Every week, one of ANDPOP’s amazing team of writers will help fill our bookshelf as they tell us all about their favourite books. This week, Nadya Domingo tells us why Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling is one of her favourites.
My life will never be the same after reading J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Closing that book was like closing the final chapter of my own childhood. Now excuse me whilst I go sob uncontrollably in front of my Ron Weasley shrine.
Deathly Hallows is the long-anticipated final installment in the Harry Potter series. The book follows Harry in his final journey as he attempts to do some soul searching. Literally. The boy who lived is at last travelling across the vast expanse of the wizarding world to find seven pieces of Lord Voldemort’s soul. Apparently, someone (I’m looking at you, Dumbledore) forgot to tell Harry in the first five books that his arch-nemesis is literally an unstoppable, un-killable freak of nature who has split himself into seven pieces. It’s up to Harry and his (swoon-worthy) pals to end Voldy’s life and bring peace to the wizarding world at last. No pressure or anything.
Spoiler alert: not everybody dies in the book — just a few of the characters you have grown inhumanely attached to with every fiber of your being. Yeah, the book goes to that level of emotional ruin.
Usually, animal lip-dub videos can either be brilliant or an absolute fail. It depends on if the narrator can embody the particular animal that they are portraying. In the video “Cats playing patty-cake,” the creators seem to do an awesome job at embodying a quarrel between two cats. The felines begin a civil game of patty cake, which quickly turns sour when one cat randomly drops his paws. Chaos ensues.
10. Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone
If Harry Potter doesn’t make you happy, then I have no words for you. Seeing the heartwarming face of Hagrid, or witnessing the blossoming friendship of the Trio is enough to cure a hangover. The nostalgia of your Potter childhood is enough to give you butterflies — and not the kind that will only worsen the feelings in your stomach. Just take note to not follow up this movie with The Chamber of Secrets. You know, that scene when Ron throws up the slugs…
9. Drop Dead Gorgeous
You might not know of this film, but you will at some point in your lifetime. Drop Dead Gorgeous is both horrifying and hilarious at the same time. I suggest this as a hangover cure because it’s kind of like the gem on pageant mockery. Seeing the way these girls battle it out for the top title of pageant glory will take your mind off of your own sad state. If you don’t get around to watching the film, just sit back and be mesmerized by this gif from the movie:
8. Toy Story
Toy Story is a film that lives in the hearts of everyone who is legally old enough to drink. Watching this movie whilst hungover will make you forget all of your worries and remember that you have a friend in Woody and Buzz. It might also inspire you to dig up some old childhood toys and cuddle your nausea away. That, or you can slowly fall asleep during the movie and slumber away to a happy place.
7. Lost in Translation
Lost In Translation earned director Sofia Coppola a lot of attention for her notorious dreamy visuals and uncanny writing. Some of the scenes of Bill Murray are hilarious, but with an undertone of sadness. Amongst basically every Sofia Coppola film, Lost In Translation is good for a hangover because it has beautiful, sleepy music with lovely visuals that will sooth your mind and ease you into a deep sleep.
6. Pretty in Pink
Pretty in Pink is the kind of movie where you really, truly want to cheer for the main character to find happiness. Following Andy (and her adorable sidekick, Duckie) will give you some purpose and motivation during an otherwise hopeless time. It’ll also motivate you to get off the couch and completely DIY your entire wardrobe to look like Andy’s and/or Duckie’s.
5. Mean Girls
The question is, when ISN’T it ever a good time to watch Mean Girls? Of course, you know every line, every expression, and every comedic pause that occurs in this cinematic gem. So instead of being a bump on a bump lying on your couch, you’ll at least be reciting the classic lines in Mean Girls. You’ll also have Janice Ian to discourage you from any future hangovers.
4. The Social Network
The Social Network is the type of film that will stimulate your brain. Its quick wit and fast-paced lines will hold your concentration (and whatever else in your stomach) for a few hours. It also might discourage you from logging onto Facebook and seeing evidence of last night’s regret.
3. Napoleon Dynamite
Napoleon Dynamite is so mind-numbingly pointless, it will require very little of your hungover attention. On the other hand, it’s also side-splittingly hilarious, so it could possibly single-handedly cure your hangover. Napoleon Dynamite gets up to so many shenanigans just trying to fight off the school bullies. Seeing his many (often weird and random) accomplishments will make you want to say “forget this hangover” and then conquer the world. Heck yes!
2. The Wizard of Oz
This might seem like a completely random way to cure a hangover, but hear me out. The Wizard of Oz is like a treasure trove of happiness because of its magical colours and famous songs. The film will for sure stimulate your fried brain after a long night of partying. The best part is that the film’s heroine, Dorothy, reminds us all that there’s no place like home. This statement will comfort you after a wild New Years Eve.
1. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Lord of the Rings makes the number one spot on this list for endless reasons. Primarily, the length of the film is enough to lull you into a nice sedation. The film is so addicting that you will be practically forced to watch the rest of the LOTR movies, which will keep you occupied for your entire hangover. By the end of it all, you can give your self a nice round of Hobbit-esque applause.
10. Pork…what?!
9. Woman solves Wheel of Fortune with one letter
8. Who Wants to be a Millionaire fail
7. What kind of candy in bed?
6. A really, really enthusiastic Price is Right contestant
5. A million dollars in 8 seconds
4. ALL the number one answers!
3. Merideth Viera did NOT wink
2. Game show host can’t keep his cool
1. Steve Harvey has no words
Serious question: what is it with the Internet and goats?! First, people were obsessed with the strange noises that they make, which then lead to the conclusion that these animals are weird and creepy. Out of the mass of goat-loving hysteria has come yet another compilation of goats. Recently, they’re just up to some foolery in “Goats just wanna have fun,” which in my opinion is actually people laughing at these poor creatures who are in desperate need of help. Cue the video of the goat who can’t seem to put his hind legs down. That poor soul!
I have been scarred for life many times by things I’ve seen on the Internet, but the worst involved a prank video. I can’t even mention what the prank was or what it involved because the outcome was too horrible to mention. Which is why I find it curious that people are literally obsessed with pranking each other. Maybe I’m just a scaredy cat, but can’t the outcomes of pranks be unpredictably dangerous?
failarmy has compiled a compilation of the best pranks that took place this year. Some have true comedic merit, but others are just plain wrong. The “static shock fainting” prank is borderline offensive for its mockery of a serious health issue. Maybe I’m just taking this whole prank thing too seriously for what the Internet has to offer. At least the compilation has a fair balance of offensive and witty. Cue the age-old flatulence pranks.
Imagine if, in the innocence of your childhood, you had an obnoxious pig attached to your back? Does the thought of that bring you some strange form of joy? Thought so. I’ve noticed lately that humans are absolutely obsessed with pigs. They’re unique little creatures that make weird calls in the wild, which I think is a huge part of their appeal. PETSAMI has uploaded this video of a pig literally attaching himself to a child’s back. This makes me think — do pigs love humans as much as we adore them? The two in the video seem like true bffs. I feel as though this video symbolizes the infinite cohort between man and pig, especially from an early age.
Watch the video here:
You haven’t lived life to the fullest until you have discovered Tard, aka Grumpy Cat. Grumpy Cat was possibly the most popular cat on the Internet this year, and I doubt she will be leaving our computer screens anytime soon. Grumpy Cat is mostly known for her deathly gaze, which has unfortunately turned into a bunch of crude memes. Although Tard appears to be really angry all the time, I’m sure on the inside is a warm little soul.
Henri le Chat Noir is a French cat who poses his incredibly deep thoughts on the world. A Youtube sensation, the cat has become a symbol of sad cats to stare out of windows and contemplate the perils of both human and cat life.
3. Colonel Meow
Colonel Meow is pretty much the Justin Bieber of the cat world. Not only does he have an incomparable hairdo, but he has all oft he internet swooning. Maybe not in the same ways as Biebs, but their fan following is admirable.
Firm Folksam caused an uproar with their controversial commercial featuring skydiving cats. The Internet had a mixed reaction to the ad — most thought it was cute and creative while others saw it as cruel to put cats up to such a task. Of course, the cats weren’t actually forced to sky dive. But the idea of it is pretty scary!
This cat knows how to chill out and enjoy the scenery. I don’t like the idea of putting a cat in an awkward position like this. But the fact that he can sit himself up like that is wicked. The internet fell in love with the relaxing kitty for his “devil may care attitude” and strange skills.
A satirical take on the film Seven Psychopaths, the Seven PsychoCATS pose as the actors in a mock-trailer of the film. It’s kind of strange to see cats swearing, which is probably part of their raise to fame. Perhaps these kitties could learn a lesson in innocence from the relaxed kitty.
7. Ninja Cat
It’s pretty obvious what this cat is known for — total mind-blowing powers. The Ninja Cat is famous for its teleporting powers. This would probably scare me so much I would drop my camera if my cat ever did this.
“Oooh, it spins!” is what I imagine this cat was thinking when he saw the magical mechanism that is the toilet. I thought cats were supposed to be afraid of water, especially the menacing kind that gets sucked into a deep, dark abyss (ew). Nope, the cat in this PETSAMI video is clearly fascinated by the ways of the toilet. He perches himself rather curiously on the edge of the bathtub and watches fondly as the toilet performs its single purpose in life: to wash our sorrows away. Oh, if only the cat knew that his latest fascination is really a vessel of expelled things.
Watch the video here:
In response to people of the Internet scurrying to round-up the best of 2012, Conan decided to do the exact opposite. Instead of seeking the most popular videos of the Internet, the host compiled a (rather short) list of videos that didn’t quite make it to viral status. While the videos that Conan selected are funny in that dead-pan/wtf kind of way, it made me think: maybe there are some undiscovered gems out there that just never had a chance to compete in the presence of Gangnam Style and Grumpy Cat.
It’s pretty hard to find really awesome videos that don’t have millions of views. But there are a lot of videos out there that desperately need to make a comeback and prove while they once hit viral video fame before the epic-ness that was 2012.
Here are some (not-so) viral videos of 2012:
Penguin Falls Down Resulting in Best Sound Ever
This video, which was originally posted a year ago, is starting to make its rounds on tumblr again. MrGreesen re-posted this video merely a week ago, and already its making its way back up to the top of the viral video list. I think that people find this video hilarious mostly for the noise that the penguins make. But really, its kind of amazing how viewers seem to ignore the utter sadness that ensues when a fellow penguin has fallen down. Nobody gets left behind.
Abandoned Dog?
Not too long ago, we discovered YouTuber KageNoAku and subsequently ranted about his awesomeness. The views on some of his videos are surprisingly low, which is heartbreaking considering how sweet, funny, and unique he is. I admire KageNoAku for uploading his videos — it takes serious courage to expose the personal chamber that is your bedroom.
Sean Emory has created a magical way of proposing. It’s not exactly straight out of the Harry Potter universe, but it’s pretty close. Almost too close. In fact, I am highly suspicious of this dude’s magical ways of wooing his girlfriend Andrea, who is subsequently his fiance. What he does in the video, called “sean + andrea _ magical proposal,” is pretty impresive and must have taken him months to practice. But the best part of the proposal is that he remains completely calm, even with the presence of his glorious magic.
So my question is: Sean Emory, are you human? Or are you the real-life Ron Weasley (aka the original lady wooer of the magical world)?
I’m sure I wasn’t the only child who sat outside pondering the formation of snow. Those mounds of white, glittering goodness are made of millions of little balls that fall graciously from the sky. But do we ever question how they are formed and where they come from? BytesizeScience‘s “The Chemistry of Snowflakes” perfectly explains how these little angelic gems are formed from the sky. I wish the answer was “magic,” but unfortunately that’s not always the answer to everything.
According to the video, a snowflake at some point forms “cavities.” I’m sure this is in no relation to the kind that us humans get, but it makes you wonder about the beautiful similarities between nature’s wonders and us human beings.
Click here to watch the video:
Sean Ward of The Sean Ward show is always working his magic to combine the comic book world with the real world. The genius behind the Toronto Batman series just gifted the Internet with another one of his super hero gems, but this time with a bit of holiday cheer.
The host surprised a little boy with the real-life Spider Man. Seriously. Kieran, who told his parents he wanted Spider Man for Christmas, got exactly what he wanted this year. And I thought I had high expectations when I wished for the real-life Ronald Weasley to be sitting under our tree. Maybe Sean Ward can make this Christmas wish come true (hint hint).
Watch the video here:
Once upon a time, there was this really beautiful man named Elvis who made his fans LITERALLY swoon when he performed. You might have heard of him. If not, that’s okay, because the modern-day swooners of our time have taken inspiration from Elvis’ “Jail House Rock” for their upcoming music video. Of course, I’m talking about One Direction.
The boy band has been teasing their fans for the past few days with snippets of their latest single “Kiss You.” Based on the footage from the Bring Me to 1D contest, the guys are seen doing strange things on a motorcycle, prancing around in a jail, and dancing on surf boards. This all makes sense.
In the meantime, whilst we wait anxiously for the full video to come out, the guys have blessed us with a convenient lyric video for the song. And I will be conveniently humming this to myself for the rest of my life in a non-apologetic manner.
Listen to “Kiss You” here:
I do wonder how President Obama is going to be spending his Christmas holiday. The thought of him running excitedly to his Christmas tree, no doubt beside his cute puppy Beau, brings legitimate happy tears to my eyes. Thanks to the people of baracksdubs, it is almost certain that the President will be enjoying a whole lineup of Christmas carols like “Deck the Halls.” Maybe not, but the thought of Obama saying “fa lalalala” is enough to bring the holiday joy to everyone.
And now, here is a gif of the President dancing in his potentially amazing holiday spirit.
1. IKEA monkey wrapping paper.
2. President Obama vs. Spiderman!
3. Supposedly, this is Will Farrell at his prom.
The fun never ends for Haylor. Harry Styles has added yet another tattoo to his body, but this one has just a slightly different significance. His belle, Taylor Swift was in the vicinity what the ink graced his ever-muscular frame.
After getting a (slightly random) tattoo of a pirate ship on his arm, tattoo artist Freddy Negrete posted a photo of the tat on Instagram. Something tells me he’s going to get a whole new clientele of One Direction fans asking for “I <3 Zayn” tattoos. That, or pirate ships.
The Internet is obviously going to have lots to say about this, especially in light of Taylor Swift’s recent video release of “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Is it just me, or is it ironic that the singer is seen sitting by her beau’s side as he gets a tattoo? Maybe this is foreshadowing, maybe not. I personally believe that this is just another cute outing between the two. Let’s brace ourselves for the never ending blossoming of Haylor.
When you admit to yourself that pugs are the best dogs ever (how can you deny those beautiful, wrinkled faces?), you’ll realize that the Internet is like pug haven. This week, AnimalPlanetTV has graced us with three baby pugs who get a bath from their mum. But one little guy named Ivan just isn’t having it.
In an attempt to run away from the wrath of his mother’s tongue (cringe), the little pug scurries away into the depths of what appears to be a blanket. The mother pug is not having that kind of sass and spots her spawn misbehaving from a mile away.
Watch the video here:
Star Trek alumni George Takei seems like such a sweet soul. His deep, sultry voice was pretty much made to do something for the greater good of society. I was thinking more along the lines of a CD that you listen to as you slip into a deep slumber. But recording a narrative for the erotic novel 50 Shades of Grey? That’s a different idea.
According to “Fifty Shades of Takei,” the actor was convinced by a friend (and many fans) to read the rather sensual novel out loud. What ensued was of epic proportions. Oh myyyy!
Freaky the Scary Snowman, also referred to as “Frosty’s evil twin,” is really a man dressed up as as angry snowman with a vengeance. It’s also really just a genius prank to instill some unsuspecting fright during the warm, holiday season.
In one of Freaky’s latest adventures, the snowman stands outside of what appears to be a cafe. As people walk on by, they literally scream in terror when the snowman suddenly shifts his billowy body in their direction. But the best reaction, hands down, is from the woman who flips Freaky the bird. That poor, poor snowman.
