BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 11:31 PM

Just in from taking the kids to see this film. Not many in the theater--it looks like after the first week or two the crowds thin way out. But I enjoy not having to deal with a lot of other folks in the theater.

This film sustained a level of inside humor that I don't recall from the others. The well-placed folks in bit parts were great. Dawn French--she was so Dawn French! We were in stitches! Clearly that bit wasn't in the book, that was in the actress and the leeway she had to play the bit with the song and the glass. And my daughter came in with an "A-ha!" just now--the woman who played the expanding aunt was the same acress who played Miss Trunchbull in the film Matilda. I knew she was familiar, but I couldn't place her.

I just now looked back in this thread--we stayed for part of the credits, but we missed the footprint bit, sorry, black walnut. (Two of us were about ready to pop from not wanting to miss part of the movie to visit the restroom!)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Nerd
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 12:27 PM

RtS,

there's no sea lion in the film. But I bet I know what they used it for: Hagrid feeds Buckbeak weasels in exactly the way you would feed a sea lion fish, and the "snatch and grab" movement of the head is something you'd never get a horse to do. So I bet they were using both the horse and the sea lion for reference shots to paint over with the CG hippogriff later.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Grab
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 08:50 AM

SRS, in Goblet of Fire she says that her parents are dentists so they wouldn't let her get them fixed the "normal" way. Until she gets them fixed and sorts out her hair, no-one's noticed that behind the big teeth, hair and attitude she's attractive.

Finally got to see the film this weekend. Certainly the best of the three so far. First two were definitely in the "we've got to tell a story" mode and zipped through the book at speed. This one is the first to approach it as a film, which means *visuals*. The shot of the hippogriff flying across the lake and dragging a foot in the water is nothing short of beautiful (in fact, the hippogriff is another Gollum, a "lead" CG character that's utterly seamless), and there's the little touches like the Whomping Willow shaking itself and the obviously-magically-supported bridge across the valley.

The book was disregarded or re-ordered in many places, but I don't think any of it made the film worse. The problem with dramatising a book is always that you've got to leave something out and add fillers for what you've left out. The obvious omission is with the Patronus just producing a "shield" rather than the stag of the books, and omitting that meant that "Prongs" wasn't explained. I'd always felt that this was a fairly key point, that the source of Harry's magic is his parents, and that they are still with him, even if he doesn't know it.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 04:00 AM

I'll have to get round to seeing this as I stumbled across the second unit when they were shooting some scenes in the woods attached to Virginia Water lake. They had a white horse which I guess will be special effected into the hippogriff and also a model circus sealion which I don't remember from the books!

RtS

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban
From: Nerd
Date: 22 Jun 04 - 12:48 AM

Interestingly, on a second viewing with this thread's social issues in mind, it became clear that in the film minority students are vastly over-represented at Hogwarts compared to British society in general. In a scene showing professor Lupin's class, it looked like about half the students were black or Indian. Granted, few of the minority students had major roles, however...

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: clueless don
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 02:44 PM

I'll have to check at home, but I think it is in "Goblet of Fire" (fourth book in the series) that Hermione gets hit by a front teeth growing spell. As Madame Pomfrey is shrinking them back, Hermione requests that they be made a bit shorter than they were before the spell.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban
From: Nerd
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 02:33 PM

Ellenpolly is right I think--I remember those bits, too. Hermione's frizzy hair and buck teeth are mentioned as "not-so-good" aspects of her looks.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 12:42 PM

In the second book they brewed the potion that changed them into other people and she accidentally changed herself into a cat. But I don't recall the buck teeth bit. (And wouldn't that wear off when the potion wore off?)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 12:09 PM

Stilly River Sage, I can't remember which book, I think it was the second...Hermione finds her teeth are growing because of some potion or spell that backfired on her, and I have a pretty clear memory that she was dismayed because her teeth were already buck and afterwards, they were like a beaver's.

Tell you what, give me a while and I'll track down the exact book and reference. But something like that wouldn't have stuck in my mind for no reason.

Black Walnut, I also was the last one in the theatre and loved the footprints, especially when they became paw prints. Nice to see them having fun with one of the best things in that book (and how it was depicted in the film)-The Map! Though I do wish they had been able to make it clearer that the authors were the group of friends using their animagus names. One of those things you'd only know if you'd read the book.
..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 10:41 AM

If you've read the books, you know that Harry is rather understated throughout the novels (so far) and Radcliff is playing him very nicely along those lines. Harry always seems a bit intimidated by the reputation that preceeds him, that somehow he must be a great wizard. I don't see him buying that story.

It's rather a shame that the powers that be felt they had to go with such a good looking girl, when it was fairly clear in the book that Hermione wasn't. She has buck teeth and in my mind, looked far more like my own friends than someone who would more likely have been the most popular girl in school.

Where did you get the idea that Hermione has buck teeth? I don't recall seeing that. And if you read the novels, you learn that each year she is maturing as an attractive young woman. Rather like the young heroine in Northanger Abbey, which I've been rereading this week. :)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Amergin
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 09:32 AM

I was disappointed...on one hand the book was disregarded in so many points....on the other it seemed to be a very choppy film that did not explain alot of things very well...and made the assumption that you already read the book....

Also some of the choices...I thought Harris made a better Dumbledore than Gambon...the warm gentle soft spoken qas Dumbledore was in the books...I did think that Emma Thompson made a fabulous Trelawney. Shje was perfect.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: black walnut
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 07:47 AM

I just saw it a few days ago. Comments:

* LTS: Hermione's punch was my LOW point of the movie.

* The movie was not as scary or as dark as I thought or hoped it would be. I didn't feel the cold in those parts that were supposed to chill me.

* As with the previous in the series, I felt more drawn into the books than I did into the movies, though I did like the movies.

* Until I went to university I read only Nancy Drew books, Ray Bradbury sci-fi, and Coles Notes. I was a terrible student in English classes. However, while earning my university music degree I took 7 English courses and loved them all. I owe my love of Shakespeare, Atwood and Reaney to Nancy Drew and the Martian Chronicles.

* I LOVE Daniel Radcliffe as Harry and don't find him boring at all. Just more subtle, which I really like.

* I was the only one in the theatre to stay for all of the credits....the footprint jokes were great!!! (my favourite was the feet sinking into the bog).

~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST,Clare in Enfield, North London
Date: 21 Jun 04 - 05:50 AM

So, the new Harry Potter film 'Prioner od Azkaban'.

What can I say?

Fans are either gonna love it and say it's the best yet. Others will be a bit put out that it barely seems to follow the book at all. Unfortunately, much as I'm a huge Harry Potter fan, I have to go with the latter!

There just didn't seem to be such a good atmosphere in the school this time, as there was in the first two films.

Although Sir. Michael Gambon is a terrific actor, I felt he lacked the warmth that Richard Harris gave so well, as Professor Dumbledore.

I felt that David Tewlis just didn't fit the role of Professor Lupin very well.

The main charactors are, as always, absolutely briliant. Emma Watson could have jumped straight out of the book as Hermione. Superb young actor!! Rupert Grint is as hilarious and brilliant as ever as Ron. He had me in stitches. Daniel Radcliffe is very good as Harry Potter, although I still find him a bit wooden. Although he's come a long way since the first film!

I'm hoping we'll see some more romantic sparks between Ron and Hermione in the books to come, and in the films. Those two are destined to be together!!

So, to wrap it all up. This film grew on me a little bit after seeing it a second time, but I was still fairly disappointed that so much of the book was disguarded. They could also have made so much more of the scenes that they did use, eg, in the Shrieking Shack near the end.

I just hope that Mike Knewell makes more of an effort to follow the book that Alfonso Cuaron did!

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 03:59 PM

I have been on my hols and not had chance to see it yet. Will rectify that come weekend:-) Did see a super skit on Saturday night live about Hermione getting back to college in the new term with a very short skirt, low cut top and two very obvious assets.

Fred and George(is it?) say they are going to have to go out and bash some bludgers.

"Playing Quiditch?" asks Ron

"No" they reply in unison...

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 01:10 PM

I didn't say he was the BEST teacher - I said he was a FAVORITE teacher -

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 01:04 PM

Actually the books are clear enough that, even where they like him, most of them think Hagrid's not too good, when it actually comes to teaching. Including Hermione.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:28 AM

I think it is significant that though he {hagrid}is clearly an "outsider' by being half-giant that is is the "not-nice" adults and their children that consider him to be an outsider -
He is clearly one of the most favourite teachers of the other students

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Sam L
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:23 AM

Emma Watson isn't all that good-looking, but her general appeal helps her looks. She wouldn't be the most popular girl at school, she would be the beautiful girl nobody noticed was beautiful because she didn't wear an arrow pointing to herself. The stealth babe. And she would play violin.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 11:11 AM

he looks so much like his father, and acts like him.

even Harry says "My father will come and save me"

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 06:39 AM

young women seem to be able to play young women better, more often, than young men can play young men.

That tends to apply in real life as well as in acting.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 04:06 AM

I have always had the greatest fondness for Emma Watson's character, and I think she does a fine job with it. It's rather a shame that the powers that be felt they had to go with such a good looking girl, when it was fairly clear in the book that Hermione wasn't. She has buck teeth and in my mind, looked far more like my own friends than someone who would more likely have been the most popular girl in school.

But that's just me thinking back on my own experiences at that time..which is of course one of the reasons why these books speak to adults as well as children. We all knew kids like these (well, without the magical overtones)...the Malfoys, and the Hermiones...and the Snapes. It's the reason they resonate so well. And it's why the characters like Hagrid and Dumbledore are ones we take to our hearts. They are often the people who were our role models, possessing at times the qualities that might have been missing within our own family. I would have LOVED to have known someone like Hagrid!

This whole gayness thing is just silly, and who cares? I would bet that many of us experienced a gay teacher without even knowing it. I know I did, and he was almost as extrarodinary as Hagrid.

But I don't think Hagrid is meant to be seen in that light at all, though he is clearly an "outsider' by being half-giant, a race still feared and misunderstood by many. JK Rowling is so good at those kind of metaphors.

..xx..e

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Sam L
Date: 15 Jun 04 - 01:11 AM

Guest's comment about gay-whatever is getting more attention from smart people than it deserves. I'm not sure it wasn't meant that Hagrid was somehow a lesbian. Or whatever. It's just silly bullshit. I'm sure kids who watch Potter will mostly grow up to be normal hetero Satan worshippers.

Emma Watson is interesting because she can act, and for some reason, young women seem to be able to play young women better, more often, than young men can play young men. What guy is parallel with Jodie Foster, or Anna Paquin, or whatshername, or Christina Ricci--some of these people get seriously worse as they get older. Um, Clare Danes. Maybe something to do with empathy.

Screw the gay thing. What's with the nerdy Bill Gates quality in male heros lately? I don't mind it, in particular, but too much of it will date just like like Starsky and Hutch, because it isn't quite that natural in young guys, really. It will stand out as odd, and particularly peculiar.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST,Blackcatter
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 03:42 PM

No - I barely remember the match - but it was really short, wasn't it? Not like in the first two movies. Obviously, it didn't stand out in my mind.

And yes, Emma Watson is attractive, but I'm not interested in her for that - I like how she plays the character. And I appreciated the change from her being annoying to many around her to being a bit less obtrusive with her knowledge. She's now able to really utilize the knowledge - For instance how Malfoi (sp?) was clearly terrified of her power when she had the wand at his neck and the respecful way that Dumbledore (sp?) hinted a possible solution to her at the end.

I still find Harry rather blah. Nice, and can step up to the plate when needed, but still blah. Hermoine is the only one I wish I had had as a friend in school. Nice thing - I've got several women friends today that are like her.

As for Hagrid being Gay - I haven't read the books, but maybe someone was looking at the fact that he's such a "gentle" giant. Ready to offer a large cup of tea, kind to animals and kids, etc. It's the old masculine double standard - if I guy is sensitive, he must be gay". For all we know, however, he's probably fooling around with the Emma Thompson character.

Now Malfoi - that's another story.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Nerd
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 12:44 PM

I didn't get the GUEST's whole thing about Hagrid and gay/lesbian audiences. Is Hagrid supposed to be gay in the film? Did anyone else get this from the movie, or is it just one isolated opinion? He certainly isn't gay in the books; and has a (female) love interest by book 4. Anyway, how do you think you can tell?

It's of couse absurd to say that Hagrid was "tossed into the script" for any reason at all. He was an integral part of the book's plot, and an integral part of the film's plot. And kids would have revolted if he had been left out. In what sense "tossed in," then?

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 12:07 PM

...And of course, there WAS a Quidditch match, and an important one, since it almost killed Harry when the dementors went after him.

But I assume that's when you went out for the sushi?

;-D

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Ellenpoly
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 12:04 PM

"I still figured out most of the plot early on"

What can I say, Blackcatter? It takes One know-it-allness to recognise another know-it-allness.

Glad you went, and glad you enjoyed the sushi..xx..e

(PS-She's waaaaay too young for you, sweetie, but I agree little Emma is easy on the eyes, and a good little actress.)

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban
From: Blackcatter
Date: 14 Jun 04 - 11:45 AM

I saw it on Saturday and let me say, the sushi was great!

I'm afraid, not reading the book, I still figured out most of the plot early on. Nice and enjoyable though. I have to admit I was dissapointed that there wasn't a quidditch match. Though Emma Watson more than made up for that. I like that they under-played her "know-it-all-ness" in this one - still there, but now, people are mostly respecting it.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: maire-aine
Date: 13 Jun 04 - 05:43 PM

Saw it Friday night and liked it a lot. Sure, they left some stuff out, but that was okay. It would've been nice if they had filmed it, so they could stick it in the DVD and I could watch when I wanted to. But I'm glad I didn't have to sit through it in the theater.

Maryanne

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Sam L
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 11:27 PM

I thought you'd probably heard it a thousand times, so I tried restraint. Gave up. It's not in my nature. Certainly meant no offence, glad that's cleared up, apologies to everyone. Can't help it.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban
From: Blackcatter
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 10:44 AM

No, I didn't get it Fred, but I really tried to. I feel better now. I tried to figure why you would siddenly get nasty with me, and while looking back I noticed you responded to my Dixie Hwy comment, but didn't put two & two together.

Unfortunately, it was too close to a dig about me being a "literary snob" on this thrad.

good one. Now that I'm sober hand have had a night's sleep, it get it.

as Homer would say: D'oh!


By the way, because I do tend to want to answer even jests seriously, I am a historian with a focus on Central Florida history. So the only roads I know well are the Dixie Hwy, the Orange Blossom Trail, Florida's Turnpike, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Sam L
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 09:36 AM

Did you really not get it? or just prefer not to? I don't blame you.

I only had kids so I can have grandkids, but I think I'll let them watch.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban
From: Blackcatter
Date: 12 Jun 04 - 12:41 AM

Nope, not a Rhodes Scholar, but hey, at least I know how to spell it correctly.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 11:14 PM

I suspect that Hagrid was tossed into this script to pacifiy the Gay/Lesbian audiences. The undertone is persistant, unrelenting, and yet soft and gentle.

Not a good film for adolescent children....if you would like to have grandchildren.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Sam L
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 09:44 PM

Yes, but long ago literary fiction was considered as mind-rotting a waste of time as t.v. is now, and it usually was. Even Tolstoy, in war and peace, poked fun at one his characters' reading, with a sense of doing something important. Think it was Nikolai, in the epilogue.

I believe that one can read or watch t.v. in an alert and critical way, or in a lazy way. There's just more better books.

Things that are obviously fun and entertaining and only glancingly take on any real issues are much healthier, I think, than countless puffed-up "great" books.

I've held off several days, but, Blackcatter, I take it you're a roads scholar.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST,Bex McK
Date: 11 Jun 04 - 09:43 AM

I also think the third film is far and away the best so far-- much more of an artistic piece than simply a shallow visual portrayal of the book, as the first two seemed. More's the pity that Cuaron will not be directing the next one. Though I would have liked to see a little more of Crookshanks, and I'm sorry the film left out the explanation of who Mooney, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs actually were (and why).

The appeal of the books, for me, is the way magic and mundane are interwoven, and that things are never quite what they seem. Even more than the 'big' stories, I love the little touches that make Rowling's world so vivid and unexpected: the Weasleys' clock, the garden gnomes, the Monster Book of Monsters... We can debate all day about what it all symbolises, or about whether it is great literature (sure, her prose is a little awkward sometimes, but what a storyteller!). I think Rowling has a remarkable ability to tap into a young person's sense of possibility and wonder (there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio...)-- and I would guess this is one reason why kids consume the books so avidly.

Going right back to something Blackcatter asked, about how many kids who read Harry Potter will read anything 'real', and about whether reading this was any different from watching movies or playing video games. On the first point-- what makes JK Rowling's work less 'real' than anything else written for young people? And on the second: watching tv shows/movies is a passive activity. You're spoon-fed all you need to know, and the brain switches off. Reading stimulates the imagination, and encourages the brain to fill in the blanks, to create pictures, to ask questions. To suggest that the Harry Potter books don't do that suggests to me either an adult's failure to think like a young person, or literary snobbery (nothing personal, just my an opinion on the comment). There are many many young people for whom Harry Potter is the first book they've ever read willingly-- and once they've read it, who says they won't go on to read War and Peace?

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 12:56 PM

JK Rowling: "There are a couple of up-and-coming American teams, but they're not a hugely accomplished Quidditch-playing nation because they have their own broom sport called - actually I don't think I'll say what it's called. You've got to buy the books to find out. So it's had to compete with the U.S.'s national broom sport, so they're not as good as they might be."

The American game she refers to is called Quodpot, featuring an exploding quaffle...

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jun 04 - 12:12 AM

Ha!

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban
From: Blackcatter
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 08:43 PM

Ever hear of the Washington Wizards?

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 08:31 PM

Apparently American wizards don't play Quidditch, they've some other strange game instead that noone else plays... (It's all in Quidditch Through The Ages) So they probably wouldn't want to go to Hogwarts.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Sam L
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 08:30 PM

Bohdrans. See the first scene of The Magdalene Sisters.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: EBarnacle
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 08:19 PM

No, Spellman College of Advanced Enchantment has had its name changed to Spellperson...

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 04:07 PM

Oral Roberts University?

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Nerd
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 03:56 PM

Yes, Seamus is one of the main characters in Harry's year. He does have a tendency to be a buffoon, but so do Ron and Neville, so I don't think there's any ethnic bias. Again, it's hard to tell if anyone else is Irish, because ethnicity is not dwelt on at all.

There do not, by the way, appear to be any Americans at Hogwarts, or indeed among the prominent Wizards we meet. But we do find out that there are separate wizarding establishments in France, Germany and elsewhere, so we must assume that the American magical community has its own schools.

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 03:50 PM

Seamus? - one of harry's roommates

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST,Blackcatter
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 03:41 PM

Bohdrans, hmm.

That begs the question - any Irish students at Hogwarts?

Just curious - not implying that Rowling feels "Irish need not apply."

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Nerd
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 03:11 PM

Well, one of the bodhrans was very small...

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 02:38 PM

Nerd and Amos, See what happens when I know just enough to get into trouble? I did't pull out a book or check a couple of web sites before posting. I took a "History of the English Language" class back in the mid-1990s and it had to be one of the most difficult classes I've ever taken (it included tons of diagramming sentences--arrgghhh!!!) Just because you speak a language doesn't mean you know a thing about it was the message of that class. Thanks for the clarifications.

We haven't been to see the movie yet. I'm still thinking the IMAX theater in Dallas might be an interesting way to go this time.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 01:24 PM

AgH! BODRHANS?!?!?!?! and they let kids see this movie? Why not cats, or skulls, or something a little less [shudder] ...well LESS!

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban)
From: Nerd
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 01:21 PM

Amos, thanks for confirming and expanding on my post...

If Hittite HAD been the original proto-language, by the way, then WESTERN forms would be expected to be older than eastern, and India would be an even worse place to look for the earliest evidence. But, as Amos pointed out, that view has been rejected for the msot part, and most linguists accept that the proto-language seems to have left no written records of its own.

Sanskrit remains the oldest IE language with a very extensive literature, hence the primacy it is often accorded in discussions.

Back to the movie: any one notice the instruments played by the choir of students? Bodhrans and toads! I wonder what message THAT sends!

Subject: RE: BS: New Harry Potter Film (Prisoner of Azkaban
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 09 Jun 04 - 12:55 PM

Saw it again last night... it was just as good the 2nd time!