Harry Potter stuff

People that know me know that I am a major Harry Potter fan and I've done miscellaneous things in the fandom such as sort myself and most recently, I just found out what kind of wand I would have.

So apparently, after taking a test at: http://www.diagonalley.5u.com/ollivanders/index.html
This would be my wand.

Wood type: chestnut Length: 9 inches Core: Dragon Heartstring get your own wand!

As well, after being sorted via Facebook application, I would be in Hufflepuff. And at first I wanted to be Gryffindor but I thought about it and I am an extremely loyal person (as demonstrated by me not shopping at Sears because I used to work for the Bay) so it all fit. Anyways, just wanted to share my geekiness.

Movie News - Ellen Page to star in "Jane Eyre"

There is news that was released today that BBC Films is planning a feature film adaptation of Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" starring Canada's Ellen Page in the title role. I don't know how I feel about this piece of movie news. I love Jane Eyre and love Ellen Page. She is the right age but I don't know if she has the right look for it. I know she can do period as I first noticed her in Pit Pony but I just don't know. Another reason for my trepidation is the fact that BBC recently did a superb miniseries adaptation in 2006 of Jane Eyre. Ruth Wilson was awesome as Jane and Toby Stephens was excellent as Rochester. The last time it was a feature film, it was 1996 and it starred Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt. That production wasn't great except for the music.

I will see it and I am looking forward to see who would be Rochester -there are rumours that it could be Christian Bale (not a bad choice). If there is one thing that I ask the screenwriter is that she capture the passion of their love story that Sandy Welch managed to capture. So I expect to see that it follows the book pretty faithfully, beautiful location and scenery, a great score and awesome chemistry between Page and the one who plays Rochester. If this film version has all of those and can equal the Wilson/Stephens version then I will like.

Movie Review - Iron Man

Iron Man has some heart but lacks finish

By Vanessa Ho

Iron Man is the latest in a long line of comic book heroes to come to the screen and in director Jon Favreau's version, it doesn’t' quite meet expectations of recent quality adaptations like Spider Man 2 or Batman Begins.

The fault really isn't Favreau's as origin movies do take a while to get going and it really does take a while before we finally see Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) emerge in the Iron Man suit.

But every story has a beginning and the movie starts with Stark in a military convoy in Afghanistan that gets ambushed and his protectors all killed. He is then taken captive by terrorists group called Ten Rings who want him to reconstruct a military weapon that his company, Stark Industries (which specializes in weapons manufacturing) developed and demonstrated earlier that day.

While in captivity, instead of developing the weapon, he works on fashioning a suit, with the help of a fellow prisoner (Shaun Toub) that will help them escape their captors. The suit is powered from a miniature arc reactor, which supplies energy to an electromagnet which protects Stark's heart from the embedded shrapnel in his chest

After returning to the States, Stark shuts down the weapons manufacturing part of Stark Industries, much to the consternation of business partner Obediah Stane (Jeff Bridges).

The journey towards becoming Iron Man was satisfying and Downey Jr.'s performance as Stark/Iron Man is amazing. Seeing his transformation from brilliant engineer but womanizing billionaire to one that is dedicated to using his great mind to protect his country after learning that the weapons his company makes are being used by terrorist is what makes the movie work.

The sequence of scenes where Stark is upgrading the design of the original suit features amazing special effects (the suit looks frakking awesome) and great one liners from Downey as he interacts with his robotic team that are assisting him.

Truly wasted is Terence Howard as Stark's military friend James "Rhodey" Rhodes. He really adds nothing in his scenes but only comic relief and sidekick support.

Gwyneth Paltrow plays Pepper Potts, Stark's loyal personal assistant, who delivers witty one-liners to Stark's latest conquest early on in the film but is seemingly attracted to Stark. Paltrow's talents are also wasted in her role but it is hard to have a strong, independent female character in a super hero movie without being the damsel in distress.

As Stane, Bridges quickly turns him into a one dimensional and stereotypical comic book villain that is drunk with power and jealous over our hero Stark, this is especially true in the film's climactic scene towards the film's end that features an over the top performance from Bridges.

You can tell that Favreau's is a fan of the comic books (and he even cameos as one of Stark's bodyguards Happy Hogan). The film does feature amazing special effects and Iron Man is a superhero that definitely embraces who he is and proud to show it off and takes the audience happily along for the ride as well as its inevitable sequels.

Live Blogging the 80th Academy Awards

Hello out there and welcome to the 2nd Annual Pop Goes the World live blog of the Academy Awards. This being the 80th edition, i am so glad that the writer's strike is over so that we can have a grand celebration of this award show rewarding the best in film.

As with last year, I have made a bet with my younger brother. We disagreed on seven categories so no chance of a tie. At stake is a buffet meal while we are in Vegas in a couple of weeks.

What you won't find in this live blog is me blogging the red carpet stuff because a) I am not that into fashion and b) sometimes the questions these people ask the nominees or the celebrities are stupid.

But there is one category I am excited for and that is Best Original Song. I really want the song from Once -Falling Slowly - to win. I love that song and this weekend I picked up Once on DVD. It is such an awesome movie that everyone should see.

8:00 We are 30 minutes from the ceremony. Just have to go through 30 minutes of Regis doing the Red Carpet on ABC.

And I normally have pizza and booze as my Oscar dinner but today it's OJ and Hamburger Helper. Next year will be better as I will be back in Vancouver and can actually host an Oscar party and if my friend Lynette hosts one at her place in Victoria, I will be there!!!! She puts on an awesome party every year and I've missed it these past four years.

8:25 Five minutes to go to showtime and Regis is a bit annoying. Sometimes I think he is a bit out of touch with pop culture today and the only reason why I think he knows what he is saying is because he is reading it off a teleprompter.

I think I might have said it on my blog last year but it is a dream of mines to go to the Oscars. One of these days I hope to write a movie that might get nominated.

8:27 credits are rolling so that means we are now near the end and Regis just called Javier Bardem Xavier Bardem -see what I mean by him being out of touch. I remember Kelly Ripa saying on Friday on Live with Regis and Kelly that Regis calls Javier Bardem, Xavier.

Anyways, so close to show time. I would be more excited but I am bit tired from the weekend. Stayed up until 2am last night and did quite a bit today, so I am pooped but I think once the show starts and the awards start getting dished out I will perk up again, especially as I keep track of my Oscar pool.

8:30 Here we ago the start of the show. A CG opening with different film clips like Transformers, Easy Rider, Cars, etc... obviously honouring the fact that it is the 80th Academy Awards.

8:32 For some reason I am hearing voices....but no funny opening. Well, here is Jon Stewart, see how he does on his second time hosting.

8:35 Good joke about the depressing nominated movies and mentioning Juno (a fave film of mines)

8:37 ok laughed at the Norbit joke -I mean laughed out loud. So far so good, glad that they went right into Stewart's monologue so that means the giving out of awards can't be too far behind.

8:39 Stewart is definitely using the U.S. Election as fodder in his monologue.

8:41 sounds like it is starting. It is. First presenter. Unlike last year where it seemed it took forever to get started.

8:42 First category: Costumer Design. Me: Sweeney Todd Justin: Elizabeth. Winner: Elizabeth. Justin: 1 Vanessa: 0. Not off to a good start for me. I don't why I listen to Entertainment Weekly. But it is just the first category. But my dream of getting 24 out 24 right is over with the first category. As I said the only time I came close was 2004 when I got 23 out of 24 right.

8:47 George Clooney presenting history of the Awards. Great, our first montage of the evening. Good joke about the ceremony being long. Not a bad montage since I do love watching the Awards ceremony.

8:51 Unintenional iPhone plug.

8:52 Second category of the evening with Get Smart's Steve Carrell and Anne Hathaway. I did like how Carrell made the subject matters of the film sound like a serious documentary. It is Animated Feature. Justin and I: Ratatouille. Winner: Ratatouille. Justin: 2, Vanessa: 1. I love Ratatouille. So happy that it won.

8:56. Katherine Heigl is presenting Make-up. Me: La Vie en Rose. Justin: Pirates of the Caribbean. Winner: La Vie En Rose. We are tied. Thank goodness to EW. We are tied. Justin: 2, Vanessa: 2.

8:59 First best song performance from Enchanted. Happy Working Song with Jon Stewart singing it no, just kidding. It is Amy Adams. It is odd that she is singing it alone on the stage but she does have a nice voice but I don't want this or any song from Enchanted or August Rush to win. I am surprised no interpretive dancing is going on. That was an odd and weird performance. Seriously, weird (and not in a good way). I hope that three songs split the vote. So far the Happy Working Song doesn't hold a candle to Falling Slowly.

9:02 I do like these Oscar memory videos. I think they are so much better than parading past Oscar winners on stage like they did for the 75th.

9:05 Crap! I forgot to tune in at 9pm to see Gillian Anderson introduce Part 3 of Pride and Prejudice on Masterpiece Classic. Oh! well.

9:06 The Rock doing an award for Best Visual Effects. Me and Justin: Transformers. Ok, Rock you are no a comedian. Winner: The Golden Compass. We both lose. Score remains at 2-2.

9:10 Cate Blanchett doing Art Direction. Me: Atonement. Justin: Sweeney Todd. Winner: Sweeney Todd. I thought about picking it but decided to go with Atonement. Justin: 3, Vanessa: 2.

9:12 You know what I am glad is that there is so far no Martin Landau moment of people's speeches not getting cut off.

9:13 First acting award via montage for Supporting Actor. Jennifer Hudson is presenting this award. A bit stiff there Jennifer in your reading. Justin will be disappointed that Tom's scened didn't involve baguettes. Justin and I: Javier Bardem. Winner: Javier Bardem. Justin: 4, Vanessa: 3. That was a no-brainer and I pretty much typed out that he was a winner even before Jennifer Hudson read the winner. Loved his Spanish thanks to his Mom.

At 9:19 I have this feeling that I am not going to win the pool this year. I am preparing myself that I have to pay for the Vegas buffet.

9:23 Taste of what the Oscar's would have been like of the writer's striker were to go on. The montage to binoculars and periscopes was a funny bit. The Bad Dreams salute was funny.

9:24 Keri Russell, whom I loved in Felicity, is introducing the August Rush song. At least the presentation of this song is more entertaining than having just Amy Adams on stage singing.
I think each song is actually song the full length version of the song. Like that much better than cutting the song short like they have done in ceremonies past.

9:28 Yes the little girl was good. What did Owen Wilson get nominated for. Anyways, Live Action Short. Justin: At Night I: Tanghi Argenthini. Winner: Les Mozart Des Pickpockets. We are still at 4-3.

9:31 ok that Bee from Bee movie or Jerry Seinfeld. Anyways, he is doing Animated Short. Justin and I: I Met the Walrus. Winner: Peter and the Wolf. Give me a freakin' break. We are still at 4-3. I am not doing very well.

9:34 I think we are at Best Supporting Actress. Alan Arkin to present. Me: Cate Blanchett. Justin: Tilda Swinton. Winner: Tilda Swinton. My goodness. How does Justin know this. Justin: 5, Vanessa: 3. That was a great speech. Definitely memorable.

9:40 I really thought that this was my year but the show seems to be moving along at a nice pace.

9:44 Jessica Alba doing the Scientific Awards. Yawn!!!!

9:46 James McAvoy -hello. And Josh Brolin, whom I remember from Young Riders. I think they are doing a screenplay award. Adapted Screenplay. Justin and I: No Country for Old Men. Winner: No Country for Old Men, although I was rooting for Canadian girl, Sarah Polley. But cool that she got nominated. The tally is 6-4 for Justin.

9:49 The Academy president is on. I can go and get a snack, which I am going to do right....now

9:51 Ok a little more interesting knowing about how the Oscar process works. Much better than the president making a long and boring speech.

9: 52 Miley Cyrus most likely doing another song in Enchanted but sung by Kristen Chenoweth, whom I love a lot. I already know that this will have a cheesy production number when Regis previewed it backstage just before the telecasted started. I really don't like the big splashy numbers anymore. I just want something simple when the songs are performed. The song is just ok, I don't think that it showcases what Kristen Chenoweth can do. I was really disappointed with that. I am sure the song is fine if seen in the context of the film but I personally didn't like it.

10:00 I did enjoy the whole pregnant actress stick.

10:01 Judi Dench and Halle Berry, really. had me going there for a second. It is Seth Rogen and the guy from Super Bad. Their banter is ok, could be funnier if it didn't seem so forced. Sound Editing. Justin: Bourne Ulitmatum. Me: No Country. Winner: The Bourne Ultimatium. I am losing so bad right now. Justin: 7 me: 4.

10:05 Next category Sound Mixing. Justin: Bourne. Me: No Country. I am pretty sure I have lost this one too. I was banking on a No Country Sweep. Winner: Bourne. 8-4 Justin. He is four categories up. I think I have lost this considering that we agreed every where else. Congratulations Justin, you have won yourself a Vegas buffet.

10:08 We are already at Best Actress, that is pretty soon. Me and Justin both predicted: Julie Christie. Winner: Marion Cotillard. 8-4 still Justin. I mean, good for her but I really wanted Julie Christie or Ellen Page to win.

10:14 I think that this is the worse I have ever done. I have only 4 right. That is really a shame for me as a movie buff. I really thought for sure I was going to do well. I really hope to hit double digits before the nights out. We have 11 categories left so hopefully I got all of those right to end up with 15 right for the evening and Justin will end up with 19 since we agreed on the remaining categories.

10:17 They are playing Wii. Cool.

10:18 Colin Farrell will be introducing the song from Once. Falling Slowly. I love this song so much. What is with the orchestra, not necessary at all. The piano and the guitar is enough. The orchestra is ruining the song. Please leave the two of them alone. The song is beautiful without all that damn orchestra. Why pan to Bill Conti and the audience. Hello it is all about Glen and Marketa.

10:22 Jack Nicholson is doing what montage? I guess a montage of all the Best Picture Winners. too bad the years are cut off. In 80 years of the Oscars and Best Picture, I have seen I think 24 of them. Not too bad.

10:27 Renee Zellweger is doing Film Editing. Justin and I: No Country. Winner: The Bourne Ultimatum. We are still at 8-4 for Justin. I am surprised that the Bourne film is winning in these technical areas.

10:29 while this guy is doing his speech, I have noticed that there hasn't been a presentation for Best Picture nominees throughout.

10:31 Nicole Kidman is presenting a special award to Robert Boyle a legendary production designer. This is for the Honorary Oscar. The guy is 98 and I think he is still working today or at least teaching today.

10:42 Penelope Cruz to present Foreign Language Film. Me and Justin: The Counterfeiters. Please let me get this right. I already lost the bet. I just need my movie pride back. Winner: The Counterfeiters. Thank God. 9-5, still for Justin.

10:44 Patrick Dempsey aka McDreamy is introducing the final song from Enchanted. Another cheesy production number. It reminds me of all the times when Alan Menken's song were nominated in the past like from Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. I feel like turning to Masterpiece Classic so I could see clips from the new Sense and Sensibility and Room with a View. The guy singing is cute though but I think the song is whatever. I know I am very biased towards the song from Once. Why not do one for Amy Adams like have a whole bunch of people in animal costumes pretend they are cleaning the Oscar stage!

10:48 John Travolta will come on and announce the winner for Best Song. Me and Justin: Falling Slowly from Once. This is the one and only category I truly care about and am rooting to win, which is Once. Winner: Falling Slowly from Once. I am so happy. I am jumping up and down right now. Too bad Marketa didn't get to say thanks but Glen did a good job. Score: 10-6, still for Justin. I am too chuffed that Once won. To anyone that hasn't seen Once. Go out and rent it or better yet, get the soundtrack on iTunes. I never bought anything from iTunes before until I saw Once last year and as soon as I heard Falling Slowly and the equally beautiful If You Want Me, I bought the soundtrack.

10:51 I agree with Jon Stewart that the song is beautiful.

10:57 Marketa gets to say her thank you's. Thank you Jon Stewart. I love Jon Stewart for allowing Marketa to do her speech.

10:59 Cinematography presented by Cameron Diaz. I forgot we differed here. Me: No Country. Justin: Atonement. The way I am going, I probably am wrong. Winner: There Will be Blood. I rather both of us be wrong than Justin be right. Score 10-6, still for Justin.

11:01 Hilary Swank is doing the dead people montage. Not to be glib about it but that's the only way to call it and I think it is sad that people applaud only for certain people. I think Heath Ledger would get a fair number of applause.

11:05 While the montage was going on, I was reading other blogs of the Oscar, in particular EW and they said that Jon Stewart letting Marketa do her speech was the classiest thing on the show and I so agree.

11:08 Original score presented by Amy Adams. A category that I always love. Me and Justin: Atonement. Winner: Atonement. Score 11-7. I am inching into double digits, yay!!!!!

11:11 Tom Hanks doing another montage I think, not so sure. Ok, so he is doing best documentary short via soldiers in Bagdad. I think it's nice touch. Me and Justin: Sari's Mother. Winner: Freeheld. Was thinking about chosing that one but thought the Academy was filled so many old farts and they were too conservative to chose a film that had to do with a lesbian. Score still at 11-7. Can I break double digits?

11:15 Documentary Feature. Both Justin and I chose No End in Sight. Winner: Taxi to the Dark Side. Still at 11-7. Not hitting double digits this year, I don't think. If I get best actor, best original screenplay, best director and best picture I will hit 11 right.

11:23 Harrison Ford doing Original Screenplay. Go Juno as Justin and I guessed Juno. Winner: Diablo Cody for Juno. A great film, filled with awesome dialogue. She deserves to win. Score: 12-8.

11:29 We are one minute until the ceremony is supposed to end. Best Actor presented by Helen Mirren. This should be a no-brainer as Justin and I picked: Daniel Day Lewis. Winner: Daniel Day Lewis. Score 13-9. So close to double digits. I am willing to lose double digits if Juno wins best picture!!!!

After all this is over, I am going to rewind my tape and re-watch the Once performance and re-watch their acceptance speech.

11:39 Best Director to be presented by Martin Scorsese who finally got honoured last year. Our pick is the Cohen Brothers. Winner: The Cohen Brothers. Yay!!!! Double digits for me!!!! Score: 14-10.

11:44 The big one. Best Picture presented by Denzel Washington. Our Pick: No Country for Old Men. Winner: No Country for Old Men. Final tally: Justin 15 Vanessa: 11

Totally flamed out this year. Congratulations Justin. Enjoy your buffet!! I'll win next year.

Overall, I think Jon Stewart did a good job and they were only 18 minutes over. The best moment for me was when Once won and that Jon Stewart let Market Irglova do her speech.

Until next year, I will be blogging from Vancouver and it won't be so late for me.

2008 Oscar Nominations are out

Oh! Canada. What a great day to be a Canadian. I am so pleased with the nominations this year. I am very happy that Juno got some major love, especially for Ellen Page, Jason Reitman, Diablo Cody and film itself. I am also happy that Sarah Polley got a nomination for Away from Her and that Julie Christie got nominated. I think Julie Christie will win this, she was amazing and devasting in that film. The best picture race looks interesting, first time that I've seen three out of the five before the nominations came out (Atonement, Michael Clayton and Juno) but I think the winner will be No Country for Old Men.

I am also very stoked that Once got nominated for Original song for "Falling Slowly." It's up against three songs from Enchanted and one from August Rush. I hope Once wins, the nominated song is one of my all-time favourite songs and I hope that the three Enchanted songs cancel each other out like the three songs from Dreamgirls did last year.

I am also rooting for Ratatouille to win Best Animated Film. I'll make my predictions closer to the Academy Awards and here is hoping that the ceremony actually happens.

Here are the nominees for the 2008 Oscars:

BEST PICTURE: Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood
BEST ACTOR: George Clooney, Michael Clayton; Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood; Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd; Tommy Lee Jones, In the Valley of Elah; Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
BEST ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age; Julie Christie, Away From Her; Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose; Laura Linney, The Savages; Ellen Page, Juno
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford; Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men; Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War; Hal Holbrook, Into the Wild; Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There; Ruby Dee, American Gangster; Saoirse Ronan, Atonement; Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone; Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
BEST DIRECTOR: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood; Joel and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men; Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton; Jason Reitman, Juno; Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Brad Bird, Ratatouille; Diablo Cody, Juno; Tony Gilroy, Michael Clayton; Tamara Jenkins, The Savages; Nancy Oliver, Lars and the Real Girl
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Paul Thomas Anderson, There Will Be Blood; Joel Coen and Ethan Coen, No Country for Old Men; Christopher Hampton, Atonement; Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly; Sarah Polley, Away From Her
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: Persepolis, Ratatouille, Surf's Up
BEST ART DIRECTION: American Gangster, Atonement, The Golden Compass, Sweeney ToddThere Will Be Blood
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Assassination of Jesse James…, Atonement, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Across the Universe, Atonement, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, La Vie en Rose, Sweeney Todd
BEST DOCUMENTARY: No End in Sight, Operation Homecoming: Writing the Wartime Experience, Sicko, Taxi to the Dark Side, War/Dance
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT: Freeheld, La Corona (The Crown), Salim BabaSari’s Mother
BEST EDITING: The Bourne Ultimatum, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, Into the Wild, No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood
BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM: Beaufort (Israel), The Counterfeiters (Austria), Katyn (Poland), Mongol (Kazakhstan) ,12 (Russia)
BEST MAKEUP: La Vie en Rose, Norbit, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: Atonement, The Kite Runner, Michael Clayton, Ratatouille, 3:10 to Yuma
BEST ORIGINAL SONG': 'Falling Slowly,'' Once; ''Happy Working Song,'' Enchanted; ''Raise It Up,'' August Rush; ''So Close,'' Enchanted; ''That's How You Know,'' Enchanted
BEST SOUND EDITING: The Bourne Ultimatum, No Country for Old Men, Ratatouille, There Will Be Blood, Transformers
BEST SOUND MIXING: The Bourne Ultimatum, No Country for Old Men, Ratatouille, 3:10 to Yuma, Transformers
BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: The Golden Compass, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End, Transformers
BEST ANIMATED SHORT: I Met the Walrus, Madame Tutli-Putli, Meme Les Pigeons Vont au Paradis (Even Pigeons Go to Heaven), My Love (Moya Lyubov), Peter & the Wolf
BEST LIVE-ACTION SHORT: At Night, Il Supplente (The Substitute), Le Mozart des Pickpockets (The Mozart of Pickpockets), Tanghi Argentini, The Tonto Woman

The Amazing Race 12 -January 20, 2008

Here we go the Season Finale of Amazing Race 12.

I am live blogging this so I don't know who wins but right now I am predicting that TK and Rachel will win. While I don't mind any of the three teams winning, I have a strong preference for Ron and Christina to win and not just because they are Asian, sure that is part of it but I like the fact that it is a father-daughter team and it is like if my Dad and I were doing this race. If they win or Nick and Don win then it is the first time that a familial team wins and not a dating team or a friend team. I look forward to see who wins as the show progresses.

Anchorage, Alaska. Interesting. I like that it's a good tight race, hopefully to the end. But as long as Ron and Chris win. So, Nick and Don forgot their gear, I knew that they would make a mistake somehwere.

Detour -I would do the Cod because it is just 50 and filetting them would be easier than grabbing hundreds of bitting crabs for the one with race colours. What luck for Ron and Chris to find that clue so fast, let's just hope that luck holds.

Of course TK and Rachel would find the crab and Don and Nick didn't seem too far behind with their mistake.

And the boat ride looks awesome and Alaska is beautiful. I've never been to Anchorage but been to other towns in Alaska and it is stunning. How come Chris can't do the ice climb but Ron, the man with a hernia, can.

A helicopter ride above all those glaciers should be amazing.

The Road Block: You must have a great memory for this. The road block sounds so complicated. I am so nervous. Chris was so close. I hope she fixes her mistake.

Of course, Rachel would finish first, let's up that Ron and Chris make up for that time they lost at the Road Block. It's going to be TK and Rachel. It just is. No matter what editing does. I know it will be them. But it is sweet how Ron and Chris improved their relationship. I am disappointed that Ron and Chris not win but at least they made it to the top 3. At least Nick and Don made a good show of the race.

Another season goes by and another team that I wanted to win did not. But as I said before, I am fine with any of the three teams winning.

The Amazing Race 12 January 13, 2008

Happy New Year!!

Well we are near the finish line and I personally can't wait to see who wins.

Japan looks great and a place that is on my list of places to visit.

And of course there is the equalizer where the stupid garden doesn't open until 10:00 am so it gives TK and Rachel a chance to catch up. And they did in the immigration line at Taipei and from my experience in Shanghai, those lines are long and eats up a lot of time.

The Road Block looks awesome. I think I would so do it because it would not be my brother's thing and I want to experience as much as I can in life. Ron's face looks hilarious. The underswater bit is the scary bit as 17 seconds is indeed a long time. And it seems like no hardship to drink a whole cup of tea to get the next clue unless it a really digusting tea.

What a cool speed bump, better than the yoga one that the Goths did.

The previous tip from the local paid off for TK and Rachel about using the ticket machine. It was indeed faster.

I love the fact that the clue was in Chinese and that Ron and Chris knew where to go and what to look for. I love it. And the night market is always cool.

Earth seems faster than Fire. Writing 20 messages of luck seems time consuming. While the path may hurt you can run to finish it. But I agree with Chris that it is mind over matter. I would run for it but I guess if it is jagged it would hurt. I am so glad that Ron and Kris did not fight at all during this leg. They worked well and had tremendous luck throughout the whole leg too.

I am sooooo happy that Ron and Chris are number one and are going to run for the $1 million. They are the first team after the BQs that I want to win and this time I hope that they do. The finish with the final three is all false editing-Nate and Jen are goners. Glad that TK and Rachel will also run too! And Nick and Don too!!!! YEAH!!!! Best! Final! Three! Ever! I don't care who wins now as long as it wasn't Nate and Jen. So glad they were eliminated, they were so toxic and I think they are definitely broken up.

Basically, I am ok with any of the teams winning but would be ecstatic if Ron and Chris won above all.

Can't wait for the season finale next week.

2007: A Year in Review

2007 was a great year not only in the world of movies and television but also for me personally.

For my job, I got to travel to Shanghai and I loved the experience of going to China and I also became an Aunt.

But this year, the movies and television also brought me much joy. I usually save the best for last but in this case I'll start with what was the highlight of the 2007television season for me and that was that I found the ONE. The one version of Jane Eyre to truly love thanks to Masterpiece Theatre's January 2007 presentation of Charlotte Bronte's classic tale. I have already blogged my thoughts on it when it first aired but I cannot reiterate I much I love the latest BBC version and the performances and chemistry of Ruth Wilson and Toby Stephens.

Other TV loves include my continued love for the Amazing Race and continued enjoyment of How I Met Your Mother. In terms of new shows this year, I am thouroughly charmed by Pushing Daisies and beguiled by Lee Pace as Ned the pie maker. I am also crushing Zachary Levi as Chuck in NBC's Chuck. A great and funny comedy/spy show.

In BBC land, I am in love with the second series of Robin Hood (I believe North American audiences will get it in 2008 but thanks to You Tube I am seeing it now). Things to look forward to in 2008 is the end of the writers strike so I can get new episodes of Chuck, Pushing Daisies and How I Met Your Mother. On January 13, 2008 is the start of Masterpiece Theatre's presentation of the Complete Jane Austen with Gillian Anderson hosting it. I am most looking forward to seeing Andrew Davies' take on Sense and Sensibility. He did such a great job with Pride and Prejudice and I am curious to see what he does here (as I think Emma Thompson did a fantastic job with Sense and Sensibility in 1995 -the movie that first introduced me to Kate Winslet). Also this year on Masterpiece Theatre is a new version of A Room With A View and My Boy Jack starring Daniel Radcliffe.

Speaking of Radcliffe, Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix in IMAX is one of my cinematic experience highlights of 2007. Seeing the final 20 minutes of the film in 3D made the movie awesome.

As for my favourite films of 2007, there were many (and I saw a lot this year) I don't know if I have a list of top 10 films as I don't think I saw enough to make a top 10 list but I can do a list of the films that captured my heart and that I want to add to my DVD collection.

The number one movie that did that to me was Once the independent Irish film about a busker and Czech immigrant who meet and make beautiful music together. It is simple film making done very well and I love the songs to it. After seeing the movie, I immediately went home and bought the soundtrack on iTunes.

Ratatouille was also another one of those movies that had me at hello. As soon as I saw Remy and Patton Oswalt's voice coming out of him, I loved the film about a rat in Paris who loves to cook.

The Simpson's Movie was another delight this year. I saw it theatres and laughed my butt off. I chose to see it on a flight and still laughed and saw it for a third time as my flight had that as the movie and still laughed. After seeing it three times and I still laughed, you have to own that movie.

Then there was Juno. The funny, sharp and sarcastic dialogue was great. Ellen Page's delivery of them was awesome and the fact that it was filmed in Vancouver was also awesome.

In terms of 2008, there is only two movies I am for sure going to see in theatres (I am sure there is going to be more but right now there is just two). The first one comes out May 16, 2008 and that is Prince Caspian, the second film in the Chronicles of Narnia series and then on November 21, 2008 is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

As some people may know, I am not much of a reader and I usually only read a book if I know a movie version is coming out of it but a literary highlight for me was standing in line for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, It was something I had to do since it was the last book and it was an amazing experience to be surrounded by Harry Potter fans. It was also surreal for me to stay up pretty much all night reading about 200 pages (I only started at 2am then slept for a bit but started reading again at 6am to about 8am) In total I finished the novel in 24 hours (with a break to work and sleep). I didn't want it to end but I was satisfied with how JK Rowling ended the series.

I hope everyone had a great 2007 and 2008 will be just as awesome.

The Amazing Race 12 Dec 23, 2007

Merry Christmas Amazing Race fans!

I am really sorry for not blogging lately but as it is the holidays, I've been enjoying my time with friends and family.

Well, my brother and I were worried that the Goths were as good as gone considering we heard that there were no non-elimination rounds for this season of the race so imagine our surprise (and relief to my brother) that the Goths were saved but now must face something called a speed bump. Will be interested in seeing what impact that will have.

My father/daughter team is still in it and still working well together (but next week looks like things are back to normal as teams visit India).

Intereting product placement for Blackberry and I thought for sure that TK and Rachel would be out because of the lost clue but the Goths getting lost helped them out.

As for the road block, I would have done because apparently as someone who wears glasses I have the better eyesight. The detour my immediate thought was to do the invention as I am the most uncoordinated person I know.

The Fast Forward was interesting but neither my brother and I would have done it as my brother doesn't like needles and I would rather go up on the ultralight. And I am fed up with Jennifer always complaining how they haven't won a leg yet. Too bad that you don't win a trip or a boat. I rather make sure I am still in the race in order for me to come in #1 where it counts and that's at the end and your prize is a million dollars.

Looking forward to next week. Happy Holidays to one and all

The Amazing Race 12 Dec 2, 2007

Apologies again for not blogging last week but I was out to dinner and taped it. Even after watching it, I didn't blog because I was recovering from foot surgery and was really able to move around too much. But I am back this week, ready to offer my thoughts on this week's AR.

I have to say that I did like the U-Turn twist this year. Better than the Yield as you never know how long it will take you to do the other detour, which can put you further behind than the 30 minutes the Yield did.

Anyways, it was a good episode. I was a bit worried that the father-daughter team were going to be last because of the flight mistake but in the end with all the wrong turns the other teams took (and we knew thanks the gong sound effects) they ended up in third. What would we do without all the gonging!

But I am getting ahead of myself. I was watching the show with my brother and I do agree that the brother and sister team, while good, there is something a bit off with Azaria in the way that he treats his sister (the way he violently pulled her back to the curb at the beginning was uncalled for).

I thought it was interesting that the Grandson/Granddad team didn't get a good flight because it was supposedly all sold out but the other teams got on, I guess maybe knowing a few phrases in French would have helped.

When the teams touched down in Lituania, every team took off right away, while the Goths (my brother's pick to win) took their time to ask directions. They were one of the few teams to get to the church without getting lost. Ronald and Christina were smart to pay a taxi driver to lead them the way (as other past racers have done). As for the Road Block, Justin would have done as he says he is a good listener and would have done well.

The detour was interesting as I would have liked to have stayed and enjoyed the festival (maybe after teams have checked in they got to go back and had some fun). The detour, my first instinct was to do the stilts as I think I have pretty good balance and as long as you were patient and took it slow, it could be done. I was very happy that Ron and Christina finished, especially Ron considering he has a hernia. I see a lot of myself and my Dad in their relationship, which is why I am rooting for them. Counting would have been difficult but if you were methodically about it, it could be done.

I am glad those blondes are gone. They had no teamwork and always blamed each other and second guessed decisions. I knew going in they weren't going to be like another certain blonde team of races past (i.e. Dustin and Kandice -my all-time favourite Amazing Race team next to the Bowling Moms).

Here's to next week, where we see another meltdown to Nate and Jennifer.

The Amazing Race 12 Nov 18, 2007

Sorry for not live blogging last week but I was out of town and only arrived back home literally minutes before AR 12 started. But if there was one thing to be said about that episode was that I really didn't like the father-daughter team especially the way the dad treated his daughter but I know that if my Dad and I were to do the race, we would be arguing the exact same way.

But poor Ron, a hernia -ouch. Anyways, I am chuckling at the plight of teams at the Roadblock. Somehow if you treat the animal with kindness and calm instead of freaking out and frustration, you will succeed. I really believe that Justin would be well suited to this as animals can scare a me a little and when I get frustrated, let's just say it ain't pretty.

The detour choice was obvious. I would want to learn it. You can't really control how fast the kids will learn English words and some might not even catch on and you could get frustrated at why they aren't learning them. If you learn it, you can control how fast you learn and I would take the same approach that the brother-sister team would, take five words each and memorize it and I have an excellent memory and if I have to memorize something you bet it will be memorized. Thankfully, each team member didn't have to take it in turns the 10 words so that was another in that detours favour plus I always want to know new languages.

And nice hair Phil, all spiky like a porcupine and didn't know there was that baby behind that local greeter. Too bad the sisters are gone but they were not memorable enough for me to miss them.

According to next week's previews is the only thing that the Blondes did that pissed people off is that they Yielded Jason and Lorena but I don't know what is so controversal about this as it is part of the game.

Until next week

The Amazing Race 12 Nov 4, 2007

Bye Bye Viva Laughlin, hello Amazing Race 12. I don't know why CBS just didn't schedule AR 12 at the beginning of the TV season in the first place.

The teams I am cheering for in this edition are the one with the familial relationships so I am rooting first for the father-daughter team, then the brother-sister team and then the grandpa-grandson team then the sisters.

But this will all change as I get to know the team as the season wears on.

I am excited that they are going to Shannon, Ireland. I think I went there 9 years ago when I did a tour of southern Ireland but I don't really remember. What I am concerned about is the lack of narration from Phil about the flights. Usually he tells us about the flights available and what is good or bad about them but no such thing and it almost looks like the teams who didn't get on the British Airways flight now have to find their own flights, which I think could be an interesting twist. But there was that Irish airline flight

Another thing I read that there was supposed to be no non-elimination but Phil said that 8 out of the 11 legs were elimination legs so it will be interesting to see what the thrre legs are all about.

One of the reasons why I love the Amazing Race is that I love to travel and it gives me a way to see the world in such a hyped way and the show was the inpiration as to why I decided to skydive. My work allows me to travel and even though it is only to places around North America (and the one time to Shanghai) I always feel like I am on the Amazing Race.

So far no much action but the titling of the teams were off. I mean it was the LA blondes but they called them one of the dating couples.

The roadblock, I think I would do, I am not that afraid of heights so I think that Justin would just be along for the ride and I'll put the peddle to the metal.

But I couldn't help laughing when the donkeys wouldn't move for those two couples. Very funny. You definitely needed to be a donkey whisperer in order to get those donkeys to move. As long as you were kind and encouraging to the donkeys, you were successful unlike Ari and Staella and Nathan and Jennifer who realized too late what to do. And indeed karma bit you in the butt Ari for stealing the Dad and Daughter team's taxi.

So far my familial teams are all in it with the brother/sister team on top. Yeah! I am so glad that AR is back.

Pushing Diasies -October 3, 2007

I was lucky to see this show one day before it premiered in the U.S. Since CTV has bought too many shows, they had to show this one on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. I wasn't going to watch it at first but I have heard many critics saying that this is the best new show. I saw a bit of it last night at 8pm but decided to watch it on Rogers Time Shifting at 11pm since I had nothing else to watch. Right from the first moment I heard Jim Dale's narration and seeing the stunning visuals, I was hooked.

The storyline was quirky but charming (a word that is used very often to describe this show). The premise of pie-maker Ned (an adorable Lee Pace) being able to bring back the dead with one touch, only to have them die again if he touches them again is very original. In addition, he can only bring back the dead for a minute or someone else in close proximity has to die. He only realizes this after he brings his mom back to life that after a minute, the father of his next-door neighbour pal Charlotter "Chuck" Charles (a winning Anna Friel)dies.

Now as an adult, he uses this "gift" to help solve murders with his business partner/PI friend (Chi McBride) to collect the reward. On one of these cases, Ned and Emerson go to solve the case and collect the reward of lonely tourist who was murdered on a cruise only to discover it was his childhood sweetheart Chuck, who was also his first kiss. The impact of their encounter has left Ned an emotional cripple since he was sent away soon after his mom passed away.

Anyways, he brings Chuck back to life to find out who killed her but she doesn't know. Unable to part from her again, he lets her live beyond the one minute and as a result the funeral director dies. So they set forth to solve her murder. Which I am not sure they quite do. The reason why Chuck got whacked was because she was transporting a briefcase with two monkeys in it, which allowed her to be on the cruise for free. This case was sent to her two shut-in aunts that raised her after her dad died. The killer goes after the aunts but Ned and Chuck save the day but we never really find out who it was. Is this one of the over arching mysteries or is it solved? Not too sure.

What really sold me on this show was the chemistry between Ned and Chuck. They are adorable even though they can't touch but do so via proxy hugs or holding their own hands but pretending they are holding each others hand.

I am looking forward to more and hope that ABC doesn't cancel it. I can't imagine that they would. I can't think of anything really to compete against except maybe Deal or no Deal.

Private Practice -October 3, 2007

Ok the second episode was a little bit better. It was still boring in spots and didn't really like the whole stripper thing at the beginning and we never did find out what she had.

But still bugs me about this show is that all of sudden these characters are all hanging at Addison's. Granted she lives right across from Sam (Taye Diggs) but still, it was almost as if she was part of their gang for years and has known them forever.

The only story line that I was emotionally invested in without being bored was the baby switch one and I think that was the right story line to get everyone involved. Judging Amy had a point, the dude from Prison Break had a purpose and so did hospital administrator lady (no idea what her character name is) as well as Audra McDonald and Addison. I did get a bit teary-eyed when the baby's were given to the correct parents. It must be very difficult to get emotially attached to a baby that biologically is yours but not emotionally. It reminded me of a season one Veronica Mars episode in which two characters were switched at birth. In that case, the parents decided to keep the babies and not switch back but I think in that case the children were 4 years old and would know the difference whereas in the Private PRactice case, they were only a few months old.

Anyways, that was the only story that I actually liked. So I am giving it another chance.

Grey's Anatomy -September 27, 2007

Four words as Grey's Anatomy kicks off season 4: Lexie Grey is awesome.

She is the anti-Meredith. Not whiny and not self-centered. I love what she did for George at the end. All those interns fawning over him and in awe of him. I am looking forward to more of the developing friendship between George and Lexie. I do hope that eventually Meredith and Lexie get to know each other and perhaps bound over the trouble their father seems to be going through.

Speaking of fawns, I really disliked that whole deer thing with Izzy. It felt really stupid and annoying. And please, Shonda Rimes break-up George and Izzy. I really don't like them together at all. I love George and Callie, I hope that it is not splitsville for them.

I do feel that the show was missing something and their names were Addison and Burke. I think the whole baby/severed arm lady would have been nice if Addison was around. I somehow miss the energy her character brought to the show and the natural knack for OB/GYN that she brought out of Alex. As for Alex, I detect that we will be seeing Ava/Rebecca real soon.

As for Burke, it just felt weird that he wasn't there. But I am sure that we will eventually get used to all the changes afoot at Seattle Grace.

Private Practice -September 26, 2007

TV spin-offs can be a tricky beast. They can be classics like The Jeffersons, Frasier and Law & Order: SVU or turn out to be colossal failures like AfterMASH and Joey. So when I heard that Grey's Anatomy was going to spin-off Kate Walsh's Addison Montogomery, I was a little skeptical and excited at the same time. Excited because I love Grey's Anatomy and like Addison but skeptical because I was unsure if her character could hold a show.

After watching the back-door pilot in May as part of a two-hour Grey's episode, I came away unsure. Private Practice tried very hard to emulate the quirkiness of the Mother Ship but with less successful results.

Even after some re-tooling like replacing Alias' Merrin Dungey with Broadway star Audra McDonald as Naomi, Private Practice could still use some work.

Watching the first episode last night actually bored me to tears. I only managed to sit through the whole hour out of devotion to the character of Addison. What I found lacking in Private Practice is frankly drama. There was no drama. I was not invested in any of the storylines and felt that characters were dropped into certain situations for no reason. For example, Paul Adelstein's Cooper helping Amy Brennman's Violet. And Dell (Chris Lowell) helping out during Addison's surgery. It is as if Shonda Rimes needs all characters to be doing something in all the story lines but it was just pointless. And as much as I love Taye Diggs, I don't reall buy what he does on this show.

Aside from the lack of drama, another reason why I can't get into this show is the fact that I associate some of the actors with their previous TV roles. I am talking about you, guy from Wings (Tim Daly) and Judging Amy (Brenneman).

At the beginning of last night's Private Practice, the Chief of Surgery from Seattle Grace (James Pickens, Jr.) told Addison that he will see her in a month once she realized she has made a mistake quitting. If Private Practice doesn't succeed, I have a feeling that we will be seeing Addison back in her Seattle Grace scrubs.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows launch party

All good things much come to an end. I am in denial that Harry Potter's saga is over. I don't want it to be.

But at 12:01am on July 21st my saga into the end was just beginning. However, before we must take the time turner about three turns back to about 10pm on July 20th. All decked out like Cho Chang (the only Asian character that I could be) I attended the book launch party that was held at the Indigo at Bay and Bloor in Toronto. The streets were backed with large inflatable slides and a bouncy castle and a double decker bus that acted like the Knight Bus. There were balloon dragons near the front entrace of the store. Getting into the store was tricky, throngs of people going in to get their bracelets to be one of the first people in the story to buy the book at one minute past the stroke of midnight. I thankfully preorderd the book and avoided that crowd to pick-up my bracelet at the special orders desk. After my friend and I took several pictures around the store. We settled ourselves in the pre-order line-up at around 10:30pm. We were near the beginning the line-up so I would get my book fairly quickly. While waiting, the line-up snaked longer and there was general excitement in the air. I think that it is amazing that it was all for a book. As midnight drew nearer, girls were screaming as if this was a rock concert or that JK Rowling herself had entered the store. People were also counting down as if it were New Year's Eve. Then balloons fell from the sky and you knew it was the Witching Hour. The line moved and I was nervous with anticipation, I reached the head of the line, my wrist band cut off and I proceeded to get my copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

It was about two hours later at around 2am that I final cracked open the book to beginning reading Harry's last adventure. Let me tell you that I am still exhausted after just finishing reading the novel about 24 hours ago (This is Monday July 23). At the same time, I am also exhalirated and still on a high after reading the book. No spoilers here but let's just say that I got the answers to all the questions that I had.

Now that it's over, I am in mourning. I just watched the trailers to the movies again. And I cried because I have finally come to the realization that there will be no more Harry Potters and watching the films will take on a whole new meaning now that I know the fates of the characters that sometimes puts a smile on my face or a tear in my eye.

The only thing to look forward to now are the two movies then after that I truly will be mourning.

As for what I will read next after Harry Potter, I don't know. A friend of mine had mentioned a news story about a boy who said that he might not read a book ever again after Harry Potter. Part of me feels the same way. I don't think that I will ever find a book again that had captured my imagination and my heart. Harry Potter is truly my liteary love and I will miss you.

Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix +IMAX= Awesome

I normally never see a movie twice in the span of a week but I had a friend in town that wanted to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and when I suggested that I wanted to see it again in IMAX, she said she wanted to see it with me.

After seeing it a second time, I have to say that I love the movie now. The first time, I wanted more but now that I know what they cut out, I go to appreciate the film better. The same things still bug me about the film the first time I saw it but I have accepted it.

However, in IMAX, the movie is magnificent and incredible. I have never seen a movie that big before. The climactic battle scene in the Department of Mysteries was awesome, especially in 3D. The 3D scenes begining as Dumbledore's Army (Harry, Ron, Hermione, Luna, Neville and Ginny) are flying the Thestrals. An amazing scene and so cool. The battle in 3D was also amazing with the flying glass from the prophecies showering on you.

I recommend people seeing the IMAX experience. There is nothing like it. I know that when Half-Blood Prince comes out in November 2008, I will see the movie first on a regular screen so that I know what has been cut out then see it again in IMAX.

The Harry Potter phenomenon

I have two literary loves. For those that know me, one of those loves is Jane Eyre and the other of course is Harry Potter.

I would never have guessed that when JK Rowling released the first adventure of the boy wizard back in 1997 that it would be such a pop culture phenomenon.

I have discussed in a previous blog why I love Jane Eyre, so I won't go into any detail why I love that book. But I am here to discuss how I came to entraced by the world of Hogwarts and its inhabitants.

Now, I was never fond of reading, even if I loved Jane Eyre. I have never really finished any novel that I was assigned to read in school (elementary, high school and university). I can probable count on one hand the books I actually read from beginning to end for school: Hiroshima, Great Expectations, A Farewell to Arms and In the Skin of the Lion. All the usual suspect of required reading for English class such as Lord of the flies, I just read half way through and just BS my way through the tests. Sometimes teachers would make the mistake of showing us the movie version of the novel prior to any tests that helped me get by.

Fast forward to post university. I did want to read more novels. Don't get me wrong, I have read for pleasure -how else would I have fallen in love with Jane Eyre if I didn't read the book -but granted I fell in love with a screen adaptation first before I read the book. I digress. How did I get hooked on Harry. Picture it, the summer of 2000. Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story was going to be aired and an online forum popped up on the Internet so people can discuss the miniseries and all things Anne. A section of the forum was called the AOGG Book Club. One monthe the club suggested reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone. I have heard a bit of the buzz around this children's book but I didn't want to read it because it was a children's book and I am an adult. Relunctanly, I bought a copy and proceeded to read it for the club not thinking I would love it. I did. It really shocked me that Rowling made a book for kids and adults alike. She comes up with twists that I never see coming in all subsequent Harry Potter tomes.

What really surprises is me that now almost 10 years since the first book came out that people still get excited over this series. I am listening to the PotterCast that are put on by the folks at the Leaky Cauldron and it so great to hear people of all ages passionate about these books. They really care about the characters and I have heard the craziest theories about what will happen in Book 7.

I am also amazed at the movie versions. I have loved all of them. I recently saw Order of the Phoenix (see my review in a recent blog) and even though I wanted more, one day after seeing it, I really loved it. And I still can't get over Imelda Staunton as Umbridge nor Evanna Lynch as Luna Lovegood.

I remember seeing the first movie way back in 2001. A couple of fellow Potterheads (one that I can actually hooked onto Harry Potter) saw the film and quite excited to see it. After our showing there was a long lineup to the theatre for the next show. Six years later, people are still lining-up (like I did and for the fourth one too) to see a Harry Potter movie. And the audience ages were from young and old.

For the first time ever, I am going to a midnight release party for a Harry Potter book. Since it is the last one, I might as well. I have pre-ordered it from Indigo and I can't wait to read it.

Here are the things that I want most to happen in Book 7:

1. Harry lives while the Dark Lord dies
2. Ron and Hermione finally get together (but early on in the book and not the last few chapters)
3. We find out what exactly is up with Aunt Petunia
4. Harry and Ginny stay together
5. And that Snape really is a good guy

What are your thoughts on Harry Potter? Love it as much as I do?

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

At two hours and 18 minutes, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, left me wanting more. I wanted more scenes of Ginny Weasley (Bonnie Wright), more Tonks and Lupin (Natalie Tena and David Thewlis), more Order of the Phoenix, more scenes of the Dursley's that closely hews to the book, more Luna Lovegood (Evanna Lynch) and more Kreacher. That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the 5th film of JK Rowling's title hero, quite the opposite. I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was pretty faithful to the book and made the rights cuts. The casting was perfect as usual. Imelda Staunton as Dolores Umbridge, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher was absolutely fabulous. She captured Rowling's vision of Umbridge to a tee. Lynch was equally well cast as Luna Loony Lovegood. Her Irish lilt gave her character that extra spaciness that it needed and was very endearing. And Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix, very evil in her short screen time. Looking forward to more of her in movie six.

What really impressed me about this adaptation was the climactic battle scene at the department of mysteries. It was a wonderful amazement of wand duelling that made me think of the classic lightsaber fights of all the Star Wars movies. I also enjoyed all the DA scenes. It was great seeing Harry become the teacher and I think screenwriter Michael Goldenberg captured those scenes perfectly. And Goldenberg has to be commended for taking an almost 800 page novel and condensing it to an almost two and half hour movie. Again, the right cuts were made but one. As mentioned, I wish they expanded the Dursley scenes especially the bit about Aunt Petunia (Fiona Shaw) knowing more about the Wizarding World than she lets on.

I am glad that they gave Gary Oldman more to do in this movie than he did in Prisoner of Azkaban (my favourite amongst all the film adaptations and my favourite Harry Potter book). Oldman was excellent in this movie as Sirius Black, Harry's Godfather, and his fate equally heartbreaking as it was in the novel.

The kiss between Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and Cho Chang (Katie Leung) was whatever but a little more hot and heavy than I thought it would be. If no one noticed, I liked the bit just before the kiss as people were leaving the DA lesson of Ginny looking behind at Harry looking at Cho -clearly indicating that she still fancies Harry. There were sprinkles of the hints of the Ron and Hermione romance (Rupert Grint and Emma Watson) in there too as there has been in every movie since Chamber of Secrets. I thought they might foreshadow a certain romance that takes place in book 6th in this movie but alas they didn't.

This movie was well directed by David Yates, it was quite political in tone. Something that Yates is known for having directed such politically themed dramas like State of Play and The Girl in the Cafe.

Since I am a movie score aficionado, I enjoyed Nicholas Hooper's score. He had some nice memorable and moving score that I probably will get the soundtrack.

Overall, I enjoyed Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and I look forward to the DVD to see the deleted scenes. And I look forward to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince next year. Here's hoping more Bonnie Wright -for those that have read book 6 you will know what I mean!

And only 10 more days until we find out what happens to Harry!