up for me with all the unexpected action and conflicts. This movie was definitely good! 
Long Live King Caspian & Queen Liliandil Forever!
Jill+Tirian! Let there be Jilrian!
Posted : November 27, 2010 3:41 pm
I saw 127 Hours on Friday, with James Franco- based on the true story of Aaron who caught his arm between a boulder and the wall of a mountain. It was terrific! The movie builds up to the ending wonderfully. It's hard to see him where no man will ever find him, as he realizes
Spoiler
it's own fault for not letting anyone know where he would be
Spoiler
he had a premonition of his future, a son that he would have if he survived
Spoiler
it's not enough to see him escape with his life, even if without a hand. You need more, and I didn't have it. But then he sees people and starts screaming for help. The score, music, kicks in wonderfully as the people realize this man is crying out for help- and come to his aide. And this simple thing, human contact and the help we can give each other, this overwhelmed me. I was almost uncontrollable, I had to fight back my emotion just to hold myself together.
Posted : November 28, 2010 6:25 am
Just got back from seeing "Tangled". My exact opinion of it will probably vary until i can see it again on DVD, but i thought it was adorable. The music, story, acting, etc. were all good though not excellent, but in this case it's more than the sum of its parts.
In the theater we watched it in, all the little kids cried out when
Spoiler
Flynn got stabbed.
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it. - Rabbi Tarfon
Posted : November 28, 2010 10:45 am
I, too just saw Tangled. Great movie overall. It was refreshing to find that Rapunzel did not display a great deal of attitude or run about beating up ten men...she was a very classic princess. Actually not much like they advertised her in the trailer.
The music was a bit mediocre at times, but that's fine with me--the rest of the film more than made up for it.
EDIT: On a side note, Tangled did very well it's opening week. A week later, there was virtually no one at the theater. I had originally worried about Tangled being VoDT competition, but it may just have died off already...?
Posted : December 3, 2010 4:28 am
EDIT: On a side note, Tangled did very well it's opening week. A week later, there was virtually no one at the theater. I had originally worried about Tangled being VoDT competition, but it may just have died off already...?
It won't be competition for Narnia, but it hasn't died out at all. Still going strong. Besides, it's only been in theaters one week, today begins its second weekend, could beat Potter for #1 this weekend too. (In the States at least).
Posted : December 3, 2010 6:20 am
I want to see Tangled. It looks cute. I saw a trailer for it in front of Secretariat.
The glory of God is man fully alive--St. Iraneus
Salvation is a fire in the midnight of the soul-Switchfoot
Posted : December 3, 2010 9:15 am
Just saw RED, the pacing is all wacked out but otherwise it was pretty good 
Posted : December 3, 2010 9:18 am
Saw Tangled tonight at the drive-in. My girlfriend loved it. I thought it was great too. A definite plus for families. I didn't care for several songs, but as a whole- it was a terrific time!
ps. saw the trailer for Narnia. Blasted my speakers, sort of, that would be great! to see Narnia at the drive-in, with volume to my specific liking.
Posted : December 3, 2010 3:09 pm