Chronicle/Woman in Black

"It's a short movie.  It's less than an hour and 30 minutes"
"Well, some movies are better shorter than long and drawn out.  Take Breaking Dawn for example, it should have been only 30 minutes."
And as my brother and I discovered, an hour and 23 minutes was the perfect amount of time for Chronicle.  Later I discovered that an hour and 35 minutes was also the perfect amount of time for Woman in Black.  It was refreshing sitting through a short and sweet movie---even though both Chronicle and Woman in Black were far from being "sweet" films.  Of course, not every movie should be short.  I fully expect my butt to be numb after I watch The Hobbit---each minute of that movie is bound to be glorious and well deserved.

Cameron loved Chronicle.  When we left the theater he raved and raved about it--long enough for me to realize that he was not being sarcastic.  Not that I thought it was horrible---I just didn't think it was fantastic.  I had low expectations for it to begin with and while it exceeded my expectations it's still not a movie that was remarkable or something I would watch again.

The movie centers abound three--high school? college?--kids who find a stone type thing that gives them telepathic abilities.  As almost anyone will tell you--not everyone should be granted with powers.  Because one emo kid will ruin the fun for everybody.  You easily sympathize with Andrew, the abused, poor, misfit, emo kid.   But  you also enjoy the other two confident, easily popular kids as well.  It's extremely well done.  The effects are well done.  It's just a little to predictable for me.  But it as fun movie to watch.


I had to drag myself to go see Woman in Black. In fact is Ashley hadn't been persistent I probably would never have gone to see it.  Not that it looked bad--I just don't handle scary movies well.  This episode from Boy Meets World still freaks me out:

Well, to be honest, I can't give the best review of the movie considering I spent a considerable amount of time with my eyes closed, fingers in my ears.  Or doubled over in my seat so I couldn't see the screen.  Or with my hands over my face, leaving a small enough gap in between my fingers to see Daniel Radcliffe's face.  But from what I did see, I thought it was well done.  It's not revolutionary but it's a scary movie with secretive British people and a freaky marsh. 

Daniel Radcliffe's character has to travel to this town to got through the paperwork in an old house---in the middle of a marsh.  Conveniently, you're stranded at the house often because when the tide comes in on the marsh and the road is in accessible.  Perfect setting for scary crap to happen.  So many warning signs for his character to get the heck out of dodge.  The people in the village want him gone, the house is in the middle of a marsh causing you to be stuck at the marsh except when the tide is low, and the house looks like this:

Um. Yeah.  I would never have even stepped foot in that house.  But he does....because he's Harry Freaking Potter (you're a legend man to us all---oh AVPS).

It was great seeing Daniel Radcliffe in a different on screen role and he did great.  All in all it was a jumpy, scary movie that will keep your heart racing.

Potter Post 3 1/3--Book 5 Predictions

Warning: This post contains spoilers

I stumbled across an old article from 2003 this morning: Harry Potter Plot: Your Predictions.  It's from right before the fifth book of Harry Potter was released--Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and it's a magical treasure--so today I'm going to post some of the predictions that readersmade for this book.  But first, a look back:

In 2003 I was still in high school.

Whoa.

And Harry Potter  was getting ready to enter his fifth year of school after having participated in the Triwizard Tournament in his fourth year. 

 

Edward Cullen was a Hufflepuff.

Remember?  The Triwizard Tournament brought three schools together for the competition but Harry's name was mysteriously entered into the tournament under a fourth, fake school in order to fool the Goblet of Fire thus forcing him to compete in notoriously deadly competition.  Things seemed to be going well into he and Cedric touched the Triwizard Cup---remember Cedric Diggory---The Hogwarts champion--from Hufflepuff--?  Well they touched the Triwizard Cup together and-gasp!-it was a portkey that transported them to a graveyard where Cedric was killed.
 

Who killed Cedric? Peter Pettigrew.  But who told him to? VOLDEMORT.  We then witnessed the rebirth of Voldemort.  And learned that Voldemort's wand and Harry's wand don't work properly against each other--who knew how big of a deal that would end up being?  Harry escaped-barely-and returned to Hogwarts just in time to almost be killed by...Mad Eye Moody? GASP! But it was actually Barty Crouch Jr. all hopped up on polyjuice potion. 

The point being that this was a huge moment in the series.  This was the moment that Voldemort returned to power.  This was the moment that forced Harry Potter to grow up.  This was the moment that told the readers--anyone can and will die.  So naturally everyone was on edge waiting for fifth book.  Waiting and guessing about what would happen.  So below are some predictions from 2003:

Who will die?

       Ironically it seems that Sirius dying was the farthest from anyone's mind.  In fact he wasn't even on the poll this site did.  They asked readers who would die in The Order of the Phoenix--below are the choices, results, and I added when they actually died.

--Professor McGonagal...5.15% (Survived--eventually became headmistress)

--Professor Snape... 9.94%  (Died in the last book)

--Hermione...5.08% (Survived--married Ron)

--Rom...7.99% (Survived--married Hermione)

--Hagrid...36.44% (Survived)

--Professor Dumbledore...30.65% (Died in the sixth book)

--Draco...4.74% (Survived)

So it seems that Hagrid and Dumbledore were the most favored to die...Dumbledore dying was always on my least likely to die least while reading the series.  

It was also predicted that Dumbledore would die and Snape would become the new headmaster and lead the fight against Voldemort.  This was a great prediction because it holds a ton of truth, just a little early and only slightly off.

Voldemort is Harry's father

This was a very common predication for several years until JKR finally put and end to it decalring that Voldemort is NOT Harry's father.  Come on guys...Harry has a nose and Voldemort doesn't.

Dumbledore is a Death Eater

Cool predication. Untrue.  But cool.  This prediction got it's ground from the line in the fourth book where Harry tells Dumbledore that Voldemort can touch him now and then there is flash of triumph in Dumbledore's eyes.  This was a huge line in the book.  I personally obsessed over what it could mean and we didn't find out until the end of the series.  But it did not mean that Dumbledore is a death eater.  

Ron and Hermione get together

Oh...that was always a constant prediction.  Except for the Hermine/Harry people (I'm talking to you Emily!)

Ginny becomes important

Well I guess so.

Something is up with Neville. Not sure what.  But something.

Great prediction and we did learn about Neville in the fifth book.

I hope you enjoy this look back into the past brought to you by my friend Google!

 

 

Potter Post 3 1/8

How awesome is this?  Hogwarts Toms.


Sorry for the short post.  It's the holidays and I'm currently in a muppet frame of mind.  Oh wait! Muppets!  Puppets!  Perfect Potter Post!  See below.

Always awesome.  
  

The Sidekick.

"No! No! No! Noooo-! This isn't about you.  Why does every conversation we have always have to turn into Potter talk?"
"It isn't Potter talk--"
"No! No! I'm miserable!  And all you can do is talk about yourself.  You're like the most self absorbed guy I know!  But if you were miserable I'd be there for you but you won't even listen to me and I'm sick of it.  So, so...good luck with whatever you were talking about and I hope that you and Voldemort live happily ever after.  Me?  I am never gonna be happy again.  So I'm just gonna go curl up in my sock drawer and sleep for days."  (from A Very Potter Musical)

Do you ever have moments where you feel like the sidekick in your own life?

Or do you know people who seem to stare at you blankly while you're talking, just waiting for their opportunity to talk again?  Or those people who seem to always wanna talk about what's going on with them and never ask about you?  Or when they do ask they always find a way to make it about them again--or just dismiss your response while they continue on about themselves?  I know several people like this--I'm sure everyone is like this sometimes but for some it just seems to be who they are. And it's fine.  It's just that after you spend so much time with someone like this you start to forget that you have a life to.  You aren't the sidekick in your own life despite how they constantly make you feel.

Take charge.  And remember that you are the star of your own life--not them.

Also remember that Frodo was awful and should have died. 

Potter Post 2 15/16--AVPS

Happy Saturday everyone.  How crazy is it that next week is Thanksgiving?  So while you're at home with nothing to do, you should take a look at the two Starkid productions, A Very Potter Musical and A Very Potter Sequel...both of which can be found here

Here are clips from both of them for a brief look:
A Very Potter Musical:

A Very Potter Sequel:

Potter Post 2 3/4

Guess what came out on DVD/Blu-Ray yesterday?

There are several different ways you can go about getting HP and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
-Standard DVD
-Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack
-Part 1 and Part 2 pack
-Harry Potter films 1-8 (no special features though)
-WB's Limited Edition Collectible

Which at first glance seems to be to one to get.  However it's only a three disc set. While Target has the...




-Target's Exclusive four-disc edition (Which is the one I got)  Sure...it doesn't have an awesome cover or book like WB's but it does that the documentary that I mention a few weeks ago: When Harry Left Hogwarts  and that's what I really wanted.   And it's the version I suggest.


Meanwhile, check out this awesome video I found:

Potter Post 2 2/3--FOOD!

With the holiday season right around the corner (what am I saying?  It's already here!) our minds turn to food.  Pumpkin pie, dressing, honey baked ham, candied yams, green bean casserole, and the list goes on.   With thoughts of food filled days also comes the worries of weight gain and cholesterol levels--we can't completely indulge over the holidays for health reasons...but....but...what if we were witches and wizards?

 

This past weekend while standing in line for a haunted house in weather that felt below freezing, Andy and I were discussing how awesome it would be to be able to produce a bluebell flame to keep warm.  (It's a charm that produces a blue flame.  A charm that Hermione uses quite frequently in the books and puts them in jars to keep warm.)  This of course led to more Harry Potter discussion and eventually to food (don't the best conversations always end up being about food?).  But not just any food.  Food in Harry Potter.

There is a lot of food in Harry Potter.  Heavy traditional British food seems to be served at every meal.  It's never ending feast of fried sausages, shepherd's pie, cornish pasties, steak and kidney pudding, black pudding, baked pumpkin, potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, mint humbugs, apple pies, treacle tart, eclairs, doughnuts, and the list goes on and on.  And that's on an everyday basis.

As for food served when they are out and about in Hogsmeade, Diagon Alley, or on the train?  Candy, candy, candy, chocolate balls with strawberry mousse and clotted cream, nougats, ice cream, coconut ice, toffee, chocolate everything, pumpkin tarts, butterbeer, soda with flavored syrups and again the list goes on.

Anything strike you as odd?  No? Nothing at all?  How about the lack of fresh fruit, salad, water, pasta salads...or really anything on the lighter side?  Those foods aren't there.  While living with his aunt and uncle, Harry may eat those foods--in fact, in the Goblet of Fire Dudley is on a strict diet and Harry lives off of meals of grapefruit and cottage cheese.  When his magical friends discover this they load him up with mince pies and cake. It seems that the only "healthy" eating that occurs is done by Muggles.  And that is rare, considering the Dursley's do not eat healthy.  Dudley is described as being the size of a small whale.

But you see, that's really interesting.  Dudley really doesn't eat all the differently from the Hogwarts students. Yet he's the size of a baby whale and Ron is described as being tall and lankly.  Something doesn't quite add up.

JKR stated once that witches and wizards generally live longer than muggles.  Well, considering what they eat on a daily basis this seems impossible.  Most likely, witches and wizards do not have the same health concerns as we do.  Something in them prevents them from having cholesterol problems or any other health issues that we have that keeps stuck to drinking water and eating salads.  They also seem to have a sort of immunity against obesity.  Sure Mrs. Weasley is described as being plump but my guess would be that comes from other factors, such as age.  If her weight reflected what she ate, she wouldn't be able to fit in the door.

Just another thing to make you jealous of the witches and wizards--they can eat whatever the heck they feel like eating.  And they do it with style.

Oh yeah.

For a fun essay, read this

Happy Halloween Office Style

Whoa.

We may not go as far as The Office but it's still fun.

Everybody in their outfits

I was Harry Potter :)  Quidditch style of course.

Yes, I attached a paper Snitch to my bracelet with a barrette

We also decorate cubicles for Halloween.

So Happy Halloween everyone!

Potter Post 1 7/8 -When Harry Left Hogwarts

Good morning!
       
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (Have I ever mentioned how happy I am that they didn't try to come up with a new name for the eighth film?) comes out on DVD on November 11 and with it comes a documentary.

Documentary?  You mean those boring, long movies about nothing?  No. First of all I love a good documentary--or mockumentary for that matter.  Secondly, this ones seems to have a real spirit behind it.

Morgan Matthew was granted access behind the scenes on the last two films in the Harry Potter series and judging from the trailer below, he seems to have really caught the insecurities and humbleness of the title characters.  For Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson, these movies have been their life and now they've been released into the world.  Sure, Harry Potter has been my life as well, but I'm not in the spotlight.  The world is watching them.

Check out the trailer below:

Potter Post 1 2/3

So what is Harry Potter up to these days?

No not that one. (And again if you have no idea what this picture is in reference too.  I'm sad for you.  Send me a message and we'll fix this.)

But in case you're wondering what Harry Freakin Potter from AVPM is up to-- he's being pretty busy being totally awesome.  Check it out here:

But I'm talking about Daniel Radcliffe.   Currently he's on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (which ironically enough-Darren Criss--our Harry from above--will be taking over the role early next year for three weeks).  I hear it is quite good and I regret I won't be able to see it. 



But he'll be starring in the UK horror movie set to release this coming February--his first film since Harry Potter.  It's called Woman in Black (NOT The Woman in White my fellow literature people)...check out the preview:

And there is this trailer which is decidedly creepy.  I watched it sitting alone in my apartment in the daylight while waiting on cupcakes to bake and it still sent shivers down my spine:

Happy Saturday!

Potter Post No. 1 1/8--Wands

It's Saturday! Which means it's time for another Potter Post!  Today is all about wands.

Disclaimer: All background information comes from JK Rowling. 

The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter. It's not always clear why. But I think it is clear that we can expect great things from you.-Mr. Ollivander

Mr. Ollivander was always a peculiar character to me (by the way his wand was Hornbeam and dragon heartstring, twelve and three-quarter inches, slightly bendy).  The wandmaker is clearly talented-no question about it.  But he always seemed in awe of power and strength--but hey maybe that's just me.  But here is a bit of fun background info for you on our slightly sketch wandmaker:


The profession of wandcraft was one that was a family business and Mr. Ollivander spent his entire life learning the craft and dedicating himself to improve the art of wandcraft as well.  A common custom was to present a wandmaker with something the witch or wizard held valuable and then a wand would be crafted around that material out of their favorite wood (think of Fleur Delacour's wand, the core was a veela hair from her grandmother).  Mr Ollivander however does not practice this.  Mr. Ollivander studied cores and woods and determined which were the best.  This was revolutionary at the time.  And eventually it became clear that Mr. Ollivander had his the nail on the head--the wand chooses the wizard. 

I'm a beta tester for the soon to be publicly released site Pottermore:a unique online experience from JK Rowling and I recently went through the process of being chosen by a wand.  My wand? Hazel with a phoenix feather core, 12 1/2 inches, slightly springy

So for today we're going to take a look into wand cores.  There is tons of info on wood types but for today's purposes we won't get into that.  There are only three that Mr. Ollivander uses: unicorn hair, dragon heartstring, and phoenix feather.  So what does the core mean in regard to the user and the magic?

Both of Ron's wands were Unicorn Hair

Unicorn Hair-- produces consistent magic and is the least likely to turn to the Dark Arts.  They are not known to make the most powerful wands and if mishandled the unicorn hair will die and need to be replaced.  However, they are extremely faithful to their owner.

Draco was also unicorn hair

Hermione is Dragon Heartstring

Dragon Heartstring--typically produce the most powerful wands and they learn quickly.  They also are the most susceptible to turning to the Dark Arts but will not turn that way of it's own accord (that is up to the witch/wizard).  They are prone to accidents and bond with their current owner and therefore won't perform poorly if transferred to another owner.








Phoenix Feather--the rarest of all cores they perform the greatest range of magic, however it takes time for this to show.  Considering they come from a fiercely independent creature they can cause the wand to act of it's own accord (think of when Harry's wand saved Harry at the beginning of the seventh book against Voldemort on it's own accord).  This core also produces wands that are extremely picky as to which wizard it chooses but once it has chosen it becomes fiercely loyal.  They are hard to tame and earn allegiance, therefore it most likely will never work for a witch/wizard other than it's original .

Of course.  Voldemort and Harry both have Phoenix Feather cores...from the same Phoenix. 

 What about the all powerful Elder Wand?

The Elder wand's (which will eventually have it's own Potter Post) core is the tail hair of thestral.  What? not one of the three listed above?  Mr Ollivander did not make the Elder wand, there are other wand makers...and the Elder wands origins are mysterious and impossible to say with certainty who made the wand. 


I hope you enjoyed this small insight into wands!!!

-Jenna Out. 

Potter Post No. 3/4

My first ever Potter Post :)  Potter Posts will come out every Saturday and it will always be somehow related to Harry Potter.  Excited?  (If you said no...you are a sad, sad creature.)

So what is Potter Post all about?  Anything and everything Harry Potter.  I plan to have posts discussing themes in the books (like love), interesting questions raised (like what does Voldemort eat?), character profiles and in-depth looks (who is Susan Bones?), movie news (what is Emma Watson doing now?), fun you-tube videos (Pigfarts is real.), Pottermore stuff (my wand is Hazel with Phoenix Feather, 12 1/2), or interesting pictures and Potter facts (did you know that Lily was not invited to Petunia and Vernon's wedding?--I do.  And I can tell you all about it).

The first Potter Post will be a Starkid post (Starkid? What is that? Read about it here)

This is a part of the very funny Harry Potter Parody, A Very Potter Musical.  The musical can be found in it's entirety on youtube.  It is an absolute must watch for any Harry Potter fan.

If you have time watch this whole video, if not watch the video posted at the bottom.

Great quotes:
"I don't know man Cedric Diggory is pretty awesome.  NOT! He sucks! I'm totally gonna win! It's in the bag!"-Harry

"Oh my God Hermione! Shut up!" -Ron

"Snape is one of the kindest, bravest, gentlest, sexiest men I ever known" -Dumbledore

"Rumbleroar is the headmaster at Pigfarts.  He's a lion.  Who can talk." -Draco

"Not all of us inherited enough money to buy out Nasa when our parent's died.  Look at this! Look at this! Rocketship Potter!"-Draco

"I can believe I couldn't figure out the counter curse was just unjellify!" -Goyle

 A Very Potter Musical Act I: Part 4

For those who are time constrained:

-Jenna out.

HP and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 *SPOILERS*

I am unbelievably excited and stoked about this movie.  I've been reading these books since the first one came out and my life hasn't been the same since.  Reading and involving yourself in a series for 12 years is huge--at the age of 24, that's over half my life.  So these characters have become like family, I know them inside and out.  So as I prepared myself for the final installment of the movies here is a list of the top five things I was most looking forward to seeing on screen:

(this was a hard list to write.  I want to see everything and my excitement is borderline uncontainable)
THIS LIST CONTAINS MASSIVE SPOILERS!!! DO NO READ UNLESS YOU'VE READ THE BOOKS!!!!

5. Hermione as Bellatrix-just because :)

 

***SPOILER*** 

4. Ron and Hermione's kiss--this kiss was moved to a different location than in the book-and it worked better.

3. Neville Longbottom.  Anything Neville. The latter part of the book becomes Neville's time to shine.  His character was always one to be laughed at most of the time due to his constant clumsiness and inability to really show his bravery.  But as the series progressed Neville became more and more comfortable with himself...and when the trio return to Hogwarts he has taken the reigns in heading up the Hogwarts riot against Voldemort and Snape.  He is brave and strong and the movies don't skip any part of that.  He steals almost every scene he is in and makes you root for him with all your might.

***SPOILER***

2.  Harry facing death with his head held high.  This one of the most torturous chapters in the books for me to read.  My heart pumped alongside Harry's and I wept.  The movie has no way at all to even come close to reaching the bar set by this scene in the books--but they tried their hardest and I still enjoyed it.  There are some things in books that no movie will ever be able to achieve.

 
1. Snape.  Oh my dearly loved Severus Snape.  I have maintained a vow of faithfulness to Snape since day one.  Yes--he has made me angry many times...but I've always believed he was good (just a bit mean and cheeky).  Learning his back story was a highlight of the series for me and I had high expectations for that scene in the movie.---I was not disappointed.  True, they left out some things but they did a wonderful job at showing Snape's true colors and it was beautifully done.  His death was gruesome and hard to watch but his final words were wonderful.   It was the highlight of the movie.  To my dear Snape:  I love you.

Surprising Scene: 

I've never been crazy about the Gringotts scene...no reason-just didn't care for it all that much.  It was one of my top five favorites in the movie.  Kudos.

I loved the movie, I liked Part 1 better but I'm probably in the minority.  Every second of this movie left me on the edge of my seat and crying for a good half of it. 

This will not be my last Harry Potter post.  I read the first book 12 years ago--these characters will always be a part of me.

We went and saw this movie at 2:45 AM...what happens when you are awake at that time?  You get faces like this:

Harry Potter Trailer

Yes.  Today the new trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II came out.  So when my boss asks me why I was late today--this is why (actually it's because I accidentally clicked on the French version and couldn't stop because I just could not tear myself away from the trailer and then I debated about whether or not I had time to watch the English version for so long that I was already late.  Either way, it's Harry's fault.)

Watch.  Then read my comments.

Do it.

Now.

 Now dry your eyes and breathe :)

SPOILER ALERT DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK 

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I'm slightly worried that they gave a little bit too much with one of the deaths.  They very clearly show that it is a Weasley and to me, that was wayyyy too much to give away.

But other than that....loved it.

It seems to show a lot of Snape and Snape's story and to a Snape fan like me...that is freakin awesome.  Snape's story needs to be shown.  It answers so much and gives so much wonderful depth to our beloved Snape.  

Also, it appears that they vamp up the final showdown between Voldemort and Harry and this is obviously a diversion from the book.  However it makes sense.  The final showdown is packed full of wonderful dialogue and some great Harry quotes...but for a movie it wouldn't work as well.  So kudos to them for not being afraid to change something.  yea. I said it.

I'm also really glad they let Ron talk in the preview.  

July 13. :D

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios

As many of you know,  I jumped on the Hogwarts Express with KF and CY and traveled to sunny Orlando get a taste of Hogsmeade and Hogwarts.  And I fell in love.

My deep love for Ron began with his awesome chess skills.  Oh Ron.

The decor, the atmosphere, the food, the shops, and the new ride all completely blew my expectations out of the water.  It even impressed my brother, which if you know him...impressing him can be difficult.

Biggest piece of advice to anyone going: GET THERE EARLY!  Get to the parks as soon as they open and make a beeline to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter....otherwise you'll be standing in line for hours just to get into to that section of the park.


Being a huge Harry Potter fan I decided that I did want to do some sort of review/description/mention of this wonderful, wonderful, wonderful trip: so here we go!!!

Rides:

Snow actually fell from the ceiling as
Harry, Ron, and Hermione talked to us

The Pensieve

 There's just one new ride for this section of the park and it's called Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.  It's utterly fantastic, Harry Potter fan or not-this ride is the shiznit.  In all honesty is the best ride at Islands of Adventure and a true original.  It's a mix between a roller coaster and visual effects ride; you are strapped into to a seat and tossed and turned while flying through air, interacting with characters, and fighting HUGE dementors (and the basilisk!) You will be waiting in line for quite some time for this ride though, but don't let that deter you.  Most of the wait is spent in the Herbology section outside the castle but once you enter the castle you are bombarded with numerous scenes and wonderful treasures from the movies and books and you just can't help but stop and look!

The other three rides are older ones that were renovated to fit the theme.  The flying Hippogriff is geared more towards younger kids (or people afraid of roller coasters) and the Dragon Challenge is the the old Dueling Dragon's ride-castle and all.  Of course, the two roller coasters on the Dragon Challenge are great as always :)

Food:

The food is not bad.  We ate at the Leaky Cauldron and I none of us were incredibly impressed with the food but eating in the Leaky Cauldron was fun :)

Plus they serve butterbeer

Of course you'll pay extra for the souvenir cup...
but it can be worth it depending
on if you'll use it again.  I personally drink chamomile tea
out of mine most nights

Now, something the must be mentioned is the Butterbeer.  Simply delicious.  It's served cold or frozen and it's a slice of heaven.  The frozen is said to be a bit too sweet but the cold is just right.  Of course butterbeer is supposed to be served warm but I'm going to let that slide in my criticism :)  The drink itself tastes of something similar to cream soda but not nearly as sweet and not bubbly like a soda.  It's a smooth taste that would take awhile to get sick of.  It's topped with a thick froth that is much sweeter than the drink and almost has a hint of marshmallow.  DO NOT leave the park without trying butterbeer.  Forget about the cost...just drink it.

They also serve pumpkin juice but I skipped out on this due to the price but the bottle was very cute :)

Shops and decor:

The Chimneys!

Wow. Just Wow.  Details, details, details.  Everything is so detailed down to the fact that every surface looked old and laden with years of history.  There were so many small details from the books and the movies everywhere that you completely forget that you aren't actually on the streets of Hogsmeade.  But what better way to tell you about than to show you pictures:

There were so many fun surprises around every corner.  Like the snowman dressed like a Hogwarts student with Hedwig on his arm, the butterbeer carts, the floating items in the shop windows, and even screeching mandrakes.

They also had every employee dressed the part...British accent and all.  Several of the shops were decoration only.  And the shops weren't just at street level, looking upwards you could see the second stories complete with the most detailed and fun window displays.  Each roof was covered with snow as well with made you feel even more immersed.

The clothes in these windows floated around :)

Now let's not forget the shops you can actually go in.  I kid you not when I say that I wanted to buy everything I saw.

Including this Voldemort doll.  Esp. for HM since I thought he would love it 

Every shop had different items to buy: Flich's Emporium (the largest selection of souvenirs-where you will find the Voldy doll), Dervish and Banges (mostly clothes and of course the Monster Book of Monsters) Ollivanders (wands of course), Owl Post (stuffed owls and letter writing supplies), Zonkos (Pygmy Puffs!), and Honeydukes (candy, candy, candy!)

Now I of course must give you a picture of the castle, which was by far the most stunning thing there...so here are some great shots of it:

 

There are so many more pictures I want to share but I will refrain (check my facebook for the rest).  

However I must mention the new roller coaster and Universal Studios:

 The Rockin Roller Coaster (or something like that), it has the biggest drop I've ever expereinced (and the steepest drop is actually the second one out of the five on the coaster).  This coaster lets you choose a song to listen to while your riding and it has some of the biggest thrills I've encountered.  And dare I say it? It. is. the. best. roller. roller. coaster. I've ever been on...and the scariest.

My "OMG I'm sill alive" face

Goodnight :)