Today I've mostly bin...

[LAT]

.....out!
Went to London this morning. Wandered round the National Gallery a bit and had a snack there. Then I went to visit my sister. Came home, had about half an hour before we all went out for a meal at the local Tapas restaurant before going to the cinema.
I've just got back and now I'm exhausted. Shame I've got to go to work tomorrow.

So did you get inspiration strep?

[Bunnylump]

Oooh, that sounds like a nice day out! Lucky lady! What did you think of the film?

[LAT]

I enjoyed it. I think this is the first one I have seen having only read the book once so I am going to have to re-read it before next summer I think.

[Bunnylump]

Everyone I know who has seen it say it's different from the book in a lot of ways, some of which appear to be totally unnecessary!!

[Scurra]

It's a film, Bunny. Obviously it's different to the book. That's not rocket science!
It's also a fairly hefty book, and even splitting it into two isn't going to help with that, so the screenwriter has to find ways to keep the essence of the story whilst also changing those bits that work on the page into things that work on screen. In general I'm quite impressed by how faithful Steven Kloves has been to the books considering how absurdly pedantic a lot of the fans are. The only one that I felt fell short was Goblet of Fire and that was fairly understandable (I think they considered making two movies out of that one as well.)

[Bunnylump]

Yes I know that DUH. It's just people have been commenting on strange changes which didn't seem NECESSARY, like changing names of streets and things like that.

[LAT]

I didn't feel that too much was changed uneccessarily in this one. The worst for that was Order of the Phoenix I reckon.

[giraffe]

Goblet of Fire was my favourite book AND film. I thought Daniel Radcliffe was a bit wooden in Order of the Phoenix, and I think it was generally my least favourite film, also lots of really obvious continuity errors in that one.

Changing Tottenham Court Road to Shaftesbury Avenue was probably so that it was easier to film. The biggest change to my mind was that a lot of the parts where they were polyjuiced in the book they weren't in the film, but again that's understandable as the actors wouldn't have had as much to do if someone else had been playing them. I liked the fact that when they were polyjuiced at the ministry, Ron was still a redhead etc, so that they were easy to recognise.

I'm looking forward to watching all 8 films back to back on DVD

[LAT]

Gosh yes! That will be great for if we get snowed in next winter won't it?

[giraffe]

A whole weekend in pyjamas with a big bowl of popcorn!

[Scurra]

That's what I mean about "pedantic". If they'd changed Tottenham Court Road to, say, the Bullring in Birmingham then there would be something to complain about!

[strep98]

.....out!

So did you get inspiration strep?

No I didn't totally stuck again, thank you for the hint hintyjester I just wish I could find the puzzle hat. Do you think the sorting hat will work just as well ?

I saw Harry Potter on Sunday with my daughter cried within minutes, laughed then cried at the end roll on July.

[eirian]

must admit I'm going to try and resist seeing it until next year. Don't want to have to wait such a while before the second part. Mind you, I'm not a great fan of cinema (especially since I'm very prone to crying at films, and then get highly embarrassed on the way out), so will probably end up waiting for it to appear on DVD (advance hint to anyone wanting to know what to get me next Christmas).

The book/film thing is another reason I don't particularly go mad for films like this. I'd much rather curl up with a good book and let my imagination do the pics. But then again, I can curl up with Sigur to watch a film!

[strep98]

Oh I probably won't have seen it apart from the fact my daughter has been on about it for months. I would rather read books too as the film never come up to expectations, but this one was quite true to the book. Also Pillars of the Earth that has been on Channel 4 recently was very true to the book, which is great as it is one of my favorites.

[Scurra]

Pillars of the Earth has been very good, both in itself and as an adaptation of a book, but then again it was a proper ten hour series for a book that is the same size as a later Potter. Even giving five hours for DH isn't nearly enough...

[tricia]

my godson is not speaking to me because i have not been to harry Potter - he slammed the door of my car when I gave him a lift to work - I have to say he is 21 in February8 - He has told me to get a life and go and see this ... I will go .. but in my own time ( I'm too emotional and cry too easily to see in a crowded cinema

He is also not talking to my sister who has not yet read the hal blood prince because Dumbledore was killed off

Basically he just does not understand shy I have other things such as puzzles to solve


tricia

[MBH]

... having one of the most awful days of my life - saying goodbye to my friend and companion of almost 14 years, Jennie (the Yorkshire Terrier, for those that haven't been introduced)

Since her illness at the start of the year she 'lost' something of herself, and has been getting steadily worse as the year has gone on. Her sight and hearing going were practical things, but she became more and more confused and suffering from some form of dementia It was pitiful watching her get 'lost' in her own house or garden and bash herself againt walls, doors, and anything else in the way.

If it hadn't been for the fireguard I bought a couple of months ago, she would have been burned a dozen times on the electric fire. She was stumbling and falling all over the place. A sad thing to see in a dog who was known as the Flying Yorkie at the Agility classes.

The advice from vets and dog experts were that we would KNOW when the time was right - and as this week progressed we could see a corner had been turned. Yesterday I made the phone call and booked the appointment for this morning.

I am telling myself that I've helped her escape her pain, confusion, and suffering - but I keep feeling that I've killed my friend The house feels horrible without her and she will be a big miss in the months (and years) to come.

We were hoping for another 3-4 years with her, as we hear of a lot of 18 year old Yorkies...... but it was not to be.

She's had a wonderful life and done an amazing amount of things. She was also a beautiful and caring dog that charmed everyone who met her - including the postman who didn't like dogs but became our best friend.

I'm trying to think of the great times we had, but at the moment there is a massive terrier-shaped hole inside me.

Sorry for a downer, but I know some of my puzzle-pals wanted to know about her.

MBH

[giraffe]

Oh MBH that's awful! I'm sure you have made the right decision for her. She's probably scampering round doggy heaven like a puppy. Just keep remembering all those happy times. I'm sending you a big virtual hug.

[LAT]

And a big hug from me too.

I'm sure it was definitely the right decision. Her life can't have been much fun these last few weeks. At least now she isn't suffering any more.

I bet the house feels very empty at the moment but you do have lots of happy memories of times with her too so enjoy those.

[gill216]

And a big hug from me too.