Potter

dream come true

Editor’s Note: I wrote this piece in 2016 after a whirlwind trip to London to visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour. Recently I had the opportunity to visit the Warner Bros. Studio Tour “The Making of Harry Potter” in Watford, Great Britain. As a huge Harry Potter fan, I can tell you, it was an amazing experience.

Having visited both Universal Studios “Harry Potter” attractions in Orlando, it was interesting to compare the real sets used in the movies to the theme park attraction.

According to the Universal Orlando website, president of Universal Creative and Universal parks & resorts Mark Woodbury said the creation of the Universal Studios Harry Potter attractions was a combined effort with Warner Bros. Studios and the filmmakers of the Harry Potter movies.

When stepping in to the world of Harry Potter at these parks, it’s an authentic experience that immerses visitors inside the wizarding world. But just how authentic is it compared to the actual sets and props found at the studio tour in Watford?

As it turns out, it’s pretty close to what you’ll see on the tour. Even the Harry Potter actors themselves who have visited the theme parks have been reported as agreeing that it was very well made. Universal’s Harry Potter world, large and immersive as it may be, is just what an ultimate fan dreams of.

The Watford tour starts out with a short video presentation with Harry Potter actors Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) explaining the significance of what it took to create the eight films and all of the hard work the movie crew put in to bring the books to life on film.

At the end of the video, the large screen that displayed the presentation scrolls up into the ceiling to reveal the magnificent wooden doors that lead into the Great Hall. It’s a jaw-dropping moment, to be confronted by these doors that will lead you into Harry’s world.

A lot of memorable moments have happened in this hall on film. Harry Potter was sorted into Gryffindor during his first year; the Yule Ball took place here during the Triwizard Tournament; Fred and George Weasley

set off a bunch of fireworks when they were fed up with Professor Umbridge, who was running the school like a mad tyrant; and last but not least, Harry stepped forward to reveal his presence in the school, when Voldemort took over the wizarding world in Deathly Hallows, and he wanted Harry dead.

Here in this room, great actors such as Richard Harris (Professor Dumbledore in the first two movies), Michael Gambon (Professor Dumbledore in the rest of the movies), Alan Rickman (Professor Snape), Maggie Smith (Professor McGonagall) and a multitude of talented actors and actresses have stepped foot in this hall on film.

After a brief explanation of the props in the hall by a staff member, we were told that the rest of the tour is to be taken at our own pace. It’s a minimum of two hours to go through, and the current record of the longest time anyone has taken on the tour is 13.5 hours.

There are two studios to go through, which contain a variety of sets and thousands, if not millions, of props. There has been so much attention to detail paid to these movies that each

prop is unique to look at.

The sets range from the Gryffindor common room and boy’s dormitory to the Weasley’s kitchen, Professor Dumbledore’s office, the potion’s classroom, the dining room in Malfoy Manor where a significant Death Eater meeting took place in Deathly Hallows, Diagon Alley, Privet Drive, the Ministry of Magic and the Hogwarts Express.

While at Universal Studios Orlando, Dumbledore’s office and the Gryffindor common room are available to see in Hogwart’s. Yet, visitors only have a few minutes to shuffle along a line as they move toward the ride in the castle. This tour gives visitors a chance to take their time with it.

One thing I do have to mention is that while being on the set of Diagon Alley is impressive, it’s a lot more fun to visit it in Orlando. For one, you can actually go in most of the shops, and it’s a lot larger and immersive in the theme park.

Back in the studios, a variety of costumes worn in the movies are shown on display. The makeup department has left behind wigs and prosthetics that were put on actors throughout the films.

Creatures from Buckbeak the hippogriff to a basilisk, werewolves and Aragog, are just a few of the bigger props that have taken

filmmakers hours to look realistic.

Some of my favorite props to see were the mirror of Erised, the entrance gate to Hogwarts grounds, horcruxes, the door that leads to the Chamber of Secrets, the Black family tapestry and the Ford Anglia, which Harry and Ron flew to Hogwarts during their second year.

Although Hogwarts castle is too large to fit inside the studios, and was filmed at multiple locations, a 1:24 scale model is as close to what visitors will get to see of the castle in the tour (pictured above).

According to organizers, it took 86 artists to construct this magnificent model. It is sure to make most Harry Potter fans want a model like this in their own homes.

In between the studio tour from studios J and K is a rest area where visitors can grab a Butterbeer or a bite to eat. This is one of the moments any fan should look forward to, as Butterbeer is a drink referred to in the books and movies. A nonalcoholic version has been made for visitors to enjoy at the tour and Universal Studios.

Unfortunately, the tour only offers regular Butterbeer, a cold butterscotch-flavored drink which pales in comparison to the frozen, slushy variety or hot drink offered by Universal Studios. The foam is definitely the best attribute to the drink, in my opinion.

And as at the end of any tour: the gift shop. While most of the items can be found at the Universal Studios parks or airport store in Orlando, there are way more items for sale in this massive gift shop. It’s like a Harry Potter fan’s dream come true, and it was tempting to buy everything offered.

For those with House pride (Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin), a variety of Hogwarts uniforms, robes, journals, drinking glasses, pins, scarves and more are available to represent your house.

There are board games, books, jewelry, bookmarks, clothing, stuffed animals, magnets, stationary, candy, you-name-it and it’s available.

So, while visiting Universal Studio’s Harry Potter attractions is a great experience, going to the Watford tour is a must for any huge Harry Potter fan.

It was an opportunity to scratch the tour off my bucket list and a way for me to feel one step closer to the magical world I have longed to be in.

The Gentlemen

Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Hugh Grant, Henry Golding, Michelle Dockery, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell Directed by Guy Ritchie Rating: B+ Post-credit scenes: just dancing/ rapping A n American gangster named Mickey Pearson (McConaughey) is approaching retirement but finds his London empire threatened as he seeks a new head to take it over.

“The Gentlemen” is a surprisingly fun, new-ish (2019 but theatrically released in 2020) gangster movie that has the right cast to pull it together. It’s full of intrigue, drama, violence and has just the right amount of sleaziness without making it too cheesy.

Fletcher (Grant) is an absolute sleaze-ball private detective looking to make serious money off of Pearson’s retirement. He crafts the perfect feature article, which he then tries to sell to Pearson’s top dog No. 2 guy Ray (Hunnam), before the rest of the plot catches up and we get to the ending. Fletcher ingratiates himself with Ray by acting like he’s providing a favor, while in the meantime is looking out for the biggest cash payout. Hugh Grant looks like he’s having too much fun here, which really sells his shady and unsavory character. Every time he appears on screen you just want to wash your hands of him.

On the other hand, as the main character, Pearson is rather laid back after getting his hands dirty in building up his marijuana empire. Pearson has risen through the ranks of England’s nobility, using their estates to manufacture some of the best pot England has ever seen. The nobility earns their share to keep up the expenses of owning mansions.

With the legalization of pot on the horizon in the next decade, Pearson looks for a fresh, untainted face to keep his empire rolling. Dry Eye (Golding) is another interfering character who wants to prove his

worth and rise to the top of his family’s empire. Dry Eye is just another cog in the plot to keep everything mysterious and throw the audience in another direction. If anything, Hunnam’s Ray does all of the heavy-lifting in the movie. In a quiet tone that suggests a man who could easily snap if pressed the wrong way, Ray has to deal with a lot when it comes to protecting Pearson’s empire.

“The Gentlemen” pulls everything together by the end that leaves no stone unturned. It gives you a new respect for Pearson, who defends his right to be “the king of the jungle” as is so often referenced throughout the film. Overall, if you’re looking for something to watch on a Friday night, “The Gentlemen” won’t be a disappointment.

Memorable lines

If you wish to be the king of the jungle, it’s not enough to act like a king. You must be the king. There can be no doubt. Because doubt causes chaos and one’s own demise.

There’s only one rule in the jungle: when the lion’s hungry, he eats! A gentleman’s quote is a gentleman’s word.

Is it more important to judge a society by their ideals, or their actions?

Authored by Oisín Ó Ruacháinn I am oftentimes surprised by the demonstration of modern ideals put forth by mass media; for instance, in the 2020 film “The Gentlemen”, there is a significant portion of the film dedicated to not only highlighting the ‘chav’ culture of British gang violence, but exhibiting that culture as if it were something to be valued—a form of idealistic society. The film brandishes the ‘chavs’ as an ideal life, flaunting wealth, popularity, and vice, lording these over the any and all other social bonds.

There is, of course, a marked difference between what a single director offers as the ideal form of society and the presentation of a new form of society. When the collective mass media continuously highlights a certain way of life, however, the social ‘ideals’ of a society begin to form the new social mores.

Throughout history, many societies have become complacent in their success, and many have turned to vices as a result. Thereafter, nearly invariably, vice begets corruption, which in turn begets the erosion of society.

It would appear that the social restraint in traditional community values (such as mutual respect 1 , community support, often common religion 2 , etc.) have an important and significant role in the social benefit of the community.

Thus, the question arises: is it more important to judge a society 3 by their ideals, or by their actions?

On one hand, a society is driven by its ideals—all societies contain certain myths, legends, stories, or popular narratives; these are the conduit through which the social mores of a community are described, demonstrated, and tested, often to their breaking limits. Through folklore, a community is allowed to ask taboo questions and delve into forbidden concepts—all though the safety of the veneer of storytelling. Through stories, a IDEALS continued on page 20

1 One of the most powerful motivators of early societies was the threat of blood-feuds, or other retribution/revenge. 2 The most successful societies, I have found, have been small and homogeneous in form and function. Although these small societies often flourish with significant outside influence, the necessity of unifying religion, social mores, and adherence to a collective rule seems to be an important factor in the continued success of the community. 3 More specifically, a group of peoples, a community, etc.

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

Authored by Oisín Ó Ruacháinn

The first sign of highly pretentious art is often a long and unnecessarily complicated title, and “I am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House” is no exception.

Opening with a lengthy poem that drips with atmosphere and mystery, along with equally drawnout and dark visuals, “Pretty Thing” seems on the outset to be one of those films made with a passion for horror and unease, without the resorting to jump-scares or cheap thrills, much like “The VVitch” (2015)—”Pretty Thing”, however, is none of these.

The movie, if it may be called that, lacks character development, character arcs, or even any sort of direction—it’s a beautiful film, but...that’s about it. It’s a film that belongs in a museum, but one would be hard-pressed to decide whether it belongs in the Postmodernism section or the traditional; “Pretty Thing” is a film that absolutely reeks of pretension, but plays with light and dark visuals in a chiaroscuro-fashion.

The plot to “Pretty Thing” is not so much ‘brief’ as it is ‘absolutely stunted’; it may be summed up in the following few lines: a young woman (whom according to the plot is 28, but is visually indiscernible between older, younger, or even teenage, if her portrayal in the film is to be followed closely) arrives at a house as a hospice nurse to an aged horror novelist. ...Without spoiling the ending, that is the extent of the film. There are no other developed characters, no developing perils, and nothing even coming close to an arc, character or otherwise. “Pretty Thing” is a film PRETTY continued on page 21