A Magical Journey: Harry Potter Studio Tour

On Christmas Morning I awoke to find a ticket to the Warner Brothers Harry Potter Studio Tour, courtesy of my amazing boyfriend (who is very thoughtful, and I am very lucky, but I won't bore you with that now).

So ticket in hand, last Saturday I arrived at Leavesden at my allocated time slot, wanting to dance with excitement but maintaining a cool exterior as I queued to enter.

As a dire fan of the series, I was eagerly anticipating the tour, yet was slightly apprehensive at the same time. My worry that it would be a disappointment (like so many of the movies) was thankfully however, unfounded.

From the moment you step foot into the studio, it truly is magical. To see things so familiar to us after 8 films, in real life was quite amazing, and unlike the Harry Potter Walking Tour of London (Which, is a gigantic waste of money), I felt like I was experiencing a part of the series first hand.

It All Ended… Disappointingly

I promised to post this review last weekend, but I found myself not only too busy and sore, but slightly too frustrated to write.
I read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when I was 18, jumping on the band wagon a little later than most but quickly becoming hooked. Ten years later, I lined up outside the Odeon in Leicester Square awaiting the start of Deathly Hallows Part 2 with child-like anticipation.

Luckily, I was expecting to be disappointed. And this expectation was fulfilled – don’t get me wrong, the acting was good (especially when compared to the trio’s efforts in 2001), the effects were outstanding, but once again severe plot deviations left me, and i suspect many other Potter fans, slightly fuming.

Warning: Spoiler alert

Character deaths, such as George Weasley, left me emotionally drained whilst reading, but here they were rushed and almost glanced over.

Harry’s solo walk to the Forbidden Forest to meet his fate, was one of the most moving scenes in all 7 books, but yet they had to throw in a hug and long winded speech from Hermione, whilst Ron (once again) is sidelined and silent. Not only that, there was no confessions to Neville to kill the snake – so how did he know how to destroy it?

And don’t even get me started on the whole Harry & Voldemort zooming through the grounds of Hogwarts. No mention that love could redeem you, just unnecessary CGI.

Gaping plot holes left open through emissions from the last 7 books became clearly evident and to be honest, if you hadn’t read the book I don’t think you’d understand what was going on.
Some things though, they nailed. The Prince’s Tale had me weeping unashamedly (Alan Rickman you are a legend), Professor McGonagall had me, and the full house, cheering just as she did in the books while Ron & Hermione’s much anticipate snog, whilst not canon, was fantastic.

And now, as the plethora of outdoor advertising across London tells me – It all ends. But I beg to differ, it’s a saga that will undoubtedly be passed on down the generations encouraging children to read and inspiring adults to use their imaginations again.

For me, re-reading Harry Potter is like visiting  an old friend, one you know will always make you smile, comforting like an old pair of slippers. This may make my nearly 28-year old self particularly geeky, but sod it all – long live Potter.
Mischief Managed.

A Magical Adventure

I have decided on my next holiday location (after my festive extravaganza in London of course).

I will be heading to Orlando, Florida. Why? You may ask.

For one reason only.

I will be travelling to Orlando purely to visit the all-new, magical Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios.

I care not that I may be too old, or that it is geeky. But as a dedicated fan of the series I can think of nothing more enjoyable than drinking Butterbeer at the Hogs Head, buying a wand in Olivanders or strolling through the hallways of Hogwarts. I am not alone either, thousands upon thousands of people lined up for the recent opening days of the park, waiting in line for up to 8 hours just to get in. Many of them are fans like myself, who have been enthusiasts since the very first book.

So for my overseas adventure in 2012, I’ll be jetting to Orlando – because quite frankly, between you and me I solemnly swear that a rollercoaster is the most fun a girl can have without boys and booze.

New Moon vs The Vatican. New Moon Wins.

Yesterday I waited in line, clutching my tickets to see the latest instalment in the Twilight Saga “New Moon”.

I am a big fan of the books and found the movie highly enjoyable, very silly, and the audience comprised of 15 year old girls made me giggle with glee every time one of them whoop whooped at Jacob Black’s bare, buff and quite frankly delicious chest.

What I find interesting is the public reaction to the Twilight phenomenon. It reminds me of Pottermania of about 5 years ago, and it seems it is provoking the same amount of furore from the Vatican. 

Pope Benedict the whatever number he is publicly denounced the “subtle seductions” in Harry Potter, going on about how it promotes Un-Christian values towards Children (this is despite JK Rowling being a Christian herself and the whole 7 books being about the battle between good and evil, friendship and love).

Today it is Twilight that is angering the Holy people at the Vatican. Monsignor Franco Perazzolo has claimed that Twilight is a “deviant moral vacuum.. a mixture of excesses aimed at young people and gives a heavy esoteric element”. 

The first thing I did after reading this was of course look up the word esoteric (adj. Intended for or understood by only a particular group: an esoteric cult). The second thing I did was wonder why people take things so seriously.  I am the first person to admit I got carried away by the Harry Potter universe and have devoured the Twilight series with a hunger that surprised even myself. 

I think that perhaps the Vatican is a bit jealous, and without reason.  I mean, the bible is still the best selling book of all time and has more die-hard fans than all the Potter-heads and Twi-hards put together. So why complain? Are they worried that Rowling and Meyers are cutting into their book sales?  Jealous that whilst both series have hugely successful movie franchises, all they have is “The Passion of the Christ” and a few old Charlton Heston movies from the 50s? 

The quote that I liked best in this article (Saturdays Courier Mail) is that they think that the, and I quote, “the sex appeal of Robert Pattinson will have wider ramifications among Gnereation Y”.  I would like to know what these wider ramifications are? Pale will become cool? Men will become deliciously scruffy? All sounds pretty good to me! 

Twilight is not evil. It is not a cult. It is 4 books and 2 movies (so far) about a delicious love story, that has a legion of dedicated followers. Vampires and Werewolves are, I think, secondary to the romance.

And, in closing, as a Team Edward fan.. seriously Bella, quit being such a whore!  Getting poor Jacob all worked up then saying, sorry don’t need you anymore? Such a prick tease.

Well Meaning Advice Falls Upon Deaf Ears

As you all know I have been single for quite some time now and because of this well meaning friends frequently offer advice.

One of my most beloved friends, Andre, has given me a list of things that I am not allowed to talk about when I am on a date or picking up boys.  These vary from my love of Harry Potter to “try not to be too ginger”. 

I have made the executive decision to disregard all this advice for two reasons.

1. I am an interesting, nice girl albeit with some eccentric tendencies.  I am not going to hide my true personality or try and be someone I am not.  I have done this before and it never works.

2. I am not interested in going out with someone who scares easily.  If they are put off by my love of children’s book series or the fact that I like to knit or that I love to communicate (and yes that means excessive text messages) then they are hardly going to be worthwhile catch in the long run.

So thank you my dear friends, but if you can love me for who I am, then there is a man out there who will too. 

PS. Please bear with me whilst I experiment with blog design and fonts etc. I was bored of the old layout and have been browsing all the amazing templates online.  Huge fan of www.suckmylolly.com!!

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Top 5 Celebrity Crushes

I have never been overly into girly celebrity crushes.  I was never into Jonathan Taylor Thomas or that guy from Dawsons Creek like other girls were.  However, recently I have found myself pouring over magazines and getting a bit hot under the collar watching a few celebrity men. Here are my Top 5 (In no particular order)

1. Robert Pattinson.  Yes, I may be one of millions of girls who also fancy him, but his dirty scruffiness and constant angsty looks make me want to lick him all over.  I am also unashamedly addicted to the off-screen love story between him and Kristen Stewart.  Am torn between loving them together and angry because he should be with me (obviously).  Plus I love listening to his native British voice.

2. Gerard Butler. Everything about him is damned sexy.  The accent, body, eyes, smile.  You know he’d be a bastard and still you want to strip your clothes off and let him have his way with you. 

3. James McAvoy.  Another Scottish lad, so yummy in ‘Wanted’. And seems like he would be a nice boy.  Happily married unfortunately.

4. Russell Brand.  Yes I know this is ridiculous. But I would like to be a notch on this mans belt.  He has charisma. 

5. Rupert Grint. A new and surprising addition to my Top 5 Celebrity Crush list.  After seeing the latest HP film, he’s grown up into a very handsome young man, and I wouldn’t mind introducing him to the ways of the world.

So reviewing my list, I apparently like British men with nice accents (not Russell Brands accent though).  Another reason to move back to the UK perhaps??

My Favourite Things

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens (obviously)

Visits to Starbucks and warm chocolate biscuits

Postcards and packages addressed to me

These are a few of my favourite things.

Long steamy showers and crisp winter mornings

Vodka and Red Wine and men without clothes on

Getting to the loo when you really need to pee

These are a few of my favourite things.

Hugh Grant love stories with happy endings

Sunshine and laughing and Harry Potter

Playing with nephews and drinking with friends

These are a few of my favourite things

When the bank calls,

When I’m dateless,

When I'm feeling sad,

I simply remember my favourite things, And then I don't feel, so bad.

(this ditty is obviously plagerised from the Sound of Music version)