“It’s alive! It’s alive!”

That’s right, Reel Talk is alive and back for its third year. And in honor of our third year, we have been upgraded to three contributors! Today, we’ll be introducing new Reel Talk bloggers Ellen Peng and Jessica Mo. Senior Ellen Peng is one of our News editors here on staff while sophomore Jessica Mo is a reporter and beats editor. And then you’re still stuck with me, senior Christine Fernando, managing editor. This year, we will join forces to bring you reviews, ramblings and rants – all things movie-related. We’ll start off by discussing a few would-you-rather questions that we’ve thought up in a three-part series. Here’s part one.

1) Would you rather bring Hedwig or Dobby from “Harry Potter” back to life?

Jessica: Dobby all the way. He was like a child who was somehow innocent and oddly wise at the same time. Yes, Hedwig did spend a longer time with Harry, but Dobby wrenched more emotions from our cold hearts when he died. Plus, there are thousands of owls Harry could use to deliver messages, but only one Dobby.

Ellen: Though Hedwig was the most awesome owl that existed in the Harry Potter universe, that can’t make up for the adorable and loyal house-elf that was Dobby. To be practical, Dobby was a lot more useful, considering his magical ability can beat some wizards (that’s right, Lucius Malfoy). The sacrifices Dobby made to save those around him, particularly in book 7, were so great as to make me teary-eyed.

Christine: Dobby! He was such a cute little elf creature, and he was so dedicated to helping Harry. Also, I feel like he deserves to enjoy his new life and freedom a bit more before he dies. Hedwig was cool, but she’s just an owl, guys.

2) Would you rather bring Tonks or Fred from “Harry Potter” back to life?

J: Fred. Unlike Lupin, George is alive. Bringing Tonks back would be saying, “Congratulations, you’re not dead anymore. But guess who is? The love of your life!” A Shakespearian tragedy ensues. On the other hand, Fred would actually have a bosom buddy–his twin–to spend the rest of his life with. Tonks and Lupin dying together was, for lack of a better word, fitting. At least one of them wouldn’t have to live with the other. Clearly, this is not the case with the Weasley twins, which is why Fred should come back.

E: Fred. No doubt about it. It’s a matter of creating harmony in the world. If one were to bring back Tonks, that would be great and wonderful until one realizes that Tonks can never be whole without Remus. As for bringing back Fred, George is still alive, and, for that reason, the crazy, goofy Weasley twins would be reunited. Individually, they’re still great people, but, when together, they’re magical.

C: As much as I adore Tonks, I must choose Fred. I love Fred’s mischievous, hilarious personality, and I want to see him reunite with George. After all, even if Tonks comes back, Lupin will still be dead as a doorknob.

3) Would you rather only be able to watch “The Notebook” or “Titanic” for the rest of your life?

J: “Titanic,” definitely. “The Notebook” involves hours of alternating “I love you! I hate you!” drama. “The Notebook” just seems overly cheesy and cliched. I love a sad film but not a movie that begs you to feed it your tears. The tragedy of “Titanic” feels more authentic, though not necessarily more realistic. There was something not only saddening, but also deeply unsettling about how Jack thinks he has an opportunity of a lifetime with the Titanic–he’s got the girl and a sweet boat ride–but then that happy chance turns into a one-of-a-kind way to die. “Titanic” in general gives more for the viewer to think about.

E: “The Notebook.” “Titanic” is way too boring to me. I haven’t even watched the whole movie, which most definitely causes bias on my part, but what I have seen is rather unenjoyable. The names Rose and Jack are spoken much too often in that movie. I personally enjoy “The Notebook.” It is rather sensual at times, but the back-and-forth between past and present is interesting. In “Titanic,” the flashes to the present are awkward and feel almost irrelevant. I’m also a sucker for old couples, so the whole situation calls for tissues. 

C: Definitely “Titanic.” I’d be pretty bummed either way, but I don’t think I’d be able to stand “The Notebook’s” bland melodrama or manipulative attempts to wring tears out of viewers. Plus, I hate, hate, hate the relationship between Allie and Noah. “Titanic” is so much smarter and more tender and genuine. It’s visually impressive, and I’d pick Leonardo Di Caprio over Ryan Gosling any day. Also, did I mention I hate Nicholas Sparks?

4) Would you rather be Iron Man or Captain America?

J: Captain America. Iron Man is a jerk. His whole persona revolves around him being unlikeable but at the same time obscenely rich and intelligent. On the flip side, Captain America is humble and genuinely tries to be a good person. Admittedly, he does have his fair share of flaws. Even so, I’d choose the person with the moral high ground. Cap it is.

E: I really like Captain America: his morality, his muscles, his loyalty. However, if I were to apply the characteristics and “swag” of either Captain America or Iron Man to myself, I would choose Iron Man. Obviously, I would be rich, and I could easily provide for myself and others. I would be pretty stinkin smart, so though people might see me as some greedy, money-hogging jerk I would still have the intelligence to back myself up in my endeavors.

C: Iron Man. I’d much rather be a genius billionaire who’s also smooth with the ladies than the son of poor Irish immigrants who gets trapped in some ice and returns to find that the love of his life has become a wrinkly old prune.

5) Would you rather be eaten by Hannibal Lecter or haunted by Freddy Krueger?

J: Eaten by Hannibal Lecter. If Freddy Krueger haunted my dreams, I would be in for a lifetime of terror and eventual insanity. Just thinking about it gives me the heebie jeebies.

E: I would much rather be eaten by Hannibal. It wouldn’t be the prettiest way to die, but at least I would die once. With Freddy Krueger, I would be perpetually haunted by him. There’s no way to escape, especially when he’s in your dreams, a part of your own mind. So, while Hannibal will eat my precious brains, at least my precious brains won’t be free for Freddy Krueger to prey on for eternity.

C: Be eaten by Hannibal Lecter. There’s no way I’d ever want to deal with a child molesting psychopath who tortures people in their sleep and blurs the lines between the dreaming and waking worlds until you basically go insane. Plus, there is no escaping Freddy Krueger. You can’t kill someone who’s in your dreams. And you’ve got to be at least a little impressed by how brilliant and cultured Hannibal is.

“That’s all, folks!”

-Christine, Ellen, Jessica