No no no no no no no no - JE

In the immortal words of Robin Sherbatsky when she finds that ring in the bottom of her champagne: No no no no no you cannot do this to me, no no no no. Harry & Hermione? No. Not at all. Hermione is, as we all know, the brightest witch of her age. And she picks Ron, who is loving and loyal and imperfect. And not as smart as her and that is perfectly okay. And maybe he goes on to run a joke shop with his brother while she does crazy genius things. And she appreciates the balance that he brings to her intellectual activist life. And he, after the therapy that they will all need after that ordeal, is perfectly okay being in her shadow because he has more than established his worth because after years of being the sidekick to the boy who lived, not to mention decades of being the youngest brother he finally gets that the spotlight is just that, a spotlight. It doesn't determine your worth, it just makes you visible. Ron Weasley is no fool and he has witnessed what comes with the kind of glory he wanted when he first looked into the mirror of erised and he is just fine being Mr. Hermione Granger, Harry Potter's best mate.  There is no, Harry and Hermione make more sense. The brainy girl with big teeth and crazy hair is suddenly beautiful and ends up with the leading man? Where have we heard that before? Oh, I know, everywhere. You can't develop this relationship over 7 books and come back and say, eh, should have completely re-written that. That epilogue that is way too pretty (so much post-war therapy) and if you want to discuss that, then perhaps. But leave Ron Weasley alone. He grew beautifully over 7 books and more than merited the love of the girl who saved all their asses repeatedly. 
Not to mention, by making it always Hermione & Ron, and not a question, it made it so that the book was about everything else.  It wasn't which one will she pick (unless you were a little delusional) because it was established that Harry & Hermione were fantastic friends.  There wasn't Team Ron vs Team Harry because that would have been completely foolish in so many ways.  It was Team Trio all the way.  Or maybe Team Hermione, cause we know who the real hero was (sorry Harry, you are very brave and talented too, but that isn't the point of this post, so just get over it)

Ms. Rowling, I am a tremendous fan of your work and will continue to be so, but in this case I will stick to the wisdom of one John Green. Once they are out there, books belong to their readers. This reader will be ignoring this ridiculous revelation.

Okay, now that I've gotten that taken care of, let's see what else.

Currently I have the Olympic Opening Ceremony on in the background.  I had thoughts of a little live blogging, but I missed the first 45 minutes and now it is just the athletes parade and while the sweaters are certainly intriguing, I don't think I can come up with that many creative things.  I could just make Putin jokes, but I don't want to lose any potential Russian audience by getting blocked. 

So, I certainly don't want to defend the media, but the State of the Union was kind of uneventful.  Obama was like, you losers can't do anything, so here is what I'm going to try and do with executive powers, anytime you want to try and accomplish something, I live right down the street.  Whereas the Beiber antics might get him deported.  Okay, not really.  I don't think we deport Canadian pop stars, but we probably should when they commit crimes.  

Interjecting: Team Bermuda for the win, they are wearing shorts.  Apparently no one told them it was the Winter Olympics or that they were going to Russia.  

I am pretty sad about Philip Seymour Hoffman.  Such a horrible waste, a horrible thing for his 3 young children, and on a purely selfish level, I am just sad that there will never be another film that is improved by his perfect performance.  There are not many performers on his level (I'm thinking Meryl Streep, Daniel Day Lewis... in my opinion Amy Adams & Christian Bale are close or at least getting there... a few others) where every role is extraordinary and unique and exactly what the movie needed.  At least from the work that I saw, he made bad movies good, good movies great, and excelled when the movie was truly exceptional. Drug addiction is terrible and tragic and I hope that from this high profile death, a few people take notice, pay attention, and maybe think about getting some help.  I think Aaron Sorkin, someone who certainly knows about addiction, wrote a simple but elegant obituary here: http://entertainment.time.com/2014/02/05/aaron-sorkin-philip-seymour-hoffmans-death-saved-10-lives/

Interjection: With the cyrillic alphabet, I never know who will be coming out next.  It's just all over the place.  But don't worry, Canada is here!  I love those guys.  I also love when countries have just one athlete.  Like Kyrgyzstan. And Malta.

Okay, since we are talking about the Olympics, I think the most interesting thing is the addition of a team figure skating medal.  So while they will have the normal competition for the individual and pairs medals, there is also a team medal, which means more figure skating (which I enjoy) and better team spirit, which is nice.  Someone Nancy Kerrigan is thinking, really?  Where the hell was this idea when I got clobbered in the knee?  And Tonya Harding is like, eh, wouldn't have stopped me.

So, I didn't go to the parade on Wednesday.  I really thought a lot about it, but I decided I didn't need to go.  Although maybe I should have because it all still feels a little surreal.  I can't really wrap my head around it.  Superbowl champions.  With the intensity of the NFC championship game and the one-sidedness of the Superbowl, I can't help but think of the 2004 World Series.  After that legendary ALCS, the Red Sox's World Series win and ending of their curse was completed in an anti-climatic manner.  The real series had been that ALCS agains the Yankees.  
But ultimately on Wednesday I had way too much to do at work, it was ridiculously cold (not polar vortex cold, but close), and I knew it was going to be crowded and delayed, and I could just watch it on my computer.  I just love how excited everyone was and that there were more people downtown than live in Seattle proper.  Speaking of the World Series... when we win that, I'll be one of the people camping out on the street the night before.  But you already knew that.

I have seen more Oscar flicks, as you know, but will wait until I've gotten through them all for a full review and award prediction post.

I mentioned the polar vortex and now Sarah is in a real life winter wonderland.  Portland has been blanketed with snow.  I haven't seen Frozen yet, so I don't know if this means she succeed or not on her last mission, but she is going to have to wait it out with her Bailey's & hot chocolate.

We are the Champions of the World...KE

Again with the delayed this response… but so many things happened this week! Mom and Dad came to visit me here in the sand land...which kept me pretty busy for about  a week, so I’m playing catch up now.

So where to start…where to start…. Hmmm…

Oh yeah… THE SEAHAWKS WON THE FREAKIN’ SUPERBOWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to be more specific the Seahawks didn’t just win… they DOMINATED leaving no doubt with their 43-8 win. Mom and dad were able to get the game in their hotel room so I got up at 3:30am and went over there to watch until I had to go to school. The only disappointing thing was that that we didn’t get to watch the commercials. I have seen some on the internet since… but I will need your notes and reactions regarding the commercials.

And did I mention that the SEAHAWKS WON THE SUPERBOWL.

And not only did we win, but we kick Peyton Manning’s ass who is probably one the greatest QB… which leads me to my favorite post Superbowl buzzfeed list:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjkiebus/times-peyton-manning-looked-super-duper-sad-during-the-su

Okay a few other things I need to comment on for this week…

State of the Union happens in the USA… and Justin Beiber make headlines above that. America epic fail. Although it’s not that I’m really that surprised. I just continued to be disappointed with the news priorities. Where is Will McAvoy when we need him?

JK Rowling announced that she made a mistake putting Hermione with Ron instead of with Harry and Harry and Hermione should have ended up together. I get it. It does make more sense. However, I don’t think she should have said as much. There is an argument to made for Hermione and Harry both needing  a platonic sibling relationship that they found with each other. She already told to world that she almost killed off Ron and now she tells us he shouldn't have gotten the girl. I love Ron. He’s probably one my favorites. She should have just let it be… but it nice to know that she continues to think about them so much… perhaps her writing days of that world aren't over.

And…THE SEAHAWKS WON THE SUPERBOWL!!!!

Also, seriously glad you have now watched all the Sherlock so I don't have to keep from chatting about it. Because the second episode with John's wedding was my most favorite episode ever. I laughed, I cried and I feel a little more in love with Sherlock. 

Fault in Our Stars preview was released and made us all tear up... I really hope it comes out here… and it’s okay if you don’t wait for me to see.  However, if it doesn't come out here you’ll need to see it again with me.

Sad news… Philp Seymor Hoffman. I honestly wasn't aware that he had substance problems. So sad… such great talent. I hate when actors I really enjoy watching die…it’s sad.  (Yes I am aware I just use sad three times… I call it as I see it.)

And to not end my blog on a sad note…

AH!!! More Bad NFL bad lip read… you know how much this makes me laugh.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRqKYXcL-2U 

Okay… spending my weekend TV catching up… although not too far behind. I make HIMYM a priority always… the return of all the cameos was pretty good this week. Mostly focusing on watching Blacklist, Teen Wolf and Supernatural. 

And I'm not sure what a Polar Vortex Musical is... and I have yet to see Frozen... but I have faith Sarah survived...or performed well?

The Men Kacey Trusts Completely...

I considered myself a feminist. I can’t wait for the day a female becomes president… I think Hilary Clinton is awesome, not a bitch… I don’t like it when men feel the need to explain sports to me… and I get annoyed when female leads are helpless and need to be saved by a man.

That being said… something has recently occurred to me.

My television viewing right now consist of finishing Battlestar Galatica (I’m about half a season away from completion) and catching up on the latest season of NCIS. Both shows have one major thing in common: a male lead that no matter what my real life views of old white guys in power are; I feel these men always know what the right thing to do is and I would follow them no matter what. I actually find myself getting really pissed off when people on these shows question these men. And the more I have thought about this, the more I realized there are several men in my fictional life that I just trust completely.

And upon reflection of these men, I think perhaps the best thing about all these men is that despite their old school ways they have the highest respect for strong woman and treat them as equals.

So here are the men I am compelled to follow:

Gibbs (NCIS): I trust his “gut” completely and pity any person who doesn’t. I mean, when does it ever steer him wrong? Plus he’s got rules he follows. He also know the Ziva is the scariest on his on his team and Abby is his favorite.

Admiral Adama a.k.a. “The Old Man” (Battlestar Galatica):   While The Old Man may have some old school military ideas about things, he always does what is best for the fleet and the people who rebel are stupid. He’s always protected the fleet. He always knows that Starbuck is one of the smartest pilots on the Battlestar and despite his early differences with the President, he ultimately recognized the fleet needs for her leadership.

Dumbledore (Harry Potter): Despite the things Dumbledore kept from Harry over the year, he knew the right thing to do. Everything he did, he did to protect people. We were all Dumbledore’s followers through and through, no matter what we discovered about him. He also always trusted Professor McGonagall with running of Hogwarts and he never doubted thatHermione was the brightest witch of her age.

The Doctor (Doctor Who): This needs little explanation. I mean, who doesn’t immediately trust The Doctor. And he would NEVER doubt the power and ability of a woman… actually I think it’s some men he questions.

Gandalf (Lord of the Rings):  Gandalf always sees the full potential of people. He always knows just what to do, but never actually seeks power for himself. And even though there aren’t many strong female leads in LOR, his faith in the hobbits shows that he doesn’t underestimate the heart and strength of all beings.

Captain Kirk (Star Trek): I am not really a “Trekky,” and have only watched a few old movies, but I recently become a huge fan with the latest movie reboot.  Now granted, Chris Pine as Captain Kirk is not hard on the eyes and he might be a bit arrogant and impulsive, but he does what he thinks is right. And he leaves no person behind… even if it is illogical as Spock often points out. Plus he knows not to mess with Lt. Uhura.

Captain Mal (Firefly/Serenity): I think Captain Mal’s loyalty to his crew is unmatched. Although he has thief like ways, he ultimately always does the right thing. And despite his crude words to Inara, he knows she is much more intelligent than he is and he hired Kaylee as his mechanic because he immediately recognized her skills far surpassed the idiot he originally was going to hire.  

Honorable Mention:

Giles (Buffy the Vampire Slayer): Okay, so ultimately I trusted Buffy to save to world every time and she really was the leader… and I got REALLY mad whenever people didn’t recognize that.  But in my opinion this made Giles all that cooler because he knew that too. What’s better than a guy that helps his daughter-like figure reach her full potential as a bad-ass, world-saving leader. Plus I always felt a bit better when Giles was around to answer questions and act as guidance.  

Coming Soon: After relocating to Portland, OR, Sarah recounts the exciting, yet frightening experience of getting lost in Powell's Books.

Jamie's Gateway Fandoms

So I was perusing tumblr, like I do. There was a great (super inside fandom) comment about LeakyCon and the Harry Potter fandom:

"At Leakycon we don’t say “I love you” we say “WE’RE WIZARDS WE’LL PARTY FOREVER TURN AROUND BRIGHT EYES HARRY I’M COMING HOME I THINK WE’RE GOING BACK!” which translates to “After all this time? Always” and I think that’s beautiful."

... and I started thinking about how it's time for a reread. Cause you know, it's been a year or two, and it's important to revisit your favorite things every so often. Or maybe just often. I mean, the Buffy prom episode is on in the background right now. If I pay too much attention, it'll make me cry. Cause I have embraced a great deal of nerdy things in the last several years, but Buffy and Harry, that's how it all started.

Speaking of tumblr (where you can be your nerdiest most awesome self), some time ago there was a thing posted that was so perfect. It said:

"Harry Potter is, like, the gateway fandom. You start reading the books, then all of a sudden you have a Sonic Screw driver, you're carrying salt everywhere and awkwardly in love with Sherlock Holmes and you don't really know how any of it happened, but you're pretty sure it started because Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Dursely of 4 Privet Drive were proud to say that they were perfectly normal thank you very much." 

And I thought two things. That is beautiful and that is me. All the things I have discovered that I love so much, from nerdfighters to Wootstock is a direct result of my HP and/or Joss Whedon love.  I could analyze for days why these particular stories are what pulled me in, are what I can read and watch time and time again, but ultimately, it doesn't even matter. They are brilliant and they opened the door to a world of so much awesome. Because of Harry, Ron, Hermione, Buffy, Willow & Xander, I found John & Hank Green, the Doctor and his companions, the fraking toasters, Felicia Day & the Guild, Wil Wheaton,  Eureka & Warehouse 13, Wizard Wrock, DFTBA Records, Jonathan Coulton, Paul & Storm, Molly Lewis, Hannah Hart, the Nerdist, The Lizzie Bennett Diaries, and so much more.

Hold on.  Pause. Jonathan, aka Danny Strong who is writing the screenplay to Mockingjay, is giving Buffy the Class Protector award, so I have to cry a little.

Okay, I'm good.

I don't know exactly what the point of this post is, other than to say, whatever your thing is, embrace it. And follow it down the rabbit hole. You won't be disappointed. I know I haven't been since Buffy became the slayer and Mr. & Mrs. Vernon Dursley were proud to be very, very normal.

 

Coming Soon: As we move toward 100 posts Sarah does her part by highlighting the nerdiest moments in the West Wing, which she has been documenting during her current Netflix-fueled viewing of the Aaron Sorkin masterpiece.

Why I Believe (by Kacey)

This Christmas I will not be home. Since I currently live on the other side of the world I thought it might be a good opportunity to do something a bit different for the holidays. It's Christmas Eve and I currently sit in the lobby of my hostel in Edinburgh, Scotland where I am spending Christmas. I just spent a week in Ireland (actually with Sarah) and will venture onto London in a few days for New Years before returning to sunny Abu Dhabi. 

I love Christmas time and I am loving my choice in location for the holidays (Abu Dhabi is not very Christmasy feeling). Although it wasn't until today could I begin to explain why I love both these things. While I was out walking through little shops I saw a card that read "When you stop believing in Santa you get underwear." It made me laugh....but it also reminded me of a quote I recently repinned on Pinterest (I freaking love Pinterest). It simply stated this:

"Even though she was a grown woman she believed in elves & Santa Claus & flying reindeer & sacks with an endless capacity for toys. Furthermore she believed that believing in these things was the chief reason she had more fun in life than others."

It became the backdrop on my computer.

It's the truth, right? Is it more fun to believe in whimsical and fantastical things or be a "realist?" Yesterday I sat at the cafe JK Rowling began writing the Harry Potter series. From the window I could see the castle and the school that inspired Hogwarts. I also wandered around a grave yard trying to find Tom Riddle's grave (which I couldn't find...but might go back to try again). I love the idea that one of my favorite stories had been inspired by this beautiful and fascinating city. Also on Thursday I am traveling north for the day with plans to look for the Lochness Monester. On Friday I will get into Kings Cross Station in London and plan to find platform 9 3/4. And thanks to Doctor Who I find myself staring at every angel statue I come across simply out of fear.

What does this have to do with belief? I am sure people without the belief in things nerdy and whimsical enjoy traveling to these places...just not as much. And as someone who loves history I am finding there is lots to be learned here. But even history requires a certain amount of belief...and what is history if not a series of stories...both real and made up. 

So really if nothing else, believing makes the world a bit more interesting and much more fun. 

Tomorrow morning I will not wake up to Christmas presents (I already got an awesome box of presents before I left Abu Dhabi from my family which included an iPad mini - and no underwear!). And Christmas will feel a bit strange without being surrounded by friends and family this year. But this will not deter my belief in Santa Claus or the holiday spirit. If anything it will allow me to broaden by beliefs, because as I walk through these streets of Scotland it still feels like Christmas (and not just in a consumer way). So while Santa journeys acoss the world tonight... I know he did not skip me...but instead gave me the opportunity to see Christmas a little bit differently this year in a pretty awesome place.

Coming Soon: Sarah recounts details of her recent elf tracking mission.  Spoiler: she didn't make it to Santa's workshop, but feels she is close and will continue her efforts soon.

Everything Jamie Knows About Time Travel

Kacey & I have conversations like this all the time.  

How come some vampires can go outside and sparkle while others burst into flame?  

What are the best wizard duels of all time?  

How would the Doctor critique the other time travelers that we know and love?  

We are on a bit of a Doctor Who kick right now (more on that coming soon), so time travel is a hot topic.  Everything I know about time travel I have learned from the movies and TV. Okay, so there was that mini-section on special relativity in Physics in high school.  And it was arguably the most entertaining part of that class (better than my damn bridge).  But I just want to apologize now to people with a real understanding of what actual time travel would involve.  You know, people like Sheldon.   Here is what I know about time travel and where I learned it.

 

• Time machines come in all shapes and sizes.  This can be a DeLorean (Back to the Future), a Police Box that is actually a TARDIS (Doctor Who), a phone booth (Bill & Ted), or some kind of space ship like thing (most other films/shows).
• If you don't have a machine, then some sort of small device will probably work.  Like a timeturner that fits on a necklace (Harry Potter).
• Time is incredibly sensitive.  If you make one small little change, the whole world could be completely insane.  One guy from the past sneaks off with you to the future and and you come back [details have been redacted so as not to spoil Kacey on Eureka plot lines that she has not yet viewed].  Marty McFly (Back to the Future, but I seriously hope you knew that just from the name) almost erased himself from existence.  Try not to do this when travelling in time.  Just stick to the plan and lay low.
• Alternative timelines are complicated.  However, if you have already seen Back to the Future II prior to watching the J.J. Abrams Star Trek film, you will immediately grasp what is going on with this reboot.  Because you know that one little shift creates an alternative timeline where the future is different.  Your main timeline is still there, but you have to undo what caused the split in order to fix it.  Or you can just go on in the newly created future.  It's a choice really.  If it sucks a lot and you can pinpoint the moment of the change, and you have the means to change it, then you should go back and turn left.  You won't remember not existing.
• Do not be seen by yourself.  This would seriously freak you out.  You really shouldn't interact with a past or future version of yourself.  You could create a paradox.  Or just bad things would happen.  Of course, sometimes seeing how awesome your life is going to be can help you to go back and deal with a not so awesome childhood, like in Meet the Robinsons.
• Seeing an alternative version of yourself, however, is probably okay. At least according to Spock, and when is he ever wrong?   
• There are some things that cannot be changed - The Doctor is very clear on this, and when he tries to be bigger than these important moments, it backfires.  Some things simply must happen.  They are too important to the progression of time.
• History is really cool - Bill & Ted really captures this.  I mean, who doesn't want to pick up Socrates & Lincoln for a day to party, and then have them remind us all to be excellent to each other.  Not to mention, you just may get to hang out with Van Gogh or Churchill if you're traveling with the Doctor.  Of course, you may find out that romanticizing the past won't bring you any real happiness, and you should try to appreciate the present and dump your annoying fiance, like in Midnight in Paris.  Only realize this after having drinks with Hemingway.  Always have drinks with Hemingway first.
• Living the same day over and over again is not time travel.  It's torture. I'm pretty sure it's against the Geneva Conventions, but sometimes the powers that be feel you need some additional time to figure out your life (which is my interpretation of Groundhog's Day), or a device goes all wonky in Eureka and you are the only one who knows what is happening.  That, unlike if you are just some TV jerk, does not end well.
• Time is really just a big ball of wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey All of these other things are totally true, but per usual, the last remaining time lord says it best.

 

 

Books read: 29 (The Art of Fielding is amazing)

Coming Soon: After hearing that 50 Shades of Grey was originally Twilight fan fiction, Sarah writes a colorful review of the series, without bothering to read it.  She also looks up the names of the main characters and offers casting suggestions.

Kacey Watches all 8 HP in One Sitting...

So I did it. I got up at 8:00am (Pacific Standard Time) on December 21^st (yay for school breaks!) and began my nearly 20 hour Harry Potter movie marathon. (Thanks to Jamie for owning all 8 films and letting me borrow the 6 films I do not own!) I began watching on the big screen in the living room of my parents’ home, but decided that it would be much more considerate of me as a roommate to move to my above the garage suite once the ‘rents came home from work. I completed this marathon of awesomeness at about 3:30 in the morning and have been thinking about how to share my thoughts since.

I thought about analyzing the differences between director’s style’s and changes in the setting or something, but why dwell on inconsistencies when I can focus on the high level of entertainment that these films provide for me. I mean I already have fallen in love with the stories and characters via the books, but the films are brilliant, particularly when they have to convey something in 30 seconds that it takes J.K. Rowling 30 pages to do (I know we all have moments of “I can’t believe they didn’t do ______” but overall they are well done). So as I watched I made about some favorite moments and lines with side notes of the lovely actors that deliver them. This is the result.

Movie 1:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 

First off important to mention that while I love Michael Gambon as Dumbledore… Richard Harris is truly my favorite, even if his presence in the first film is somewhat limited to “looks” he gives from the head table.

Favorite lines:

Dumbledore: “It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget to live.”

Dumbledore: “It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but a great deal more to stand up to your friends.”

(**This scene where he gives the extra point to Neville always makes me cry, which I promise was just the beginning of many tears shed throughout the marathon.**)

The first film overall is great, but has limited standout scenes. This is mostly due to the young acting. (Although the introduction of Seamus blowing things up is one of the best continued side jokes throughout all 8 films)

The main trio (HRH as I will call them) do manage to deliver some great lines and develop the early stages of these friendships.

My personal favorite:

Hermione: “Now if you two don't mind, I'm going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed - or worse, expelled.”
Ron: “She needs to sort out her priorities!” 

Movie 2:

Harry Potter and the Chamber of the Secrets

This might be the funniest film. Even though other films provide some pretty great lines (and with perhaps a little more grown up humor), this one still remains light without the scary undertones of impending doom (although big ass scary snake does damper things a little).  Plus there is more of the Weasley family by way of showing the Burrow (also known as my future home).

Arthur Weasley: “Now, Harry you must know all about Muggles, tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?”

Probably one of the reasons for high humor in this film is of course Dobby even if he does cause Harry some problems!  (**Almost started crying when he first came on the screen**)

Harry: Promise me something.
Dobby: Anything, sir.
Harry: Never try to save my life again.

(**Almost tears here… kind of foreboding.**)

Also the source of great laughs (and irritations) is Gilderoy Lockhart portrayed by the great Kenneth Branagh. When Ron’s broken wand causes him to lose his mind the amusement only increases.

Lockhart: “It’s like magic.

Moaning Myrtle (the lovely Shirley Henderson) always knows how to make Harry feel awkward by her forwardness.

Moaning Myrtle: “Oh, Harry? If you die down there, you're welcome to share my toilet."

Ron seems to be in constant fear throughout the whole movie between the flying car scene, his slight fear of his mother and of course- spiders.

Ron: “Why spiders? Why couldn’t it be ‘follow the butterflies’?”

While most of my comments regarding this film are about its humor it would be a shame to ignore the primer of Jason Issac’s portrayal of Lucius Malfoy which is mostly pure evil and absolutely brilliant (and increasingly complex in future movies).

 Another great quote from Dumbledore (and one of Richard Harris’ final scenes as Dumbledore)

Dumbledore: “It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices.”

Movie 3:

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Welcome Michael Gambon as Dumbledore!

This film has more stuff to “sort” than fighting Voldemort (well actually the book does, so in turn so does the film).

Enter Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) and Remus Lupin (David Thewlis). The reuniting scene in the Shrieking Shack is a great bromance sort of moment. Particularly the comments shared when they are reunited:

Lupin: “Finally, the flesh reflects the madness within.”
Black: “Well, you'd know all about the madness within, wouldn't you Remus?”

Moments that do make me laugh in a kind of otherwise somewhat emotional heavy film:

Ron’s continued fear of spider:

“Ron: [sitting bolt upright in bed] Spiders... the spiders... they want me to tap-dance. And I don't want to tap-dance!
Harry: You tell those spiders, Ron.
Ron: Yeah, tell them... I'll tell them...”

Snape (the BRILLIANT Alan Rickman) dressed in Neville’s grandmother’s clothes.

(**Not sure why I haven’t mention Alan Rickman before- but really the epic stuff comes a little later.**)

Trying to tell the future in Trewlawney’s (Emma Thompson does “mental” well):

Ron: Oh yeah... well, Harry's got a sort of wonky cross... that's trials and suffering. And, uh, that there could be the sun, and that's happiness, so... you're gonna suffer... but you're gonna be happy about it...

(Noticing that many of the more humorous quotes tend to come out of Ron’s mouth)

BEST moment: Hermione punches Malfoy. So it totally rocks in the book as well and so much about book 3 in my mind is about how awesome Hermione is anyways. But the punch is bloody brilliant and needs to be mentioned.

Movie 4:

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

This is where I get to make some sort of joke about sparkly vampires as Hogwarts’ golden boy but really the best moment is when Cedric Diggory (Robert Pattinson) first comes on screen and Hermione and Ginny exchange a “look.” And with that we have teenagers… hormones and all. 

Ron and Harry must find a date for the Yule Ball and begin their first real adventure with girls… This distracts them from their “studies” and Snape (who has a limited role in film) continues to gently “remind them” to stop talking. (He hits Ron and Harry on the back of the head Gibbs style). Snape makes the scene hysterical without saying one word.

And then it occurs to Ron:

Ron: Hermione, you’re a girl.

Although he’s not the real (spoiler alert) Mad-Eye Moody (wonderfully played by Brendan Gleeson) the character is awesome. The Ferret scene makes me almost giddy:

McGonagall: “Professor Moody! What are you doing?”
Mad-Eye: “Teaching.”
McGonagall: “Teach - is that a student?”
Mad-Eye: “Technically it's a ferret.”

This seems to be my first mention of the magnificent Maggie Smith as McGonagall and although some of her more epic scenes come later I do love the dancing scene.

First she describes the Yule ball as a night of  “well mannered frivolity.”

But then insist:

McGonagall: “The house of Godric Gryffindor has commanded the respect of the wizarding world for nearly ten centuries. I will not have you, in one night, besmirching that name by behaving like a babbling, bumbling band of baboons!”

I love a little awkward bromance action too when Ron and Harry fight, but more importantly make up in less-than climatic sort of way.

Hermione: “Boys.”

Despite these funny, uncomfortable teenager moments for the HRH trio we are finally introduced to evilest of evils- a fully functional Voldemort (fabulous Ralph Fiennes). Who while being horrifying still does not forget a little bad guy banter:

Voldemort: “Come now, Harry, the niceties must be observed. Dumbledore would not want you to forget your manners.”

Movie 5:

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Okay I know I said I wasn’t going to talk about technical and visual stuff, but two things must be noted: the flying through London scene at the beginning is awesome and I much prefer Harry and Ron with shorter hair.

Now enter “Emo Harry.” (I learned that from Jamie)

Dolores Umbridge is a hateful, spiteful woman and I think I might like Voldemort better than her (Imelda Stauton does a great job). I think it’s the teacher in me and when she says things like:

Umbridge: “It is the view of the Ministry that a theoretical knowledge will be sufficient to get you through your examinations, which after all, is what school is all about”

Although it seems that Harry is angry most the movie, he finally meet Miss Luna Lovegood who points things out in her amazingly awkward and prophetic way.

Luna: “If it’s just you alone, you’re not as much as a threat.”

And eventually Harry does start to get a little inspirational:

Harry:” Working hard is important, but there's something else that's even more important: believing in yourself. Look at it this way: every great wizard in history has started out as nothing more than we are now - students. If they can do it, why not us?”

Still the wonder that are girls baffle Ron and Harry in the film.

Hermione: “Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon”

I think this character gets too few lines in the films, because this is a real gem:

Kingsley Shacklebolt: “You may not like him, Minister, but you can't deny: Dumbledore's got style.”

Fred and George are always there to break tensions when Harry gets too tense and the best scene in the whole movie coincides with the best part in the book as well- Fred and George’s exit from Hogwarts.

(** At this point I moved to my suite above the garage, which was good because the tears were flowing with Sirus’ death and I knew it was only going to get worse.**)

Movie 6:

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Now we’re getting to the really heavy stuff, but the 6^th film does have some pretty great scenes that make it a little less intense.

There are a few lines in this movie I like because they almost poke fun at what is happening. Lines such as:

Dumbledore: “You must be wondering why I brought you here.”

Harry: “Actually sir after all these year I just sort of go with.”

Ginny: “Why is it he’s always covered in blood”

(Referring to Harry)

And one of my favorites:

McGonagall: “Why is it, that whenever anything happens, it's always you three?”
Ron: “Believe me, Professor. I've been asking myself that same question for the past six years.”

McGonagall makes sure the boys stay focused on school no matter how much they try to slack off:

McGonagall: (to Harry) “Take Weasley with you, he looks entirely too happy.”

And ultimately, despite the looming fear that Voldemort is back and Dumbledore giving Harry new responsibilities, Ron and Harry still manage to find themselves perplexed by girls. What they decide is that Ginny and Hermione both have “nice skin.”

(They’ll get there eventually)

I’m a little unsure which is funnier- love potioned Ron or Harry on Felix Felicis. However, the Felix Felicis scene is a little more drawn out and ends with a drunk Hagrid and Professor Slughorn.

Slughorn: “Well that's life, I suppose...you go along and then, suddenly...poof!”

And then stuff gets real serious, real fast and Dumbledore is dead.

(**And guess what, I cried - again. Damn you Snape for playing your part so well.**)

Movie 7:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

Okay now stuff is about to get really real. The last two movies are really just full of epic awesomeness (accompanied with lots of tears, of course.)

The intensity is there from the get-go, only to be broken a little by the great scene of the “7 Potters.” 

Mad-Eye: Fair warning, it tastes like goblin piss.
Fred: Have lots of experience with that, do you, Mad-Eye?... Just trying to diffuse the tension."

And then Mad-Eye dies, but as always Fred and George provide us with a little smile.

Fred: “George! How do you feel?"

George: “Saint-like.”

Fred: “Come again?”

George: “Saint like. I'm holy... Holey, get it?”

Fred: “The whole world of ear-related humor, and you go for, "I'm holy"? You're pathetic.”

George: “Reckon I'm still better looking than you.”

Silly Hermione, even after 7 years she is still getting her priorities a little mixed up.

Hermione: “We didn't celebrate your birthday, Harry. Ginny and I... we'd prepared a cake. We were going to bring it out at the end of the wedding.”
Harry: “Hermione... I appreciate the thought, honestly. But given that we were almost killed by a couple of Death Eaters a few minutes ago...”
Hermione: “Right. Perspective.”

So glad Neville wasn’t left out of the film, because he is so bad ass.

Neville: “Hey, losers. He isn't here.”

I hate when Ron leaves. But it then if I didn’t hate when he leaves I wouldn’t love when he comes back. I love that Hermione gets pissed at him and he pretty much does whatever he can to get her to forgive him.

Ron: “How long do you think she'll stay mad at me?”
Harry: “Just keep talking about that little ball of light touching your heart, and she'll come 'round.”

Dobby=sadness… all I’m going to say.

(**Many tears**)

 Movie 8

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

(**At this point in my movie watching I was starting to feel emotionally drained and tired because it was 2:00 in the morning. This may have somewhat influenced just how invested I was in watching the final film and everything just seemed so epic that it needed to be noted.  There are just so many fantastic scenes in the movie! And of course- lots of tears**)

 The HRH trio breaks into Gringotts- chaos. Harry pretty much sums it up when they decide to then go to Hogwarts.

Harry: “We have to go there, now.”
Hermione: “What? We can't do that! We've got to plan! We've got to figure it out...”
Harry: “Hermione! When have any of our plans ever actually worked? We plan, we get there, all hell breaks loose!”

The whole group of Hogwarts students reunited with the trio. Ron is a little disappointed with Ginny’s reaction.

Ron: “Six months she hadn't see me, it's like I'm a Frankie First Year. I'm only her brother...”
Seamus: “She's got lots of them, but there's only one Harry.”
Ron: “Shut up Seamus.”

McGonagall is a total-Hogwarts protecting- order giving-badass. I freaking love her.

McGonagall: “That doesn't mean we can't delay him. And his name is Voldemort, so you might as well use it, he's going to try and kill you either way.” 

Longbottom: “Are you really giving us permission to do this?”
McGonagall: “Yes, Longbottom.”
Longbottom: “Blow it up? Boom?”
McGonagall: “BOOM!... Why don't you confer with Mr. Finnigan? As I recall, he has a particular proclivity for pyrotechnics.”
Seamus: “I can bring it down!”
McGonagall: “That's the spirit, now away you go.”

The best line in the whole movie might be Maggie Smith’s “boom!”

Neville: “Ya, you and whose army?”

Then Boom!

The whole build up to the castle’s protection being infiltrated is super intense. And the last real moment we see some of the beloved characters alive.

Lupin: “It is the quality of ones convictions that determines success, not the number of followers.”
Shacklebolt: “Who said that?”
Lupin: “Me.”

Alan Rickman is so awesome as Snape. I just have to say that again, because this film is when the real mind-blowing stuff goes down… I mean-come on- SO GOOD (in a really sad sort of way.)

Snape: “No one... can know.”
Dumbledore: “That I shall never reveal the best of you, Severus?”

(**I cry**)

One scene that really gets me is when Harry turns over the stone and sees his parents, Lupin and Sirius.

Harry: “Why are you here, all of you?”
Lily: “We never left.”

(**I sob**)

The King’s Station scene with Dumbledore is well done in the movie and doesn’t leave out some of my favorite lines from the book.

Dumbledore: “You wonderful boy. You brave, brave man.”

Harry: “Is this real? Or has this been happening inside my head?”
Dumbledore: “Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

Then the finality of it all. Neville is a wickedly awesome once more and Tom goes down.

 And thank you filmmakers for not leaving out the best:

Molly Weasley: “Not my daughter, you bitch!”

(**I cheer!**)

There you have it. It’s was pretty great and a total worthy use on time during my winter break. If you decide this is time worthy make sure you plan ahead (as not to be interrupted), get a good night sleep the night before and be prepared to be a little more emotional than watching the movies separately.

Now if only I could master the art of speed reading I could read all the books in one sitting…