Harry Potter and the Needing of the Shave

[wednes]

For some reason I'm just now getting around to posting that I went to the midnight show for Harry Potter 6 on Tuesday. Fandom was, as expected, ridiculous and absurd. The little kids were the most well-behaved, their parents were the worst, and silly teens in "sexy" Hogwarts uniforms cracked me up. Oh Fandom, you embarass yourself and me.

I liked it very much. I've learned to steel myself against being annoyed at all the stuff they would certainly cut out. I wanted to see the "other minister," the long version of Bella and Snape's exchange at Spinners End, house elves, Dumbledore vs Dursleys, the battle at the end, and the Gaunts. No dice. Why add an extra action scene if it just means taking one out later? There was precious little Minerva...and she is looking pretty old. Plus, where the hell was Bill Weasley? They made such a to-do about casting Brendan Gleeson's son and he was nowhere to be found. Frownie McFrownerson.

Oh the plus side, Draco and Snape were amazing. Helena Bonham Carter is a major girl-crush for me, and she was awesome. Luna was delightful in every single scene she was in. The girl they got for LavLav was delightfully annoying. There was lots to laugh about, and lots to like. I was pleased with the movie overall but I really need to see it again. When I see a movie like that, espcially sitting in the third row, I feel like I only got a glimpse of it. I'm stoked to see the extra footage at IMAX.

I knew Albus's death would not affect me as much as the book. I have never been into Michael Gambon's Dumbledore, as I think he misses what I consider to be Dumbledores most notable qualities. Specifically, his unfailing politeness. Gambon gets mad, he snaps at people, and just lacks the air of grandeur that makes Dumbledore such an amazing character. Richard Harris was spot-on. Stupid Death ruining my films!
Not much Greyback, to my dismay. If I didn't already know he was a werewolf, I don't think the movie would have told me. Anyway, those are the broad strokes of it.

Made a rather depressing realization about my personal life. When I was younger and in the dating scene I had a serious issue with proactivity. If I decided the person I was dating was unsuitable for me, I would never do the breaking up. Instead, I would just stop caring what the person thought of me, and treated them accordingly. When they broke up with me, I could then pretend that I was being victimized. Apparently this is a pretty common pattern among survivors of abuse.
I was disappointed to become aware that I repeated this same pattern with a person I was in a supposed friendship with. Rather than being clear about saying I don't like you. I don't enjoy your company. I'd rather not interact with you unless I have to. I bascially reverted to what I'd call "not putting up with their shit." This translates to me not being remotely respectful of the fact that the person I don't like has feelings. I thought that I had progressed beyond that kind of passive aggresive game playing. Apparently not. So yeah...that was a bummer. On the plus side, the situation exploded and now I don't have to pretend not to dislike anyone anymore.

Comments

[hellamama.livejournal.com]

I'm jealous. I know I won't see the movie until it is on PPV, due to the whole two small children issue. I haven't been to a movie since I was pregnant with HR (summer 2006!)

Glad you're realizing this pattern is still with you. That may help you catch yourself earlier next time.

[sudrin.livejournal.com]

Its adult of you to even notice it and that's what is important. I've done the same thing myself. Without going into too many details, I've done exactly the same thing and kicked myself later. The circumstance was slightly different, but the response was very similar and it was childish of me. I am proud of you for being aware enough of your own mind to point it out and try and do something about it.

[jeffpalmatier.livejournal.com]

Rather than being clear about saying I don't like you. I don't enjoy your company. I'd rather not interact with you unless I have to. I bascially reverted to what I'd call "not putting up with their shit." This translates to me not being remotely respectful of the fact that the person I don't like has feelings. I thought that I had progressed beyond that kind of passive aggresive game playing. Apparently not. So yeah...that was a bummer.

Jeez, that's a really hard situation to deal with anyway no matter what you do. If you would have been upfront with him, I don't think it would have ended any better than it did. It sounds like you were in a real dilemma. Also, it's not surprising that most of us avoid confrontation and hard feelings whenever possible. I used to get so angry with myself for avoiding conflict and being so passive, but when I got more assertive and confrontational, I learned that doing so usually didn't lead anywhere positive anyway and often made the situation worse.

[locakitty.livejournal.com]

I was kind of disappointed with the movie. During some of the scenes, I felt like they just phoned in their performances.

But, yes, you put your finger on what bothers me about this Dumbledore, no politeness, no knowing looks, he just isn't richard harris. I may get the dvd with the special features if it's going to have the extra scenes, maybe they would be worth watching.

[spiralwitch.livejournal.com]

i thought the same thing about minerva... she's aged 10 years between films. but she still rocks.

when i looked over at my sister at albus's death - she had her hand over her mouth in utter horror (she knew it was coming) - me, the snape lover, smiled. not that i don't like albus - i just like the evil protagonist characters more.

[opaqueplanet.livejournal.com]

Hi! You added me a while back, and I checked out your journal. You looked like my kinda person, so I added you back.

I got all the way into the comments before realizing that you weren't your_downfall, though (I guess I tend not to look at usernames and just guess at who I'm reading by what they're talking about). So I guess I'd better get to know you better.

I'm Cassandra, pleased to meet you. I live in Saskatoon, Canada. I think we know each other through flemco or Warren Ellis or something. I am queer and socialist and I pride myself on not being an asshole in internet debates, while still getting my point accross. I have Opinions.

[rivetkitten.livejournal.com]

I saw HP last night, and I was somewhat disappointed with two changes right at the end. The movie changing why Harry couldn't help Dumbledore in the astronomy tower was a big one for me, since it changed Harry's personal involvement. Instead of not physically being able to help, he seemed more... paralyzed by fear? Or something? That bugged me, since now he's probably going to be kicking himself for not helping when he (thinks he) could have at least tried.

The second part was the Battle of Hogwarts. What was the point of having all the other deatheaters coming in to Hogwarts? To help Draco kill Dumbledore? If that were the case, then why would he have been working on fixing the vanishing cabinet, even while trying the cursed necklace and the poisoned mead? No sense!

Yeah, I REALLY wanted to see the battle. I'm very annoyed that they left it out.

[darklyfey.livejournal.com]

You said: When they broke up with me, I could then pretend that I was being victimized. Apparently this is a pretty common pattern among survivors of abuse.

OH hell yes. One of the most difficult aspects of my recovery has been getting honest, both with myself and with the people I'm involved with. This has earned me the nickname of Metatron in some circles. I tell it like it is before things get ugly and I'm hiding behind victim-hood. It's *terrifying* but the consequences of telling the truth are far better for me than the consequences of staying in victim mode. I respect you so much that you recognized the pattern. Good on ya!