Harry Potter Re-Read-a-Ganza!: The Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

♥ "Hang on. This Lord Voldything's back, you say?"  "Yes."  "The one who murdered your parents."  "Yes."  "And now he's sending Dismembers after you?"  "Looks like it."  "I see..."
     - Uncle Vernon hilariously trying to make sense of Harry's situation; book.


♥ "Oh! Albus, I see you got our notice about the time change of the hearing..."  "I must have missed it; but by happy mistake, I arrived at the ministry three hours early."
          - Dumbledore modestly showing Fudge up; movie.


♥ "And from now on, I don't care if my tea-leaves spell die, Ron, die -- I'm just chucking them in the bin where they belong!"
     - Ron once again making hilarious statements about Divination; book.


Where to begin. Well, as always, I was taken aback at how different I remember things from both the book and the movie, and how much was left out of the movie.

Overall, though, the book was amazing, obviously, and I enjoyed re-reading the fantastical adventures of Harry and the gang once again. The Order of the Phoenix is my favourite out of all the books in the series; all the way from when Harry has to explain Voldemort and Dementors to the Dursleys, when Umbridge frustrated the heck out of me, to when Harry and his comrades fight for their lives in the eerie Department of Mysteries. The loss of Sirius was almost too much for me, but also a necessity of sorts, and I think that I have finally mourned properly all of these years since the last time I read the book. I also can't help but get nostalgic for Hogwarts because I know that the days of normalcy with Quidditch and innocent mischief are behind us as we head into the scary world of defeating Lord Voldemort. The consequences of this journey are so heavy, and we begin to see them in this book. This shit is deep, people!

I've compiled a list (while watching the movie right after finishing the book) of things that were left out of the movie. For those of you who haven't read the book in a while, I hope these things put a smile on your face and help you to recall the awesomeness in its totality:


 * The aforementioned scene when Harry brings a befuzzled Dudley back to the Dursley's after the Dementor attack. The dialogue that follows is absolutely hilarious, with Vernon misnaming both Dementors and Voldemort, and Aunt Petunia shaking Dudley to make sure the 'Dementoids' haven't kissed out Dudley's soul. All this whilst numerous owls both scare and infuriate Vernon until the point of absolute crazytown.

 * When Harry arrives at the Black residence at Grimmauld Place and the whole lot try to clean the place and come in contact with many interesting artifacts and magical objects that would have been fascinating to see on screen. Also Mistress Black and her glorious cursing screams.

 * Harry and the Weasleys don't get to go visit Mr. Weasley at St. Mungo's which would have been a real treat to see, as well as the scene in which we see Neville and his Gran visiting his parents.

 * There was absolutely not a scrap of Quidditch, whereas in the book Ron made the Quidditch team for the first time, and Umbridge takes away Harry, Fred, and George's brooms.

 * Ron and Hermione weren't prefects like they were in the book. This was actually a really morose part of the book for me, since Harry was pretty much neglected, but I miss it all the same :(

 * At the end, when they go to the Department of Mysteries, they immediately go into the room with the prophecies, not the whole confusing and interesting maze of weird and ookie things they actually encounter. The brains eerily suspended in the green oozing liquid that attack Ron and make him wonky. The glass jar that makes a death eater's head into that of a baby. All gone. Not there. Riddikulus if you ask me!

 * There certainly was not as much about Cho and Harry, their whole fight in Hogsmeade and such. Percy was not even mentioned; not even a word about how he abandoned his family. There was not as much about the crazy homework that they encountered this year with having to do O.W.L.'s as well. And the examinations themselves were missed as well.

 * Another thing that I really found odd was that it didn't show, in Snape's memory of James tormenting him, that Lily defended Snape profusely, which definitely comes back into the storyline in a pretty huge way later in the series, and I found was hugely showcased in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II. Which was oh so sad and heartbreaking, BTW.

 * Ok, so one last thing. The mirror that Sirius gives Harry wasn't in the movie either. Which I thought was pretty freaking important. I mean, we didn't see nearly enough of Sirius as it is before he gets killed off, and then they choose to get rid of that as well. Which is also quite puzzling, since it also comes back into the story later on.

So aside from all my complaining due to the omission of all these wonderful things, I do really understand that, aside from there being about 26 movies, it would be quite impossible to include everything. Which is why I will leave you with this sentiment: read the books, people. It is so worth it, and I have learned that profusely since starting this journey :)

Other Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix covers:      

Spellbound--Cheers & Enjoy♥

Harry Potter Re-Read-a-Ganza!: Update

Update!

Unfortunately, I didn't get to read all the books before I watched the final installment in the Harry Potter movie franchise, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II yesterday, but it was amazing none-the-less and I will definitely be completing the books in the next few days or so, (more like week or more!) and will keep you posted about them as I have been thus far. I am almost done The Order of the Phoenix so expect a review shortly :)

So.. more on the goods: the movie!

Wow. It was deliciously amazing and wholeheartedly epic. It was everything I was hoping for and more, and even though I am so sad that it's over, I keep thinking about how I just want to watch the movies over and over and over and over, which is such a good sign, and an overall the perfect feeling that could ever be evoked from a series.

It seemed to drag on, yet was over too quickly. The movie wrenched my heartstrings and pulled my emotions from up and down, side to side, tear-streaking to lighthearted laughter. I really don't have any complaints. It was just perfection. Everything was done flawlessly, and I wouldn't change a thing.

I really cannot imagine liking the movie any more than I do, and I cannot wait to see it again...

Until then--Cheers & Enjoy♥

Harry Potter Re-Read-a-Ganza!: The Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

♥ "Aaaah... when two Neptunes appear in the sky, it is a sure sign that a midget in glasses is being born, Harry..."

          -Once again, Ron entertains us with his talent in Divination; book.

♥ "I never liked these curtains. I set them on fire in my fourth year. Accidentally, of course."

          -Dumbledore being his comical yet wise self; movie.

♥ "They wouldn't use the Cruciatus curse on the champions. I thought it sounded a bit like Percy singing...maybe you've got to attack him while he's in the shower, Harry."

          -Fred and George up to their priceless Percy mocking once again; book.

Wow. I actually cannot believe how much I have been missing since the first time I read these books. Every expectation and opinion I have had for the Harry Potter series is heightened and strengthened as I go through this re-reading journey.

As soon as I started with the first book I knew that it would be great, of course, but things have been gaining momentum at a hasty pace, and I find that this time around, the journey is immensely emotional and surprisingly more epic. As I was reading I was thinking about how much I have changed since my first perusal of the books, which I think this has really affected the reading experience greatly, and I encourage many people to embark upon series first started in times when they were less mature, or perhaps just much younger.

I often think of books that bring me to tears (as this is probably my favourite type), but never have I associated that with the Harry Potter books (with the exception of one part in the last book). But as I keep reading through Harry's journey, I find myself getting emotional throughout the most random times, and I am constantly re-evaluating my previous thoughts of the series; which has gone from amazing to down-right awe-inspiring. I am constantly in rendered speechless at the kind of person that J.K. Rowling is, and how wise and marvelous she is. It takes a certain kind of person, and certain knowledge, imagination, and whimsy to write something so colossally outstanding.

Ok, having said all that, I really must back it up. The specific events that stood out to me in the novel were some things that I really was quite annoyed were not very well portrayed in the movie. Which I know is pretty characteristic of book to movie fandangos (as I do understand that not everything is able to be included), but I almost really feel sorry for the people who only enjoy the series in film form (at the same time, they do deserve it-pick up a book already!). When the Weasley's are present as Harry's family before the third task, I was overwhelmed with a flood of various emotions. Sirius being present was even more important, given everything I know now going into the book (that he is going to die-almost too painful for me to think about, btw). I absolutely adored whenever the big black shaggy dog was mentioned, as I feel he is the most perfect symbol of companionship. Just warms ma heart.

At the end, when Harry is back from Voldemort's clutches, and the truth has come out, when Cornelius Fudge infuriatingly refuses to believe that the Dark Lord has returned, I nearly died of anger. This forces Dumbledore to assemble all of his great allies (The Order of the Phoenix), with whom we see stick with from now until the end of Harry's journey. It all just seems so much more horribly relevant and important, and I can't help but feel that everything is just getting started.

Another heart-wrencher was Cedric's death. I don't know if I was just too naive to really encompass his death the first time around, but I felt it so strongly this time, and was even more heart-broken. When Dumbledore presents his speech about his awful death at the hands of Voldemort, it was lovely, true and scary, all at the same time. I really do wish that he didn't have to die, even though I realize that the book would not have been so good and compelling without it. I also hated when Ron was mad at Harry. Them not being friends nearly killed me, if it hadn't been for Hermione making tension-cutting coments every now and then, I don't know how I would have survived.

Other important things left out of the movie:

The ENTIRE house-elf involvement. Quite frankly, I consider this to be unforgivable. When the gang meet up with Dobby and Winky in the Hogwart's kitchens, I would have killed to see that brought to the big screen. And Hermione with her stubborn resolve to help the house-elves with S.P.E.W., despite them not wanting help. I really can't believe that this wasn't included.

The scene at the beginning of the book, when the Weasley's come to rescue Harry from the Dursley's, would have been a laugh and a half for sure! With them arriving in the boarded up chimney, all the way to when Dudley eats the tongue-engorgement taffy. It was such a funny scene, and I find myself angered even thinking about its exclusion.

So overall, I obviously already loved the series, but I really can attest to the benefits of re-reading something that seemed too big in your heart to possibly grow more; well guess what, my heart is about to explode people! I surely cannot wait another minute more...

Other Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire covers:          

Haunted--Cheers & Enjoy♥

Harry Potter Re-Read-a-Ganza!: The Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

♥ "Why the long faces?"

          -My favourite talking head from the Knight Bus; movie.

♥ "He was my mum and dad's best friend. He's a convicted murderer, but he's broken out of wizard prison and he's on the run. He likes to keep in touch with me, though. Keep up with the news. Check if I'm happy."
          -Harry nonchalantly informing the Dursley's about Sirius, leaving out his innocence of course; book.

♥ "Your aura is pulsing! Are you in the beyond? I think you are!"  "Sure..."  "Look at the cup, tell me what you see!"  "Oh yeah... well, Harry's got a sort of wonky cross... that's trials and suffering. And, uh, that there could be the sun, and that's happiness, so... you're gonna suffer... but you're gonna be happy about it..."
          -The back and forth of eccentric Professor Trelawney and skeptical Ron; movie.




I think that I like this book the most this time around because I am really getting to see when things pick up and start to get more emotional and heartfelt for Harry, with the addition of Sirius and all. And also because I didn't read this one until after The Order of the Phoenix the last time around.

Near the end, when Sirius asks Harry to come and stay with him, the only few moments of free solace that they seem to ever have, and Harry is ecstatic, almost brought me to tears, which I must say did not happen the last time I read the book. It was so touching, if bittersweet. Harry was just so darn excited! It breaks ma poor lil heart!

So some other revelations that I came to whilst reading the book were again related to differences within characters from the movie to the book. Aunt Marge! Wow. I did not recall how much of a hag she was. What a jerk! The way she treated Harry seemed 12 times more dreadful than in the movie. Going on and on about his parents and putting them down in front of Harry. Since when does anybody speak ill of the dead, even if they were dead-beats in their lifetime. No one! That's who! Stupid betch.

Moving on before I get too carried away... Another emotional scene, when Harry almost gets killed by the Dementors (near the end), and he thinks he sees his dad. The first time I read the book, I thought for sure that his parents somehow were alive. And he was so excited. But kudos to Harry still for saving his own self with an amazingly tricky Patronus. Well done, mate.

Finally, I also want to mention that I am so excited for the rest of the books (as if I need to say this again, I know!) because I feel that this book is really the beginning of where things truly start to heat up. I mean, the things to come are just so dynamic, innovative, and down-right interesting. I mean, the time-turner. I did not see that coming. Just thinking of all the interesting twists is giving me the heeby-jeebies. And since my memory is sooo bad, I can't even really remember what happens in the last book, so this really is going to be exciting and new for me! Yay!

Other various Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban covers:        

Bewitched--Cheers & Enjoy♥

Harry Potter Re-Read-a-Ganza!: The Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

♥ "Now, Harry you must know all about Muggles, tell me, what exactly is the function of a rubber duck?"

     -Delivered quite perfectly from Mr. Weasley; movie.

♥ "Your sons flew that car to Harry's house and back last night!" "Did you really? Did it go alright? I-I mean, that was very wrong, boys-very wrong indeed..."

     -Mr. and Mrs. Weasley's hilarious banter; book.

♥ "Hello. Who are you?" "Um...Ron Weasley." "Really! And, uh, wh-who am I?  It's an odd sort of place, this, isn't it?... Do you live here?" "No." "Really?" Clunk.

     -Lockhart and Ron's hysterical dialogue; movie.




Another day, another great read! Obviously I knew going into it that I would love the book, but I really am surprised by how completely thrilling these books continue to be, no matter how familiar I am with the story lines.

On a less obvious note, there are some things in particular that really seemed to catch me off guard in a way. They just didn't seem to be how I remembered them, or they were left out of the movie.

First of all, the Deathday party! This was a scene that I really wanted to see brought to life, and I think it would have been really cool. With all the ghosts flying around and the weird food, it would have been a hit for sure. Another really obvious difference was Gilderoy Lockhart. Although I enjoy the book version and the movie version, the two just don't really seem like the same character. The book version seemed way more obnoxious, where the movie version was stupid and conceded, but not really malicious.

Something that I really must comment on as well is the scrolls of homework. Many instances in the novel, homework or compositions were mentioned and I found the criteria so unique and interesting. Of course for wizards, who write with quills on parchment scrolls, the number of pages is irrelevant. Ergo they measure their scrolls! Bloody Brilliant! It was really one of my favourite parts!

Overall, the book was amazing and hilarious. Thrilling and hysterical. Mysterious and heartfelt. But you guys knew all that already, right?

Some of the various Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets covers:

      

Charmed--Cheers & Enjoy♥

Harry Potter Re-Read-a-Ganza!:The Philosopher's Stone

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

♥ "Anything off the trolly, dears?"
     -A line I never forget, and often recite; book.

♥ "She needs to sort our her priorities!"
     -Delivered with comedic perfection by Ron; movie.

♥ "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, 
          Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow!"
     -The perfectly rhymed, if uneffective, Ronald Weasley spell; book.

♥ "For God's sake, pull yourself together man. You're going into the forest after all. Got to have your wits about ya..."
     -Only Argus Filch can do this the creepy justice it deserves; movie.




Where to begin? Well I guess I should start by stating that it is remarkable and refreshing to be back in the wizarding world among some of my favourite characters. The feeling that I have rediscovered while delving into these wonderful narratives is indescribable. It's as if I've won the lottery on Christmas morning. I just didn't realize how much I missed this! For years and years I have been referencing and remembering scenes only from the movies, and after not having even read the first two books myself (they were read to me by a teacher in elementary school), I've really been missing out on the essence of the original characters, who aren't Daniel Radcliffe or Rupert Grint (even though I do luuurve the latter), but Harry Potter, the reserved and thoughtful yet brave and independent boy who rose above his horrible circumstances, and Ron Weasley, his hilarious and supportive best friend. I am even more excited to experience the Harry Potter Re-Read-a-Ganza! than I originally thought. Which is like, hardly even possible.

As I started the book, I was also caught off guard at the things that I didn't remember from the first book, and also the similarities in the dialogue to the movie. Which is awesome, if bittersweet, since all of those lines already had their own dialects and comedic delivery, and not one that I could imagine myself. One thing that really surprised me that was left out of the movie was the Hogwart's school song that seemed really silly, and as if it didn't belong in the wizarding world. 


               'Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, 
                    Teach us something please,
                    Whether is be old and bald
                    Or young with scabby knees,
                    Our heads could do with filling
                    With some interesting stuff,
                    For now they're bare and full of air,
                    Dead flies and bits of fluff,
                    So teach us things worth knowing,
                    Bring back what we've forgot,
                    Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
                    And learn until our brains all rot.' 


This also might have been attributed to the fact that it wasn't in the movie, therefore it seemed like it was added after or something.

I was also astonished when I was reminded that the book was only a little over 200 pages. It seemed impossible for my mind to interpret that so much greatness could fit into that seemingly measly amount of pages. But it did. And wonderfully. Said pages were exciting, memorable, dynamic, interesting, heartfelt, scary, triumphant, and most of all: magical!

I won't include a summary or anything, since I think that everyone should know the likes of Harry Potter, but I will say that it really is worth it to experience Harry's journey, even though you may already know it like the back of your hand. This experience so far is so rewarding, and I hope you stick around to experience all of Harry's triumphs and pitfalls with me :)

Various Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone Covers:

      
Enchanted--Cheers & Enjoy♥

Harry Potter Re-Read-a-Ganza! & Pottermore

Ok, so If you've been paying attention at all to my previous posts (what a good little kitten you are!), you would know that I am embarking on a Harry Potter filled journey, just in time for the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II Movie! (And I must admit great timing as well with the Pottermore thing-but more on that later).

So the philosophy (pun intended!) is simple:

I am going to Re-Read the Harry Potter books and blog about them (review them, talk about them in regards to the movies, compare my thoughts when I originally read them, yada yada yada). 


This is mostly to refresh my memory before I see the movie, because after like, 4 years, things are kindaaaa hazy.

And also because this is the order in which I first read them:

My Mom picked up Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in the summer of 2000 when it first came out (when I was the ripe young age of 10) and was all, "Oooh, I've heard about Harry Potter, we should get this it's supposed to be good!". Thus my foray into Harry Potter, very lacklustre. I read like one chapter of The Goblet of Fire, and was like, "what the F?"

Jump ahead to the Fall of that year, when I started grade 4. My teacher decided to read us the first book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. I liked it.

I then had the same teacher for grade 5, and she read us the second book Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I was pretty hooked.

So I went home, and was all, "Oh yeah, I have a Harry Potter book!" And thus I read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Yes, I skipped the third book.

About this time, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was just coming out, and I had finally caught up to the hype (except I was still mildly confused based on the fact that I skipped the freakin' third book! If only I could travel in time.. and slap my child self in the face!) So obvy, I read and loved Order of the Phoenix, which marked the first of the Harry Potter books that I actually bought myself, YAY :)

Finally, I decided to pick up Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. And let me tell you, it sure did clear up some of my confusances.

So then, of course, I read Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, like, as soon as it came out. At this point I was beyond obsessed. The movies were in full swing, and I was just smitten.


And then came the end. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I still remember the day that it came out. I was rockin' my part time job at Forest IGA, and lovin' it. My mom came in whilst I was working to drop off the book for me♥ I finished it that night.


And the rest is history.

So I feel that, based upon the messed up Harry Potter timeline that is currently laughing at me, I will do the books a solid and read them now, in the order intended. I am so excited for this journey, and would love if you guys embarked on it with me! Comment below on your thoughts and really about anything Harry Potter related.

P.s. What do you guys think of the newly announced Pottermore thing? Pretty cool huh? I'm still a little confused about what exactly it entails, but I am already super excited, because anything Harry Potter related just has to be great, right?


Almost too excited to type--Cheers & Enjoy♥