Best/ Worst Movie Adaptations

As an avid reader, I’ve always smiled upon seeing a movie trailer based on a book I’ve loved. Recently, however, that happiness has been diminishing, due to increasingly less accurate movie
adaptations.

The recent influx of adaptations such as Hugo (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) and the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie leaves me, as well as many others, with one predominant thought–will these movies evoke pleasant memories of the book they were based on or lead us into a never-ending nightmare of plot inconsistencies, underdeveloped characters and all around madness?

Fans agree that that the adaptation must stay as true to the original plot as possible. This sentiment is best expressed by junior Emily Mullins who yelled, “They killed Luke! They can’t do anything without Luke!” in reference to the Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief adaptation’s ridiculous departures from the original plot of the first book.

Eleanor Jenner, a junior, said, “Turning a book into a movie only works if you follow the plot as closely as you can. Otherwise, you annoy a lot of fans who think ‘I don’t remember him dying in x scene’ or other things.”

The Harry Potter franchise is often held up as an excellent example of movies that closely hew to the books, even though certain scenes had to be cut to keep the movie close to two hours. Ms. Iorgulescu also offered a glowing review of The Help as a good movie adaptation for the reason that it did, in fact, follow the plot.

The best adaptations also feature visuals better than those imagined during the reading of the
books. Poor special effects or an overabundance of CGI at the expense of character development can destroy a much-loved book.

“Eragon, it was such a good book. But they made it about… I don’t know,” says Jenna Wilkerson,
junior.

Many people acknowledged that the movie adaptation of Christopher Paolini’s book was mainly for the visuals, a point many fans of the Twilight movie echo. “It’s like pictures!” said freshman Natalie Peck. “Pictures with music in the background! And then there’s a little dialogue. Usually from Edward, of course.”

Many fans of adaptations said that the casting directors should try surveying the fans for what they think the characters should look like instead of basing it on popularity or personal opinion in order to make the experience more satisfying. The casting directors claim to take box office appeal into account, but the movie won’t be appealing unless the fans like the portrayals of their favorite characters.

In the end, it’s what the individual takes from the movie that makes it a success or a failure. If the attitude that the fan enters with is to pick the movie apart and expose its failures, that’s all that will happen. If the fan tries to be more accepting, good things could come out of the worst of adaptations. There is still hope for the future.

 

Wands, Witches and Wizards

You’ve read all the Harry Potter books, you’re on Pottermore, but you’re not a true Potterphile until you’ve visited Harry Potter World in Orlando, Florida. Universal Studios is home to the magically wicked Harry Potter World which opened in the spring. After walking through the stone arch, the first thing you see is the snow covered village of Hogsmeade.

While in this delightful town, you can walk into The Three Broomsticks and have a cup of butterbeer or pumpkin juice. At the Hogshead, the pub where Harry and his friends would hold meetings to teach themselves defensive and attacking spells, you are able to buy robes, wands, posters and anything else you can imagine that has to do with Harry Potter and his friends.

If you are craving sweets, you can buy them at Honeydukes, which is connected to Zonko’s, Fred and Georges joke shop. In Honeydukes you can buy chocolate frogs, which contain wizard trading cards, Bertie Bott’s Every-Flavour Beans and Cauldron Cakes, as well as classic favorites such as fudge.

At Zonko’s Joke Shop you can take home the Sneakoscope, Extendable Ears, a Boxing Telescope, Pygmy Puffs, Screaming Yoyos and much more. Their sweets are not as savory as those found at Honeydukes, but Zonko’s offers Fainting Fancies, Fever Fudge, Nosebleed Nougats and U-No-Poo. For other souvenirs you can purchase t-shirts, key chains and toy robots.

As you finish your walk through Hogsmeade, you can stroll into Hogwarts, which is actually one giant ride called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. As you enter through the gates of magnificent Hogwarts, you are able to take in all of its grandeur. If you are a Harry Potter fanatic like me, the line to the ride is just as enjoyable as the ride. While you wait, you happily make your way through the familiar passageways and corridors of the school. You can visit Dumbledore’s office, the Gryffindor common room, the Room of Requirement and the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.

In each room you are greeted by the holograms of Harry, Hermione, Ron, Fawkes the Phoenix and the headmaster himself, Dumbledore. In the corridors, paintings can be seen talking to each other, while the staircase moves of its own accord. The ride allows you to soar above the castle grounds and join Harry and his friends on a thrilling adventure, battling dementors, the whomping willow, quaffles and other mystical creatures.

Dragon Challenge is another of three rides found in Harry Potter World. The Dragon Challenge is inspired by the book and movie the Goblet of Fire. The Dragon Challenge is actually two high speed roller coasters. This ride allows you to choose a “dragon”– the Chinese Fireball or the Hungarian Horntail that Harry defeated. The two coasters twist, turn and intertwine as they battle to win the Triwizard Cup.

Next is the Flight of the Hippogriff¸ which allows you to follow Hagrid’s instructions to learn the proper way to approach a Hippogriff. Once you have mastered that, you can take a “training flight” on an exciting roller coaster with your family past Hagrid’s hut, the pumpkin patch and Buckbeak the “real” Hippogriff.

There are many benefits to staying at an on-site hotel. If you stay at one of the many prestigious hotels located near the vicinity, you, your friends and family can enter the the park one hour before it opens. This is your opportunity to avoid waiting in the long lines. If you show your hotel key card at each express entrance you can skip the lines or if you are not staying at any hotels on-site you can purchase the Universal Express ride access pass for a price of $87 per person per day.

Along with skipping the long tedious lines you can take a complimentary water taxi along the waterways or ride the shuttle bus to both of Universals parks. If you want to dine at any select restaurants throughout the parks, you and your family will have reserved seating available. While eating at a reserved table, any of your favorite theme park characters can join you and your family. Not only can your key card give you access to the express lines, your room key can also charge food and merchandise at any Universal locations where credit cards are accepted.

If you decide to stay at any Universal Studio hotel you will wake up to a call from your favorite theme park character and complimentary merchandise from the resort will be waiting for you.

This magical world of Harry Potter, inspired by the fantastic novels by J.K. Rowling, is breathtaking, but if you really are a true Harry Potter fan, you will notice there are some things that do not belong in Hogsmeade. Shops such as the Owl Post, Olivander’s and Zonko’s Joke Shop do not belong in Honeydukes but Diagon Alley. However, those mistakes did not take away from the wonderful adventure you can have in Harry Potter World.

 

The Boy Who Lived Lives On

On July 31, many Harry Potter fans stayed up all night sitting in front of their computers with their copies of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone opened to the chapter “Diagon Ally.” Finally, after hours of waiting, they all searched frantically for the number of owls on the sign at Eeylop’s Owl Emporium.

After finding the answer, the fans were rewarded by securing a place in the Beta testing of J.K. Rowling’s new website, Pottermore. Pottermore is an interactive reading experience for the Harry Potter series which allows fans a place for discussions, fan art and more. Pottermore will open for public registration at the end of October.

Pottermore users are swept into the stories all over again on this interactive site. They start with Harry on the day he arrived at Number 4 Privet Drive and journey with him through all of his magical experiences at Hogwarts.

After buying supplies at Diagon Alley, users receive their own personalized wand. Since “the wand chooses the wizard,” fans take a quiz to discover their own personal wand type. Fans also purchase an owl, a cat or even a toad on Diagon Alley to serve as their pet and user icon.

Next, users arrive at Hogwarts for the Beginning of Term Feast. They participate in one of the most anticipated activities of the site: the Sorting Ceremony. J.K. Rowling designed this activity to accurately sort fans into their houses at Hogwarts.

The ceremony is a quiz that changes questions for each user. These questions can be as simple as “What are you most afraid of?” or as abstract as “left or right?” In the end, each user is sorted into their correct house of either Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw or Slytherin.

Senior Katarina Klask said, “I’m a Ravenclaw of course! When I finished the quiz and the screen turned blue I literally screamed because I was so happy. But was I surprised? Not at all!
”

Because many fans wish to be in Gryffindor due to the fact that it is the house of Harry Potter himself, J.K. Rowling came up with an ingenious idea to make users content with the results of their sorting. If sorted into a house other than Gryffindor, users will receive exclusive new content about their specific house such as the décor of their common room and notable house alumni.

The most exciting part about this site is that fans are also given access to new content from J.K. Rowling about characters, places and events. These “ghost plots” have never before been revealed until now. Fans can learn new content about all their old favorites such as Professor McGonagall or The Hogwarts Express.

“My favorite part of Pottermore would have to be all of JK Rowling’s behind the scene details. I loved reading about poor Professor McGonagall and the Dursleys,” said Katarina Klask.

Pottermore also gives fans a way to communicate with other Potter lovers all over the world. Discussion walls are available on each page of the book, in the Great Hall and in the house common rooms. Additionally, fan art can be shared on any of these pages, allowing users a way to share their visions of characters, places and events.

And for those competitive fans out there, never fear! Pottermore invites users to earn house points to help win the House Cup. By dueling other houses, brewing potions and collecting items throughout the story, users can either earn or lose points for their house.

The final treat J.K. Rowling has for her fans on the site is the first release of the digital copies of the books. In the first half of 2012, fans will be given the option to buy ebooks for their Kindles, Nooks and IPads so they can take the magic everywhere.

Right now, only Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is available for exploration on the site. Pottermore is staggering access to the books so that the experience will last longer. But Harry Potter fans are not daunted by the wait; they have waited a long time for the books and movies, and they are willing to wait a bit longer for the site.

Although the Harry Potter books and movies have finished, the magic still lives on through Pottermore. Pottermore is a great ending to this touching series. Ironically, both the snitch from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Pottermore have something in common: “I open at the close.”

 

The End of an Era

After years of books and movies, the Harry Potter saga is coming to a close on July 15. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was first released in the United States in 1998. This book won almost all the awards for children’s books in the UK and the US and started off a wildly popular series, which reached its close at seven books. But that was not the end. In 2001, those books were picked up to be made into what is now going on eight movies.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 is what all the fans have been waiting for. Though the end of the saga will be sad, the movie is looking to be everything the fans want to end the series. The trailer gives fans snippets of the three amigos, Harry, Ron and Hermione, fighting evil at Hogwarts; Harry’s growing relationship with Ginny; a dragon; and many epic battle scenes between Harry and He Who Must Not Be Named.

The story journeys with Harry, Ron and Hermione as they go back to Hogwarts to find the last of the Horcruxes and finally kill Voldemort. The last movie left off with the tragic death of Dobby the house elf, and this story picks up exactly where that one left off.

The kids are now even more determined to bring an end to Voldemort and to stop him from taking over the muggle and wizarding worlds. Even though many who have read the books already know how it will end, the excitement leading up to the final scene has captured many into going to the movie on opening night and most likely dressing up as well.

Fans of the Harry Potter series are having mixed emotions for the last movie. As senior Katia Kane-Foempe put it, “Oh my goodness I am going to cry! It’s especially poignant for the seniors because the first movie came out when we were in first grade and the last movie comes out right as we leave for college!”

Other classes are having similar reactions as well. Freshman Shavari Bhide said, “It’s sad that the series is coming to a close of course, but it kind of already ended with the coming of the last book. The movies are great, but nothing can beat the books. After the last movie comes out, I plan to watch them all again! Plus, we can read the books whenever we want. The Harry Potter legacy will go on long after the story has ended through the fans. In fact, I used a quote from Harry Potter in my English paper the other day!”

However, the end of the Harry Potter movies will not be the end of seeing Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson on the big screen; all three young actors already have movies set to come out in the next couple of years.

Daniel Radcliffe, who plays Harry Potter, has already filmed The Woman in Black, where he stars as a young lawyer trying to settle things for a deceased client when he encounters the ghost of a scorned woman. The ghost horror film is set to debut Feb. 2012 in the UK.

Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) is currently filming Comrade, a story about a British pilot and a German pilot shooting each other down only to be stuck in the same cabin to survive the rough Norwegian winter. This film is set to come out sometime in 2012. Grint is also set to star in a film about the first English Ski Jumper in the Winter Olympics.

Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) has already filmed My Week with Marilyn. This film, starring Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe, is set to debut sometimes later this year. Watson is also set to film The Perks of Being a Wallflower, along with a slew of other members of young Hollywood. Watson will become the step-sister to Charlie,a young boy, who helps show him his way through high school.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 will not be the end of these beloved actors, and even though everything will come to an end on July 15, you can still purchase the DVD and watch the series to your heart’s content.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

 On July 14, 2009, a long line of anxious individuals wrapped around the Almaden Cinema around 10 p.m. Many were clad in long cloaks, yellow and maroon striped scarves and rounded black glasses. More significantly, almost every person present at the movie theater clenched a wand in his or her hands complete with a jagged lightning bolt gracing their forehead. Whether they carried a stick from the ground or a light-up wand from Barnes and Noble, each came for one purpose: the midnight premiere of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.

So, what can you do for the premiere?

“I am dressing up like Hermione and going to the midnight premiere. I have her hair already and I’m going to use a graduation gown from eighth grade as school robes,” said senior Miro Habib.

Freshman Abby Ford and juniors Hannah Ford and Emily Sklar plan on attending the midnight premiere as well, dressed in robes, of course.

“I am most excited to see where they cut off the ending in anticipation for the next movie,” said Hannah.

If you are worried about being the only one dressed up, have no fear! Individuals around the world find costumes to fit the many characters of Harry Potter.

“This year my friends and I are going to the midnight premiere again and we are all dressing up as characters from the movie. I’m dressing up as Luna Lovegood,” said senior Sarah Kuhs.

Senior Amanda Uyesugi has a plan as well.

“I hope to go to the movie after Feast day! Maybe I’ll don my Gryffindor colored scarf for this movie over my usual Bellatrix Lestrange Death Eater costume. My attire is questionable, however I will definitely be in the theater waiting in anticipation for the first look at Harry Potter!” she says.

The movie premieres the night before Feast of the Presentation, so head on over to your favorite theaters, or ones nearby! Catch the opening at Almaden Cinema Five, Oakridge, Pruneyard or Santa Row.

 

Expelliarmus!

Summer Reading

Fiction

The Bronx Masquerade:Nikki Grimes-

An excellent book, even for those of you out there who are not big fans of reading. A quick collection of poems written poetry-slam style and short narrations by the characters, it tells an excellent story of high school kids in hard situations opening up to show what lies beyond the masquerade. Something anyone could enjoy.

The Book Thief:Marcus Zusak-

A book about a book lover for book lovers. Fascinatingly narrated by “death” herself, this book centers on a young girl in WWII Germany, who, with the help of her foster father, steals books and secrets away illegal books to learn to read and then share with a runaway Jew her family shelters.

Uglies:Scott Westerfield-

An excellent and easy read about a future in which the old “Rusty” society has passed away. At sixteen the “Uglies” undergo an operation involving lots of plastic surgery to make them into “Pretties,” who live across the river in what they think is a utopia. Parties every night, freedom, the ability to change your appearance through a plastic surgery operation whenever you like… what more could you ask for? But when people discover that not only is the appearance being changed, but also the mind in the “Pretty” operations, they realize that this is not as much of a utopia as was thought.

Fantasy

Harry Potter: J. K. Rowling-

It’s a classic. And you’ll understand now when your friends reference it.

Lord of the Rings:J. R. R. Tolkien-

Long, yes, but a fantastic and well-written story. Know the story behind the movies! The movies were impressive, but as in almost all cases the book is still much better and definitely worth a read.

Alanna: the First Adventure: Tamora Pierce-

For those of you wishing to be whisked away into a alternate world of swords, sorcery, adventure, and a girl disguising herself a boy to train as a knight, this is the book for you. The first of a quartet, this is a great, quick and fun read.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe:C.S. Lewis-

If you liked the movie, you will like this book (or the whole series) even more. Get the whole story, not just the bits that Hollywood liked. Also a classic, and definitely worth a read.

Ender’s Game:Orson Scott Card-

This is the kind of book you read now and will still remember years later. Many years into the future of earth, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin is an amazing child genius who is drafted into Battle School in space, to fight a future invasion by an alien race. He and his cronies who play games in Battle School and his siblings back on earth are in a position to change the world. Definitely worth a read. And if you like this, author Orson Scott Card tells the rest of the story in the many sequels.

Biography

A Child Called“It”: Dave Pelzer-

If you’re looking for an intense read, this is it. It is written by the victim of one of the most severe child abuse cases in California history. He was beaten and starved, and many worse things, by his alcoholic and unstable mother. He didn’t even have a name: he was called “it.” Be prepared for an intense and evocative read, though very memorable and thought-provoking.

Science Fiction

The Host:Stephanie Meyer-

Hey all you Twilight fans: have you ever heard of this book by the same author? Technically written for adults rather than for teens, as Twilight was, this book delves into a world where the alien race of “souls” are taking over Earth by taking control of the minds and bodies of humans. But when one of the humans resists her “soul,” and forces her to search for her family, the alien “soul” is forced to learn and discover herself and reconsider whether she should be there.

Maximum Ride:James Patterson-

What would it be like to have wings and fly? Find out with Maximum Ride and her family, who were grown by an illegal scientist mixing bird and human genes. They escaped the brutal scientist, and now live running from him and struggling to have a normal life. A captivating read about an epic adventure.