Fantastic Films and Where to Find Them - II

Petrificus Totalus!

Oh no! Don't get us wrong! We are just trying to brush up on our verbal spells. Why? you may wonder. Well, that's because we are back with the second and the last part of our series: Fantastic Films and Where to Find Them and it's only fair if we can at least bend a spoon by the mere utterance of certain vowels and consonants. So, hold tight as we take you on a ride through an evocative world brimming with beams of exultation and laughter kindled with the screams of heartbreaks and sorrow and of course mystical tales, and other-worldly creatures.

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The Hobbit

Tolkien is the most well-known fantasy author there has ever been. His books have outlined the fantasy genre and galvanized ample folktales over the globe, and the movies are quite the same. The movies bring to light the fantastical world and the beautiful setting of middle earth. While it has been criticised for spanning for too long, we believe that it serves a very significant purpose. The Hobbit movies explore the Middle Earth and are very honest to Tolkien’s original work. The movie beautifully portrays the awkward Hobbit on a fantastical adventure he has no business being on. His lack of experience and comfort in this situation is beautifully portrayed, along with the amazing characters who are crucial to this experience. The movie highlights the beauty of an adventure, and of a journey where a simple man finds himself in some circumstances that are far removed from his regular reality. This is a story of him discovering himself, his potential, and his abilities in the face of situations truly adverse. It’s also a story that focuses upon camaraderie and holding yourself and your opinions strongly when you know you are in the right, even in the face of those you love. The fact is that The Hobbit could be an astoundingly elegant, fantastically told story. You are instantly infatuated with the characters and Tolkien’s manner of telling the story simply puts a smile on your face. The movie is not too heavy and therefore it's ideal for kids or adults who simply need a sensible quaint story.

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

As an extension of the Harry Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them is a beautiful addition to the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Pulling away from the very Hogwarts-centric storytelling we are thrust into the past. Events only referenced in the harry potter books are brought to light through this series, and we learn much more about the wizarding world and the various communities that have come around away from England, as we travel to the city that never sleeps, and its fascinating magical culture. We also come to know more of the magic that exists in this world, as we see magical creatures of all sorts. The film has many ideas, ecocentrism being one of them. Newt Scamander is someone who strongly believes in the protection and care of these magical creatures. This is a heightened contrast to the conservationist approach which is needed for the preservation of our biodiversity. Another important parallel is drawn between the magic-centric school of thought in fiction and the androcentric beliefs held by many in our world. The idea that humans are more deserving and have some inherent right to control, twist, and destroy nature because they believe themselves to be objectively superior was an idea brought into popularity in the late 19th and late 20th century, which also happens to be the years within which the movie is set. With beautiful visuals and an incredibly well-constructed world, this movie enraptures you just the way the very first Harry Potter books did. Watching this movie has been like reliving those young days of reading Harry Potter well past our bedtime and believing in magic.

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If you watch and enjoy these movies then let us know your reviews in the comments down below!!