AEM Day 18 - "Train Connection"

Originally uploaded by tallasiandude.

I took the train into town to meet up with folks for the movie tonight. I brought my sketchbook with the crazy idea that I might sketch things on the train. I was definitely people-watching, but I have a hard time actually drawing people when they're sitting right there in front of you, doing their own thing. It seems invasive, and being so close on a train, it's even more difficult. And besides, the train was packed for most of the ride anyway, so it wasn't like there was much room. I spent most of the time trying to capture details in my head. Like the couple standing in front of me, in matching jeans and black leather jackets, the man, slightly shorter and a bit on the stout side, tenderly grasping the woman's left ring finger between index and thumb.

I take pictures... with my mind. whooooooooo...

I got home earlier than expected so here it is.

As for the movie, I think I enjoyed it, overall. I was a little annoyed with certain plot changes which weren't necessary for the film translation. And Steve Kloves apparently thinks he can write better dialog than J.K. Rowling. Um, not. I'll admit that there were certainly a few jokes that he threw in that were pretty funny, but in places where I was looking forward to some of the lines I really appreciated in the book, he seemed to feel the need to change them. And I don't know if it's the direction or what, but I'm not so fond of Michael Gambon's interpretation of Dumbledore. Oh, this explains it:

Empire: Are you kind of easing into the role a bit more now you have done one film as Dumbledore?
Michael Gambon: I just play him as myself, I donÂ?t ease myself into any role really. I stick a beard on and play me. Every part I play is just a variant of my own personality. No real character actor, of course, just me.

*sigh* I really wish some of these guys would at least read the books.

Ah well -- the one scene that I was really looking forward to did not disappoint. I'll be watching the movie again with the SOOTTAD next week, but at this point, Azkaban remains my favorite of the four films.

Bed before one! Bed before one!