[Most Visually Striking Potter]

PoA pales in comparison to the last three, and that's REALLY saying something.

Yeah, I don't think POA comes close to the last three, they were on an entirely different level visually, and I think that really enhanced them as films overall in my eyes. Somewhat OT, but Half Blood Prince had some fantastic non-book scenes. I loved where Yates tried to go with this film and I think he just fell short

[Most Visually Striking Potter]

You've literally taken the words out of my mouth on these three, at least visually. There's really nothing more for me to say, so I'll just go on to list some of my favorite scenes visually, from HBP and DH1 (still need to give DH2 a few more viewings).HBP:Opening Title sequenceStaircase sceneHarry comforts Hermione, followed by zooming away from the tower and seeing Ron/Lavender, then shifting to Draco in the Astronomy TowerEach Memory SceneSlughorn's Confession (Harry's hand reaching into the shot to steady Slughorn's)Inferi in the FirestormIn Noctem scene (favorite scene in the film as well, sad that they cut it)Harry/Snape's duelDH1:Opening Title SequenceSnape flying in to Malfoy ManorGodric's Hollow GraveyardForest of Dean, particularly the opening shotLovegood SceneDobby's Fairwell on the beach by Shell CottageTale of the Three Brothers

[How I Met Your Mother]

^{Yeah, I think they're all excellent, though NPH does stand above the rest.}

^{What's appealing about this show as a sitcom is the excellent chemistry between each of the characters, as well as the group as a whole. On top of that, the show displays a little more emotional depth than the current average sitcom, and the character development is quite extensive. It's like you've really gotten to know all of them personally.}

^{At this point, for me, the comedy is just gravy, its following the stories of each of the characters that really keeps me engaged.}

[Favourite Harry Potter Soundtrack]

DH1's title sequence comes after Obliviate though, it's accompanied by Snape to Malfoy Manor which introduces the Death Eater's theme. However, I agree that the Obliviate sequence is arguably the best opening scene.

[Unreleased Deleted Scenes/Extended Cuts]

Lots taken out from DH1, Krum, extended Scrimgeour scene, Harry finding Lily's Letter (!!), Ron's growing tension, and I'm sure there's more*None of these videos are mine, credit sportsman893 on YouTube for finding all of this

[Unreleased Deleted Scenes/Extended Cuts]

So, what I've found is that there are a whole bunch of scenes that were recorded, possibly scored, and were never released. Not on the Special Edition additional features, not on the Ultimate Edition DVDs. They just haven't been seen. I've found a couple videos that show evidence of the existence of these scenes, as well as a comprehensive list, compiled on COS, of what is known to have been shot, but excluded. My hope is that we one day get LOTR style full director's cuts or extended editions.

I read that Yates stated that there was roughly 45 minutes cut from the fifth film, yet the included deleted scenes only amount up to about 7 extra minutes of footage.

I'm guessing that there's a lot more cut from the first four as well as 6-8 as well, and I really hope that WB releases these scenes.

Barring the final film, which without credits fell under 2 hours, I'm assuming that 1-7 all would theoretically have near 3 hour runtimes, which the later films really need considering how much was cut out. Some of the scenes are not that relevant, and really I'd just like to see them for the sake of seeing how they were done and how they would fit into the movies. However, some of them, I believe, could certainly have enhanced the films, specifically OOTP, as there was just so much crucial information taken out.

Here's the list from COS:

PS

[*]Original entrance to 4 Privet Drive after snake escape

[*]Slightly extended scene about troll

[*]Peeves

[*]Extended Mirror of Erised

[*]Extended Flamel discovery

[*]The Point Hourglasses scene

[*]Extended Scene of Vernon burning the letters

[*]Extended Hagrid explanation scene

CoS

[*]Scene with Ginny looking from the balcony in the Gryffindor common room

[*]Alternative Chamber discussion in Common Room (same lines as corridor scene)

PoA

[*]The Patronus Explanation scene (not sure if filmed)

[*]Dracula/bikini scene in DADA (extra boggart?)

[*]Scabber’s disappearance scene

GoF

[*]Priori Incantatem Explanation scene

[*]Waterfall Scene

[*]Harry in bed looking at the egg

[*]Extended Discussion in Dumbeldore's Office

[*]Trio meeting Sirius in cave near Hogsmeade

OotP

[*]45 minutes removed

[*]Snape's Worst Memory

[*]Bellatrix vs. Sirius

[*]More Department of Mysteries (inc. R/Hr and H/G scenes)

[*]Hagrid's class on thestrals

[*]Ministry attack on Hagrid and McGonagall

[*]Malfoy and Nott say that the Death Eaters will win the upcoming war

[*]McGonagall in a wheelchair

[*]Trelawney having a nervous breakdown

[*]Extended Potions class

[*]Malfoy Manor

[*]Lucius in Azkaban

[*]Dumbledore vs Voldemort dialogue

HBP

[*]Neville in his bed

[*]Extended Slug Club dinner

[*]Dumbledore trying on the ring

[*]Slightly Extended Horcrux explanation (inc. different flashes)

[*]Worple and Saguini at the Slug Party

[*]Snape: It's Over

DH1

[*]Rita Skeeter Voiceovers

[*]Extended 7 Potters Aftermath

[*]Hermione and Krum dancing

[*]Scabior torturing trio

[*]Death Eaters at 12GP

[*]Harry finding Lily's letter

[*]Extended 'Exodus' montague

[*]Harry and Ron after destroying the locket

[*]Extended Malfoy Manor

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9mUJTmFuZg

This is what I'm talking about. The first few aren't as significant, but there are some interesting scenes here.

From GOF, there's quite a few smaller details that would be fun to see added in, but there's also Dumbledore's explanation of Priori Incantantem, as well as Harry pondering Voldemort's return in front of a waterfall.

OOTP just has too many too mention.

http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-AL1SL8KHs&feature=channel_video_title

Here's some more from HBP. Some of these are featured in the deleted scenes from the DVD, but some are not.

[Most annoying character in the Harry Potter Books]

Agreed, Skeeter and Umbridge's characters agitate me the most. Umbridge makes me want to punch something

[Favourite Harry Potter Soundtrack]

Hmm, how would you all rank the Title Sequences for each film?

[Rank the Books and the Films]

It was a bit dark. I think I need to see the film again, but perhaps there's some narrative structure to his color schemes? Though if there's a drastic change in a single scene then I can't see why that would be the reason

[Rank the Books and the Films]

Half Blood Prince is filled with some money scenes and looked the best overall

[Tuesday numbers]

PIB

[Favourite Harry Potter Soundtrack]

OoTP was a monstrosity on an epic scale. I can't believe Yates had the audacity to bring Hooper in.

Yeah, it was terrible

DH2 (Excellent narrative structure)

POA (Really wish some of the themes introduced here were used in later films, namely Window to the Past)

DH1/GOF (GOF as a stand alone might rank higher for me than POA, but lower within the series)

SS (Nostalgia)

HBP (So much potential here...)

COS (Somewhat recycled SS)

OOTP (A couple of tracks are enjoyable, but overall this was a fail)

[How I Met Your Mother]

I've heard a lot of complaints about how the show no longer stays true to its premise of Ted telling the story of meeting the mother. A response I posted on another board:

IMO, after season 3 the story shifted from How I Met Your Mother to How it all Came to Be or How We Got Here. It's just not about Ted anymore.The first season focused primarily on Ted and his quest to fine "the one." There were a few episodes where Marshall and Lily were focused on as much as Ted, and then near the end a lot of focus on their wedding and break-up. Barney's character had maybe one episode to himself, Game Night, and even that was used to set up tension in the Ted-Victoria-Robin triangle. Outside of that, Barney serves as a foil to Ted's hopeless-romantic type character. Robin doesn't really have a storyline, at this point, she's just the main focus of Ted's story. The second season splits the focus, as we see Marshall and Lily already becoming more prominent in the story arc. They're almost in the spotlight as much as Ted and Robin, who are now a single storyline. Barney still doesn't have a storyline, though he's got about 3 episodes that really focus on developing his character (living with Lily, tension over his brother getting married, reconciling with his alleged father). Still, Barney's primary job is to serve a foil to Ted, and now Marshall as well, who are both in long-term relationships; he even goes as far as to incite the eventual Ted-Robin fallout. The third season sees the transition of Robin becoming a true part of the group, rather than solely Ted's love interest. Ted is still about 50% of the focus, as the latter half of the season concentrates on his developing relationship with Stella. Marshall and Lily at this point, get even more attention, as their married life, building tension in living with Ted, and Marshall starting to begin a career get a lot of screen time. Barney gets a few episodes almost entirely to himself towards the end of the season, following the fallout with Ted. At this point, if Ted is the central focus of the show, there really shouldn't be much Barney involved, as if they are no longer friends, it doesn't make sense for us to see what Barney is up to outside of his relationship with Ted. However, at this point, he's transitioning into a central character, rather than just a foil/plot device and this sets the way for him in season 4.Season 4 is when the show starts to become what it is today. It opens with Barney having a conflict immediately. Following Ted's fallout with Stella, it could be argued that Barney is as much the central character as Ted. He's directly involved in the story developments, which now aren't really just a focus on Ted's search for love, but more of the entire gang's significant life experiences. Season 5 is structured similarly, Robin, Barney, and Lily/Marshall at this point, are all getting equal story/character development to Ted. Ted went from having 3 long term girlfriends in 3 seasons (Victoria, Robin, Stella), to having 1 in 4 seasons (Zoey). All of them are now equally part of this show rather than Ted being the primary focus and the other guys having short side stories or serving to teach some sort of lesson to Ted. Season 6 went the same way, and this season seems to have actually pushed Ted back a little bit. Really, they've just given themselves too much to cover and I think, outside of 2 or 3 episodes where all of the characters worked around a single story (such as last night's), they're just not able to properly develop everything in that 22 minute time constraint.

[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2]

The overall Battle of Hogwarts was a bit lackluster IMO. They definitely couldn't capture the full might of Harry's army, especially in the second wave when the House Elves, Centaurs and other Magical beasts join in, as well as the villagers of Hogsmeade, and from what I remember, each and every family member of the Hogwarts students. They certainly could have gone for a more grand effect.

Like Noctis, I didn't get the excessive praise for Fiennes performance upon the first viewing, but after seeing it several times, his act resonates on me more.

[Rank the Books and the Films]

Books:Half Blood PrinceDeathly HallowsOrder of the PhoenixGoblet of FireChamber of SecretsPrisoner of AzkabanSorcerer's StoneFilms:Deathly Hallows Part 1/2Half Blood PrincePrisoner of AzkabanOrder of the PhoenixChamber of SecretsGoblet of FireSorcerer's StoneThe films are a bit confusing for me. There are scenes in HBP that make me think its my favorite, and I'm completely undecided between DH1 and 2, so as of now I'm ranking them as one film. Also, I feel like watching the full extended cuts one day will affect my views on each one. If OOTP is what I hear it is, it could shoot up past POA, and some of what was taken out of GOF makes me feel like it could as well.