pmsumner

Thanks go out to kesstrel for pointing this out to me, and her 'flist'.

http://www.yodelcourse.com/

*ROFLPIMP*
Comes complete with audio files which you can sing along to. Think of it like the 'learn German/French/Spanish/Latin' tapes you used to have except there's nobody saying "Ecoutez, et repetez". *giggles*

I bought an early present for Jane (and I). Decided to give it to her this weekend instead of Christmas as, well... it's not exactly parent-safe ;)

I was browing Amazon, trying to find Preaching to the Perverted after I saw misstressmedusa talking about it the other day, and found it from http://www.caiman.com/ for about £6! Oh my, what a film! Haven't watched it since I saw it on Channel 4 (I think) ages and ages back, but I can't wait now!

In general, Caiman.com seems to be quite good - not the best range in the world but good prices and quick delivery.

Had a fabulous weekend with the lovely lady. She came up late Friday, Saturday we did nothing but go to Barnsley, then to the cinema to see both Harry Potter and Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. TLTWTW was absolutely fabulous. It was so true to the story that I remember, with a couple of notable exceptions. It didn't feel rushed, it didn't feel long, and Aslan was so good! The CGI is generally excellent and un-noticable, with the exception of a couple of landscape scenes - one where the bluescreening was really obvious and one where the White Witch is travelling across the snow on her sleigh, and it looks really ropey.

HP still feels extremely rushed for the first 20-30 minutes, almost as if it's only there because it has to be, else some other things don't make sense. The whole Quidditch World Cup thing may as well have been left out, and the Dark Mark could have been projected at a festival... or something. Anywhere that there was a gathering of wizards. Then the story continues as normal. After the initial hurriedness, I've no real complaints. It stands up well. Though as Jane said - don't go to see it if you don't know the basic storyline.

I just remembered - I feel strongly that the scene where Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall confront Barty Crouch junior was truncated at the wrong place - it ends with Snape holding his wand to Barty's neck not saying anything, and you just know that there is history there. There should be dialogue, there should be threats and 'banter'. Also - in my opinion Dumbledore is played wrongly in this film. He seems a little too distant, a little uncaring, maybe. I can't completely figure out what I don't like about the way his character was portrayed.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/shows/rpms/radio4/livingwithharrypotter.ram

JK Rowling interviewed about Harry Potter - by Stephen Fry! First broadcast on Radio 4 on Saturday 10th December at 0900. It's quite good, if you're interested in that kind of thing.