Friday, May 1, 2015

Which Fictional Character Would You Like To Have A Beer With?

Are you dying to chill with Voldemort and see if he’s a good guy under all that evil?

Everyone has a favourite character that you dream of being able to hang out with IRL.

Everyone has a favourite character that you dream of being able to hang out with IRL.

Disney

Maybe you wanna hang out with Buffy at The Bronze and swoon over Angel.

Maybe you wanna hang out with Buffy at The Bronze and swoon over Angel.

The WB

Do you dream of spending a day with Aladdin, because he's super hot and also has a magic flying carpet?

Do you dream of spending a day with Aladdin, because he's super hot and also has a magic flying carpet?

Disney

Or would you prefer spending your day persuading Tom from 500 Days Of Summer that it's super lame to date two people with seasonal names in a row and that he should date you instead?

Or would you prefer spending your day persuading Tom from 500 Days Of Summer that it's super lame to date two people with seasonal names in a row and that he should date you instead?

Fox Searchlight Pictures


View Entire List ›

Can You Identify The Classic Novel From Its Original Title?

Shout out to the editor who kept us from having to read The Dead Un-Dead in high school.

1

2

3

4


View Entire List ›

How Hodor Are You?

Hodor?

Jason Isaacs, who currently is starring on USA’s Dig, stopped by the BuzzFeed Los Angeles offices to taste-test our enchanting concoctions.

All Potterheads know this to be true: There is no better wizarding beverage than Butterbeer.

All Potterheads know this to be true: There is no better wizarding beverage than Butterbeer.

You can try some at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, or the Warner Bros. Studio Tour in England. But what if you made your OWN Butterbeer at home, from scratch?

Luckily, we're always up for a challenge, so four "Hogwarts students" (JK, BuzzFeed employees) decided to test their Potions prowess and whip up their own interpretation of the drink, which has been described as a "less sickly butterscotch" by none other than J.K. Rowling herself.

Warner Bros.

But we couldn't just make four Butterbeers and call it a day. We needed to determine a WINNER, and who better to judge our efforts than Jason Isaacs, aka Lucius Malfoy himself?!?

But we couldn't just make four Butterbeers and call it a day. We needed to determine a WINNER, and who better to judge our efforts than Jason Isaacs, aka Lucius Malfoy himself?!?

Jason currently is starring on USA’s Dig — an “action-adventure, murder-mystery, conspiracy thriller,” as he described it, that travels across the world — and said it's “more real and more exciting than many things I’ve done” (also, you should be catching up on the show, he said, because “you don’t want people to spoil the huge, surprising fun shit that happens.”)

Luckily for us, he said he’s “always loved sweet things.”

Warner Bros.

Jason stopped by BuzzFeed's L.A. office to lend his discerning Death Eater taste to our Butterbeer taste test.

Jason stopped by BuzzFeed's L.A. office to lend his discerning Death Eater taste to our Butterbeer taste test.

Our contestants, from left, representing the four Hogwarts houses of Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin, respectively: Sheridan, Kirsten, Brian, and Lara.

Our four Hogwarts students had 15 minutes to whip up their best interpretation of a Butterbeer for Jason to taste-test. Let's just say the competition was VERY heated!

Claire de Louraille / Christian Zamora / Sam Stryker / BuzzFeed

And they're off!

And they're off!

Claire de Louraille / BuzzFeed


View Entire List ›

Remember the time Fred and George tried an age potion? It’s kind of like that.

Ron Weasley

Ron Weasley

Warner Bros.

Luna Lovegood

Luna Lovegood

Warner Bros.

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall

Warner Bros.


View Entire List ›

Should You Date Thorin Or Bard From "The Hobbit?"

Team Dwarf or Team Human?

12 Beautiful Works Of Art Offer A Vivid Glimpse Into Japan's Past

In 19th-century Japan, the tradition of woodblock prints flourished and offered a vivid glimpse into the daily lives of its nation's people.

Japan Journeys, a new book written by art historian Andreas Marks, brings together a gigantic selection of these beautiful and historic prints to show a stunning look into Japan's rich cultural heritage.

The Sensō-ji Temple

Asakusa is home to the Sensō-ji Temple, the oldest Buddhist temple in Tokyo, founded in the year 645 and dedicated to the Kannon Bodhisattva.

Keisai Eisen, circa 1830s / Gift of James A Michener, 1957 – All Captions and Images via Tuttle Publishing.

Since the year 941, its entrance has been dominated by the Kaminarimon — or the thunder gate — featuring a massive paper lantern painted red and black.

(left) Utagawa Hiroshige, circa 1856. / Pub: Sakanaya Eikichi / The Margaret McMillan Webber Estate; (right) Kasamatsu Shiro, circa 1934 / Pub: Watanabe Shozaburo – All Captions and Images via Tuttle Publishing.

The Nio Gate of the Sensoji Temple is flanked on either side by two imposing guardian deities. Like the Main Hall which is directly behind it, the gate was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in 1964.

Utagawa Kuniyasu, circa 1815 / Pub: Enshuya Matabei / Bequest of Louis W. Hill Jr. – All Captions and Images via Tuttle Publishing

The Ikaho Spa

Ikaho is a hot spring resort in the center of Gunma Prefecture, located near the foot of Mount Haruna. In this 1883 print by artist Toyohara Chikanobu, foreigners share a festive meal with a bath house visible in the background.

Toyahara Chikanobu, circa 1883 / Pub: Yamamura Kojiro / Gift of Dr. Leslie Wilbur, 1994 – All Captions and Images via Tuttle Publishing

Tokyo's Grand Fundraising Sumo Tournaments

Ryogoku has been the site of Tokyo's sumo hall only since 1909, but sumo is said to have started over 2,000 years ago. This 1859 print by the artist Utagawa Yoshiiku shows the grand pageantry of the events.

Utagawa Yoshiiku, circa 1859 / Pub: Maruya Tetsujiro / National Diet Library – All Captions and Images via Tuttle Publishing

Shops and Trades

In the seventeenth century, cities like Edo and Osaka developed specific areas that were related to a certain trade. The print on the far left depicts a night view of Saruwaka-machi, where the government ordered all Edo kabuki and puppet theaters to relocate after a fire in 1841. On the far right, Manzai dancers, traditionally part of New Year's festivities, are passing a dry goods store in the Suruga District in Edo. The middle picture shows a line of stores belonging to Mitsue Echigoya, a successful textile business and money broker.

(Left) Utagawa Hiroshige, circa 1856 / Pub: Sakanaya Eikichi / The Margaret McMillan Webber Estate; (center) Utagawa Hiroshige, circa 1856 / Pub: Sakanaya Eikichi / Gift of Louis W. Hill Jr.; (right) Utagawa Hiroshige, circa 1858 / Pub: Tsutaya Kichozo

The Musashiya Restaurant In Ushijima

The customer seated in this famous Ushijima restaurant is believed to be the artist himself, Utagawa Hiroshige (1797–1858). He's playing a popular parlor game of the time called Ken.

Utagawa Hiroshige, circa 1838–40 / Pub: Fujiokaya Hikotaro / Gift of Louis W. Hill Jr. – All Captions and Images via Tuttle Publishing

Tokyo's Takanawa Station

Today's Shinagawa Station used to be called the Takanawa Station until 1924 when it was renamed. This 1872 print by artist Ikkei, depicts a steam train arriving at the station as a horse-drawn carriage passes over the bridge above the tracks.

Ikkei, circa 1872 / Pub: Tsutaya Kichizo / Collection of Paulette and Jack Lantz — All Captions and Images via Tuttle Publishing.

The Kawachiya Restaurant at Yanagi Bridge in Ryogoku

This famous restaurant was known as a venue for literati and art gatherings. It was also widely revered for its breathtaking view of the Sumida River from its second floor.

Utagawa Hiroshige, circa 1838–1840 / Pub: Fujiokaya Hikotaro / Gift of Louis W. Hill Jr. – All Captions and Images via Tuttle Publishing.

To view all of the cultural landmarks featured in Japan Journeys, be sure to pick up your copy at tuttlepublishing.com.