The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the newest addition to Universal Studios in Florida, opened on June 18, 2010, with opening day attendance of over 5,000 visitors in lines wrapping around the perimeter of the entire park.

Once inside the iron gates that separate visitors from the jungles of Jurassic Park and the magical world of Harry Potter, a large bridge leading to the snow-dusted roofs of Hogsmeade is the first destination. The shops along Hogsmeade were rather disappointing because most were just facades and wasted space. Zonko’s, the joke shop, merely had rows of the same three variations of toys and nothing that was remotely magical. Likewise, Honeydukes, the candy shop, was nothing special and offered an average assortment of fudge, mints, and lollipops. My family decided against visiting the wand shop, Ollivander’s, due to the massive line.

A large bridge leads visitors to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in all its glory. While waiting in line inside the castle for the Forbidden Journey ride, guests follow Harry Potter and friends through twists and turns with dementors, dragons and spiders. Next, they visit Dumbledore’s office in which

a holographic projection welcomes them and leads into a Dark Arts classroom where Harry, Ron and Hermione stop to say hello and invite everyone to a Quidditch match. It is recommended to take off any hats, sunglasses or shoes that could easily “fly” away.

Another ride, the smaller and milder of the two rollercoasters, the Flight of the Hippogriff, is intended for younger fans featuring Hagrid’s Hut and the character Buckbeak. Stop at a trolley next to the ride and indulge in some delicious featured drinks, pumpkin juice and butterbeer.

With summer temperatures reach-ing 100 degrees, we opted to sit in a restaurant and grab some food. The only option in that section of the park was the Three Broomsticks and after waiting in line over an hour, the overpriced food is nothing to brag about.

Despite the park reflecting the magical world of Harry Potter, there is room for improvement. Visitors should not expect to be stunned.

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Harry Potter lands at Universal Studios

The Villager |December 1, 2010

It is not unusual for an award-winning book or play to be turned into a movie, but it is uncommon for a collection of poems to be made into a film.“For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuff ” is a book of choreopoems by Ntozake Shange. It has now been adapted into a feature film titled “For Colored Girls.” The two and a half hour-long movie, directed by Tyler Perry, is heart-wrenching and uplifting all at once.

“Being alive and being a woman is all I got, but being colored is a meta-physical dilemma I haven’t conquered yet,” says Tangie, a character played by Thandie Newton. Janet Jackson, Kimberly Elise, Phylicia Rashad, Kerry Washington, Anika Noni Rose, Loretta Divine, Tessa Thompson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Macy Gray also appear in the movie. Although the all-star cast has a lot to do with the film’s success, it is more the characters’ lives and monologues taken from the original book by Shange that make the movie.

Take Tessa Thompson, for instance, who plays Nyla, a teenage dancer with high hopes of going to college. Her life takes a drastic turn

when she becomes pregnant. Or Jo, played by Janet Jackson, who finds out her husband is cheating on her with another man.

The responses to criticism of the movie have sparked controversy and discussion. Rotten Tomatoes, a popular movie review site, gave “For Colored Girls” a 33% rating. One user, Christopher Smith of the Bangor Dailey News, writes, “Perry overextends his bounds and delivers a poorly filmed series of worst-case scenarios elevated to tolerable heights by a fantastic cast.” Even African-American men have spoke out against the movie, saying it’s “male-bashing.”

However, critics may be missing the main point of the movie. It is not intended to be bitter and insulting. Nor is its purposse to raise sympathy for African-American women who are physically abused.

Its purpose is to bring truth to reality. It is to show how strong African-American women can be inside and outside of the home, regardless of past circumstances. To show that African-American women have the power and courage to make it through the hardships, look back and laugh. As Loretta Divine’s character Juanita would say, “Somebody almost run off wit alla my stuff; the anonymous ripped off treasure of the year.”

by Oyinade KoyiVillager staff writer

by Jaclyn KellyVillager staff writer

Feeling like a Scrooge? Need to get rid of your “bah, humbug” attitude before the holiday season? Why not head on down to Ford’s Theatre’s pre-sentation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” to muster up some holiday cheer? Ford’s is located at 511 Tenth St., NW, Wash-ington, D.C. Although it will be somewhat of a trek, this show will be well worth it. “The Washington Post hailed [it] as ‘musically high-spirited’ and ‘infectiously jolly,’ ” according Ford’s website. Performances began on Nov. 20, but will continue daily until Jan. 2, 2011. Lasting two hours, including intermission, the show is appropriate for ages 5 and older. The audi-ence will be enchanted with the whimsy and magic of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge’s one-night journey with the ghosts of Christmas’ Past, Present and Future to rediscover the joy and spirit of the holiday. Played by “acclaimed Washington stage actor, Edward Gero,” according the theater’s website, Scrooge’s perfor-mance adds to the character of the show. Due to the limited time for performances, shows are quickly selling out. The theatre’s website states that the best availability is for Dec. 20-22, and per-formances after Dec. 26. For other show times and information about special additional events, visit www.fordstheatre.org/event. To order tickets, call Ticketmaster at (202) 397-7328.

REVIEWS

Experience Robert Zemeckis’ Oscar nominated “The Polar Express” in four dimensions! Only at the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s 4-D Immersion Theater will audiences be brought into the magical journey to Santa Claus’ North Pole. Combining the visual wonder of 3-D with other sensory stimulators such as mist, snow, blasts of air, seat vibrations and “leg ticklers,” according to the Aquarium’s website, gives the audience the feeling they are in the film based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 1985 book, “The Polar Express.” In this animated masterpiece, travel along with a doubting young boy and his newly found pajama-clad friends on the enchanted train to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. During his “journey of self-discovery,” the boy is shown that the “wonder of life never fades for those who believe,” according to Lael Kazikiewicz of IMDB. Due to the 4-D experience, audience members will be subject to “theatrical light-ing, including strobe lights,” according to the Aquarium’s website. It is advised that those with easily startled children or medical conditions use discretion when considering attending. The National Aquarium in Baltimore is located at 501 East Pratt St. Showings at the aquarium’s theater will continue through the holiday season. For more information on show times and ticket pricing, visit www.aqua.org or call Ticketmaster at (410) 547-7328.

Season’s greetings: Holiday festivities welcome astonishing and amazing performances Yee-haw! Get

along lil’ doggies -- down to the Can-cun Cantina’s free country dance lessons for couples! Every Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30-9 p.m., for a night of good food, fun and time with friends!

Cancun Cantina is located at 7501 Old Telegraph Road in Hanover, and is open Tuesdays and Thursdays 3 p.m. to midnight; Wednesday’s and Friday’s 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday’s 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday’s 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Country-dance lessons are taught by Sandy Garrish on Tuesday evenings, Ms. Dottie on Wednesday evenings and Roz and Nat on Thursday evenings, according the club’s official website. Those who have made a visit to Stevenson’s Registar’s Office may recognize Roz Morgan as their instructor! All lessons are taught at beginner level, so newbies won’t be intimidated! Along with dance lessons, the club also offers “seven bars, a restaurant, pool tables, sand and palm trees, state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, two stages and large dance floors all under one roof ! . . . Some of the best country, rock and top 40 bands in the region perform on [their] stages every weekend,” all according to the club’s website. All attendees must be 21 or over to enter. Wednesday nights are Ladies’ Nights. For more information, visit www.cancuncantina.com or call (410) 761-6188.

by Allison WinerVillager staff writer

“For Colored Girls” turns truth into reality

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