July 2007 - Posts
So I'm a bad person and forgot to tell you there was an interview with J.K. Rowling on tv last night. In a pitiful attempt to make up for my slacking you can find a small write up about her here:
http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=270634>1=10150
And if you snoop around in there you can see some of her interview with Meredith Viera (I think that's how you spell her name!
If you haven't finished the book don't read or watch! There are spoilers ahead! Plus a look into the future for a few favorite characters!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
By: J.K. Rowling
***Spoiler Alert! If you have not read the book and still want to be surprised about what happens throughout DO NOT READ THIS!***
Stunning - Spectacular - Stupendous - Fantabulous -
I could go on, but I think you get the idea of how I feel about HP7! This novel is action-packed, constantly twisting and turning in different directions - you think you might know what's coming, then WHAM! Something happens to turn it on its head! I will admit that I got a little impatient in a few spots, but that was only because I wanted to know how it was going to end, if Snape was good or evil, does Harry & Co. find the missing Horcruxes, who dies that I really didn't want to see die and who survives that I didn't want to see survive.
Death flies at you in this novel. I know Rowling said two characters die - and they do, believe me, I cried (more so at one than the others) - but that was just the beginning. There is a lot of death going on in this book. Some characters we know better than others, some not at all, but the death's of these characters' are done quite well. So well that it seemed the natural choice in most cases (I say that because there are deaths that I wasn't happy with, but accepted) because in a battle between good and evil of these epic proportions, people are going to die and we're not always going to like it.
We begin with the Ascent of the Dark Lord - he wants to know when Harry Potter is going to be moved from his protection at his Aunt and Uncle's house. He wants Harry Potter for himself and the Death Eaters had better not muck it up this time! Oh but they do! To my glorious satisfaction they do! Once Harry is safely at his new location the planning begins. Ron, Hermione and Harry are kept quite busy and very far away from each other throughout the cleaning of The Burrow (there's going to be a wedding! guess who! - yes, you already know who!). They rarely get time together to plot out their plan of attack. Though many try and get the plan out of Harry, he will not tell. Dumbledore's orders were to tell two others, and only them.
While at The Burrow Harry celebrates his 17th birthday and is surprised to see the Minister of Magic show up requesting to talk to Harry, Ron and Hermione. It regards Dumbledore's will. Now we all know that there is important stuff being passed on from the will....no, I will not tell who gets what and how it plays out for them! And yes, there is drama surrounding the will, but Hermione, oh how I heart her smartness!
And the wedding! At the end of the chapter on the wedding some very bad news reaches the guests and Ron, Hermione and Harry escape in the ensuing turmoil. They need to regroup and figure out what to do next. They are subsequently trailed and they evade capture by Death Eaters and go to the safest place they can think of: Number 12 Grimmauld Place. They're in for a few surprises on entering the house, but things work out alright. Harry calls Kreacher when the trio realizes they may have already had one of the missing Horcruxes in their grasp. When we first see him, he acts like the old Kreacher, loyal to the Blacks, disgusted with Mudbloods. When ordered to tell what happened to the locket Harry sees a side of Kreacher he never could have imagined. Kreacher is given orders by Harry and he actually doesn't seem upset about following them.
Lupin shows up and gives the gang a bit of a shock: The Daily Prophet is now in the control of the Death Eaters. Harry is wanted for questioning in the death of Dumbledore, and Hermione is in more danger now as all Muggle-born wizards must register. The Death Eaters have taken over and they are out to fulfill their goal of ridding the world of all but the pure-bloods. Their hideout is being watched all the time and Harry and Lupin have a falling out. Oh, and Harry's understanding of what kind of a wizard Dumbledore was is challenged with Rita Skeeter's new biography (which comes out approximately 4 months after he dies). That will play a big role in the rest of the story, just so you know!
The group's first plan of attack is a dangerous one. They want to break into the Ministry of Magic in order to get back the Horcrux that had been in the Black household. Their daring in this task is quite amazing as it has also been taken over by the Death Eaters. Their elaborate plan works, but only to a point. Things get complicated and they have to improvise as they go, and their escape is another close one.
When they disapparate from the Ministry they land in a forest. Ron's been injured and they set up charms and protections for their campsite (by the way, Hermione's purse is amazing). They discuss how they are going to find the remaining Horcruxes, destroy them and finish off Voldemort over the next few weeks. They decide that they should keep moving so they continue to relocate. Tensions begin to run high as things become stagnant. Lots of talk, little food and no action to further the goal of their mission are the main reasons for dissent among the trio. Little clues along the way help at times, but in the end one of the trio leaves. It is sad and I wasn't prepared for it!
Harry knows that the inaction is annoying. He would love nothing better than figure out where the rest of the Horcruxes are and destroy them, but he only has a limited amount of information to go on. He's wanted to go to Godric's Hollow for awhile, but Hermione had thought it a bad idea, that the Dark Lord would be waiting for him. After the departure of one of their group, Harry and the other decide to go to Godric's Hollow to visit his parents' graves and to get some information from Bathilda Bagshot - an older woman who knew Harry's parents and Dumbledore when he was younger.
Of course they're in for a bit of a shock when they meet Bathilda Bagshot. She sees them outside of Harry's old house (it's still standing in their honor) and beckons them to follow her. They do, and she wants to talk to Harry upstairs and alone. She doesn't talk in front of the other person there (sorry, I don't want to give away too much!) so Harry does not notice that she is speaking in Parseltongue once they're upstairs. Drama ensues and Harry & Co. is almost captured again. In the ensuing chaos a very important object to Harry is broken.
Harry & Co. move locations again. When Harry is keeping watch he sees a silver doe patronus and follows it. What he discovers where the doe vanishes is quite amazing. To get it is even trickier. It's winter and Harry has to dive into frozen water to retrieve the one object that he knows will destroy the remaining Horcruxes. Once underwater the Horcrux that is already in his possession begins to choke him. He's rescued by the part of Harry & Co. that had deserted. This person was repentant and felt awful about it.
Now re-united they decide to question the one person who has been printing the truth about what's been going on: Xenophilius Lovegood (Luna's father). He is anything but excited to see them on his doorstep, but he allows them in. He disappears to let Luna know they are there, then tells them some information about the mark that was on his robes at the wedding. The Tale of the Three Brothers is actually quite important to the rest of the story. I love how Rowling uses a fairy tale as the means of truth here. Harry & Co. learn what the Deathly Hallows are. They are important objects that most people do not believe in. Harry has to figure out how they figure into his quest to destroy the Horcruxes.
When Xenophilius goes to prepare dinner, Harry goes upstairs to investigate a painting he sees of himself. It is in Luna's room and there are portraits of Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and Neville as well. The room is dusty and looks as if it hasn't been used in a long time. The Ministry took Luna because of what he had been writing so he contacted them that Harry Potter was at his home. Hermione saves them.
The Deathly Hallows brings discussion to the group as they discuss whether or not they're real and what to do about their new information. The rumored brothers of the myth were the Peverell brothers. Harry & 1 Co. saw his grave in Godric's Hollow with the marking on it (the one on Lovegood's robes). Harry realizes that the Gaunt's were descendant's from the Peverell's (Marvelo Gaunt was You-Know-Who's grandfather). Were the Hallows the key to defeating Voldemort? Was the stone in ring that Dumbledore destroyed one of the Hallows? Harry realizes that Voldemort is seeking the Elder Wand from the story. A wand so powerful that wizards have dueled over it for centuries.
While camping and discussing things Harry says Voldemort's name aloud. Upon the return of the member of the group who left, they found out that saying 'Voldemort' had become Taboo, which means that whenever it is said Death Eaters or Snatchers (those looking for muggle-born wizards) will show up. The trio are captured and taken to Malfoy Manner. I have to say that this part gets pretty horrible. Hermione uses a stinging jinx which causes Harry's face to swell up like he was stung and had an allergic reaction. He isn't recognized at first, but once they think it's him they know they have to tread carefully or they will be in loads of trouble with the Dark Lord.
Once at the home of the Malfoys, Draco is asked to identify Harry. Draco hesitates, even in his father's excitement that they may be forgiven yet. When Bellatrix shows up things get interesting. She, Lucius and Greyback (he was one who helped capture the trio) argue about who will inform the Dark Lord and who will reap the benefits of the reward. When she sees what Harry has with him that was pulled out of the lake she about loses it. It's an item that she supposedly has possession of. She orders the prisoners to go to the cellar, but she keeps Hermione back to question/torture her. -I admit I was pretty nervous at this part - When Harry and Ron are thrown into the dungeon we realize they are not alone. Luna is there, Mr. Ollivander, Dean Thomas, and Griphook (a goblin). Luna cuts the ropes binding Harry and Ron with a nail. Harry desperately reaches into a pouch around his neck and looks into a piece of broken mirror and pleads for help. In a moment Dobby is in the cellar with the prisoners. Harry has him rescue the others first, then has him take Ron and him upstairs. While Dobby is gone Wormtail is sent to the cellar to check out a noise. Harry and Ron attack him and Harry reminds him that he had saved Wormtail's life. Wormtail's silver hand turns on him and strangles him to death. Ron and Harry rush upstairs and hear Griphook telling Bellatrix the object she holds is a fake. (Harry told him to lie and he did - I couldn't believe it!) Bellatrix calls Lord Voldemort and Ron rushes in when she tells Greyback he can have Hermione. Chaos ensues. Bellatrix takes Hermione hostage. Dobby returns and drops a chandelier which allows Harry to yell at Ron to save Hermione while he grabs Griphook and Dobby and disapparates to Bill's cottage. Once there, Harry realizes that the knife Bellatrix threw at him had struck Dobby. Dobby dies protecting Harry Potter. I was so sad I cried. I loved this house-elf who was so funny, sweet, charming and loyal to those who deserved it. (Sorry, I told you there would be spoilers and this is so sad and a big part of the story that I had to tell you.)
Recovery is the next stage of the quest. Mr. Ollivander, Griphook and Hermione all need some time to recoup after their torture. Harry digs a grave in which to bury Dobby. When Harry places a stone to mark the place he writes, "Here lies Dobby, a free elf." Dobby would have loved that.
Harry's anger and sadness at the death of Dobby makes him really think about the things that need to be done, as well as what has been done in the past that relates to the present. He realizes that he needs to ask questions of Griphook and Mr. Ollivander. Griphook is a goblin and so he mistrusts wizards. Harry asks him to help them break into Gringotts. Harry believes that one of the Horcruxes is located in the Lestrange's vault. Next he questions Mr. Ollivander about the two wands he ended up with upon leaving the Malfoys (Bellatrix and Draco's). He finds out that Draco's may now be his since he took it by force. Harry's real reason for talking to Mr. Ollivander is that he needs to know about the magical properties of wands, and the Elder Wand in particular. He finds out that Mr. Ollivander told Voldemort what he knew about the wand under torture. But he does not know that Harry has figured out who has the Elder Wand now. Harry knows that Voldemort is going after it as he speaks. Harry has made his choice between the Hallows and the Horcruxes. He chooses Horcruxes and that decision will make all the difference to his future.
Harry & Co. begin their plan to break into Gringotts. Bill notices the amount of time they spend with the goblin and warns Harry about the differences between the beliefs of witches and wizards. The break-in had me on the edge of my seat - alright, I was there the entire book, I don't think I've ever been this excited/nervous to read something! Hermione transforms into Bellatrix, she changes some of the features of Ron's face and Harry & Griphook are under the invisibility cloak. Harry uses the imperious curse on one of the goblins in order to get them through - the goblin is suspicious at first, there were rumors about the Malfoys being punished by Voldemort and that Bellatrix's wand had been taken.
Before they even make it to the vault they know that their presence as thieves is known at the bank. They hurriedly look through the vault to find the object they seak. Of course this is not easy and they are all burned, but they manage to find it and hold onto it. Their escape is desperate - there was a dragon in the corridor outside of the vault and Harry releases the dragon and gets the three of them onto its back. The dragon is so angry that it literally claws and breaks its way out of the vault. Hermione helps make the openings larger as they go. They ride the dragon until it lowers itself closer to the ground. They decide to slip off its back into a lake before it knows they're there.
When Voldemort learns of the theft he is so angry that he kills everyone that is at Gringotts at that moment. How did Harry know his secret? Are his other Horcruxes safe? Have any already been destroyed? Wouldn't he have felt it? He believes that the Horcrux he left at Hogwarts is safe because he doesn't think anyone else uncovered as many of its secrets as he did. This is how Harry learns where the last Horcrux he needs to find is. And that they have to act NOW.
They land in Hogsmeade and are immediately in trouble. An alarm goes off and they are immediately being searched for. They're under the invisibility cloak, so they're okay, but they have to be careful not to run into a Death Eater as they pass by. All of a sudden they hear a voice beckoning them inside and upstairs. The barman at the Hogs Head has saved them by telling the Death Eaters he let his cat out and is that really such a crime? (Actually it kind of is now that curfew was broken.) Harry realizes that Aberforth is who he saw in the mirror at Malfoy Mansion and that he is none other than Aberforth Dumbledore.
They ask Aberforth to help them into Hogwarts if he can - and a girl in a portrait walks away and comes back with none other than Neville Longbottom - who looks a bit beaten up. He informs them of all the bad things that have been going on at Hogwarts. Then he takes them throught the portrait and straight into the Room of Requirements. Apparently Neville was quite genius in setting it up when things got really bad at Hogwarts. Many students were now staying there that supported Harry. They want to help Harry fight and at first he resists. He doesn't want them to get hurt, but he could use the time they could buy him to find the last Horcrux.
Luna takes him to look at a statue that may have the key to what the remaining Horcrux looks like. One of the Carrows (the new teachers and punishers at Hogwarts) spots him and calls to Lord Voldemort. Luna stunned her (very well, actually) and the spell woke the dormitory. Carrows brother and Professor McGonagall end up outside the door. Amycus (the guy) spits in McGonagalls face after heated words and Harry shows himself in order to use the 'crucio' curse on him.
This is when things really start to heat up. The last 200 pages or so are so exciting and suspense-filled I could hardly stand it! Harry finds the last Horcrux while the of-age students and Professors of Hogwarts do their best to defend it against the Death Eaters and the Dark Lord, he saves a person a couple of times that doesnt deserve to be saved and he goes out to battle Lord Voldemort alone.
Let me just say that this is one rip-roaring battle. There are deaths that occur in the battle that I really didn't want to see. They made my quite sad. I have to say that Mrs. Weasley is brilliant in battle. I would NEVER want to cross that woman! Fred, George, Luna, Hermione, Ron, the Order of the Phoenix, the rest of the members of Dumbledore's Army and others battle the Death Eaters while Harry searches for, finds and destroys the Horcrux.
I really think I should stop here. If I go any further I'll tell you how the book ends and I think I've already given enough away (although I did warn you I would probably tell you too much - which I think I did). What can I say instead? I can say that this book is brilliant. I loved the ending - and I was really nervous about it. I never thought that Voldemort would live, I thought there was a more than good chance that Harry would die and I had no idea how those he left behind would be able to pick up the pieces. Well, Rowling took care of that for me! And the epilogue! Oh My!
Happy reading to all the Harry Potter fans out there!
Oh, and when you finish the book you should go back to the beginning and re-read the poems that are there.
(I will be re-reading this book, so don't look for another book review for a little bit. I'm going to take my time this time so that I can really absorb all the information that's thrown our way. The reason there haven't been any other reviews is because I've been reading Bleak House and am only about halfway through it. -You'd understand if you you've ever seen the book. It's quite large and steeped in the Victorian era and Dickens' love of prose makes it a bit difficult for me to really get into the book sometimes. - I'll get back to it later, Harry is what I've been waiting for for years! Years I tell you!)
I AM SO EXCITED!
In a few veeerrrryyyyy long hours I will have the new Harry Potter in my greedy little clutches! I say greedy since I ordered the regular 1st edition as well as the special edition. I couldn't help myself! This is history in the making people!
I have to figure out how to occupy my time after work today.....I'm so glad I work today otherwise I would probably be skipping around my apartment in a state of such distractedness that I would probably drive my downstairs neighbor insane (he's a very friendly fellow, but someone bouncing incessantly above your head would drive anyone crazy!)
Maybe I'll have a Harry Potter movie marathon - although I've watched all four of those recently as well, I had to prepare for the 5th movie, didn't I?
Oh, and as for a link today I think it should be this one as it proves that I am not the only person in the world obsessed with Harry Potter:
(there are no book spoilers in this article - I would NEVER do that to you!)
http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2007/07/19/couple_plans_wedding_then_harry_potter/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+News+of+the+odd
I am planning on a review for you all on Monday, but I'll be gone this weekend doing the Relay for Life with my family. I have every intention of reading tonight but it's the beginning of my friends birthday weekend of fun (yes, she gets a weekend, usually it's an entire week!) and I am skipping the festivities until I get my book (b/c I will be no fun until I get my book!) so I don't know if I can read tonight - I know, horror of shocking horrors! - but I do intend to read the minute I wake up tomorrow and while I am doing my walking at the Relay for Life- as long as it doesn't rain - there is NO WAY Harry is going near the water, period! Now that I think about it I probably will have no food or drink near me while I read it, or any dirty hands (mine or others) - I might have to put out a "Do Not Touch this Book or You Will Face Serious Consequences From its Owner Who WILL Know the MINUTE it has been Moved!" sign on it. As it's my family they understand my obsession with books in general, but Harry Potter, that is a category all in itself! (Really, they understand! I'm the one who brings a book to holidays for crying out loud! Plus, one of my cousin's and I usually get into a book discussion every holiday and quite a few family members can get caught up in it - usually just looking at us like we've lost our minds - maybe she'll bring her copy too!)
Oh Harry! I hope you live for your sake! If not, I hope it's for the greater good! I really don't want to cry at the end of it, but I have a feeling I'll be crying like a baby either way, especially as we know two characters die (no, that is not a spoiler, Rowling has said it herself) and I can't even begin to imagine who they are....well, I can but I don't want to!
Happy Weekend of Harry Potter Reading!
So, the New York Times and the Baltimore Sun have published reviews of the final Harry Potter book. How they came to be in possession is beyond me. Shame on them! They claim they 'purchased' (my quotes) it legally, but that can not be true as it is in booksellers' contracts that the boxes can't even be opened until 12:01 am on the 21st.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19844893/
I didn't even read the entire article as I DON'T WANT TO KNOW ANYTHING UNTIL I READ IT MYSELF!
We only have to wait a little longer......I'm struggling, but I'll make it! How about you?
No, these are not spoilers. I'm pretty positive that the book isn't going to be exactly like any of these.
Oh, what are these? These are 4 different authors takes on the ending of Harry Potter who are/were from the Boston area. Take a gander:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2007/07/18/harry_potter_and_the_alternate_endings/?page=1
I can't believe I haven't posted this site yet....My bad!
http://www.the-leaky-cauldron.org/
The Leaky Cauldron is a massive conglomoration of all things Harry Potter related. You will not find any spoilers of the final book here....The Leaky Cauldron wants to protect the final book until it is officially released. (The site has done this for previous publications.)
Here you'll find a Potter cast, interviews with people involved with the books and movies, trivia and so much more!
Oh, and guess what! They have a count down to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. 2 days, 9 hours, 56 minutes and 58 seconds......Not that I'm excited or will be waiting in line at Barnes and Noble at midnight on a Friday (and no, it's not pathetic, it's called being a dedicated fan, plus you get to participate in a historical event!)
If you haven't seen the movie yet and you want to be totally surprised don't read this post! I have a feeling that I'll be giving something away here......Ok, I know I will be!
If you're planning on going and haven't read any of the books or seen any of the previous movies DON'T GO! You'll have no idea what is going on and why people are doing what they're doing. I would definitely recommend a working background knowledge of Harry Potter in order for the movie to be its most effective for you!
First off, I loved the movie. It's a very different format from the previous 4 which were full of action and adventure. This time around it's more about drama and personal relationships. It's a bit slow but only about a 2 hour-ish movie (the previews started when the movie was supposed to - I hate that). I can't decide what the best part is.....My new favorite villian is definitely Dolores Umbridge. Imelda Staunton plays the part so well that I am now shuddering just thinking about it! The woman dresses in pink (which is fine, but I am not a pink person and so the choice of pink for a villian is even more revolting to me and makes her that much worse) and her office! Her office in the movie is exactly how I imagined it in the book - with all those little kitten plates mewing on the walls! She's probably the 'prettiest' yet scariest person in the books! The looks and the hidden meanings in her words are really brought to life. (I'm still cringing!)
Starting at the beginning:
- Harry and Dudley aren't really attacked in an ally in the movie - Dudley now looks like he's trying to be cool and tough, but I found him to be a little ridiculous (more so than usual!)
- When Harry is picked up by the order they don't take his trunk (seriously! we all know he's not going back to Privet Drive and will need his things!)
- Tonks and Lupin really don't talk much at all in this movie. They are much more prominant in the book. In fact, we only briefly see Lupin two - three times.
- Harry only receives one letter from the Ministry of Magic for performing the Patronus Charm
- The Headquarters! Oh HOW I WAS DISAPPOINTED! First off, in the movie it's not an empty ally, number 12 just grows between two other flats. That part is okay, I totally get how an empty ally is going to look funny on screen and even in 'real' life. My problem lies in the house itself. You know how the first time Harry goes there the picture of Mrs. Black is woken? Well, that doesn't happen in the movie. I really wanted to see her freak out! Later on we see Kreacher talking to the portrait and we hear some mumbling, but there's no warning about keeping quiet, there's no cleaning of the house, and there's really not much Kreacher.
- I thought the way the movie portrayed the postings by Hogwarts' High Inquisitor was brilliant. All of these decrees are on this wall and there are so many! We see quite a few of the ones that are important for the story's development.
- Another thing I liked was how the newspaper headlines would flash through. It was a simple, yet effective way to let the viewers know what was going on in the wizarding world. It brought back some of the charm of the book for me, as the newspapers are a big deal in the story.
- A big aspect that was missing for me: there is no mention or notice given of Ron and Hermione becoming prefects. NOT A WORD. I understand that it's not totally necessary to the story, but it does help to develop Harry's character and is part of the reason he acts the way he does.
- The meeting at the Hogs Head about starting Dumbledore's Army is well done. It's pretty much how I pictured it, but the only people that seemed to be there were the students. There weren't any unsavory characters lurking about that I noticed.
- Once Dumbledore's Army is started is where you get a little bit of action. Watching the students practice their charms and such is quite fun. We also get a little bit more of an emotional side to Neville (who, by the way, does bring that one plant with him to school. We see him carrying it, but there's no mention of it. I can't think of the name off the top of my head, but it's rare and important to him).
- Watching Filch, Dolores Umbridge and the rest of the Inquisitional Squad try and catch the D.A. is entertaining. When they finally do it is because they are given up by Cho. (Her friend from the book doesn't even appear in the movie.) We later find out that she was given Veritiserum (sp.?)
- HARRY'S FIRST KISS!
- Harry and the Weasley's never go to St. Mungo's when Mr. Weasley is hurt. It is mentioned but we don't see it.
- Harry's lessons with Snape are pretty interesting and I thought they were done quite well. Snape does not use the Pensieve, however. Hermione doesn't bug Harry about practicing at all.
- Harry's nightmares about the Ministry of Magic are really creepy and great! They only occur 2 - 3 times in the movie, but they were really well done.
- Mrs. Weasley's Woes are not mentioned.
- There is no talk of Percy. We only see him at Hogwarts when the members of the D.A. have been caught. There is no talk of the strain in the family relationship.
- Fred and George. Ah, how I love the mischevious twins! They go out with a great big BANG in this one! But it's not the same bang as in the book. They go out with fireworks instead of using them as their warm-up act. I really wanted to see the swamp in the castle!
- Emma Thompson still makes a brilliant Sybill Trelawney!
- There's a sequence when Dolores Umbridge is doing her interviews that is absolutely fantastic! You see all the professor's reactions to her questioning and the looks they give her. OH! And McGonagall and Umbridge are a great bickering contest to watch!
- The scenes at the Ministry of Magic are really good. That's pretty much where all of your action comes in. I think this part was quite well done, and I realize it was done the way it was because of time and probably budget concerns, but still! We miss out on a lot from the Ministry sequence. There is no round room with multiple doors to try. They just go to the right one. Harry hears the prophecy at the Ministry (that definitely does NOT happen in the book) but no one else does. The kids don't look half as battle-weary as they seem to be in the book since they don't have as much action.
- LUNA LOVEGOOD IS FANTABULOUS! She's everything I was hoping for and more! I hope to see more of Miss Evanna Lynch in the future Potter movies!
- The thestrals were really great as well.
- Bellatrix Lestrange is one freaky chic. But she is fabulous for the part she plays in this movie! Her laugh is infectious - and I don't mean that in a good way!
- The end of the movie when Dumbledore and Voldemort are dueling at the Ministry is really neat. The visuals are beautiful, but the fountains don't 'come alive'. BOO!
Those are just some of the differences I can think of right off the top of my head this morning. I may add to it later because I'm sure there was more, but it's not like I was taking notes during the movie for crying out loud! All in all a very good adaptation of the book. For me, the magic is in watching the story come alive. It's fabulous being able to see how Rowling's words, my imagination and the creative direction of the director compare and contrast.
And here I thought I had all my Potter news out for the day.....
Waterstone's has posted a 'Save Harry Potter' website which is asking for one million names to sign by July 21st. (Waterstone's is a fantabulous U.K. bookstore. You should go there;)
http://www.saveharrypotter.co.uk/
Apparently J.K. Rowling has recently been rumored to have said something along the lines of, "Never say never" when it comes to writing an 8th Harry Potter book. Honestly, depending on how book 7 turns out could influence my excitement level of a possible book 8, but it's HARRY POTTER and SO FUN! I believe you can search in YouTube for an interview of her with a man by the name of Jonathan Ross. There was also a People magazine article that I am seeming to recall from the fog at the back of my brain.....Sorry for no direct links on that, but as it is still being reported as a rumor I'm gonna leave it at that!
Anyways, don't get your hopes up, but there's a slippery, slimey slim chance that there will be a book 8....
9 DAYS TO GO UNTIL HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS!!!
The following link will take you to a list of 10 things you may not know about J.K. Rowling. There are also quite a few links to other Harry Potter information.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070710/harry_potter_trivia_070709/20070710?hub=Entertainment
I've also found the Fan Zone site mentioned in the article. You can find it here:
http://www.harrypotterfanzone.com/
Look for a review of the 5th movie tomorrow! I hope I get a good seat!
What? You forgot? How could you! Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is in theaters today! Today people! Unfortunately, I can't go tonight (tomorrow hopefully!) so I thought I'd post this review of the movie from MSN:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19638542/
I have heard rumors that if you're not familiar with what happens in the previous Potter books you may have difficulties keeping up. But it's Harry Potter! And I can not wait to see Dolores Umbridge in action! She's such an evil villian!
France:
Taiwan:
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Take a gander at the article below! A few scholars are asked whether or not Harry survives book 7. Somebody's gonna be wrong, but I hope Harry survives, that Snape is redeemed, that Neville takes care of business, that Ron and Hermione become a couple, that, that, that....there's so much I want to know and to see resolved it's making me dizzy to think about it!
http://entertainment.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=267942>1=10150
The Moorchild
By: Eloise McGraw
Saaski is different from the other children. She knows it, they know it, their parents and her parents know it, and Old Bess is sure of it. Saaski isn’t sure just what it is about her that makes her different, other than that her eyes change color, her hair is the color of wheat (and everyone else’s is brownish shades), her fingers are long and thin, she can climb better than a monkey and she’s not afraid of the Moor. But she is afraid of Old Bess, from the time she was in her cradle. Old Bess had told Saaski’s mother and father that she was a changeling. They refused to accept that, even for the visual differences they could see in their daughter. Old Bess then held her tongue, but Saaski had to learn to adapt quickly from her cradle.
For the most part she is a good child. She does the tasks that are hers to do, but she keeps running off to the Moor. Her parents say it’s a dangerous place, but for Saaski it’s the only place she feels comfortable.
Saaski hates iron, she shies away from it whenever she can; salt stings her skin if she touches it and she stays away from rowan wood and yellow flowers. These are things that the villagers associate with bogeys (isn’t that a fun word) and not with a ‘normal’ child.
One day a band of Gypsies rolls through town. One of the little boys was full of spots and Old Bess told his parents he should stay away from the other children. Saaski attempts to play with the children and they all gang up on her and hit and beat her (this is not completely unusual, although they usually show a little more care in not getting caught than this). Anwara (Saaski’s mother) has had enough and she yells at the mothers of the children who were tormenting her daughter. A few days later all of the children in the village become sick except Saaski. The parents think that Saaski has cursed their children. Saaski pleads her innocence and her parents believe her, but the villagers do not. If Saaski’s parents don’t do something about her soon, the villagers are going to take matters into their own hands and the result will be anything but pleasant for her.
Saaski escapes in the middle of the night to head to the Moor and her friend Tam, the goat-herder. She has a plan and she’s going to do it, no matter how difficult it is for her. Tam will help no matter how hard she pleads with him to stay. Her plan is dangerous: she’s going to go into the Mound and rescue Anwara and Yanno’s real child, the one that she was changed for. (The reason Saaski –actually Moql – was changed is because she was half-human, half-folk. She couldn’t make herself invisible so she was a danger to her kind, or so they said. The folk love to play practical jokes and tricks on people.)
Saaski’s journey from a baby to a child of about 11 is complicated. She feels (and doesn’t feel) things differently than others. When she finally realizes what’s happened and her memory starts to clear she does the one thing she can to make things right.
This is a great coming-of-age story in which the main character faces difficulties and overcomes them, even if she doesn’t understand them.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be in theaters on July 11. Don't forget!
Here's a link to some photo stills from the new movie.
http://movies.msn.com/movies/gallery.aspx?gallery=13646