Harry Potter... It All Ends!

Finally, the final installment to the Harry Potter franchise has been released about a week ago and I am quite excited to see how it will all end.

I am not an avid fan, but the rave on Harry Potter was just too strong I can't help but get whirled into it.  I missed the theater releases of a sequel or two but caught it up in DVD.  That's the beauty of having siblings and friends who are die-hard fans (of the story). Hehe!

I haven't read the books, which means that after watching the movie, I had nothing to compare it with. ;)  But I do hear people comment (well, complain actually) that they were disappointed because:

a. the plot was not followed,

b. the story and fight scenes were more beautifully illustrated in the book and was not captured in the movie,
c. not all of the story highlights were shown in the movie, and

d. unlike the book, scenes were not executed creatively enough,
... and so on and so forth.

But clearly, the seven (7) installments were able to get the message across so I think the writers, directors, and actors did a very good job despite these "flaws."

I was looking into the previous sequels and just realized how young they were when the first movie was released (or how they've grown since), until I saw these photos.  Gosh, they practically grew up on the set of Harry Potter!

  

No wonder Emma Watson suddenly cut her hair short right after filming the last installment.  Imagine wearing your hair the same way for 12 years?!  Oh well, the trade-off was well worth it.  After all, they are now one of the richest celebrities in the world, or so they say.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 2) Trailer:

Whatta Proposal!

I think it's really so romantic of 28-year old author Christopher Currie to propose to his girlfriend through his new novel, "The Ottoman Motel."  After thanking everyone who has helped and mentored him in his book, he writes this:

"If it's possible to fall more in love with someone every day, then that's what I  do.  To my favourite, to the reason I live my life, Leesa Wockner, who, if she reads this, I hope will agree to marry me, despite the number of  commas in this sentence." 

What a way to propose...!  Sweet!

It's certainly not so surprising his girlfriend said YES to his proposal... who wouldn't?  Well, I surely would if I were in her shoes!

I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

The movie “I am Number Four” has been recently shown in theaters and I read reviews that it does not do much justice to the book. I was curious but didn't watch the movie yet as I want to read the book before I do.  It’s actually a story/book meant for young adults but I was so into it that I didn't put it down until I was through!

It's the story of John Smith (Number Four), one of the 9 Gardes tasked to save planet Lorien... or what's left of it.  When the Mogadorians attacked Lorien, Number Four & eight other Gardes like him, together with their mentors (called Cepan), escaped to Earth and scattered in different places in the planet.  The Mogadorians followed them to Earth to kill them. But protected by the Lorien charm, the nine Gardes can only be killed in order.  The first three are already dead.  Number Four is next.



I breezed through the book because the events, as they unravel, keep you glued to it and make you look forward to what’s going to happen next.  The alien fight scenes were described in detail that you can imagine them as if you were watching a movie.  But more than being a book on alien invasion, it also speaks of lasting friendships, teenage love, trust, courage, and hope.  Over all, a very good read - for someone who is interested in fantasy, that is.

UPDATE: Finally got to watch the movie and I must say that although a lot of circumstances in the book were not adapted to the letter, the movie turned out great!  Very nice CGI effects, too!  A must-see for every fantasy geek.