Showing posts with label J. K. Rowling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label J. K. Rowling. Show all posts
Monday, August 3, 2015
Harry Potter Rambling...
Okay, so I was thinking about how a lot of people say they don't like J. K. Rowling's other works, and I'm not surprised by that. The thing about the Harry Potter books is that they weren't that great individually- the writing wasn't bad, for the most part it was fast paced, and they each had a great individual plot. Honestly, when people say Harry Potter book something was their favorite book, I am kind of astonished, because none of them are better, in my mind, than my favorite book The Chocolate War, but Harry Potter is still my favorite series. What makes Harry Potter great is the series as a whole and the world of it. Who wouldn't want there to be another world filled with magic? As a series, it also doesn't do what most series do by getting worse, or having a defining best book. What makes it great is that there is no best book, and it leaves up so much room for discussion. The world building is also incomprehensibly amazing, and how you discover bits and pieces of it is even better. This is why I can see why people don't love all of J. K. Rowling's published works, and you can disagree with me, but that is how I see it.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Harry Potter for the Rest of My Life
I think I'm going to be re-reading Harry Potter sometime soon, because the changes they made to the last move made me completely unsatisfied. Those changes really pissed me off.
I'm also thinking of buying the hardcover UK signature editions, because of the beautiful covers. I mean, look at that:
I also want the movies, and I think my parents are more willing to buy it because of free shipping.
I'm also thinking of buying the hardcover UK signature editions, because of the beautiful covers. I mean, look at that:
I also want the movies, and I think my parents are more willing to buy it because of free shipping.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Harry Potter, Day 11 (aka, the final day)
I just watched both the Deathly Hallows movies.
This was my twitter reaction (very toned down) (probably only good for a few days)
When Fred died, I knew it was different from the book, but I began sobbing so much. It wasn't intense sobbing, more like intense crying, but it still felt as if my life was being torn apart. When they showed Lupin and Tonk's bodies with their arms outstretched to touch each other, I was shaking. Honestly, this whole movie had me in tears.
The score for it was magnificent, and I also love Alexandre Despalt's The Imitation Game score (favorite movie, I think)
Also, these movies also made me realize how important actors are to movies, and how they can make me cry or laugh or be so pissed off at their death... (Weasly Twins (James and Oliver Phelps)). At the end of movie six, I actually cried the second time I watched it, because I saw though their eyes what they were feeling. This probably sounds stupid, and like duh, how could've this not been obvious to you before, but it wasn't obvious before, because before I was just going for the Why and How, not the Who. Maybe the Who is the most important part.
It wasn't just the deaths that shook me, but the fact that it was final. I was born less than six months before the first movie was released, and I remember going to the library to pick up a new Harry Potter movie every day, watching it, returning it, and picking up the second one, and then back to the first.
I'm okay that I didn't read the books at that time, because I wouldn't have understood it as much as I do now. Honestly, I'm glad I waited (realizing that now). When I was originally obsessed, all I saw was the magic, and not the wizard, nor the power.
Anyway, I really do have to go to sleep. This post is almost definitely subject to change.
I am going to be taking a few days off to absorb all of it.
This was my twitter reaction (very toned down) (probably only good for a few days)
When Fred died, I knew it was different from the book, but I began sobbing so much. It wasn't intense sobbing, more like intense crying, but it still felt as if my life was being torn apart. When they showed Lupin and Tonk's bodies with their arms outstretched to touch each other, I was shaking. Honestly, this whole movie had me in tears.
The score for it was magnificent, and I also love Alexandre Despalt's The Imitation Game score (favorite movie, I think)
Also, these movies also made me realize how important actors are to movies, and how they can make me cry or laugh or be so pissed off at their death... (Weasly Twins (James and Oliver Phelps)). At the end of movie six, I actually cried the second time I watched it, because I saw though their eyes what they were feeling. This probably sounds stupid, and like duh, how could've this not been obvious to you before, but it wasn't obvious before, because before I was just going for the Why and How, not the Who. Maybe the Who is the most important part.
It wasn't just the deaths that shook me, but the fact that it was final. I was born less than six months before the first movie was released, and I remember going to the library to pick up a new Harry Potter movie every day, watching it, returning it, and picking up the second one, and then back to the first.
I'm okay that I didn't read the books at that time, because I wouldn't have understood it as much as I do now. Honestly, I'm glad I waited (realizing that now). When I was originally obsessed, all I saw was the magic, and not the wizard, nor the power.
Anyway, I really do have to go to sleep. This post is almost definitely subject to change.
I am going to be taking a few days off to absorb all of it.
Harry Potter, Days 9 part two, 10, 11?
I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at 4:59 am this morning. It was thunder-storming, and dark, and I had been up all night (except for falling asleep for an hour and a half at about 2:00 am), so I wasn't in the idea position to be reading about Voldemort killing a bunch of people.
Deaths:
Fred- I knew he died from the beginning, but it did not make me any less distraught. Fred and George were one of my favorite characters, well, everyone who died was one of my favorite characters, but Fred especially. They were just so happy, and then...then they weren't, and I do't decided a bout how I feel about that. Well, actually I can- I would've much rather had Ron die than Fred. I was honestly not that emotionally attached to any of the main characters (maybe Hermoine), so when he actually died I was just begging for it to not to be real, even though I knew it was, and I am so so so so mad about it. FRED COME BACK!!! It made me very angry that they just went on killing people after Fred was killed, and it just pissed me off, and I am going to be so...so...so everything when I watch the movies tonight. WHY COULDN'T HAVE YOU BEEN THERE TO SEE THE END!!! I NEEDED YOU! I NEED YOU!!!!!!
Lupin and Tonks- I didn't know they died, and when they were described, sitting next to Fred, sleeping under the stars, I thought they were actually sleeping. I did not want to admit that they were dead and that their son would be an orphan. They were also some of my favorite characters, and I was just...just no. They needed to be there. THEY NEEDED TO BE THERE! WHY WEREN'T THEY THERE!!!!
Snape- This one affected me the most. It came as a total shock to me that the died, and so when it happened, I couldn't...I just couldn't do it. Fred I knew about in advance, Lupin and Tonks I kind of guessed, but I thought Snape would live forever. And then those memories...I am emotionally scarred from his death. Again, he is one of my favorite characters, and so when Nagini bit him, the shock and sadness made me feel so many things.
Colin- It makes him out to be that weird first year that was obsessed with harry, but in reality he was only a year younger, and the way they reacted to his death didn't fit with me, so I wasn't really upset about him.
Moody- Again, I didn't feel as though they treated his death properly, so I wasn't that sad about his death. It did come as a shock to me, and I did really like him, but it just wasn't what it could've been.
Favorite Characters:
Fred and George because they brought so much happiness to me while I read it, and usually I don't love those characters, but I did in Harry Potter.
Snape and Malfoy (Draco) because they were so conflicted, and that is what I love to see in characters. I think the reason I didn't love the main characters was because their intentions were clear from the beginning, and they knew what they were going to do, and where they were going with it. Malfoy hesitated in Half-Blood Prince, and then tried being normal in the end, and this was how I feel, metaphorically. I don't know if I'm doing the right things, and I may be wrong when I do them, but it is learning. Snape was all over the place, and I didn't know how to feel about him, except for the fact that I did always trust him (granted, like I've said, I knew from the start he killed Dumbledore). I love that one scene in book 6 where Harry totally disses Snape, which may have been one of my favorite moments in the book. I am going to miss Snape...
Lupin because he was always there, and he was always good. It was just so real that he died with Tonks, and I couldn't handle that. When he was introduced in book 3 (which I think is my favorite), I instantly loved him. He helped Harry and the others so much, and his relationship with Harry's parents and Sirius was something I will cherish forever. (Anyone else pissed that Pettigrew lived?) So, yes, I loved Lupin, and again, I could feel him a lot. I knew that Luna was a (probably?) the character that was supposed to exemplify "being different", but I could feel it a lot more with Lupin.
Tonks because I love her full name, and Lupin.
(I was pressured to love Luna, but I found her book self to be much more underdeveloped that her movie self. Good casting.) (Same thing for Malfoy, except I think he wasn't as bad as Luna in the books. Tom Felton just did an amazing job in the Half-Blood Prince.)
Movies:
Goblet of Fire was the worst adaptation, barbecue I know in books 5 and 6 they completely leave out the Quidditch thing, but I could feel the differences much more dramatically in 4. That said, anyone else find it odd that the Order of the Phoenix was almost three times as long of a book, but a 30 minute shorter movie. I think this is the books fault, not saying that it was bad, but saying that I think there were a few unnecessary, and dragging elements to it.
The visual effects in the Order of the Phoenix were amazing, and I re watched the movie almost immediately after I finished it for the first time. I think the editing and directing was better for not-intense scenes in the earlier movies, but in the earlier movies, the intense scenes suffered. Also, you can see their acting skills improving with the movies, and when there is that two year long gap between 4 and 5 you can very clearly see the age difference with Harry.
I am yet to watched the Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2, so that may come later, but, for now...
I also was very fond of the changing in films while the movies were made.
The movies were great. Honestly, great.
Favorites:
I loved the Marauders Map, and obviously because it came from Fred and George, I loved it more, but as a piece in and of itself, I loved it.
My favorite scene so far is the battle between the Order and the Death Eaters in book 5. It was just so intense, and then the movie made it even better. I cannot stress enough about how much I loved that scene, and how I want to just watch it on repeat until my eyes burn out. Everything while they're in the Department of Mysteries was very amazing, in the book and movie. The movie did a better job with the dueling, but the book did a better job with the finding of the Prophecy.
The last part with Mrs Weasly. That was just the greatest.
I will have more later...
Dislikes:
J. K. Rowling wasn't great at writing dialogue and intense scenes. She got better at the intense scenes, but worse at the dialogue kept going. Also, when Harry dies for a moment, I really didn't like that. Also, how they dealt with a lot of Death (especially the ones that I held dear to my heart)
Ending:
I was completely satisfied with it, and I wasn't expecting to be. I was expecting the urge to need to re-read the series immediately, but I find that I don't think I'll want to do that for a while. I also expected a huge book hangover, and I am sort of in one, but I don't think I would completely crumble if I picked up The Catcher in the Rye (I want to read classics right now). The shipping that I had going was kind of disappointing, and not knowing where everyone went from the book also upsetting, but overall it was very good. The names of the children were eh with me, but that was probably because I am not okay with Snape's death. Also, Malfoy was not where I wanted him to be.
I will be sharing my feelings about this for a very long time.
Deaths:
Fred- I knew he died from the beginning, but it did not make me any less distraught. Fred and George were one of my favorite characters, well, everyone who died was one of my favorite characters, but Fred especially. They were just so happy, and then...then they weren't, and I do't decided a bout how I feel about that. Well, actually I can- I would've much rather had Ron die than Fred. I was honestly not that emotionally attached to any of the main characters (maybe Hermoine), so when he actually died I was just begging for it to not to be real, even though I knew it was, and I am so so so so mad about it. FRED COME BACK!!! It made me very angry that they just went on killing people after Fred was killed, and it just pissed me off, and I am going to be so...so...so everything when I watch the movies tonight. WHY COULDN'T HAVE YOU BEEN THERE TO SEE THE END!!! I NEEDED YOU! I NEED YOU!!!!!!
Lupin and Tonks- I didn't know they died, and when they were described, sitting next to Fred, sleeping under the stars, I thought they were actually sleeping. I did not want to admit that they were dead and that their son would be an orphan. They were also some of my favorite characters, and I was just...just no. They needed to be there. THEY NEEDED TO BE THERE! WHY WEREN'T THEY THERE!!!!
Snape- This one affected me the most. It came as a total shock to me that the died, and so when it happened, I couldn't...I just couldn't do it. Fred I knew about in advance, Lupin and Tonks I kind of guessed, but I thought Snape would live forever. And then those memories...I am emotionally scarred from his death. Again, he is one of my favorite characters, and so when Nagini bit him, the shock and sadness made me feel so many things.
Colin- It makes him out to be that weird first year that was obsessed with harry, but in reality he was only a year younger, and the way they reacted to his death didn't fit with me, so I wasn't really upset about him.
Moody- Again, I didn't feel as though they treated his death properly, so I wasn't that sad about his death. It did come as a shock to me, and I did really like him, but it just wasn't what it could've been.
Favorite Characters:
Fred and George because they brought so much happiness to me while I read it, and usually I don't love those characters, but I did in Harry Potter.
Snape and Malfoy (Draco) because they were so conflicted, and that is what I love to see in characters. I think the reason I didn't love the main characters was because their intentions were clear from the beginning, and they knew what they were going to do, and where they were going with it. Malfoy hesitated in Half-Blood Prince, and then tried being normal in the end, and this was how I feel, metaphorically. I don't know if I'm doing the right things, and I may be wrong when I do them, but it is learning. Snape was all over the place, and I didn't know how to feel about him, except for the fact that I did always trust him (granted, like I've said, I knew from the start he killed Dumbledore). I love that one scene in book 6 where Harry totally disses Snape, which may have been one of my favorite moments in the book. I am going to miss Snape...
Lupin because he was always there, and he was always good. It was just so real that he died with Tonks, and I couldn't handle that. When he was introduced in book 3 (which I think is my favorite), I instantly loved him. He helped Harry and the others so much, and his relationship with Harry's parents and Sirius was something I will cherish forever. (Anyone else pissed that Pettigrew lived?) So, yes, I loved Lupin, and again, I could feel him a lot. I knew that Luna was a (probably?) the character that was supposed to exemplify "being different", but I could feel it a lot more with Lupin.
Tonks because I love her full name, and Lupin.
(I was pressured to love Luna, but I found her book self to be much more underdeveloped that her movie self. Good casting.) (Same thing for Malfoy, except I think he wasn't as bad as Luna in the books. Tom Felton just did an amazing job in the Half-Blood Prince.)
Movies:
Goblet of Fire was the worst adaptation, barbecue I know in books 5 and 6 they completely leave out the Quidditch thing, but I could feel the differences much more dramatically in 4. That said, anyone else find it odd that the Order of the Phoenix was almost three times as long of a book, but a 30 minute shorter movie. I think this is the books fault, not saying that it was bad, but saying that I think there were a few unnecessary, and dragging elements to it.
The visual effects in the Order of the Phoenix were amazing, and I re watched the movie almost immediately after I finished it for the first time. I think the editing and directing was better for not-intense scenes in the earlier movies, but in the earlier movies, the intense scenes suffered. Also, you can see their acting skills improving with the movies, and when there is that two year long gap between 4 and 5 you can very clearly see the age difference with Harry.
I am yet to watched the Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2, so that may come later, but, for now...
I also was very fond of the changing in films while the movies were made.
The movies were great. Honestly, great.
Favorites:
I loved the Marauders Map, and obviously because it came from Fred and George, I loved it more, but as a piece in and of itself, I loved it.
My favorite scene so far is the battle between the Order and the Death Eaters in book 5. It was just so intense, and then the movie made it even better. I cannot stress enough about how much I loved that scene, and how I want to just watch it on repeat until my eyes burn out. Everything while they're in the Department of Mysteries was very amazing, in the book and movie. The movie did a better job with the dueling, but the book did a better job with the finding of the Prophecy.
The last part with Mrs Weasly. That was just the greatest.
I will have more later...
Dislikes:
J. K. Rowling wasn't great at writing dialogue and intense scenes. She got better at the intense scenes, but worse at the dialogue kept going. Also, when Harry dies for a moment, I really didn't like that. Also, how they dealt with a lot of Death (especially the ones that I held dear to my heart)
Ending:
I was completely satisfied with it, and I wasn't expecting to be. I was expecting the urge to need to re-read the series immediately, but I find that I don't think I'll want to do that for a while. I also expected a huge book hangover, and I am sort of in one, but I don't think I would completely crumble if I picked up The Catcher in the Rye (I want to read classics right now). The shipping that I had going was kind of disappointing, and not knowing where everyone went from the book also upsetting, but overall it was very good. The names of the children were eh with me, but that was probably because I am not okay with Snape's death. Also, Malfoy was not where I wanted him to be.
I will be sharing my feelings about this for a very long time.
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Harry Potter, Day 9
OMG I JUST FINISHED THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE AND I THINK I AM GOING TO EXPLODE!!! EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ASDFGHJKL G UGBAS ENMEab FJKNE4VBH
I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EMOTIONALLY HANDLE STARTING THE DEATHLY HALLOWS RIGHT NOW!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHELPINEEDHELPAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IT WAS SOOOOO AHHHHHHHHHH
I don't know if I can handle watching the last couple movies before I read the final book. I know I should read the last book first, but I don't want it to end, even though there are still like a million pages left.
asdfghjgzfghr fbnhgfjefgjskfgbksrduhgfkrjrsughiuhgrfgjhnrrgjkvbhsdgierhkjgthrsekug vhruirsdfghjsdefgklh ehdfjkghrekurtihdfjgklrwhgtuigiu I need to know now, which Weasly twin dies? They are my favorite. and I can't handle either of their deaths. I can't handle it!!!! I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN KEEP READING!!! EVER!!!!!!!
As shown above, I am very good at handling my emotions.
I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN EMOTIONALLY HANDLE STARTING THE DEATHLY HALLOWS RIGHT NOW!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHELPINEEDHELPAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IT WAS SOOOOO AHHHHHHHHHH
I don't know if I can handle watching the last couple movies before I read the final book. I know I should read the last book first, but I don't want it to end, even though there are still like a million pages left.
asdfghjgzfghr fbnhgfjefgjskfgbksrduhgfkrjrsughiuhgrfgjhnrrgjkvbhsdgierhkjgthrsekug vhruirsdfghjsdefgklh ehdfjkghrekurtihdfjgklrwhgtuigiu I need to know now, which Weasly twin dies? They are my favorite. and I can't handle either of their deaths. I can't handle it!!!! I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN KEEP READING!!! EVER!!!!!!!
As shown above, I am very good at handling my emotions.
Harry Potter, Days 6, 7, and 8
On Friday morning, I finished the Order of the Phoenix, and I have to say, that it was way to long. All scenes had a purpose, but for a lot of them, if one super long thing had been changed *cough* Gwaup *cough* it could've been at least 100 pages shorter. That was my main problem with it.
Currently, I'm about 60% done with the Half-Blood Prince, and I'm very disappointed in Snape.
I'm planning on watching both movies tonight, and then begin the Deathly Hallows.
Currently, I'm about 60% done with the Half-Blood Prince, and I'm very disappointed in Snape.
I'm planning on watching both movies tonight, and then begin the Deathly Hallows.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Harry Potter, Day 5
I finished book 4 today and then set about watching the movie (am doing it right now). This is actually the only of the movies my family owns, but it is so far my least favorite, and I am noticing, the least true to the books. Goblet of Fire as a book was very good, and the length didn't distract from my reading experience of it. I have noticed though, that some conversations seem to be a little longer than they have to be, and I begin to miss things, because I space out a little bit.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Harry Potter, Days 3 and 4
I finished Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban yesterday, and so far it is my favorite. Also, I saw the movie right after I finished it, and obviously it was amazing. (The Marauders Map is my favorite thing in the world right now. Why can't it be real?)
Last night, I began to read the Goblet of Fire. I got a chapter in, enjoying it, and then I thought I should check the time. That is when I saw location. There were no page numbers. Only location. I AM NOW REALIZING WHY I HATE EBOOKS!!! GIVE ME PAGE NUMBERS BACK!!! I am seeking help with Amazon Customer Service on twitter, but I don't want to have to wait until they tweet back telling me something. I CAN'T READ WITH LOCATION! I KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT I CAN'T READ WITH IT!!! IT'S TOO HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, I probably won't finish Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire today (even though I really want to). I'm also super excited for book 5, because I know the least about that one. It is the longest though...too many words...
Last night, I began to read the Goblet of Fire. I got a chapter in, enjoying it, and then I thought I should check the time. That is when I saw location. There were no page numbers. Only location. I AM NOW REALIZING WHY I HATE EBOOKS!!! GIVE ME PAGE NUMBERS BACK!!! I am seeking help with Amazon Customer Service on twitter, but I don't want to have to wait until they tweet back telling me something. I CAN'T READ WITH LOCATION! I KNOW WHAT IT IS, BUT I CAN'T READ WITH IT!!! IT'S TOO HARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So, I probably won't finish Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire today (even though I really want to). I'm also super excited for book 5, because I know the least about that one. It is the longest though...too many words...
Saturday, July 4, 2015
Harry Potter, Day 2
I finished Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets an hour or so ago, and then immediately started book 3, but only got a few pages in before I had to make food. Is it ironic that I'm reading a book set in England on the 4th of July? This may have been the third book that I've ever read not set in the United States.
I watched almost all the movies (my family is still in debate if we've all seen the last one) when I was very young, and I remembered a lot of it (because I watched it A LOT of times (when I was like 3...)), but the stories are still very enjoyable for me. People have also reminded me of spoilers that I had forgotten, but it only makes me want to read those parts more, because then I can understand everything at a deeper level. This is me getting all philosophical about how it's the journey that matters, and I do believe this, but what I believe more is that if you show up someplace without knowing why/how you got there, will you have any emotion towards it?
I'm getting off topic.
My point is that when I saw T. M. Riddle for the first time, I knew it was Voldermort, but it still didn't keep me from wanting to know what the characters did, and what their intentions were. I totally forgot about the Hermonie thing, and that didn't make it any more or less special than the spider scene.
This is all to justify putting off reading Harry Potter for such a long time.
Quickly: is it possible for me to read books 5, 6, and 7 in three days, or is that just wishful thinking? Anyway, I'm going to get back to the Prisoner of Azkaban
I watched almost all the movies (my family is still in debate if we've all seen the last one) when I was very young, and I remembered a lot of it (because I watched it A LOT of times (when I was like 3...)), but the stories are still very enjoyable for me. People have also reminded me of spoilers that I had forgotten, but it only makes me want to read those parts more, because then I can understand everything at a deeper level. This is me getting all philosophical about how it's the journey that matters, and I do believe this, but what I believe more is that if you show up someplace without knowing why/how you got there, will you have any emotion towards it?
I'm getting off topic.
My point is that when I saw T. M. Riddle for the first time, I knew it was Voldermort, but it still didn't keep me from wanting to know what the characters did, and what their intentions were. I totally forgot about the Hermonie thing, and that didn't make it any more or less special than the spider scene.
This is all to justify putting off reading Harry Potter for such a long time.
Quickly: is it possible for me to read books 5, 6, and 7 in three days, or is that just wishful thinking? Anyway, I'm going to get back to the Prisoner of Azkaban
Friday, July 3, 2015
Harry Potter, Day 1
I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the first time today. THE FIRST TIME!!! I haven't been living under a rock, and I finally decided to just do it. So, yesterday, I downloaded the first book onto the iPad and at noon today, I started it. I FINISHED IT!!! Now, I'm off to watch the movie.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)