Harry Potter 3 trailer!

It's online at - EXTERNAL LINK - and it's awesome!!! 8)

Hooray. (Notice my enthuiasm)
I don't know, the Harry Potter books are pretty good but the films are kind of cheeky and too aimed at childhood audiences. It's not as dark as it should be, and it in no way can or will ever compare to the Lord of the Rings movies. Everyone thought Dobby was cool, but then you see Gollum and there is just no comparison. Now, I have hope for Harry Potter 3, because it's the best book in the series, there's a new edgier and riskier director (The guy who did Y Tu Mama Tambien is directing this one) and this one has Gary Oldman and David Thewlis in it! Plus, this film, if it folows the books, will be much darker and creepier than the previous two and will definetly deal with Potter growing into adolescence and all the pent-up anger, emotional problems, etc. that that implies. So, if the movie is as good as the book than it will be great, but I don't have too much hope...

I disagree with your assessment of the movies when compared to Peter Jackson's "LOTR" series. The "HP" movies are better and much more enjoyable than the "LOTR" ones. For me, the "LOTR" movies don't have the kind of character development that I seek in films (after all, the whole shebang is one long battle).

I can't remember much character development in the "LOTR" books; I think Jackson just adapted what was there. Much as I like the "Potter" movies for their look, the "LOTR" is more epic in scope, more moving despite the lack of character development because we still like the characters, and more stunning in execution. The "Potter" movies are simply cute by comparison.

John

John,

But, that's not an excuse/reason. :)

Eddie

While it seems like it due to what is imported into America, most of Japanese animation is NOT fantasy. Most of it isn't even about giant robots or naked girls, lol. Rather, Japanese animation covers the whole spectrum of filmmaking, from traditional to experimental, from comedy to drama, etc. The animation industry in Japan is far more prodigious than the one here in the U.S. Most quality American animation is produced by feature-film studios like Disney, DreamWorks, and Pixar, but even made-for-TV and direct-to-video fare in Japan can be Grade-A stuff.

Sasha, you're not alone in not being ecstatic about either the "HP" or the "LOTR" movies. Just the other day I was sharing drinks with a guy who thought that both series could've been much, much better. There are always complaints, of course (as much as I like the "HP" movies and "LOTR 1", they all have flaws).

By the way, John, I know what you mean about individual taste, but I was addressing someone else when I wondered why people cite "directed at children" as a negative. :)

Speaking of "Excalibur", let's hope that Bruckheimer's "King Arthur" isn't a piece of ****. I really want to see someone tackle the Arthurian legend well. "Excalibur" was too long and lumpy for me...

You're right John, how could I forget "Willow"? That's a cool movie, too.
I also really liked "Dragonheart" with Dennis Quaid and Sean Connery as the voice of Draco, that's a sweet movie.

And don't forget about Neverending Story! That loved that movie so much as a kid. Haven't seen it for a long time so I can't say what my reaction to it now.

Neverending Story by Michael Ende is a great book, but the movie is pretty awful. It's cheesy, the characters aren't fleshed-out well and the film leaves a good 50% of the book out. If you liked the movie, read the book, you'll probably like it more.