A couple of things to mention.
Picked up the Expanded Super Extra Additional Fellowship of the Ring. All I can say is that it is better than the theatrical release. What it adds most of all is byplay; between the members of the Fellowship where it is most important. After all, the story is about inner strength and the bonds between friends. The most important in my opinion being those between Sam and Frodo, and that of Legolas and Gimli. There is much more of course, but those two are great in the books. The dedication, devotion and love that Sam has for Frodo and what their friendship endures during the journey. But more important is the friendship between Legolas and Gimli, between Elf and Dwarf; races that in most stories do not get along. Races that in Tolkien have an animosity and distrust between them. And here are two that become fast friends, sharing their worlds with each other and opening one another's eyes. One of my favourite parts in the books is the gift giving of Galadrial and Gimli, which is not covered at all in the theatrical version. The loss of which I thought made Lorien the worst part of the movie when it could have been one of the most beautiful. The Extended version goes some way to fixing that and leaves in most of what was in the book, modifying it somewhat to my mild dismay in the case of Sam, but otherwise being much more true to the books. I am very happy to have this version and won't bother with getting the theatrical release.
Next, saw Harry Potter today. It reminded me in some ways of watching the first, still very true to the books for the most part, and giving me the feeling of reading the book again. Kenneth Brannagh was great as Gilderoy Lockheart. And I must say that Richard Harris did another wonderful job as Dumbledore, it will be all the more difficult to watch the next movie because of his absence.
Posted by hugin at November 16, 2002 10:25 PM