00s Movie Review - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Genre: Adventure/ Fantasy/ Family
Runtime: 142 minutes
Year: 2004
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, Richard Griffiths, Fiona Shaw, Oliver Phelps, James Phelps, Chris Rankin, Bonnie Wright, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Matthew Lewis, Tom Felton, Timothy Spall, Emma Thompson, Julie Walters, Warwick Davis, Mark Williams, Pam Ferris, Julie Christie

Description: It's Harry's (Daniel Radcliffe) third year at Hogwarts; not only does he have a new "Defense Against the Dark Arts" teacher, but there is also trouble brewing. Convicted murderer Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped the Wizards' Prison and is coming after Harry.

Review: “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” is the third movie in the series and a darker film then the previous two. The film is a lot more intense and can be scary for younger viewers. The film is very different from the book, director Alfonso Cuarón focused more on the action then the exact story in the book.
After an unfortunate accident with aunt Marge, 13 year old Harry Potter flees the Dursley house. The way to Hogwarts is already very eventful, but the real problems start when he arrives. A dangerous wizard, Sirius Black, has escaped the prison of Azkaban and he is looking for Harry. The Dementors, the scary guards of Azkaban, also guard Hogwarts but they also seem to be focused on Harry. The new professor, Remus Lupin, teaches him to defend himself against them.
Lots of introductions in “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. The monster book, the magical Hippogriff and the Grim. Two new teachers: Sibyll Trelawney and Professor Lupin. And again exciting adventures where Harry is joined by his friends Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger and Hagrid.
Harry Potter is growing up. And I don’t mean just the character, the film too. Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint are four years older than the first film. And the film doesn’t feel like a kids movie anymore.
Director Chris Columbus has been replaced by Alfonso Cuarón. The books by J.K. Rowling get more intense and heavy and you can see that in the film. The movie lost his light touch and there aren’t as many funny moments like there were in the first two films. Rowling asked Cuarón not to copy the book to film literally, but capture the essence and spirit of the Potter universe. And that’s exactly what he did. Some essential elements where left out and the ‘die hard’ Harry Potter fans might not like it.
The movie is a visual spectacle with great décor and beautiful special effects. The acting is also good. Special mentions are newcomers Gary Oldman and David Thewlis, as Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Michael Gambon replaced Richard Harris as Albus Dumbledore, after he passed away. Good choice, but I still miss Harris a little bit.
The film is meant for the family, but it can be a bit scary for the younger ones. Although the books is my favorite of the series, the movie isn’t. Yet it’s another great film in the Harry Potter franchise.

Rating: 4/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Books I Read in 2011

The last top 5 op the year. I just finished my book challenge and I read some bad book, some OK book but also some fantastic and amazing books. After a long time of thinking I managed to make a top 5 of the best books I read in 2011.

5. The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory
I love periodic drama/ romance stories. I loved the rivalry and also the love between the Boleyn sisters. This book was truly amazing and I’m still planning on reading the sequel.

4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
My favorite Harry Potter novel, so it had to be on this list. And after reading it for the second time, you’ll discover new things you didn’t notice before. My favorite part of this book is the introduction of Sirius Black, my second favorite character from the series.

3. One Day by David Nicholls
The way this story was told was just unique. Each chapter covers the same day every year over two decades. I fell in love with David Nicholls’ writing and this book made me both laugh and cry. I truly loved it.

2. Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The first book, "The Hunger Games", really blew my mind. I couldn't let it go and was totally captivated by it. I didn't think the second books could top it, but it did. I loved "Catching Fire", what an amazing book. This is one of my favorite series.

1. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Another book that gave me a hard time putting it away. Jacob was just such a loveable character, I fell in love with the guy. And Jacob’s bond with elephant Rosie was so endeering, touching and truly honest. Sara Gruen, who became one of my favorite writers over the year, is so talented. She writes as from heaven.

They almost made the top 5: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, Watership Down by Richard Adams, Marley & Me by John Grogan, Persuasion by Jane Austen, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling, Starter for Ten by David Nicholls, Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

50 Books Challenge - # 30: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: J.K. Rowling
Story: For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed: Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts...he's at Hogwarts." Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in their midst.
Start: may 26th 2011
End: may 31st 2011
Comment: I can't believe how big J.K. Rowling's imagination is, and that's only after the third book. She wrote seven of those great stories. She has plenty of tricks left up her sleeve. The pace of this books is nonstop. You just want to keep reading. It's more exciting then the first two and also a bit darker and mysterious. And this one has more of a 'supernatural' touch to it. Werewolves, vampires, hippogriffs, etcetera. Very interesting. I liked Sirius Black, he was a good addition to the story. At first you think he's evil, but then he turns out to be the good guy and the story takes on a different direction. That's what I like about the Harry Potter series, you never know what to expect (unless you've read them before off course). I can't wait to read the next book again. Even though I read them all, they can still surprise you every single time.
Rating: 5/ 5