Is Die Hard a Christmas film?

This seems to be an extremely hot topic when it comes to the discussion of Christmas films. So, which side are you on?

Michaela: Die Hard is not a Christmas film. I don’t expect anyone to agree with me, but I will not be swayed into thinking that it is. My reasons being are as follows: One, it is not about Christmas. Most Christmas films have a story line which revolves around  one of the holiday themes (santa, reigndeers, presents), but Die Hard (may I remind you all), tells the story of an evil gang of German men out to steal loads of money, and who attempt to do so by holding a group of employees in a big inner city business building, hostage #merrychristmas. Secondly, although I can sympathise with the fact that Die Hard is set at Christmas, and yes, there is even a works Christmas party taking place at the start of the film, I can’t see anything else that relates to the festivity of this joyous holiday season. Just because it is set at Christmas, doesn’t make it a Christmas film. Point three (as if I need say more), is that Christmas films are meant to be watched at Christmas, and Christmas alone – I could so easily watch this film any day of the week! I would like to conclude that I do not in any way dislike Die Hard, but it is NOT a Christmas film.

Faye: Is Die Hard a Christmas movie? The very simple (and correct) answer is yes, of course! First of all, the fact that the film is set on Christmas Eve is indisputable evidence that Die Hard is a Christmas film, there’s no way to argue against this point. Can you think of another film set at Christmas that you wouldn’t consider to be a seasonal flick? Secondly, the sets are adorned with Christmas decorations, complete with Christmas trees, Christmas presents, Christmas music and even Christmas hats! Not to mention John McClain even delivers a Christmas present to Alan Rickman in the form of Karl’s brother, complete with Santa hat and the words HO HO HO emblazoned across his jumper! How Christmassy is that?! Furthermore, before a certain Blog Buddy came along, I had never hear of anyone who doesn’t watch Die Hard during the holidays. It just isn’t Christmas until John McClain has yelled ‘Yippee-kay-ee Motherf*cker’ and sympathised with a TV dinner. My best argument I have saved for last, and is irrefutable. Die Hard is one of, nay, the best film ever, and is a gift for all (aged 18 and over) to enjoy, and isn’t that what Christmas is all about?!

Our Top 5 Festive Flicks

As it is well and truly Christmas season, we have put a quick list together of our favourite festive flicks. So if you’re finding it harder to choose which holiday film to start with than pretending to love those knitted jumpers from Gran, worry no more, one of the below is bound to fill your stocking! 

Muppets Christmas Carol – Because who doesn’t love the muppets?! They’re muppetfied version of Charles Dickens 1843 Classic A Christmas Carol is adorably funny and fully embraces Christmas in all its glory. Bright, colourful, loveable characters and full of Christmassy songs, this tale has a pretty deep message at its heart making it a proper feel good, forget all your troubles, film. Michael Cane as Scrooge isn’t too bad either, despite some dodgy singing and dancing!

Elf – It doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve watched Elf at least twice! Will Farrell is simply superb as Buddy, a human who was raised by Elves and has gone to New York in search of his biological father – but it’s not that simple, his dad is on the naughty list (oh no!)! Buddy’s relentless good cheer and Christmas spirit is infectious and well and truly puts you in the festive mood!

Love Actually – Made in 2004, Love Actually is just THE perfect Christmas film. In the run up to the holiday season everyone is looking for love. Whilst some are preparing for their first date, others are declaring their undying love for their best friends wife. Sad, happy, funny, Love really is all around in this film. With an all star cast and a feel good vibe from start to finish, a happy ending is inevitable – of course, its Christmas!

An All Dog’s Christmas Carol – Don’t laugh. Another adaptation of Dickens’ classic, this cartoon version is simply a Christmas tradition for me. Although technically a Children’s film, this all-singing all-dancing cast of cartoon dogs brings true Christmas joy. You heard me right, its a musical, a Christmas musical, played out by hundreds of dogs…do you need more convincing?

The Snowman – A true classic, this animation is full of beautiful visuals, accompanied by the most epic soundtrack that together make it a timeless masterpiece. Raymond Briggs’ tale tells the story of a young boy whose snowman comes alive and whisks him away to meet Santa. The simplicity of the story combined with the fact that there is no narration or dialogue whatsoever allows you to enjoy the imagery like a child would a picture book. Even as an adult I love this film, and its sad ending merely adds to its beauty.

 

 

 

 

People Just Do Nothing

Sitting in front of the tv last week I decided I wanted to watch something I hadn’t seen before – basically to stop being lazy and invest in something new.

Netflix told me I would like PJDN, and I trust Netflix. Plus, it was recommended to me based on my interest in The Office, and if this mockumentary was going to be anything like Gervais and Merchant’s classic, then it had to be a winner.

Almost as if its been written by the British duo themselves, PJDN documents the lives of two wannabe MC’s, and is absolutely full of satire. With those awkward looks to camera and cringeworthy catastrophes, we follow the boys in their everyday lives as they hilariously fail to make their radio station, ‘Korrupt FM’, hit the big time.

Taking viewers onto the streets of Brentford, West London and into their bad boy lifestyle, fuelled by drugs, drinking, and meaningless relationships, Grindah and Beats want you to believed that they’re what the “street life” is all about, when really, their sweet naivety sheds light upon the fact that really, they’re anything but. Whilst they still have to run everything past their girlfriends and love all the uncool everyday necessities (like Coco Pops and fabric softener) that everyone else does, the pair superbly satirise the bad boy lifestyle, whilst constantly trying to maintain the hard man façade.

What I love about it is that Grindah and Beats play up to the idiocy of their characters so much so that they unknowingly ridicule and shed light upon the foolishness of their lifestyle. In bringing to light their innocent approach to fame and success (i.e. treating their trip to Ipswich in Chabuddy’s mini van as a sell out worldwide tour), the boys in fact become all the more loveable.

Although I refuse to ever use words like ‘mandem’ and still believe that Huarache trainers are the ugliest things a guy can wear, I have found myself singing ‘Bang! Lyrical blow to the jaw’ on multiple occasions. For sure my new favourite comedy series, and definitely well worth a watch.

Favourite Quote:

Grindah: No one knows what we’re worth.

Beats: That’s right. We’re worthless.

 

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – movie review

I probably love the Harry Potter series more than is socially acceptable. So when I found out we were about to delve into a new set of characters from the wizarding world in the new film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, I was beyond excited. I mean, I had the release day on my countdown app for over a year…!

So last Tuesday I finally went to watch it. I rushed home from work, wolfed down my dinner and made my fiancé leave an hour early I was so excited.

Set in 1920’s New York, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them follows Newt Scamander, an Englishman with a passion for animals that rivals even that of Hagrid’s and his mysterious briefcase full of these magical creatures (you’ll recognise the name of course as the author of the book Harry & Co use at Hogwarts). Due to a series of unfortunate events, Newt is arrested by our female lead Tina Goldstein. The suitcase gets lost in a classic switching scene where non-maj (Muggle to us English wizards) Jacob Kowalski picks it up instead of his briefcase full of pastries. Jacob unknowingly opens it and out pours numerous magical beasts to cause havoc around New York.

The recapture of the Niffler are the films best scenes. This tiny, mole-like creature is just adorable as he desperately seeks out anything shiny. The scenes involving the creatures are complete mayhem and provide an amusing relief from the bigger picture that begins to develop as we delve deeper into the mysterious wizarding world of 1920’s New York.

This secondary storyline involves an all-powerful magical force called an Obscurus, which manifests itself as a big black smoky thing that is seemingly uncontrollable and deadly. The source of this magical power is being hunted by Auror Percival Graves, who seems from the first a dodgy character and I predicted what happened very early on. While I enjoyed this storyline, I was disappointed how it was portrayed. Even for a world full of impossibilities, the Obscurus seemed a bit far-fetched. I feel it would have been better if it didn’t manifest itself as smoky ball, but as a possession of sorts remaining in the realms of acceptable unbelievability.

The cast of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was brilliant. Eddie Redmayne portrays Newt as shy and awkward around humans, but absolutely indestructible in his defence of his animals (and Hogwarts!). Jacob Kowalski, played by Dan Fogler, is a brilliant and witty sidekick who pretty much reacts as we all would if we found ourselves suddenly surrounded by magic.

On the whole, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was a great film and I look forward to the next four. The visual effects are stunning and the stars of the show are the (mostly) adorable animals, supported by a great cast. Having said this I left the cinema a little disappointed. However I feel I need to go see it again, as maybe I just need to get used to the fact that it isn’t Harry Potter.

Top Ten Chick Flicks!

With it being well and truly cold outside it can only mean one thing – it’s movie season! And this time we are giving you a lowdown on our Top Ten Chick Flicks. These are in no particular order because we just couldn’t agree, but let us know what you think in the comments below 🙂

Michaela: Mean Girls (2004)- Does a Halloween even go by when someone doesn’t say, “In the real world, Halloween is when kids dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In Girl World, Halloween is the one day a year where a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it”? Seriously sassy and cast to perfection (special shout out to Rachel McAdams as Queen Bee, Regina George), I don’t feel the need to explain the plot, nor do I feel any particular urge to do so in an attempt to make anyone watch this film; I already expect everyone to have seen Mean Girls, and am flabbergasted when told that this is not the case. If you haven’t seen this film then, “you can’t sit with us”.

Best quote  – p.s it’s virtually impossible to choose, but a personal favourite is:

Regina: Oh my God, I love your skirt! Where did you get it?

Lea Edwards: Oh it was my mom’s in the 80s

Regina: Vintage, so adorable

Lea Edwards: Thanks  (walks away)

Regina: That is the ugliest f-ing skirt I’ve ever seen

Faye: Bring It On (2000) – Cheerleader showdown in the extreme! After discovering all their cheers are in fact stolen from another squad, The Turro’s must start again… but will they make it in time for the Cheerleading Nationals?! It’s not just the cheer routines that are fierce in this film, sassy characters are in abundance in this energetic chick-flick! Despite being released over 16 years ago (omg!), I still know the opening routine, sing it with me… I’m sexy, I’m cute…

Best quote:

Whitney: No one will miss Big Red, Torr. She puts the ‘itch’ in bitch.

Courtney: She puts the ‘whore’ in horrifying.

Michaela: Legally Blonde (2001)– Now fifteen years old (!) Legally Blonde is one of my all-time favourite films. Starring Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, this film tells the story of a seemingly ditsy homecoming Queen determined to prove her aristocrat ex-boyfriend (and the world) wrong when he dumps her for someone more ‘serious’. Now a student at Harvard Law School, Elle defies all expectations and not only soars through her exams, but beats the bullies AND bags a super cool top lawyer boyfriend who loves her just the way she is (awww).

Best Quote:

Warner: You got into Harvard Law?

Elle: What? Like it’s hard?

Faye: Clueless (1995) – loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, Clueless focuses on Cher, a kind hearted, if a bit ditsy, school student who takes new girl Tai, under her wing. Determined to make Tai the most popular girl in school, Cher, with a little help from her best friend Dionne, sets about trying to change her. In her naivety Tai blindly follows Cher’s direction, and both end up ignoring their own hearts. A brilliant, coming of age story, Clueless is a classic click-flick. From its amazing 90’s fashion to hilarious teenage scenarios we can all relate to, this film is fabulous!

Best quote:

Amber: Ms. Stoeger, my plastic surgeon doesn’t want me doing any activity where balls fly at my nose.

Dionne: Well, there goes your social life.

Michaela: The Devil Wears Prada (2006)– A fabulous exploration into the cruel world of fashion, Meryl Streep plays heartless magazine editor Miranda Priestly, and Anne Hathaway, her assistant, Andrea. In a desperate attempt to fulfill her dream of becoming a high-flying journalist, Andrea works her fingers to the bone to please her boss, but, it comes at a price, and now she must decide between her job, and her happiness. Okay, it’s not all as cringey and cliché as I’ve made it sound, but that’s the gist. I must also mention Emily Blunt in this write up because she is just hilarious – one of the best chick-flick performances for sure.

Emily: Andrea, my God! You look so chic.

Andy: Oh, thanks. You look so thin.

Emily: Really? Its for Paris, I’m on this new diet. Well, I don’t eat anything, and when I feel like I’m about to faint, I eat a cube of cheese. I’m just one stomach flu away from my goal weight.

Faye: Dirty Dancing (1987)– Spending the summer at a holiday resort with her family, Frances aka “Baby” falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny. Romantic backdrop, stunning dances and of course, that lift… you really will have the time of your life watching this movie!

Best quote:

Johnny: Nobody puts baby in a corner. (of course)

Michaela: Bridesmaids (2011)- Oddly enough, Faye actually isn’t a fan of Bridesmaids, I on the other hand think its absolutely hilarious. I consider it to be Kristin Wig’s challenge offering to The Hangover, and dare I say it, I think its better – but maybe that’s because I’m a girl. Bridesmaids tells the story of Annie (Wig) who struggles to fulfil her role as Maid of Honour when her best friend, Lillian, is whisked away by her father-in-law’s  gorgeous and rich fiancé, Helen. Hilarious, awkward and cringe-worthy, Annie and Helen must now battle to become Lillian’s new no.1 Gal Pal, and now most importantly, Maid of Honour.

Best quote:

Annie: You read my diary?

Brynn: At first I did not know it was your diary, I thought it was a very sad handwritten book.

Faye: Crossroads (2002) – I mean, it stars Britney at the height of her fame, what more could you possibly want?! Britney plays Lucy, a ‘perfect’ straight A student who joins her two childhood friends and a conveniently handsome stranger on a road trip across America in an awesome old-school car. Dodgy acting aside, this chick-flick deserves to go own in our hall of fame for the I Love Rock’n’Roll karaoke scene alone!

Best quote:

[Lucy starts undressing, then stops]

Henry: What’s wrong? Why are you stopping?

Lucy Wagner: Henry, this isn’t how I planned it would be.

Henry: That’s funny, because this is exactly how I planned it to be!

(you and every guy with a Britney crush, Justin!)

Michaela: She’s the Man (2006) – Released back in the early to mid-noughties, this slapstick style comedy has me laughing every time. It tells the story of Viola (Bynes), a football fanatic out to prove that girls are just as good a players as boys. Determined to prove her haters wrong, Viola disguises herself as her brother and takes his place at college in an attempt to make it as a footballing legend. Swapping from guy to girl in a kind of Mrs Doubtfire-esque comedy act, we get to sit back and watch her juggle life as a serious sportsman (woman?), and of course, as a teenage girl now with a very inappropriate crush on her roommate, Duke Orsino (Channing Tatum). If it all sounds too ridiculous, then keep in mind that this film is loosely based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, so…there.

Best quote:

Viola: What does your heart tell you?

Duke: What?

Viola: I mean… which one would you rather see naked?!

Faye: Pride & Prejudice (2009)– a change of pace here but this is truly a classic. Although written in 1817, Pride and Prejudice is still one of the most famous love stories of all time. In this adaption of Jane Austen’s most famous novel, Keira Knightly stars as our witty and bright protagonist Elizabeth Bennet, who unknowingly catches the eye of the handsome, and incredibly wealthy, Mr Darcy. But the course of true love never did run smooth and this pair are no different. I particularly love this version as the photography is just beautiful, and the actors (with the exception a rather stiff Darcy), are superb and bring out the humour of the story.

Best quote:

Elizabeth Bennet: And those are the words of a gentleman. From the first moment I met you, your arrogance and conceit, your selfish disdain for the feelings of others made me realize that you were the last man in the world I could ever be prevailed upon to marry.

 

 

Pan’s Labyrinth – Review

Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth tells the story of a young girl’s fight to return to the Underworld from which she escaped as a Princess in her former life.

Ofelia is the human embodiment of the princess, Moanna, who sought the splendours of humanity on earth after years of confinement in her immortal kingdom. Growing up during the Spanish Civil War, Ofelia, by contrast, yearns to live a life of fantasy – the kind she has only read about in books. Longing to escape reality, Ofelia is lead back to the Labyrinth where she meets Pan, the Fawn, who tells her about the three tasks she must complete if she wishes to return.

The best and most haunting of the three is the one I had heard about at school. Pan tells Ofelia that she will be faced with a ‘sumptuous feast’ but that she must not touch or eat any of the food. Guarding the feast is a grotesque, alien-like being, whose eyes sit before him on a plate. Ofelia’s childish ignorance presides, and as the fruit touches her mouth, the monster picks up his eyes and places them into the sockets in his hands, using them as binoculars to hunt the young girl. Terrified, Ofelia narrowly escapes a gruesome death.

The juxtaposition of horror vs. fantasy is prevalent in this film, and is all the more alluded to through the film’s secondary storyline. Ofelia and her mother are now living with her mother’s new husband, Captain Vidal. Vidal is the villainous dictator who is hunting the Spanish Maquis; ready to punish anyone who opposes his brutal regime. The film is odd in that the two themes of war and magic don’t physically intertwine, i.e. with the characters, but metaphorically, there is a significant correlation. Ultimately, Guillermo makes the Labyrinth and his creatures so fantastical to shed light upon the beauty of Ofelia’s innocent and fantastical imagination, in its battle against a wretched world of violence, war, and oppression.

The film exposes the realities of human life by casting heartache on its heroes in their struggle to reach a ‘happy place’- ultimately, death. This only really becomes apparent at the end of the film when (spoiler alert) Ofelia is shot. Pan tells us that a sacrifice must be made and innocent blood be shed if she is to return to the Underworld. In one sense, we are led to believe that she has survived and now lives her ‘fantasy life’, but is it not somewhat coincidental that Vidal cannot see Pan, and that Ofelia’s mother, who we know died during childbirth, also resides in the Underworld? Her actual death seems pretty convincing.

Ofelia’s desire to fantasize an escape to the point where it becomes her very own reality sheds light upon the brutality of the existence she is so desperate to escape, for even in death, her imagination transcends reality.

 

 

The Descent – book review

The Descent 

Jeff Bank’s epic The Descent, plays on our most basic fears, claustrophobia and the dark. His novel tells the story of the creatures that live underneath our very feet and explores how we humans react to the unknown. Bank’s (hopefully) imaginary world is dominated by human-like beings called Hadels. Ruthless, barbaric and seemingly invincible, these creatures are the stuff of nightmares.

The beginning of this story honestly terrified me, so much so I resorted to putting the book in the freezer (thanks to Joey Tribbiani for that tip). The beginning of the story is made up of seemingly unrelated incidents involving the Halels, building tension by demonstrating their apparent intelligence and superior hunting skills. Once humans ‘discover’ the existence of the Hadels, they send in the military to try and make sense of these ancient beings (or destroy them, it is never quite clear what the actual intension is).

As the story develops the incidents from the first few chapters come together to form the basis of the main story, bringing the characters we were introduced to separately, together.

A group of aged intellectuals, led by Thomas, a Jesuit priest and scholar, believe the Devil himself resides below the Earth’s surface. Unable to go themselves due to their advanced age, they send Ali, a young intelligent nun and our protagonist, on a expedition to the ‘underworld’ as part of a large exploration party. As we descend further into the depths it is clear this expedition is not simply for scientific research and a far more sinister motive comes to light. What surprised me most was that actually, far from wanting all these Hadel creatures to die immediately, like I did in the first half of the novel, I found myself routing for their survival. After all, it is humans who have invaded their space, hunted them to near extinction and now expect to conquer their entire world. This interesting switching of roles begs the question, who is actually the monster here; the Hadels, or us?

The underlying religious element to the story, embodied in the pursuit of Satan, for me, is a secondary storyline that I wouldn’t miss if it wasn’t included. The main story about the depths of human greed and tolerance for the ‘other’ is much more interesting and could easily hold its own. This side-narrative contributes to the other big anti-climax in the plot, an element of complete supernaturalism that goes far beyond the acceptable realms of simple improbability (perhaps my fondness for science doesn’t help my disappointment).

Despite the unnecessary diversion into religion and the supernatural, these are, as previously mentioned, only side notes to the bigger picture. Bank’s portrayal of the worst and best of the human race is masterful, even if some elements are uncomfortably accurate. His vivid descriptions and realistic characterisations build a world as real as our own, and I highly recommend reading this epic tale (just make sure there’s room in your freezer!).

Photo cred: https://unsplash.com/search/caving?photo=facU72FcKBI

– F –

Happy Birthday Leonardo DiCaprio

In honour of this fine human being’s 42nd birthday tomorrow, I have compiled a list of my top three Leonardo DiCaprio movie characters, paying tribute to him as an extraodrinary actor, and of course, as the love of my life. To kick things off, here’s Leo as Shakespeare’s Romeo from Baz Lurhman’s film adaptation, Romeo and Juliet, 1997. This one’s not actually on my list… but just look at that face.

First up is in fact Jack Dawson from James Cameron’s 1997 epic, Titanic. Jack has little to no flaws and his fun-loving, YOLO approach to life is what we love about him. A runaway who wins a lucky hand at poker, Jack earns himself a free ride on the Titanic. Whilst his playful boyish charm successfully wins the heart of the girl of his dreams, his care-free attitude comes under fire when disaster strikes, and the ship hits an iceberg. Now with an compulsive desire to save the girl, not only from herself, but her oppressive family, and now, death, Jack without doubt makes the most loveable of loveable underdogs.

Next up on the list is Jordan Belfort from Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street, 2013. Literally the polar opposite of Jack, Belfort is a high-flying stock broker on Wall Street whose life is fuelled by sex, drugs, and the partying. Here, Leo gets to play the lads lad; the ultimate playboy, and not only is his portrayal as the money-grabbing ladies man fantastically entertaining, its hilarious, and a role Leo seems to enjoy playing. I wonder why…

Last but not least, is Calvin Candie from Quentin Tarantino’s 2012 hit, Django Unchained.  Tarantino’s villains are always played with such energetic malevolence, and I personally loved seeing Leo indulge in such a role. His portrayal as the rich slave-owner is so believably evil it’s crazily charismatic. I still can’t get forget the scene where he literally smashes his hand on a glass before rubbing his open wound over Broomhilda’s face. Reportedly improvised, the whole thing is just further evidence of Leo’s determination to bring out the best in his characters, good or evil…

 

 

The Crown – First Impressions

So it certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed that a new drama has taken over the Netflix big screen. Peter Morgan’s highly anticipated ten-part series, The Crown, examines the day to day struggles faced by the some of the most idolised and well-respected people on the planet – the British Royal Family. Having only had chance to watch the first two episodes so far, I can nonetheless say with confidence that I am already a fan.

Set in a post-war Britain, The Crown starts with the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and her fiancé, Philip Mountabatten. Whilst Elizabeth prepares herself for married life, her father, King George VI’s discovers that he is terminally ill and faces the daunting prospect that the throne and its overwhelming pressures may now be in the hands of his 25-year old daughter.

There withstands a glittering atmosphere of prestige, power and success as we enter Westminster Abbey for the wedding of the century, that is counteracted by Claire Foy’s portrayal of a young, almost child-like princess who fears her impending status as Queen. Stuttering as she declares her vows, she is seemingly reluctant to say ‘I do’. Coinciding with George’s ill health, the whole episode is made interestingly morose. Clearly determined to evoke sympathy from viewers and create relatable characters is nonetheless essential for Morgan in alluding to realism and sympathy. In this opening episode for example, we see Elizabeth presented with a camera by her father through which to record her memories as she enters married life. She takes the gift and thanks her father, unaware that he too will soon become a memory.

With an already ‘reluctant’ king now facing an early death, the young newly-wed must now come to terms with the fact that she will become Queen much sooner than she had anticipated – a devastating blow for a young woman, wife, and now also, mother. Morgan plays on Elizabeth’s vulnerability and the pressures she must face as Queen. At the end of the episode, she wonders around her father’s office, imagining herself in his position as she sits in front of a large chest inscribed with the word, ‘King’. As if copying her father like a child would its parent, Elizabeth’s preparations for her new role as monarch are evidently shrouded with fear.

When I first heard about a new drama documenting the life of the Queen, I was somewhat surprised that more public scandals weren’t the focus, like the Princess Diana story perhaps. However, I am actually pleased that Morgan has addressed a time period to which many are perhaps much less familiar. Set in the early 1950’s and documenting the life and times of some of the most iconic Briton’s of all time (including Winston Churchill) is an interesting, exciting, and colourful avenue to explore, and one that I can’t wait to see more of.

 

 

 

Best Character Moments – Harry Potter

As a Fake Friday Favourite, here is a quick glimpse into what makes each Harry Potter main character so great, in both the movies and the books. Let us know what your favourite moments of each character are!

 Harry best movie moment:

 Whilst high on Felix Felicis, aka. Liquid Luck, he visits Hagrid only to find him mourning the loss of Aragog, his pet Acromantula. Unable to comprehend why people don’t like giant spiders, Harry helps him out by reminding him of the ‘Pincers’ while miming what pincers are.  

 Harry best book moment: All the Sass!

 Snape: Yes, SIR!

Harry: There’s no need to call me Sir, Professor

*Our jaws hit the deck*

 Hermione best book moment:

 “I’m going to bed before either of you come up with another clever idea to get us killed. Or worse, expelled!”

She really does need to sort out her priorities!

 Hermione best movie moment:

 Coming down the stairs to meet Viktor Krum in The Goblet of Fire

A true movie transformation and a moment we’re reminded there’s more to her than meets the eye. 

Ron best movie moment:

 Being ‘drunk’ on love potion in the Half Blood Prince. That whole scene is pure genius (especially when he falls off the sofa).

 Ron best book moment:

When he begs Bellatrix to interrogate him over Hermione in the Deathly Hallows.

“Take these prisoners down to the cellar, Greyback.”

“Wait,” said Bellatrix sharply. “All except… except for the Mudblood.”

Greyback gave a grunt of pleasure.

“No!” shouted Ron. “You can have me, keep me!”