If you were on Twitter at all on Halloween, you may have noticed that one of the trending topics was #potterday.
It seems the fans of the Harry Potter books and films were chatting them up, and why not? On a holiday where ghosts and goblins walk the earth, talk of wizards and death eaters seems apropos.
But when I read the potterday tweets — and added one of my own (heck, I like Harry as much as the next muggle) — I noticed a few felt it necessary to slam “Twilight” in the process:
“Who needs vampires? We have magic.”
Why do you have to dislike “Twilight” to like Harry Potter? Are the two mutually exclusive? Why is life always a competition?
It reminds me a bit of my youth. (Yes, I can remember back that far.) When “Star Wars” came out, many “Star Trek” fans — and I am pointing the finger straight back at myself — were insulted by the very presence of this new saga and boycotted it. Years passed before I saw “Star Wars” in its entirety, and that was mainly because of Harrison Ford. He was big time by then, and I wanted to see his take on Hans Solo.
In retrospect, it was a ridiculous reaction.
I think the same thing about the Mac/PC wars. I own a PC, and always have — mainly because an overwhelming majority of the business world operates on PCs. I have worked on a Mac in the past, and I personally didn’t find the transition from PC to Mac to be difficult. I think both platforms have their pros and cons, and I am entertained by the vehement love/hate that people display for the different platforms.
I just don’t see it.
But, that’s me. I like PCs. I like Mac’s. I like “Star Trek.” I like “Star Wars.” (Okay, I’ll always like “Star Trek” a bit more…it was my first sci-fi.)
And I love Harry Potter and “Twilight.” To me, they are very different and are not competing or attempting to muscle one another out at the box office.
Can’t we all just get along?
In their 2012 Fall Sellers Update, the Internet auction site banned “wizardly enchantments, magic spells and potions.”
Change is good
Sometimes a change in scenery is good, sometimes time runs out in a certain spot. — Phil Nevin
Leaving New York City is very good for Woody Allen.
I loved Match Point, set in London, which Allen completed in 2005. Oscar voters loved Vicky Cristina Barcelona, giving Penelope Cruz the Best Supporting Oscar nod.
Allen is not in the film. That is a good thing. Owen Wilson plays the Woody role, but he plays it as an optimist. I swore I saw the sun shining in his eyes a few times, he is so upbeat (even when he is sad).
His counterpoint is Rachel McAdams, his fiancee and generally unlikable person. Her parents are even less so. There is a big “THUD” when they appear on screen because there is no nuance to their characters, but perhaps they are supposed to be the dose of reality.
Because the rest of the film is magic. Owen’s love affair with the city of Paris. The people he meets…and he meets some pretty fantastic people. The unexpected cameos and brilliant performances by actors not mentioned in any promotion for the film. (I was surprised; I want you to be, too.)
I enjoyed Midnight in Paris so much. It was, quite simply, a delight.
Guess where I’m jonesin’ to go now?
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Posted in Celebrities, Commentary, Entertainment, Humor, Life, Movies, Oscars, Travel
Tagged Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actress Oscar, celebrities, commentary, entertainment, fiancee, Humor, life, London, magic, Manhattan, Match Point movie, Midnight in Paris movie, movie cameos, Movies, New York City, Owen Wilson, Paris, Penelope Cruz, Rachel McAdams, reality, Travel, Vicky Cristina Barcelona movie, Woody Allen, Woody Allen films