It's a debate as old as time - which Harry Potter film is actually the best of the lot?
Though there were only seven books written by J.K. Rowling, the film franchise sprawled eight epic feature-length films, and all of them had their own charm.
Whether you quite liked the innocence of the cast's younger years at Hogwarts or much preferred when things got waaaay darker towards the end of the series, there's a Harry Potter film for you.
But one of the highest-rated films is actually Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which chronicles Harry's third year at Hogwarts - and it's coming back to cinemas, The Manc reports.
It's all to celebrate the film's 20th anniversary - can you believe it’s been two whole decades since it was released to the world?
Well, whether it’s something you can wrap your head around it or not, the beloved film officially hit cinemas on 23 May 2004… and then, from that date onwards, the rest is history, as they say.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe as the title character, alongside Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, as well as a hugely-star-studded wider supporting cast, the movie went on to gross a whopping $804 million worldwide, and has not only earned its place in fans’, but was also widely-praised by critics at the time.
One of the highest-rated Harry Potter films is returning to UK cinemas for its 20th anniversary / Credit: Warners Bros.
In fact, according to critic websites such as Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb, and Metacritic, it’s actually one of the best-rated films in the franchise.
And now, to celebrate this impressive 20-year milestone, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is making a return to UK cinemas from the end of this month, and this means you’ll be able to rally together your fellow Potterheads and head to your nearest screen to immersive yourself in all the nostalgia.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/lAxgztbYDbs
A synopsis for the beloved blockbuster – which is based on the 1999 novel of the same name, and was directed by acclaimed director, Alfonso Cuaron – explains: “Harry Potter is lucky to reach the age of 13, particularly since he has survived the murderous attacks of the feared Dark Lord on more than one occasion.
“But, his hopes for a quiet school term concentrating on Quidditch are dashed when a maniacal mass-murderer escapes from Azkaban, pursued by the soul-sucking Dementors who guard the prison.
“It’s assumed that Hogwarts is the safest place for Harry to be.. but is it a coincidence that he can feel eyes watching him in the dark? And should he be taking Professor Trelawney’s ghoulish predictions seriously?”
The beloved film will hit cinemas nationwide from the end of this month / Credit: Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)
Several cinema chains will be showing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban at a whole host of sites across Greater Manchester from the 31 May onwards.
Vue, Odeon, Cineworld, and Everyman Cinemas are just a few of the participating companies.
Fancy it then? If you’re a big Harry Potter fan and are keen to reminisce on an important film from your younger years, then tickets to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in UK cinemas are now on sale.
You can book tickets to a screening online from your chosen participating cinema.
The beautiful spa town of Ilkley has been crowned the best place to live in the north of England by The Sunday Times.
The results are in, and our very own Ilkley has taken the top spot for the north and north-east category.
The list posted but the Sunday Times every year, features 72 locations across the UK that they deem are the best spots to settle down in.
Judges visited each location to take in the atmosphere, explore the history and chat to the locals to find out what made each place so special.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
It's not the first time the wonderful spa town of Ilkley has been praised, having been the national winner back in 2022 it's no stranger to taking home the trophy.
The judging panel said about Ilkley: “It’s not just the fresh air, fantastic scenery, excellent schools and direct trains to Leeds that make Ilkley this year’s pick of the north and northeast. It’s the get-up and go of a community that tackles every challenge with gusto.”
"It's hard to imagine anywhere with more opportunities for youngsters."
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Also getting a mention in the regional category was Horsforth, which was recommended for its transport links, brilliant local schools and thriving social scene.
The guide said: "The city is Yorkshire's economic powerhouse - but for something a bit greener, a bit more family friendly, it's hard to better Horsforth's streets of sandstone houses."
Elsewhere up north, Sheffield got a special shoutout where the judges said: "Burgeoning creative industries and judicious regeneration are igniting interest in previously overlooked postcodes ... Hipsters and happy families alike are celebrating, welcoming, embracing, loving this city-wide vibe."
So if you fancy escaping the hustle and bustle of the city centre, then why not hop on a train and visit the best place to live up north and see for yourselves what the fuss is all about.
Adolescence tops Netflix charts with more than 24 million views in four days
Emily Sergeant
New British series Adolescence has shot right to the top of Netflix’s most-watched TV charts after more than 24 million people tune in.
Hitting the streaming platform just last Thursday, Adolescence is a four-part limited series about a 13-year-old boy who is accused of murdering one of his classmates, with each episode remarkably being filmed in one unflinching and continuous shot.
This truly gripping story unfolds in real time as the main characters search for answers in the wake of a shocking tragedy.
Who is actually responsible? Why did it happen? And could it have been prevented?
Image: Netflix
Co-created and written by Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham, with Graham starring alongside an ensemble cast of accomplished actors such as Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty, as well as screen newcomer Owen Cooper as the young boy Eddie Miller, accused of murder, the show tells the story of how a family’s world is turned upside.
“We could have made a drama about gangs and knife crime, or about a kid whose mother is an alcoholic or whose father is a violent abuser,” Stephen Graham said ahead of the show‘s release.
Image: Netflix
“Instead, we wanted you to look at this family and think, ‘My God, this could be happening to us.’ And what’s happening here is an ordinary family’s worst nightmare.”
Over the course of the four intense one-shot episodes, the show shines a uncomfortable spotlight on and examines key themes such as male rage, the dangers of social media, cyberbullying, incel culture, and more.
The latest viewing figures show that Adolescence undoubtedly has been a runaway hit, with a whopping 24.3 million views amassed in its first four days of availability, making it the streaming platform’s top show for the week of 10-16 March.
Image: Netflix
As the show continues to garner universal acclaim, standing at 98% on notable critic website Rotten Tomatoes, those viewing figures are set to clock up thick and fast as the days go on.
While Adolescence and Jamie’s story isn’t based on a real person or event specifically, Graham, Thorne, and director Philip Barantini have confirmed that the idea for the series did spring from reports that co-creator Graham had heard about on the news of young boys being involved in knife crimes – particularly the shocking 2021 murder of Ava White in Liverpool.
Much of Adolescence was filmed in Pontefract in West Yorkshire, with the casting of Cooper in the role of Jamie ultimately influencing where the show was shot.
“We knew it was going to be set somewhere in the North of England, and we also knew it would be from somewhere around wherever our Jamie was from – in this case near Warrington – because it would have been unfair to make him do an accent,” explained director Philip Barantini.
All four episodes of Adolescence are now available to stream on Netflix.
Emily Sergeant -
28th May 2024 
