Earlier this month, I got to catch a screening of one of my favorite Harry Potter films, Prisoner of Azkaban at the Hollywood Bowl with a live-score by the LA Philharmonic. It was one of the greatest experiences ever especially knowing that I was watching the beloved film with so many fans. I never appreciated PoA till years later and after many viewings. The concept of turning time always felt cheap but I now see that it was vital to the story at hand. Alfonso Cuaron who directed PoA has created one of the most memorable, iconic, and pivotal film of the entire HP series. If you have a chance to have this experience with your favorite film of choice, I definitely say jump on it quick! 

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Year: 2016

Director: David Yates

Writer: J.K. Rowling

Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot

Cast: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell

Country of Origin: UK | US

Rating: PG-13

Time: 133 Min. 

I wouldn't say that I'm a Potterhead but I can say with full confidence that as an avid fan of the potterverse, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them did not do justice to the beloved series. This film is J.K. Rowling's screenwriting debut which is inspired by the book of the same name. Back in 2001, Rowling came out with the textbook under the pen name of Newt Scamander where it chronicles the magical creatures in the Harry Potter universe. We get a dose of breathtaking mystical creatures as well as a deep look into the magical world in the U.S.

As much as J.K. Rowling is an phenomenal novelist, when it comes to screenplays, the cohesive story structure is simply not there. I'm hoping for the next films that she will co-write with someone else. David Yates returns yet again as the director and he provides enough laughs and thrills for us fans who have been so famished for more stories of the wizarding world! There will be 4 more films in the Fantastic Beasts series where it will lead up to the much anticipated and epic battle between Dumbledore and Grindelwald. If only, Johnny Depp wasn't in it. 

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Badass Femmes is a bi-weekly column that I write on Crome Yellow about all the Badass Females in pop culture that has shaped my life.

The Harry Potter series is easily THE go-to franchise billions of fans, leading Harry’s fantastic wizarding world to become more of a mantra and lifestyle for different kinds of people across the globe. It’s a lot to tackle, spanning multiple forms of media, from novels, films, theme parks and even tons of fan-generated content – just look at the numerous youtube videos for proof! One thing is clear though, Hermione Granger was and is always a standout. Like so many other kids, I followed her example and as she showed us that we could all reach our full potential, intellectually and emotionally with blazing confidence and wit.

Truth be told, I wasn’t one of the millions of kids who would stay up all night burning through every new Harry Potter book; I waited for the films. But when I did start the books, I was intrigued by Hermione’s resilience and tenacity to constantly level up or surpass her companion’s abilities despite harsh criticism of doubt, especially the despicable Malfoy. When the books finally trekked their way to America, I was a teeny nine-year-old who considered herself more street smart than book smart. Even with my terse palette however, J.K. Rowling’s written words were feverishly addictive, introducing a female heroine for the ages.

(continue reading on Crome Yellow...)

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there is this trailer extraordinaire called cobrasnake? that is notoriously known to make the most banal film's trailer look like the most mind-blowing film eeevvvvaa. and no surprise that the harry potter and the deathly hallows part II trailer looks fucking insane, i really do think it will live up to its hype and expectations. it is too much to ask for considering that every other film has turned out to be complete shit when the trailer looked absolutely mouth-droppingly good. DAVID YATES CAN DO NO WRONG!!

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