Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Alone Together (2022)

This romantic comedy stars Katie Holmes and Jim Sturgess

Summary

-Two strangers, both in bad relationships, end up booking the same Airbnb in upstate New York



Cast

-Katie Holmes: June 

-Jim Sturgess: Charlie

-Derek Luke: John

-Melissa Leo: Deborah

-Neal Benari: Lyft driver

-Ed Dixon: Grandfather

-Spencer Granese: Sean

-Zosia Mamet: Margaret

Did You Know?

-The film's opening song, "Blue Moon", was sung by Katie Holme's daughter Suri

17 Sci-Fi Movies That Predicted the Future

Sci-Fi films are not to everyone's liking. Some are just weird; it's sci-fi. It's supposed to be weird. According to Reader's Digest, here are 17 films they believe predicted the future.

1. The Terminator (1984)

-Summary: A soldier is sent from the future, from the year 2029, to kill a cyborg programmed to kill a woman whose son will be the savior of humanity

-In this world, drones are used in warfare. It might have felt like an idea made just for that movie at the time, but in today's modern world. drones have been adapted to aid in modern warfare. Drones have become heavily used in not just military missions but also law enforcement

2. The Truman Show (1998)

-Summary: An insurance salesman discovers his whole life has become a reality TV show

-With the rise of reality TV, people have an absurd obsession with watching life play out on the TV screen. This movie also shows the concept of constant surveillance

3. Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

-Summary: When a powerful alien is seen approaching Earth, Captain James T. Kirk and his crew aboard the USS Enterprise try to intercept it before it gets too close to Earth

-Back when this movie was done, we didn't have voice assistants like Siri and Alexa to help us. In this film, Capt. Kirk is using a voice assistant to interact with the Enterprise

4. A Trip to the Moon (1902)

-Summary: A group of astronomers make a mission to go to the Moon

-Considered to be the first ever sci-fi movie, the idea of going to the Moon was a revolutionary idea at the time. It was simply not considered as an actual idea of going to explore the Moon. Less than seven decades later, missions to the Moon were made possible

5. Blade Runner (1982)

-Summary: A man known as a blade runner must stop and kill four replicants who have gained hold of a ship, hoping to get to Earth to find their creator

-While Blade Runner may not have predicted all of the future, other items in this film came true. Digital billboards on buildings, for example, are on tall skyscrapers in various parts of the world

6. The Matrix (1999)

-Summary: A beautiful stranger entices computer hacker Neo to a strange, underground world where he discovers the horrifying truth that the life he knows is a computer simulation created by evil cyber-intelligence

-In the days since this movie was released, huge leaps and advances had been made in the world of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. There are headsets that people can buy that allow them to virtually do anything, from flying planes to playing sports

7. Soylent Green (1973)

-Summary: When a police officer stumbles is called to investigate a murder, he enters a nightmarish reality involving big corporations trying to hide the truth

-This movie shows what kind of devastating damage global warming can do. Currently, the Earth is suffering from global warming

8. Demolition Man (1993)

-Summary: A police officer from the past is brought out of suspended animation to pursue a violent criminal who is loose in the non-violent, peaceful future

-This movie shows what it would be like during times where physical contact is banned and the only way to make contact with people is through communication such as video calls. This is a reminder of what would happen during the eventual COVID-19 pandemic

9. Minority Report (2002)

-Summary: When John, a cop with the PreCrime Unit, who detects crimes before they happen, is framed for murder in the future, he works with the PreCogs, who help foresee these crimes that will occur 

-Taking place in the year 2054, a lot of the technology in this film we didn't have to wait long for. Touch screens, self-driving cars, targeted ads, these are already existing

10. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

-Summary: After finding a strange artifact on the moon, a space ship is sent to the planet Jupiter to discover it's origins. The ship is manned by two astronauts and a computer called HAL 9000

-Despite being made in 1968, the special effects were cutting edge for the time. This movie centers partially on AI technology, namely HAL 9000. It interacts with the ship in almost the same way we communicate with Siri on Apple iPhones and Alexa on Amazon

11. Back to the Future Part II (1989)

-Summary: When Marty McFly visits the year 2015 because of trouble, he must return to 1955 to prevent any mishaps from occurring in 1985. Without interference with the first trip

-While the iconic 80s DeLorean that was used in this movie is still running around, it's not capable of flying or time travel. There are other technologies in this film that are used nowadays, such as heavy use of biometrics (finger print or eye scans to identify people) or drones used for non-military purposes

12. Metropolis (1927)

-Summary: A futuristic city is split between the working class and the city planners who built it. The son of one of the city's planners falls in love with a working class person who is able to predict the arrival of a savior to sort out their differences

-Fritz Lang, who directed this movie, must have been able to see into the future. His movie had skyscrapers, video calling and robots. We now use those same items to do a lot of things

13. Tron (1982)

-Summary: A computer hacker is sent into the digital world and forced to participate in a series of gladiator games. His only chance of escaping is with the aid of a heroic security program

-This film foreshadows the concept of virtual reality gaming and digital avatars. This virtual reality gaming concept is now being used within the modern gaming and entertainment industries

14. The Running Man (1987)

-Summary: In a dystopian future society, a policeman is wrongly convicted of a crime he didn't commit. The only way he can become free is to participate in a TV game show where convicts and runners battle killers for their freedom

-While there are several criticisms for this movie, Paul Michael Glaser, who directed it, got things right with the obsession of modern reality TV. While some reality TV stars say they might want to kill one another, they will go to exorbitant lengths just to maintain good ratings and the attention of their viewers

15. Star Wars (1977)

-Summary: A Jedi knight named Luke Skywalk joins cocky pilot Han Solo, Wookie Chewbacca and two robots named R2-D2 and C-3PO to save the galaxy from the Death Star while also trying to save Princess Leia from the clutches of the mysterious Darth Vader

-Many of the technologies used in these movies never came true. One did and that was holographic technology. This technology allows famous people to appear at events, even if they are long since deceased

16. Logan's Run (1976)

-Summary: A police officer from the future discovers there is a deadly secret behind a society worshipping youth

-At the time, smart home technology was something only heard of in a sci-fi movie or book. Now, smart home technology is all the rage. This movie shows a concept of a home that can turn on lights, play music and do other things with the owner's command, almost exactly what we currently have, with assistants like Google or Alexa

17. Total Recall (1990)

-Summary: A man goes in to have virtual memories of a vacation on Mars implanted into his head. A series of unexpected events occur, forcing him to go to the real planet

-While we don't have implanted memories, we do the same concept of self-driving cars. Fully autonomous cars are being developed currently

Friday, June 21, 2024

Richard Hammond shares story of famous 2006 crash

For anyone and everyone familiar with the British motoring television program Top Gear, it was well covered in the news that, in 2006, one of the hosts of the program, Richard Hammond, was severely injured while test running a jet engine-powered car at an airstrip in York. This is well documented from both his point of view and his wife Mindy's point of view in the excellent book On The Edge: My Story.

Host Richard Hammond talks about the 2006 crash that nearly took his life.

Shared as part of a YouTube channel called DriveTribe, which was founded by him, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Richard Hammond recounts what happened that fateful day in September 2006. At the time, he was testing a jet engine-powered car called Vampire at the RAF Elvingdon airbase near York. It was related to filming for Top Gear. The car reached 320 mph. Despite sustaining severe injuries, he was able to return to Top Gear in 2007

As part of a video on the DriveTribe channel, Richard Hammond shares what happened. The video was filmed in the Lake District and he recounted what could have been his final moments. "In hospital, in intensive care, things were apparently not looking very good, but I didn't know, there was a lot of morphine floating around my system. I finally woke and I shared with my wife Mindy a dream I'd been having. A really, really vivid one, probably, partly, on a count of the morphine. And in my mind I'd been walking these hills here in the Lake District, overlooking Buttermere. I was having a lovely time strolling along and gradually I got a growing sense of you know when you're in trouble. (It) grew and grew until eventually in my dream I turned back, I didn't walk around this tree and carry on and then I woke."

When he woke up and told his wife, Mindy, who is a newspaper columnist, about the dream, she told him what was going on in the hospital room at the time. He said "She'd been called into the intensive care and been told 'Mrs. Hammond I'm really sorry things aren't looking good.'"

"I was on full life support and breathing apparatus, she was told it's not looking good we think we're going to lose him." His wife asked if shouting at him would work. "Apparently she roared and screamed and swore at me 'don't you dare die' and that's when I turned back from this tree in my dream and that's when I woke. My last thought took me somewhere I love and somewhere I'm happy. So I'm not scared of this old tree. I pass it regularly, most months I come up here and walk, and every time I pass it, I do feel comforted."

"I know it's where I'll go. It's still here and I'm still here. But it does speak of the importance of place and the joy of being connected with a place." When the video went viral, Richard Hammond appeared on BBC Radio 4's program where Evan Davis asked why he came out with this personal story, 16 years later. "It's not often you get to be really personal and share quite an intimate story I suppose, but I hoped it would connect with people. It was a big thing in my life and because it's about a brain injury, that affects a lot of people. If it connects with anybody, it's worth telling."

80 Memorable Quotes from Harry Potter Pt. III

The Harry Potter films and books are much beloved by those of all ages and walks of life. It's no wonder there is a specific area set in Orlando, Florida's Universal Studios theme park called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. People love the films and books that much. According to Reader's Digest, here are 80 memorable quotes from Harry Potter. Some are cautionary quotes, others are inspirational

Harry Potter quotes about friendship

50. "Books! And cleverness! There are more important things-friendship and bravery..."- Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Prior to facing off against Lord Voldemort, book smart Hermione reveals her admiration for Harry's bravery in getting the Sorcerer's Stone

51. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

52. "If you want to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us too!"- Ron Weasley, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Ron said this prior to finding out that escaped criminal Sirius Black was not only Harry's godfather, but also innocent of any crimes that he was accused of

53."I enjoyed the meetings, too. It was like having friends."- Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. This was said in reference to the D.A. (Dumbledore's Army), the secret defense group Harry and his friends formed to teach themselves defensive spells in their fifth year

54. "[James] called it my 'furry little problem' in company. Many people were under the impression that I owned a badly behaved rabbit."- Remus Lupin remarking on his werewolf condition, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

55. Dumbledore: "You do them a disservice by not confiding something this important to them." Harry: "I didn't want-" Dumbledore: "-to worry or frighten them? Or perhaps, to confess that you yourself are worried and frightened? You need your friends, Harry."- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

56. "We're with you whatever happens."- Ron Weasley, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

57. "We're coming with you. That was decided months ago - years, really."- Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Prior to starting their journey to destroy the Horcruxes, items containing bits of the soul of Lord Voldemort, Hermione made it clear they were going to do this together

Harry Potter film quotes

58. "You're a wizard, Harry"- Rubeus Hagrid, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Hagrid says this upon finally meeting Harry when he's older

59. "You're saying it wrong. It's leviOsa, not levioSA."-Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Hermione is trying to teach Ron the proper pronunciation of the incantation known as the Levitating Spell

60. "Happiness can found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film). This was said in the film, not the books at the end of year feast

61. "What's life without a little risk?"- Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film)

62. "Nice one, James."- Sirius Black to Harry, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film). Said at the part of the film where Sirius is fighting alongside Harry in the Department of Mysteries. One would think that by looking at and hearing this line that Sirius considers Harry to be a replacement of his father

63. "Things we lose have a way of coming back to us in the end, if not always in the way we expect."- Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

64. "You can't deny, Dumbledore's got style."- Kingsley Shacklebolt, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (film). Said at the part where Harry is in Dumbledore's office and Dumbledore escapes with his pet phoenix. One of the pictures on the wall of his office is a former headmaster named Phineas Nigellus Black who says a different version of this phrase in the book

65. "Dobby never meant to kill! Dobby only meant to maim, or seriously injure!"- Dobby, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 1 (film)

66. "I've always wanted to use that spell!"- Minerva McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 1 (film). Professor McGonagall is referring to an incantation that animates the suits of armor all around Hogwarts and brings them to life, gaining assistance in the Battle of Hogwarts

67. "It is the quality of one's convictions that determines success, not the number of followers."- Remus Lupin, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2 (film)

68. "Words are, in my no so humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt. 2 (film)

Classic Harry Potter quotes

69. "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley of number four, Privet Drive, were proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much."- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. This is the opening line to the much beloved series. It's the first line you read in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. That line all but tells you the normalcy is about to end and you can't wait to see it unfold

70. "The wand chooses the wizard."- Mr. Ollivander, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

71. "I hope you're pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed - or worse - expelled."- Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

72. "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Dumbledore eliminates Harry's thinking about he would have been better suited for Slytherin House rather than Gryffindor House

73. "You shall not harm Harry Potter!"- Dobby, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Dobby says this to Lucius Malfoy, when he realizes that Tom Riddle's diary, which he gave Ginny, contained a sock. House elves are set free with clothes and when Dobby sees that Harry gave him one of his socks, Lucius Malfoy is set to attack Harry with the wand he keeps hidden in his walking stick

74. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."- The Marauder's Map, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (and beyond). This is the quote you say to activate The Marauder's Map

75. "You place too much importance on, and you always have done, on the so-called purity of blood! You fail to recognize that it matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be! It matters not what someone is born, but what they grow to be!"- Albus Dumbledore to Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

76. "If she could have done one thing to make absolutely sure that every single person in the school will read your interview, it was banning it!"- Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She says this in reference to an exclusive interview Harry did, talking about Voldemort's return to power and new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Professor Dolores Umbridge bans students from reading it

77. "Weasley can save anything,

He never leaves a single ring,

That's why Gryffindors all sing:

Weasley is our King."-The Gryffindor House in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. They take the song that Slytherin House created, which was originally intended to mock Ron's Keeping abilities on the Quidditch team and adapt it for Gryffindor House

78. "Always."- Severus Snape, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. When Dumbledore asks Snape if he continued to love Lily Evans-Potter, "after all this time", Snape says "Always."

79. "Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?"- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

80. "I've had enough trouble for a lifetime."- Harry, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. The final line uttered by Harry, as he, Ginny, Hermione and Ron are watching their children board the Hogwarts Express

Thursday, June 20, 2024

80 Memorable Quotes from Harry Potter Pt. II

The Harry Potter films and books are much beloved by those of all ages and walks of life. It's no wonder there is a specific area set in Orlando, Florida's Universal Studios theme park called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. People love the films and books that much. According to Reader's Digest, here are 80 memorable quotes from Harry Potter. Some are cautionary quotes, others are inspirational

Harry Potter love-related quotes

21. "To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever"- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

22. Harry: "I didn't want anyone to talk to me." Ginny: "Well, that was a bit stupid of you, seeing as you don't know anyone but me who's been possessed by You-Know-Who, and I can tell you how it feels." - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

23. "It is impossible to manufacture or imitate love."- Horace Slughorn, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. It's from the part of the book where Professor Slughorn shows them a love potion on their first day, but mentions there's a drawback

24. "When you have seen as much of life as I have, you will not underestimate the power of obsessive love."- Horace Slughorn, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

25. Lord Voldemort: "Nothing I have seen in the world has supported your pronouncements that love is more powerful than my kind of magic, Dumbledore." Dumbledore: "Perhaps you have been looking in the wrong places."- Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

26. Remus Lupin: "Tonks deserves somebody young and whole." Arthur Weasley: "But she wants you." Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Tonks and Lupin may not be a well known couple in the series, but Tonks proving that Lupin is worthy of love is worth noting

27. "What do I care how he looks? I am good looking enough for both of us, I theenk! All these scars show is zat my husband is brave!"- Fleur Delacour, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. Her fiancee is Bill Weasley, one of the older brothers of the Weasley family. He's just been attacked by a werewolf named Greyback. Mrs. Weasley suggests that Fleur may not be interested in marrying him anymore, but Fleur ignores it

28. "I never really gave up on you. Not really. I always hoped..."- Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. She had a small crush on Harry Potter starting from her first year at Hogwarts. Four years later, they fell for each other

29. "Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living. And above all, pity those who live without love."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Funny Harry Potter quotes

30. "I'll be in my bedroom, making no noise and pretending I'm not there."- Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This is what his Uncle Vernon made him say before a big dinner party he was throwing in the hopes of landing a large deal with a wealthy contractor

31. "Just because you have the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have."- Hermione Granger, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. She said this in the book when Harry told her about his disastrous date with Cho Chang

32. "We'll send you a Hogwarts toilet seat."- George Weasley, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. When Harry first meets the Weasley family on the train platform, the twins are trying to cheer up Ginny, who is too young to attend the magical school. And ironically, Dumbledore informs Harry that Fred and George tried to send a toilet seat to him after his fight with Professor Quirrell

33. "You haven't got a letter on your [sweater]. I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name. But we're not stupid- we know we're called Gred and Forge."- George Weasley, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. At Christmas, the twins are the only ones of Mrs. Weasley's children who get sweaters with their initials on them. And George jokes about it

34. "Alas! Ear wax!"- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. While visiting Harry in the hospital wing, he discovers someone has brought him a box of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans

35. Molly Weasley: "Your sons flew that car to Harry's house and back last night! What have you got to say about that, eh?" Arthur Weasley: "Did you really? Did it go all right?"- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. George, Ron and Fred Weasley took an enchanted Ford Anglia that their father had been messing around with and used it to rescue Harry from his aunt and uncle's house

36. "Of all the trees we could have hit, we had to get one that hits back."- Ron Weasley, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. This is said just after Harry and Ron crash the Anglia into the school's Whomping Willow tree

37. "Amazing! Amazing! This is just like magic!"- Gilderoy Lockhart, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Down in the tunnels leading to the chamber, Professor Lockhart takes Ron's broken wand, hoping to use a Memory Spell on both Harry and Ron. Not realizing that using Ron's broken wand, and that any spell would automatically ricochet back onto the user, his Memory Spell backfires onto him, erasing his memory. Fawkes the Phoenix is lifting Harry, Ron, Ginny and Professor Lockhart out of the chambers

38. Rita Skeeter: "Congratulations, Harry! I wonder if you could give me a quick word? How you felt facing that dragon? How you feel now, about the fairness of the scoring?" Harry: "Yeah, you can have a word. Good bye." - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

39. George: "Hello, Harry. We thought we heard your dulcet tones." Fred: "You don't want to bottle up your anger like that, Harry, let it all out. There might be a couple of people 50 miles away who didn't hear you."- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harry is venting his frustration at being stuck at his uncle and aunt's house and knowing nothing of the goings-on in the wizarding world, feeling like he's being purposely kept in the dark

40. "You're just as sane as I am."- Luna Lovegood, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

41. Hermione: "Harry, don't go picking a row with Malfoy, don't forget, he's a prefect now, he could make life difficult for you." Harry: "Wow, I wonder what it'd be like to have a difficult life?"- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

42. "[Harry] has achieved high marks in every Defense Against the Dark Arts test set by a competent teacher."- Professor Minerva McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In both the book and film, Professor McGonagall shows her sarcastic attitude towards Professor Dolores Umbridge's terrible reign

43. " Give five signs that identify the werewolf. Excellent question... One: he's sitting on my chair. Two: he's wearing my clothes. Three: his name's Remus Lupin."- Remus Lupin. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. This comes from a memory of him as a teen, sitting for his O.W.L. exam, remarking on a certain question

44. Snape: "Do you remember me telling you we are practicing non verbal spells, Potter?" Harry: "Yes," Snape: "Yes, sir." Harry: "There's no need to call me 'sir', Professor."- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

45. Harry: "What does [The Unbreakable Vow] mean?" Ron: "Well, you can't break an Unbreakable Vow..." Harry: "I'd worked that much out for myself, funnily enough."- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

46. "He can move faster than Severus Snape confronted with shampoo."- Fred Weasley on Voldemort's ability of flight, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

47. "We teachers are rather good at magic, you know."- Professor Minerva McGonagall, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

48. "We did it, we bashed them, wee Potter's the one / And Voldy's gone moldy, so now let's have some fun!"- Peeves the Poltergeist, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Ron adds on to the post-Voldemort battle by saying "Really gives a feeling for the scope and tragedy of the thing, doesn't it?"

49. "Don't let it worry you. It's me. I'm extremely famous."- Ron Weasley, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. In the epilogue of the book, Harry, Ginny, Hermione and Ron are seeing their own children off to the train, which will take their own children to Hogwarts. Harry's son Albus is wondering why everyone is staring at them. Ron takes the tension off the situation by making this hilarious comment

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

80 Memorable Quotes from Harry Potter Pt. I

The Harry Potter films and books are much beloved by those of all ages and walks of life. It's no wonder there is a specific area set in Orlando, Florida's Universal Studios theme park called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. People love the films and books that much. According to Reader's Digest, here are 80 memorable quotes from Harry Potter. Some are cautionary quotes, others are inspirational

Harry Potter inspirational quotes

1. "To the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure."-Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. Said by Albus Dumbledore when Harry is asking about the co-creator of the Sorcerer's Stone, Nicholas Flamel, dying, now that the stone has been destroyed

2. "It is not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."-Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. It's said at the point of the movie where Harry discovers the Mirror of Erised, which spells "desire" backwards, and is looking at his family in the mirror

3. "As much money and life as you could want! The two things most human beings would choose above all-the trouble is, humans do have a knack for choosing precisely those things that are worst for them." -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. It was said to Harry when he woke up in the hospital wing, after capturing the elusive Sorcerer's Stone

4. "Dobby has heard of your greatness, sir, but of your goodness, Dobby never knew."- Dobby, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. Dobby said that when Harry first met him in the bedroom of his aunt and uncle's house

5. "Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain."- Arthur Weasley, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets. It's said by him referring to the black leather-bound diary containing the thoughts and memories of the dark one, Lord Voldemort, that hypnotized Ginny

6. "I am what I am, an' I'm not ashamed. 'Never be ashamed', my ol' dad used ter say, 'there's some who'll hold it against you, but they're not worth botherin' with.'"- Rubeus Hagrid, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

7. "If you want to know what a man's like, look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."- Sirius Black, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

8. "What's comin' will come, an' we'll meet it when it does."- Rubeus Hagrid, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. These were the final words in the book

9. "Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts open."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. This line was said towards the end of the film, when all three of the wizarding schools taking part in the Triwizard Tournament were together to have an end of year feast. And Professor Dumbledore was giving a eulogy for one of the school's students, Cedric Diggory, who was murdered by the dark Lord Voldemort

10. "We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. This was part of the speech at the end of year feast and also part of the same speech that included Cedric Diggory's eulogy and the quote from above

11. "Constant Vigilance!"-Barty Crouch Jr. as Professor Alastor "Mad Eye" Moody, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire. In this film, Barty Crouch Jr. is the son of one of the Ministry of Magic employees. He takes a magical potion called Polyjuice Potion, which transforms the person into someone else. He transforms himself into the professor to get Harry into the Triwizard Tournament. While posing as a teacher, he delivers this interesting line while the real Mad Eye Moody would never say this

12. "We must unite inside [Hogwarts] / Or we'll crumble from within/ I have told you, I have warned you... / Let the Sorting now begin." The Sorting Hat, Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. In it's song to kick off the new year, after the dark Lord Voldemort has returned, the Sorting Hat gives a warning and shows how difficult it finds the job of "dividing" the students into the different Houses at a time when unity is more important than ever

13. "Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix.

14. "Anything's possible if you've got enough nerve."- Ginny Weasley, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince

15. "Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince

16. "Have you any idea how much tyrants fear the people they oppress? All of them realize that, one day, amongst their many victims, there is sure to be one who rises against them and strikes back!"- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince

17. "I don't think you're a waste of space"- Dudley Dursley, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. It might seem surprising that such an inspirational quote would come from the cousin who all but tortured Harry growing up, but it's a nice, refreshing change to see that Dudley steps away from his parent's mold and shows his appreciation for Harry

18. "Every human life is worth the same, and worth saving."- Kingsley Shacklebolt, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

19. "And what if we want to stay and fight?"- Ernie Macmillan, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Early in the books, Ernie Macmillan was a pompous, arrogant student who fully believes that Harry was the Heir of Slytherin in The Chamber of Secrets. But when the final fight at Hogwarts starts up, he is the first to issue the call to battle

20. "It is a curious thing, Harry, but perhaps those who are best suited to power are those who have never sought it. Those who, like you, have leadership thrust upon them, and take up the mantle because they must, and find to their own surprise that they wear it well."- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows

Monday, June 17, 2024

100 Best Books of All Time Pt. IV

In honor of World Book Day, here is what Reader's Digest thinks are the 100 Best Books of All Time. The way it's set up on that site, it actually only comes to about 99. There are ads included in the slideshow of books

76. The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe (1979)

-There have been many missions to the moon and back. Many men and women have gone on missions to explore the moon, stars and more. No book can take you further into the world of space exploration than this one. This book allows you a glimpse into the Apollo missions with astronaut Tom Wolfe

77. Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin (1953)

-Not only is this a popular gospel song sung at Christmastime in Baptist churches, it's also the name of  a book by author James Baldwin. He tells of growing up as a gay black man in the 20th century. Of the discriminations he faced. But in the face of it, he managed to write in a positive tone

78. The Road by Cormac McCarthy (2006)

-A deeply haunting tale about a father and son, who take a road trip across a burned, and thoroughly destroyed America. They have next to nothing except for their names, they must save each other, scavenge food, armed with only a pistol, and they must fight off everything post-apocalyptic America can throw at them

79. The Stranger by Albert Camus (1942)

-It's a story about murder, mystery, death and destruction along with the power of human thought. It's about a man who kills a man he doesn't know and seems strangely devoid of any emotion as he is deemed a threat to society and sentenced to death

80. The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway (1926)

-This book takes a look at WWI, following the adventures of Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley as they navigate through Europe, seeking out the next adventure

81. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates (2015)

-This book takes a no holds barred, honest look at racism. It's even considered to be a sort of Bible for the Black Lives Matter movement. This book shows how black men and women have been treated differently throughout history

82. The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien (1990)

-Centering on the war in Vietnam, this book tells of the pain and experiences soldiers brought back with them when they came home from the Vietnam War. How each of them came home not with glory for fighting for their country's freedom, but scars, nightmares and trouble they didn't ask for. It's an open, honest look at the topic known in the world of psychology as "Vietnam Syndrome"

83. The Wind Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami (1994)

-Toru Okada wants nothing more than to find his lost cat. Then it becomes his life wife. He finds himself at the crossroads between a failed marriage, a dark past and secret underground world

84. The World According to Garp by John Irvin (1978)

-This book centers on T.S. Garp, the fatherless son of a feminist and female rights activist. His world is one of extremes-emotional, physical, sexual. It can be cringeworthy one moment to laugh out loud funny the next

85. Hamlet by William Shakespeare (1603)

-One of the classic stories most kids in school read, this iconic tale tells of a son out to avenge the murder of his father. This story has even inspired other forms of pop culture, from Disney's The Lion King to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard

86. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (2005)

-One truth to life is that there will be good times, bad times. Like Led Zeppelin said in their song "Good Times Bad Times". This book tells the story of a marriage, a family, relationship and life, and all of the good and bad that comes with it

87. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958)

-Centuries ago, European colonists arrived in Africa to establish outposts for their rulers back in their native countries. What happens to the locals who already live there is catastrophic and even tragic. The traditions of these native people are wiped away, erased forever when foreign colonists move in and take over

88. Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hildebrand (2010)

-This story centers on and around Louis Zamperini. During his teen years, he was a bit of a rebel, before finding talent at the Olympics and eventually joining the military to become a US airman. He found himself flying over the Pacific Ocean and eventually becoming stranded in said ocean, miles from help. While others would succumb to their fate, he refused to give up hope

89. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (1868)

-A highly iconic book, about mother-daughter relationships. Little Women tells of the March sisters-Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. It follows their lives from childhood to adulthood

90. White Teeth by Zadie Smith (2000)

-Two people's lives are forever changed by WWII. The book covers topics like race, ethnicity, religion, class struggles and more

91. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982)

-Author Alice Walker faced a lot of criticism for this book, and she chalks it up to the criticism coming from people who never bothered to crack open the book and read it. This story tells of a black teen named Celia in the 1930s, growing up in rural Georgia. She writes about her day to day goings and comings in letters to God. It's a sort of Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, but set in the 1930s and involving a black teen. The book contains sexual themes, profanity, and violence. But aside from that, it's an overall interesting read

92. Atonement by Ian McEwan (2001)

-Taking place in WWII-era England, the story centers on Briony Tallis and how an accusation in childhood against a family friend forever changed three lives forever. It's romance. It's a war novel. It's historical fiction

93. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (1847)

-Emily Bronte takes the concept of a simple love story and completely rewrites it in her own vision. She adds in a dash of Gothic atmosphere. Here you meet a handsome man named Heathcliff who falls in love with his foster sister Catherine. When another man enters the scene, their love story takes a dark turn, with violence included

94. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis (1950)

-Adapted into a highly successful film, this is the first installment of the Chronicles of Narnia series. The three Pensieve children discover a wardrobe that whisks them off to a fantastical land, with a lion named Aslan, an evil White Witch and plenty of adventure to go around

95. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2013)

-Centering on a Nigerian resident in the US, it's a tale of love, regret and identity, all experienced by this immigrant living in the US, all seen through their eyes

96. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (1937)

-It's considered a highly interesting read in the African American literature world. It's about Janie Crawford, a young black woman making her journey to Florida in the 1930s, on her own

97. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (1932)

-A tale of sci-fi and a dystopian future, Brave New World tells of a World State, where humans were conditioned to be without emotion and the ability to relate to others. It seems eerily close to what is happening today-self medicating to stop feeling, genetic engineering, instant gratification

98. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (2003)

-This book centers on two boys from different worlds in Afghanistan-one poor and one rich. Familial love, redemption and friendship make this a book that most book clubs would choose to read

99. A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan (2010)

-A collection of 13 short stories connected by a record company executive named Bennie Salazar and his assistant Sasha. The stories move through time, showing the background of each character and the way that time changes everyone