Childhood Ends

I know this post is over a month late. In my defense this is probably the most difficult post I have written. Not because I'm telling some depressing story (ok maybe it is) but because I have to tell about the end of my childhood. When I was about ten years old I was introduced to a brand new world of witches and wizards, quidditch, and a school all about magic.

Never having been much of a reader I owe my love for books and my career choice to this series. J.K. Rowling showed me that a book doesn't have to be just words on a page. I can enter new worlds and make new friends just by reading. I found myself captivated and the rest is history. A girl who hated reading is now an English Literature major who desires to be a book editor, and like millions of others out there I waited in line for hours for both the books and the films.

When Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows first came out summer of 2007 I was able to avoid the sadness and the feeling that nothing would ever be the same that came along with the end of the series because I had more movies to look forward to. Harry Potter wasn't over yet. Two more movies still had to come out. Since at that time they hadn't announced that they were splitting Deathly Hallows into two films.

As the time drew nearer for Deathly Hallows part two to be released I found myself both excited and terrified. I would finally be able to see not just read the final battle. But then it would be over. No more waiting in line all day to see the next film. No more Harry Potter themed parties where I could be a total nerd and dress up.

At 12:30 in the afternoon my sister Josie and I got in line. Yes I was in line for twelve hours to see a movie. Why does everyone think that was such a bizarre thing to do. It was Harry Potter. As I started talking to the people in line with me I realized that everyone there was just as excited for the film as I was and wanted the day to move faster but at the same time we all found ourselves wishing that it wasn't ending. I discovered that I am not the only person that has gotten teased because of an obsession over a film/book series.

Most of the people I work with don't understand why I would take a night off of work just to see a movie. I would always explain that Harry Potter is my childhood. I grew up alongside Harry, Hermione, and Ron. They were my friends growing up and still are. Too which they would explain that they are just fictional characters in a book. And continue to tell me that I am a dork to which I would respond, "I'm not a dork, I'm a nerd there's a big difference."

Back to waiting in line. While waiting in line cars would honk at us as they drove by in their air conditioned cars and make fun of us calling us, and I quote, "Nerds, get a life". We actually turned into a fun game. The group next to me went and stood at the side of the road and "cursed" the cars that drove by with their wands. And we began laughing and saying that those people were just Twihards that are jealous because they don't have as awesome fans as Harry Potter.

We played board games, shared our favorite memories and moments about the films and books. And at about 10:30 we were escorted into our theater and got to wait another two hours sitting in the theater waiting.

As the film started I was actually surprised at how silent the theater was. At every other midnight showing I have been to the audience has started cheering and screaming their heads off. But not this time. You could feel the anticipation. The movie was awesome. Of course it was. A few minor things bothered movie but you can't please everyone completely. I was surrounded by the sounds of sniffling. It started when the Professors start to defend the school and got a bit ridiculous when Snape died. But that was one of the best parts. A bunch of teenagers and college students all getting teary eyed over a movie. It, was, awesome!!!

I am still a bit depressed that I no longer have anything Potter related to look forward to. I have tried to fill the void with video games and new books. But I have realized something. Nothing can take the place of Harry Potter. Nothing can be better than spending twelve hours in line for a movie. Or staying up all night so that I can finish reading the latest book.

Thank you J.K. Rowling for creating such a magical world. And thank you to all those involved in the films for doing such an amazing job of bringing the school I wish I had been able to go to to life.

X-Men: First Class

In the year 2000 the first X-Men film was released. It was amazing. It introduced some of the most well known mutants flawlessly. Unfortunately, since then the X-Men franchise has just moved further and further downhill. After the pretty good X-Men 2 the series absolutely fell apart with X-Men: Last Stand and X-Men Origins.

So when I heard that they were going to be making a film about Professor X and Magneto I was a bit worried. Both characters are so well known and after the last origins film (X-Men Origins). Magneto is probably one of my favorite villains of all time so I was worried that they would fail to deliver yet again. My worries began to slowly dissolve after I saw the trailer for the film. It looked like the film was actually going to be good but then again so had all the others.

All doubts were thrown out the window when I saw X-Men: First Class. The storyline couldn't have been better, the casting was spot on, and the action was awesome.

I found myself struggling to see Magneto as the bad guy he is later on in the series after learning everything he had been through at the hands of the Nazis. I loved being able to see such a different side of Professor X. A fun guy who likes to go to bars and pick up women by talking to them about genetic mutations.

It was great to be able to learn the backstory of how and why Magneto and Professor X went from being friends to enemies.

Plus, the introduction of some awesome mutants without making the audience feel like they were getting information overload was a huge plus.

Highly recommended. I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up.

Super 8

I don't have much to say about this movie except awesome.

You can't exactly go wrong combining J.J. Abrams (Star Trek) and Steven Spielberg (Indiana Jones). Both are masterminds when it comes to film making.

The film follows a group of friends as they witness a train wreck and come to realize that there was more than just mundane objects aboard the train. The screenplay couldn't have been better and the cinematography was breathtaking. I highly recommend this film to anyone. You won't be disappointed.

A Perfect Ending

I know that the idea of what this post is about is pretty depressing. But I really do believe that when someone passes away that although it is sad and hard to deal with, it isn't the end. And I have decided that I really think funerals should be a little bit like this. More of a celebration of life than a farewell.

Embrace the Weird!!!

It doesn't matter who you are we all have something about us we would like to be different. Whether it be a lack of a particular talent, the way we look, or anything else you can think of. So my question is. After you watch the video below what would you put on your "shirt"? Mine would definitely be "can't dance". It would be great if I could have some sort of control over my body but that just isn't the case. Oh well. I'm a weird dancer and I know it. We need to embrace what we don't like about ourselves or what makes us stand out in a crowd because that is what makes us different and special in our own unique ways.

Only two more months!!!!!

YES!!!!! I have been waiting for this trailer since November. November!!!!!

Yes it may be weird that I am blogging about movie trailer. Or the fact that I am this excited for a video that is less than two minutes long. The fact that I have watched it close to fifty times since Wednesday should not be surprising for anyone that knows me.

Although it has been a long wait, the wait was worth it. Thankfully it looks like the director has fulfilled his promise to make the final battle bigger and better than it was in the books. Which isn't that hard in my opinion.

So what are your opinions. Does the trailer make you wish it was July already? Are you excited or could you care less that the end of a ten year journey is drawing nearer to the end?

The King's Speech

The King's Speech. A film about the Duke of York as he struggles with the idea that he may have to step in as king since his brother is not all that responsible. As everyone knows the king is someone who has to deliver speeches (duh!) and at this time the wireless was in use which meant he would have to make the speeches to his entire nation and possibly the world. Which would be difficult considering the fact that he had a stammer.

The film follows the Duke and his wife as they struggle overcome his stammer by going to a man named Lionel Logue and using his unusual methods.

I don't think a movie has ever captured my attention and my emotions as well as this film. The acting couldn't have been better and the screenplay was spectacular. The film easily transitioned through the various emotions flawlessly.

The film relates to basically everyone. I know that none of us will probably ever have to give a speech to an entire nation knowing that we cannot speak probably. And we will never have to rule an entire nation. However, at some point everyone has had to overcome some sort of trial or difficulty. Everyone has felt like what is expected of them is more than they can handle.

This film will keep you captivated from start to finish I guarantee it.