Intrigued by Harry Potter (Part 2)

It is now October 31st, which most people celebrate a holiday known as Halloween, in which they dress up in costumes and get together to celebrate. Halloween was never a holiday I really cared for while I was growing up. All I cared about in regard to that holiday was receiving extra candy for no apparent reason.

To fans of the Harry Potter book series, written by J.K. Rowling, today is the 41st anniversary of when both of Harry Potter’s biological parents were killed by Lord Voldemort, the main villain of the franchise, in 1981. In commemoration of the anniversary that fictional event, I decided for this blog entry to talk about my journey through the cinematic world of Harry Potter. 

Seventeen days ago, I wrote a blog entry about how I unexpectedly became intrigued by the franchise of Harry Potter just before exploring the film series. I was hesitant to explore it due my own concerns, but my curiosity got the better of me and I decided to give it a chance. For each Saturday night after sunset for the past three weeks, I watched all eight films of the Harry Potter franchise.

Here are my thoughts on each of the films. I feel I should note these are only my personal opinions and no one has to agree with them. I am not a professional film critic so instead of critiquing the flaws of the films, I will instead say whether the liked each of them or not, try to briefly explain why, and share the lesson or lessons I have learned from each movie.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)

 

I didn’t care for it upon my first viewing when it was first released on DVD. However, when I watched it recently, I thought it was a good introduction to the series. Just as Harry Potter was introduced to the magical world for the first time, we are introduced to it from his perspective. I have to admit that sometimes I would put this on as a sleeping aid, not because it's boring, but because to me it has a feel good/safe quality to it. Overall, I think it is a good introduction to the film series.

The scene that spoke to me the most was when Harry found the mirror of Erised and came back to gaze longingly at the reflection where his parents were in. Dumbledore soon appeared far behind him.

Dumbledore: Back again, Harry? 

Harry turns around and stands up.

Dumbledore: I see that you, like so many before you, have discovered the delights of the Mirror of Erised. I trust by now you realize what it does. Let me give you a clue. The happiest man on earth would look into the mirror and see only himself, exactly as he is.

Harry: So, then it shows us what we want? Whatever we want?

Dumbledore: Yes...and no. It shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desires of our hearts. Now you, who have never known your family, you see them standing beside you. But remember this, Harry. This mirror gives us neither knowledge nor truth. Men have wasted away in front of it, even gone mad. That is why tomorrow it will be moved to a new home, and I must ask you not to go looking for it again. It does not do to dwell on dreams, Harry, and forget to live.

Harry then looked back at the mirror, knowing that Dumbledore was right. 

If I had stood before that same mirror, I would have found myself crying because I would have felt incomplete as the mirror would have, articulating without words, revealed what I did not know was my heart’s deepest desire and the missing pieces would finally come together. 

The lesson I learned from this scene was that I should not spend all of my time dreaming about the life I would have had or should have had. I should not focus on what I have lost and can never get back. Instead, I need focus on and be thankful for the good things I have now, the chances I still have, and to live in the present. This is a sobering lesson. For this reason, it is my favorite scene throughout the whole series.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)

 

As with the previous film, I didn't care for it when it was first released. However, upon my recent viewing, I think it is very underrated. I thought it was a great follow-up from the first film and I found it enjoyable. The characters were great once again, including the three young portrayals played by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson respectively. I like how they were discussing the clues that they found in their attempt to solve their second mystery for their second year at Hogwarts.

I liked the flashback scene in which Harry Potter magically enters though the diary of a past student named Tom Riddle in an attempt to uncover a mystery.

What I love most of this scene the most is see Albus Dumbledore (portrayed by the late Richard Harris). He is portrayed as soft, kind, soft and gentle, but with an unspoken power and fierce intelligence behind it.

He seems to be able to see through Tom Riddle and yet without seeming to judge him, invites him to open up about any wrongdoings if Tom ever wanted to. I think that Tom was still scared of Dumbledore and respected him even if Dumbledore had never raised his voice at him or used harsh language or violence. Dumbledore somehow knew that respect comes when one keeps their composure and morals even when they might feel otherwise. Richard Harris’ portrayal made him my favorite character of the series. Sadly, Richard Harris passed away before the film series was completed. I wish he could have played Dumbledore in the later films as well. 

A lesson that I have learned from the Chamber of Secrets was from exploring the characterization of Gilderoy Lockhart, portrayed by Kenneth Branaugh.

 

Gilderoy Lockhart, who was selected to be a professor of Defense against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts, is a narcissist, incompetent, and a fraud. Though he was intelligent, he made his career by stealing the accomplishments of other wizards and witches and then covered up his tracks with memory spells. If he hadn't been so caught up with his own ego, he could have survived without permanent memory loss.

The character of Lockhart made me think about my own actions. I have been conceited, especially when I was in my twenties. People often said to me that I was talented and was destined for great things. Unfortunately, I let it get to my head. I often fantasized about being adored as icon, popular, greeted and cheered by great crowds, receiving acclaims from people. I too got caught up by my own ego when I did not work as hard as I should have. I overemphasized my desire for fame in my own life because I felt so unloved by my blood relatives. As a result, I have neither fame nor wealth nor friends. I am alone now and that was the price I paid for my own conceitedness.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)

If the first and second film made me feel like a child discovering the wonders of the magical world, then the third film made me realize as we grow older things often appear darker and more complicated. With the darker tone, the director Alfonso Cuaron really raised the bar by introducing dementors, a werewolf, the shrieking shack, the night bus, the time travel, and Sirius Black (portrayed by Gary Oldman). The cinematography is stunning, which makes the film the most visually well-done of all of the films in this series. 

I also noticed that Professor Dumbledore was now portrayed another actor named Michael Gambon.

This was due to the passing of Richard Harris in 2002. Others have complained of his portrayal of the old wizard since it is so different from Mr. Harris’ interpretation, but I have personally do not have any issues with the change in actors and characterization. I had seen Michael Gambon in other movies, including one on my favorite movies called “Path to War,” a 2002 HBO movie about the Vietnam War seen through the eyes of the administration of the 34^th President of the United Starts - Lyndon Baines Johnson (whom Mr. Gambon portrayed and in a film which I highly recommend viewing).

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) 

Out of all the Harry Potter films, I liked this one the least. Throughout my viewing of the film, I felt that the film was too compact and that there were plot points that were omitted for the sake of running time. I do not hate the film, but I feel that a different director should have been asked to take on this project. The director apparently didn’t read the book either, which should have alerted the movie studios attention so they could find someone else to direct this film. Though I have never read the books, I noticed that in viewing a boxed set of the first four Harry Potter books that four book is larger than the third one. 

This led me to think that the movie should have been given a longer running time to give the film more breathing room and give time to scenes and for the plot to better develop. I think it could have been done. If the 2003 film “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” and the 2019 film “Avengers: Endgame” were long running times and were able to be massive box office successes respectively, I think “the Goblet of Fire” could have done the same if it was done right with the right director.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)

The Ministry of Magic (the government in their world) has decided to interfere by appointing a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, Professor Dolores Umbridge (brilliantly portrayed Imelda Staunton), who proves to be a cruel teacher and administrator who teaches how magic should be taught in theory, but not in practice. So, Harry forms a small group among his closest friends in order that they can privately and independently learn how to defend themselves against dark forces despite being forbidden by the new administrator to do so. Unfortunately, the group is exposed, and they are punished. Ultimately, Harry and his friends prevail, despite personal sacrifices and loss.

Because the story was told so well and because I felt so involved in it, it made me think of I would have done if I was a student at Hogwarts at that time. Would I have joined Harry and taken part in his forbidden independent study group, or would I have conformed to the new rules out of fear to keep from being expelled? I’d like to believe that I would have been brave, stood with Harry, and done the right thing despite the challenges, but I’m not so sure because I also would have been concerned about own academic and future career. Perhaps if I had friends like Harry did and with strong support, I probably would have been less afraid. This film taught me that true leaders have to stand for their beliefs and principle no matter how deep in the mud they’re in and if I’m to be a leader I have to be ready to face challenges, setbacks, and criticism. It will not be an easy journey.

On a lighter note, I thought that Imelda Staunton’s performance as Professor Umbridge was very well done in which she made audiences hate her character as intended. I have been told that Ms. Staunton is very kind in real life, a class act, and I’d like to meet her someday. Because of her amazing acting ability, I am confident that she will do a spectator job in her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the upcoming fifth season of “The Crown” premiering on Netflix next month. 

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)

I felt that the movie was well done, although I felt that the film should have been split into two parts. The reason being is because I felt that more could have shown to us from flashbacks scenes to the origins of Lord Voldemort so we as an audience could explore and see the evil growing inside of him. Despite my opinion, I think the film is a good setup for the next final films that complete the saga.

Instead of explaining the plot of the film, I wanted to talk about a scene that nothing to do with the overall plot but spoke to me personally. In the beginning of the film, Harry and Professor Dumbledore go to the home of Horace Slughorn (Jim Broadbent), a former lecturer and teacher who used to work at Hogwarts who Dumbledore is trying to persuade to return to his former job as Professor of Potions.

There was a moment in the film where Slughorn shows Harry his photos of himself with important people from the wizarding world, showing off his connections to his “famous friends.”

“You recognize Barnabas Cuffe, editor of the Daily Prophet. Always takes my owls, should I wish to register an opinion on the news of the day.”

Slughorn then points to another photo.

“Gwenog Jones, captain of the Hollyhead Harpies. Free tickets whenever I want them. Of course, I haven't been to a match in some time.”

Dumbledore himself later explains to Harry afterwards, “You're talented, famous, and powerful, everything Horace values. Professor Slughorn is going to try to collect you, Harry. You would be his crowning jewel. That's why he's returning to Hogwarts and it's crucial he should return.”

This made me think much like Professor Slughorn that I prize fame and power more than anything else in my life and I am a collector. In fact, much like Professor Slughorn, I have had photos taken with dignitaries, including three governors of my home state, two senators, two mayors, two congressional representatives, two ambassadors, one prime-minister of another country (at Harvard University of all places), four presidential candidates, and had even received a letter from President Obama in early 2017. 

This scene made me rethink my values, which were based on superficial aspirations like popularity and fame. I don’t need to showcase my connections to famous people to feel a sense of self-worth. I need to be humble about myself and I need to prize deeper values such as essential truths and friendships. 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)

By the time of the film’s release, the main characters Harry, Ron, Hermoine and all the other students have grown up. Along with them, the audiences have also grown up with the Potter franchise. Since this film is based on the first half of the seventh final book, the main characters are preparing for their upcoming conflict with Lord Voldemort (played by Ralph Fiennes). Although I believe that film started and ended well, I felt that the film dragged in the middle. The film is fine on its own merits though. I do not hate it and I would watch it again if I ever revisit the franchise. At the time of the film’s release, the audience had to wait one year to see the conclusion. I had the benefit of not having to wait that long and that very Saturday night, I watched both films and completed the saga just in time for Halloween.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)

The series concludes on a very strong note with a phenomenal battle with few fronts being waged, good ultimately triumphs over evil, characters receive their own proper resolutions, and a fitting end comes to an immense saga. It was entertaining and we, the audience, were given in my opinion the best film in the franchise for last. You could tell that everyone involved in this film, gave it all they could. They poured all of themselves into this film and the hard work they put in had paid off. I salute them and thank them for their service in doing their best to give us entertainment.

Now that I have watched all eight Harry Potter films on my screen for this month of October, here are my concluding thoughts on the saga. At times, the films served as a mirror, though not like the Mirror of Erised, but a metaphorical one that led to me reconsider my own actions and behavior through the characterizations of Professors Lockhart and Professor Slughorn and they taught me to re-examine myself, learn from my mistakes, and try to be a better person. While I do not consider the all the films to be masterpieces, they are entertaining, and I may revisit the series on a future date (perhaps next Halloween). 

I liked the saga, but I did not love it. I was too old for it to be a part of any formative stage of my development. perhaps if I read the books, I would appreciate it more. However, I find that I am too old to get into this franchise. Actor Michael Gambon mentioned in a forum that he did not mind if children recognized him as Dumbledore but would be annoyed if an adult did so. It made me think that I should not dive headfirst into the fandom of Harry Potter, but rather to admire it from afar. I do not see myself buying wands or diorama models of Hogwarts or any other items relating to the franchise. I will not buy the books either, but if someone offers to give me some of copies (preferably boxed sets), I will accept. 

However, one of my friends (the librarian who encouraged me to explore the film series) once wrote to me before I took my cinematic journey through the film series. She wrote, “Hey, maybe you’ll fall in love with Harry Potter, and you and I could travel to Universal together one day and go to Hogwarts.” I would take her up on it if she felt comfortable doing so. I would love to ride on the Hogwarts Express train ride with her from “Hogsmeade” to “Diagon Alley” at Universal Orlando in Florida. I’m sure that she and I would feel like a first-year students about to enter the actual Hogwarts Express train and preparing to go to “Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry” for an adventure of a lifetime. 

It’s a feeling I believe I share with most Harry Potter fans. A throb deep in our hearts knowing we will never truly be able to go to the one place where we’ve all felt so at home. All we can hope for is that we can carry this feeling deep in our hearts forever never forgetting it as we journey on.

Intrigued by Harry Potter (Part 1)

Since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II into history last month, I have not only been studying the history of British monarchy in my spare time, but I also wanted to learn more about British culture. In so doing, a franchise has come to my attention, which I have been ignoring for so long. It is a series of seven fantasy novels, which also became a film franchise named “Harry Potter” created by author J.K. Rowling. The series is a about the boy named Harry Potter who goes to a magical school named Hogwarts to learn how become a wizard. Along his journey, he makes a few friends (as well as some enemies), goes on adventures, endures personal turmoil, hardship, and sacrifice, learns meaningful and powerful lessons, and yet through it all - triumphs.    

I am surprised by the fact that although I am in my mid-thirties, I find myself becoming drawn to it now. I never was before. The first book of the series called ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’ was published when I was eleven years old, but I was unaware of it, and I was not interested in reading at the time. Even when the book was adapted into a film in 2001, I was not particularly interested though I did see the film when it was released on DVD. I saw each of the first four films only once when they were releases on DVD, but I had not had any repeat viewings since. My interests were elsewhere. Since I did not grow up with the stories and themes throughout the series, I feel as though I had missed out on the whole experience of getting excited over the release of both the books and the films. 

Now fifteen years after the publication of the seventh and final novel of the book series in 2007, I am now being strangely drawn to Harry Potter (perhaps like a moth to a flame), though I am not sure why. Why am I being drawn into this series? Is it merely curiosity? Why does it feel like a temptation? I feel as though I am about to wander through a slightly darkened corridor filled with relics I have not yet seen before. My curiosity is getting the better of me and so I am tip toeing with caution into the corridor without knowing what is on the other side or whether I will get caught. 

Admittedly, I was hesitant to explore the series. I am fearful that I may become a fan of it and be tempted to collect items relating to it. I was also worried that if I were to read the books, I would be absorbing information that was irrational, unnecessary, and useless. I worried that I would be wasting my time. Besides, at my age, I always thought of Harry Potter as being geared more towards children and I would be embarrassed if this was true. Am I too old for it? Am I being snobbish about it? I then reached out to two of my friends on twitter to seek their advice. One friend replied, “I love Harry Potter. You will probably get hooked but who cares you do you, don’t ever be embarrassed.”

Another friend, who is now a librarian, told me of her origins of how she became interested in Harry Potter. She told me that she was not interested in the books or movies until she was 19 years old. At that time, she was in college, playing volleyball, and had a tournament. Her roommate brought the first movie to watch on her laptop and she became hooked. They often watched the first two movies together, though the third film was not released as of yet. During some of the tough times and personal heartaches she endured, she found herself watching the first movie at night before bed for a feel good/safe movie. She continued to love it since. After the third movie came out, she then read the books. She advised me, “I would start with the movies for fun if I were you. If you enjoy them, read the books. The books are much more detailed and could possibly ruin the movies for you, which seems to be the case a lot of the times for me with books vs. movies.”

After reading the responses of my online friends, I ended up purchasing a “Harry Potter: Years 1-6” Widescreen 6-Disc DVD Box Set from eBay with the winning bid of $0.99 with $3.49 for shipping (though no one else was bidding). I thought it was a good price for six movies.

Soon after my purchase, I realized that I did not have the concluding two films called "Deathly Hollows" Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2011) on DVD, so I decided to search for them online and buy them locally if I could. Against my better judgement, I found myself doing something I never thought I would do. Several days ago, there was a local listing online on Facebook marketplace for “Harry Potter 8 Film Favorites Years 1-4 & 5-8” Movies DVDs with Slipcovers, which was selling for only 10 dollars. 

I thought it was a good price for eight movies and I thought they could be used as good back up discs in any case of the other ones froze while playing or wouldn't load in the DVD player. I then contacted the seller through Facebook, and we agreed to meet at a local bus/train/subway station for out transaction at 6:30pm on the seventh of October. When the afternoon of that day arrived, I arrived early at the station, and I soon found myself staring at the dark clouds approaching while the sun was setting. I wondered if it was an omen.

Before I knew it, the seller approached me and said, “Manny?”

“Oh yes. Hello,” I replied.

“Here you go,” she said as she handed me the DVDs.

“And here you go. Thank you,” I replied as I handed her the 10-dollar bill.

Once our transaction was completed, she was gone as suddenly as she had appeared. I felt a little sad. She seemed like a nice person, and I would have loved to have been friends with her, but I understand why she left quickly. I am a stranger, I didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, and she doesn’t need me as a friend. I ended taking the long way on my journey back to my apartment. On my walk, I realized just how lonely I was. Perhaps, like Harry Potter, I was looking for a place to belong to and in longing to form a strong bond of friendship.

Now it has been one week since I acquired the DVDs, and I am about to embark on my journey through the cinematic world of Harry Potter. I have a mundane plan for the month of October. Every Saturday night happens to be my movie night and so I intend to watch two Harry Potter films per Saturday night until October 31st of this year. Now I have the DVDs of the whole film series, I am going to watch them all and there is no turning back. After I finish viewing the films for the month of October, we will see what happens from there.

What lessons will I learn from these movies? Will I become a fan of this? What will I discover through this journey? 

I don’t have many expectations, but here is what I think might happen. I think I will like the film series. I think I will end up becoming a casual fan at the very least, but I don't expect to be able to participate in any Harry Potter trivia games and know every answer to every question on it. I think that if I end up liking it, it will become a guilty pleasure. I am hoping that I can at least glean some lessons from it and maybe even indirectly learn some writing and/or storytelling tips indirectly from the creation of J.K. Rowling.  

In my next blog entry (slated for October 31 or sometime in the beginning of the month of November), I intend to share my thoughts on each of the films, my cinematic experience through the series, and its impact on me. I hope that it will be an enlightening one.

With all this said, I want to conclude this blog entry with a quote. I was unsure of what kind of quote I could share. I didn't want to use a mere sentence or dialogue from the books. After some searching, I have thought that the concluding remarks of J.K. Rowling's commencement address of Harvard University in 2008 would be appropriate. I have chosen her concluding remarks for two reasons. First, the campus of the prestigious university in which she spoke years ago, have been my stomping grounds for over a year now and I live within a few miles for there. Secondly (as you will read), her literal walk to the end of a corridor leading her to the study of Classics mirrors my metaphorical walk through a corridor leading me to the cinematic stories that were created by her.

Here are the following words written and spoken by J.K. Rowling:

“One of the many things I learned at the end of that Classics corridor down which I ventured at the age of 18, in search of something I could not then define, was this, written by the Greek author Plutarch: What we achieve inwardly will change outer reality.

That is an astonishing statement and yet proven a thousand times every day of our lives. It expresses, in part, our inescapable connection with the outside world, the fact that we touch other people’s lives simply by existing.

But how much more are you, Harvard graduates of 2008, likely to touch other people’s lives? Your intelligence, your capacity for hard work, the education you have earned and received, give you unique status, and unique responsibilities. Even your nationality sets you apart. The great majority of you belong to the world’s only remaining superpower. The way you vote, the way you live, the way you protest, the pressure you bring to bear on your government, has an impact way beyond your borders. That is your privilege, and your burden.

If you choose to use your status and influence to raise your voice on behalf of those who have no voice; if you choose to identify not only with the powerful, but with the powerless; if you retain the ability to imagine yourself into the lives of those who do not have your advantages, then it will not only be your proud families who celebrate your existence, but thousands and millions of people whose reality you have helped change. We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.

I am nearly finished. I have one last hope for you, which is something that I already had at 21. The friends with whom I sat on graduation day have been my friends for life. They are my children’s godparents, the people to whom I’ve been able to turn in times of trouble, people who have been kind enough not to sue me when I took their names for Death Eaters. At our graduation we were bound by enormous affection, by our shared experience of a time that could never come again, and, of course, by the knowledge that we held certain photographic evidence that would be exceptionally valuable if any of us ran for Prime Minister.

So today, I wish you nothing better than similar friendships. And tomorrow, I hope that even if you remember not a single word of mine, you remember those of Seneca, another of those old Romans I met when I fled down the Classics corridor, in retreat from career ladders, in search of ancient wisdom:
As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.

I wish you all very good lives. Thank-you very much.”