Since we don’t have previous source material to look back on the experience of watching this film is more suspenseful. While we’re familiar with wizards and magic, Fantastic Beasts is completely new. Learning about the way American’s view magic and no-majs (muggles for us used to British terms) is an adventure.  Fans will get to discover a whole new world with it’s own dangers. Wizards are on the brink of being discovered by muggles and the community is on high alert. Newt’s appearance, along with the escape of his creatures, couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The cast is rounded out by Carmen Ejogo as President of MACUSA Seraphina Picquery, Colin Farell as auror Percival Graves, Samantha Morton as the Second Salemer’s head Mary Lou Barebone and Ezra Miller who masterfully portrays her oppressed adoptive son Credence. There are also wonderful performances by Ron Perlman as Gnarlack and Faith Wood-Blagrove as Modesty. We can’t forget two of our favorite creatures – Pickett the bowtruckle and Newt’s niffler – who are sure to be fan favorites. We have a few other favorites but will leave their reveals for the film. One moment in particular made this reviewer, who is normally silent while at the theater, laugh out loud.

The fact that Fantastic Beasts is completely new material and not adapted from a book is what makes it such a  great experience. We were able to fully immerse ourselves in the world without any prior biases from imagining the characters in our own minds. It really allows fans to appreciate the characters and story that much more.

In short – we laughed and we cried, we cried laughing, we gasped, and we have a renewed love of the wizarding world. If you see one film this holiday season, make it Fantastic Beasts!

Don’t forget to get your tickets to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them ahead of it’s release on November 18th!

On December 9, 2016, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood will open a reimagined exhibit offering an up-close look at authentic props and costumes from Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and the beloved Harry Potter films. Highlights of the Fantastic Beasts experience include costumes worn by Eddie Redmayne (Newt Scamander), Katherine Waterston (Tina Goldstein), Alison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein), Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski) and Colin Farrell (Percival Graves), as well as Newt’s case of creatures. Tour guests will now be able to explore how J.K. Rowling’s Wizarding World has been brought to life on the silver screen over the past 15 years.

“We are excited to let the world peer behind the lens to see how filmmakers develop the entertainment we love,” said Danny Kahn, Executive Director, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. “This expansion will transport guests from Harry Potter’s Hogwarts adventures back to 1926 New York, where Newt Scamander’s misplaced magical case has found its home.”

The expansion will take guests on a journey from concept art to final designs used on set. Tour guests will be able to see the detailed costumes of Lord Voldemort, from a young Tom Riddle to his rise as the Dark Lord. Guests will also have the opportunity to be sorted into one of the four Hogwarts houses by the magical Sorting Hat. This interactive experience will take place in front of a life like image of the Great Hall which will include costumes of iconic Hogwarts professors. As a finale to the exhibit, guests will be able to explore the newest film from the Wizarding World, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

This past Saturday we were in attendance at a special screening of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. J.K. Rowling and Eddie Redmayne spoke at the screening to support her charity, Lumos. They shed a light on the very important issue of children being institutionalized at orphanages. Their message of the evening was that if you want to help children donate to community based organizations rather than orphanages.

The special advance screening, of the new Warner Bros. feature film, with box office ticket sales and proceeds from an online sweepstakes going directly to support Lumos’ work, is part of We Are Lumos Worldwide, a global campaign to raise awareness and urge people to get involved with the non-profit organization’s work to bring the 8 million hidden children in orphanages around the world to light, and get them home to families.

Lumos have sent over a short clip from their conversation.

Update: The full video is now available:

Sitting across from each other on the stage of perhaps the most celebrated concert hall in America, before an enthralled sold-out audience, the acclaimed writer and actor talked at length about the work of Lumos in helping children around the world to leave orphanages and institutions and return them to their families.

“We know that children who are raised in institutions suffer developmental delays, that they tend to be physically stunted, they normally have psychological trauma – it is just not what nature intended for children to be herded together and not given individual love and care,” said J.K. Rowling. “This is an entirely solvable issue. Lumos’ ambition – and we believe it’s achievable – is that by 2050, we will have ended institutionalization globally.”

She concluded: “The last thing I would say, particularly to young people in the audience today – I would reiterate that we need to change minds… do a little bit of research, and make sure you are supporting families to stay together.”

The two artists went on to talk about the new film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and were joined on stage by director David Yates and cast members Ezra Miller, Dan Fogler, Katherine Waterston and Alison Sudol, before introducing the film to the nearly 3,000 guests at Carnegie Hall.

The first photos of Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger as Strike and Robin in BBC and HBO’s The Strike Series have been released!

Disney has released the first full length trailer for Emma Watson’s upcoming Beauty and the Beast. If you’re  a fan of the Disney original, the trailer is sure to give you goosebumps with the first notes of music. You may even shed a couple of tears at the beauty of the film. Watch below and make sure to mark March 17 2017 on your calendar!

Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar® winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Calling all Harry Potter fans aboard the Hogwarts Express! In anticipation of the upcoming film, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Lionel is giving fans the chance to take home some magic with Lionel’s Harry Potter Hogwarts Express™ G-Gauge Passenger Set (chocolate frogs not included)!

This easy-to-use set features:

• G-Gauge steam locomotive and tender
• Gondola with 3 Hot Chocolate Mix Canisters
• Center Cupola Caboose
• A variety of easy-to-assemble track pieces
• RC remote control

The set is available for a SRP of $149.99 at select Lionel Trains dealers nationwide.