gift idea #8: the harry potter fan

December 8, 2011 in entertainment

The book series ended a few years ago, the film series ended this year and now poor Harry Potter fans have nothing left to keep them going.

Perhaps you could excite the grown-up fan in your life with a boxed adult set of the books (adult refers to the cover only – there’s no change in content, in case you were wondering).

As a closet fan myself, I already have all the books in the children’s covers but love the idea of having the complete set in hardback.

You can buy the box set from The Book Depository for £85.68 (or equivalent cost in several other currencies).

If you’re looking for some new magic, The Night Circus has had critics buzzing and could be worth offering to fill the gap in your Potter-fan’s life. I haven’t read it yet but it’s definitely on my holiday reading list.

at the movies: harry potter and the deathly hallows part two

July 13, 2011 in movies

After ten years and eight films retelling the story of seven books, we’ve finally reached the end of the Harry Potter film journey. It feels like just yesterday that I sat down in the Kensington Odeon cinema to watch the first of the films the day after I graduated from high school.

Enough reminiscing, there’s plenty of that in the trailer/featurette below. The real question is… how was the final film? Was it the epic conclusion we’ve been promised for months through the global advertising campaign?

In a word – yes. As a fan of the books, I felt the magic (pardon the pun) was translated well onto the big screen. There were spectacular effects, a satisfying tying together of loose ends and a few good one liners thrown in to ease the tension.

I can’t imagine you would want to see this film if you hadn’t seen the previous seven but really, there’s no point. If you are familiar with the back story, it doesn’t disappoint.

I should also mention that this is the first film of the series I’ve seen in 3D and while I normally prefer Harry to be the only person wearing glasses in cinema, I was very impressed with the effects. One scene towards the end is particularly powerful, though 3D is used subtly to great effect throughout the entire film.

The boy has been teasing me for bursting into tears about half way through and not stopping until the credits, but I cried just as much in the book so I guess that’s a positive for the film, right? The take home message here is don’t forget the tissues!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two is a powerful and well-executed conclusion to one of the most successful film franchises of all time. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Rating: ****

best dressed at the harry potter and the deathly hallows part two premiere

July 7, 2011 in fashion

The final premiere of the Harry Potter film franchise took place tonight in London and the stars were suitably dressed up for their final walk up the red carpet as a group.

While I thought Clémence Poésy and Evanna Lynch both looked fresh and flirty in their white mini dresses, there was no competing with leading lady Emma Watson.

The actress bid adieu to Hermione Granger in a gorgeously frothy Oscar de la Renta gown and she looked amazing, if I do say so myself – her frock was youthful yet ladylike and just a little bit magic. What do you think?

Next week I’ll have my review of the film itself so stay tuned…

(almost) at the movies: harry potter and the deathly hallows part two (again)

June 20, 2011 in movies

Yes, I know I’ve already shown a trailer for the final Harry Potter film but the final trailer has now been released. The flashback sequence at the beginning has made me feel quite nostalgic – has it really been 10 years?

The final trailer shows us a bit more of the closing chapter of this epic tale, and we now have less than a month until it hits the big screen. I have my fingers crossed that this film will be the best of the series.

What do you think of the final trailer?

(almost) at the movies: harry potter and the deathly hallows part two

April 28, 2011 in movies

Ok, I know I’m not the only Potter fan out there and I’m certain that even though there’s a royal wedding tomorrow (more on that later today), there will be lots of people more excited about the trailer for the final Harry Potter movie, which was finally released today.

As I mentioned in my review of the Part One, I wasn’t a big fan of the films to start with but I think they’ve improved with each release – meaning this final instalment should be truly spectacular. It certainly looks like it will be from the trailer. Be one of the first to check it out below and let me know what you think.

The film hits cinemas in Australia on 14 July and in the US on 15 July (though I get it first in France on 13 July – woo!)