POA Test Screening in Chicago

[moviemuffin]

From Newsround:

The first test screening of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban took place in America last weekend.

Studio insiders at Warner Brothers confirmed to Newsround Online that the preview took place on 23 February.



The movie's director, Alfonso Cuaron, was in the audience at the Chicago cinema to see how fans reacted.

A review from the screening has already appeared on a film gossip website. It said that the film was "a huge improvement over the first two films".

It also described Emma Thompson's Professor Trelawney as "hilarious", although the review said that the special effects weren't all finished.

For example Buckbeak the Hippogriff was nearly done in some scenes, but not finished in other scenes.

It didn't mention the Dementors much, but did say that "there's a neat scene early on where their approach is forewarned by ice spreading across a window and into a nearby bottle".

Studios often carry out test screenings while the movie is still being completed to see which parts audiences like and don't like, so that they can still tweak the movie before it's finished.

Although our studio insider confirmed that the test screening definitely happened last week, they also shot down another rumour circulating around the internet telling us that "Viktor Krum has NOT been cast as yet!"

--from iharrypotter.net (compliments of my godson :D )

[Nice Marmot]

I'm gettin' excited for this one! Especially after being denied a Harry flick in '03.

A lot of people are nervous about having a new director but I'm all for a fresh change. There also seem to be a bunch of people bitching about the different school uniforms too. Get over it people, use your imaginations!

The only thing that makes me nervous is the reported shorter runtime. I hope it is long enough & doesn't seem rushed.

I always pictured Tracy Ullman playing Professor Trelawny.

[moviemuffin]

Ooh Tracy Ullman-- good call!

This was the shortest of the books, so I'm not freaking over the time thing. I was kind of scratching my head about Thompson, then I closed my eyes and imagined her voice. My first response upon hearing her casting was that she is too pretty, but she does have those charmingly crooked teeth and the glasses will, I am sure, be a scream.

My kids are so wired they can't stand it. We are going to be seeing the premiere in London, since we have family and friends there and were overdue for a visit anyhow. To be honest... the grownups are pretty stoked too!

I've posted this before but there are some cool pics on a little fan site I have off my page:

Prizoner of Azkaban Fan Site (http://home.earthlink.net/~moviemuffin/poa.htm)

[chinton]

How is this the shortest oif the books. I seem remember each one getting longer

[moviemuffin]

Honestly I have not sat down and counted the pages on the first three, but this is either the shortest or close to it. It is certainly the book that requires the least set up since we already have back story from the first and second. We know most of what we need to.

As far as narrative rules go there is nearly no setup. We can jump directly in. Harry learns about the new characters as we do.

In any event, this would definitely be the shortest script and the new director is a better director, so it's kind of a no-brainer.

The tough job is going to be smushing the 4th into one movie, which they are promising to do.

[The Rain Dog]

Besides Kill Bill Vol2, Hellboy and Troy - this is basically my most looked forward to film of the year.

Thanks MM - I can't frikkin wait for this one.

Sirus being played by my favourite actor ever and the man I always pictured as the character while reading. Add the brilliance of Thewlis and Thompson into this already heady acting brew and this may very quickly end up as THE film series that every living english thesp gets a crack at.:D

And geez I hope the Aussie release date isnt too far behind the states.

RD

[moviemuffin]

I believe this will be released worldwide in June.

You and me BOTH!! My kids won't shut up about it and I love having them as an excuse, but frankly this old lady is stoked!

I got a Potter Jones! :p

[Arathon]

I didn't like the first one, loved the second one, but it didn't have the rewatchable value, so this third one could cement a spot in my top 100. We shall see....

lol

I can't wait!

[gyro_44]

I can't wait for this. My hunch is that it's going to be wonderful, with Cuaron at the reins. And having read the books recently, this is the first "Potter" film that I'm wildly anticipating.

[chinton]

Hopefully Steve Knowles will realize that everybody knws everything Potter right now and we dont need a 15 minute introduction. I think Rowling stopped doing it in Book 4 but this could be easily a 2 hour movie with smart editing. Also I know it sounds like hype but this movie is going to be awesome. I have completel faith in Cuaron

[urbanlegend23]

GAH! I can't wait! This movie is going to rock, I really enjoyed the first two and with a MUCH better director behind the project this one should blow the first two right outta the window!

I'm really intrigued to see what Buckbeak will look like too, and how well Thompson will portray Trelawney.

[moviemuffin]

Ask and ye shall receive. :D

http://home.earthlink.net/~moviemuffin/buckbeakharryhermione.jpg

[chinton]

im hoping thats just not a very good picture and not indicitive of what it will actually look like