Denise Roper's Blog, page 15
December 6, 2010
Rumored Ron/Hermione Moment from Deathly Hallows Part 2
The scene described below is rumored to be a Ron/Hermione moment from Deathly Hallows Part 2. TdlWve posted this scene description in the comments section of this blog a few days ago. (She is quoting from another fan. Please excuse the errors in punctuation, spelling, etc.)
Hi. My friend and I work at Warner Bros, and he was able to show me the first 5 minutes of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 2. I won't say any names because what I am about to post might get me in some trouble. You might be wondering why this was so detailed, and it's because I was able to see the Ron and Hermione scene like 3 times.
Okay so there is this one scene at Shell Cottage, Ron and Hermione are in one of the guest rooms and Ron's sitting on the side of the bed, while Hermione is laying propped up by a pillow. Ron asks her if her sleep was okay, and she says that she feels better. It's quiet for a moment and he looks at her arm and sees dried blood on her sweater and rolls it up to see the "mudblood" carved in her arm. He gets her bag and finds the Dittany and puts some on his thumb and softly starts rubbing it over her arm. (It was really cute) The mark is still a bit there and he looks at her questionly and she says that because it was done with dark magic it couldn't be completely healed and that it was done so she would always remember being tortured. Ron then softly tucks some of her hair behind her ear, that had fallen in her face, and puts Dittany on his thumb. Then he puts it to the cut on Hermione's neck where the cut is and it heals. Then he whispers "all better" and moves his hand so it cups her face. He leaves it for like a second but then he pulls away because Harry comes in.
Is there truth to this rumor? It reads like a scene from a Ron/Hermione fanfiction. Jenn asked me if I could post some pictures of Hermione with the cut on her throat, because she couldn't remember seeing this in the film. Well, this is what I found:
What do you think? Comments are welcome, as always. 
December 5, 2010
New Deathly Hallows Featurettes from ABC Family's Harry Potter Weekend
There were three new Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One featurettes which were shown this weekend on the ABC Family Channel's Harry Potter Weekend marathon. The first was the "Seven Harry Potters":
The next one is "On the Road."
This one is "The Return of David Yates."
Dan, Rupert, Emma, and Bonnie introduced Deathly Hallows promos during the commercial breaks. I was going to see the film again, but I stayed home to watch the old Harry Potter films on television instead. Eventually I will go back to the theater to see it again.
December 4, 2010
Ron/Hermione: Lights Will Guide You Home
This is a wonderful Ron/Hermione fan video that I saw on tumblr today. The lyrics to this song really seem to describe them in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One.
Ron's speech about the light that went into his heart to guide him back to Hermione was my favorite part of the film.
December 3, 2010
Harry Potter on That Sci-Fi Show and the "Sneaking Past the Watchful Dragons" Lecture
On Saturday, December 4, 2010 I'll be part of a discussion of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One on That Sci-Fi Show, which will air at 5:00 p.m. EST (4:00 p.m. CST) on WWNN radio. You can listen to the show online at http://www.thatscifishow.com/ and you can join the show's Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ThatScifiShow. You might also want to join my Facebook page for The Lord of the Hallows at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lord-of-the-Hallows/110146322349729 while you're at it. 
On Saturday, December 11, I'll be giving my lecture "Sneaking Past the Watchful Dragons: Christian Symbolism and Themes in Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia" at 2:00 p.m. at the Main Branch of the Lafourche Parish Public Library, located at 314 St. Mary St. in Thibodaux, Louisiana. A book signing for The Lord of the Hallows will follow. The film adaptation of Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be playing at my local cinema that weekend also, and I definitely plan on going to see it.
If you have not read The Lord of the Hallows yet, you can purchase it here: http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Hallows-Christian-Symbolism-Rowlings/dp/1432741128/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1291436252&sr=1-1. Good news! It's on sale and you can save 10% right now. I noticed that appears on a few "Listmania" lists on amazon.com:
If you do buy the book, please let me know what you think of it. There was a great deal of research and hard work involved, but it was a pleasure to write.
November 28, 2010
Deathly Hallows 1 Reviewed on "The Final Cut in Movies"
Fantasy author M. B. Weston will be reviewing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One on her radio program "The Final Cut in Movies" today–Sunday, November 28, 2010.
The radio show can be heard from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time at http://wsbrradio.com. She contacted me recently to ask if I'd be a guest on the program, and of course I said "yes." She also said that I was welcome to talk about my book, The Lord of the Hallows: Christian Symbolism and Themes in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter. The book is marked 10% off at amazon.com right now!
M. B. Weston is the author of the Elysian Chronicles, which includes A Prophecy Forgotten, Out of the Shadows and an upcoming sequel.
A Prophecy Forgotten: Book One of the Elysian Chronicles
Out of the Shadows: Book Two of the Elysian Chronicles
You can read more about this exciting series of novels about guardian angel-like beings and the war they are fighting against the forces of evil at www.elysianchronicles.com and at www.mbwestonblog.com.
Update: Michelle just mentioned me on her blog! http://www.mbwestonblog.com/2010/11/tonights-final-cut-in-movies-harry-potter-7-part-1-featuring-author-denise-roper.html
November 26, 2010
Christian Imagery in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One
Christian Symbolism in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One: Missed Opportunities
I have seen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One twice now–first on opening day and again yesterday–and there is something that has been bothering me about the film for a week now. I am profoundly disappointed by the absence of the two Biblical quotations Rowling included in the novel and which were left out of the theatrical version of the film. The first was from Matthew 6:21.
Harry stooped down and saw, upon the frozen, lichen-spotted granite, the words KENDRA DUMBLEDORE and, a short way below her dates of birth and death, AND HER DAUGHTER ARIANA. There was also a quotation: Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows page 325)
This inscription is from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verse 21, which should be examined in the context in which it appears in the Bible: This quotation is from Christ's "Sermon on the Mount."
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matthew 6:19-21, NRSV)
We know that the tomb of Kendra and Ariana Dumbledore was designed for the film; a photo of it was published in the book Harry Potter Film Wizardry.
The quotation from Matthew 6:21 is visible at the bottom of the tombstone.
In an earlier blog post I explained the significance of the quatrefoil and the IHS which appear at the top of this grave marker. Here's a quote from this earlier post: http://phoenixweasley.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/christian-imagery-in-deathly-hallows-film-photos-of-godrics-hollow-churchyard/
Quatrefoil: ubiquitous in Gothic architecture, the quatrefoil symbolizes the four evangelists, as do the Winged Man (Matthew), Lion (Mark), Ox (Luke), and Eagle (John) — the four beasts of Ezeckiel and the Apocalypse.
IHS: dating from the 8th c., this is an abbreviation for "IHESUS," the way Christ's Name was spelled in the Middle Ages (despite popular belief, the monogram stands neither for "Iesus Hominum Salvator" –"Jesus Saviour of Men" — nor for "In His Service.") Popularized by St. Bernardine of Siena, the monogram was later used by St. Ignatius of Loyola as a symbol for the Jesuit Order.
I really missed seeing this Christian imagery in the theatrical version of the film. I also wanted the film makers to include more information about Dumbledore's background and personal tragedies. Perhaps this need for more exposition in the film is the reason that the tomb of Kendra and Ariana was not shown in the theaters. Dumbledore felt a great deal of guilt about their deaths, a burden that he had to bear for the rest of his life. I think that Dumbledore learned a lesson that Voldemort had not been able to comprehend: his "treasures" were not possessions or objects of power, but the people that he loved. If they had included this Biblical quotation in the film, it could have been made to tie in nicely with Ron's return. The light from Dumbledore's deluminator went into Ron's heart and then guided him back to the one he loves most: Hermione. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also.
The "heart" can also serve as a metaphor for the human soul. Where Voldemort's "treasures" (the Horcruxes) are hidden is where Harry, Ron, and Hermione will find the Dark Lord's "heart"– that is, the fragments of his torn and mutilated soul. They will be the thieves that break into Gringotts to steal the cup Horcrux in order to destroy it in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two.
The tombstone with the quotation from Matthew 6:21 is discussed briefly in the video game based on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One. (Harry remarks that he did not know that Dumbledore had a sister.) You can see a video of this part of the game in the blog post that I made yesterday: http://phoenixweasley.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/deathly-hallows-part-one-video-game-walk-through/ The Biblical quotation from Matthew 6:21 is not visible in the game walk-through however.
In the video game, Harry reads aloud the words inscribed on his parents' grave marker–the second Biblical quotation Rowling included in the novel.
The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
This is a quotation from 1 Corinthians 15:26. The quote can be seen on the Potters' tomb in the theatrical version of the film but it is not discussed by Harry and Hermione as it was in the novel.
These photos of the Godric's Hollow churchyard are from the Panini sticker book.
This is Rowling's description of that scene which was omitted from the film:
Harry read the words slowly, as though he would have only one chance to take in their meaning, and he read the last of them aloud. " 'The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death'…" A horrible thought came to him, and with it, a kind of panic. "Isn't that a Death Eater idea? Why is that there?"
"It doesn't meaning defeating death in the way the Death Eaters mean it, Harry," said Hermione, her voice gentle. "It means…you know…living beyond death. Living after death." (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows page 328)
The theme of death and of life after death was one of the most important themes in the Harry Potter series. The omission of these lines from the film was a huge thematic flaw in my opinion.
Christian Symbolism in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One: What They Got Right
The theatrical cut of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One did have a certain amount of obvious Christian imagery, which was very well done. Early in the film, when Hermione has erased her parents' memories of her and leaves home, she walks down the street in the direction of a building which may be a church. (This is a scene that was not in the novel.)
When Harry and Hermione arrive in Godric's Hollow, the sound of a church bell tolling can be heard as they walk down the street. When they arrive outside the graveyard we do hear the sound of singing inside of the little village church. The congregation is celebrating Christmas Eve. When Harry looks through the iron fence at the church graveyard and asks Hermione if she thinks his parents are in there, she assures him with confidence that they are. Once inside the churchyard there many are cross-shaped gravemarkers that are visible. There is no mistaking it: James and Lily Potter are buried in hallowed ground.
Then there's the Sword of Godric Gryffindor:
The scene is as I described it in The Lord of the Hallows: Christian Symbolism and Themes in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter.
It is on the day after Christmas that Harry and his friends begin to make real progress in accomplishing their mission to defeat Voldemort. Just as King Arthur's knights followed the white stag through the forest to find the Grail Chapel, Harry followed the silver doe to a frozen forest pool where he saw a shape like "a great silver cross" (DH 367). It was the Sword of Gryffindor hidden beneath the ice. The sword is one of the most fundamental Christian symbols:
The Cross is God's sword, held at the hilt by the hand of Heaven and plunged into the world not to take our blood, but to give us His. (Kreeft 224)
Harry, while wearing the locket, tried to retrieve the sword, but the Horcrux around his neck began to choke him. It was when Harry began to drown that Ron returned to save his life. Proving himself to be a true Gryffindor, Ron pulled the sword from the water and severed the locket's hold on Harry. Voldemort, like Satan the Father of Lies, made a desperate effort to claim Ron as his own, and Ron, like the weasel who strikes against the venomous serpent, was able to strike the first fatal blow against Voldemort by destroying the locket Horcrux with Gryffindor's sword.
This quote was from page 81 of The Lord of the Hallows. The quote within the passage above which describes the Cross as God's Sword is from Peter Kreeft's wonderful book Catholic Christianity. J. K. Rowling herself described the Sword of Godric Gryffindor as being shaped like "a great silver cross" in the novel on page 367, (emphasis mine).
I gave chapter 8 of The Lord of the Hallows the title "Belief in God in the World of Harry Potter." Here's an excerpt:
"How in the name of heaven did Harry survive?" asked Professor McGonagall at the beginning of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. (SS 12) This is the first of many examples of how the language of Christianity is used throughout the series. In book one there is a reference to the concept of sin in the warning given to those who would steal from the Gringotts goblins: "Enter stranger, but take heed of what awaits the sin of greed." (SS 72) Harry, Ron, and Hermione even manage to escape from a deadly plant called the Devil's Snare. (SS 277-278) In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Mr. Weasley asks, "Good lord, is it Harry Potter?" (CS 39) Draco refers to Harry as "Saint Potter, the Mudbloods' friend." (CS 223) Dumbledore even leads the Hogwarts students and faculty in "a few of his favorite carols" at Christmastime. (CS 212) In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban the manager of Flourish and Blotts says "thank heavens" (PA 53), Draco Malfoy says "God" (PA 113), Hagrid utters "Gawd knows." (PA 274), and Remus Lupin says "My God." (PA 363) Lupin also helps Harry learn the difference between losing one's life and losing one's soul. (PA 247) In these numerous references and in many others, there is evidence of a belief in the Christian God in the world of Harry Potter. (The Lord of the Hallows pages 69-70)
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Rowling's use of Christian references and images becomes more obvious than in the previous novels. Good wizard characters say "thank God" (Harry on page 74, Molly on page 78, Ron on page 142), and there are jokes about a wizard being "saint-like" or "holy" (George on page 74). That George Weasley would call himself "holy" ("hole-y") refers to his missing ear, which was cursed off during a battle with the Death Eaters. St. George was a Christian saint, who, according to pious legends, was a dragon slayer, taking up arms against Satan, who appeared to him in the form of a mighty serpent. (The Lord of the Hallows pages 72-73)
George's "holy" joke is in the film, in a particularly well-acted scene between the Weasley Twins. I also noticed two exclamations of "Oh my God!" in the movie. The first was uttered by Ron Weasley when he is in disguise as Reg Cattermole at the Ministry of Magic. The second exclamation was made by Hermione Granger in the tent when she makes the realization that the Sword of Godric Gryffindor can destroy Horcruxes. The Deathly Hallow known as the Resurrection Stone is also mentioned by Xenophilius Lovegood after Hermione reads aloud "The Tale of the Three Brothers." I loved the animation which accompanied her narration, particularly the appearance of the Angel of Death who ascends to Heaven with the third brother at the tale's conclusion. We have seen the Angel of Death in a Harry Potter film prior to this one, in the graveyard scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Yes, there are action figures. Is this the "Harry Potter and the Angel of Death" playset?
I am eagerly looking forward to the Christian themes and imagery that inevitably will be present in the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two. If you are interested in the topic of Christian symbolism, imagery, and themes in the Harry Potter series, please consider reading my book, The Lord of the Hallows, which is available from www.outskirtspress.com/thelordofthehallows.
Comments are welcome!
November 25, 2010
Deathly Hallows Part One Video Game Walk-Through
This is so cool! The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One video game has Ron/Hermione moments in it. And yes, Rupert Grint did provide the voice for the Ron Weasley video game character.
Here's the video game version of Malfoy Manor.
The video game's version of the Godric's Hollow Churchyard has many cross-shaped tombstones and the quote from 1 Corinthians 15:26, "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." Kendra and Ariana Dumbledore's tomb is also shown briefly.
Critical Acclaim for Rupert Grint and Emma Watson in DH1 and a Summary of the Film's Best R/Hr Moments
I have found three more movie reviews with some very nice things to say about Rupert Grint's portrayal of Ron Weasley and Emma Watson's portrayal of Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One. Here's the first one.
http://www.killermoviereviews.com/main.php?nextlink=display&dId=1339&subLinks=
"Grint, again, is the best touchstone in all of this. Without Harry's resolve, or Hermione's brilliance, he is the heart of the operation, though a heart that is all too tender. During an impromptu piano duet between Ron and Hermione, Grint zeroes in on the overwhelming rush of joy at being so near the object of his affection with the authenticity of a 17-year-old with no clue about what to do next. The air of absolute indifference broken with a quick, shy glance at Watson that speaks volumes about the enormous, scary passion that only a boy of that age can feel. Watson is flinty, tough, but showing a vulnerability that makes her prickly personality endearing rather than off-putting."
The scene at the piano, of course, has become a fan favorite of the Ron/Hermione shippers, myself included.
Another reviewer had this to say about Rupert's performance:
"…and somehow Rupert Grint started being amazing. He gets right to the darkness and self-doubt at the center of Ron without hamming it up. I never thought that Grint would be the guy who gave the best performance in a Potter film, but he's just remarkable in this one."– from Devin Faraci's review.
Here's the third review with praise for Rupert and Emma that I found today.
http://www.jconline.com/article/20101119/ENT05/11190308
"While Daniel Radcliffe as Harry gives his usual earnest performance, Emma Watson as Hermione and especially Rupert Grint as Ron stand out. Grint is no longer along for comic relief. He gets to vent the rage and frustration that probably has been forming inside him since he and Harry became friends. Watson shines at the outset when she makes a very large and personal sacrifice."
There were so many great moments between Ron and Hermione in this film, it's really hard to choose a favorite. A listing of R/Hr moments in this movie must include these scenes:
1. The 7 Harry Potters Hug and Ron's line, "Always the tone of surprise."
2. Ron staring at Hermione at the wedding.
3. Ron and Hermione running towards each other during the Death Eater attack.
4. Hermione's line in the London alley: "Always the tone of surprise."
5. The scene in the diner in which Ron leans over to touch Hermione's face and he tells her that she's the best at spells.
6. Harry wonders if Ron and Hermione fell asleep holding hands.
7. The piano scene.
8. Ron gets splinched.
9. Ron's departure.
10. Ron's return.
11. Ron trying to get back on Hermione's good side.
Why wasn't this line in the film? I'm hoping it will be used in DH2.
12. Bickering at the Lovegoods' house.
"Twilight is good too." Just agree with everything she says, Ron.
13. Malfoy Manor!
14. More Malfoy Manor.
15. Have I mentioned Malfoy Manor?
15. Ron comforts Hermione at the beach.
16. Dobby's Funeral at sunset. This is the most beautiful shot of them, up to this point. (Does anyone have a photo of this? I haven't found one yet.)
After thinking about all of these great scenes, I'd say that my absolute favorite Ron/Hermione moment in the film was this one:
Ron: I wanted to come back as soon as I apparated. Then I heard a voice…
Hermione: What voice?
Ron: Yours. It was on Christmas Day and it was just that one word: "Ron." Like a whisper. I clicked my deluminator and the light went straight through me. And landed right in here. (He points at his chest.) I knew where I needed to go.
Rupert's acting was outstanding in this scene, and it was highlighted by the accompaniment of Desplat's haunting score. Hermione's facial expression and rapid breathing during Ron's speech betrayed her true feelings for him. She was trying very hard to stay angry at him, but her reaction to his words revealed that his words did indeed touch her heart. The first time I saw Deathly Hallows Part One, I cried only twice during the film–during this scene and at Dobby's death.
If you thought of any Ron/Hermione scenes that I've forgotten, please list them in the comments. I really love the great responses that so many of you have been posting on this blog.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Film Compared to The Lord of the Rings
Earlier today I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One for the second time. I was just thinking about how much Kreacher and Dobby remind me of Gollum/Smeagol in The Lord of the Rings when I read this review:
http://www.dvdtown.com/review/harry-potter-and-the-deathly-hallows-part-1/theatrical/8629
Apparently this reviewer sees the same thing that I do. I was upset that the theatrical version of Deathly Hallows Part One did not include the story of Kreacher and Regulus in the cave of the inferi, which would have made a great flashback sequence. I was also disappointed that Harry did not give Kreacher Master Regulus's locket as he did in the novel. Harry's kindness to the pathetic little elf is what led to his reform and the eventual transformation of his character. It reminded me of how Frodo brought out Gollum's "Smeagol" personality in The Lord of the Rings simply by showing him kindness and mercy.
The important elements of the novel's plot that were missing from the film bothered this next reviewer. The fact that the mirror fragment is never explained in this or any of the other Harry Potter films really bothered us both. The films never explained that Harry now owns Number 12 Grimmauld Place and that Kreacher is his servant.
http://www.mania.com/harry-potter-movie-review_article_126552.html
This reviewer compares Rowling's Horcruxes to Tolkien's Ring! (I presented a paper on that particular topic at Mythcon 41 in Dallas, TX this past summer.)
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2010/nov/19/review-harry-potter-and-deathly-hallows-part-one/
Here's a quote from the review.
"The trio of friends flee to the remotest locations they can find. They are also trying to figure out how to destroy the "Horcruxes" (I needed to have this explained to me; they are enchanted objects containing fragments of Voldemort's soul or something like that). To a non-Potter aficionado, the Horcrux (can they be singular?) that Harry ends up with seems to function a bit like the Ring in "Lord of the Rings" – it casts a somber cloud over those who possess it and makes them behave in ways unlike themselves. At one point it even tries to create a rift among the friends by planting seeds of doubt and suspicion."
Here's another positive review of the new Harry Potter film, which describes it as "Tolkienesque." I think that is a good way to describe it.
http://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/nov/18/film-review-harry-potter-is-insular-menacing/
If you want to read an in-depth comparison of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, you might want to read this book: www.outskirtspress.com/thelordofthehallows. It would make a great Christmas gift for that Harry Potter fan that you know who has everything. Hint-hint.
November 24, 2010
Emma Watson Reveals DH2 Spoiler
In this interview Emma Watson reveals a Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 spoiler which involves Ron and Hermione in a chase scene with Nagini.
Don't give too much away, Emma!
