sitemap
FOLLOW SNITCHSEEKER:

Email Us!

Members

There are 1384 users online including...
PhoenixRising , FlixexNit , Stevendalo , uralldmex , Evaxic , Svetlufy , Michailcgn , Svetlpuj , astrocat

11 members
1373 guests.

Members in Chat:



If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   SnitchSeeker.com > Forums > Daily Prophet (News) > SnitchSeeker Reviews > SnitchSeeker Product Reviews


SnitchSeeker Product Reviews You'll find all the latest non-Potter reviews here, ranging from films, DVDs, merchandise and more.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 09-13-2007, 09:33 PM
katiebell katiebell is offline
 
Post Exclusive: SnitchSeeker reviews December Boys

Warner Independent Pictures held a screening of December Boys last week in Los Angeles and I was in attendance. In addition, SnitchSeeker’s roving reporters Emma and Kayleigh, went to a London screening earlier this week at WB House. Now that the film's embargo has been lifted, we can bring you our reviews.

Me first!

Unfortunately, I found the film a bit dry and felt it often strayed away from what should have been the main storyline – the tearing apart and eventual reuniting of family. I also found it difficult to make an emotional connection with any of the characters and, most importantly, with the younger boys due to a lack of screen time with them which the director chose to spend instead on seemingly unrelated side stories. This film had the potential to be a real tear-jerker, but I didn’t cry, not once. I didn’t laugh much either.

However, while I didn’t care much for the film as a whole, I do recommend it to anyone interested in seeing Dan Radcliffe in a completely new way. He did an excellent job in this film, as did most of the other actors, and really got a chance to stretch his wings. He cries (convincingly this time, not like in Goblet of Fire), his sex scene with Teresa Palmer was hilarious and, for the fan girls out there, you get to see his butt (he and the other boys moon someone at the beginning of the film).

Also, after seeing this film, in addition to Dan's much-improved portrayal as Harry in Order of the Phoenix, I now have high expectations for his future performance in Half-Blood Prince.

Final observation: Don’t waste your money at the box office, just rent the DVD when it comes out. Chances are, for many people, this film won’t be released in their local theatres anyway.

------------------------------------------------
Here’s Emma and Kayleigh’s detailed review.

Quote:
December Boys, Daniel Radcliffe's first non-Potter film, tells the story of four orphan boys who have all grown up in the Australian Outback under the watchful eye of a convent of Catholic nuns, who are suddenly offered the chance of a lifetime - a holiday to the coast! After expecting to be thrown out for bad behavior, they jump at the chance and arrive soon enough at the cove that will be their home for the summer; the summer that will change there lives forever. Soon after getting there, they meet the locals; a couple who can't have children, a pretty young woman who Maps instantly develops a fondness for, their elderly host family, and the local fisherman. Misty, the youngest boy, soon learns of the infertile couple's plans to possibly adopt one of the four boys. Rivalry instantly begins between the boys, seeing them competing for the coveted reward, the family they've always dreamed of.

With Maps and local girl, Lucy, getting up to their own mischief, and the boys constantly trying their hardest to win the respect from their prospective new parents, December Boys proved to be an easy-watching, if not slightly predictable, film. The movie is narrated throughout by an older Misty, sometimes adding great depth to the story, otherwise adding an interesting insight into his emotions at the time. Outstanding performances are given from all three younger boys, as well as from Fearless, the motorbike guy who is considering adoption with his wife, Theresa. Daniel's performance was good, with him successfully shaking off the title of Harry Potter, however his accent was often inconsistent, and he seemed rather lacking in confidence to add his own spark to the character.

The film displayed stunning shots of the Australian coast, provided by the fantastic director of photography, David Connell. Also, the use of slow motion in the film works effectively through emphasising key moments in the plot. CGI is used rarely, but once or twice in Misty's daydreams... watch out for the cartwheeling nuns! Another good point of this small, independent film is its soundtrack. Although the background score was the average Hollywood, loud-music-at-difficult-decision-making-times type thing, the individual songs used in the movie are enjoyable, with 'Spirit In The Sky' making an appearance!

It has to be said, if it wasn't for Radcliffe, this movie wouldn't have had an international release, and it certainly wouldn't have as much media attention. It seems to be a modest, well told story, but with a slightly over-looked climax, and a slow ending. The plot is simple enough to follow, and well explained throughout, leaving the audience with a slight feeling of under-achievement... no figuring out for yourself or surprising twists to gasp at. Well, there is that one revelation... but you'll have to watch it to find out what!

Overall, it's an enjoyable film to watch, but won't leave you with any lasting thoughts... The score would have to be 7/10 purely for stunning scenery and some brilliant performances!
Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 10:27 PM   #2 (permalink)
Hufflepuff
Mackled Malaclaw
 
bitsyandtank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: (CDT) GMT-5
Posts: 11,371

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Asher Stinson
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Zoe Ladasha
Ministry Specialty Area
Default

Nice! Thanks for the reviews.
__________________
bitsyandtank is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 10:30 PM   #3 (permalink)
Blast-Ended Skrewt
 
Kazters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: scotland, the counry
Posts: 16,445
Default
Keeper of Mr Tennant's specs

Im not going to get to see it my local Vue isnt taking it up.. (infact only 5 n the whole UK are and none in scotland)

Will have to wait for DVD
__________________

Icons made by galileo_icons
Kazters is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 10:48 PM   #4 (permalink)
Hufflepuff
Jarvey
 
EmmaRules's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hogwarts
Posts: 571

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Ellen Calaway
First Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Ellen Jean Callaway
Magical Transportation
Default
R/Hr Bridesmaid

I'm gonna wait for the DVD to come out, and even then I'm not sure if I am going to see it.
__________________
EmmaRules
EmmaRules is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 11:03 PM   #5 (permalink)
Gryffindor
SS Featured Author
Snidget
 
r+h4ever1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: The Burrow
Posts: 2,923
Default
Fan Fic Queen

I'm not going to lie. This is kind of what I expected. I think Dan is relatively talented, but...And I also kind of expected that had Dan, Mr. Harry Potter, not been in his first non-Potter film since 2001, which was this film, it wouldn't have been an internationally released film.

This makes me wonder about Rupert's film, Driving Lessons. I find him much more talented than Dan, and I thought the film was brilliant. Yet, it didn't have this big media attention...or at least, not as big as December Boys. It's a shame because Rupert will continue to be overlooked and underestimated and never seen for the truly wonderful actor he is.

I wish Dan the best, though. I hope the film is successful because whether or not he's the best actor in the world, he is a very hard worker. So, I'll take Laurie's advice and wait for it to come out on DVD.

Shannon
__________________
r+h4ever1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 11:03 PM   #6 (permalink)
Ravenclaw
Romanian Longhorn
 
Padie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Neverland
Posts: 39,693

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Margaret Jacqueline Atkinson Morris
Fifth Year
Default
Potter’s Princess A+ FangGirl

Quote:
for the fan girls out there, you get to see his butt
*gigglesnorts* Oh man XD Looks like I'll be covering my eyes during the film then

Sounds lovely
__________________
I gotta go back to the muggle world,
they're gonna
try and tell me this wasn't, that none of this happened,
but you know what? It
was real. It did happen.
We spent time here. We made
friends here. That's a part of us.
Cause
Hogwarts is bigger than any of us, of any of it's founders,
and it's going to be around long after we're gone.
Maybe we'll see our
kids come here one day.
That's the thing about
Hogwarts.
No matter
how long you're away from it, there's always a way back.
Padie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 11:15 PM   #7 (permalink)
Ravenclaw
Billywig
 
prettyinpink's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a Sanrio store spending big bucks!
Posts: 3,877

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Cocoa
Third
Default

I want to see it!
__________________
prettyinpink is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 11:23 PM   #8 (permalink)
Hufflepuff
!!!!Awesome!!!!
Jobberknoll
 
Mari of the Ocean's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: in Howarts offcourse
Posts: 4,130

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Mari Elizabeth Allen
Fourth Year
Default

Thanks for the reviews!!
Mari of the Ocean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 11:25 PM   #9 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League
Gryffindor
Mooncalf
 
i m a potter fool ^_^'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Helping Lissy scoop
Posts: 6,662

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Daniel (Danny) West
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Melody Venn
Default
Chuck's Nerd

Fantastic jobs on the reviews! They are awesome. I agree with Laurie, I'm going to wait.
i m a potter fool ^_^ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 11:26 PM   #10 (permalink)
Dark Force Defense League
Veela
 
griffin_girl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: In a fairytale
Posts: 37,061

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jillian McGuffin
Sixth Year
Default
Gryffindor Goddess

nice reviews....very fair too!
__________________
And.I.try.not.to.Dream.but.them.possible.Schemes,
Swim.around,wanna.Drown.me.in.Synch.and.I,don't.know.
xxxx
how,to.Slow.it.down.my.Mind's.racing.from.chasing.Pirates.
x Celandine x Daphne x Garret x Jillian x

griffin_girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-13-2007, 11:47 PM   #11 (permalink)
Ravenclaw
R/Hr Ship Captain
Keeper of Ginny's Chocolate
Ron's Sausage Cooker
Firecrab
 
narglesRnifty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Icons in siggy by variousmeats @Lj. I'm shipping the seas!
Posts: 951

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Nargles
Third
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by r+h4ever1 View Post
I'm not going to lie. This is kind of what I expected. I think Dan is relatively talented, but...And I also kind of expected that had Dan, Mr. Harry Potter, not been in his first non-Potter film since 2001, which was this film, it wouldn't have been an internationally released film.

This makes me wonder about Rupert's film, Driving Lessons. I find him much more talented than Dan, and I thought the film was brilliant. Yet, it didn't have this big media attention...or at least, not as big as December Boys. It's a shame because Rupert will continue to be overlooked and underestimated and never seen for the truly wonderful actor he is.
Agreed Shannon. It's soooo hard to find DL here though...
__________________

Colorado... What's there?
narglesRnifty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 12:01 AM   #12 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Firecrab
 
HARRY LOVER#1 =)'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: In Wonderland,with Mad Hatter
Posts: 979
Second

Ministry RPG Name:
Janelle singleterry
Gryffindor

Well that doesnt sound convincing enough for me to watch. I think I wont see it in the theaters and take the advice and rent it on DVD.
__________________
Be ~~>LIE<~~eve......Believe??
HARRY LOVER#1 =) is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 01:38 AM   #13 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Mackled Malaclaw
 
dancerbookl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 11,247

Ministry RPG Name:
Jermey Jackston
Default
Book Club Babe

I think that the main reason DB is getting all the attention is beacuse Dan plays Harry and not Ron, I mean, no matter how much we think Ron is the better character (opinions!) the book is about Harry. And Dan, who plays Harry will get that kind of attention, not matter what he does.
__________________
[Performance:: Dance] [FMV:: Harry/Ginny ] [RP:: ~*Only Dream Once*~]

Powered by MAthI^__^

[FC:: Anything Wrong with That?] [FC:: Love Never Dies] [Site:: ~TNAF~]
Random fact::
Rupert Grint and I were born on the same day
*~*August 24th*~*
dancerbookl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 01:44 AM   #14 (permalink)
Hufflepuff
Firecrab
 
BrigetteAlisia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: in my own little world...
Posts: 862
Hufflepuff

dispite the reviews i still want to watch it...
BrigetteAlisia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 08:56 AM   #15 (permalink)
Blast-Ended Skrewt
 
Kazters's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: scotland, the counry
Posts: 16,445
Default
Keeper of Mr Tennant's specs

Quote:
Originally Posted by dancerbookl View Post
I think that the main reason DB is getting all the attention is beacuse Dan plays Harry and not Ron, I mean, no matter how much we think Ron is the better character (opinions!) the book is about Harry. And Dan, who plays Harry will get that kind of attention, not matter what he does.
Sorry i have do disagree with you look at emma all the attention that she gets it isnt hermione..

Rupert is by far the better actor ut driving lessions was a TV movie december boys is actualy a movie so that is a big difference...
__________________

Icons made by galileo_icons
Kazters is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 09:56 AM   #16 (permalink)

Tonks Is My Woman
Billywig
 
Hermy99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: In the middle of now
Posts: 3,166

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Sakura Maharene Salome Tamaka Lada
Default

Cool!Thanks for the reviews!
__________________
Hermy99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 11:31 AM   #17 (permalink)
Hufflepuff
Red Cap
 
SMalfoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Posts: 85

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Siret Gryffindor
First
Default

thanks for the review... i really want to watch the film
__________________
Tantum Castus Vivo!
SMalfoy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 03:18 PM   #18 (permalink)
Gryffindor
DD's Sorting Hat
Puffskein
 
Chocolate Frog's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: USA, Utah
Posts: 2,384

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Hallie
Second
Default

Thanks for the review I want to go see it.
Chocolate Frog is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 07:53 PM   #19 (permalink)

Slytherin
Crup
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK
Posts: 17,077

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Marcella Riddle
Graduated
Default
Kaplinski Rival Sorting Hat Machine

Quote:
Yet, it didn't have this big media attention...or at least, not as big as December Boys. It's a shame because Rupert will continue to be overlooked and underestimated and never seen for the truly wonderful actor he is.
It's nothing to do with the actors - in the sense of bias. Obviously Dan draws a big appear appeal as he is Harry Potter, the main character. Publicity & marketing is down to distribution & PR companies - W.B. managed this release. Both films however had a limited release. As far as I'm aware December Boys is not showing in Cardiff - the capital of Wales - which goes to show just how few cinemas will carry the film. Same can be said for Driving Lessons - although with that as it had joint-funding with a television company it was screened on ITV soon after its release.

Quote:
Sorry i have do disagree with you look at emma all the attention that she gets it isnt hermione..
That's because Dan is the leading man & Emma is the leading lady, in HP.

Quote:
Rupert is by far the better actor ut driving lessions was a TV movie december boys is actualy a movie so that is a big difference...
It had help with funding but it did get a theatrical release. Driving Lessons was a film.

Last edited by EmmaRiddle; 09-14-2007 at 07:55 PM.
EmmaRiddle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2007, 08:40 PM   #20 (permalink)
Slytherin
Puffskein
 
MizFit_of_Society's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: DRFC,EWFC,RGFC,TFFC, SBFC, DAFC
Posts: 1,773

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Jill Garza
Third
Default

Interesting.
__________________
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
MizFit_of_Society is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2007, 04:39 AM   #21 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Keeper of Dan’s Grin
Luvs Sirius
K.O. Harry's love for DD
Puffskein
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,226

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Annushka Sarah Emerzynski
First Year
Default

thanks for the reviews!
__________________
this is TOTALLY WICKED, duuuuuuuude!
Princesspotter1234 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2007, 01:12 AM   #22 (permalink)
Zoe
Dark Force Defense League

DMAC & DMLE
Runespoor
 
Zoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Wonderland
Posts: 61,278

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Logan Paton
Gryffindor
Sixth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Gillyweed Beery
Slytherin
Second Year

Ministry RPG Name:
Tallulah Gamp
Accidents & Catastrophes

Ministry RPG Name:
Franklin Paton
Law Enforcement

x8 x8
Default
Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Mrs. Charlie Weasley | Seneca's Beard | That's So Fetch

Fantasic reviews, guys! I so want to see December Boys now!
Zoe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2007, 02:09 AM   #23 (permalink)
TTH GRINDER
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

wowwwwwwwwwwww
  Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2007, 07:34 PM   #24 (permalink)


DMC & DMAC
Chizpurfle
 
Stormdancer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Scotland, [GMT]
Posts: 10,058

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Bennett Potter
Slytherin
Sixth Year

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Atlas Ward
Ravenclaw
First Year
Default
Toto * RotiSila * ToRo * Braveheart * Grandma & Mama Tori

I agree with you Kaz... We'll have to meet up to watch it.
__________________

Last edited by Stormdancer; 09-16-2007 at 08:07 PM.
Stormdancer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-18-2007, 08:43 AM   #25 (permalink)
Gryffindor
Jarvey
 
Affnee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: behind you!
Posts: 522

Hogwarts RPG Name:
Sasha Bonebreak
Second Year
Default

wow...i think i wanna watch Decemver Boys
Affnee is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT. The time now is 11:07 PM.


This Harry Potter and Wizarding World fan website and community is not endorsed by Hogwarts, Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Quidditch, Deathly Hallows, Sorcerer's Stone, Wizards, Muggles, No-Maj, MACUSA, Newt Scamander, Video Games, Half-Blood Prince, Orders of the Phoenix, Goblet of Fire, Philosopher's Stones, Chamber of Secret, Pottermore, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Eddie Redmayne, Cursed Child, or any other official Harry Potter source.

All content is copyright ©2002 - 2022, SnitchSeeker.com unless stated otherwise. Privacy Policy

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
LinkBacks Enabled by vBSEO 3.3.2 © 2009, Crawlability, Inc.
Site designed by Richard Harris Design

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 169 170 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235 236 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 249 250 251 252