Talkie Tuesday: The Secrets of Dumbledore

 

"Do what is right - not what is easy."

 

Hello everyone!

 

We finally move away from the big names of Star Wars and the inner workings of that franchise, only to find ourselves firmly anchored in another.

 

Now it's been a hot minute since the previous movie was released, because filming for this was delayed and complicated with so many other things, from trials, accusations, to COVID, and yet FINALLY we have it here with us!

 

It's also arriving on HBO Max at some very near point in the future if I remember correctly.

 

But honestly, with so many other things to worry about in the world, isn't it fantastic to be able to literally turn your brain off for a little bit?

 

I think so, at least.

 

So without further ado, y'all better dust off your wands now, Muggles.

 

Because we're about to uncover The Secrets of Dumbledore, and you're going to need them.

 

Tome Thursday: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

 

Hello everyone!

 

Since September is now here I thought I would give you a review of probably one of the most beloved books of all time.

 

And, yes, I AM aware of how problematic the author portrays herself in the media nowadays.

 

I don't live under that big of a rock.

 

HOWEVER, as problematic as an author is, that generally won't stop me from reading their books - and I read these particular ones as they were being released back in the day. They are, to me, a trip down memory lane, something beautifully nostalgic, and just because the present has gone to hell doesn't mean I'll allow that to tarnish my enjoyment of reading them. 

 

I read the books for the story they contain, not for the beliefs the authors may have. What have those beliefs done for me? Nothing. What have the stories done for me? Everything.

 

So without further ado, I'm going to stop making modern day commentary when this is supposed to be happening back in the nineties, and the express has already left the station.

 

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is up next!

 

Talkie Tuesday: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, P2

 

"Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived ... come to die."

Hello everyone!

Well, here we are.

After a great number of pauses, full stops and definite breaks while I was doing something else entirely, we've finally made it to the end of the Harry Potter franchise.

I consider Deathly Hallows to be the end, despite the whole Cursed Child debacle, because I haven't had the chance to see the show and I'm not particularly inclined to, given what I've read in the printed version of the script, anyway.

So this is where Harry's journey ends for me, and probably for a lot of others.

It's been a long and bumpy ride, and there's been some chaos along the way, but we're finally ready for the very last showdown.

After all, Voldemort is waiting. He's got what he's been looking for, and now all he desires lies within his grasp.

Why don't we stop keeping him in suspense? The Deathly Hallows, Part 2, is here.

Talkie Tuesday: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, P1

"Harry is the last hope we have. Trust him."

Hello everyone!

It's back to Hogwarts we go!

Or, well, that's the idea in theory.

Of course, considering it's been almost ten years since these movies were released, we all more or less know what's going on and who's going where, so we ALL know Harry Potter isn't going back to Hogwarts for his seventh and final year.

He said so himself at the end of Half-Blood Prince, anyway.

But considering everything that we have to cover in this chapter before ACTUALLY heading back to the old magical castle, we better take a deep breath.

This is the final stage before our resolution.

Patronus charms, enchanted lockets, travelling cross-country, heated arguments, a snake pretending she's alive, and that sort of ilk await us. 

The Deathly Hallows, Part 1, is calling.

Talkie Tuesday: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

"Why is it, when something happens, it is ALWAYS you three?"

Hello everyone!

With December just around the corner (literally!) I figured it was time to do the last sort of regular movie review before I dive off the deep end and start on my Christmas movies.

Yes, like I've done for the past two years or so, I'll be devoting December reviews entirely to the Christmas theme, so after tonight, the final two movie reviews of the saga will have to wait until after New Year's and for us to return in January.

I know, I know, I had that break in October as well, why couldn't I have planned this better?

I should have. But my math failed me and I didn't really calculate how many weeks there are left in the year, so there you have it.

I plan on getting the entire movie saga on here though, so don't worry.

It may just take a little bit more time.

But, as a last huzzah before being merry and bright, let's take a look at Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

Talkie Tuesday: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

"There's a storm coming, Harry."

Hello everyone!

You didn't think we were actually done with magic, did you?

Things are only just heating up!

This week is all about teen angst, magical spiritual connections, and a whole lot of dainty coughing when all you want to do is strangle the person who's actually doing the coughing.

You have to love it when an author comes up with a character that you hate even more than the antagonist. There's a certain kind of magic in THAT, for sure.

Last week, we were dealing with some early adolescence, but this week that's a full-blown thing, and you can't escape it, no matter how much you may want to.

And of course, there's still a heck of a lot of a lot of magic going on.

Voldemort is back, people. And so is the Order of the Phoenix.

Talkie Tuesday: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

"Help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it."

Hello everyone!

I hope you're well during this chilly September. 

And rainy. Never forget the rain. 

That being said, it's all very September-y and nobody should honestly complain about it. It IS autumn, after all, and it's officially so as well since it's in the last part of the month.

Which means it's time for some warm socks, over-sized sweaters, and warm mugs of tea.

It's also time to return to Hogwarts.

Last week we took our first train to the ancient castle, and this week we're boarding it yet again.

But what happens when the magical barrier that leads to Platform 9 3/4 is suddenly closed?

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. That's what happens.

Talkie Tuesday: The Crimes of Grindelwald

"I've chosen my side."

Hello everyone!

So alright.

I promised you a review of the 2018 Robin Hood remake - and it's coming, I promise. 

Unfortunately for our rob-from-the-rich-give-to-the-poor chap, I was bored this last Sunday and stumbled across something I'd wanted to watch FOR AGES but didn't get the chance to catch it in cinemas back in November and December.

There was literally no time.

So when I saw the title pop out from the million of other things I was doing in that moment, everything screeched to a halt and nothing else mattered but watching it.

I even managed to time it so that the movie wrapped up just as I was called in to lunch.

How awesome was that timing, am I right?

Anyway, since seeing the first movie and hearing that there were going to be more of these, my side-focus has always been on it, even with the distractions.

Wands at the ready, everyone, because the sequel to Fantastic Beasts, The Crimes of Grindelwald, is up.

Tome Thursday: Pottermore Presents, x3

Hello everyone!

Out of my holiday flux, finally, and currently reading a rather amusing tale about how a cyber parrott manages to pilot an actual spaceship in the middle of nowhere (it's a rather long story how I got to this point, but suffice to say Ed is quite the entertainer!), but I won't be going into more detail here since I might even review it later on.

Oh no, tonight it's another round with our favourite wizards from the wizarding world of Harry Potter, as I discovered that Pottermore had published, or at least released out into the open, several texts that go into a bit more detail about some of Rowling's work.

All written by J. K. Rowling, made all the better because it isn't anything new, so to speak, but mostly just a rehash on what we already know and love, just with some more knowledge this time.

So, I will be talking about, in order of appearance: Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies, Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Poltergeists, as well as Hogwarts, An (In)Complete and (Un)Reliable guide.

It should be a fine ride, but please don't think I'll be telling you EVERYTHING there is in there - they're quite short publications so I won't spoil it all.

Talkie Tuesday: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

"My philosophy is: if you worry, you suffer twice."

Hello everyone!

So this past weekend, my friends and I decided on a group outing and went to see what was probably one of the most (if not THE most) anticipated movies of this month, which just goes to show that a little bit of magic can go a long way in any movie. 

I'm talking, naturaly, of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, the screenplay of which was written by Rowling herself (as opposed to something I will not name).

I can honestly say that I'd only ever seen the one initial trailer for the movie proper, and maybe it wasn't even a trailer but a teaser trailer, before it sort of fell off my radar because I was a bit busy with a lot of other things, so I went into the cinema pretty much with no definite decision of what to expect.

Which is just as well, actually, seeing as I probably enjoyed myself a whole lot more because of this. Seriously, I tend to get my hopes up WAY too much.

But then of course, this movie also had Colin Farrell ...

I digress. I should probably start the actual review now.