Harry Potter Exhibit!

My parents and sister came to Chicago to visit me today. We went to a Harry Potter exhibit. Sadly, we could not take photos inside the actual exhibit, but I was able to take some photos outside of the exhibit. It was so amazing to see all of the actual props from the film. There were so many details (especially in the costumes). I was so amazed to see a copy of an O.W.L with actual questions.

One of the really cool things was seeing all of the costumes. I am fairly certain that I am taller than Gary Oldman. It was also really cool seeing some of the old costumes. The ones from the first film were so tiny! They were all so little back then! They even had Oliver Wood (Sean Biggerstaff)'s quidditch uniform. I saw Ralph Fiennes costume from the graveyard. He is bizarrely tall compared to the rest of the cast. It was so cool.

Hagrid's hut was also really cool. The entire hut had been put back together. We all got to sit in his chair. My feet just barely hung off. My dad's feet didn't touch the ground!

My favorite room was probably the great hall. I actually got to touch the doors to the great hall! When I went inside, there were so many candles suspended from the ceiling. While we were waiting, a woman brought out the sorting hat and sorted a few people. I actually got to touch the sorting hat! Ruth and I also got to take some pictures with the flying car. I snuck a touch. It seemed so little in real life! I got to see the Goblet of fire, the sorcerer's stone, Tom Riddle's Diary, Rita Skeeter's quill, Hary and Ron's beds, the front of the Hogwart's Express, and so much more. Ruth threw around a quaffle. It was so much fun! I really hope that some of the real props go to the theme park that opens.

Deathly Hallows Casting

As most of you know, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part I and II are currently being filmed. I have been looking at the cast list for all of the new characters and am pretty excited about the film. Here are some of the actors that will be joining the cast:




















Perhaps one of my favorite casting decisions is Bill Nighy as Rufus Scrimgeor. I am sure that you all recognize him, but in case you don't, you may remember him from Love Actually and Underworld.













Jamie Campbell Bell (RocknRolla, Sweeney Todd) will be taking on the role of Gellert Grindelwald.

















Ciaran Hinds (another favorite casting choice) will be taking on the role of Aberforth Dumbledore. You may recognize him from the television show, Rome and the recent film, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day.

Toby Regbo will be taking on the role of teenage Dumbledore.





















Rhys Ifans will be taking on the role of Xenophilius Lovegood (perfect casting in my opinion). He has been in a lot of different films, but every time I think of him, the very first role that comes to mind is the weird roommate from Notting Hill.



















David O'Hara will be taking on the role of Albert Runcorn. He has been in many films including the Matchmaker, Made and the Departed, but my favorite role of his is Stephen from Braveheart.





















Nick Moran (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) will be taking on the role of Scabior.








Guy Henry will be taking on the role of Pius Thicknesse. You may remember him as the creepy Mr. Collins form Lost in Austen or as Cassius from the television show, Rome.

Half-Blood Prince

I saw the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince earlier this week. I have heard very many mixed reviews so far, so now I am going to write what I say. First of all, there were very many discrepancies between the film and book. This did not bother me as much as it seemed to bother others. I guess that I have kind of gotten used to it since it has also happened that way with all of the other films.

The one thing that I really had a problem with was the way the the film dealt with Fenrir Greyback. I personally think that he is a kind of large part of the story. The problem that I had was that the film showed him, but with absolutely no explanation. I do not understand why he was even put in the film, if he was going to have such a small role.

That all said, I loved the film. There were many moments when I was uncontrollably laughing (the main moment being after Harry takes the luck potion). Prior to seeing the film, I was not completely sure whether Jim Broadbent was the absolutely best choice for Professor Horace Slughorn. Upon seeing the film, all of my doubts were crushed. He was absolutely amazing. He could be in the background of a scene when something extremely important was happening, and still, I could not take my eyes off him. Every facial expression and gesture was perfect.

I encourage you all to post your own reviews in the comments section.