If you like loud, screaming Japanese voices saying things you can’t understand, mixed with constant rock, then this is the album for you. Fortunately, I do happen to enjoy that sort of thing.

It always surprises me how little attention the Others has received. I thought it was great. The soundtrack is equally good.

This has excellent potential to become my favorite book. The tone seemed so epic, so final, throughout. It was better than I could have possibly imagined it. The book (and series) ended in a thoroughly satisfying manner which far exceeded my expectations.

I worked as a volunteer on the 20th, and ended up staying at my area’s Barnes & Noble for nine hours. I had been terrified that someone was going to drive by and reveal the ending, such as they had in that well-distributed Internet video on the occasion of the 6th book’s release. At about one o’ clock, I did hear someone drive by and say, “Harry Potter….” Thankfully the last words were entirely muffled by the sounds of traffic. (Thereafter I covered my ears.) The sixth book had been spoiled for me when I inadvertently found myself looking at a scan of page 606 on the Internet.

The last several chapters of the book were especially fulfilling. I was very pleasantly surprised by a certain ex-Potion Master and was impressed by Rowling’s ability to tie together the previous six books so entirely and completely.

This soundtrack is almost inexpressibly good, with the exception to sentences such as these, which attempt to explain the inexpressibility. (I’m not sure whether I’m more amazed by the album or by the fact that “inexpressibility” is a word. No… definitely the album.) It succeeds in doing exactly what the film tried to do, only better: give a glimpse into life, death, and eternity. It’s maddeningly surreal, unlike anything I’ve ever heard, quite nearly divine. I simply do not understand those who try to discredit this score. Were they listening to the same music? True, it isn’t the most lively music ever composed and there are few readily identifiable themes, but it has an interesting presence unlike anything else.

I have now seen this movie twice, and I love it. Admittedly, it is undeniable that the storytelling is somewhat fractured, but the movie is arranged in such a way that I’m really not bothered by the fact at all. The acting is perfect and the visuals and soundtrack are surreal and otherworldly.

A common complaint is that there isn’t enough development to get attached to any of the characters. In my opinion, after seeing how deeply Hugh Jackman’s character is affected by his wife’s condition, it would be quite difficult not to empathize with him.

I’ve got to say though, I’m not a fan of the bald-Jackman-in-lotus-position.

I had the abridged version (400 pages exactly). I enjoyed it. :D

I wouldn’t buy it. It sounds great as it accompanies the film, but it tends to blur into sameness as a stand-alone. It wasn’t horrendous by any stretch, but it really only has a few tracks which stand out.

It’s not bad music necessarily, just not my style. I’m not much for the high voices. :D I really like Makes Me Wonder though.

I thought it was interesting and well-written overall, but the ending was a little disappointing. The odd thing about Westerfield is that you feel compelled to blame the characters for what happened rather than the author.

I’m more than halfway through, but I can’t finish because the book is at the library. And I can’t find an ebook. :(