Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Either JK Rowling is not consulted or she is losing interest in the Harry Potter movies. I was pretty much shocked after seeing the movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

The movie focuses more on special effects - the destruction of the millennium bridge, Harry and Dumbledore on the cliff surrounded by roaring ocean, the burrow bursting into flames (not in the book, mind you), the ring of fire shooting out from Dumbledore's wand - but that's just about it.

Missing in action is the palpable fear that Voldemort and Death Eaters unleash;
the growth pangs of Harry, Ron and Hermione, as they discover adolescence; the frustration and fear that Draco Malfoy experiences as he struggles to carry out Voldemort's orders; the passionate kiss that Harry and Ginny share when their team wins the Quidditch championship (instead there is a tepid kiss in the Room Of Requirements).

I think the director has no idea what a Harry Potter fan looks for in a movie. We do not want to see a different story. All we want to see is how well has the mental picture that we draw as we read the book been captured in the movie. Harry Potter is not just about special effects, is it?

The movie, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, is a shame.

The only silver lining ... it made me read the book again; just to flush out the effect of the movie from my system.

The Tales Of Beetle The Bard

The Tales Of Beetle The Bard by J K Rowling: I have been waiting and waiting and waiting since morning. I finally got my hands on this. Just now.

I also purchased Quidditch Through The Ages, and Fantastic Beast And Where To Find Them

Unfortunately I cannot start reading straight away as I have got them all gift wrapped for my son whose birthday falls tomorrow.

Yeah! Yeah! They are for my son.
But you know who gets to read these first, don't you? :D

My wife wants me to grow up.

Aw! Come on! I am just 43.

And oh! You want to know what I think of J K Rowling, click here.

Making Rowling & Harry Potter Immortal

I have had hours of pleasure reading and re-reading certain books, the one that stands out for the last few years have been Harry Potter. So have countless others. (In fact I just finished re-reading Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban. A quick weekend read)

I think the best way to repay Rowling (ok! she has become rich and all that but ...) would be to have a platform 9-3/4 at the Kings Cross station in London.

Note: The picture used here belongs to G Schouten de Jel. Visit his gallery to see more such photographs.