Harry Potter - Is it Really Over?

I've been so excited about the final movie in the Harry Potter series, but as I was sitting in the theater last Friday night about to actually watch the movie, it suddenly hit me. It's over. I was honestly upset when the final book came out, but with the movies, it was as if the story lived on. There was still this unique way to see the characters and the story come to life visually. But now, what's left?

The ebooks are going to be released on J.K. Rowling's recently announced Pottermore, but the ebooks are just the books in digital format. Don't get me wrong, I fully intend to buy them and devour them again, but it makes me sad that the newness of it is over now that the final movie is out.

The funny thing about the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book in 2007 is that even though I preordered the book and picked it up the day it came out, I didn't actually read the book until October. I just didn't want it to be over. The Harry Potter series is seriously the very best series I have ever read in my life. It's genius. The characters became my friends. I wanted to live in that world (minus Voldemorte, of course) and know those people. I wanted to learn magic and go to Hogwarts. Yes, I was an adult even when it was starting, but it made me want to be a kid again. And just as a funny story, the whole reason I started reading the HP series was because one of my old teachers told me I needed to read them because the girl (Hermione) in the story was just like me, haha.

Anyway, I didn't read the final book for several months because I didn't want to let go. I didn't want to accept that there would be no more new adventures for Harry, Ron and Hermione. Yes, I wanted Voldemorte to die, but I still wanted to know what was happening in their world. When I finally sat down to read the book, I didn't come up for air until it was over. It took me about two days to read the whole thing and when it was over, my eyes were so red from crying, my husband thought someone died. And I guess someone did. Some of my good friends died in that final battle, and I felt their loss deep in my heart. I felt the loss of the series, too. The movies gave me a chance to relive some of that experience.

When I sat down in the movie last Friday night, I wanted that same emotional impact. I wanted to grieve for the final movie and for the end of one of the best series of all time. Unfortunately, even though the cinematics were gorgeous and the story was basically the same as the book, I just didn't get to that same place of emotional depth that I got to with the books. It makes sense when you think about it. The book took me days to read and the characters lived in my mind and my imagination. The movie was just over two hours long and there wasn't time for the same development you get in the book. That's one of the reasons I love books so much. You get so much more into the stories and you get to know the characters and their motivations and their souls so much better. It's part of the magic of reading that just can't be translated to the big screen.

Anyway, all this rambling is basically just me saying that I'm sad the series is officially over with the final movie. I can't wait for the ebooks to come out so I can start the series over and read it all again on my ereader.

What did you think about the movie? Have you had a chance to see it yet? Did you read the books? Did you love them the way I did? Have you ever had a series that touched your life that way?

STOP: An Amazing Short Film by Mikel J. Wisler

I have a friend who was telling me about her brother's short film, called STOP. I kept meaning to watch it, but just finally got around to it today, and WOW. I should NOT have put it off, because it totally blew my mind. OMG, this short film is amazing! I wanted to share it here today, because I think it's the type of things fans of the paranormal will like to see. It's only a few minutes long, but it still manages to tell a great story.

When it was over, I so badly wanted there to be more! It seriously gave me chills. I am a huge fan of the horror genre and this is definitely on the edge of horror. I loved it and had to share it here.

I could spend hours trying to think about what exactly is happening in this film. Is he somehow caught in a time-loop? Why is he so beat up at the end? Has he been doing that to himself? The ghost-type image at the beginning is obviously him, but how? I'd love to hear any ideas you guys have about what might be going on in this short film. I have a feeling it's going to be on my mind for days! Well done Mikel J. Wisler!

Movie Thoughts: Battle L.A.

G and I just got back from watching Battle: L.A. I really enjoyed it. It was a pretty typical war type movie, but with aliens, which is always fun. In some ways, it reminded me of Cloverfield with the shaky camera and running through the war-torn streets to try to find safety. I guess you could say it was like a combination between something like Black Hawk Down and Cloverfield.

The story follows Staff Sergeant Nantz, a rugged military man who has put in his twenty years, seen combat overseas, and is ready to retire after losing several men on his last mission. He's definitely a "wounded hero" type. Of course, instead of being able to retire, he's called into active duty as meteors rain down from the sky. I won't go into any further detail than that.

Resident bad-ass chick, Michelle Rodriguez, is always nice to watch in action. She's got that tough as nails side to her, and I always like her attitude. I've loved her ever since Resident Evil back in the day. Plus, she was awesome as Ana Lucia on Lost. She's always got that same 'don't fuck with me' attitude. I enjoyed her in Battle: L.A. because it was nice to see a military chick who can kick ass with the boys and not get herself killed along the way.

Overall, there was nothing truly groundbreaking here. Just a good war/alien flick with a decent emotional pull. If you like action movies and don't get headaches from the whole shaky cam thing, I recommend this one in the theaters.

Black Swan

Black Swan is the best movie I've seen in a really long time. G and I went to Winston-Salem to visit some friends and we decided to go see a movie on Saturday. The guys wanted to see True Grit, and even though I wasn't entirely opposed to seeing that movie, I really really wanted to see Black Swan. And I'm so incredibly happy I did.

Black Swan was exactly my type of movie. A thriller. A complete mind freak. Natalie Portman was brilliant in this movie and it was worth it just for seeing her amazing portrayal of Nina Sayers, a ballerina who wants nothing more than to be the lead for the company.

As a former Opera singer, I understand the world of this movie. Of course, in this movie, it's the world of dance, but they are both so incredibly similar. When I was a singer, I only scratched the surface of the gritty performance world. I went on a few auditions. I studied with some nasty mean teachers. I felt the pressure of the competition. Maybe that's why this movie affected me the way it did. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time. I understand the pressure of a world like that - where time is against you and there is always someone younger and better waiting to take your place.

The story revolves around the New York City Ballet's production of Swan Lake. Veteran dancer Beth is getting old (they never say how old, but I'm thinking 30'something is too old for a ballerina) and the director of the ballet is looking for a new face. All of the dancers want a chance, but nervous Nina is desperate for a chance. The director has full confidence that Nina can dance the part of the vulnerable and beautiful White Swan. It's the free and passionate evil twin, the Black Swan, that he's worried she can't quite pull off. He gives her a shot, though, and as Nina deals with the pressures of all eyes on her, she slowly descends into madness as she tries to get in touch with her darker side.

Even though there are important relationships to explore in this movie - like that of dancer/director, veteran dancer/new star - it's the relationship between the carefree Lily and Nina that takes center stage. Nina wishes she could be more like Lily. That she could let go and just dance with abandon. Lily is sexual and ambitious while Nina is reserved and controlled. As Nina begins to find freedom, she worries that Lily is somehow after her. It's a brilliant spiral into darkness. I LOVED this movie! If I could describe it in one word, I would say INTENSE. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes dark movies.

I might have to go see it again...

Resident Evil: Afterlife 3D

Zombies in 3D? Pure awesome. But first, an update on my life.

I haven't been updating much, I know. I'm sorry! I have been working on several big projects and thinking about starting a new blog that is less random and more specific. I have started a new novel I'm calling BEAUTIFUL DEMONS. I put PANDEMIC aside for now and am letting it sit before I go back to revise again. Things are good, just busy. I just wanted to write a quick post to say how much I enjoyed the newest Resident Evil movie. This is the 4th movie in the franchise, and it was definitely worth the $27 for G and I to go see it together. Most of the time, to be honest, I don't really find the 3D movies worth the extra money. Avatar was good, but some others just didn't utilize enough of the cool effects of 3D to make it worth the extra $3.50 a ticket. Resident Evil, however, delivered.

Right from the start, there was this awesome rain effect. On the streets of Tokyo, a girl in red high heels is just standing there in the rain amidst a bustling crowd of people, all of whom have umbrellas (of course). The rain effect was so cool in 3D, with some of the drops looking like they were right in front of my face. Later, there was also a scene where Alice was kicking zombie ass and as she shot a couple zombies in the head, the blood flew out into the crowd. It was awesome. The movie was action-packed to say the least, and Milla Jovovich is always so good at making Alice come to life for me.

If you're looking for something fun to watch and you enjoyed the other 3 Resident Evil Movies, then I highly recommend Afterlife. The 3D in and of itself is worth it. Our local theater just added an iMAX screen too, but we opted for the slightly cheaper regular theater. I'm thinking IMAX might actually be worth it on this one, so if you have the chance, upgrade. :) The ending definitely indicated a 5th movie on the way, and I can honestly say I'm looking forward to it.