24-Hour Read-a-Thon

So, I usually find out about the 24-Hour Read-a-Thon either half-way through or after the fact, but this I'm going to participate!

It's starts tomorrow, April 9, at noon GMT or 7 AM EST. I guess some people are posting what they're going to read.

I have no idea.

I have all my mom's books, my Borders books, various unread miscellaneous books, Water for Elephants and magazines and the stuff for work...but I have been meaning to read Uncle Tom's Cabin since it's of historical importance and I've never read it.

Day 29 - Did you enjoy A Very Potter Musical?

Day 29 - Did you enjoy A Very Potter Musical?

Umm, I haven't watched. I know everyone has said I should but I just haven't gotten around to it.

However, I do enjoy the Potter Puppet Pals. I was introduced to that in college.

Day 30 - What affect has Harry Potter made on your life and how much does it mean to you?

Day 30 - What affect has Harry Potter made on your life and how much does it mean to you?

This is the earliest photographic evidence of my Harry Potter fandom from December 2000:


I'm not sure there's any aspect of my life that hasn't been changed by Harry Potter. I think that's what is supposed to happen when involved with a fandom for eleven years that provokes thinking about good, evil, destiny and our purpose in life. I've made some awesome friends through it and had some even more awesome times with those people whether it was tracking down sneak peak tickets, waiting for that magic midnight hour or riding the Hooters trolley to see it on Imax.

See, the great thing about Harry Potter is its inclusive: it's all races, all ages, all genders, all economic backgrounds. I had a housemate in my first year of college who would appear to be the ultimate party girl: a skinny, leggy blonde who joined a sorority as soon as possible. I borrowed her copy of Goblet of Fire more than once.

It also changed my reading habits. I wasn't an adventurous reader. My mom would read just about anything and I'd stick to tie-in books for Star Wars or Buffy. I had also regressed into avoiding long books. Then, I read Harry Potter and it made me want to try other YA books like Tolkien, Duane and Cooper. I even read book analysis on HP for fun1

Also, yes, I did weigh thirty pounds more in high school. It's not just a bad photo. I've lost at least fifteen pounds just in the last two years alone.

Day 31: Best and Worst Casting Decisions

Day 31: Best and Worst Casting Decisions

Yes, I cheated but I couldn't fit it anywhere else.

The casting decisions in the films have often been second guessed and frowned upon at times, but usually, I come around to their way of thinking in the end.

However, twice, I have cheered the casting decision. One was Alan Rickman because how could you watch Dogma and NOT think he was perfect?

The other was Natalia Tena as Tonks. I know a lot of people championed Anna Friel but considering how that relationship turned out, I'm even happier that they didn't pander to fans on that one.

Anyway, having loved About a Boy, I felt Tena was absolutely perfect. Now, I can't give you a clip because Universal is owned by NBC and thus evil with Youtube.



I think I had always based my idea of Tonks off her without realizing it.

Okay, Worst Decision ever?

Lily and James Potter

Yes, I know that Alan Rickman is older so all his classmates have to be skewed accordingly BUT people age significantly during trying situations like living as a rat, living in Azkaban or being a werewolf. I have no problems believing that those in their early to mid 30s could pass as 40s in those circumstances.

but WHY, WHY, WHY did they cast Lily and James as being the same age as their schoolmates CURRENTLY????

Part of the tragedy behind Lily and James' deaths is that they were ONLY 21 YEARS OLD! No one's going to understand that from the films.

Again, the same rules apply, living under constant threat could have aged them but it just doesn't work for me and the older I get, the more sad it becomes whenever someone dies that young or younger.

Day 2 - What is your favorite Jack Sparrow line?

Day 2 - What is your favorite Jack Sparrow line?

"Still rooting for you, mate."

I love their dynamic and I really missed it in AWE. I know I'll be looking for some reference in OST but I doubt there will be one. They'll probably pretend Will, Liz and James never existed.

Day 3 - What’s your favorite movie, and why?

Day 3 - What’s your favorite movie, and why?

Dead Man's chest, we saw that thing SEVEN times in the theater and it just got better and better. James was scruffy and more involved while we got these new people: Beckett and Davy Jones who were awesome. Then, you have have the best swordfight scene EVER and gorgeous costumes, like Liz' wedding dress and Beckett's attire.

It's just...to me, it's like, What's NOT to like?

However, I know there are people who don't. Let me compare more of why I like DMC best to Star Wars. The Empire Strikes Back is my favorite episode in that series.

Why?

Yes, it's dark but you get this awesome new character: Yoda, more expansion on the romance, more comedy despite our heroes being in such dire straits.
I also prefer the open ending. Think about it, if you didn't know Return of the Jedi existed, ANYTHING could happen. Han could be rescued and save the galaxy. Darth Vader could come back to the light side and redeem himself. Yoda could come back to the general populace again and watch over Luke.

It's the same way with DMC: we assumed Jack would be rescued, but we could have also had James coming back and helping our heroes WITHOUT dying or Weatherby being there for Elizabeth. There were all these possibilities and then At World's End comes along and crushes them.

Day 4 - How do you feel about the idea of the 4th movie?

Day 4 - How do you feel about the idea of the 4th movie?

Well, I love stories involving Florida although it wasn't even filmed IN Florida. Heck, they didn't even bother with the Caribbean this time...

I suppose you could say I'm leery because I loved the idea of AWE and ended up hating it. Blackbeard looks intriguing and I do like that some of James' men are still around although it's weird to see Barbossa, of all people, in uniform.

I also don't like the romance between young lovers: the mermaid and the missionary who's basically Pseudo-Will- same lines, same outfits, similar build and look, who do they think they're fooling?

However, I have always been a fan of Penelope Cruz. Jack does need a foil to work with who could be working with him or against him depending on the situation and she appears to fit the bill. They also get bonus points for giving her a history with him, seemingly about on par with Beckett, and having her older.

How I feel about the new one changes on an hourly basis, lol.