"It's not really goodbye, after all."

I feel like I have to do a little thing to close all this out. "Little thing" here meaning "movie review."

I don't want to say too much since I'm already one of those a-holes who spoils movies (sorry, Michael!), but I will say the following:

-It was REALLY good. Such an awesome ending to a phenomenal film series.

-Did it do the book justice? The parts included in the film were definitely done amazingly well. They did leave out some major plotpoints (or at least they were major in my mind). I understand that there just simply isn't time to cram everything into a movie though, so given what they had to work with, yes, absolutely, they did a wonderful job. You really need to read the books though.

-Professor McGonagall is a BAMF. She kind of kept herself on the DL for the last few movies being all like

but then she BROUGHT IT in this one. And it's even more touching because Dame Maggie Smith has been battling cancer throughout the filming of the last few movies. And she OWNED. So mad props to her.

-That being said, ALL THE AWARDS TO ALAN RICKMAN. ALL OF THEM. The HP movie franchise has never won an Oscar, which is like "okay whatevs," but omg, Alan Rickman, you wrecked my heart (apparently his performance generated some Oscar buzz. So ironic, because he's been in some of the most iconic films ever, and "greasy-haired, hook-nosed Professor Snape" might get him an Oscar nod.). The Prince's Tale was done, in my opinion, in a heartbreakingly perfect way. I bawled. Thank GOD no one sat next to me. This, to me, is like the whole story of Harry Potter. I mean, there's the "kill Voldemort" bit and all that, but this just adds something to the story (SOMETHING LITERARY) that makes it like, "whoa." So anyway, well done on that.


-Was it epic enough? Um, yes. For those of you who disliked the world's longest camping trip Part 1, this should more than make up for it. It literally starts right in the middle of the action. There's way less emotional drama crap and, actually, very little "sitting around and discussing things" (which is almost always for the audience's benefit). But yes, definitely a perfect climax. And plenty emotional for the pathos-addicts among us.

-I feel like I need to give a nod to the actors and actresses who played the Weasley's and the Malfoy's, too. Kudos, Weasley fam, for making us believe that you guys were crazy close-knit (Julie Walters, Rupert Grint, and Oliver Phelps, you guys were amazing) and that this battle (I am so struggling to not be spoileriffic here!) tore your family apart. Awesome job.
And Helen McCrory did an awesome job as Narcissa Malfoy. I've always loved her portrayal of Narcissa (and Mrs. Radcliffe in Becoming Jame. Anyone? Anyone?) because she gave her the level of complexity I feel her character deserves. The moment when she lies to Voldemort is the turning point of the whole Malfoy family. That being said, I so wish they'd gotten their more redemptive moment. But I've waxed eloquent about this before and will shut up before I've wasted three paragraphs on something nobody else cares about.

-Also, how about that awkward moment when Voldemort tries to hug you?

My whole theatre erupted in laughter. Oh, Tom Felton. I think I love you.

-THE EPILOGUE. I'm trying very hard not to spoil this for people who haven't read the book or seen the movie yet, but I'm not sure how I feel about this. I mean, granted, if it were up to me, none of those people would've ended up with each other (which is why if I'd written the books, about 30 people would've read them). But those are just semantics. I loved it in the book, and I'm not sure how I felt about it on screen. Daniel Radcliffe was the only one who looked somewhat age-appropriate. Rupert Grint, Bonnie Wright, and Emma Watson all looked the same to me. And then there's the issue of Draco Malfoy suddenly being 1000 years old. He's seriously like a walking fossil. Wtf, makeup department? The kiddies were cute though, and I LOVED how they used John Williams' original score from the ending of The Sorcerer's Stone to close out the whole thing. So if for no reason other than an epic music win, I think I liked it.


My TV dinner has now been sitting in the microwave for like, an hour while I wrote this. So I should probably go and get that. But anyway, yes, movie = good, and one of these days I'll post something about my life. Because it's soo interesting and I know you all are absolutely apoplectic with desire to know the scandalicious details of my innermost doings. ;)


What did you think of the HP movie? If you haven't seen it yet, wtf, get off your lazy derrières and go. Tomorrow. Regal Cinemas has $5 Tuesdays, so you have no excuse.

It was beautiful magic, wondrous to behold...

Welcome home.



{My last Harry Potter themed post! As of tomorrow or the day after, I'll be returning to regularly scheduled programming. I'm sad about that though! I've really enjoyed geeking out BIG TIME these last 2 weeks. Thanks to you guys for putting up with it, especially those of you who don't even like Harry Potter. Enjoy the movie tonight, guys, and don't be sad!! You can cry though. I sure will.}

Until the very end...

The first and last posters.



Cast photos, in character and out.


Have you stuck with Harry until the very end?
I suppose so. I mean, I'm here aren't I?

I was 11 when the books came out, and being an avid reader even then, I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on them (fantasy has always been my favorite genre). I bought the first book and devoured it in a matter of days. I distinctly remember being on vacation in D.C. when the second one came out, and I made my parents stop at a bookstore on the way up there so I could get it. I finished the next three in days when they came out.

Then Goblet of Fire came out. At this point, they were getting longer and longer and it was taking what felt like eternities between the books for them to get published. Plus, the ending of GoF really bothered me--the fact that Voldemort was reincarnated from blood, bone and flesh seemed rather Satanic to my young, sheltered mind. So I decided between the series getting creepier and taking a long time to be finished, I'd just wait until they were all out before I finished. So I had a nice HP break in high school. Though I did keep up with the movies. We used to go see them when they came out.

The last book was published in 2007, the year I graduated, and as soon as I got into college I wanted to re-read the beginning and finish the series. But then I decided to become an English major, which meant that all I do is read. Constantly. And I knew that if I started to re-read the HP series all my schoolwork would go out the window until they were finished. So I tried to prolong it as long as I could.

Then I finally caved sometime last year. Although I didn't allow myself to read the books (because, again, I'd still rather read those than my school books), I did listen to the audiobooks. One blown out car battery later (note to self: parking for hours on end with the motor running so you can listen to The Half-Blood Prince just ISN'T a good idea), I'd finished up to the 6th book and finally decided "the hell with it," and read the 7th. I finished it in about four days.

So, have I stuck with Harry? Overall, the answer is yes. Even though I was late to finishing the series. Part of me didn't want to--I'd grown up reading and loving the books when I was the age Harry was in the first half of the series. Seeing Harry and his friends grow up meant that I had to grow up too. But the wonderful thing about fictional characters is that they live forever. As soon as I turned the last page of The Deathly Hallows, I was sad, but it was like, "DUDE. Now I HAVE to re-read them!" And Harry becomes, once again, the little boy in the cupboard below the stairs.

So I'm not sad about it ending, really. You wanna know what's really sad? WHEN ARTHUR EFFING CONAN DOYLE KILLS SHERLOCK HOLMES. OMG HE KILLED THE MAIN CHARACTER. AT LEAST HARRY POTTER LIVES, YOU GUYS.


Thank you, Harry, for being immortal in the way that only book characters can be. And thanks to the cast for sticking with the project (the same cast for almost 11 years of filming?? Impressive.) and doing the films the way they needed to be done--with quality and integrity.

Are you inspired by the Harry Potter series? In what ways?
Again with literary high-horsiness, but yes, I think it's a very inspirational series--in many ways! JKR has inspired thousands (millions?) of kids to read, and reignited that spark in a load of writers. If I ever try my hand at novel writing again, I'll definitely be taking writing tips from the HP series as far as plot, character development and point-of-view go.
As for the stories themselves, yes, they're inspirational. It starts out as such a simple child's story about an orphaned boy who can do magic. But it evolves into something so much more than that. Throughout the series so many different issues are explored--socio-economic status and opinions, corrupt governments, classism, race, sexuality, and acceptance on all those fronts. It's a story about love and how that's the inherent magic--it's the thing we're all capable of experiencing but no one can define scientifically or otherwise. It just is. It's the magical ability we all have within us. And it's a story about bravery, about overcoming impossible circumstances and emerging victorious in the end. That's the other real bit of magic about the stories--we all have that capability for courage and strength within us. It's just a matter of nurturing that inner bravery through our choices, allies, and growth as human beings.
So overall, yeah, it's pretty epic. And I think J.K. Rowling summed it up best when she said,
"We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already...It's important to remember that we all have magic inside us."

"The happiest man on earth would look into the mirror and see only himself, exactly how he is."
What would you see if you looked into the Mirror of Erised?
I think this question varies depending on the stage of life in which you find yourself. For me, personally, as of this very second, I would see myself with someone I loved--boyfriend, fiancee, husband (since someone's going to be all 3 at some point anyway, right?)--and financially secure. Not obscenely wealthy, but enough for me to live on without concern and take care of my family as well. I'd be independent of them, but still in a close and loving relationship. Also Bixby would be there. And since the Mirror shows you in brutal honesty what you really want, Sassy would be there too, because sometimes I really do want her back.


A Patronus is a kind of positive force, and for the wizard who can conjure one, it works something like a shield, with the Dementor feeding on it, rather than him. In order for it to work, you need to think of a memory. Not just any memory, a very happy memory, a very powerful memory… Allow it to fill you up… lose yourself in it…
What form would your patronus take?
This is the second question after, "What house would get sorted into" that people love to discuss. Assuming I could even conjure one (it's supposed to be very difficult, advanced magic)...hmm. The most common animal, I think, people want to have as a patronus is a dog, since a lot of people get along with them. I think I fall into this category, too. But I also have a good rapport with horses. I have one friend who planted the idea of a rabbit patronus in my mind, and I have to admit, it's grown on me. A fox is kind of like a rabbit and a dog, right? I had one quiz tell me it was a penguin. As long as it's not a fish, frog, or slug, I guess I'm okay with it. But if I had to choose, a dog or a rabbit. But you don't get to choose, do you?

What about you guys?? I am WICKEDLY curious as to your answers to these questions.


Here's a brief "Link Me Up: HP Edition" for you!

-Cool and sometimes unknown Harry Potter facts, taken from interviews with JK Rowling.
-Make your own "Undesirable" poster like my profile pic!
-"Harry Potter and the Well of Medical Research" is a cool article discussing various ways that medical research has been influenced by the series. I hate to get all lofty when it comes to books changing the world and influencing society, but it is pretty cool.
-You aren't a Harry Potter fan until you've been to Mugglenet. It's just a cool resource with news about the movies and cast, quotes from the books and movies, funfacts, games, discussions and more. Have a look around one day if you're bored.
-I get asked a lot where I get my gif files. Well, here's where I get the Harry Potter ones.
-This is a great resource for when you have questions or want to understand something within the series better. That weird hummingbird in a jar in the Ministry of Magic? Totally looked it up here.

If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you have no soul.
On another note, though, this is hilariously awesome. WAY TO GO, MARKETING DEPARTMENT.



GUYS OMG.

!!!

Those of you who know me know I love to shop. So how could I do a whole Harry Potter feature without doing a highlight on merchandise??
My humble collection of HP stuff (which is mostly bookish in nature): Quidditch Though the Ages and Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them; my Ravenclaw scarf; Hogwarts crest pin; house cups (which were a great buy, btw, because I actually USE them); and my collection of HP lit crit books.

Here are some things I want/thought were cool and wanted to share. Click the pics to go to their respective places of purchasing.
I would literally prostitute myself for these books. No, I'm just kidding. I wouldn't even come close to prostituting myself for them. I wouldn't even go on a date for them. But they are pretty awesome, right??


I love this artwork. It's really detailed and just cool.



^^Lol.







Or you can get one with the Golden Trio (plus Ginny) here!


Check out Etsy (obviously), Hot Topic, and the WWOHP online store (overpriced though I believe it to be) for more! Or if you're poor like me, you can laugh at/snark/envy other people's stuff at this Potter merch Tumblr.

Do you have something HP-related that you love, or something that's on your wish list? Feel free to leave a comment!

What would a Boggart turn into if you were confronted with it? What would you use to disarm it and your fear?
This could be two things, depending. My first and biggest "surface" fear, I guess, is of blood and/or needles. So the boggart might be a nurse coming at me to take my blood, or might turn into a gorily injured person or animal. My deeper fears have to do with things being taken from me and ending up alone. So, you let your imagination run wild with that.

And whatever I did to get rid of the boggart, it sure as hell wouldn't be that creepy-ass clown that Parvati Patil thought was FUNNY.