Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Watch-Along

What great movie about innocent people being persecuted, ending in a teacher leaving their position because of parents drumming up controversy over something the teacher has no control over! I wonder if there are any metaphors to the real world we could draw here? Perhaps the author could shine a light on it, if she's not too busy drumming up controversy to have innocent people persecuted?

OH EMM GEEEH!

Eralia!!! You must play Hogwarts Legacy when you are finished with the movies! I think you'd have a great time ☺️ Happy Holidays!

Something thats never properly explained in the movies is that Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are the nicknames for the four friends Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black, and James Potter, who created the Marauder's Map. Each nickname corresponds to their animal form: Moony is Remus Lupin (a werewolf), Wormtail is Peter Pettigrew (a rat), Padfoot is Sirius Black (a dog), and Prongs is James Potter (a stag). They became Animagi to keep Lupin company during his monthly werewolf transformations. And the Whomping Willow tree was planted to guard the secret tunnel entrance out to the shack (theres a button on the tree that Wormtail in his rat form could sneak up to and turn it off). The locals call it the "Shrieking Shack" because they swore they could hear noises from it and it was haunted, which turned out to just be Lupin hiding out and transforming once a month. Learning to turn into an animal is regulated by the government. You need to essentially register it with them if you are going to learn how, since even in the wizarding world thats a pretty powerful ability, that could be used to invade privacy or allow someone to generally be up to no good. Its illegal completely for someone underage to do at all. But, the three boys learned anyway in order to protect Lupin, and almost no one ever knew. Thats how Sirius was able to escape Azkaban. He bided his time until he saw Ron's rat in the newspaper and finally transformed into his dog form in order to escape. Also, the Patronus charm, when mastered and 100% successfully casted, conjurs an animal form thats unique to the person. James and Lilly Potter's Patronus' were a stag and doe (in a beautiful sign of their love for each other, the magic in them essentially assigned them matching animals) hence why Harry thought that was his dads spell. But, turns out Harry also has a stag for a Patronus!

Hey, I'm new here! Loved watching these again and seeing you experience them! They are such special movies with the way you grow with the characters. One thing I noticed, I believe there are extra scenes/extended editions for most of the HP movies on Peacock, whereas HBO or others don't all have them. Highly recommend the Hogwarts Legacy game too if you like this world. It's actually what got me deep into the lore. Previously I had just appreciated the films, but the game is such a deeper dive into the lore that it made me pick up the books/audiobooks, and gave me an even better appreciation for the films. There's also the Fantastic Beast prequels, 3 movies in the Wizarding World, they are good, but sadly doesn't seem the last 2 movies in the set will be made, still worth seeing though. There's also the 20th anniversary special with all the cast.

I binged all three movies with you the past day! Already can't wait for the next one!

One thing they never cover in the movies. Remus explains: Moony: Remus Loopin - warewolf Wormtail: Peter Pettigrew - rat anamegus Padfoot: Sirius Black - dog anamegus Prongs: James Potter - stag (male deer) anamegus. The of them form the marauders, the nickname for their little gang. The movie kind of assumes you now this, because their way of showing Harry knew it was his did was having the glowing stag. Patronus at their most powerful can take animal form, eachperson has aspecific animal, Harry's is/was a stag, presumably because of his dad, and that's why he confused it for him. I don't think they use most of those nicknames again, though theres one or two references in later movies whereif you didn't know that it would be confusing. (A least I wason my first watch as akid) Also, the feather was from buckbeak, it was Hermione telling Harry the broom was from Sirius.

Another fantastic reaction! I really love being able to relive these movies through you, as if I was watching them for the first time again. This is definitely the movie where the tone and colouration really starts to change. The movies really start to get darker and darker from here on out, not only in story, but in literal colour themes. The books were so well written to age with their readers. The first two books were targeting pre-teens/early teens, and as those people aged and got older the books got darker and more adult. Fun fact: You'll notice we've had 3 defense against the dark arts teachers, in 3 movies. It's not explained at all in the movies, but in the books it's mentioned that there's speculation that the position is cursed. Tom Riddle applied for the role after finishing at Hogwarts (before he fully became Voldemort) but was turned down. It's alleged that he cursed the role so that no one would be able to keep the role he wanted for more than a year.

Alright, finally finished it. To compound on some of what's already been said, this is when these films actually start getting good. A decent way to frame it is this: I never go back and watch the first two films just for funsies, but the rest are fair game. That being said, if you've never seen this series before (or watching them for the first time in 20 years) the first two are by no means skippable. But going forward, every film is darker and darker and more and more mature and just better and better. That being said, out of all 8, this one might very well be my #1. (not to detract from what's to come by any means) Looking forward to more!

If the connection wasn't already made... Richard Harris, the actor that plays Dumbledore in the first two films, also played Caesar Marcus Aurelius in the film Gladiator (which I know you watched a while back). He passed away shortly after the filming of Chamber of Secrets and Michael Gambon (who I'd recommend watching Layer Cake for) continues the character through the end of the series and does superb.

The best of the bunch

https://youtube.com/shorts/kk5JJnIIKOI?si=qDLOG86zJGywuv9p

Harry got the new broom at the end from his god father. That’s so nice 🥹

Not sure if someone else has said it, you've mentioned a lot about the score. John Williams scored the first 3 films. Same guy who did star wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, Schindlers list... Dude is insanely talented.

I think you might enjoy Hogwarts Legacy. It's set in the 1800s so no spoilers. Lots of lore and exploring the castle is nice.

It's a joy to re-experience these films from a fresh perspective -- and your enthusiasm is charming and incredibly positive. Thank you for that; and happy holidays.

Please watch How to Train Your Dragon, and Now You See Me.

You'll probably hear this a lot of the books go into so much more detail about Lupin and Sirius in this one. Anyway, the movies get progressively darker both literally and furtively.

Excited for this one! I think this is my favorite of all the movies, Remus & Sirius were my two favorite characters in both the movies and the books, and they get such a good introduction here. The scene with Lupin reminiscing with Harry about his parents is just so wholesome, and it's really the first time he gets to hear about his parents from someone who was close to them. I also think that this movie is where the series starts to take a darker turn that the later movies follow.

Sirius Black and Remus Lupin are in my top 5 favourite characters! Sirius storyline is sooo good! I hope you finish watching this magical series! Thank you!

Yeah for me this is one of the best movies, the first two are more lighthearted but from here we got a crazy run until the end! xD

Directors: Chris Columbus (Home Alone, Mrs. Doubtfire) directed the first 2 movies, whereas Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Children of Men) did #3. Rather different visual storytelling styles.

There was an inflection point at about this time, where the books were dominating and deep into their primary storyline & the first two movies were embraced by audiences. So, this movie got an even bigger budget & the wizarding world expands (as it does in the books).

good reactor.

now, the HP movies start to get really good, IMO (from the 3rd movie on).

Omg the timing is perf, I needed a reset and I know, these vibes shall be elite — absolute legend.