Second week of London, summarized

11 January
Today, we completed the dream of every actor - we toured the Globe. It was a gorgeous theatre, and the way it works seems very interesting. Open air, costumes limited to time period, no lights, and a visible audience! Also, there was a bear hiding backstage that you could see if you peered into the murky depths. It made me giggle a little. I really wanted to be on that stage performing. I've never felt that much like I needed to be performing before. Normally, any aspect of theatre satisfies me, but I absolutely knew that I had to be on that stage someday. We'll see. We had an acting class as well, that was really more of a Shakespeare history class. It made me really excited to take Shakespeare with Doug this next semester though. After a brief lunch at EAT (hahaha, right?), we explored the Tate Modern. I love modern art - I saw Warhols and Pollocks and Cahuns and Picassos and Monets! It was an amusing experience because Ben was in our group and he abhors modern art. He was so grumpy the entire time. My favorite painting was "Bursting Shell" by C.R.W. Nevinson. It looks exactly like it fell out of Labyrinth and onto the canvas. After all of that excitement, Ben, Caitlynn, and I went to Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. We got our cheap seats upgraded for free, and ended up sitting in amazing seats. After the show, which was spectacular, we waited at the stage door to meet James Earl Jones! It was so cool!

12 January
Class day trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, and Coventry Cathedral. It was still snowing in places! I got sorted at a little Witchcraft and Wizardology shop hidden in Stratford - into Hufflepuff. I was angry at the Sorting Hat for that.
An excerpt from the journal I kept: "Today is our first day trip. I'm really excited to see part of this country other than London. I really love London, every bit that I've explored, but the rest of the country must be just as incredible." It's been a few weeks and I don't know why I so clearly remember writing those few sentences. Everything about me is perfect for London, but already I was ready to break out and see more. I'm not good at staying in confined spaces, apparently.
All of the shops in Stratford were named creatively, and most of them in the theme of Shakespeare. There was definitely an inn named "The Twelfth Night". We didn't make it to the church where Shakespeare is buried, but we saw the cottage that Anne Hathaway (his wife, not the now-famous actress) grew up in, and we saw the house that Shakespeare himself was born in. Actually, we saw a reconstruction of that house, which included one original floor. It wasn't as "religious" of an experience as the Globe was, but it was definitely cool. They have one of the original windowpanes on display, where hundreds of people have etched their names into the glass - including some other famous authors! There was an adorable statue of a Jester with quotes from As You Like It, Twelfth Night, and Hamlet on the base. It was a delightful thing - truly, I was filled with delight.
When we made it to Warwick Castle, I was half in awe and half almost disgusted. The castle itself is beautiful in the creepy, old, historic sort of way. However, they advertise it like Disneyland. There's a princess tower where 8 year old girls can go play dress-up (and Rick was disappointed that he couldn't go in). The part of Warwick that I was most excited about was walking up on the castle walls, which, OF COURSE, was closed due to the weather. England is apparently as bad as Western Washington when it comes to snow. The coolest part of Warwick makes me sound morbid - Nicki, Alyssa, Lauren and I (I believe - I could be wrong about people) climbed down into the "gaol" (read: jail) and explored the creepily lit area. And hidden off in a corner was something I'd only read about in The Phantom of the Opera and seen briefly in Labyrinth - an oubliette! Since it is pretty much a hole in the ground that is ten thousand times creepier than the gaol itself, there wasn't much to see but it made the line from Labyrinth so much darker: "It's a place you put people to forget about 'em."
Finally, we arrived at Coventry Cathedral. It was a little overly emotional for me, actually. The cathedral is gorgeous, as is everything else in this country (honestly, even cows are pretty here). There are a few small chapels scattered around the main cathedral and everything has meaning - it is the perfect place for someone like me. I happened upon The Chapel of Christ in Gethsemane - a chapel for those who are suffering or those who wish to pray fervently for the salvation of those suffering (whether emotionally, spiritually, or physically). At the front of this beautifuly room, there is a gate - shaped like a crown of thorns. To enter the chapel to pray, you have to pass through Jesus' suffering. I leave you to think about how profound praying there would be.

13 January
I was rushed through the British Museum, which, surprisingly, is full of the history of everything but Britain. (Not really, but it sure felt like it at times) There was an exhibit on the history of the United States, and I was impressed by how similar it felt to walking through a museum at home. We saw all of the epic requirements like the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies and such. The top floor was devoted to Japanese art and history, which was very interesting because I've never really been exposed to true Japanese art - Manga certainly doesn't count.
The class saw Shakespeare's Twelfth Night as performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company. I fell in love. Literally. If I could do anything in this world, unlimited by my own talent or means, I would work with the RSC. I've always loved Shakespeare - probably partially thanks to my refusal to read any version of The Bible besides NKJ as a young child. Twelfth Night is also the only Shakespearean play I've seen performed (if you don't count being IN A Midsummer Night's Dream) and I've seen it a few times. Never have I understood and absolutely loved it like I did during this performance. Miltos Yerolemou as Feste was positively brilliant. If someday, I get the chance to go back to England, I am most definitely making a point of somehow becoming involved with the RSC.

14 January
Today was an adventure day. I had lunch at this cutesy restaurant called Tiger Tiger (Restaurant Restaurant) which we later discovered becomes a nightclub at a certain time. The food was good and cheap, and the waitress was hilarious. We walked in and asked for a table, and immediately she went "OH, I love Americans!" She regarded us as a white peacock - interesting and beautiful, but abnormal nonetheless.
I may have also done something extremely "unlike" me, according to my youth leader. My mom was okay with it when I told her. I haven't told Dad yet...oops. I finally got the tattoo that I've been thinking about since high school.
This evening, a few of us got really epic cheap seats to see The Habit of Art by Alan Bennett. Richard Griffiths was in it (i.e. Uncle Vernon from the Harry Potter movies), and the play itself was incredible. I can't really describe it, so please, if you love theatre, go look it up and then figure out a way to go see it.

15 January
We went to a lunchtime concert by the London Symphonic Orchestra at St. Luke's. It was a brass quintet, including the youngest principal trumpet player London has ever seen (22). There was a gorgeous piece of music by Michael Berkeley that was inspired by Chaucer! I've never really been one for classical music - I love Clair de Lune and listening to Chris H. play everything ever, but aside from that...not much. This concert was interesting because not only was the music simply astounding, but they explained the context and the importance of each piece. It really helped me grasp the story that the music was telling.
And today, I completed a four-year quest. I saw Wicked! - the untold story of the witches of Oz. The musical is based on the book by Gregory Maguire and the music is by Stephen Schwartz. Sadly, the dancers were sloppy, the sound was a little off, the mics cut out once or twice, and Elphaba... Oh, dear. Alexia Khadime was an incredibly talented singer -she hit all the notes well, yes. But her ability to stay in character did not present itself to us once. She slipped between something that was possibly Elphaba and something that was decidedly not. I know I sound like a theatre snob, but its true!

16 January.
Wet got up early to queue today. Doesn't that sound so much better than standing in line? Queue. It's a fun word. We got the last seated tickets (and one standing) for Red, a lovely play by John Logan about the painter Mark Rothko (among other things). It was very hard to watch at parts, because it is very deep and abstract (like a Rothko painting, actually). Surprisingly enough, Alfred Molina was in it. If you don't know who that is, don't worry. I didn't either until after the play, we were kind of hanging out in front of the theatre and he came out to a crowd of fans - some of which had "Doc Oc" posters for him to sign. Yes, that's right, Doctor Octopus himself.

First Week of London, summarized

I admit, I'm kind of terrible at updating this regularly. Well, I've been back in the States for over a day now so I figured I should actually write about my trip in a little more depth than the last post. I'm sorry that it got cut off - I don't know what happened. Hopefully, it does not happen again.

5 January
We landed at noon (local time), and made it through customs and all without a hitch. I did realized that the recorded voices have accents, which made me realize how American I really am. Rick gave us our tube passes for the week, and explained how to ride the tube and blah blah blah. I ended up exploring the area with Ben, Caitlynn, Mike, and Lauren. We found the tube super easy to navigate - I can even find my way around! - so we explored the Bayswater area until we got hungry. We ended up eating at The Swan, which is a pub just down the street from our hostel. Being the overexcited American that I am, I had fish and chips with fizzy water. I love fizzy water, and I'm really excited that its the norm over here. The bartender was really nice and helpful. He could tell we were from out-of-town (cause we're so not obvious, right?) and reminded Caitlynn not to leave her purse when she went to order, and made sure that we were ordering what we actually wanted. We decided it wasn't late enough, so we headed downtown and check out Big Ben and surrounding area at night. It was very beautiful, and made me wish I was a young girl in a blue nightgown flying around the night sky.

6 January
Continental breakfast here is pretty much the best thing ever. The croissants are delicious, and there is the most delicious tea! I could definitely get used to this. The class took a Big Bus Tour today, and saw all of the big sights in London. It was a double-decker bus and I got to ride on top, wearing a cheesy plastic parka because it was SNOWING. We accidentally brought it with us, apparently. Who hid the snow in their suitcase? A few of us got off the bus tour at the Tower of London and explored that for awhile. We took a Beefeater Tour but it was only like half of one due to the snow. Our Beefeater's name was Shady, and he was a total gentleman. He was telling us about this little step in the chapel entrance that everyone trips over, and told the guys in our group, straight up, "I just want to warn you, I'll be a bit busy catching the ladies, so I'll just say - it hurts." Oh, it was a lovely little moment. A lot of the guys here - the older ones that are working - refer to us as "darling" in conversation. The bartender last night called both Caitlynn and I that while helping us order. It makes me feel special. After we finished the Tower, we hopped back on a different bus, or so we thought. The tour guide was the same guy! It was really funny. He remembered us and would joke with us while talking about the sights. We had dinner at a restaurant called Noodle Noodle and then wound up at The Shakespeare 'cause some of our group wanted drinks. There's a cute grocery around the corner for snacks/light meals and they have the candy of the Gods: CRUNCHIES!

7 January
The class took a walking tour of the West End today, and saw all sorts of ancient theatres. We even saw one on Drury Lane, but alas! No muffin man in sight. We got to see Covent Garden briefly - everything looks so fun here. Not much else happened during the day - dinner at The Mitre (another pub down the street) and then Nicki, Caitlynn, and I went to La Bohème. It was astounding. Definitely worth the 28 pounds we paid for seats, and a wonderful choice for my first opera. Surprisingly, it was Rick's first opera years ago as well. For those of you who don't know, La Bohème is the Italian opera that inspired Jonathan Larson to write RENT. It was beautiful, both visually and aurally.

8 January
AKA THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE.
I spent three hours in Westminster Abbey today. I just wandered through it slowly, admiring all of the different graves and memorials that are inside. So many incredibly famous people - I accidentally stepped on the memorial slab for T.S. Eliot, who is not actually buried there. I also saw Dicken's and Chaucer's graves. I could feel all of the English majors on the trip glisten in honour as they walked through Poet's Corner. The building itself is gorgeous, as well. After I finally finished Westminster, we went to the Cupcake Emporium for lunch and I had a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich and I am never eating anything else again.
However, the reason today was so amazing is that Nicki, Lauren, Alyssa, and I went and got FRONT ROW seats to J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan for this evening. Everything about the production was perfect. I was completely in love with everything. The theatre itself was built specifically for the production - it was a tent outside the O2, with a flyloft in the cupola and everything. We had an understudy Peter Pan and he was absolutely perfect (and also rather gorgeous in his headshot). It was the most amazing play - I cried for the last twenty minutes because of how touched I was by a story I know by heart.

9 January
We went to the British Library as a class today, and as a class were thoroughly disappointed by the fact that we could only see a total of two rooms - a photography exhibit and the Treasures room. Now, don't get me wrong, the Treasures room is worth the trip out there. Seeing original manuscripts and the Magna Carta and all that jazz is worth the time it takes to get there. I just don't like the fact that its a library that doesn't allow people to access ANY of its books. Like, you have to apply to access any of the library rooms, and you can only apply to a section of the room if you are studying at the graduate level in a subject pertaining to that section. I don't even know if it is possible to see the King's Library section. It just seems ridiculous that you'd have all of these incredible books and not let people see them. Ended up at a pub called Rockets that was definitely geared towards the younger generation for lunch, and then explored Camden Markets with Ben and Mike and found my gift for Mom! Surprisingly, shopping with the guys wasn't that bad. We got meat pies for dinner, but they were not from Fleet Street so I felt okay about eating them. The class went to see Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, which I still am not sure if I liked it or not.

10 January
After an Anglican church service this morning, a few of us explored Hyde Park. We got to experience Speaker's Corner first hand, which was really interesting. There's so much to hear and see there. And after we got our fill of religious and political debates, we headed to the most magical part of the entire park - PETER PAN. It was very nice to meet him again. The entire park is just beautiful, but that little spot where Peter dances on top of a small mountain covered in admiring fairies and animals is magical. After I breathed in some fairy dust, we flew over to
Churchill Arms, which is a pub and a thai restaurant in one for dinner, explored until it was time for live music at The Swan.

Why is it always goodnight and go?

I cannot believe how fast the time is going by. It seems like we got to London only a few days ago, but I've already been here for almost two weeks. Life moves quicklier here, and I can only hope to make this last week as perfect as the first two. I'm just going to quickly recap the highlights of my trip so far, because I'm borrowing my roommates computer and internet that she paid for (with permission!) and because I'm waiting for the boys to wake up.
I've spent most of my trip with Caitlynn, Mike, and Ben. They're all kind of awesome and it makes for some interesting group dynamics. I absolutely adore this country and everything I'm learning about it - except the British Library, which was the MOST disappointing.
So far, I have seen La Bohème, J M Barrie's Peter Pan, Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, Red, Wicked, The Habit of Art, Twelth Night, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. After Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, we waited at the stage door and I met JAMES EARL JONES! As in, the voice of Mufasa! As in, Darth Vader! Even more so than that, I got to talk with him while he gave me his autograph. He talked to me about acting! He said, "It's not always easy, and it's not always fun, but it's worth it. You've got to stick with it." I just about died. I also saw Doc Oc, but didn't actually meet him. Later this week, I'm seeing Ian McKellen in Waiting for Godot.
I've done the British Museum, and the British Library, and the Tate Modern, and Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, Warwick Castle, Coventry Cathedral, Stratford-upon-Avon, the Globe, and a bajillion more touristy things. Both the Camden Lock and Portobello Road markets, Harrods, and every gift shop ever and figured into my shopping - and I still can't figure out what to get my father as a gift.
More or less, everything here is amazing, even the snow.
I bought Hamlet as a manga, and

It's the final countdown...

Okay, cheesy Europe lyrics aside, I really leave for London in just a few days. My flight takes off Monday evening. I can't believe it's so close! Thank you guys so much for being so supportive of this dream. I know your prayers have really helped me get this far, and I'll appreciate all the help they will bring while I'm there. I'm very excited for this opportunity. I'll do my best to update this once or twice while I'm gone, and I'll be keeping a journal as well, so there will be an epic post when I get back, like there used to be after Houseboat or Mission trips - although most of those are sitting half-finished on my computer.
So this trip is about exploring British culture through theatre and music - thus the title of the class, "Exploring British Culture Through Theatre and Music". It's three and half weeks of fun and awesomeness. I have Rick Steves' Guide to London (2010) and a few friends on the trip, a bit of money in the bank, and a very very giddy heart. Part of me doesn't believe that I'm really going to London. I'm not really living by Hyde Park for almost a month. It can't be true!
But it is. I really get to see Billy Elliot! and Every Good Boy Deserves Favour 2010 and Nation. There is really a chance for me to run into stars. When my friend Ben went two years ago, he met Ewan McGregor!!!!! I've got a list from my friend Rachel, who also went two years ago, of all the little things I should try to do. My passport is up-to-date and my ISIC is shiny and new. Now I just have to finish packing, do a few things, and get on the plane!
I'm actually really nervous about Customs, which is kind of strange because its not like I'll have anything illegal with me. I get really nervous about going through security every time I'm at the airport, too, so I guess its just an extension of that. I'm sure it will go smoothly, and I heard from one friend that they don't even check your bag most of the time. I'm not sure I believe that, but we'll see. And in the end, it will be a growing experience.
That's the part I'm most excited about. My whole life has been a growing experience, but this is something a little different. It's a chance to grow away from some of the negative influences I've acquired (and a chance to figure out how to deal with certain influences that may be following me there). It's a chance to see the world and realize its bigger than my ethnocentric country. There is so much more in this beautiful world, and I finally get the chance to see a little bit of it.
Also, my friend Laura who attends the college group at MVPC is going to be in London for the first week of her Jan term as well. We're going to try really hard to meet up while we're there. It's going to be amazing!
Thanks so much for all of your support and prayers. I'm almost there!

One more question: How is this one big lesson?

I don't think that there's a quiz, but if there is I'll be outside.

It's that time again! I get to make the beautiful five hour drive back to Spokane in just a few days, and I'm bouncing with excitement. This summer has been interesting for me, and I can't wait to see what the school year will bring me - especially since I'm going to LONDON!
I love my school for many reasons. Whitworth is gorgeous. The students AND faculty are incredible. The theatre department is seriously the coolest thing since sliced bread. One of my advisors' last name is Sprenkle. Seriously, how cool is that? Saga actually doesn't taste that bad. There are traditions to be upheld. There are pinecones everywhere. I've never walked across campus without seeing a frisbee. =]
I could go on for hours about how much I love Whitworth, but I think that'd get kind of boring (although since half of the people that I know read this blog are Whitworth alumni, I suppose they wouldn't mind too much). I want to write a little bit about the thing I'm most excited for - JAN TERM. I also wanted to take a moment to thank some of the wonderful people that introduced me to Whitworth, but we'll get to that later.
I adore having a 4-1-4 system. The semesters don't drag on, but they aren't rushed either. I took Arthurian Literature last Jan term, and it was incredible. Something about learning for three hours straight is kind of awesome. The snacks and movies helped, too. =P This year, I get the incredible opportunity to spend my Jan term in the wonderful city of London. British Culture Through Theatre and Music is one of the study abroad programs that Whitworth's theatre and music departments offers. I've gotten all the money together, through work and wonderful relatives. I've looked at the pictures from the last trip. I can't believe Ben got to meet Ewan McGregor. I've triple-checked my passport. It's going to be SO cool.
People have been telling me that it is the trip of a lifetime. They make it sound so impactful and life-changing and SCARY. I'm just an innocent eighteen-year-old girl - how many life-changing trips can I go on before I grow up?

My summers have always been the season of change. Besides the whole 'it's your time between school years' deal, the trips that I went on were always incredible. From my very first mission trip to Mexico, when we didn't have a youth leader and everything was weird, to my first houseboat trip, when I realized that growing up had to happen, to my last summer full of mission trips and middle schoolers and houseboats. Every trip I took with my youth group impacted in me in some way or another.
Funnily enough, the trip that impacted my future the most took place in the spring. Our wonderful youth leader, Hannah, took four students to visit the weird college that she'd gone to. We were all juniors. Kenny, Bryce, Tiana, and I stuffed ourselves into her little car and drove five hours to stay in dorms with people we didn't know - except Kenny, who stayed with a Bonnema. From the moment I stepped foot on that campus, I was in love. It felt like home. Almost three years later, it really is home for me. Through incredible parents and a lot of scholarships, I've had a brilliant freshman year and I'm about to start my sophomore. Time has gone by fast, and I want to savor all of the time I've got left at this wonderful place.
So thank you, Hannah, for introducing me to my new home. =]
I also want to thank Jeannie and Travis, because they got married and I met half of the theatre department at their wedding. =D There's a lot more to it than that, but that's the beginning. Jeannie has given me a lot of good advice when it comes to the theatre, and encouraged me to just throw myself into it. That means a lot to me.

This blog had a point when I started it, and I'm not sure I accomplished it. That's okay though, because it reflects my thoughts and that makes it worth posting. =D

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Now playing: Darren Criss - I Still Think
via FoxyTunes

Anyway, the thing is I really mean your eyes are the sweetest eyes I've ever seen.

It has been an interesting summer, for sure. I have survived three weeks of VBS and a week of camp now, and I'm loving it although I'm not entirely sure I could ever do it again. One thing is for sure, though. After four weeks of being mostly "Willow", having people call me Maery again is weird.
I think it is funny how the things that you think are the least likely to change you tend to be the things that really help you learn more about yourself. I've spent the last year or so in a sort of spiritual limbo. I knew what I thought, and I sort of knew what the Bible said, but I didn't really bother to even try and place the two next to each other and compare. The conversations I've had this past week - most of which were either with Bryce while we were driving or with Melody when she wasn't sick - have taught me a lot about myself. I'm reading very slowly through Psalm 119 right now, and the one thing that has really struck me through every section is the idea of finding joy in the law.
I'm a teenager. Rules are lame, right? We're practically made to break them. And while it may be exhilarating to sneak out for skinny dipping or see a movie your mom told you not to see, God's law is a lot bigger than all of that. God's law is love, and what greater joy is there than being loved the way God loves us? In verse 24, both the NIV and the NASB refer to the Lord's commands as being delightful, and as counselors. I think that is SO incredible! Law doesn't seem like a friendly thing, especially not human law. There is so much in this one Psalm about God's love filling the earth completely, and how even when we feel our worst, God revives us with his love. Have you ever been feeling super low, and you get a hug or a smile or someone says "I love you" unexpectedly and suddenly, your day is amazing? God is continually saying "I love you", and if we are smart enough to listen, our whole life is improved!
In closing, Psalm 119:20 in NIV, NASB, and the Message, with added emphasis.
"My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times."
"My soul is crushed with longing after your ordinances at all times."
"My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! - insatiable for your nourishing commands."

My dad is rich and your dad is dead.

You may have freed our house elf and brought doubt to our family name, but your parents still got toasted by a big green glowing flame.
Alright, so it is about time I wrote my Harry Potter blog, huh? =D I've seen it twice, and have sneaky suspicion that I will see it at least once on Imax and once or twice in Spokane as well. I've heard a lot of opinions on the movie, and a lot of dissent in the ranks of the fandom. I will try to avoid dwelling on what other people think and simply explain how I felt about it.
I, of course, went to the midnight showing. I was dressed as Pansy Parkinson in a costume made almost entirely from my own closet, including my hobo pants from Audience (with Rachel as director) transformed into sparkly ripped jeans emblazoned with a Dark Mark. I was accompanied by a Luna Lovegood, complete with lion hat and radish earrings, a Lavender Brown in pink and brown and curls, a Helga Hufflepuff in a gorgeous dress, and an Ignotus Peverell, who was honestly just too lazy to actually dress up. We all had homemade wands, styled by my lovely friend Jamie (Luna in the picture). There are more pictures on Facebook.
We headed to Red Robin, where we were greeted by a very enthusiastic young man who thought it was SO COOL that we were all dressed up and wouldn't leave us alone. The rest of the restaurant eyed us. I think a few parents were scared for their children. We ran into my friends Aaron and Sasha, who were not dressed up (tsk tsk). After the meal, we swept out of the restaurant and ended up walking the mall for awhile because it was early yet.
One of the greatest things about the Harry Potter fandom is the instant camaraderie between fans, especially on nights like this one. We ran into people, some dressed up, some not, but everyone seemed to know why we were there - and those who didn't soon figured it out. We scared the little asian lady that runs Murasawki, sadly. Other fans would clap and whistle in joyous celebration, and it felt quite like the scene in the first book where the wizarding world is celebrating the downfall of Voldemort for the first time.
We walked back to the theater, deciding that it was time to be committed and join the line. We managed to be one of the last groups in the line inside. Our Luna got a lot of attention - random girls came up and asked for pictures with us! Everyone had the same excited fever, and the whole theater was bustling with energy. They let us in two hours till the movie started, and the mad rush for seats began. We came out victorious, sitting in the middle of a row that was towards the back but not too high. All through the theater, we recognized people, both by costume and because we knew them. A boy dressed as Dumbledore walked in and everyone cheered!
The energy was astounding. It's my favorite part of midnight shows. I am a very loud movie watcher. I engage myself - I yell, cry, laugh, and generally make a fool of myself at any showing, but at a midnight show it is somewhat acceptable. We are the die hard fans, after all. We screamed, cried, jumped, "awwww"d, and laughed as one. Only one person was out of sync. Me.
I am, and have almost always been, a Draco fan in a way that even other Draco fans do not quite grasp. I have two Dracos living in my head: the 'real' one, that J.K. created, and the one that I love so very much that is mostly a product of wishful thinking and too much fanfiction. The real Draco is very much an angst-ridden git, but then so is Harry. MY Draco, however, is quite a wonderful boy and if I ever find a real one like him, I think you'd all like him very much. I see the best of J.K.'s Draco - the man he might have been, had he accepted Dumbledore's help at the end of this movie. Perhaps the man he might have been had Harry accepted his friendship during first year. I'm not always entirely sure where MY Draco ends and J.K.'s begins - they are very similar, after all. Luckily, in the end, they are fictional characters.
And, here, the spoilers begin:
Personally, I LOVED the movie. I feel that Tom Felton finally got his character right, and that the Inferi scene was wonderful, if a little reminiscent of the Dead Marshes. I do wonder how Harry is going to find Ravenclaw's diadem, but the kiss was cute and I'm okay with it for now. Slughorn was an excellent addition, as was Lavender Brown. "Where's my Won-Won?!!?" has never been shouted so well before. Emma Watson's Hermione has grown up beautifully, and I don't say that just because every guy I know thinks she is gorgeous. Rupert Grint delivered a brilliant Ron, especially during the love potion scene.
And Harry. Dearest Harry. That boy that I have grown up with, both on screen and in print. I feel that I cannot ask anymore of poor Daniel Radcliffe, who will probably be typecast for the rest of his life because of this saga. However, Harry does not piss me off in the movies. Book!Harry made me yell at him for being SO stupid and stubborn and so very, very Gryffindor. Movie!Harry does not. Aside from that, I feel like he is doing well.
I do like David Yates as a director SO much more than Alfonso Cuarón or Mike Newell. David's movies are not, however, quite on par with Chris Colombus. Hero Fiennes-Tiffin was an excellent young Tom Riddle, although I liked Frank Dillane a bit more. ;] Dame Maggie Smith is my hero, though. She completed filming for HBP while undergoing radio-therapy for breast cancer.
Alan Rickman was, as always, the perfect Snape. I honestly think that he is the most well-cast actor in the entire film. I can't wait to see the "After all this time?" "Always." scene in the seventh movie - well, it will probabl be the eighth movie, but hey. Michael Gambon feels like the right Dumbledore now. I remember when the switch happened, it was jarring and I was very angry. Dumbledore grew with the books, though, and Michael Gambon is the right kind of Dumbledore for the later books. I feel that the switch might have happened a movie too early, but since Richard Harris died, I can't REALLY complain about that.
My one and only big complaint is the attack on the burrow. It was completely nonsensical! It existed nowhere in the book, and it will totally ruin the REAL attack in the seventh movie. Poor Phlegm and Bill. Perhaps they are planning on cutting that anyways. Grrrr. According to IMDB, "This particular scene was not in the book, but was made just for the movie to serve as a representative of all the news reports, which are scattered around in the source novel, about various attacks by Death Eaters on the wizard community. It was considered to provide better pacing for a movie to have Harry actually experience one such attack first hand, rather than hearing/reading about those that kept happening to some other students, or their relatives." I don't care about pacing - Harry needs to care about other people!
The one other thing that made me incredibly angry is actually rather small. They changed a line of Draco's that sort of changes him, in my opinion. In the movie, he says "I have to kill you, or he'll kill me." While he does say that in the books, he also says this on page 591: "I've got to do it! He'll kill me! He'll kill me whole family!" It's about half way down the page. I think the fact that he is protecting his family as well as himself gives him some sense of humanity, yeah?
Oh, and this just in: Gellert Grindewald has apparently been cast, which means that they will NOT be cutting all of Dumbledore's past from the Deathly Hallows! YAY!
I am done ranting for now, and leave you with these many thoughts to ponder in internet-silence for awhile.