Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Tags

fantasy, Harry Potter, heroism, Movies

Watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 Saturday. It’s possibly the most emotional installment in the series. The most touching scene has got to be the one where the faculty at Hogwarts were preparing for war, using magic to mobilize the stone guards and create a protective shield around the school. It reminds me of Battle at Helms Deep in The Two Towers: the same sense of overwhelming doom, the same defiant courage,  and the same determination to prevail against all odds. Amazing! I couldn’t stop crying. Another great tear-jerking scene is “the real story of Snape” (what a fascinating antihero — a story is only as good as its villains, esp. when the villain turns out to be sad, misunderstood, a true romantic, and an ultimate hero). Of course, this is not a sappy Lifetime movie; it is also full of moments that are triumphant (e.g., Neville Longbottom beheading the snake) and the subtly funny (did anyone notice that the middle-aged Ron has a sizable gut?).

Anyway, the movie is a wonderful conclusion to the epic. In my opinion, HP7 part 1 and part 2 are the best, while those in the middle are okay but rather forgettable.

Now I am looking forward to Cowboys & Aliens.

A clean slate / HP movie

Tags

fantasy, Harry Potter, health, life, Movies

It’s been a long hiatus, but not much has happened. Finally realized my dream of visiting Glacier NP and Yellowstone NP. I moved my blog, again. I was stressed out and depressed for a few months, got another epic, almost month long, cold. Work has been busy, life has been quiet. I canceled Clear Wireless because it had been crawling for a long time. I took up on a promotional offer from Comcast. I sold my old keyboard and bought a Yamaha P155, a real digital piano, and love it. I found a piano teacher, then fired him and got another one (like my current one so far). I am really enjoying piano, although I don’t practice enough. I got pressured into signing up for a useless personal training program at the gym, regretted almost immediately, paid extra to get a “divorce” from the program, and now swear never to sign up for a PT program again. I got addicted to spinning — best gym class I have ever taken. I am not dating, not freaking out over it, and actually enjoying the peaceful singleton life. I bought my first pair of boots (ever) and wore them with a skirt (also new) today, and I looked darn good (seriously, do I actually look thinner in skirt and boots?!) Time to start over — a clean slate.

Went to a 9am show of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 1. Emma Watson absolutely stole the show — she is beautiful and her rendition of Hermoine was brilliant. I feel like this is the best HP movie so far. I was rather bored with the last couple installments, but 2.5 hours went by in a flash in this one. I got misty-eyed when Hermoine erased her parents’ memories, I was sitting at the edge of my seat during the Ministry of Magic scenes, I smiled when Harry and Hermoine danced in the tent (such a tender and beautiful moment, even though it doesn’t exist in the book, and I had known and loved that song — Nick Cave’s O Children — forever), I cried when Dobby died in Harry’s arms. I love the animation of the Deathly Hallows story. Even though I read all the books, I don’t really remember much, and this movie is a great refresher.

The Twilight Saga

Tags

books, fantasy, love, twilight

Around midnight last night, I finally finished Breaking Dawn, and thus, concluded my obsessive journey with the vampires, werewolves (or rather, shape-shifters), and (fellow) humans. I have never read anything that I feel so conflicted about. It’s a rather jarring experience.

Emotionally, I loved it. It was addictive. I buried myself in the books during most of my free time and had to summon every ounce of my willpower to put down the book from time to time so I could take care of my mundane human needs (sleeping, working, shopping, household chores…). I could picture all the characters clearly in my head, seeing the slightest change of expression the way Bella did. I was genuinely happy that nobody (significant) died at the end and everybody got exactly what they wanted. 

Intellectually, I had quite a few objections (or suspicions). I have never regarded myself as a feminist, but this kind of story is truly corrupting to the mind, especially, that of an impressionable teenage girl. It feeds into the fantasy that a woman is not “whole” on her own and can’t live without love (or a man in her life, as she was pretty much a zombie without either Edward or Jacob), that you can do stupid things in the name of love (or loss of love) without consequences because you will still be saved by a secret admirer (or two), that you need “permission” from your boyfriend to do things (e.g., visiting Jacob), that the only way out of the drudgeries of life is to be swooped away by Prince Charming… the list goes on.

Bella was emotionally insecure, physically clumsy, socially awkward, and as she described herself, “mediocre” in every possible way. And yet, she snagged (without any conscious effort on her part, or possessing any extraordinary personality traits) the most aloof, elusive, gorgeous, rich, smart, boy, who fell in love with and became devoted to her with an out-of-this-world passion that defied reason, separation, or death. That begs the question: if Bella didn’t smell that outrageously delicious to him, and/or if he could read her mind to see that she was just as infatuated with him as any common Jane out there on the street, would he have loved her the same way? Bella idolized The Cullens, especially Edward. She was drawn to him like a satellite orbiting its planet; she observed, intently, his every move and every mercurial change of mood, and responded to it in an earnest effort to please him. She had no real human friends because, well, she despised them and their small town friendliness. She had no other interests outside of reading gothic romance (Wuthering Heights) and zero desire to have any kind of future except for being with HIM. Her life revolved around him – college was plan B and being a vampire was plan A. Insecurity and arrogance are often twins, and Bella was no exception: she was, underneath it all, an egotist (self-centered and narcissistic). Meyer must have projected because honestly in real life I can’t fathom how someone like Bella could be attractive to anybody, human or vampire. 

But of course, who wouldn’t want to be a vampire, after Meyer’s adoring and painstakingly detailed depiction of The Cullens: immortality (esp. staying under 20 forever), beauty, and ability(-ies) – the holy trinity of a PERFECT existence. Honestly, with the “vegetarian lifestyle”, there is really NO downside to being a vampire. There are few (and very manageable) “sacrifices” (okay, more like “minor inconveniences”). Who wouldn’t want to be one? Sign me up already!!!

Eclipse is my least liked book in this saga. God, it irritated the hell out of me that Bella was so “fragile”, needy and clingy, while Edward extremely moody, possessive and controlling. He hovered over her as if she were a misbehaving child or a brittle china/glass doll. Some kind of complex?  

And the writing… It’s easy, pretty, at times funny, and intimate. Since all stories are narrated in first person in a straightforward linear sequence, and in vivid details, sometimes I felt as if I were reading a girl’s blog/diary. It’s almost voyeuristic. However, the language gets old soon: can someone please count how many times these words were used: glower, scowl, growl, roll my/his/her eyes, flex his/her/ jaw… Seriously, it got on my nerves. And enough of the cringe-worthy “HE IS SOOOO PERFECT AND HE LOVES ME BUT WHAT DOES HE SEE IN ME OH I NEED YOU TO CONFIRM AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT YOU REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE ME OH MY UNDYING LOVE” rambling. The Harry Potter series has 7 books, but I never felt that the writing gets anywhere as trite, repetitive or predictable. 

Which brings me to the final verdict: the new Harry Potter? Puh-leeeese!!! They are not even in the same league! HP has a more complex, intricate, and utterly original story, a more interesting group of characters with greater depths (while in the Twilight Saga, Bella is insufferable, Edward bores me to tears; most characters, including most of the Cullens, forgettable; Alice and Jacob are the only two that bring some real life and dynamic to the story), a more layered theme (good vs. evil, and many shades of gray in between), and as I mentioned before, much better writing.  

So why is this such a compulsive read, even for me, apparently, an overanalyzing cynic? Because this is romantic fantasy to the extreme. It has a vampire of a shell, but in the core it’s a teenage version of the kind of trashy romance you see in grocery/book store paperback section where a half-naked hunk with long flowing wavy hair embraces a striking but “helpless” damsel-in-distress. It gives most of us (girls at least) what we want (or culturally conditioned to want): beautiful people, over-the-top romance, happily ever after (and forever) despite some setbacks, and most of all, an escape for any common Plain Jane out there (we prob. will never graduate from the puny ordinary Human Bella to become the powerful ravishing Vampire Bella, and we prob. will never get to experience a thrilling but ultimately victorious journey , so we can’t help but being sucked into it like moth to fire, or stardust to a black hole, living vicariously through Bella, even though we – or at least I – will never want to be like her). It’s a drug, it takes you to places; it’s saccharine, it makes you feel good… and then you open your eyes, and you wonder, “wow, what just happened here?”

The Twilight saga doesn’t strive to be profound, inspiring, or life-changing. It’s what it is: a happy pill, a big tub of full fat ice cream; it’s something that you know is not good for your health but you want it just the same. Read it for what it is; just don’t think too much and everything will be rosy and sweet, even in the afterglow.

Arwen's Fate

Tags

fantasy, LOTR, Movies

“…You will still have to taste the bitterness of mortality.
Whether by the sword or the slow decay of time,
Aragorn will die.
And there will be no comfort for you.
No comfort to ease the pain of his passing.

He will come to death.
An image of the splendor of the kings of men,
In glory undimmed before the breaking of the world.

But you, my daughter,
You will linger on in darkness and in doubt.
As nightfall in winter that comes without a star.
Here you will dwell,
Bound to your grief under the fading trees,
Until all the world is changed,
And the long years of your life are utterly spent.”

Among the many lyrical and beautiful words in LOTR movies, this part always brings me to tears. It doesn’t exist in the original books. Arwen’s fate is told as an appendix at the end of the third book, matter-of-factly, without much emotion (if I remember correctly). However, it is extremely wise to elaborate this sequence, simply because it heightens the emotional power of the story. The sequence of Arwen envisioning her mortal future (the long and lonely years ahead, walking in widow’s black cloak on the abandoned land with sunshine streaming through barren branches) was one of the most exquisite, haunting, gut-wrenching and poetic moments in the movie.

ROTK – end of the saga

Tags

fantasy, LOTR, Movies

I so wanted to write a thorough review of Return of the King but my words failed me. All conventional praises (remarkable, amazing, fabulous, fantastic, wonderful, glorious, exquisite, elevating, inspiring…) just seem trite and powerless for this masterpiece. It is no easy job to adapt the 2.5 books of the trilogy into one 3.5 hour movie (which by the way, is the shortest 3.5 hours I have sat through – actually 4 hours, since I arrived half an hour early and got to pick my seat, 5 minutes before the crowd poured in), but Peter Jackson and Co. did it, and so beautifully, from the battle scenes you have never seen before, to the unconquerable human spirit and selfless sacrifice in the face of despair, from the brutality of war and evil, to the serenity and happiness in times of peace, from The King (Aragorn) who accepted his destiny and led his people to victory, to the Lady of Rohan who defied her destiny and proved her valor on the battle field. As complicated as the trilogy is, Lord of the Rings is ultimately about one thing: triumph is achieved by all the “people” (used loosely) involved, big or small, elf or dwarf, powerful or otherwise. Aragorn summed it up perfectly: “My friends, you bow to no one” (and got down on his knees to the hobbits).

Although I miss parts of the books that should have been there (House of Healing – Faramir deserves more screen time, Wormtougue killing Saruman, Scouring of the Shire, etc.), this movie is really pushing the limit in terms of achieving the perfect balance between being loyal to the book and being entertaining. As much as I wish those nuggets of story were there, I realize it’s simply impossible to include every single little piece that we love so much from the book and move it to the big screen, without making a 6-hour movie, four or five installations, or a TV series. I think this is really as good as it gets and I have no complaint. What’s more, I am sure House of Healing (Faramir and Eowyn, yeah!!) will be included in the extended DVD to be released next year.

Will add if there are more…

One random observation: I had thought Rohan referred to Celtic culture (with the intricate patterns and the color green), but according to PJ in TTT EE, it is actually modelled after Scandinavian/Nordic culture. Minas Tirith (with the city, the hall, the sculptures) somehow reminds me of Rome, but I am not quite sure.

Some Favorite Quotes:

From IMDB:

[Addressing his troops before battle]
Aragorn: I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of Men fail… when we forsake our friends, and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day. This day, we fight!

[To Eowyn]
Theoden: I would have you smile again… not grieve for those whose time has come.

Gandalf: It’s the deep breath before the plunge.
Gandalf: The board is set, the pieces are moving.

Gollum: Smeagol wouldn’t hurt a fly.
[Gollum hits his forehead and looks into his hand, screaming at the fly smashed on it]

Frodo: I’m glad I’m with you, Samwise Gamgee… here, at the end of all things

The Silmarillion

Tags

books, fantasy, LOTR

Two afternoons and two nights, roughly 24 hours later, I finally finished reading The Silmarillion. I was speechless. I had so many thoughts that I didn’t know where to start. This is the most challenging and most rewarding book I have ever read! For any fan of LOTR who is intrigued by the ambiguous and tantalizing references in the books or movies, this is a must read. It answers all my questions (for now), for example:

* Stories behind the main characters: Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, Aragorn, etc.
* Origins of the various races in Middle-earth (and their relationships): Elves, Dwarves, Men.
* What is Valinor, what is Grey Havens, what is a Valar?
* The different fates that await Elves and Men after they die (which explains a lot why the parting between Elrond and Arwen was so painful for them).
* How did Sauron become the Enemy?
* Why did the Elves need to depart Middle-earth and why were they so sorrowful?

But most of all, The Silmarillion is Tolkien’s blueprint of the World (Middle-earth and beyond) and chronicles of events that happened from the breaking of the world through the end of the Third Age (in which the Ring story came to pass). It is mainly devoted to the account of the Noldor (a branch of the Elves), who consumed by pride and greed and bound by an evil oath, exiled from Valinor (the Blessed Realm in which Valar and Elves dwelled) to Middle-earth to get back the Silmarils (three mighty jewels wrought by their leader Feanor) that were robbed by Melko, a “fallen” God (Valar) and “The Enemy” of the World, and how their fate was intertwined with the fate of Men, their kindred. The rest of the book concerns briefly the rise and fall of Numenoreans (a branch of Men that were blessed by the Valar at first), and the war of the Rings (which developed into the LOTR trilogy).

I have never been an avid fan of fantasies, histories, or family sagas. And yet, this book is precisely a hybrid of these three, and I was so absorbed that I was reading it almost nonstop. There is something irresistible about the stories, and the way they were told. As always I was enamored with Tolkien’s use of language which possesses a rare beauty and elegance and his ability to describe events and convey emotions potently with few words. The stories are of such emotional power that I writhed my hands in dismay at the flight of the Noldor and the atrocities they committed in pursuit of the Silmarils, I cried at the tragic yet heroic love story between Beren and Luthien (Arwen’s choosing mortality seemed so trivial compared to the deeds achieved by Luthien), I cried as Turin slew his friend by mistake and the dark fate that befell him afterwards, and I sighed in sadness as the once valiant Numenoreans fell into madness out of greed and pride, their home utterly destroyed, and all that was divine was forever hidden from Middle-earth.

The story corrected my misconception from LOTR about the Elves. I always thought the Elves were a “perfect” race that defied the common “human” weaknesses. Alas, was I wrong! The saga of the Noldor could happen to any race in the World, if it were put under the same circumstances. Although with beauty, knowledge and skills, the Elves might not always have sound judgments, and were subject to “sins” that existed among all living beings. And Men, who craved for everlasting life and ever increasing possessions, also wreaked havoc to the World and brought upon themselves a bitter doom.

Compared to LOTR, which turns out to be a most optimistic story despite the many dark moments, The Silmarillion is exceedingly sad and is overshadowed with an ever pervasive sense of doom. By the beginning of the Third Age, although Melkor was vanquished and Sauron fled, the Silmarils fell forever asunder after all the blood that was shed and lives lost for their sake, Numenor along with all its bliss and splendor was destroyed, and Valinor was forever hidden from Men. Even after Sauron was defeated in the Third Age, the Elves had to bid farewell to their beloved land and forever depart Middle-earth, bringing away the last trace of ancient myth, power, and beauty. If LOTR portrays valor, trust, kindness, loyalty, friendship, good counsel, and love in great depth, The Silmarillion is like the other side of the coin, depicting the darkest sides of living beings, their greed, malice, mistrust, hatred, jealousy, treachery, (unchecked) ambition, pride (unaccompanied by wisdom and sound judgment), lies, and lust.

I first purchased this book after watching TTT, along with The Hobbit and the LOTR. Although I finished the latter two within a week, I couldn’t break through the first 10 pages of this book because the detailed introduction of the World with their extremely similar names made me exhausted and bored. However, once I let go and stopped trying to remember the names, I was immediately enthralled by the stories. And once I checked out the meanings of words in the index for three or four times, I could remember them. For all the other transient names of people and places (that is, names that were mentioned only once or twice), sometimes there is no need to remember or check at all (unless you are a Tolkien scholar), since they hinder little my understanding or appreciation of the stories.

One thing readers need to bear in mind is that this is not a “novel”, but a collection with loosely related stories of events that shaped the World and Middle-earth in particular. They are but notes and backgrounds for Tolkien to conceptualize his fantasy world. Most of the stories are more “accounts” rather than “descriptions”, and sometimes feel rushed and unfinished to readers that crave for more details. However, because of the lack of lavish descriptions the emotional pay-off becomes greater, because somehow you feel as if you had been transported into another world and were witnessing the unfolding of history, which was but a brief moment in the eternity of time. Your own imagination can fill in the blanks and lead you anywhere you want.

Golden Compass / The Subtle Knife

Tags

books, fantasy, YA

Finished reading The Subtle Knife within one day. It’s a true page-turner and extremely hard to put down. Featuring nonstop action and ever present suspense, the first two books of His Dark Materials just took my breath away. The imagination, the philosophy, the writing – everything about these two books tugged at my heart, pushing me to read on and on until the last page, while at the same time making me linger, relishing in the magnificent use of language and the ingenuity of story telling. Although ostensibly “teen fiction” (as my local public library labelled them), they are reallly better read, understood and appreciated by (open-minded) adults. As much as I love the Harry Potter series, it is completely dwarved by His Dark Materials and come off as a tad *juvenile*. Compared to other more traditional fantasies, HDM is much more subtle and complex, and on some level, stunningly original. In Lyra (one of the main characters)’s world, things are seldom what they seem. The beautiful can be wicked (Mrs. Coulter), the wise can be cruel (Lord Asriel), the imperfect might be the savior (Lyra), and the common are the heroes (Gypsies, Lee Scoresby). There is the grand (Lyra’s quest to the North), the amazing (the parallele existence of multiple worlds), the sweet (her friendship with Iorek and Will), and the sad (the part about witches and their men, Lee’s death). I couldn’t wait to start The Amber Spyglass, the last installment of the trilogy. I wonder when this story will be put to the silver screen. It would be so much more worth watching than that Narnia series (I watched the BBC mini-series of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and thoroughly dislike it).

His Dark Materials

Tags

books, fantasy, YA

The Amber Spyglass is awesome! I was a bit worried at the beginning, that I loved The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife so much that the last installment of the trilogy His Dark Materials would not live up to my expectation. But it’s not just as marvelous and brilliant, it is heartrending. I am quite a compassionate movie viewer but rarely moved to tears while reading. But I cried four or five times at various parts of the book, and as someone that seldom reads fiction twice I immediately logged on to Amazon and ordered them for my personal collection. This trilogy has everything I adore: a story of exceptional grandeur and depth, characters that are both complex and endearing, philosophies both profound and daring, and writing that exudes unparalleled beauty, passion and tenderness. It is hands down the most captivating and inspiring story I have ever read. I think I actually like it better than LOTR, one of my all-time favorites. HDM is a trilogy I can read over and over again, and is definitely way beyond “children’s literature” or even “teen fiction”.

BTW, people have pointed out that the British title for The Golden Compass is actually Northern Lights. I must say the latter is much more befitting. Have no idea why they changed the name.