Harry Potter (Film Series)

Movie: Harry Potter (Film Series)

Year: 2001-2011

Actors: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson
Genre: Drama/Fantasy
Rating: 7/10

Quote: "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." -Albus Dumbledore









I have finally completed watching all of the Harry Potter movies. My husband and I decided to start from the beginning of the series and end it with watching the final movie at the theatre. What a great way to experience a story that is so full of adventure and follows characters that start the series at age 11 and end it when they are 18. I felt like I was going backwards in time and reliving my childhood and adolescence.

I was so happy when the series first started at how perfectly casted each character was. Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) truly did seem very small and frightened during the filming of the Philosopher’s Stone. However, as he slowly grows up at Hogwart’s you see him change and mature. I believe that this is true for all the young actors involved. Ron, Hermione and Neville all did an exceptional job of changing over time and adapting to the
 characters that J K Rowling created. I felt such attachment to the school and its students in the 7th movie and this feeling of connection was created because the actors allowed you to follow the plot line with them.

Special mention must go to Alan Rickman for his spectacular performance as Severus Snape. He remained true to the book and never changed his demeanor or behavior throughout the series. This could not have been easy as these movies were filmed over a 10 year period. I will also miss Helena Bonham Carter’s performance of Bellatrix Lestrange. I dreaded seeing her each time she appeared on the screen but she did an amazing job of showcasing the power of the dark arts and her deep love and admiration for Voldemort.

Two main themes stood out to me throughout the movies as well as the books. Both are noted on the graves of of Harry’s closest friends (his parents and Dumbledore) at Godric’s Hollow - “the last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (1st Corinthians 15:26) and “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) Throughout the series the friendship of the three main characters is essential to the continuation of the story. Harry is constantly being reminded that his true treasure and only weapon against Voldemort is the love that he receives from his friends who remain loyal to him even when hope does not seem to exist.



Furthermore, the final part of the adventure implies that is it not Voldemort that must be destroyed, but death itself. Death is Harry’s final enemy. My husband who has not read the books thought at first that Harry had died after Voldemort pronounced the death curse. I thank the director for allowing the viewers to feel the suspense and pain of that moment.



Although the movies cannot do justice to the books, it still remains a beautiful story set in a magical context - and seeing it on the big screen made it feel as if Hogwart’s was just around the corner. We truly must thank the author for allowing us to follow her on such a rewarding journey. Read the books if you have not done so already!

Divided We Fall

Movie: Divided We Fall
Year: 2000
Actors: Bolek Polivka, Csongor Kassai, Jaroslav Dusek
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Rating: 7/10
Quote: "If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country."- E.M Forster



Nominated for best foreign film in 2000, Divided We Fall is a memorable tale of friendship withstanding the test of time. Set in Nazi occupied Czechoslovakia, the movie tells the story of a couple who decide to hide a Jewish man in their house during the war. The Jewish man named David, (Csongor Kassai) is the son of a very reputable family that lived in the city prior to being deported to Poland by their Nazi occupiers.

Josef (Bolek Polivka) and Maria (Anna Siskova) are very loyal to David and will do anything to protect him. Josef is also very close friends with Horst, (Jaroslav Dusek) a villager who assists the Nazis in discovering Jews throughout the city. As you can imagine, the movie is fraught with tension and there are many moments where you believe that David will be discovered.



The movie also has an element of humor threaded throughout the storyline. The musical director inserted many old time jazz hits and many of the conversations between villagers were very comical. It was as if the director was explaining that during times of extreme difficulty it is necessary to laugh at times. If not, one would slowly fade away.



I enjoyed this movie because the actors did not seem to be acting. It was if they had always lived in the village and that they were in fact enduring the stress of living during the war as well as enjoying the small moments of pleasure that came their way. There is no epic moment in the movie that defines the story - it simply showcases the endurance and patience of David, Horst, Josef and Maria.



At the end of the movie, both David and Horst need the help of Bolek in order to survive the war. Without true friendship, these opposing men would have died. But through the genuine characters of Bolek and Maria, they realize that they are in fact equals. Divided, the small village would have succumbed to the influence of the Nazis. United, they are able to survive the hardships of World War II


I have posted below a few titles of movies and books that are related to this theme and are set in the context of World War II.

The Book Thief (book)
Flame and Citron (movie)
Swing Kids (movie)
The Pianist (movie)

Blood Diamond

Movie: Blood Diamond
Year: 2006
Actors:Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, Jennifer Connelly
Genre: Action/Drama
Rating: 7.5/10
Quote: "Who do you think buys the stones I bring out, dreamy American girls who want a story book wedding and a big shiny rock. It's like the ones they see in the advertisements in your politically correct magazines, so please, don't come here and make judgements on me, alright. I provide a service, the world wants what we have, and they want it cheap. We're in business together, get over yourself, darling." (Danny Archer)

I had carefully avoided choosing this movie from the library as I was not sure I could handle the intensity and violence that comes with stories about war torn Africa. My husband finally managed to convince me to try it out.

The main character, Danny Archer (Leonardo Dicaprio) is a diamond smuggler who must decide to use a complete stranger for his own gain or assist the man (Djimon Hounsou) in finding his family after the RUF tears his family apart and force him to work in the diamond mines.

I found the movie difficult to watch as the director did not try to soften the atrocities that took place during the civil war in Sierra Leone. I often feel guilty as I watch movies that depict very sad parts of recent human history. Here I am in my North American living room eating chips while watching child soldiers shoot innocent women and children.

However, the movie did not just depict violent act after violent act, it also challenged the viewer ethically. Do we carry on with our lives in order to make a living or do we try to stop the corruption that is so rampant in many parts of the world? When we see a beautiful diamond in a glass case we often don't think about the illegal diamond mines in Africa. Blood Diamond challenged the viewer to be more aware of the current events that are occurring in the world. We are the consumers and we often dictate what happens in many impoverished part of the world.

The Kimberley process, established in 2003 "is a joint government, industry and civil society initiative to stem the flow of conflict diamonds – rough diamonds used by rebel movements to finance wars against legitimate governments."(1) This has discouraged the illegal purchase of conflict diamonds but they still manage to trickle through to the diamond industry. As a consumer we can make a difference by choosing to purchase diamonds from countries that offer sustainable working conditions for the employers that work in the diamond mines.

Blood Diamond is an excellent movie to watch if you are willing to be challenged as well as inspired by what a few people can do in order to promote peace and justice. I have posted a link of a company that promotes conflict free diamonds http://www.brilliantearth.com

Quotes
1. http://www.kimberleyprocess.com