Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them

     As a self-described Harry Potter fanatic, I was thrilled to be returning to J.K. Rowling's beautiful Wizarding World. Oddly enough, Fantastic Beasts is not a book....in the ordinary sense. Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them was one of the schoolbooks at Hogwarts that was just a dictionary for all the magical creatures in the Wizarding World. So, then someone had the brilliant idea to to the title of a schoolbook and actually create a one way ticket back to magic, mystery and no small amount of mayhem. 

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The Wizard and the No-Maj

     In 1926, Newt Scamander, a young magizoologist (study of of magical creatures) arrives in Brooklyn, New York with only a battered, leather suitcase. Within this old case is his own world of rare and magical creatures that he has saved from extinction and studies in hopes of publishing his research for other people to better understand them. Newt's primary goal is to release a rare creature, the thunderbird (or Frank) into the open Arizona desert. However, this being the Wizarding World, nothing ever goes as it seems. 

     While at the bank, Newt runs into a no-maj (non-magical person), Jacob Kowalski. Jacob is hoping to open up a bakery, but unfortunately lacks the funds to do so. So when he and Newt get their suitcases mixed up, poor Jacob finds himself slap bang in the middle of the secret world of witches, wizards, goblins, bizarre creatures and a brewing battle of good and evil. As a no-maj, Jacob is forbidden to ever know about the magical world, yet, that doesn't deter Newt from convincing the kindly baker to join him on his escapade of good will...and trouble. 

The Goldstein Sisters

     Porpetina or Tina Goldstein is an auror (Wizarding World's FBI) who lost her job after she performed magic in front of a no-maj. Tina has a misfortune run in with Newt after she sees him performing magic in front of Jacob. When she tries to report him to Macusa (American Wizarding headquaters), they shoo her away believing she's only trying to get back her former position. Tina refuses to allow Newt and Jacob to run free through New York and after Jacob is hurt by one of Newt's creatures, Tina takes them both home.

     At home, Jacob and Newt meet Queenie, Tina's younger sister. Queenie is a secretary and coffee girl at Macusa and is also a leglimens or telepathic. The complete opposite of her sister, Queenie is lively and full of fun and finds the no-maj entertaining while trying to break into Newt's secretive mind. Like Jacob, the Goldstein Sisters soon find themselves hunting down Newt's creatures, breaking Macusa law, raiding New York, engaging in a powerful wizarding battle, uncovering dark secrets, and even falling in love. Just a typical day for two girls from Brooklyn. 

Macusa

     The Magical Congress of The United States of America or Macusa runs an efficient and secretive world for the livelihood and protection of all magical Americans. Unlike England where there is complete freedom of communication and companionship with non-magic people, American wizards must be on their guard constantly to avoid any contact with no-majs at the risk of being hunted, jailed or killed and their world destroyed.

     Percival Graves, the head of magical security, believes that there is a child that could possibly be a key to ending all magical persecution. He enlists the help of a scared young boy, Credence, to aid him in finding this child under the guise of a loving mentor. Except, Percival is hardly kind or loving and there is a darkness inside him more powerful than anyone can imagine. 

     Meanwhile, the president of Macusa, Serephina Picquery, runs the American Wizarding World with an iron benevolence and will not have her authority undermined. While she fears the prejudice of no-majs, her worst fear is right next to her side and great sacrifices will be made for her to finally see it. 

Second Salemers

     A fear mongering, anti-magic group of of nobodies who truly believe that they are making a difference by warning the good citizens of New York of the secret magical world. The Second Salemers are made of Mary Lou Barebone and her family. While giving the appearance of a poor and kindly woman who cares for orphans, Mary Lou is a hateful and maniacal zealot who abuses her own children, especially her oldest son Credence believing him to be filthy with his own mother's magic ability. Credence finds solace in the company of Percival Graves who promises to rescue him from Mary Lou if he assists him in finding this odd magical child. Overtime, Credence begins to break between having to hide his magic, Mary Lou's abuse and Percival's inhumane conquest. 

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      This movie! Everytime I watch it I love it over and over again! Fantastic Beasts kept with the traditional Harry Potter theme that great changes can be made through non-conformity. Harry Potter himself was an outsider who never fit in wherever he was and was always one to befriend other outsiders as well. 

     The same mindset in central to Fantastic Beasts. Newt was always the strange kid at school who buried himself into his studies. Tina and Queenie were orphaned at a young age and so they built their own world for themselves and where few people are allowed in. And Jacob is a no-maj who shouldn't even be there. All these outsiders came together with their own independent gifts and talents and fought against the grain of society to save society itself. 

This has become my life quote

     Eddie Redmayne was a perfect choice for Newt and brought his own quirky and gawky charm (no pun intended) to this role as he has done in past exceptional roles. The rest of the cast ensemble were superb, even the non human ones. The costumes....oh the costumes! It's 1920's New York, need I say anymore on the subject?! All costumes were beautiful with just a little hint of unique Wizarding World style. 

      After seeing this movie on the big screen for the first time I felt like I had never left the Harry Potter universe. It was wonderful to see a different and fresh storyline taking place in another era and in another country without losing the central core of a magical world that's all around us. And like with Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts forever explores and questions the never-ending battle of good v evil, the humanity of ones soul and the destruction of great power if put in the wrong hands.

Beauty and The Beast (2017)

      After an eternity I have finally gotten around to seeing this movie and I absolutely loved it! It was visually stunning and just took my breath away. The costumes, sets and locations completely transports you to an imaginary land set in 18th century France. What I loved most about the story was how we were able to get a better inside look at the background lives of the characters. Such as the story of Belle's mother (who isn't even mentioned in the animation film), the Beast's childhood, why the servants are so loyal to their master as well as other added in material (such as new songs, the magic traveling book and the mysterious Agatha) that really made the story it's own original and not just a copy off of the 1991 movie.

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Belle & The Beast

     Deep in the heart of France a selfish, young prince spends his life in frivolity, materialism and not caring about anyone around him. After he heartlessly refuses an old beggar woman's request to find shelter from the cold night, solely based on her appearance, the prince and his entire staff are placed under a powerful curse that can only be broken by the Prince's doing. 

     Many years later, Belle, an educated and independent young woman, tends to turn heads in her new home that she finds small and boring. While people gossip behind her back, the most eligible bachelor in town, Gaston has his hunter's eye on Belle and is determined to make her his wife. However, Belle will not be deterred by the motives of false love and prefers to spend time with her clever father, Maurice, who makes his living as an inventor and artist.  

     When Maurice finds himself in danger on the way home from a out of town trip, he takes refuge in a dark and foreboding castle. Soon, he realizes the castle is alive with magic and is ruled by a monstrous beast. When the beast takes Maurice captive for trying to take a rose from the garden for his daughter, Belle leaves her safe home to find her father which sets events into motion that will alter her life and the lives around her forever. 

     When I found out that Emma Watson was cast for the role of Belle, I was ecstatic! I believed her to absolutely perfect for the headstrong Disney princess. Yet, when the film came out I had heard numerous times that Emma seemed to bring her own modern day feminist agenda to the story; however, I didn't see that at all. She portrayed Belle exactly as Belle should have been. Intelligent and bold, but still kind and generous. Emma also brought a more emotional depth to Belle and gave her insecurities and deep rooted fears which made this Belle ever so much more real and understandable.

     Oh my! Dan Stevens as the Prince/Beast! Be still my (ever still in love with Matthew Crawley) heart!!! In all seriousness, Dan nailed it as the tortured soul of a cursed prince. He created a reluctant romantic with an understated charm that could make anyone see the good man behind the beastly form. In the Broadway play the Beast has a beautiful solo "If I Can't Love Her" which I was looking forward too, but instead they wrote a new song for the Beast, "Evermore," which is so powerful and heartbreaking and yet is filled with a sense of hope that the former song lacked. 

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Friends, Family and Foes

     As far as the supporting cast goes, it doesn't get any better than what they chose. From Belle's loving father, Maurice, to the Beast's lively and loyal staff as well as cold hearted Gaston and zany Lefou. I believe a movie can only be as good as its cast and all characters were wonderfully portrayed with heart and soul. The castle staff provided a great deal of comic relief for the film and gave wonderful insight to the Beast's childhood and how he became so cold and selfish. They love their master dearly, but also know when to lay down the ground rules with him which is an aspect I loved in the animated version. 

     Maurice was a wonderful father who loved and protected his daughter and only ever wanted her to be happy. His quiet and noble strength is seen in Belle and is the type of man that the Beast needed for a father and how things may have ended differently for him. Gaston, the arrogant and brainless brute who will stop at nothing to catch Belle was both comical and cruel. There is absolutely no sympathy for him at all and his end was almost as relieving as the Beast's transformation minutes later. Gaston's loyal sidekick, Lefou was much more likeable and his hero worship of his (supposed) best friend during the battle comes to a sudden stop and good riddance to it. As far as the "Gay storyline" it was almost unnoticeable and by the time it shows up it really has no bearing on the story at all.  

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My favorite part! I started to cry!

     As with Cinderella, this movie was just a stunning masterpiece. While it may not have had a moral cornerstone like Cinderella had with its message of courage and kindness, Beauty and the Beast still tells a good and strong story. Courage over adversity, love over hate and generosity over selfishness. The strength that is found in friends, the importance of good parents and wisdom in choosing who we love. A tale as old as time which will never fade away.

Story Anniversary

I can't believe it's been ten years since I wrote my first fan-fiction! And even when I go to my account* and check up on my published works, people are still reading, reviewing and enjoying my little Narnian story.

However, I honestly believe that I may have written the crown princess of Mary Sues in my character of Princess Annelise. In my defense I had never heard of Mary Sue while I was writing and nobody has complained yet, so hopefully people are taking Anee's character with a grain of salt.

If you would like to read my first piece of writing, click on the graphic.
(Please ignore the typos and spelling mistakes. I did the best I could in editing)

*Unfortunately, my account has become a dead account due to the old e-mail address I was using. So I no longer have access to any of my stories.

Play That Song

I forgot to put this song on my favorite songs post which is a shame because it's one of the best songs of 2017. I just love it! It's so fun and spunky!

It Has Happened

     Six years online and it has finally happened to me. I went an entire month without posting anything!!! I never thought I was capable of that! However, I have definitely needed a break from the blog without completely breaking from it. The last two years on Blogger were mammoth record years with over 130 posts in both years and up to 15 posts a month. 2015 and 2016 were definitely developmental and experimental years for my blog and I came up with some great content. I wrote numerous and varied movie reviews, created several blog series, had a monthly vlog, and always tried to keep up with the world news. I really managed to dig deep into my passions and creativity and I feel that I've grown a great deal as a writer and respectable Blogger.

     However, by this time last year, I was really beginning to burn out. I was only continuing with the blog series because I had to. I wasn't going to start something and then stop in the middle. I felt the well of creativity was drying up and I was in a constant frenzy to get everything written and posted before the deadline (the beginning of the next month). When 2017 rolled around, I made the decision to just take it easy on my blog. No series, no movie review lists, nothing. Then I got my new job with very early hours that left me exhausted when I got home. So really, it all unexpectedly rolled together. 

     Also, I'm rather ashamed to admit, that I'm rarely on my beautiful new computer and working on my wonderful site, because I have become rather addicted to my i-phone. I, the girl who constantly condemned people for always being buried behind their phones, have sadly fallen into that hole. I who said that I couldn't live without a computer and spent almost every moment on my old ones until the were run down, have neglected this lovely laptop in lieu of a handheld device that really does limit my creative thinking. 

      While this is hardly the confession of the ages, I feel the break from the blog has been a good thing, but it has also allowed me to indulge into viewing the i-phone as my only source of entertainment. My obsession with my phone has also stippled my once intense love of reading. I don't think I've actually picked up a book in weeks. And that is saddening. 

     Today my data was disconnected and I have eleven days before it rolls over again. In that eleven days I want to challenge myself to find better avenues of entertainment. Reading The Odyssey and Poldark or working on my blog plan for 2018. (Oh, and getting back to writing a little Cinderella inspired story that should have been finished by now!!!!) I don't want to become an i-phone addict and just let all my talent and work waste away. This blog was made to be an outlet for my passions and my love of writing and I can guarantee in 2018 that is exactly what it is going to become again.

New Songs

A few music videos of some of my favorite songs that I've heard so far this year.

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This song is so much fun and has a great old-fashioned message about love, marriage and family.

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I heard this is the finale episode of season 4 of The Originals and knew I had to get it! Just beautiful and heartbreaking.

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Utterly stunning in sound with evocative lyrics that really nail the emotions of Princess Diana and her journey of understanding the human heart. 

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No words can describe how extraordinary this musical piece is! Just enthralling!

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A modern updated rendition of Frankie Valli's big time hit, Big Girls Don't Cry.
I love it!

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 Another updated classic for the Dirty Dancing remake that still has the vibe of the original.

Fall Layout!

So Fall time is here! And I am loving my new fall inspired layout and colors! I've never used orange before (it's a risky color for anything), but I really think it all turned out lovely.

King Arthur: Legend of The Sword

     Who doesn't love a good King Arthur movie? The newest interpretation one of the most beloved fictional characters and his rise to the throne of Camelot is a very different interpretation. If one were to take the BBC show Merlin and combine it with A Knight's Tale, then you get a modern, upbeat version of an age old legend. Like with Robin Hood, King Arthur can never really fade away into any sense of obscurity. King Arthur was to Old England what Captain America or Superman is to modern day America. As long as you get Arthur right then the rest of the story can very easily fall into place. 

     When the small island of Camelot is under attack by the maniacal sorcerer, Mordred, brave and noble King Uther Pendragon goes to war. Aided by his brother, Prince Vortigern and his first knight, Sir Bedivere, Uther manages to defeat Mordred with the powerful sword Excalibur, however, the true evil is closer than he thinks. Uther is betrayed by his own brother and killed. However, Uther's son, Prince Arthut manages to escape while Excalibur is buried deep in Avalon lake, unable to be found by anyone.

     Arthur finds safety in the wild city of Londinium. Rescued by prostitutes and raised in a brothel, Arthur grows up learning the value of hard work, dealing with bullies, making and saving money, and how to fight and protect others. Some twenty odd years go by and Arthur and his rag tag group of friends run the Londinium streets, caring for the poor and fighting any outsider who dare come into their city. Arthur's generous nature is immediately seen when he defends the prostitute who cared for him after she is badly beaten by a viking trader. While Arthur may run the streets and protect the destitue, he is still subject to the tyranny of the king and those who serve him.

     Word on the street starts to spread of 'the future king' after Excalibur is found buried deep within a stone. King Vortigen has run Camelot to the ground with his endless wars and expensive buildings. The people hate and fear him, but no one has the courage to stand up to him. While Vortigen may have succeeded in killing his brother, his nephew still poses a threat to the crown. Now that Excalibur is found, only Uther's true heir can wield it. 

     Every young man in his twenties is taken from their homes and sent to Camelot to pull the sword from the stone. After Arthur successfully releases the sword, his once carefree life in Londinium ends and now he becomes the reality of the myth of 'the future king.' His life is now a journey from the street smarts alley rat to the Once and Future King of Camelot. Aided by his friends including the wise and powerful Mage, Arthur fights to take back his birthright and give his kingdom back to its people. 

     As I said in the opening, if you get Arthur right than the rest of the story falls into place. Well, they got Arthur right. Played by the incredibly handsome and talented English actor, Charlie Hunnam, this Arthur was as Arthur should be. Noble, honorable, and courageous, but also deeply flawed with doubt and frightened of this unexpected legacy. I fell in love with him immediately. His care for the women that raised him and he how he loved and protected them was a beautiful way to interpret a king who understood the people regardless of their station. 

     He was also delightfully humorous and Arthur and his friends brought a great deal of comic relief to the story. One thing that the movie didn't bother with was a love story (thank goodness!). There was no romance or love interest at all. The only woman that Arthur got close to was the Mage, a rather dour faced character that never smiled or showed emotion, but she certainly knew how to hold her own. While their is a great deal of fighting, I didn't really see an general blood or violence (with the exception of Uther's brutal death/suicide). 

     Simply a fun movie with a little modern edge in areas as well as an exceptionally beautiful soundtrack. King Arthur: Legend of The Sword told the basic well known story of Arthur's road to the throne to Camelot while taking artistic liberties in the legend that makes it new and different. 

The Loveliest of Days

     

We have a new family member!!!

On September third, my younger brother, Seth, married his girlfriend of almost three years, Lydia Mae Rowlands! My family and Lydia's family have grown up together on the same street for fifteen years. Seth was eight and Lydia was six when they first met and our two families have always been close. 

Lydia is the fifth of ten children (also homeschooled) and my brother is the seventh of nine. Lydia is best friends with my two young sisters and Seth is best friends with Lydia's two older brothers. Seriously this is the type of relationship that a romantic comedy would be based off of. My brother literally married the girl next door and my family couldn't be more thrilled.

Their wedding was beautiful, simple and utterly energetic and fun! Here are the official wedding portraits and hopefully I can get some reception photos soon!

Photos are courtesy of Rowlands Photography

Solar Eclipse 2017

The total solar eclipse seen in Guernsey, Wyoming. Photograph: Rick Wilking/Reuters

     Did anyone watch the solar eclipse? Unfortunately for me, the eclipse only lasted a few minutes and it only looked like clouds passing by the sun. However, I have seen some extraordinary pictures and it's an utterly beautiful phenomenon. Also, it was somewhat relieving to see the American people set aside their bickering for a short while and all come together to enjoy something so rare and exciting. 

Have Courage...And Stay Sane

     My severe lack of posts is utterly heartbreaking right now. That being said, I will say that I've been keeping busy this summer with learning how to waitress at a newly opened restaurant in my small country town...that is weirdly reminiscent of Radiator Springs. For some reason, I had always wanted to be a waitress. I never realized how truly sheltered my life had been. My first month has definitely been a crash course in people skills, time management, scheduling conflicts, money making (and saving), dealing with co-workers and getting a backbone while keeping sane with great doses of humility. Really, nothing can really bring a person down from their high heaven like food service. 

     Now, it's not terrible, but it's not a job I'm use to. I had never realized how hard waitresses and cooks work or how horrible their treatment can be from unassuming customers. I really feel guilty about all those times when I was a complete b*tch to the staff because they didn't come and serve me immediately or an order didn't come in right or it came late. Now seeing life from the other side, I wonder how I must have seemed to those people who were working their hardest to make me happy. I must have come off as a real self-entitled, spoiled brat. 

     While the humility has been a blessing in disguise to me and has opened up my eyes to the hard work of others, Cinderella like experiences of being kind have also begun to appear as well. Without going into too much detail, I had the misfortune of dealing with a rather hostile co-worker last week. There may have been several reasons behind her hostility and maybe they didn't have to do with me, but I could tell she did not want to be around me. Now, I should say, this co-worker is ten years younger than me and is also a minor, so why should I be worried about the opinion of a 17 year old? I'm not really, but it's difficult to work along side someone that you should be able to depend on and that you hope they can depend on you. 

     For two days, this co-worker refused to smile at me, talk to me, or say anything positive. It was very difficult for me, because I hate when I feel like I'm a disappointment or a liability. If this girl was angry about a scheduling conflict (which was probably the case) then I was sorry, but to refuse to be decent to someone after forty-eight hours is a little ridiculous. I really didn't know if I should bring it up to her or ask her about it or if that would make things worse. Then a couple of days ago, after a rather comical biker couple came through bringing a great deal of laughter to everyone, the clouds of hostility lifted and my co-worker was back to her typical charming self around me. 

     You can imagine my surprise at the immediate change I saw in my co-worker. I wasn't going to question it though! I'm not sure if it was a God thing or what, but I'm thankful that I never gave in to saying or doing anything that could have damaged my own good name at the restaurant. Were there times I wanted to snap back at her, that I wanted to complain about her to everyone, to tell her off and slander her behind her back? Sure, plenty of times. However, I would think instead, "I'm the adult, she's the child. She's having a bad day, let her deal with it in her way and let me deal with it in mine." Now, I haven't seen this co-worker since that day, but I am hoping that whatever silent issue she had with me is finally over.  

     Waitressing has been rewarding in many ways, such as making money and learning how to interact with all types of people. It certainly isn't something that I would want to do for the rest of my life. As for what I want to do with my life after the summertime...that's still up in the air. Maybe go back to school or get a better paying job, I'm just not sure right now. All I know is that right now, a good part of my day is spent gaining good life experience in dealing with people and dealing with myself.

Site revamp

After years of having the same layout design I have finally revamped my site as well as creating a brand new header! Featuring two of my favorite women at the moment, Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot and First Daughter Ivanka Trump! I love the new yellow look; it has such a summery feel to it!

As for an update on the site in general, I've gotten a new job as a waitress at a restaurant that's only five minutes away from home. My regular hours are from 10:30-4:30, which means I finally have time to write again! And I have missed it a great deal. The Phoenix is still in the works as well as working on my second story.

I hope everyone is having a good summer!

Wonder Woman (2017)

     This movie...Oh God! Where do I begin!!! It went beyond the pun of wonderful and was just extraordinarily beautiful in every single way! From the storyline, the actors, the costumes, the music...just everything you want in a good superhero film! However, the best aspect of the film was Wonder Woman herself who was tough and brave, while remaining compassionate and generous without a breath of modern feminist ideals to darken such a inspiring story. 

     All her life, Princess Diana has been the jewel of the female dominated Amazonian island, Themyscira. Her loving mother Queen Hippolyta, a fierce warrior and just ruler, tries to shield her daughter from the difficulties of warfare, but Diana is insistent that she be an Amazonian warrior like the rest of the women. 

     Hippolyta tells Diana of the island's history starting with the Zeus' creation of mankind in his own image, the betrayal of his son, Ares, who turned men's hearts away from goodness, and how the Amazonians were brought to earth to protect humanity. When Zeus banished Ares from earth, he sent the Amazonian women to the magical island of Themyscira where they have lived for centuries, hidden from the rest of the world and protectors of the great weapon, the God Slayer. 

     Over the years, Diana trains endlessly and becomes a formidable warrior with unusual powers that cannot be explained. One day, a strange flying machine lands into the water and Diana rescues it's handsome pilot, Steve Trevor. The stranger tells the woman of Themyscira that the rest of the world is at war on every single side and that he himself is a spy who must return back home in order to stop an enemy attack that could wipe out thousands. Diana becomes intrigued by Steve and his story and follows him back to 'his hideous world' known as London, believing that Ares is behind this war and feels that it's her duty to protect the world as an Amazonian and defeat Ares in the process.

     Princess Diana becomes Diana Prince and soon helps Steve and his ragtag group of followers to track down the mad German General Ludendorf and his psychotic chemist Isabel Maru or Doctor Poison from creating a deadly gas that they hope to use as weapon of human annihilation. War is difficult for Diana to understand and she faces both victory and defeat in the process of hunting down Ares. Soon, she is faced with her ultimate enemy, but in order to bring peace, sacrifices of both heart and soul must be made to ensure a world without fear. 

     Gal Gadot was hands-down the ultimate prize of this film! She portrayed a Wonder Woman that's a hero our world (and especially women) need at the moment. While Diana is a powerful warrior, she also exhibits great kindness, generosity and compassion that is simply her nature. She is fascinated with humans and feels that it is her duty as an Amazonian to protect them. Her relationship with the men in the story is nothing short of endearing and charming; for a woman who grew up around other women, Diana shows great respect and humility toward male authority and companionship as well as an understanding heart. There was not a single moment of anti-patriarchal mongering in the story and any thought of third-wave feminism is utterly non-existent. 

     Chris Pine was his typical swoon-worthy hero character that makes me love him all over again! Steve Trevor is a loyal American patriot that puts him right next to Steve Rogers. Ambitious and ever hopeful, Steve will not compromise with evil and becomes a wise mentor to Diana. While he and Diana may disagree from time to time, Steve begins to accept her way of getting the job done and is willing to stay in the background and allow her to take the well deserved glory. He and his friends are much needed comic relief to the film, while hitting upon the realities and horrors of the first World War. 

     When I left the theater after seeing this film, I was so content with the two hours I spent exploring the origins of Diana Prince and admiring a true heroine that is the embodiment of flawed, but ultimate goodness. I already had a deep respect for Diana after her introduction in Batman v. Superman, but now I want to be her best friend. If you were to only see one movie this summer, than please see this masterpiece. Especially anti-feminists that may be nervous about the female warrior mentality, you will not be dissapointed! We definitely need more Diana Princes' in the world.