I’m really sad the experience didn’t even Exceed Expectations for you. It seems the makers took to heart Fred and George’s view that they “Exceeded Expectations just by turning up”.
Being a SoCal native, I’ve seen a few movie sets, “making of” videos, and even a live filming of a Star Trek Voyager episode, to know that, apart from seeing the actual performers at work, they never measure up to the finished project. Especially so for sci-fi and fantasy projects.
I’m very glad to know not to spend the travel time and money to see it, should I ever scrape up enough cash to enjoy the UK again. Very envious - the UK and London are my favourites of any place I’ve visited, back when I was going places instead of reading about them, lol!
So many thanks for the pics and review, Brent and Michael! I’m thrilled to have discovered your blog, it’s a lovely change from my usual diet of politics, art and fashion, all of which seem to become edgier and more polarised by the day.
I’m delighted to be here. And I almost forgot, thanks for pointing out the increasing pinkness of Dolores Umbridge. I never noticed that, to my chagrin. I reread the books periodically, perhaps it’s time for a rewatch.
I agree about the writing! All the characters and much of the plot sure are heavily protected by plot armour. Leaving Harry’s Voldemort problem aside, there are so many hazards at Hogwarts, it’s amazing any first and second year kids survived. And as far as the Rowling’s views on things, I give her plot armour as well.
I’ve learned to divorce myself from actor’s and all other’s social and political views, in order to fully enjoy their work and sometimes even their friendship. Like most people, I have definite opinions and beliefs, but those or their opposites can’t be let to define the person or performance, or I’d have a lot less fun and friends in life. And I like fun and friends! We all have warts, lol. But I have to exclude the Death Eaters and their ilk among us. There are limits!
If more people in our world (like us, of course! ;-) ) could just take people as they are, agree to disagree on some things, and appreciate the things we all have in common, it would be a much easier world in which to live.
I promise, no more pontificating. IDK, but Harry Potter makes me really stupidly philosophical 🧐. Silly thing, they’re just childrens books.
As you maybe have noticed, I totally lack the verbosity on/off switch. Sigh
Haha no worries! The older I get, the more "grey" some things become -- and my impulse to agree to disagree and live and let live -- but my "limits" also become more clear (which usually have to do with cruelty and a lack of kindness. I can tolerate a lot in people who are fundamentally kind, and I have a very low tolerance for cruelty of any kind).
And the best thing has got to be the statue of Ron on the chess knight’s horse. What a shame they are faceless, with all the other detail. Must be some clause in their contract, no images of the actors. Ugh.
You guys look great, too! Obviously the “vagabond” life agrees with you!
Tom and I are both disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised at your not-so-wonderful experience. The only time we have NOT been disappointed by a movie set was on Mt Sunday, NZ, the place they built and dismantled Edoras for The Two Towers. I found a screw they didn’t pick up. A special souvenir. So glad there weren’t any faceless manikins and plaster horses to ruin the experience.
I adore the Jim Dale readings! I’ve listened to them all countless times while driving and working.
The others I like a lot are the ones that read the late Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books (all 13! The last three finished by Brandon Sanderson using Jordan’s materials.) I highly recommend them. Similar to his arch nemesis ;-) George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones, but a lot more family friendly. I only wish Prime had rendered the series as faithfully as GOT and Reacher. I can’t even watch it.
Haha. We've heard this before, but we've been so pleasantly surprised by the decorations in London itself. At least in the tourist areas! Maybe it's a good year for that, since everyone is otherwise in such a foul mood. LOL
Brent, go find Ryan George and his Pitch Meetings for the Harry Potter movies. Don't be put off by the weird eyes in the thumbnail. They have nothing to do with the video. Rick doesn't agree with me, but I think Ryan is hilarious. YMMV. I anxiously await his pitch meetings, which usually come out on Thursdays. He's got another channel as well... Yea, I'm a fan girl.
He also does other skits. Check out the "the guys who wrote Frosty the Snowman". He's got tons of his other skits too. I look forward to the new stuff of his and when I need a few laughs, I watch him. Yes, I am a total fangirl of his. He can put out a video and an hour later have over 3K views and 1K comments. Ciao!
I’m really sad the experience didn’t even Exceed Expectations for you. It seems the makers took to heart Fred and George’s view that they “Exceeded Expectations just by turning up”.
Being a SoCal native, I’ve seen a few movie sets, “making of” videos, and even a live filming of a Star Trek Voyager episode, to know that, apart from seeing the actual performers at work, they never measure up to the finished project. Especially so for sci-fi and fantasy projects.
I’m very glad to know not to spend the travel time and money to see it, should I ever scrape up enough cash to enjoy the UK again. Very envious - the UK and London are my favourites of any place I’ve visited, back when I was going places instead of reading about them, lol!
So many thanks for the pics and review, Brent and Michael! I’m thrilled to have discovered your blog, it’s a lovely change from my usual diet of politics, art and fashion, all of which seem to become edgier and more polarised by the day.
An early Merry Christmas to you both!
That's a good point about sci-fi and fantasy projects. They almost can't help but not measure up.
Glad to have you along! Appreciate the nice words -- and Merry Christmas to you too. :-)
I’m delighted to be here. And I almost forgot, thanks for pointing out the increasing pinkness of Dolores Umbridge. I never noticed that, to my chagrin. I reread the books periodically, perhaps it’s time for a rewatch.
I agree about the writing! All the characters and much of the plot sure are heavily protected by plot armour. Leaving Harry’s Voldemort problem aside, there are so many hazards at Hogwarts, it’s amazing any first and second year kids survived. And as far as the Rowling’s views on things, I give her plot armour as well.
I’ve learned to divorce myself from actor’s and all other’s social and political views, in order to fully enjoy their work and sometimes even their friendship. Like most people, I have definite opinions and beliefs, but those or their opposites can’t be let to define the person or performance, or I’d have a lot less fun and friends in life. And I like fun and friends! We all have warts, lol. But I have to exclude the Death Eaters and their ilk among us. There are limits!
If more people in our world (like us, of course! ;-) ) could just take people as they are, agree to disagree on some things, and appreciate the things we all have in common, it would be a much easier world in which to live.
I promise, no more pontificating. IDK, but Harry Potter makes me really stupidly philosophical 🧐. Silly thing, they’re just childrens books.
As you maybe have noticed, I totally lack the verbosity on/off switch. Sigh
Haha no worries! The older I get, the more "grey" some things become -- and my impulse to agree to disagree and live and let live -- but my "limits" also become more clear (which usually have to do with cruelty and a lack of kindness. I can tolerate a lot in people who are fundamentally kind, and I have a very low tolerance for cruelty of any kind).
And the best thing has got to be the statue of Ron on the chess knight’s horse. What a shame they are faceless, with all the other detail. Must be some clause in their contract, no images of the actors. Ugh.
You guys look great, too! Obviously the “vagabond” life agrees with you!
Hehe, thank you. Flattery will get you everywhere.
Tom and I are both disappointed, but unfortunately not surprised at your not-so-wonderful experience. The only time we have NOT been disappointed by a movie set was on Mt Sunday, NZ, the place they built and dismantled Edoras for The Two Towers. I found a screw they didn’t pick up. A special souvenir. So glad there weren’t any faceless manikins and plaster horses to ruin the experience.
oh wow! jealous!!! (I'm such a dork.)
I'm sure the problem is that I'm just not a fan of the movies. Everyone else seemed to love it.
Yep. The best part of all Harry Potter books is Jim Dale reading them. And I like the movie theme music….
LOL
I adore the Jim Dale readings! I’ve listened to them all countless times while driving and working.
The others I like a lot are the ones that read the late Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time books (all 13! The last three finished by Brandon Sanderson using Jordan’s materials.) I highly recommend them. Similar to his arch nemesis ;-) George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones, but a lot more family friendly. I only wish Prime had rendered the series as faithfully as GOT and Reacher. I can’t even watch it.
Yeah, I’m such a nerd. It’s pathetic, really.
But bad Xmas attractions are a British tradition, Brent! You're likely looking at the best, done by WB to exceed local standards, and nothing more...😂https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/dec/13/even-the-reindeer-were-unhappy-life-inside-britains-worst-winter-wonderlands
Haha. We've heard this before, but we've been so pleasantly surprised by the decorations in London itself. At least in the tourist areas! Maybe it's a good year for that, since everyone is otherwise in such a foul mood. LOL
Oh, Oxford Street, lures in punters, tourist or otherwise...😂
Brent, go find Ryan George and his Pitch Meetings for the Harry Potter movies. Don't be put off by the weird eyes in the thumbnail. They have nothing to do with the video. Rick doesn't agree with me, but I think Ryan is hilarious. YMMV. I anxiously await his pitch meetings, which usually come out on Thursdays. He's got another channel as well... Yea, I'm a fan girl.
haha, yes, listening now. He's hilarious!
I’ve seen a few but not on Harry. They’re very funny, so I’ll need to look for them. I confess the weird eye are quite off-putting!
He also does other skits. Check out the "the guys who wrote Frosty the Snowman". He's got tons of his other skits too. I look forward to the new stuff of his and when I need a few laughs, I watch him. Yes, I am a total fangirl of his. He can put out a video and an hour later have over 3K views and 1K comments. Ciao!