Category: HARRY POTTER-Related

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CD's HARRY POTTER-Related Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (CD's)

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE [Movie Soundtrack]

SUMMARY:                           RUNNING TIME: 73 Min.

Released in 2001 by Nonesuch Records (via Warner Music Group Co.), the complete album is composed and conducted by John Williams, though the orchestra isn’t identified.  The nineteen tracks are the following:   

TRACK/TIME:

  1. Prologue                                       2:12
  2. Harry’s Wonderous World 5:21
  3. The Arrival of Baby Harry 4:25
  4. Visit to the Zoo / Letters from Hogwarts 3:22
  5. Diagon Alley / The Gringotts Vault 4:06
  6. Platform Nine-and-Three Quarters / The Journey to Hogwarts 3:14
  7. Entry into the Great Hall / The Banquet 3:42
  8. Mr. Longbottom Flies 3:35
  9. Hogwarts Forever! / The Moving Stairs 3:46
  10. The Norwegian Ridgeback / A Change of Season 2:47
  11. The Quidditch Match 8:28
  12. Christmas at Hogwarts 2:56
  13. The Invisibility Cloak / The Library 3:15
  14. Fluffy’s Harp 2:38
  15. In the Devil’s Snare /The Flying Keys 2:20
  16. The Chess Game 3:48
  17. The Face of Voldemort 6:10
  18. Leaving Hogwarts 2:13
  19. Hedwig’s Theme 5:09

REVIEW:

Through John Williams’ stellar orchestral narrative, it is easy visualizing the entire film.  For Harry Potter fans, this masterpiece also works remarkably well as background noise while reading J.K. Rowling’s novels.   

PACKAGING:

The album’s tracks are listed on both the CD case’s back cover and on the insert, though the running times aren’t provided.  Once unfolded, the double-sized insert includes a greeting from director Chris Columbus; some film stills; technical credits; and the track listings.  The opposite side is an eight-panel mini-poster still of Daniel’s Radcliffe’s Harry Potter with Hedwig the Owl. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    10 Stars

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HARRY POTTER-Related Movies & Television (Videos) Party Games & Playing Cards Toys & Games

HARRY POTTER PLAYING CARDS (by Aquarius)

SUMMARY:

Produced by Aquarius, this licensed standard-size deck of playing cards celebrates Harry Potter props and non-human characters connected to the film franchise (some are photos; others are artistic representations).  However, none of the actors actually appear in this particular deck.

REVIEW:

For Harry Potter aficionados (especially kids), it’s something of a bait-and-switch.  While the ornate artwork is generally excellent, this desk doesn’t provide visuals of actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint, etc.  Even the artistic imagery of Harry and his friends from the books isn’t included.  Essentially, the closest a player gets to Harry Potter in this deck are images of his eyeglasses and wand.  In fairness, the deck’s outer box is ambiguous re: the contents, but a disclaimer would have been appreciated for consumers expecting to actually see Harry Potter. 

Handling these stylish cards can be a bit slippery, which implies their durability isn’t as reliable as a standard-issue card deck. 

BONUS FEATURES:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 5 Stars

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Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN {BOOK 3} (ILLUSTRATED EDITION)

Written by J.K. Rowling & Illustrated by Jim Kay

SUMMARY:

Released by Arthur Levine Books (a Scholastic imprint) for the U.S. in 2017, this 326-page deluxe hardcover reprints J.K. Rowling’s third Harry Potter novel (1999) as an illustrated storybook.  Returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year, thirteen-year-olds Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger find out that demented criminal Sirius Black has escaped from the formidable Azkaban prison.  For the moment, all they know is that Black is threatening Harry’s safety, as this renegade wizard was once a trusted friend of Harry’s murdered parents.  Further complications lead to Hagrid’s arrest and a time-traveling loop that Harry and his friends must navigate to avert a needless tragedy.    

REVIEW:

Including Harry’s latest despair living with the Dursleys, Rowling’s third Harry Potter novel remains a dynamite read.  Boasting high-caliber production values (including a sturdy binding and a very readable font), artist Jim Kay’s sumptuous paintings imagine Harry’s third magical caper in such a fresh way that the result doesn’t compete with the 2004 film adaptation.  Instead, it makes a vivid enhancement.  For Harry Potter fans of any age, this Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban is a treat to behold. 

 ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

An indigo ribbon is attached as a trusty bookmark.  The inside back cover jacket provides biographical synopses on Rowling and Kay.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             10 Stars

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Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS {BOOK 2} (ILLUSTRATED EDITION)

Written by J.K. Rowling & Illustrated by Jim Kay

SUMMARY:

Released by Arthur Levine Books (a Scholastic imprint) for the U.S. in 2016, this 259-page deluxe hardcover reprints J.K. Rowling’s second Harry Potter novel (1998) as an illustrated storybook.  Returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their second year, twelve-year old Harry Potter and his two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, embark on a new adventure.  Revelations of a mysterious chamber lurking deep beneath Hogwarts has Harry, Ron, and Hermione discreetly conducting an investigation.  Yet, unforeseen circumstances send Harry into a rematch against the wizarding world’s most feared evil (who shall not be named).   

REVIEW:

Aside from the wincing opening pages re: the Dursleys’ indefensible neglect of their nephew, Rowling’s novel remains a sheer delight.  Boasting high-caliber production values (including a sturdy binding and a very readable font), artist Jim Kay’s lush paintings visualize Harry’s second adventure in such a fresh way that the result doesn’t compete with the 2002 film adaptation.  Instead, it’s a wonderful enhancement.  For Harry Potter fans of any age, this Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets really is a treasure.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

An orange ribbon is attached as a trusty bookmark.  The inside back cover jacket provides biographical synopses on Rowling and Kay.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                 10 Stars

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Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE {BOOK 1} (ILLUSTRATED EDITION)

Written by J.K. Rowling & Illustrated by Jim Kay

SUMMARY:

Released by Arthur Levine Books (a Scholastic imprint) for the U.S. in 2015, this 247-page deluxe hardcover reprints J.K. Rowling’s inaugural Harry Potter novel (1997) as an illustrated storybook.  Entering Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his first year, eleven-year old Harry Potter awkwardly makes the transition from a seemingly normal British orphan to an overnight magical legend.  If he has any hope for surviving school, Harry is going to need the help of two trustworthy friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.  Only they (and quite possibly a few others) realize that Harry has been targeted for death by the wizarding world’s greatest evil (who shall not be named).   

Note: The book’s (and film adaptation’s) British title is Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone.

REVIEW:

Aside from the difficult-to-stomach sequence re: the Dursleys’ shoddy treatment of Harry, Rowling’s novel proves again its reputation as a modern fantasy classic.  Boasting high-caliber production values (including a sturdy binding and a very readable font), artist Jim Kay’s exquisite paintings visualize Harry’s first adventure in such a rewarding fashion that the result doesn’t compete with the 2001 film adaptation.  Instead, it makes a wonderful enhancement.  For Harry Potter fans of any age, this Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone really is a masterpiece.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A red ribbon is attached as a trusty bookmark.  The inside back cover jacket provides biographical synopses on Rowling and Kay.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     10 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related Movies & Television (Books)

HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE: MOVIE POSTER BOOK

Written by Scholastic Inc.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2008 in conjunction with Warner Bros. Entertainment, this 40-page tie-in paperback celebrates the actors portraying several of Hogwarts’ prominent students from the film.  Short profiles (full name; character name; birthday; astrological sign; eye color; hair color; and recent TV-movie-stage credits) and Harry Potter and The Half-Brood Prince movie promo photos accompany mini-interviews with the following actors:

  • Daniel Radcliffe; Emma Watson; Rupert Grint; Tom Felton; Bonnie Wright; James and Oliver Phelps;
  • Jessie Cave; Evanna Lynch; & Matthew Lewis.

REVIEW:

To its credit, this book is more than just a superficial title.  The interactive Q&A with each actor (varying in length — Daniel Radcliffe’s interview, for instance, is far more extensive than the others) gives readers a friendly chance to find out more about the actor behind the character and his/her feelings re: portraying the role.  The posters (many of which are 8½ x11”) are high-quality portraits.  For Harry Potter’s elementary school fans, this album makes a pretty nice treat. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8 Stars

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Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related Movies & Television (Books)

HARRY POTTER: CINEMATIC GUIDE

Written by Scholastic Inc.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2016 in conjunction with Warner Bros. Entertainment, this 64-page hardcover highlight reel depicts Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter throughout his eight movie appearances.  Including descriptions of Harry‘s personality traits, his ‘biography’ is separated into five chapters: Film Beginnings (page 4); Life at Hogwarts (page 20); Family, Friends, and Foes (page 36); Beasts and Creatures (page 40); and Battling Voldemort (page 58).  Alternating between mostly simplistic text and several memorable quotes from the film series, this guide is meant as a keepsake for Harry’s fan base, regardless of age.  It also serves as a basic summary of the Harry Potter saga, including references to Harry’s late parents and Dumbledore’s noble Order of the Phoenix.     

Note: Scholastic Inc. also released a similar Hermione Granger: Cinematic Guide hardcover in 2016.

REVIEW:

Describing itself as his “essential film companion,” this elegant book assembles an impressive collection of film stills that brings the world’s most famous boy magician to life.  Even if this guide’s text is geared strictly for ten-and-under crowd, the book’s visuals alone proves a delight.  In a fitting conclusion, Harry sums up his life’s philosophy: “Working hard is important, but there’s something that matters even more.  Believing in yourself.”    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          9 Stars

Categories
Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related Movies & Television (Books)

HERMIONE GRANGER: CINEMATIC GUIDE (HARRY POTTER)

Written by Scholastic Inc.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2016 in conjunction with Warner Bros. Entertainment, this 64-page hardcover highlight reel depicts Emma Watson’s Hermione Granger throughout her eight movie appearances.  Including descriptions of Hermione‘s personality traits, her ‘biography’ is separated into five chapters: Film Beginnings (page 4); Life at Hogwarts (page 10); Family, Friends, and Foes (page 26); Cleverest Moments (page 40); and Fighting Dark Forces (page 56).  Alternating between simplistic text and some of her best quotes, this guide is meant as a keepsake for Hermione’s fan base, regardless of age.  

Note: Scholastic Inc. also released a similar Harry Potter: Cinematic Guide hardcover in 2016.

REVIEW:

Describing itself as her “essential film companion,” this elegant book assembles an impressive collection of film stills that wonderfully brings this endearing sorceress to life.  Even if this guide’s text is geared strictly for the ten-and-under crowd, the book itself proves a delight.  In a fitting conclusion, Ron Weasley’s insightful quote best summarizes his best friend and future bride: “We wouldn’t last two days without her.”    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                               9 Stars