I love most things Potter. But I swear it is almost a daily occurrence recently to wake up and read about a remake or a spin-off or SOMETHING. Do we need any of it? What do you think? My thoughts:
Tag: harry potter
New Video! Are There Too Many Literary Adaptations?
I know there are going to be some strong thoughts on this topic. I think it’s difficult to say there is too much of something we really like, BUT I obviously think it’s a valid question if I took the time to make a video out of it! Now watch or don’t and just tell me what you think!
On Netflix’s “You”
There’s a show on Netflix called “You”. Very, very basic premise is a guy appears to fall in love with a girl and becomes completely obsessed with her. Nothing else from me.
For anyone who has already watched the first season, yes I know it originally was on another network.
This has been really intriguing to me. One, it’s based on a book I’ve never heard of by an author I’ve never heard of. And the premise is intense once you’re just a few minutes in.
But I won’t spoil anything if you think of checking it out. When I’ve been watching I’ve been thinking of literary adaptations as movies vs shows. In the 10 episode first season it’s 7-8 hours of screen time. Movies are often below 2 hours.
Every Harry Potter movie was excellent. I think all of them were 2+ hours, except for the final one. On the other side Thirteen Reasons Why’s first season was 13 episodes, 10+ hours of screen time.
I think the right decision was made for both series, but that isn’t always the case. I would have loved a series for The Martian! There was so much in the book that got lost onscreen because of the time limitations.
Do you have a prefer movies or hows when it comes to adaptations? My favorite show right now is Bosch, adapted as a series on Amazon.
Harry Potter Art Exhibition
There’s a Harry Potter Art exhibition coming to Houston. It’s 3 days and it’s completely free! The exhibition will also include LOTR, Marvel, and more and happens to be extremely close to where I am.
Not sure of the quality of this thing, but I have to go, right?
I’m Getting Old
I was just scrolling through another of those lists of books I should read before I’m 30, and I realized something. I’m fast approaching 30! Oh boy. Am I ready for this?
But really, I started thinking about which books I actually think would be beneficial to read before the big 3-0.
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Hunger Games
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The Diary of a Young Girl
I won’t sit here and pretend that these four books have everything a young person needs to know to live a fulfilling life, but I believe there is so much to be learned from these four works. The topics addressed in these books are different from one another and important for any generation.
Which books would you recommend to your not-quite-30-years-old-self?
2017 Reading Challenge: The Lightning Thief
I’m probably the last person in America to have started this series. I mean, at this point Rick Riordan is writing a dozen other series he started after concluding this one. Oh well. Better late than never, right? Anyway, I have only good things to say about this one! Watch and see!
This book was the 7th book from my 2017 Reading Challenge and satisfied the requirement to read a book everyone else seems to have read already. This is also 1 of Amazon’s 100 Books Everyone Should Read. Two birds with one…book? Ha!
What did you think of this book?
JK Rowling Always has Final Word
We all know celebrities get trolled on social media daily, unfortunately it seems it happens worse to women because there are some real idiots in the world. In my experience seeing this unfold and discussed the trolls are just ignored. Mostly. But don’t come at JK Rowling thinking you’re getting off that easily.
She’s been outspoken on Twitter for as long as I can remember. And I don’t even follow her. I don’t think it would come as any surprise that she’s been outspoken against Trump.
People have said they’re burning their Potter books or they make up some nonsense about the message her series really sends because she’s being political. And SO OFTEN she shoots them down like Katniss in the arena. It’s hilarious when someone will comment about what’s in the books when they haven’t even read them. Oh boy.
Do you follow any authors on social media who tend to hit back when idiots throw nonsense their way?
I Lied
I voted Trump.
HA! No. Never.
But for once it appears I’m letting my curiosity get the best of me. I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter movies. I’m not sure we’ll see a series done so well over so many movies in some time. I saw the final three movies on opening night. I saw the final two at midnight. So maybe I haven’t read all of the books but I’ve loved every minute of Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
And now Fantastic Beasts is tempting. See, y’all should know that I don’t see movies when they’re in theaters. The last one was Creed last December. I haven’t been in 2016. But the movie definitely looks intriguing AND I just found tickets for $4.99. I mean, my entire reasoning for not going to the movies is the absurd cost. Regular tickets are like $9. Then there’s 3D and IMAX and all kinds of crap that can potentially double the price of admission and it just drives me bonkers. But $5 isn’t so bad. I pay more when I buy a smoothie. Also, never buy food at the theater! I don’t.
Anyway, I’m thinking I might go see Fantastic Beasts next week. MIGHT. What about you?
Too Much, Just Too Much
It was announced this week that Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will not be adapted into three movies as previously announced. I know what you’re thinking. One movie, then, right? Wrong. Five. FIVE MOVIES.
I’ve already said before that I think anything having the slightest connection to Harry Potter is simply being shoved in our faces. JK Rowling is a person just like you and I. And right now she still sees dollar signs for her work. I’d take full advantage if I owned something that would likely net me tens or hundreds of millions of dollars. Sure. But it doesn’t mean everyone who loved the original movies and books will be stammering to get to theaters to see these movies.
I imagine they will do well, but the quality will likely be inferior to the original movies because there is one book setting the foundation for the movies rather than seven. I’ll be happy when there is nothing new related to Harry Potter.
Were you surprised when it was announced the tiny book would be adapted into a five film series?
When Will They End?
After the release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child JK Rowling made a point to say Harry is done. Even though she’d already said the series would end after book 7. Which is fine until it was announced that there’d be 3 new ebooks released next month. None of the new ebooks is about Harry, but it just leads one to wonder when (or if) the books will ever stop.
I guess when you’re the author of the bestselling series ever you can do whatever you want to with your series. I know fans of the series will just about always buy anything remotely related to the wizarding world, but is that reason enough to keep releasing snippets of info fairly regularly? I mean, doesn’t she also post random things on Pottermore every once in awhile too?
I don’t know. I’m feeling like we’re being forced to remember the wizarding world. I’m just glad Suzanne Collins hasn’t done this with Katniss. Although I think there is a prequel movie being made, though I’m unsure of her actual involvement. But at least she isn’t releasing ancillary type stories or books that do nothing to add to the original trilogy. I say let Harry and the whole wizarding world finally shut the door on what’s been a remarkable couple of decades. But of course, I’m no one.
Are you still craving any and everything related to the wizarding world? Or are you ready to move on like I am?
(though I’m still reading the original series)
Johnny Reads 