Credit: www.the-leaky-cauldron.org. I didn't write this.
"This afternoon, I was lucky enough to be among 400 other movie fans to attend a test screening of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" in Chicago, Illinois.
Rumors had been circuiting around the internet about this screening, but confirmation that it was Harry Potter didn't come until just before the film started. Since this was a working cut of the film, many effects and scenes were not finished. At least 50% of the special effects were still in the CGI rendering stage, and green screens were visible throughout the film. Also, a number of specific shots were title cards on the screen as placeholders for the full, finished shot or effect.
The film itself focuses on the battle to defeat Voldemort. Three quarters of the film takes place at Hogwarts during the final battle for the school. Hogwarts is torn down around us with the violence brought by the thousands of Death Eaters, army of spiders, giants, and dementors. Even without all of the special effects complete, you can already tell how grand and cinematic the final product will feel. The second half of the "Deathly Hallows" film is an action-packed adventure where good and evil come together for the final showdown. The way Harry moves through the film, discovering what he needs to know in order to ultimately destroy Lord Voldemort is paced perfectly, even if the journey he takes is not what was outlined in the book.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint continue their high caliber of performances as Harry, Ron, and Hermione from the first part of the film, but Alan Rickman (Snape) and Maggie Smith (McGonagall) really do steal the show. Snape gets to become a fully emotional character in this film, as evidenced via the phenomenal Prince's Tale memory sequence, slipped into the ranging and bloody battle for Hogwarts. Snape is a heartbroken shell of a man when Lily is killed, and we see every level of those emotions in Rickman's performance. The Prince's Tale scene is one of the best moments in the entire series, and stays with you long after you leave the theater.
The look of the film suits its mood and the kind of action which takes place; the battles are raw and dark, the lighter or tender moments are warm, and the glow of the Epilogue seems radiant after an hour of nearly non-stop battles, death, and destruction.
Following a short montage of Voldemort taking the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's grave, the film opens with Hogwarts Headmaster Snape observing as students are marched, in lock step, across a courtyard in the castle. We are then taken to Shell Cottage where Harry, following the burial of Dobby, speaks with Griphook and Mr. Ollivander. Warwick Davis does extremely well as Griphook and gets to truly flesh out the conniving goblin part of this role. The film moves quickly onto the Gringotts heist scene, where we see excellent work by Helena Bonham Carter who picks up on Emma Watson's nervous sighs and mannerisms as she pretends to be Hermione pretending to be Bellatrix.
After the Gringotts heist, setting off alarms as they apparate into Hogsmeade, the Trio are beckoned inside by Aberforth. Ciaran Hinds gives an excellent performance as Aberforth Dumbledore, and even manages to resemble and emulate Michael Gambon's Albus Dumbledore. Hinds' scene at the Hog's Head is chilling as he delivers a monologue to Harry, trying to convince him of Albus' uncaring actions towards Harry. All the while, the portrait of Ariana sits over Harry's head, observing the scene before being sent off to retrieve Neville and reveal the passageway into Hogwarts.
While Harry searches for the Grey Lady, with some sage advice from a surprisingly forceful Luna, McGonagall and the other teachers secure the school. Smith does a top job here, commanding the Knights of Hogwarts to defend the school... a spell she almost giddily admits to being one "[she] always wanted to do..." A forcefield of protection domes the school, which, we later find out, has the power to disintegrate Death Eaters on contact.
For the last hour of the film we are taken along a series of interconnected journeys and battles that are mixed in with flashbacks and mind connections between Harry and Voldemort. It is truly impressive to see how so many different characters and sequences are tied together. Nothing in the last hour felt either sloppy or pieced together. It flowed so well it was as if you were panning around the castle seeing elements of everything happening at once. There are flashes of Percy Weasley, Trelawney, Sprout, and other familiar faces fighting alongside the Order. The entire last act truly feels as epic and thrilling as you'd want it to be. A particular highlight is when Aberforth casts a mega patronus over the castle and grounds to repel a swarm of Dementors that are about to envelop the castle.
In a change from the book, a number of shots were added to the memory scene showing Snape at Godric's Hollow, discovering the dead bodies of Lily and James. Snape falls to the floor upon seeing Lily's body, and then cradles her in his arms, sobbing, as the year-old Harry Potter looks on from his crib. Rickman's scenes with Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) also hit the mark, showing the backstory of Dumbledore's search for the horcruxes and Snape's love for Lily. Young Snape, Lily, and Petunia have been cast perfectly as well... even young James Potter seems to have been captured the way Snape's character remembers him from the book.
In Snape's death, Rickman gives a chilling performance along with Ralph Fiennes, who goes on a Death Eater killing spree as he learns the last bits of his soul are being systematically destroyed.
As mentioned above, the Prince's Tale memory is the emotional high point for the entire film series. It flows beautifully among the battle going on around Harry, and allows for a quick breath and dose of reality for Harry. Lasting for about six minutes, the sequence was set to the temporary score of "Dumbledore's Farewell" from "Half-Blood Prince" which worked beautifully in this edit, even though it is sure to be changed for theatrical release.
In the category of 'applause and cheers moments' falls Bellatrix's duel with Mrs. Weasley. "Not my daughter, you bitch" is delivered exactly how one would imagine it, and their fight atop a raised platform in the Great Hall is a momentary show stopper. This is juxtaposed with the heartbreaking moments when we realize that Fred, Tonks, and Remus have all been killed.
J. K. Rowling's source material is used nearly verbatim in the forest scenes. The film maintains the illusion that Harry is dead until he leaps from Hagrid's arms in the Hogwarts courtyard.
The final battle between Harry and Voldemort spans the last fifteen minutes of the film, which is intercut with Ron and Hermione's attempts to kill Nagini. They do not deprive Neville of his moment, however, who stands up to Voldemort and gives a rallying cry to keep fighting for Harry even after it is thought Harry is dead. Neville steps in to kill the snake seconds before it is set to pounce on Hermione and Ron.
Harry and Voldemort's final duel is as wide-ranging and epic as the rest of the film's action.
Following the screening I was able to speak with David Heyman who commented that they may tweak some elements for the sake of clarity, such as the succession of the Elder Wand occurred in the story. These alterations, Heyman said, could happen in a flashback or memory sequence.
The working cut of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" showed the talents of the filmmakers and actors involved in the creation of this film, even without every element being 100% complete. I can only imagine how much more amazing the finished cut will be when it premieres in theaters this July."
Sounds awesome! I can't wait until it comes out!
"This afternoon, I was lucky enough to be among 400 other movie fans to attend a test screening of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" in Chicago, Illinois.
Rumors had been circuiting around the internet about this screening, but confirmation that it was Harry Potter didn't come until just before the film started. Since this was a working cut of the film, many effects and scenes were not finished. At least 50% of the special effects were still in the CGI rendering stage, and green screens were visible throughout the film. Also, a number of specific shots were title cards on the screen as placeholders for the full, finished shot or effect.
The film itself focuses on the battle to defeat Voldemort. Three quarters of the film takes place at Hogwarts during the final battle for the school. Hogwarts is torn down around us with the violence brought by the thousands of Death Eaters, army of spiders, giants, and dementors. Even without all of the special effects complete, you can already tell how grand and cinematic the final product will feel. The second half of the "Deathly Hallows" film is an action-packed adventure where good and evil come together for the final showdown. The way Harry moves through the film, discovering what he needs to know in order to ultimately destroy Lord Voldemort is paced perfectly, even if the journey he takes is not what was outlined in the book.
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint continue their high caliber of performances as Harry, Ron, and Hermione from the first part of the film, but Alan Rickman (Snape) and Maggie Smith (McGonagall) really do steal the show. Snape gets to become a fully emotional character in this film, as evidenced via the phenomenal Prince's Tale memory sequence, slipped into the ranging and bloody battle for Hogwarts. Snape is a heartbroken shell of a man when Lily is killed, and we see every level of those emotions in Rickman's performance. The Prince's Tale scene is one of the best moments in the entire series, and stays with you long after you leave the theater.
The look of the film suits its mood and the kind of action which takes place; the battles are raw and dark, the lighter or tender moments are warm, and the glow of the Epilogue seems radiant after an hour of nearly non-stop battles, death, and destruction.
Following a short montage of Voldemort taking the Elder Wand from Dumbledore's grave, the film opens with Hogwarts Headmaster Snape observing as students are marched, in lock step, across a courtyard in the castle. We are then taken to Shell Cottage where Harry, following the burial of Dobby, speaks with Griphook and Mr. Ollivander. Warwick Davis does extremely well as Griphook and gets to truly flesh out the conniving goblin part of this role. The film moves quickly onto the Gringotts heist scene, where we see excellent work by Helena Bonham Carter who picks up on Emma Watson's nervous sighs and mannerisms as she pretends to be Hermione pretending to be Bellatrix.
After the Gringotts heist, setting off alarms as they apparate into Hogsmeade, the Trio are beckoned inside by Aberforth. Ciaran Hinds gives an excellent performance as Aberforth Dumbledore, and even manages to resemble and emulate Michael Gambon's Albus Dumbledore. Hinds' scene at the Hog's Head is chilling as he delivers a monologue to Harry, trying to convince him of Albus' uncaring actions towards Harry. All the while, the portrait of Ariana sits over Harry's head, observing the scene before being sent off to retrieve Neville and reveal the passageway into Hogwarts.
While Harry searches for the Grey Lady, with some sage advice from a surprisingly forceful Luna, McGonagall and the other teachers secure the school. Smith does a top job here, commanding the Knights of Hogwarts to defend the school... a spell she almost giddily admits to being one "[she] always wanted to do..." A forcefield of protection domes the school, which, we later find out, has the power to disintegrate Death Eaters on contact.
For the last hour of the film we are taken along a series of interconnected journeys and battles that are mixed in with flashbacks and mind connections between Harry and Voldemort. It is truly impressive to see how so many different characters and sequences are tied together. Nothing in the last hour felt either sloppy or pieced together. It flowed so well it was as if you were panning around the castle seeing elements of everything happening at once. There are flashes of Percy Weasley, Trelawney, Sprout, and other familiar faces fighting alongside the Order. The entire last act truly feels as epic and thrilling as you'd want it to be. A particular highlight is when Aberforth casts a mega patronus over the castle and grounds to repel a swarm of Dementors that are about to envelop the castle.
In a change from the book, a number of shots were added to the memory scene showing Snape at Godric's Hollow, discovering the dead bodies of Lily and James. Snape falls to the floor upon seeing Lily's body, and then cradles her in his arms, sobbing, as the year-old Harry Potter looks on from his crib. Rickman's scenes with Michael Gambon (Dumbledore) also hit the mark, showing the backstory of Dumbledore's search for the horcruxes and Snape's love for Lily. Young Snape, Lily, and Petunia have been cast perfectly as well... even young James Potter seems to have been captured the way Snape's character remembers him from the book.
In Snape's death, Rickman gives a chilling performance along with Ralph Fiennes, who goes on a Death Eater killing spree as he learns the last bits of his soul are being systematically destroyed.
As mentioned above, the Prince's Tale memory is the emotional high point for the entire film series. It flows beautifully among the battle going on around Harry, and allows for a quick breath and dose of reality for Harry. Lasting for about six minutes, the sequence was set to the temporary score of "Dumbledore's Farewell" from "Half-Blood Prince" which worked beautifully in this edit, even though it is sure to be changed for theatrical release.
In the category of 'applause and cheers moments' falls Bellatrix's duel with Mrs. Weasley. "Not my daughter, you bitch" is delivered exactly how one would imagine it, and their fight atop a raised platform in the Great Hall is a momentary show stopper. This is juxtaposed with the heartbreaking moments when we realize that Fred, Tonks, and Remus have all been killed.
J. K. Rowling's source material is used nearly verbatim in the forest scenes. The film maintains the illusion that Harry is dead until he leaps from Hagrid's arms in the Hogwarts courtyard.
The final battle between Harry and Voldemort spans the last fifteen minutes of the film, which is intercut with Ron and Hermione's attempts to kill Nagini. They do not deprive Neville of his moment, however, who stands up to Voldemort and gives a rallying cry to keep fighting for Harry even after it is thought Harry is dead. Neville steps in to kill the snake seconds before it is set to pounce on Hermione and Ron.
Harry and Voldemort's final duel is as wide-ranging and epic as the rest of the film's action.
Following the screening I was able to speak with David Heyman who commented that they may tweak some elements for the sake of clarity, such as the succession of the Elder Wand occurred in the story. These alterations, Heyman said, could happen in a flashback or memory sequence.
The working cut of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" showed the talents of the filmmakers and actors involved in the creation of this film, even without every element being 100% complete. I can only imagine how much more amazing the finished cut will be when it premieres in theaters this July."
Sounds awesome! I can't wait until it comes out!
I got this off another website, check it out:
How do you know you're taking Harry Potter too seriously?
Your computer says "You've Got Mail" and you run outside looking for an owl.
You ask for a broom for Christmas.
You sort everyone you meet into the four Hogwarts houses.
You went out and bought the latest edition of the Webster's Dictionary because they added the word "muggle".
You were burned trying to get through the flames of your fireplace.
You were kicked out of the movie theater for standing on your chair, throwing your shoe at the screen and yelling "THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE BOOK!"
How do you know you're taking Harry Potter too seriously?
Your computer says "You've Got Mail" and you run outside looking for an owl.
You ask for a broom for Christmas.
You sort everyone you meet into the four Hogwarts houses.
You went out and bought the latest edition of the Webster's Dictionary because they added the word "muggle".
You were burned trying to get through the flames of your fireplace.
You were kicked out of the movie theater for standing on your chair, throwing your shoe at the screen and yelling "THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN THE BOOK!"
I don't know things about you but in my side, i will really miss my childhood movie. I was growing up with this movie. I really can't beliave the end has came. I will miss the perfect friendsip trio; Harry-Hermione-Ron.
I will miss Romione couple. At the beggining, we all thought there will be a chemistiry between Harry and Hermione but as the time goes on, we all learned how can love be possible, funny. We loved Romione!Their fights were the beggining of a big love. :)
I really love this movie because when ron left hermione and fight with Harry, Hermione cried at all nights but she pretended like she does never care. And she tried to help Harry all the time. She didn't hurt herself or stopped being.
I will never forget the most enjoyable Beautiful perfect movie in my life.!
i really want to know your ideas. I will always be watching and writing comments about it!
and do't forget that; LEGEDS ARE UNFORGETTABLE:))
I will miss Romione couple. At the beggining, we all thought there will be a chemistiry between Harry and Hermione but as the time goes on, we all learned how can love be possible, funny. We loved Romione!Their fights were the beggining of a big love. :)
I really love this movie because when ron left hermione and fight with Harry, Hermione cried at all nights but she pretended like she does never care. And she tried to help Harry all the time. She didn't hurt herself or stopped being.
I will never forget the most enjoyable Beautiful perfect movie in my life.!
i really want to know your ideas. I will always be watching and writing comments about it!
and do't forget that; LEGEDS ARE UNFORGETTABLE:))
Your favorite devils food cake recipe, made into cupcakes
black string licorice
Instructions
Bake your cupcakes according to the instructions, without using paper cup liners.
Slice off the top of the crown of each cupcake so that when it is turned upside down, it sits flat. This gives you more of a cauldron shape than a cupcake shape.
Cut the black string licorice into small pieces and poke them into the cupcakes as cauldron handles.
Ingredients
dark chocolate
dry chow mein noodles
Instructions
Melt your chocolate until smooth.
Stir in noodles until the mixture is thick enough to hold together.
Spoon bite-sized clusters onto wax paper and let harden in the refrigerator.
If you want longer-lasting candy, melt 1 stick cooking paraffin per 12 oz of chocolate before adding the noodles.
These can be frozen, just thaw before serving.
black string licorice
Instructions
Bake your cupcakes according to the instructions, without using paper cup liners.
Slice off the top of the crown of each cupcake so that when it is turned upside down, it sits flat. This gives you more of a cauldron shape than a cupcake shape.
Cut the black string licorice into small pieces and poke them into the cupcakes as cauldron handles.
Ingredients
dark chocolate
dry chow mein noodles
Instructions
Melt your chocolate until smooth.
Stir in noodles until the mixture is thick enough to hold together.
Spoon bite-sized clusters onto wax paper and let harden in the refrigerator.
If you want longer-lasting candy, melt 1 stick cooking paraffin per 12 oz of chocolate before adding the noodles.
These can be frozen, just thaw before serving.
I throw my wand up in the air sometimes
saying,"Ah-oh, my name is Draco!"
I wanna celebrate and kill Dumbledore
saying "Ah-oh,old man, just let go."
We gonna rock the school
We gonna go all night
We gonna light professors up
like they're dynamite!
Cause I dueled you once,
Now I dueled you twice
We gonna light them up
like they're dynamite.
We gotta move, move, move, move
Get out the way of me and my crew, crew, crew, crew,
Sanpe, Bellatrix and Fenrir too, too, too, too,
It was on and on and on,
Now Albus is gone and gone and gone, yeah!
CREDITS:
greekgirlA,and boredcreativity have made this
(gryffindorgal made the last part)
become a fan of us and we will make more spoof songs to your favorites! just tell us the song,
and only if you become a fan!
saying,"Ah-oh, my name is Draco!"
I wanna celebrate and kill Dumbledore
saying "Ah-oh,old man, just let go."
We gonna rock the school
We gonna go all night
We gonna light professors up
like they're dynamite!
Cause I dueled you once,
Now I dueled you twice
We gonna light them up
like they're dynamite.
We gotta move, move, move, move
Get out the way of me and my crew, crew, crew, crew,
Sanpe, Bellatrix and Fenrir too, too, too, too,
It was on and on and on,
Now Albus is gone and gone and gone, yeah!
CREDITS:
greekgirlA,and boredcreativity have made this
(gryffindorgal made the last part)
become a fan of us and we will make more spoof songs to your favorites! just tell us the song,
and only if you become a fan!
If only we could be together,
You and I,
But our parents would never allow it,
You and I,
Our hearts are broken,
Yours and mine,
I weep for you,
My dear Rose,
Tears run down my face,
Like water flows.
I love the way your wand made flowers,
Made me feel like I had super powers.
I love your spirit,
Fierce but charming,
Complimenting and healing mine,
Which is hurtfull and harming.
My dad's a butt,
My mum is too,
But YOU made my heart soar,
When I was with YOU.
Your the best witch ever,
Inherrited your mum's brains,
Your hair is fiery,
Like a bright pretty flame.
If only we could be together,
You and I,
Forever together,
You and I
You and I,
But our parents would never allow it,
You and I,
Our hearts are broken,
Yours and mine,
I weep for you,
My dear Rose,
Tears run down my face,
Like water flows.
I love the way your wand made flowers,
Made me feel like I had super powers.
I love your spirit,
Fierce but charming,
Complimenting and healing mine,
Which is hurtfull and harming.
My dad's a butt,
My mum is too,
But YOU made my heart soar,
When I was with YOU.
Your the best witch ever,
Inherrited your mum's brains,
Your hair is fiery,
Like a bright pretty flame.
If only we could be together,
You and I,
Forever together,
You and I
1) Attempt to use Snape's oily hair to cook chips
2) Send Snape shampoo
3) Take pictures of himself while showering and then sell them to the female population of Hogwarts.
4) Give Remus a makeover while he is asleep.
5) Ask the potions professor whether the day's assignment can be used a sexual lubricant.
6) Sign his essays 'Seriously Sexy Sirius'.
7) Convince Remus that all the books in the library have been stolen and that it is closing down.
8) Tell First years that Filch is the Voice of God.
9)Tell people that it's Remus' Time of the Month when he tells First Years off for breathing too loudly.
10)Calling Lucius Malfoy "Luscious Mouthful" is just plain gross
11)I will not change the password to the prefects' bath to "Makes getting clean almost as much fun as getting dirty".
2) Send Snape shampoo
3) Take pictures of himself while showering and then sell them to the female population of Hogwarts.
4) Give Remus a makeover while he is asleep.
5) Ask the potions professor whether the day's assignment can be used a sexual lubricant.
6) Sign his essays 'Seriously Sexy Sirius'.
7) Convince Remus that all the books in the library have been stolen and that it is closing down.
8) Tell First years that Filch is the Voice of God.
9)Tell people that it's Remus' Time of the Month when he tells First Years off for breathing too loudly.
10)Calling Lucius Malfoy "Luscious Mouthful" is just plain gross
11)I will not change the password to the prefects' bath to "Makes getting clean almost as much fun as getting dirty".