Snow Day

So this post is coming a little late, but my Michaelmas Term essay owned my life until Thursday afternoon, when I happily handed it in and then returned a zillion books to the library. Turning in a paper here is like applying for a passport...too many steps. I had to submit my essay at the Exam Schools submission desk, with two copies in a sealed envelope that had only my candidate number, then in a separate sealed envelope INSIDE the larger envelope a signed declaration with my name and essay title on it. Then when I handed it over they gave me a receipt for my paper so I can prove I turned it in. Ridiculous.

I was supposed to leave on a British Airways flight on Saturday to come home for Christmas. Little did I know that it would start snowing that morning and that BA would shut EVERYTHING down because of this. All flights canceled.  Not delayed, not rebooked. Just canceled. So, after a 5 hour bus ride back to Oxford (snow on the roads=traffic), I am now back in my flat, with a new flight on Continental that is hopefully leaving on Tuesday, and looking out my window at the foot or so of snow that got dumped on Oxford.

Good news is, it's pretty! I went out yesterday afternoon to buy some food (since I had gotten rid of it all since I was supposed to leave yesterday) and took my camera with me:

View from my window

Outside to door to my flat

Meagan and I made snow angels...her's in way prettier than mine. Apparently there's a learning curve to snow angel-making.

Telephone booth in the snow

The statue in front of the Bodleian Library...lookin' fancy in his snow-shawl

The Radcliffe Camera

Hertford College quad

Snowy trees

Meanwhile I am pretty much stuck here chillin' with my suitcase all packed. I managed to watch two full seasons of Castle...which I have learned is AWESOME. Crime shows like Law & Order and Bones are totally my guilty pleasure, and this one also combines literary nerdiness. Also there is an episode where they go to an underground steampunk club. Where do I sign up?

I am such a sucker for steampunk

 

Hopefully I will be able to get out of here tomorrow morning in spite of all the snow, since I'd rather not be stuck here for Xmas. I hope everyone else if having a lovely holiday; and wish me luck!

KQ

Sawako makes snow seem kyaa-tastic even when it's grounding my flight

The Case of the Christmas Market, and Other Stories

New MCR album...it's alright.

Hello again, faithful readers. It's freezing here (literally, it's -4C outside) and I am writing this post while drinking hot cocoa and listening to the new My Chemical Romance CD -- which, by the way, is kind of growing on me despite my initial poor impressions of it and my general distaste for concept albums, though it is no "Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge" (anyone else listening to MyChem?). I thought about putting on some Christmas music, but I decided I can't afford to get into Xmas slacker mode until I finish my work here.

It is week 9 here, and most of the undergraduates have now gone home (the term is officially only 8 weeks), so the city is relatively empty and the libraries are filled with serious-looking graduate students...including myself, I suppose. Class is over and all I'm working on now is my C-Course essay, which is taking shape slowly but satisfactorily. Since we have the extra week and a half, I've been working on it in a leisurely way, which is kind of nice since I've been able to do all the reading I wanted to do for it and now I can still take my time outlining and writing. On the other hand, it encourages procrastination since I still have over a week until this is due, and I keep reminding myself that this is a LONG paper and that it is also technically my first piece of marked work here so it has to be up to scratch (my paleography exam was graded but doesn't count toward my final mark--and in case anyone is wondering, yes, I passed it, so if you need any sixteenth century documents transcribed I am now qualified to do so. Keep me in mind when you find that lost manuscript of Love's Labour's Won in your attic).

One of the stalls at the Christmas market

Of course, with the focus on research and writing, this week was also pretty uneventful. The one exciting thing I did was go on a St Cross-organized excursion to the Christmas Market in Cirencester, about an hour away from Oxford. This was pretty cute: they set up a bunch of little wooden stalls in the middle of town that sell Christmasy food like mulled wine and brownies, and crafty things like handmade ornaments and quilts. Going around the market actually didn't take too long so we got a chance to explore the town, which had some nice shopping and a sweet Roman museum, since apparently Cirencester used to be a Roman town. The highlight of my trip was eating Belgian waffles at the market and buying fluffy earmuffs (they're totally gangsta), and I even snapped some photos, though it was ridiculously cold on Monday so I didn't take my camera out as often as I should have.

More Christmas Market!

You know you're in the Cotswolds when sculptures of sheep look this epic.

The Roman museum was full of these creepy/awesome manikins in Roman garb.

Pretty mosaic depicting Orpheus taming the beasts in the museum.

Dear Disney, why are you keeping this movie from the UK?

So yeah, that's about the only exciting thing I did this week, besides pay too much money to see Megamind in 3D, which was cute but probably did not need to be viewed in three dimensions. Also, I like Tina Fey better in 30 Rock than as an awkwardly-proportioned CG character. Seriously, why does DreamWorks's character design always have to be so hideous? I thought they had finally hit their stride with How to Train Your Dragon, but maybe the weird, chunky character design just worked for them there since it was about awkward teenagers, Vikings, and dragons. In Megamind everyone just had expansive foreheads and weirdly straight hairlines. Anyway, Megamind was fun but I can't wait for the 3D trend to die out.


But wait! (you're thinking) Didn't that movie come out like a month ago? Yes, yes it did. In the STATES. The UK gets shafted on movie release dates. Tangled doesn't come out here until January 28th. What the heck! I'm practically living in a third world country here. A third world country that just arrested Julian Assange and has double-decker buses and tea and the BBC. 

Speaking of the BBC, and since I have nothing else urgent to impart to you this week, I think I will take a second to introduce you to my favorite BBC item that I've discovered since being here: Sherlock. This show (miniseries?) actually aired over the summer, but there was still buzz about it when I got here, so I watched it a few weeks ago and was totally impressed. The show is a "contemporary update" on Sherlock Holmes, featuring the dynamic duo solving crimes in modern London. This seems kind of hokey at first glance, but somehow it really works in this series, and whatever is lost in Victorian aesthetic is made up in the relationship between Holmes and Watson. Sherlock has all the banter and bromance elements that made the recent Guy Ritchie adaptation featuring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law enjoyable, without the superfluous romantic subplot and ridiculous steampunk plot devices that made it terrible. Benedict Cumberbatch plays a simultaneously intriguing and exasperating Holmes more akin to Hugh Laurie's House than Downey Jr's swashbuckling interpretation in the 2009 film, and Martin Freeman (slated to play Bilbo in The Hobbit, incidentally) plays a capable and empathetic everyman as John Watson, making a perfect foil to Cumberbatch's quirky Sherlock.

One of the best parts of the show for me was the way they managed to show Holmes actually deducing things instead of just running around nabbing criminals. In this respect Sherlock seemed to take its cue more from crime shows like CSI and NCIS than the action-movie approach of Guy Ritchie, and this is also where the modern setting of the show was perfectly utilized. Of course a modern Holmes would use his smartphone to Google weather conditions in the UK when he finds his victim with a wet umbrella in her bag. Or look up maps of the city to find alternate routes when tracking a criminal. The series also definitely had its moments of melodrama and camp, but since I don't mind a little camp (more Star Driver, please), I enjoyed it all. And as a Conan Doyle fan, I thought this series was infinitely superior to the movie that came out last year (as much as I heart Robert Downey Jr), and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for some quality BBC/Sherlock Holmes action.







One more thing I thought I'd leave you with in the spirit of British culture and literature: this poster I saw in Tesco on Monday.

England loves tea and punk rock, obvi.

"These doors save enough energy to make over 4 million cups of tea per year." That's right, everything you have ever heard about England (or learned from watching Hetalia) is true. The British standard unit of measurement is apparently the cup of tea. This is the way to put things into perspective in England: how many cups of tea could I make with the energy from those doors? Not, "How many light bulbs could I turn on?" or "How many homes could I heat?" with that energy. No. It's cool to sit in a dark, cold room as long as you have a kettle and a cup of tea. Keep calm and carry on, Brits. ...Although I can't really speak here, since I have totally been going native not only with my tea consumption but unintentional use of Britishisms like "posh" and "smart" (as in well-dressed). I'm afraid I'm going to go home and ask someone where the queue begins. I've got to get back in touch with my down-home Amurican roots. Oh wait, I was an elitist Californian to begin with. Never mind then.

Sorry for the eclectic post this week, but I know no one really wants to hear about early modern collaboration and Shakespearean attribution studies, which is what I've actually been doing all week. I'll be working away on my paper for the rest of this week too and sooner than I think I'm going to be heading back stateside to celebrate Christmas! I'll definitely update again next week, although after that it might be spotty for a while since I'll be at home, and hopefully seeing some of you over Christmas!

Adieu,
KQ

Kuroshitsuji does Sherlock Holmes, because Toboso-sensei is awesome.

Turkey, Foggy London Town, and Snow

View from my window at 9.00 am this morning.

BREAKING: It snows here.

This morning I woke up and looked out my window to find SNOW! Totally stoked. Then a little later I went outside and, after almost eating it like five times, learned that pretty snow also means icy sidewalks. Still, snow!

Kenny left on Sunday after a moderately action-packed week in which we both tried to do work but ended up doing fun things instead like watching Firefly, trying restaurants, walking around Oxford, and visiting London. This slacking required me to complete about a week's worth of research in the last 48 hours or so in order to get my literature survey done in time for my supervisor to look at it today. But more on that later. First, fun!

I wish we had floating candles.

On Tuesday Kenny, Meagan, and I went to Thanksgiving Hall at St Cross. For Hall basically think Hogwarts Great Hall but without house-elves. Or if you're in ADPi think Monday night meeting but with good food and courses and servers. Actually just think Hogwarts; that sounds way better. So Hall happens every Tuesday, but just for all the Americans the menu last week was Thanksgiving themed (mostly): corn chowder, turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy and cranberry sauce, and little mini pumpkin pies with whipped cream for dessert. Pretty good, but I still cried a thousand bitter tears thinking about the stuffing and gravy we usually make at home. Unfortunately, my tiny flat kitchen isn't really equipped for any serious culinary endeavors, so this is the most Thanksgiving we got. On the other hand, Kenny got to experience the fun Latin prayer and other Hall stuff, though he apparently thought our Master (think Head of House) was terrifying because he is strict and British.

The Eagle and Child, home of "the inklings"

Speaking of food, we went to a bunch of restaurants last week so Kenny could experience some traditional Oxfordian cuisine. We had Sunday roast at a pub on High St, fish n' chips and shepherds pie at The Eagle and Child (that's the famous one where Tolkien and C.S. Lewis used to chill and think deep thoughts when they went here), and even knocked off a few more items on my Great Ethnic Food Quest list, with surprising success. I have to admit that I couldn't resist taking Kenny to The Mission, the "Mexican" restaurant here, just to see his reaction. It was worth it for the expression on his face...I think that was the first time I've ever seen Kenny NOT finish a burrito. Priceless.

Dim sum at Shanghai 30's

But now for the success stories: on Wednesday we went down to Cowley and ate at a little family-run Greek place called Santorini (yes, as in the island). I had my doubts at first because there were only a few people (actually only 2) when we went in (to be fair, it was only a little before 6pm) but MAN this place was good. Kenny and I both had souvlaki and baklava and it was delicious, probably the best Greek food I've had outside of Greece, and even in some parts of Greece. Then on Friday afternoon we doubled our success at Shanghai 30's, a cute little Chinese restaurant across from the Christ Church meadow that does dim sum in the afternoon. I had been eying this place for a little while since I heart Shanghai-style Chinese food, but my scarring experience at Cafe Opium (soggy rice! the horror!) had kept me away. I knew this place was legit though when Kenny walked in first and the host assaulted him in Mandarin (Ni hao!). Sometimes I think I keep that kid around just so I can eat bomb Chinese food. Just kidding, Kenny. Anyway, we had beef and broccoli (small portion but delish) and I think three kinds of buns/dumplings, one of which was filled with CUSTARD. Yum. They make you pay for tea, but restaurants in the UK are stingy even with water, so I guess I can't expect too much. Also, no xiao long bao, but I guess I'll live, because otherwise this place was pretty awesome, definitely the best Chinese food I've had in the UK.

On Saturday we finally made it up to London, and it was about frickin' time, since I haven't been once since I got here in September. I know, pathetic...but the library, it calls. It was cold, but we bundled up and I wore my NEW HAT (that's right, I own a hat now...it's exciting stuff). We started our day in the British Museum, gazing upon the oh-so-stolen Elgin Marbles and decrying the stupidity of the Ottoman Turks who decided it was a smart idea to use the Parthenon as a gunpowder magazine in the seventeenth century, resulting, predictably, in the big hole in the middle of it. Thanks a lot, Turks. Or should I say, Jerks. Oh...burn. Seriously, though, you guys blew up the Parthenon.

Kenny and I (and my hat) outside the British Museum

Also: possibly highlight of the British Museum. Okay this is a large diversion, but bear with me. As some of you may be aware, about two+ years ago I had the opportunity to spend two full days wandering the British Museum while I was waiting for my UCLA summer program to begin. So flashback to 2008: I am chillin' (like a villain, obvi) in the Greek vase portion of the BM, when I run across this vase (yes, I still have the photo evidence from 2008):

Obviously (as anyone would) I think, "Ah, what I lovely amphora depicting Herakles and the Erymanthian Boar." But when I look down to the label, I see this:

"Herakles and the Chimaera"? That is NOT a Chimaera. It's a frickin' boar. An Erymanthian boar. Obviously (as anyone would) I fly into a rage about the mislabeling of historical artifacts in a reputable museum, and of course, believing it is my civic duty to rectify such sloppy curating, I inform one of the docents that the label is wrong AND fill out a comment card detailing the problem before I leave the museum. Potential crisis averted, I hoped.

Well this time when I walked through that exhibit, I kept my eyes peeled for the offending amphora. When I found its case, I looked at the label:

Obviously my camera work has improved since 2008

Noooooo!!!! It was the same! My efforts were all for nothing! But then, I looked up:

Yes! Yes! That is indeed a chimaera! It turns out that the label was not wrong, the vase was wrong. Basically what I'm saying here is that I saved the British Museum. You're welcome, world. You're welcome.

My scholarly heroics aside, after we left the BM we headed to Covent Garden for some lunch. The tube station and the market were ridiculously crowded, but it was very festive. We found a little table inside the Punch and Judy pub and Kenny ate a platter of tiny meat pies with gravy.

Leave it to the Brits to celebrate the season with a Rudolph topiary.

Kenny inside the market at Covent Garden

Next stop was Harrods, which was amazingly Christmasy and crowded. We went up to the Pet Kingdom and saw the puppies, laughed at the stupidly expensive designer clothes for children, admired the sweets in the food halls, got macarons at Ladurée, and generally enjoyed the ridiculous atmosphere of luxury. As we were going up the Egyptian Escalator at one point, an opera singer in evening dress just stepped out onto one of the balconies and started singing an aria. What other department store does that happen at? Answer: none. Harrods is awesome. After Harrods we were pooped so we headed home on the bus and packed Kenny up to leave the next morning.

Gift baskets in the Food Hall

Christmas ornaments filled with chocolates...yum.

Christmas decorations in the Harrods Arcade

That, unfortunately, is where the fun ended, because once Kenny peaced out, I had to complete that 1500 word literature review of recent criticism of the 1590s epyllia my supervisor wanted this week in short order. I basically spent all of yesterday bouncing between libraries, and thank goodness the Lower Cam was open again--if any of you were following the news in the UK last week, there were lots of student protests of tuition raises and a bunch of students occupied the Radcliffe Camera, shutting it down for like two days.

Students protest at the Rad Cam (pic from BBC)

I somehow scraped together my lit survey and met with my supervisor early this evening. We chatted for about an hour about some ideas for where I wanted to take my dissertation, and I think we were both happy with what we came up with in the end, which is to focus on mortality/immortality, love and death, the tragedy of youth, and possibly rivers in the epyllia. Sounds romantic, right? He told me to have a "jolly Christmas" but also told me he wanted 2-3,000 words on what we talked about by 2nd week of next term. I'm starting to think this man is a slave driver.

To make things even more exciting, I now have to get back to work on my C-Course essay that I have been neglecting in order to work on my dissertation stuff, so I predict that the next two weeks will see me firmly ensconced in the EFL.

On the bright side, though, it SNOWED last night!

KQ

Bûche de Noël ready for Xmas in a bakery window in London

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1

This week I've decided to dedicate my post entirely to a review of the latest Harry Potter installment, which premiered in the UK and the US on Friday, and which I'm sure some of you have already seen. If you haven't, you probably should, because it's Harry Potter, and Harry Potter is awesome. Also, although this should not apply to ANY of my readers, since you have ALL read the book and know exactly what's coming (assuming Warner Bros didn't totally blow it), thar' be SPOILERS ahead...enter at your own risk.

Coming in at a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing, HP7 is receiving generally favorable reviews, although I never trust film critics when it comes to HP, since lots of them appear not to know what they're talking about. I've read a lot of whinging (that's how they say it across the pond, you know) about how the middle of the film drags, but I'm not really sure what they expected the screenwriters/director to do about this, since the book has them out in the woods living rough for chapters and chapters, and of course (in terms of plot) if it wasn't so tedious Ron wouldn't have left in the first place. Generally I thought it was pretty good; definitely one of the better additions to the franchise, especially after that plot-and-character-butchering monstrosity known as Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Although I tend to be of the opinion that splitting the last book into two films is a shameless bid on WB's part to milk the franchise as much as they can before their cash cow finally snuffs it, I did appreciate the extra detail they were able to put into this movie because of it, and actually think they split it in a pretty good (if depressing) spot.

General impressions out of the way, I think I'll take this opportunity to subject all of my readers to my extremely detailed opinions on a few aspects of the movie (because I'm sure at least Caroline misses my rants). Since Kenny's visiting this week and we saw the movie together, he's going to guest blog this a bit with me and pop in and out when he feels like it.

First, I thought that some of the film had a very LOTR-y feeling about it, which I suppose isn't a bad thing, since the seventh book is more of an artifact quest than a school-days adventure. A lot of those sweeping helicopter shots of them climbing over random hills, rocks, &c. come to mind here. And no one can seriously tell me that they didn't think LOTR throughout the whole locket debacle...really. All I could think of was, "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you!" Silly Ron. Someone should have told him that one does not simply walk into Mordor. But while the film had that LOTR-y vibe to it in the sense of a quest involving objects (collecting them though, not getting rid of them), I thought that one of the biggest problems of the film was the lack of attention it gave to said artifacts.

This is actually a problem that has carried over from the sixth film, in which the genius screenwriting team over at Warner Bros decided to cut the (significant to the plot) Pensieve scenes in favor of a (superfluous) blowing up of the Burrow and other similarly unnecessary diversions. What we're left with at the beginning of the seventh movie is a rebuilt-and-looks-exactly-the-same Burrow and a Harry Potter who doesn't know his Horcruxes, which is a pretty significant setback in that whole "finding Horcruxes" part of the seventh installment. How the screenwriters are planning to mop up the mess they've made of the plot remains to be seen, since they certainly didn't make any moves toward rectifying Harry's ignorance of Hufflepuff's cup, Ravenclaw's mystery item, and Nagini in Part 1. The Hallows are also suffering from a lack of attention in my opinion. Sure, we got to see the Elder Wand, but wouldn't it have been nice if someone had even mentioned Harry's invisibility cloak, even once? They took it out of the Ministry of Magic sequence for unknown reasons, so it would have been nice to at least throw in a passing reference sometime in the 2hr 30min run time of the film to remind people he has it, which is a pretty frickin' significant fact. Take it away, Kenny.

Since book one, guys.

[KC] It is here that I would like to offer my first interjection. While the infiltration of the Ministry of Magic scene, taken as a whole, was not as much of a disappointment as the Department of Mysteries in Order of the Phoenix, the screenwriters for Part I of Deathly Hallows decided to take some uncreative liberties that didn't seem to do much of anything. For instance, why didn't Harry have his invisibility cloak? I mean, the viewer already knows that it is in his possession; he's had it since the middle of the first book for Christ's sake. Hermione could have easily pulled it out of Felix's magic bag and handed it to Harry with little explanation; and as Kelly pointed out, it certainly would have reminded everyone that Harry already possessed one of the Deathly Hallows. Good job screenwriters. 

Another thing that particularly vexed me about the manner in which the infiltration was portrayed is that the screenwriters decided that Harry, Hermione, and Ron are found out because the effects of their Polyjuice Potions wear off. This strikes me as a particularly idiotic and needless change to the story. For one thing, having "Undesirable #1" running around without a disguise in the Ministry of Magic without being captured seems rather absurd. While Harry is undeniably a gifted wizard, and Hermione is even more so (sorry Ron, you're just not that awesome), there is no way that they could have made it out of the Ministry if their cover was blown so early. In the book, the Ministry becomes aware of intruders, but has no idea who they are. If word got out that Harry Potter was in the Ministry, shit would have blown up in a much more rapid fashion. Also, if the Polyjuice Potion wore off, there really wasn't any point in having Madeye's eye in Umbridge's door and having Harry retrieve said eye. Think this through WB. Tossing it back to KQ. [/KC]

I of course had a few other issues with the screenwriting and plot of the film in addition to the Horcrux/Hallows situation. For example, I thought introducing Mundungus in this film was horribly forced and is a prime example of the lack of foresight the screenwriters have had throughout the franchise. In another example of this, Bill (who's mild facial scratches would lead audiences to believe that Fenrir Greyback is a playful kitten instead of a child-mauling werewolf) was hurriedly introduced before the wedding, I assumed because we would have to see him and Fleur again at Shell Cottage, but they never reappeared. The Rita Skeeter bio of Dumbledore was crowbarred into the script without much background or elaboration, and therefore lost most of its function and significance--the realization that Harry perhaps did not know Dumbledore, that Dumbledore was in fact fallible, and the ensuing doubt and resentment that this brings to our trio and especially Harry. The films have never done psychology well, as evidenced by Half-Blood Prince, which completely missed the point of the attachment that Harry had to the HBP and the significance of his revelation as Snape.

[KC] As Kelly said, the films have never done psychology very well. One major instance: Kreacher. In the previous books, you grow to loathe Kreacher because he was, after all, a large reason for Sirius' death, and that is unforgivable in my book. However, in the seventh book, you grow to realize that all Kreacher ever wanted was to be treated with dignity, and once he is, he becomes rather pleasant. This was completely left out of the film. Omitting this particular relationship robs the viewer of an instance where magical creatures and wizards come to an understanding and are able to work together. Another scene that was left out that had psychological value was the Dursleys' departure. In that scene, Dudley is surprisingly reluctant to let Harry leave and actually demonstrates concern for his cousin. Again, by leaving this scene on the cutting room floor, the filmmakers are ignoring an important theme that is strewn throughout the book: reconciliation. So much of the book is about rectifying previous misconceptions and coming to understandings in order to raise a united defense against evil. Unfortunately, the only reconciliation that was deemed worthy enough to make it into the movie was Ron's return--and if they cut that out, well, we really wouldn't have been able to continue the story now would we?

Lastly, Hedwig :( If she were left in her cage during the escape, her death would  have been much more tragic. Moreover, having her attack of the Death Eaters be the identifying factor of the real Harry was a huge blunder. Harry needed to find out early on in the movie that he needs to change the way he conducts himself. Expelliarmus is no longer an appropriate spell when people are throwing unforgivable curses your way. By having Hedwig as the identifying factor and not Harry's use of Expelliarmus, the movie never successfully has Harry question how he should be acting in these dark time (see also how he suddenly stops saying "Voldemort" without any explanation in the film). [/KC]

One more thing: WHAT WHAT WHAT was with the Harry and Hermione dancing scene in the tent? I swear to God, this movie contained enough fodder for even the most hardcore Harry/Hermione shippers to feed off of for a lifetime. I feel like at least one of the writers probably moonlights writing Harry/Hermione fanfics on LiveJournal. What the heck.

No. Bad screenwriters. Bad.

[KC] My personal take on the dancing scene, apart from being absolutely horrified by the inanity of it all, is that it was far too reminiscent of Peter Parker's emo dance in Spider Man 3. For those of you who do not recall the particular allusion I am making, I am, of course, referring to the instance where our friendly neighborhood Spider Man decides that he is hot shit, gussies himself up in some dark clothes, and dances on down the street (youtube "Spider Man 3 dance scene"). Pointless. Just like this stupid scene in HP. Someone should be fired. [/KC]

That said, the movie also had a lot of good points, including some great performances from the cast. Alan Rickman (Snape), in his 4 minutes of screen time, still wowed me with his reaction to the Muggle Studies professor at the Death Eater meeting in the beginning of the film. At first I thought this might have just been me seeing things that weren't there because of the book, but afterward Kenny confirmed that he thought the same thing. And I absolutely cannot talk about this movie without mentioning the outstanding performances of Jason Isaacs as Lucius Malfoy and Tom Felton (probably the best part of the sixth film, incidentally) as Draco. Holy crap they were good. The scene where Voldemort takes Lucius's wand comes to mind, as well as Draco attempting to identify Harry's face under the Stinging Jinx. And, although Rupert Grint (Ron) continues to be the best of the trio, even Danielle Radcliffe (Harry), about whom Kenny recently remarked (I would say accurately), "Yeah, I think everyone's a little disappointed with how he turned out," managed to pull it together at the crucial moments. I've definitely said in the past that I would never forgive him for not making me cry when Cedric died in the fourth movie, but I think his performance with Dobby may have gone towards making up for that. How frickin' sad was that, people.

[KC] Dear lord, when I finally remembered what happens to Dobby (as the knife was sailing through the air T_T), I think I left imprints on my face from the stress of it all. His death certainly was portrayed adequately enough to create an uncomfortable sadness in the theater, but I though the filmmakers should have gone for the jugular. Rather than having Harry bust out a small grave in the sand dunes within what seemed like 45 minutes, they should have left the scene as it was in the book--Harry refusing any help and digging the grave all night long. I remember putting down the book because that was so unbelievably tragic. But, as I said, the scene wasn't anywhere near botched, I just think it would have been better if some people (Kelly) were reduced to audible sobbing.

While I do agree with Kelly's comments about the general acting talent in this film, I do have to express my sincere disappointment with the direction of Bill Nighy (Scrimgeour). Seen in films such as Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Pirate Radio, Pirates of the Caribbean, and pretty much every other British movie in existence, this man is a genius. However, and this is a huge however, he was a rather large letdown in this movie. As soon as I saw his beautiful face appear on screen, I gushed: "HE'S SCRIMGEOUR! KYA~". And then the fall. He was not nearly as suspicious, interrogative, or aggressive as he should have been in his brief moments on screen. Had he been directed as he should have been, it would have demonstrated clearly to the audience Harry's continuing mistrust of the Ministry and solidified the fact that he is alone in his quest. [/KC]

Limbo...that boy is so fragile.

Finally, I must take a minute to talk about what might be my favorite part of the movie: the animated Deathly Hallows (Three Brothers) sequence. If you guys have seen the film, you know what I'm talking about. Directed by Ben Hibon, who as far as I can tell came completely out of nowhere, this absolutely beautiful piece of CG animation completely knocked me off my feet. The detail was amazing, the movement suggested stop-motion animation (à la Coraline) but was more fluid, the silhouetted characters and muted palette reminded me of Limbo and gave the story the perfect aesthetic. Absolutely stunning, and by far the best part of the movie in terms of artistic achievement. Wow.

[KC] I write in concurrence of Kelly's immediately preceding paragraph. Five seconds into the animated sequence, the thought that crossed my mind was: "This is the best part of the movie. Hands down." I would definitely watch and entire feature-length film if it were animated in this style. Simply gorgeous. [/KC]

Brood more, Harry. Things only get worse from here.

So...that was a ridiculously long post about Harry Potter, but since I'm living in the land of Hogwarts right now, I feel justified in foisting my opinions on you in a long-winded and high-handed fashion. I'm dying to know what you guys thought of HP7! Leave me some comments! Next week look forward to another guest blog by Kenny and hopefully some London adventures.

Mischief Managed,
KQ & KC