The Weird Sisters

In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, we get to witness the equivalent to an American prom: the Yule Ball.  Hermione, dressed to the nines, is escorted by professional Quidditch player and heart-throb Viktor Krum.  Instead of a DJ, they get treated to a special performance by the rock phenoms known as The Weird Sisters (taken from Shakespeare's Macbeth).  Franz Ferdinand was originally cast as the band, but due to touring conflicts, had to bail out and were replaced by Jonny Greenwood and Phil Selway of Radiohead (!!!) and Jarvis Cocker of Pulp.  Magical indeed!
-M.

British Actors, Anyone???

One of the most obvious things about the Harry Potter films is the all-British casting.  This allows for REAL British and Scottish accents, none of that phony Madonna shit.  Many of these actors have theater backgrounds, and some have even been nominated for Oscars.  These are a few of my personal favorites.
-M.

Gary Oldman as Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather

John Cleese as Sir Nicholas De Mimsy-Porpington, aka Nearly Headless Nick

Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort

David Tennant (Doctor Who and Hamlet!!!!) as Barty Crouch

Rhys Ifans as Xenophilius Lovegood, Luna's dad, publisher of The Quibbler, and Deathly Hallows believer

Kenneth Branagh, Shakespearean actor and director, as Gilderoy Lockhart

Helena Bonham Carter as the maniacal Bellatrix Lestrange

Julie Walters as Molly Weasley, mother of 7 and mother-figure to Harry Potter

Emma Thompson as Professor Sybil Trelawney

Alfonso Cuaron and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Mexican director Alfonso Cuaron is responsible for taking Harry Potter out of Chris Columbus's child-friendly atmosphere and engraving it into the dark and frightening realm that is home to the world of witchcraft and wizardry.  Plain and simply put, without Cuaron, the Harry Potter franchise would not have survived and would have been a disappointment to loyal fans.  Columbus is important for casting the heroes and finding the innards of Hogwarts, but it is Cuaron that provided the guts and soul to Columbus's bones.  Muchas gracias Alfonso.
-M.

Best Way to Spend a Sunday: Shooting Disneyland at Night.

The End is Near

My mourning period has officially begun, and as we get closer to the end I will be posting my favorite things about the world of Harry Potter.
-M.

Hermione Granger - Number-one badass and the "most clever witch of her age".
Patronus:  Otter

 

Luna "Looney" Lovegood - Most loyal member of the D.A. and always willing to support her friends.
Patronus: Hare

Hedwig - Harry Potter's first true friend.

Best Way to Spend a Sunday: Shopping on Hollywood Blvd.

We like to make a stop at Wacko's Soap Plant every few months to check out their goodies.  Today we got curious about a new shop across the street called Hotel deVille Eyewear and to our surprise, they sell vintage frames! The interior design of this place is amazing and both the boyfriend and I made a very happy purchase.

Then we headed on over to Wacko's. If you have never been, please allow me to give you a tour:

...and the cherry atop our Sunday: we found ANDRE!!!