Harry Potter

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 6:30 pm

Originally posted by Fable:
"It also seems that the word "philosopher" has more of a magical meaning in the UK. In America the book title would have been the equivalent of "Harry Potter and The Someone Who Studies The Meaning of Life Stone" which doesn't have quite the same ring to it."

I'd still dispute that though. I don't associate the word "philosopher" with magic... Anyone British agree?

Not that I disagree with you @Fable that it's the reason why they changed it, I just think their logic is rather questionable

fable · Post by **fable** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 6:37 pm

Originally posted by Georgi:
I'd still dispute that though. I don't associate the word "philosopher" with magic... Anyone British agree?

Not that I disagree with you @Fable that it's the reason why they changed it, I just think their logic is rather questionable

I have no idea, @Georgi, why they changed it, but it seems possible. I have at least a few British people I correspond with who have no interest in the early Renaissance, the occult, or chemistry, but they know what the "philosopher's stone" refers to. Again, I can only suspect it's cultural baggage that was never made part of a newer nation, isolated in so many ways before the advent of the 20th century. Just my POV.

[ 11-18-2001: Message edited by: fable ]

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 6:41 pm

Originally posted by Georgi:
I'd still dispute that though. I don't associate the word "philosopher" with magic... Anyone British agree?

I agree

I think it might be as much a marketing exercise as anything else

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 7:02 pm

Originally posted by fable:
they know what the "philosopher's stone" refers to

I haven't read the HP books and I don't plan to see the movie either, but most of my friends would know what the "Philosopher's stone" was referring to. Perhaps because many of them are interested in history or philosophy.

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 7:15 pm

I'm mildly surprised......I just saw the "Philospher's Stone version. I wonder if this represents another quandry in the ongoing search for Canadian identity?

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 7:22 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench:
I'm mildly surprised......I just saw the "Philospher's Stone version. I wonder if this represents another quandry in the ongoing search for Canadian identity?

Hey at least you ain't called, "Washington Canada"

(this might be too cryptic

)

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 7:31 pm

@ Sleep
LMAO

Although I'm not sure that "British Columbia" is any better

Mr Sleep · Post by **Mr Sleep** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 7:48 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench:
@ Sleep
LMAO
Although I'm not sure that "British Columbia" is any better

Sounds better to me, less, erm Washing, which means more....erm....ironing, which takes down the amount of work involved....hmmmm

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Sat Nov 17, 2001 8:22 pm

Originally posted by dragon wench:
I'm mildly surprised......I just saw the "Philospher's Stone version. I wonder if this represents another quandry in the ongoing search for Canadian identity?

ROFL

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Sun Nov 18, 2001 9:15 pm

Well, On saterday, I went to buy a ticket to the Harry Potter movie. After purchasing it two whole hours in advance, I still had to wait an additional forty minutes in line to see the movie. All in all, it was not that bad a movie. I felt the script was well done (in terms of adapting the book to a movie) and that the settings and costumes were done with amazing detail. I do think that the directer took some important, or relevant parts out of the movie, as I felt certain things were mentioned, hyped, and then forgotten about (The scene in the wand shop for instance). I also felt that the movie was very "busy" in the sense that it dumped too many different plot twists all at one time, and for the intended audience, this may've been a bit to much to handle. As a "young adult" (

) I felt it did well to captivate myself, and I didn't feel out of place watching this movie. A decent job was done in all aspects of the movie. I give 4 out of 5. It would've had the full 5, but because of the business of it all, and the fact I felt some things weren't explained, or were explained to late knocked it done.

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Mon Nov 19, 2001 9:55 am

I look at it this way. I could care less, if the title was changed. Why make a big deal about it??? Philosopher Stone or Magical Stone? Oh no, it's just too philosophical for me. Must mean, I didn't get enough schooling.

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Mon Nov 19, 2001 10:22 am

Originally posted by Aegis:
I felt certain things were mentioned, hyped, and then forgotten about (The scene in the wand shop for instance).

This is a good point, but as I see it, a lot of this movie is setting the scene for subsequent adventures, one feels that perhaps the wand may become pertinent later on. (I could be wrong, of course

) To be fair, I don't think that every single detail could have been picked up again later on, and they did manage to cram an awful lot of detail in there.

I also felt that the movie was very "busy" in the sense that it dumped too many different plot twists all at one time, and for the intended audience, this may've been a bit to much to handle.

Speaking of the plot, there was one point at which I felt there was very little continuity, which was the post-exam scene; firstly, it seemed like too much time had passed, and secondly there was no real explanation for Harry's sudden realisation at that point. As you said, there are a few things that aren't explained. I didn't find they had too much of an impact on my overall enjoyment of the movie though

One gripe I had that I've remembered is the portrayal of Harry's step-family. Elsewhere in the movie, the characterisation is excellent, but I felt the step-family were rather shallow caricatures, with little indication as to their motivation. This did initially put me off the movie, but it redeemed itself once it got to Hogwarts.

I didn't feel out of place watching this movie.

I agree with that, though of course I went to see it on a Friday afternoon, so most of the rest of the audience was students

Darkpoet · Post by **Darkpoet** » Mon Nov 19, 2001 10:30 am

Originally posted by Georgi:
I agree with that, though of course I went to see it on a Friday afternoon, so most of the rest of the audience was students

Hmmmmmmmm, you think they might be making more Harry Potter films.

Maybe that is why things were left, unanswered. Or do you think, you should just go and read the books.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Mon Nov 19, 2001 2:02 pm

Originally posted by Darkpoet:

Hmmmmmmmm, you think they might be making more Harry Potter films. Maybe that is why things were left, unanswered. Or do you think, you should just go and read the books.

There are already plans for the other three books to made into movies.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Nov 19, 2001 2:05 pm

Originally posted by Aegis:
There are already plans for the other three books to made into movies.

Not to mention soft drink containers, lunch boxes, sweaters, washable tattoos, dolls, beanies, sneakers, plastic wands, etc. As Mel Brooks' Yoda-character in Spaceballs pronounced, the universe is all about "Moichandizing!"

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Mon Nov 19, 2001 2:11 pm

Fable! you forgot condoms and other such prophylactics!

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Nov 19, 2001 2:20 pm

Originally posted by Aegis:
Fable! you forgot condoms and other such prophylactics!

No, I won't go there.

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Tue Nov 20, 2001 3:14 pm

Originally posted by Darkpoet:
Hmmmmmmmm, you think they might be making more Harry Potter films. Maybe that is why things were left, unanswered.

I believe that's what I said

They are about to start filming the second one actually. The first two are in production virtually back to back, so that they can use the same set.

Recoba · Post by **Recoba** » Tue Nov 20, 2001 3:19 pm

@Georgi - Hi there, as you have seen it I was just wondering if Harry Potter was designed more for a younger audience? Is it better to stick with the books if this is the case?

Hows the work?

[ 11-20-2001: Message edited by: Recoba ]

Georgi · Post by **Georgi** » Tue Nov 20, 2001 4:12 pm

Originally posted by Recoba:
@Georgi - Hi there, as you have seen it I was just wondering if Harry Potter was designed more for a younger audience? Is it better to stick with the books if this is the case?

Hows the work?

It is designed for a younger audience, but I don't think that ruins the enjoyment for older people. Remember, the books were designed for a younger audience too

I enjoyed it, and I've never read the books

Work is going well, I spent a lot of money on photocopying stuff this afternoon...