Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald

I loved this movie! I know there have been some sketchy reviews, and I think I know why, but this movie was brilliant.

The panel of judges in my group include:

•Myself, an avid reader and lover of all things HP, Gryffindor through and through

•My husband, has seen all the movies and is happy to discuss, devious Slytherin

•My brother, also has read the books and seen the movies, proud Gryffindor

•My son, 11, who loves the Fantastic Beast world more than the original movies, a sweet Hufflepuff

•My daughter, 8, likes the movies ok, and is a proud Slytherin

Spoiler Free: The movie begins with Grindlewald breaking free during transport to London. We see Thestrals, a Chupacabra, and a light show of wand attacks.

We learn very early in the movie that Creedence survived his assault in New York, and the Ministry wants Newt to help track and capture him. Newt’s brother shows up, and I can’t help but question how he’s related to the oh-so-sweet Newt!

Jacob and Queenie show up in London, Jacob acting strangely, even for him. The reason why is a bit odd, and extreme, but it plays in to a choice made at the end of the movie.

********* SPOILERS*********

Queenie had an enchantment on Jacob so he would marry her. Why would he need an enchantment when he’s so gone over her? He won’t marry her because she could be locked up for marrying a No-Mag and he won’t let that happen.

When Queenie leaves abruptly, they follow her to France, to Tina. Grindlewald is also in France, seeking Creedence. There are several other players involved, so pay close attention!

*********END SPOILERS*********

I felt Jude Law did a brilliant job playing a young Albus Dumbledoor. The right mix of silly, and insightful, you can completely believe he grows in to a batty but powerful wizard. The LGBT community should be happy too, as there is a scene that makes his sexuality more apparent. Don’t worry though, completely family friendly, and probably to subtle for kids to get. Mine didn’t.

Dumbledore family history is brought up, alongside the Lestrange family tree. I feel there will be many more answers in the last movie, as I still have questions.

Phoenixes, nifflers, kelpies, zouwu, and many more, there are also enough creatures in this movie to make everyone happy. The only thing I’m upset about now is that the chupacabra got a Pop! figure and the zouwu didn’t! Its adorable and I want one!

I hope you love this movie as much as I did. I love Eddie Redmayns in his roll as Newt Scamander and am looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy!

Bohemian Rhapsody

I went in to this movie knowing nothing about Queen, other than the most popular songs. I couldn’t have even told you the name Freddy Mercury!

My husband is a big fan of classic music, I love Rami Malek, so it was a perfect date night choice. It felt even more perfect as we watched the movie!

The movie starts with how Freddy met his band mates, met the “love of his life”. It bounces quickly to their success and how Freddy Mercury is apparently out of his mind, but you love every minute of it.

As with any of these movies, you know the bad has to come, and it does. I learned things about Freddy and the band that I had no idea about. Even my husband, who knows a lot of music trivia was surprised by some of it. The movie pulls through! For those of you that know what happened to Freddy, you still leave the theater feeling happy and mostly optimistic.

I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone that has ever happily stomped along with “we will, we will, rock you” or screamed the lyrics to “we are the champions”. You will absolutely enjoy it!