Serinmood

- Jun 29, 2007 1:34 am (#109 of 253)

Whether the critics like it or not, it will break records at the B.O. and fans will love it.. I dont care what film critics say ..I have seen so many good films which were bashed by the critics and which lost at the B.O.

At another forum where I post, someone said "A good critic is a dead critic.."..LOL!! Couldnt help agreeing on that !!

Serinmood

- Jun 29, 2007 2:28 am (#110 of 253)

Harry Potter Gets His First Kiss

Jun 29, 4:16 AM EST

First kisses can be tricky. Even for Harry Potter.

Daniel Radcliffe — the star of the Harry Potter series — said Friday while in Tokyo for the premiere of the latest installment that it took a few takes to get over the nerves of getting the young wizard through his first on-screen kiss.

And even then, he didn't really feel the magic.

"When we started it, we were both a bit nervous," Radcliffe said at a news conference. "But after the first few takes, it was sort of like any other scene, which is never really what people want to hear. It doesn't really feel any different, because you are still acting."

In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," the latest in the megahit series based on J.K. Rowling's books, Harry comes of age and has his first on-screen kiss, with longtime crush Cho Chang, played by Katie Leung.

It was a big moment for Harry — if not for Radcliffe.

Producer David Heyman said director David Yates cleared the set to create more intimacy for the scene and the crew crowded around a monitor to watch.

"The makeup artist, who's known Daniel really well from the age of 10, she shed a tear," Heyman said. "For me, it was quite moving."

"Order of the Phoenix," a Warner Bros. Pictures release, opens in the United States on July 11 and in Britain the next day.

Radcliffe said Japan was a natural place for the world premiere — probably half of their fan mail comes from Japan, he said, and the hundreds of thousands of letters they receive are "beautifully presented."

The next Harry-related frenzy will be the publication of the seventh and final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," on July 21.

The first Harry Potter movie was released in 2001.Radcliffe and co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, who play Harry's friends Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, have been at the center of the Potter storm for almost half their lives.

All three stars have signed up for the final two Potter films.

The Harry Potter books have been translated into 65 languages and sold more than 325 million copies since the first volume, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," was published in 1997. The book was published in the United States with the title "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.".. msn.com

Sweet Tarra

- Jun 29, 2007 2:40 am (#111 of 253)

I enjoy reading the reviews but I never really "listen" to what they say. I LOVED Pirates of the Carribean, At Worlds End. I also really liked Spiderman 3. Leah Rozen, who writes for People magazine is probably the one critic that I honestly value her opinion on. I still go see the movie even when or if she trashes it too, though.

Hannibal.

- Jun 29, 2007 5:21 am (#112 of 253)

It sounds to me like what the critic didn't like about the movie comes straight from the book. I thought it might be the first one to actually be better than the book, since Order of the Phoenix has some pacing problems and, quite frankly, a lot of stuff that could be cut out (my opinion -- I know a lot of HP fans don't agree with me on that).

Sweet Tarra

- Jun 29, 2007 4:21 pm (#113 of 253)

What are some of the things that you think could have been cut out from the book? I would really like to know....There are also things that I wish would've been cut out too. One is the part where Filch wants to start beating the children for wrongdoings. I hated that part.

I think this movie is going to follow the book closer than any of the previous films have.

Serinmood

- Jun 30, 2007 1:40 am (#114 of 253)

Hannibal., "The Order of the Phoenix Discussion" #112, 29 Jun 2007 5:21 am

I wouldnt want anything to be cut out from OOTP ..It was my favorite HP book until HBP arrived..When I finished reading OOTP, I felt so sad that I had finished it, I turned back and re-read it..

As to the films, I was disappointed with the previous films, and I dont think this one is going to be any different..The films were fun but they just havent been able to bring on the humor, the magic, the euphoria that the HP books absorb us with.. e.g.: Everybody's favorite the Weasley Twins appear in one or two scenes which are nothing special !!:( ..

The HP films are good for those who havent read the books, IMHO..

Sweet Tarra

- Jun 30, 2007 3:12 am (#115 of 253)

Thankfully, the people who haven't read the books don't know what they're missing when they see the films.

One of my favorite parts about OOTP is when the Weasely twins start messing with Umbridge. The swamp.....the fireworks.....I had never laughed so hard while reading a book!

Serinmood

- Jun 30, 2007 10:50 am (#116 of 253)

That was really a great fun..I loved it how the twins decided to leave Hogwarts but leave it in style and how they prepared all day for the show ..LOL !!

Allison R

- Jun 30, 2007 5:46 pm (#117 of 253)

That was one of my favorite parts of the book as well. I thought it was the perfect ending to the scene when, just before they left they turn to Peeves and say, "Give 'er hell from us, Peeves!" and Peeves (who Harry has never known to take orders from any student) snaps to attention and somberly salutes them as they ride (quite literally) into the sunset. I could just see it so clearly in my mind! I hope the movie does it justice...

Sweet Tarra

- Jun 30, 2007 6:00 pm (#118 of 253)

Me too! I hope Peeves is IN the movie!

Serinmood

- Jul 2, 2007 2:48 am (#119 of 253)

Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix

Things are indeed getting darker in the world of Potter. In "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," both the mood and color scheme are grim, gray and black. There is pink, as a matter of fact, but this belongs to the first female villain of the literary and film series.

The much-awaited film has a new director in British TV vet David Yates, and he and screenwriter Michael Goldenberg do a respectable job in keeping novelist J.K. Rowling's story on course. The problem, though, lies in that story and its course.

This is the fifth -- and longest at 800 pages -- book on which a "Harry Potter" film has been based. Consequently, this is a movie that feels like a reunion in a train station, in which even more characters get introduced and old friends revisited, making for a bewildering array of personages to keep track of even for those paying close attention. Then there is the fact that this book -- and movie -- is a watershed of backstory, revelations and plot clarifications before heading into the two remaining chapters. So while "Phoenix" is a necessary film, it's quite possibly the least enjoyable of the lot so far.

Which will not keep the multitudes from the multiplexes. Harry Potter is now a certifiable brand. Even the release of Rowling's climactic seventh book in three weeks' time and its promise to resolve all the loose ends will deter no one from checking out this behind-the-curve movie version. Funnily enough, "Phoenix" ends up with everyone realizing what we, the audience, realized at the close of the last film, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" -- that the film's great but to this point almost ephemeral villain, Lord Voldemort, has returned. Only it takes another 138 minutes for everyone, save Harry, to truly comprehend this fact. Consequently, looking back, when the series is finally completed, "Phoenix" might go down as the problematic film, full of plot but little fun.

"Phoenix" begins in a glum mood with Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, looking definitely older and more mature) moping about during summer holiday in the blighted land of the Muggles. His use of a bit of magic to save, of all people, his truly despised cousin Dudley results in an almost instant letter of expulsion from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for use of magic outside of school.

Headmaster Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) rushes to his successful defense in court, but upon his return to school, he finds that most students, other than pals Hermoine (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint), steer clear of him. Even Dumbledore shies away.

Harry suffers from nightmares, but even worse is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the poisonous-in-pink Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton). She is the amalgamation of all our worst high school teachers, a chronically strict and arrogant instructor who hands down decrees without the slightest concern for their impact.

It seems there is a political war afoot in which the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge (Robert Hardy), is in severe denial about Voldemort's return. He prefers to view it as a rebellion by the school, its headmaster and that odious boy Harry. So the movie boils down to a series of moves and countermoves between a blind administration and a repressed student body.

There are several eye-catching moments here, some featuring otherworldy creatures, magic duels to the death, a clandestine though illicit wizardry school operated by Harry and rides through nighttime London skies. But the magic -- movie magic, that is -- is mostly missing in this outing.

The series also continues its shocking waste of talent. This includes why-bother appearances by the cream of British acting: Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson, David Thewlis, Richard Griffiths, Julie Walters, Robbie Coltrane (who, to be fair, was well used in previous films) and Ralph Fiennes (who, also to be fair, will as Voldemort make his major contribution in future films).

Certainly all design, visual effects, cinematography, costumes and editing are up to the series' state-of-the-art standards.

Hollywood Reporter

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 2, 2007 3:53 am (#120 of 253)

I don't care how bad the critics bash this movie, I'm sure I'm still going to love it. Most people already know what the movie is about, we just want to see it on film.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 2, 2007 4:00 am (#121 of 253)

I'm so excited!!

8 more days!!!

Hannibal.

- Jul 2, 2007 6:06 am (#122 of 253)

"What are some of the things that you think could have been cut out from the book? I would really like to know....There are also things that I wish would've been cut out too. One is the part where Filch wants to start beating the children for wrongdoings. I hated that part. "

What should have been cut out? If you ask me, at least a third of the book. I thought that the book had way too much meandering exposition and not enough of the great mystery/story that defines the other books in the series. When you compare it to the other books it had tons of filler that didn't advance the plot at all. All of the stuff with Hagrid and the giants and his brother is an example of this. Maybe he'll do something important in the seventh book, but if not, then all of that stuff was a waste of time and space to me. That was just one example. I mean, how many times do we need to see that Draco is a meany? That stuff just gets old after a while. It was just a boring book to me.

Half-Blood Prince also had a lot of background, but it was very interesting stuff and it seemed more streamlined. And it was also unique, because it was the first real look into Voldemort's life, so I loved that book.

Serinmood

- Jul 2, 2007 10:32 am (#123 of 253)

I saw on local CNN an OOTP promo of about 15-20 minutes..It was great fun seeing Fred and George raising hell on their brooms while leaving Hogwarts..

But the bad news is that it opens on August 10 here for some reason nobody can tell !!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 2, 2007 9:08 pm (#124 of 253)

I'll see if I can find the promo and post it here.

OOTP doesn't come out at the theater there until 08-10-2007 THERE???!!! That's awful!!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 2, 2007 9:09 pm (#125 of 253)

Hannibal., "The Order of the Phoenix Discussion" #122, 2 Jul 2007 6:06 am

I honestly know what you mean. I still haven't figured out why she's got the giants playing a role in the books yet either, but I'm sure they'll play a part in DH. If not, I'll be very disappointed. I think that Grawp is going to end up saving Hagrids life some sort of way.

As much as I liked OOTP, it's my least favorite book of the series. I mean that truly because I couldn't stand Umbridge so much. I hated what she did to Harry. As for the book itself, I thought that JKR did an great job writing it and yes, maybe some of it did drag on and on, but it's still a very well written book. We get to see Harry grow up more in this book, have a real teenage relationship, go through anger that most teens do, and we get to see the students of Hogwarts band together to learn DADA and also the fact that most students can't stand Umbridge and play pranks on her.

Serinmood

- Jul 3, 2007 4:13 am (#126 of 253)

Sweet Tarra, "The Order of the Phoenix Discussion" #125, 2 Jul 2007 9:09 pm

I have to admit here that although I loved everything about OOTP book and wished it was longer, I skip the part of the giants and Gwarp when I read the book now and again..

Serinmood

- Jul 3, 2007 4:14 am (#127 of 253)

JAMES POTTER / Robbie Jarvis

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 3, 2007 4:21 am (#128 of 253)

Wow, he's a cutie!!

I skip parts too! I HATE HATE HATE the part where Harry has to write lines. I end up crying if I read that part so it's best if I just skip it.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 3, 2007 4:34 am (#129 of 253)

I can't believe we've only got seven more days to go. (here)

Serinmood

- Jul 3, 2007 9:54 am (#130 of 253)

Harry Potter and Th eOrder of The Phoenix

The students at Hogwarts leave youthful hijinks behind once and for all in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Considerably grimmer and grittier than the previous pictures in the phenomenally successful series, new entry finds the young charges' head-on collision with adolescence taking a backseat to their sober confrontation with unvarnished evil. Pottermania will reach a peak in July with the nearly simultaneous release of the fifth film and the seventh and final book, and only commercial concern for Warner Bros. may be that, after the second or third week, curiosity about the concluding tome could overshadow interest in the film. Extravagantly produced in the expected manner, pic nevertheless marks a notable departure in tone from those that preceded it. From the opening scene, portents of bad tidings ahead hang over everyone and everything connected to the wizarding world, even as the magical establishment insists there is no threat at large in the land.

Altered feel this time around stems in large measure from the new blood recruited to push the franchise into ever-darker domains. Director David Yates, heretofore known mostly for his television work (and already engaged to helm the sixth film); screenwriter Michael Goldenberg, replacing series perennial Steve Kloves; and composer Nicholas Hooper, whose vigorously dramatic music uses only a smidgen of John Williams' themes, make the most decisive difference in steering the focus away from flights of fancy and in-house intrigue in favor of elaborate and sometimes heavy-handed foreshadowing of the inevitable showdown between Harry and Lord Voldemort.

Concentrated focus results in an unsettling mood and dramatic scenes of unusual intensity. But condensing the book, which at 870 pages is the longest J.K. Rowling has written, into the shortest film in the series has come at a price. Many viewers won't at all mind that this is the first "Potter" picture without a Quidditch match, nor that house elves and cutesy ghosts are largely absent as well.

But more serious is the diminishment of the myriad intrigues among individuals and factions that comprise so much of the stories' delightfully complicated fabric. Interplay detailing the fluctuating relationships involving Harry, Hermione, Ron (particularly slighted here), Cho Chang and intriguing newcomer Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) is sacrificed in favor of repeated group scenes of Harry teaching his clandestine band of teenage warriors the finer points of wand work. Classroom scenes are scanted and a sense of the school year passing is minute, giving the film a flattened-out feel compared to the wondrous eventfulness of Mike Newell's "Goblet of Fire," the last and most successful series installment.

Current yarn commences at the end of a parched English summer, when Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, back with a clean-cut look) lands in hot water with the Ministry of Magic for issuing a forbidden curse to fend off an attack by two Dementors. Harry's Inquisition-like hearing, where he narrowly escapes expulsion from Hogwarts thanks to the unexpected intervention of Dumbledore (Michael Gambon), sets out the central conflict: The Ministry refuses to accept Harry's contention that Lord Voldemort is back and, in fact, is prepared to put all its propaganda muscle into discrediting Harry and Dumbledore.

To this end, the Ministry imposes one of its own as this year's professor of the Dark Arts. Dolores Umbridge is one of Rowling's most delicious -- and resonantly named -- creations; a stout, toad-like woman reliably clad in shades of pink, Umbridge is a party functionary par excellence, a rules-and-regulations fanatic with a whim of iron who cloaks her proscriptive edicts in dulcet tones and manufactured smiles. Imelda Staunton was the perfect choice for the part and unsurprisingly emerges as one of the film's greatest pleasures.

Umbridge wastes no time clamping down on Harry, the other kids and the Hogwarts staff; assuming more power virtually by the day, she puts her most outspoken student in painful detention, prohibits the learning of practical curses, begins firing wayward teachers and ultimately confronts Dumbledore to assert complete Ministry control over the school.

In response, Harry assembles an underground rebel band known as Dumbledore's Army. The intense way these passages are staged lead one to believe they are the scenes that most engaged the interest of director Yates, who seems to relish the image of Harry and Hermione as nascent revolutionary leaders.

Similarly prominent are Harry's renewed relationship with his beloved godfather Sirius Black (Gary Oldman), hiding away in the secret family homestead in London, and his nightmarish visions of Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), with whom he increasingly feels a disturbingly strong connection. It gets so bad that he is forced to receive private tutoring from the dreaded Professor Snape, whose distaste for the task could not be more pronounced. Until shortly before the end, Snape has very little to do, but Alan Rickman may have outdone himself; seldom has an actor done more with less than he does here.

Climactic showdown between Harry's crew and Voldemort's henchmen, led by Lucius Malfoy (Jason Isaacs), is strikingly played out in a huge Ministry storeroom filled with shelved grapefruit-sized globes containing prophecies. One such sphere concerning Harry is of vital interest to Voldemort, and performing especially well on his behalf is Sirius' malignant cousin Bellatrix Lestrange, embodied by Helena Bonham Carter with a particularly maniacal glee.

It doesn't take much of a leap to connect the ill winds afflicting Hogwarts, along with the sweaty anticipation of inevitable conflict, with the present situation in the world at large. The metaphors are all implicit and have a lot to do with just growing up and facing unpleasant realities, but they increasingly contribute to the feeling of nervousness and unease creeping into the series. It will be interesting to see if general anticipation for the two remaining films holds fast or tails off once the epic series' conclusion is revealed in the final book.

Variety.com

Serinmood

- Jul 3, 2007 9:58 am (#131 of 253)

"Interplay detailing the fluctuating relationships involving Harry, Hermione, Ron (particularly slighted here), Cho Chang and intriguing newcomer Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) is sacrificed in favor of repeated group scenes of Harry teaching his clandestine band of teenage warriors the finer points of wand work. Classroom scenes are scanted ..."

Interesting review from Variety butI dont like the reviewer's comment about Ron as "particularly slighted here"..??? Good that there are no Quidditch scenes, they were never properly made in the previous films, and it is the shortest film of the series..

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 3, 2007 8:54 pm (#132 of 253)

I'm going to assume that the classrooms are scanted because who wants to watch Harry get punished repeatedly? Not me....

I did like this interview but I'll just wait and see for myself how the movie is. I can't wait to read everyone's opinion on the movie.

Serinmood

- Jul 4, 2007 2:41 am (#133 of 253)

Tarra..You ll have to wait for my opinion until August.:( .Frankly I dont mind much about the delay of the opening of OOTP here ..But I would very much mind if they would postpone the release of Book 7 and I am glad that it s not going to happen..It has to appear on the stands on the same date in the world..

Serinmood

- Jul 4, 2007 2:48 am (#134 of 253)

Yes, reading the parts where Harry writes lines on his hands was a shock to me at first.. But Rowling has managed to make a joke even out of this horrible punishment..I looked up the book but couldnt find what I was looking for..(I now realize how long this books is !!)..Was it Dobby who tells Harry what to use to heal the lines on his hands and then Harry matter-of-factly utters someone (?) the name of the potion to use for some wound? It seems hilarious to me the way Rowling describes this exchange..

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 4, 2007 3:35 am (#135 of 253)
Edited Jul 4, 2007 8:15 pm

If I remember correctly, the boy who tells Harry what to put on his hand is the same boy who does the Quidditch announcements in the first couple of books...Lee Jordan, I think his name is...

Serinmood

- Jul 4, 2007 5:36 am (#136 of 253)

I'm not sure.. Somebody told Harry what to use , then he told somebody else to use it..LOL!! Not easy to find the lines in such a thick book !!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 4, 2007 8:15 pm (#137 of 253)

I also think it's Lee Jordan who puts the nifflers in Umbridges office. I loved that part!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 5, 2007 7:43 pm (#138 of 253)

ABC's Potter weekend starts tomorrow

ABC Family kicks off the countdown to the premiere of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with a weekend "filled with wizardry." Watch the first three Harry Potter films and an exclusive sneak peek at the new film on ABC Family July 6th, 7th, and 8th.

http://abcfamily.go.com/movies/harrypotter/

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 6, 2007 8:09 am (#139 of 253)

only 4 more days until the movie comes out!!

Serinmood

- Jul 6, 2007 3:27 pm (#140 of 253)

We have two OOTP boards ..I'm going to post these pics here

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 6, 2007 3:41 pm (#141 of 253)

Thanks for posting them! I had posted them in the Picture's thread back in June, but it's nice to have them here also!

Serinmood

- Jul 6, 2007 4:32 pm (#142 of 253)

Wouldnt it be better and easier if we posted the stills from the films at the film boards?

Since we have two OOTP boards, where would you suggest to post the stills from the film ?

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 6, 2007 6:24 pm (#143 of 253)

I've been putting "general" stills in the Pictures, banners,and posters thread unless it's a promo pic or premiere pic. I haven't really thought about where everything went, I just figured we'd put stuff anywhere we wanted too. I didn't want to end up like a lot of those forums that demand you put something in one specific place.

I've tried moving this chat thread to the Order of the Phoenix Folder and it won't let me. Maybe if I change the name or something....lol I'll try that. The Phoenix Folder is where this chat thread should be!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 6, 2007 6:40 pm (#144 of 253)

Honestly, just post anything you want too anywhere you would like too. lol I do!

Serinmood

- Jul 7, 2007 1:24 am (#145 of 253)

LOL!! Thats what I' m doing but I dont want to repeat the same story over 5 different threads !!!! ..

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 7, 2007 6:42 am (#146 of 253)

Oh OK!! I see what you're talking about....give me a moment and I'll think of something..ok maybe longer than a moment. LOL

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 9, 2007 9:16 pm (#147 of 253)

Reviews: The Order of the Phoenix

The first reviews in the world's press of the latest Harry Potter film have appeared in the world's press, and it has generally been well received, deemed as the darkest movie in the series so far.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 10, 2007 8:52 pm (#148 of 253)

Large chain of stores in Canada denied Potter

Mac's Convenience Stores, with 300 locations in the three prairie provinces and British Columbia, has been denied the right to sell Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, due to concerns about leaks and security. A Raincoast spokesman said, "Security is our absolute, paramount concern."

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 11, 2007 3:06 am (#149 of 253)

Our countdown meter is possessed! LOL

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 11, 2007 4:10 am (#150 of 253)

It's HARRY POTTER DAY!!!! WOOHOO!! I cannot wait until 4 pm today.

*Becca Lou*

- Jul 11, 2007 5:55 pm (#151 of 253)

OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!!!!!!!!!!

We saw the movie today... 12:30p, My 6yo son and I. It is my FAVORITE HP movie so far. It was great. REALLY GREAT. I will not go into deets, because I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't seen it, but WOW, it was GOOD!!!!! Luna couldn't have been MORE perfect!!! SHE was EXACTLY what I pictured!!!!!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 11, 2007 6:34 pm (#152 of 253)

I know!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG we just got home and it's now my favorite HP movie too!

Out of respect for Serinmood, that's all I'll say until she's seen it.

Oh yeah...one more thing....any of those critic's who panned the movie, need to get HEXED by the DA!!! heh

Serinmood

- Jul 12, 2007 3:07 am (#153 of 253)

Tarra..No, no, dont worry about it.. After all I know the book and the story and what s going to happen.I may skip some of yr discussions if necessary..So no problem here..

So PLeASE feel free to discuss the movie..

I m so glad that you and Becca Lou and the kids joyed it so much ..

BTW, I have been busy and couldnt catch up yesterday , but I ll be back thoday definitely to post interviews and pics and read yr posts....

Serinmood

- Jul 12, 2007 4:29 am (#154 of 253)

N.Y. TIMES likes it

HARRY POTTER and ORDER OF THE PHOENIX , the fifth movie in the series, begins, as most of the others have, with a spot of unpleasantness at the Dursleys, and ends with Harry facing down Lord Voldemort. The climactic battle between the young wizard (Daniel Radcliffe) and the Dark Lord (Ralph Fiennes) foreshadows the final, potentially fatal showdown we all suspect is coming in Book Seven, which will be published later this month.

Imelda Staunton joins the Hogwarts faculty as a political appointee following an agenda. Anticipation of that event may be stealing some thunder from this movie — a rare instance of the book business beating Hollywood at its own hype-producing game — but between now and publication day on July 21, Potter fans can take some satisfaction in a sleek, swift and exciting adaptation of J. K. Rowling’s longest novel to date. Devotees of fine British acting, meanwhile, can savor the addition of Imelda Staunton (an Oscar nominee for “Vera Drake”) to the roster of first-rate thespians moonlighting as Hogwarts faculty.

Curiously enough, “Order of the Phoenix,” clocking in at a little over two and a quarter hours, is the shortest of the “Harry Potter” films. The nearly 900-page source has been elegantly streamlined by Michael Goldenberg, the screenwriter (who replaces Steve Kloves), and David Yates, the director (who follows Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón and Mike Newell in the job). There is no Quidditch, and not many boarding-school diversions. Instead, “Order of the Phoenix,” which begins like a horror movie with a Dementor attack in a suburban underpass, proceeds as a tense and twisty political thriller, with clandestine meetings, bureaucratic skullduggery and intimations of conspiracy hanging in the air.

Mr. Yates, whose previous work has mainly been in television, is best known in Britain for “State of Play,” a brilliant mini- series about power, corruption and deceit. Those are among the themes he explores in this film, which depicts a wizard world riven by factionalism and threatened by chaos and inflexible authoritarianism. While Cornelius Fudge, the minister of magic (Robert Hardy), maintains his highly suspect denial of Voldemort’s return, a coup at Hogwarts threatens the benevolent administration of Albus Dumbledore (Michael Gambon). Harry, meanwhile, has gone from prince to pariah, smeared in the magical press (where his name is rendered “Harry Plotter”) and subject to cold stares and whispers at school. Back in Harry’s early days at Hogwarts, Severus Snape (Alan Rickman), Harry’s foil and reluctant ally, sneered at the boy’s “celebrity.” But in this episode, the boy — if you can still call him that — encounters the darker side of fame.

Some of his schoolmates doubt his account of the death of Cedric Diggory, who was killed by Voldemort at the end of the previous film, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Dumbledore, Harry’s chief patron and protector over the years, seems to be keeping his distance, which leaves Harry feeling abandoned and betrayed. And more acutely, the pressures of being a designated hero — and possibly martyr — have begun to weigh on Harry, to isolate him from friends and to come between him and the possibility of a normal teenage life.

He does, at least, experience a first kiss with Cho Chang (Katie Leung), but that turns out to be a brief and equivocal moment of bliss. Whereas “Goblet of Fire” plunged Harry and his pals into the murky waters of awakening adolescent sexuality (or at least got their toes wet), “Order of the Phoenix” tackles the emotional storms that can buffet young people on their way to adulthood. Mr. Radcliffe, maturing as an actor in perfect time with his character, emphasizes Harry’s anger and self-pity. Mr. Yates frequently places him alone on one side of the frame, with Ron and Hermione (Rupert Grint and Emma Watson), his loyal but increasingly estranged friends, together on the other.

But this is not an Ingmar Bergman film, though perhaps Mr. Bergman can be coaxed into service for the film version of “Deathly Hallows,” the final book of the series. “Order of the Phoenix” has its grim, bleak elements, but it is also, after all, an installment in a mighty multimedia entertainment franchise. And like its predecessors, it manages to succeed as a piece of entertainment without quite fulfilling its potential as a movie. Perhaps by design, the films never quite live up to the books. This one proves to be absorbing but not transporting, a collection of interesting moments rather than a fully integrated dramatic experience. This may just be a consequence of the necessary open-endedness of the narrative, or of an understandable desire not to alienate “Potter” readers by taking too many cinematic chances.

Although “Order of the Phoenix” is not a great movie, it is a pretty good one, in part because it does not strain to overwhelm the audience with noise and sensation. There are some wonderful special-effects-aided set pieces — notably an early broomstick flight over London — and some that are less so. People waving wands at one another, even accompanied by bright lights and scary sounds, does not quite sate this moviegoer’s appetite for action. But the production design (by Stuart Craig) and the cinematography (by Slawomir Idziak) are frequently astonishing in their aptness and sophistication. The interiors of the Ministry of Magic offer a witty, nightmarish vision of wizardly bureaucracy, while Harry’s angst and loneliness register in Mr. Idziak’s cold, washed-out shades of blue.

The scariest color in his palette, however, turns out to be pink. That is the color favored by Dolores Umbridge (Ms. Staunton), whose cheery English-auntie demeanor masks a ruthlessly autocratic temperament. She posts proclamations on the Hogwarts walls, subjects violators to painful punishments and substitutes book learning for practical magic. Her purpose is to institute Minister Fudge’s head-in-the-sand policy with respect to the Voldemort threat, and she does a heck of a job.

Ms. Staunton joins an astonishing ensemble of serious actors who, in the best British tradition, refuse to condescend to the material, earning their paychecks and the gratitude of the grown-ups in the audience. Mr. Rickman has turned Snape (whose animus against Harry is partly explained here) into one of the most intriguingly ambiguous characters in modern movies, and it is always a treat to see the likes of Emma Thompson, David Thewlis and Gary Oldman, however briefly.

Even better, the Potter enterprise has become a breeding ground for the next generation of British acting talent. Mr. Radcliffe has already spread his wings (and dropped his pants) on the London stage, and cultural pessimists of my generation can take comfort in knowing that while our parents may have witnessed Malcolm McDowell and Julie Christie in their prime, our children will see Mr. Grint and Ms. Watson in theirs. “Order of the Phoenix” also introduces Evanna Lynch, a pale, wide-eyed 15-year-old nonprofessional from Ireland who, having read the book, decided that no one else could play Luna Lovegood, the weirdest witch at Hogwarts. It seems Ms. Lynch was right. She’s spellbinding.

“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” is rated PG-13 (Parents strongly cautioned). Its violence is intense, though not graphic, and some of its images are quite scary.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 12, 2007 5:50 am (#155 of 253)

Ok thanks!

I agree with the NY Times article here. Honestly, I didn't think the movie was "great" but it was very good. It's now my favorite HP movie.

I really liked how this movie seemed to follow to book more than the previous movies did.

Did anyone else think that Mrs. Dursley looked like a hoochie mama? LOL

I actually missed seeing more of the teachers at Hogwarts.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 12, 2007 5:51 am (#156 of 253)

Ok, anyone ready to discuss the movie?

*Becca Lou*

- Jul 12, 2007 6:03 am (#157 of 253)

Petunia did look like a HOOTCHIE MAMA! LMBO!!!!

I think they did a GREAT job with the Weasley twins' leaving scene, given the amount of time they had within a movie, and I also LOVED the scene of Voldemort's taking over Harry's body... it was well done....

*Becca Lou*

- Jul 12, 2007 6:04 am (#158 of 253)

I ALSO LOVED GWAP!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 12, 2007 6:08 am (#159 of 253)

Me too! I loved the part where Hermioni tells him to "PUT HER DOWN"! It cracked me up. There were some seriously funny parts in this movie.

Did you feel the urge to cry a lot though? I sure did. When Harry first sees Sirius again.....then when he sees him go through the curtain...

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 12, 2007 6:08 am (#160 of 253)

Greg's calling from IRAQ....I'll be back.

*Becca Lou*

- Jul 12, 2007 6:13 am (#161 of 253)

I felt the urge to cry ALOT. I think mostly because I KNEW what was coming.... *sigh* I think they left out something VERY important in this movie, and I wonder how they will make up for it in the next movie.... that is discussing Regulas, and showing the locket just a tad, for maybe a short insignificant moment.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 12, 2007 6:31 am (#162 of 253)

I think they left it out because maybe the locket isn't going to turn out to be his.....

Guess we'll find out in a few days.

My favorite part of the whole movie is when Harry tells Umbridge, "I cannot tell lies", as the centaurs are carrying her off.

My kids were so upset at seeing the abuse the students were taking. My daughter Kaitlyn, who's 9 years old has never read the books before and she kept whispering to me in the theater, "why don't they tell their moms?" If a teacher ever did that to my kid I would go postal on them!

AmTy

- Jul 12, 2007 7:51 am (#163 of 253)

Becca Lou - I haven't seen the movie yet and saw that you took your 6 year old. My DD is 6 and I was thinking of taking her on Sat. but I keep seeing the "parents strongly cautioned" warning. She has seen the other four movies as well as the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and never had any problems. Is this one far worse?

*Becca Lou*

- Jul 12, 2007 8:36 am (#164 of 253)

My favorite part of the whole movie is when Harry tells Umbridge, "I cannot tell lies", as the centaurs are carrying her off.

AmTy

- Jul 12, 2007 10:23 am (#165 of 253)

Thanks Becca Lou! I think I will take her on Sat. I'm really anxious to see it and she wants to also. I guess we could always leave if it was really too much, but she didn't have any problems w/ GOF so I'm thinking it'll be ok.

*Becca Lou*

- Jul 12, 2007 1:12 pm (#166 of 253)

If she didn't have any trouble with GOF than she'll be fine with this one. Joey cried a bit at GOF, during the cemetary scene, Voldemort was TOO scary, but we've since desensitised him to Voldy. hahaha! He was totally fine at OOtP

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 13, 2007 9:30 am (#167 of 253)

I wish the big fight at the end would've lasted longer. Did anyone else feel that way?

Serinmood

- Jul 14, 2007 1:44 am (#168 of 253)

From Hollywood Elsewhere (13 July)

Yesterday Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix sold $18 million worth of tickets -- a sharp (and expected) drop from Wednesday's record $32 million tally. Add the $12 million from Tuesday night and Wednesday's figure was actually $44 million, and that figure becomes $62 million when you throw in yesterday's $18 million,. Potter will probably earn somewhere in the mid $60s for the weekend. Make it $65 million plus the already-bagged $62 and we're talking a Sunday night total of about $127 million.

Serinmood

- Jul 14, 2007 2:38 am (#169 of 253)

I like this picture

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 14, 2007 6:25 am (#170 of 253)

I love how they are setting records!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 14, 2007 10:39 am (#171 of 253)

I've got my Deluxe Edition ordered, I'm giving the standard edition to JD (my son) and we're all going to the Sci-Port Release Party next friday night. The kids are so excited. Now, Kaitlyn is wanting to enter the costume contest so I'm looking for a Hogwarts uniform today online. <sigh>

AmTy

- Jul 14, 2007 4:59 pm (#172 of 253)

I saw the movie today. I thought it was really good and I really liked how real it seemed. I'm not sure if I'm explaing it right, but it seemed very real and live compared to the other movies that had more of a fantasy quality...If that makes any sense. I do think the movie could have easily been longer and it would have been ok. The reviews kept saying that it moved really fast and I completely agree with that, but there were several times when I wondered if the movie would have made complete sense to someone watching who hadn't read the books. I thought there were a few places where my knowledge of the book kind of filled in the gaps of info that the movie didn't explain. I do want to say that I am a "johnny come lately" Potter fan and didn't read the first book until last summer and then the other 6 since Christmas(and now 5 & 6 twice)so this was the 1st movie I've seen where I'd read the book first, so it's probably logical that I'd be comparing it the whole movie.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 14, 2007 6:38 pm (#173 of 253)

Understandable...

Did you have the urge to cry throughout? I know I did...

I thought it moved fast too but not nearly as fast as GOF did. I had to see that movie a few times at the theater (LOL) just to catch everything! I would've loved for the director to add another hour onto this movie. Maybe he'll read complaints that the movie was too short and he'll make HBP longer. We can only hope! There are so many things that I wish they would've included in the movie, like Ron and Hermioni becoming prefects.....

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 15, 2007 10:29 am (#174 of 253)

What did you guys think about Mrs. Figg?

Allison R

- Jul 15, 2007 12:34 pm (#175 of 253)

Mrs. Figg in the movie seems to have overdosed on her tranqualizers. She was far from frantic or excited, in my opinon-- in fact, you could almost have thought she was inside the library! Her costume was off, too-- no tartan slippers, no quirky dress. I thought she was a big disappointment.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 15, 2007 4:11 pm (#176 of 253)

I agree. It's almost as if they get the nastiest looking people they can find to place some of these parts.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 15, 2007 7:56 pm (#177 of 253)

'Potter' Works Magic With $77.4M Opening Weekend

LOS ANGELES Harry Potter remains a box-office charmer.

The Warner Bros. fantasy sequel "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" conjured up a $77.4 million debut to lead the weekend box office, according to studio estimates Sunday.

That raised the movie's total domestic gross to $140 million since opening Wednesday.

"Order of the Phoenix" also has taken in an additional $190.3 million in 44 other countries where it began rolling out Wednesday.

"Transformers," the DreamWorks-Paramount sci-fi tale that was the previous weekend's No. 1 movie, slipped to second place with $36 million, lifting its total to $223 million.

The weekend's other new wide release, grisly horror story "Captivity" from Lionsgate and After Dark Films, opened out of the top 10 with $1.55 million, coming in at No. 12. The movie stars Elisha Cuthbert as a model who is abducted and tortured.

"Order of the Phoenix" expanded overall business for Hollywood. The top 12 movies took in $171.1 million, up 14 percent from the same weekend last year, when "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest" was No. 1 with $62.3 million.

The fifth chapter in the movie series based on J.K. Rowling's novels about the teen wizard, "Order of the Phoenix" has Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) leading a secret society of students to prepare for the coming showdown with the evil Lord Voldemort.

The previous four "Harry Potter" flicks all had bigger first weekends, ranging from $88.4 million to $102.7 million, but those all debuted Friday. "Order of the Phoenix" was the first to get a jump on the weekend with a Wednesday opening.

"We're in the middle of summer, and we just said why not, because kids are out of school," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros. "It certainly turned out to be the right decision."

"Order of the Phoenix" did more business in five days than each of the first three "Harry Potter" movies did in their first full week, and it nearly matched the $146 million first week total of the fourth film, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," Fellman said.

Warner Bros. counts on the "Harry Potter" frenzy to persist with the publication next Saturday of the final book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

"People are going to have Potter mania happening again when the book comes out," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box-office tracker Media By Numbers. "They'll be walking book in hand into the movie theater."

Charlotte Ash

- Jul 18, 2007 8:45 pm (#178 of 253)

Looking at the movie as just a movie, it was good. Different directing style. Everyone seemed subdued and the bit of Ron and Hermione we saw just seemed awkward. Not at all like they were Harry's friend. As a movie made from a book, I was disappointed at the liberties they took to "make it better and shorter" and instead, make them incomprehensible and exhausting. I thought they should have done the scene where Ron and Hermione convince Harry to teach the DA more like the book. It was a bit confusing. They did good with the Skiving Snack boxes. I wish there had been an actual sunset Fred and George rode off into. Mrs. Dursley did look like a "desperate housewife." The dress she was wearing was a popular style in the 60's and 70's, I heard. We didn't see hardly any of Ginny in this movie, but we don't really see much of her in this book either, right? I loved the power they gave her at DoM, when she did the Reducto spell, I believe. The Cho and Harry kiss seemed so fake. It was almost as if they did not want to be there.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 19, 2007 5:54 am (#179 of 253)

I agree with everything you said but it's still my favorite movie of them all. lol My brother, who's never read the books, thinks the movie is wonderful. I've tried explaining all the mistakes, differences, and such to him, but he won't listen to me and seems to think it doesn't matter. Guess there are thousands of people in the world who actually haven't read the books and don't care about everything that was left out. Well, I've read the books and I'm so disappointed in the movies everytime one comes out but only because I wish they would've added 2 more hours worth of information in the movie! heh

*Becca Lou*

- Jul 19, 2007 9:14 pm (#180 of 253)

I agree with what you ALL have said...

and...

Sweet Tarra, "Order of the Phoenix Discussion/Chat" #177, 15 Jul 2007 7:56 pm

I was coming to post that!

*Becca Lou*

- Jul 19, 2007 9:16 pm (#181 of 253)

Hey.... From my time zone...

1 hour, 45 mins til tomorrow, and the N E W BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 19, 2007 9:22 pm (#182 of 253)

Are you on Central time?

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 21, 2007 10:21 pm (#183 of 253)

I took the kids the the Harry Potter Book 7 release party last night at the Sci-Port Discovery Center. They had so much fun stuff planned for the kids there. The kids got to make troll boogers lol and a marauders map with invisible ink, we made and painted our own wands (that was a blast)...and we also got to see how they really make the fire in the movies and there were real owls there and pieces from the Harry Potter movies were displayed. Around 11:30 we all started lining up and did the whole countdown thing at 10 seconds to go. There were several hundred people there so you can imagine the noise going on in there at midnite. We all just had such a blast. When they handed me the book I just felt like crying for some reason. All day today, I couldn't seem to start reading the book because I really didn't want to find out if Harry, Ron, or Hermioni died but once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. All the time that I sat here today reading it, I couldn't help but think that if JKR and the author of the ebook would've joined the 2 books together they would've had the perfect Deathly Hallows book. I'm not saying that the ebook was better than JKR's Deathly Hallows but there were so many things in the ebook that could've and probably should've been included in JKR's book. Anyway, enough about this from me tonight. I'm tired and I'm going to bed. G'nite.

big poppa pump

- Jul 21, 2007 10:29 pm (#184 of 253)

Now your life is complete.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 22, 2007 4:07 am (#185 of 253)

No, that will happen once Greg gets home....

Elfiemarie

- Jul 22, 2007 10:47 pm (#186 of 253)

How is Greg, Tarra? I hope he's doing well, marking those days off his calendar one by one. :)

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 24, 2007 9:18 pm (#187 of 253)

He's doing ok. We're so ready for him to be home. I think he's got about 37 more days. The base was hit yesterday and they had a casuality. He was unhurt but it scared me to death.

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 24, 2007 9:18 pm (#188 of 253)

Potter's Phoenix remains on top

There are two further films to come in the Harry Potter series Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has topped the UK and Ireland box office for the second week running. The fifth film in the series took £6.6m over the weekend, bringing its total UK box office haul to £31.4m.

Musical comedy Hairspray was the highest new entry at number two, taking £2m, while animation Shrek the Third dropped one place to number three.

Action sequel Die Hard 4.0 was at four, and Bollywood movie Partner made its debut at five.

Other new entries came from children's movie Firehouse Dog at number six and Private Fears In Public Places - a French adaptation of an Alan Ayckbourn play - at 15.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End remains the longest-running film in the chart, clocking up its ninth week.

The third film to follow the swashbuckling adventures of Captain Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp, it has now taken £40m at the UK box office, and its at number 12 in the chart.

Serinmood

- Jul 28, 2007 2:24 am (#189 of 253)

I guess Warners have decided to make up for their delay in opening OOTP here ..So they are sending the Twins , Cho and a few others over to Istanbul to the Premiere on 7 August !! Fans would like to see Dan , Emma and Rupert too , of course, but I guess they wont be available these days..Or they'll be on holiday !!

If I have time and can manage to attend the Premiere, I may just hug Fred and George to tell them how much I love them, and ask them not to mind their short roles in the films..

Serinmood

- Jul 28, 2007 2:33 am (#190 of 253)

Tarra,

Off Topic/ Sorry about posting this here and hope you wont mind me asking you this: but we had a good friend at my forum and she and I used to write to each other and had become close cyber friends... She was a reserve and was transferred to Iraq.. Her name is Terri.. She became a Colonel and was very active in the events there.. She used to let me know through a friend of hers that she was doing fine and hoped to return soon..It' s been almost two years since I last heard from her and you can imagine how worried I am about her..I m sorry about writing this to you at this forum but after reading yr posts about Greg , I thought you could maybe ask Greg , when you next talk to him, whether he knows Terri or has heard about her ..It's alright if you cant ! Thanks..

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 28, 2007 2:56 am (#191 of 253)

No problem at all! I'll be more than happy to ask Greg about it. Do you know where she was stationed at in Iraq? There are many bases there. If you have her last name, email it to me and I'll have him check. Since it's been two years, I wouldn't get my hopes up about finding her but it's worth trying!

Serinmood

- Jul 29, 2007 12:30 am (#192 of 253)

Thank you Tarra..I m afraid I dont have Terri's last name..And she didnt tell where she was stationed at..But she flew in a helicopter patrolling and she was once in the forces that went to Afghanistan to look for Usama..Her friend in Houston told me that Terri was a very nice tiny brunette but she was a terrific leader; no wonder she got the promotions so quickly..What she wanted was to be promoted to the rank of general soon , then retire , buy land in Alaska and settle there..Oh, and she was a Tom Cruise fan..She wrote me once that she discussed him with her fellow officers --In Iraq !! LOL!!

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 29, 2007 4:49 am (#193 of 253)

I asked Greg about her and he said that without a last name, it would be virtually impossible to find her. He's stationed at Camp Annaconda and he said that there aren't any female Terri's there that he knows of...

I wish I could've been more help. I'm sorry.

Serinmood

- Jul 29, 2007 8:02 am (#194 of 253)

Thank you for asking Greg.. I only hope that Terri' s silence is because she has been back from Iraq , has bought her land , settled there and has lost our e-mail addresses..That's probably why she hasnt written to us.. I try to keep other reasons out of my mind ! .:(

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 29, 2007 8:24 pm (#195 of 253)

Greg is still searching. All hope is not lost...

Sweet Tarra

- Jul 31, 2007 8:58 pm (#196 of 253)

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Rating: Monitored: Outstanding

"No Animals Were Harmed"®

In this fifth installment of the Harry Potter series, Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) deals with the grief of losing a friend and the threat of his enemy, Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes), returning. Harry must convince his classmates that evil is near and train them to fight before it is too late.

American Humane’s Role

The American Humane Association’s Film & Television Unit was asked to monitor this film. The Film & TV Unit’s work is funded by a grant from the Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund, which is administered by trustees from the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). This grant allocates resources solely to cover SAG domestic projects working under the SAG/Producers codified agreement.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was an international production and Warner Bros. Studios made arrangements for American Humane’s Certified Animal Safety Representatives to supervise the animal action. During pre-production of the film, American Humane’s Film & TV Unit received a copy of the script and daily call sheets. Certified Animal Safety Representatives carefully reviewed these materials to determine whether any scenes or situations appeared to put animals at risk. American Humane’s Certified Animal Safety Representatives then traveled to the sets in the United Kingdom to ensure the animals remained safe throughout the production.

This film met the Guidelines established by American Humane, received the Monitored: Outstanding rating, and was awarded the "No Animals Were Harmed”® end credit disclaimer. American Humane applauds productions that commit to the humane treatment of the animals in their films even beyond our borders, and encourages other producers filming internationally to make the same commitment.

Featured Animal Scenes

In several scenes, owls and other animals are seen sitting in cages or being carried in cages. The owls used for these scenes were very well-trained and very comfortable with their scripted actions. All scenes involving the owls were on closed, air-conditioned sets, which were limited to only necessary cast, crew and the American Humane Certified Animal Safety Representative. Multiple trainers were also on hand for all actions. For any scenes where the birds were in flight, a jess (safety line) was used and the short flights were limited to three takes. The birds were rested regularly in between takes. Flight action was performed in front of a blue screen and later edited in post-production. Owls were rewarded with treats for the actions. The cages with animals held a combination of live and stuffed animals. The actors carrying the live animals in cages were instructed on proper animal handling. Trainers transferred the animals into the prop cages and handed them to the actors right before filming began. The animals were retrieved at the end of each take.

An owl flies through a window, bumps into the ceiling and lands on the ground. The owl immediately hops onto the couch from the ground, drops off a letter and flies back out through the window. This scene was well-rehearsed prior to shooting and filmed in separate shots. The flight action was filmed in front of a blue screen. The owl was released by the trainer and called to a perch by another trainer. A small envelope was placed in the owl’s beak. Computer Generated Imaging (CGI) and a stuffed owl was used to create the bumpy landing. For the rest of the scene, a trainer hid behind the couch with the owl perched on his hand. On “action,” the owl hopped onto the couch, secured by a jess. A second trainer used verbal cues to encourage the owl to fly back out the doorway. The owl was rewarded with treats at its landing on the second trainer’s hand.

Crookshanks the cat walks down some stairs to play with a hanging “ear” that Harry and his friends are using to eavesdrop. The cat plays with the ear, then grabs it and runs back up the stairs. All actions involving the cat were on a closed set with limited noise, and access to the set was allowed only to necessary cast, crew and the American Humane safety representative. The cat was released by a trainer at the top of the stairs and verbally cued to “play” with the rubber ear. The cat was then verbally cued by a trainer at the bottom of the stairs to carry the ear off camera, and was rewarded with a treat after safely delivering his unique toy to the trainer. The cat was trained for several weeks prior to filming and was comfortable with the action.

Crookshanks sits in a doorway, and later on a stool as Harry and his friends have dinner. The cat was placed on its mark by a trainer and given the verbal command of “sit and stay.” Sardine juice was rubbed on the cat’s mouth to encourage it to lick its lips. The cat was also placed on its mark on top of the prop stool and given the verbal cues “sit,” “stay” and “watch.” A feather was used to direct the cat on which way to look. The cat was rewarded with treats once the actions were completed.

A dog walks through a train station, past Harry, down some stairs and through a door. This scene was filmed in separate shots. The dog was placed on its mark by one trainer and verbally cued to “come” to a trainer located at the base of the stairs. The dog was placed on another mark and then it exited through the door. Special effects were added in post-production for a transformation that the dog makes behind the closed door.

Filch (David Bradley), the school caretaker, stands in the dining hall doorway and his cat, Mrs. Norris, jumps on his shoulders. In other scenes the cat also follows him, sits next to him at meals and watches him from the base of a ladder. The cat used was trained and very well-rehearsed for the actions required. The cat was put on its mark by the trainer and verbally cued to follow the actor and jump on the actor’s shoulders. The number of takes was limited to ensure the cat’s comfort. For a scene where the actor hangs decrees on a wall, the cat was verbally cued to “go to” the mark and was kept a safe distance from the short step stool the actor used. For other scenes, the cat was placed on its mark and given verbal commands to achieve the simple necessary actions of following and watching the actor. The cat was rewarded with treats for the actions.

Several plates hanging on an office wall show moving pictures of cats playing. One kitten later “exits” its hanging picture. All the kittens were deemed as healthy upon arrival by the safety rep. The kittens were given several toys to encourage play behavior and filmed in these natural actions. All kitten contact areas were disinfected to ensure the kittens’ safety, and noise in the area was limited. Access to the set and direct contact with the kittens was limited to only necessary crew and the safety rep. Disinfecting foot baths and hand sprays were used by all crew members on the set. Some of the kittens wore simple, comfortable costume pieces. To achieve the action in which the kitten exits its picture, a bait stick was used to encourage the kitten to move off camera. The kittens were rewarded with treats and hugs for their playful actions. All actions were performed in front of a blue screen and later edited in post-production.

At the Boar’s Head Pub, rats run across the shelves, a goat walks from behind the bar and a boar’s head on the wall comes to life. Later, a rat runs through a broom closet. Cages were placed on both ends of the shelves for the necessary rat actions. The rats were released from one cage and called to an opposing cage where tasty treats were waiting for them. The rats were trained and comfortable with these actions before filming began. As for the goat, a trainer hid behind the bar holding the goat and released it on cue. A second trainer verbally cued the goat, and used another goat and treats to encourage it to come to him. The goat was trained for this action for several weeks prior to filming. Noise on the set was limited so that the goat would be comfortable and not become startled. The moving boar’s head on the wall was created with special effects.

Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) tosses a steak to his dog, Fang, as Harry and friends watch from a nearby table. The trainer placed the dog on its mark in a “lay” position. The dog was verbally cued to watch the actor with the steak and then catch and eat the steak when it was tossed. A fresh, trimmed steak was used and the dog was happy to complete the action as many times as needed. Only necessary cast, crew and the safety rep were allowed on the closed, quiet set.

*Becca Lou*

- Aug 1, 2007 7:51 am (#197 of 253)

LMBO, I bet "Fang" was happy to complete the task as many times as required to get the "right" take!!!

Serinmood

- Aug 1, 2007 9:51 am (#198 of 253)

Sweet Tarra, "The Order of the Phoenix Chat" #195, 29 Jul 2007 8:24 pm

Thank you Tarra and thanks to Greg..

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 1, 2007 4:12 pm (#199 of 253)

Can you imagine all those animals on set?

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 4, 2007 6:34 pm (#200 of 253)

OOTP nominated for Teen Choice award

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has been nominated for a Teen Choice award in the category of "Choice Summer Movie - Drama/Action Adventure." The other nominees include Transformers and The Bourne Ultimatum.

*Becca Lou*

- Aug 5, 2007 7:11 pm (#201 of 253)

Looks like the only one worth winning!!!!

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 5, 2007 8:06 pm (#202 of 253)

I loved the Transformers movie. Have you seen it?

*Becca Lou*

- Aug 6, 2007 8:24 am (#203 of 253)

My son did, but I am not much for Transformers, I didn't care for them when I was a kid. Perhaps I am just jaded....

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 6, 2007 8:34 pm (#204 of 253)

I never watched it when I was growing up...my brothers did. I loved the movie though.

Serinmood

- Aug 8, 2007 1:15 am (#205 of 253)

The Order of the Phoenix Premiere was held in Istanbul yesterday ..The Phelps twins (the Weasley twins) and Katie Leung (Cho) atttended the Premiere with the screaming fans who wore witch hats.

They held a press conference on their arrival on Monday and I liked the level-headed and intelligent answers the Twins and Katie gave to the questions of the press..They are now sightseeing ..

James said : "seeing the names in the credits were enough to make you feel terrific-- names such as Gary Oldman (Sirius), Alan Rickman (Snape), Ralph Fieness (Volde.) or Michael Gambon (DD)"..

Oliver said : "Once Alan Rickman came and asked us "you guys know about computers?" and asked me to check his I-pod.. Can you believe this? These are such important actors but they are so friendly."

Both of the twins said that they were not naughty boys at school unlike the Weasley Twins..(LOL)They were good students, they claimed..

Poor Katie was asked about the kiss mostly..

I'll get the photos from Turkish fansites and post them here..

Serinmood

- Aug 8, 2007 1:47 am (#206 of 253)

I stole this picture and the video from Seherbaz.com ( Auror translated as Seherbaz in Turkish ) which Veritaserum.com mentions:

At the Airport



The video (with Turkish translations)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnmQX7c4by4&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eseherbaz%2Ecom%2Fmodules%2Ephp%3Fname%3DNews%26file%3Darticle%26sid%3D1022

sorry about the link, I can't post videos yet..:)

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 8, 2007 3:40 am (#207 of 253)

Thanks for sharing that.!!

Serinmood

- Aug 8, 2007 9:44 am (#208 of 253)

Tarra..Thanks for the video..LOL!! somehow I haveto learn how to do it properly..Long links..ugh !!

At the Premiere

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 8, 2007 1:40 pm (#209 of 253)

You're welcome. Love the picture's, thanks!

Elfiemarie

- Aug 8, 2007 2:05 pm (#210 of 253)

How different the boys look without the red hair. So...is Ron/Rupert really a redhead?

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 8, 2007 2:11 pm (#211 of 253)

I think so..

Elfiemarie

- Aug 8, 2007 2:12 pm (#212 of 253)

It appears the rest of the Weasleys are not.

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 8, 2007 2:21 pm (#213 of 253)

Yeah, I'm not even sure the girl that plays Ginny is.

Serinmood

- Aug 8, 2007 2:48 pm (#214 of 253)

Only Rupert seems to be a true "ginger"..;)

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 8, 2007 7:26 pm (#215 of 253)

He needs a haircut though.

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 8, 2007 9:48 pm (#216 of 253)

Katie Leung and Matthew Lewis, Bonnie Wright and Evanna Lynch

NR chats to OOTP film stars

We asked you to send us your questions for some of the stars of Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix - Katie Leung, Matthew Lewis, Bonnie Wright and Evanna Lynch. After four days of furious emails and 5,000 questions - it's a good job Newsround doesn't use the owl postal system! - we picked some of the best to ask them.

Lauren and Katie, both 12, Liverpool----- What was it like kissing Daniel Radcliffe on set in front of the whole crew?

Katie: That wasn't too bad. The time leading up to the kiss I was so nervous. I was having sleepless nights thinking about it. When the moment came it wasn't too bad. It went very well and I've seen the finished result and I'm very pleased with it. Daniel was a very good kisser.

Racio, 13, Windsor--- Is it difficult being the underdog in the first few movies, then in this one you get a big role as part of Dumbedore's Army?

Matt: I enjoyed playing Neville in the first few films - making people laugh. I love doing that. Then this year to be given more responsibility in terms of the drama and the motion of the film and the action at the end - it's just been a big step up for me. The challenge has been wonderful and I've really, really enjoyed the last year and hopefully it'll continue.

Jocasta, 11, Corby--- Are you planning to follow in Dan's footsteps and do some theatre acting?

Matt: I've done theatre before. Not quite the West End. I do love it. The buzz you get from theatre is incredible. It's just that it's very hard work. I'm going to see Dan later on and I'm sure it's going to be incredible. Not just yet - I'm too lazy really. Maybe in the future.

Poppy, 12, Hampshire--- What is the weirdest thing a fan has ever given you or sent to you?

Katie: I remember travelling to Japan for the promotion of the last film and I got a paper beach ball whilst I was on the red carpet for the premiere, so that was pretty odd. I didn't really know what to do with it!

Matt: The weirdest thing was a yellow pepper which had lots of different biro messages written on it all just saying different random things. I guess it had the greatest influence because it was years ago and I still remember it to this day. I think I've still got it somewhere at home - probably all mouldy and horrible!

Group of 8 and 9-year-olds in Miss Little's class in Sunderland What is it like being famous at your age?

Katie: I don't know. I wouldn't say any different, it's not like I get recognised in the street very often. Sometimes I get the odd few coming up saying I enjoyed the movies. I'd say it's just the same.

Matt: I just never thought I'd be doing stuff like this. Sat talking to Lizo from Newsround doing an interview - that's pretty crazy when you think about that. When I go back home to Leeds I like to think it's not that different. I don't get recognised as much because I don't look too much like Neville. I guess I'm quite lucky. My friends are all so great I just get back to being normal. I don't think it's changed me that much - I hope not anyway.

Joanna, 12, The Hague--- What animal is, or would, your Patronus be?

Matt: I think mine would be a dolphin because they're so intelligent. Probably wouldn't be though - probably a badger or something!

Katie: I was going to say that! I think a swan as they're such elegant animals.

Harnick, 11, Leicester --- What's the best moment on and off the set in whole HP experience?

Matt: I love doing all the action and fighting in the new film, the Order of the Phoenix. Being able to train with the stunt guys and have all that make up blood on and running around being active and firing spells. It was something I hadn't done before. I felt like James Bond - it was cool!

Katie: Off set and on set, I enjoyed hanging around with the cast. We had so much fun - such a laugh, doing stupid things. We got to know each other a lot better.

Karis, 9, Edinburgh--- Are you both similar to the characters you play?

Bonnie: Ginny is very shy in the first few books. She becomes more confident in this film and through Dumbledore's Army. She wants to show that she can get into her fighting spirit too. I think I was shy when I was younger but I think she's more like me in this film. A bit more outgoing and wanting to be part of the adventure. Evanna: Yes, we're similar but not the same. I'm much more determined than her. I know what I want so I chase after it. I don't think Luna would chase after it.

Emma, 12, Woking Before you got the part of Luna, did you have any kind of drama lessons or were you in plays at all?

Evanna: Yeah, I went to drama class every Saturday. It was fun. It wasn't serious. We did a play every so often.

Izzie, 13, Sydney--- Ginny's character has developed really well leading up to the important role in book six. Are you looking forward to that? What do you think of the way that Ginny's character has changed throughout the last five films?

Bonnie: In the sixth book and what happens in the relationship with Harry. It really shows she's not the little sister anymore - she's become herself. When I was reading it I wasn't expecting it at all - it was nice. I liked how it came through, as obviously in the first book she showed a liking towards Harry.

Ellie, 9, Fleet--- Is it easy to actually learn your lines? Is it fun performing on set when you've done that?

Evanna: Yeah - not much learning to do, especially if you've read them as much as me. It's better not to learn them word for word as it gets very mechanical. It's always fun.

Bonnie: Yeah, it's nice once you get there. You get a feel for how you want to play the lines.

Evanna: One line leads to the next really.

Bonnie: Yeah, and on the set we actually get the atmosphere and work off each other.

Alison, 13--- Do you still hang out with all the friends you knew before you became famous?

Bonnie: Yeah, definitely as I'm still at school so I'm still seeing all my friends. They're all supportive.

Evanna: Yeah, I'm sticking with my friends. They're all Harry Potter fans. It's nice to have something that's still the same.

Laura, 13 London--- What's it like being the new girl on the set of the Harry Potter movies?

Evanna: I think I fitted in quickly. After one week you don't feel like the new one, you feel like you've been there your whole life. They want you to be part of it.

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 16, 2007 7:19 am (#217 of 253)

I was so mad at my brother the other day. He took the kids to Karate practice and when he came home he handed me a DVD. He wouldn't tell me what it was and there was no name on it. I put it in the DVD player and guess what it was? It was Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix!! It started playing and it honestly looked like someone had taken a camcorder into the theater and recorded the movie. I was so mad!! Someone at Karate was SELLING bootlegged copies of it and he also bought Fantastic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer. He got them 2 for $15.00. I took them out of my house and put them in my vehicle! I was so scared that police were about to swarm my house! Isn't it illigal? I wanted to kick my brother's butt for buying them!! I still may do it!! Here's the thing though....he didn't know the person selling the movies and when he took the kids back to karate last night that person wasn't there. I would report them in a heartbeat if I knew who they were.

Elfiemarie

- Aug 16, 2007 1:13 pm (#218 of 253)

Take them to the local police dept. and just say where they were purchased. Let the police do the rest.

Elfiemarie

- Aug 16, 2007 1:13 pm (#219 of 253)

Or if you don't want to do that, call the largest newspaper in your area and asks who handles crime stories.

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 16, 2007 6:58 pm (#220 of 253)

I have a friend who works at the newspaper but I didn't even think about calling her. Thanks!

Serinmood

- Aug 17, 2007 12:46 am (#221 of 253)

I know how you feel Tarra.. Unfortunately it happens everywhere in the world..Some people copy the film in the theatre and sell or rent them.. I have seen a young man at a street corner near where I live selling and renting loads of DVDs of new films..I took a look and couldnt believe when I saw the DVDs of films which hadnt opened here yet..But I was not tempted.. .

Anyway I dont understand why so many people prefer seeing films at home on DVDs to seeing them on large screens in theatres.

Serinmood

- Aug 17, 2007 12:50 am (#222 of 253)

Sweet Tarra, "The Order of the Phoenix Chat" #216, 8 Aug 2007 9:48 pm

Thanks for the chat.. I was very impressed by Evanna's performance as Luna.. She was one of the few best things in OOTP.. Now wonder she was picked from thousands of girls who auditioned for the role..

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 17, 2007 2:55 pm (#223 of 253)

I thought the exact same thing about her.

*Becca Lou*

- Aug 18, 2007 2:12 pm (#224 of 253)

She was EXACTLY what I pictured for Luna.....

- Sep 11, 2007 7:30 pm (#225 of 253)

Question about the D.A.

Does anyone know where I could find a list of the values of the D.A.? I'm a teacher and want to use them in one of my classes. Thanks! Amy

- Nov 21, 2007 8:20 am (#226 of 253)

lily and james

lily said to jasmes what has snape ever done to james but it was snape who started it by saying that james would rather want to have a child[brawny] than have a brtain and he should stop picking on harry as harry is the son of the woman who he loves

Sweet Tarra

- Nov 25, 2007 2:58 pm (#227 of 253)

Amy Gavel, "The Order of the Phoenix Chat" #225, 11 Sep 2007 6:30 pm

Amy, I'm not sure but I'll look for you.

Wildcat Bob

- Dec 20, 2007 6:29 pm (#228 of 253)

Phoenix is in Arizona...

Sweet Tarra

- Jan 9, 2008 12:19 pm (#229 of 253)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was a winner in the 34 Annual People's Choice Awards last evening. They won the category of Favorite Movie Drama. Dan kindly accepted the award via video from the set of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

You can view his acceptance speech online at the People's Choice Awards website http://www.pcavote.com/pca/history.jsp

Serinmood

- Jan 28, 2008 3:44 am (#230 of 253)

Rotten Tomatoes, a website that rates over 200,000 movies based of the reviews of hundreds of film critics, has given Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix it's Golden Tomato Award for Best Fantasy/Sci-Fi Film! This means that OOTP was the highest critically rated film in the Fantasy/Sci-Fi genre according to the website!

big poppa pump

- Aug 2, 2008 6:25 am (#231 of 253)

Ya know? I didn't remember Harry being such rotton little crybaby who treated Ron and Hermonie soo bad when I read this book the first time. I would have told him to leave me alone until he stopped being such an ass!

Lorrie*

- Aug 2, 2008 6:30 am (#232 of 253)

Are you talking about the movie, Poppa? I'm reading the book right now.

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 2, 2008 6:31 am (#233 of 253)

Greg has never read a Potter book and just recently started watching the movies. I look at them now through the eyes of someone who has never read one of the books and is just watching the movies for the first time. It's not good either. I cringed more than ever while watching COS with him. I have to pause each movie multiple times just to explain stuff to him about how things really are in the book. The movies really can't compare to the books. We started watching OOTP last night and he fell asleep half way through the movie.

big poppa pump

- Aug 2, 2008 6:33 am (#234 of 253)

In the book Lorrie.

Lorrie*

- Aug 2, 2008 6:39 am (#235 of 253)

I'm halfway through the book... yay, I've reached Harry's first kiss! Just waiting for Ron and Hermoine to realize they were made for each other.

My son has been watching the movies without reading the books. He does find them a bit confusing at times.

MC

- Aug 2, 2008 8:18 am (#236 of 253)

big poppa pump, "The Order of the Phoenix Chat" #231, 2 Aug 2008 6:25 am

I sort of felt that way when I read the book the first time. I grew tired of Harry blowing up at people and yelling all the time. So many of his conversations were IN ALL CAPS!!! LOL I thought the author was just presenting him as a typical adolescent being so pissy and irritable. But of course we find out later why Harry has so much anger (don't want to spoil since Lorrie is reading it)

Lorrie*

- Aug 2, 2008 8:32 am (#237 of 253)

Well, I think that link he has with Voldemort (gasp!) is starting to effect him somehow, like he's seeing things through Voldemort's eyes.

Ah, but don't say anything!

MC

- Aug 2, 2008 4:00 pm (#238 of 253)

Eeeek!

You said the name! You said the name!

:)

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 3, 2008 1:10 am (#239 of 253)

LOL

OMG... hide everyone!!

Serinmood

- Aug 3, 2008 9:13 am (#240 of 253)

*Runs away to Australia !!!!!!!!!!!*

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 3, 2008 9:51 am (#241 of 253)

LOL

Find Hermioni's parents! They've been there for 19 years!

MC

- Aug 3, 2008 12:04 pm (#242 of 253)

ROTLF!

Ask them if they remember having a daughter

Serinmood

- Aug 3, 2008 12:13 pm (#243 of 253)

Hahahaha!! That's why I am running away to Australia !!

MC

- Aug 3, 2008 12:21 pm (#244 of 253)

Oh, I just had a thought. Remember how in the first book, Harry and Ron dodn't like her at first because she was an annoying little know it all? Maybe she like that at home (always correcting her parents' grammar and such) and that's why they're fine with her spending so much time away....:)

"Oh, you want to spend Christmas with the Weasley's? Why, that would be fine Herminoine. Maybe they'll want you to visit during the summer too? No, no, we'll be fine. You just go have fun with your friends dear. Yes, the whole summer will be fine. Don't worry. I'm sure we'll see you before school starts. What's that? Well yes, we were going to spend the month of August at the shore but you can write."

Serinmood

- Aug 3, 2008 12:29 pm (#245 of 253)

LLLLOL!!!

Lorrie*

- Aug 3, 2008 4:31 pm (#246 of 253)

LOL @ "Herminoine"

No wonder they kept shipping her off... her name was too hard for them to say!

MC

- Aug 3, 2008 4:50 pm (#247 of 253)

ROTFL!

Ah, that would explain why she got so few letters. They had trouble spelling her name right. The poor owl is STILL looking for a "Herminoine"

Serinmood

- Aug 4, 2008 3:54 am (#248 of 253)

ROTFL !! Poor Owl !!

Serinmood

- Aug 4, 2008 3:58 am (#249 of 253)

Tarra, The imageshack pics on the Description box of this thread (OOTP chat) have either been "deleted or moved". They dont show !

Sweet Tarra

- Aug 4, 2008 6:39 am (#250 of 253)

Thanks for letting me know. I just added one I used before.

Lorrie*

- Jan 18, 2009 5:12 pm (#251 of 253)

I watched OOTP today for the first time. The movies are getting better, but those kids are growing up too fast.

I can't believe how much Neville thinned out, and he's so tall!

Serinmood

- Jan 19, 2009 8:34 am (#252 of 253)

Lorrie..Glad that you think "the HP movies are getting better." but I'm afraid I dont agree -- I think they are getting worse !

I was so disappointed with OOTP, the film, that I couldnt wait to read the book once again..The same director has made HBP and has signed to make DEATHLY HALLOWS.

I saw OOTP with a friend and when it was over we looked at each other and couldnt say a word..We felt that bad ! Ron was completely ignored and there was no fun, no story in the film ..OOTP is one of my favourite Potter books and I cant forgive what Warners , the screenwriters and the director Yates have done to that book..

Yes, the kids are growing so fast..LOL!!

Lorrie*

- Jan 20, 2009 7:04 am (#253 of 253)

Well, there's no comparing to the book, of course. (Quiddich wasn't even mentioned, for example). I'm not good at retaining detail, so the movie was simple for me to follow.