Movies

I watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire last night. It saddens me to see what the movie industry can do to a beloved book. Lots of money, appealing actors , wonderful sets and famous people don't make up for over-acting. Moody for example would have been much better understated and less hysterical...and I try, but I don't like the new Dumbledore...he is not warm and has no sense of humor...takes himself too seriously. I also find the over emphasis on special effects (the whole thing happened in the dark and the dragon chase was stupid) pretty boring. Trouble is that once in a while they touch on the sweetness and humor found in the books...and it makes it worse not better. I keep thinking see they COULD have done it right and it would have been so fine.

It can be done. The Lord of the Rings is almost perfect (though I remain a little bitter about the weakening of Faramir) and is so faithful to the spirit and feeling of the books, that they enhance each other. The A&E version of Pride and Prejudice was satisfyingly letter perfect (easier because of the length), but the new movie, in my opinion, falls unnecessarily short. Though the actors are attractive and natural and perfectly cast and the atmosphere is wonderful, the implausibilities (even though few) are so glaring I again end up more disappointed than if it was a bad movie.

Sense and Sensibility I was not as attached to, but it was done very well and I would have been entirely satisfied if the casting were not so ridiculous. The Graduate with Dustin Hoffman is pretty much perfect too - I think word for word - and makes the book twice as enjoyable the second time around. So like I said, it can be done...so why don't they do it right?

Guess I'll go re-read the next Harry Potter book and hope that the next director cares more about the book or is more like me.