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I'm going to start with the Queenie Situation. I agree that her actions regarding Jacob and the Love Potion were not good. Very Merope Gaunt (more on that later). Regarding the Legillimens issues a few things:

1. In Fantastic Beasts, while it was shown to be quite strong with regards to Newt and Jacob, but keep in mind that she did not deduce that Graves was Grindelwald nor that Abernathy was working with Grindelwald.
2. She wasn't really around Grindelwald's followers that were not in his immediate presence. It is very possible that those who were part of his Apartment team were skilled with Occlumency.
3. By the time the Graveyard scene happened she was already lost and probably very much wearing blinders. She did not want to know. She does seem to be very singular minded.

On to the Blood Pact. It could be an interesting plot device, and I think it works. Because while reluctance is certainly a good reason, it could still come into play. Remember there are about 20 years between Crimes of Grindelwald and when Dumbledore fights Grindelwald. I suspect Dumbledore will have dissolved the pact by the end of the next film, which gives two additional movies with Dumbledore on the sidelines deciding how and when to fight.

Lestrange. So I thought it could have been handled better, but early on Leta at least made it clear that Credence was not her half-brother. She affirmed to Dumbledore that Credence was not Corvinus.

Now as to Credence being a Dumbledore...Grindelwald was probably lying. It does not fit with the actual canon timeline (though they are kind of playing fast and loose with that, maybe). I think it is possible that Credence could theoretically be from Honoria Dumbledore's side of the family, but I think more likely Grindelwald was lying. After all he was noted as being manipulative. Given that Grindelwald did not know Credence was the Obscurus until he tried to kill him, I don't think that he knows who Credence is (after all CoG is only a few months after FB).

As to McGonagall, in film I do not recall her being addressed as Minerva McGonagall though it is listed as such in the credits. But as to date, I was checking Pottermore again and there is no year listed for her Birthday. I think the 1935 number was extrapolated and Rowling has messed up on math before (remember Flint attending Hogwarts for 8 years). So as far as I know it does not directly contradict anything in the existing books.

Nagini as a maledictus cursed to turn into a snake. I'm actually alright with that. Nagini was always portrayed with near human intelligence, and the ability to disguise herself as a woman. I think it is passable, but they have a long way to explain how she goes from the Good Guys to Voldermort's Companion. There are also at least three more movies to explain that.

As to Crazy Theories, which I expect none of them to be true, but if they are I want to be able to say I told you so.

1. Queenie's Role. My theory was originally that Queenie was really Merope Gaunt, but as I was checking timelines again, I realized that Tom Riddle was already born by the time CoG starts. But I'll stick with Queenie is still a Gaunt, just descended from the Irish-American Line through Martha Gaunt.

2. Credence's Identity. My theory was originally that he was actually a young Tom Riddle, given his affinity with Nagini, Powerful Dark Magic, Hatred of Muggles, and a Growing Dislike of Dumbledore, but it appears that once again the time lines just do not synchronize. Then I was going to try to make some extreme argument that he was really Tom Riddle Senior, but again given that in canon Tom Riddle was born in 1926 that does not seem viable, not to mention the whole Riddle Senior was a muggle. So yeah I got a whole lot of nothing here. It is unlikely that he is a Dumbledore, because of the simple fact that he would have had to have been born in Azkaban and I'm fairly certain Dementors did not allow that kind of visit.

Sorry for not having any particularly detailed commentary

In the sense of "bizarrely vehement cult following" rather than, y'know... good...

http://www.politiscales.net/en_US/results/?p1=14&p0=5&e0=19&e1=19&t0=14&t1=24&c1=19&c0=50&femi=52&j0=24&j1=14&s0=45&s1=17&m0=24&b1=26&b0=31&prag=67

Equality - Humanity - Justice. Hugely neutral across almost every front. I also got the pragmatist sticker, and I don't see why it's so bad...?

-Twistey

(Even though I myself don't have Permission yet, but I don't think that's in the rules.)

I'd love to see what you've come up with!

-Twistey

...I heard a rumor that the aforementioned book was ghost-written and/or a published fanfiction. Is either of that true or is J. K. Rowling legitimately letting fame get to her head?

-Twistey

...he has more power than you.

So he basically let you on here.

Bad idea.

-Twistey

... on this episode of a podcast: https://loadingreadyrun.com/lrrcasts/view/589/Fight-the-Future-21-Mortal-Engines/AU

People who don't cook don't seem to grasp that it's not hard, and also that if the pot's boiling over, take it off the burner, I don't care what the book says.

Yeah most anything, save for breads.

It was a dark, blustery afternoon in spring, and the city of London was chasing a small mining town across the dried-out bed of the old North Sea.

No, not the opening line to a bizarre fanfic, but the opening line to one of the most brilliantly mad young adult book series I know.

It's the world-building that I like the most; it takes a ridiculous premise - that towns and cities have all become giant mechanical monsters that eat each other for resources - and then just runs with it.

I'm so excited for this movie, and really hoping that it lives up to my expectations.

Any other fans of the series out there? Or anyone that hasn't heard of it before but thinks the trailer looks cool?

-Irish

He IS a musical genius, among other things. I don't doubt that every note-choice is purposeful and has exactly the effect that he wants it to have.

OTOH, he's recasting a villain as a hero, and it's definitely self-indulgent wank, so if it's badfic, it's one of those really annoying ones that's excellently crafted, maybe even revolutionary, but still just awful for anyone else trying to read it. Or listen to it, in this case. Like Finnegan's Wake or something. But given time it would eventually gain a die-hard cult following who claim to understand it and will cut you if you dare to criticize it, and then it would become a classic. ^_^

~Neshomeh

And as a student and (job-searching diplomee) living alone, I sure hope I can cook, I'd die of hunger otherwise... Or I'd ruin my budget buying kebabs and the likes (seriously, you can get meat and vegetables for four dishes if you spend smart against one kebab costing six Euros).

I usually use woks, pans or a small oven, and wouldn't dream of not using fresh vegetables (carrots, courgette or bell pepper, they're easier to cook. Sometimes with mushrooms) in my dish to go with the meat (usually chicken, it's cheaper) and rice/couscous/pasta, generally with soy sauce (or tomato sauce, or cream+mustard) and a few spices... I thank my mother's cooking habits for these skills and habits (I also have a brother who can do pizzas).

Speaking of her, I remember she talked the fact the idea people ate and cooked better in the past was sort of overblown, with conserves, frozen packages and the likes being all the rage during the 70s and 80s...

I cook mainly Chinese dishes, and I have a friend who was nice enough to teach me some Japanese dishes. Even if I'm pressed for time, it's not too hard to whip up a chicken teriyaki or a simple stir fry.

Pretty well, if I do say so myself :) It's rare I make anything truly inedible, anyway.

It actually became something I could call a true hobby over the past year or so, though I've been interested in it and experimenting with it for years. It's just that last year suddenly I was responsible for all my own food, so I had to do a lot of cooking, and I hate being bored by what I'm cooking or eating, so...yeah. I got really into it. I'm still pretty into it. I spent several hours going through recipe ideas a few days ago, just because they looked interesting and I thought I might find some things to try.

~Z

Heck, eating is a waste of time, and I wouldn't bother with it, except that I literally have to to stay alive.

But I spend nearly the entire waking portion of my work week either at work, getting ready for work, or feeding myself. I have no interest in messing around with ovens; they take way too long. I do use the stove, but only to boil hot dogs for dinner (+ an extra to pack in my lunch for the next shift), or to make my pot of breakfast spaghetti for the week on my first shift day of the week. (I go in two hours early most days, so I need to pack as much mass into my stomach at the start of the day as possible to make sure my energy lasts to lunch break.) Otherwise, I'm a microwave man. Chicken nuggets, frozen pizza, cheese crisps (the gringo kind), whatever hats up the fastest so I can eke out a few precious minutes of internet time between shifts. I also have tuna and crackers for dinner a lot of nights now, since the high energy cost period was recently changed in Arizona and doesn't end until 8:00 pm, and I try not to use the microwave before then to save on the electric bill. I do allow myself to make macaroni and cheese for weekend lunches, since those are the only days I have time to to wash all the dishes that result from that mess. Food is food, and I don't care much about quality, fanciness or variety, just so long as it keeps me fed.

But I would happily cut out eating altogether if I could. If nothing else, it would allow me to go back up to eight hours of sleep every night instead of seven, which my body sorely needs.

—since age was brought up, doctorlit is thirty-two

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Okay. Before I start really ranting, I just want to say that visually, the movie was very nice and the special effects were breathtaking.

That being said: the vast majority of the plot was just sort of pushed aside in favor of special effects.

I say plot, but it can really be boiled down to "There's a secret Lestrange and we promise this is important! Hahaha, just kidding, you wasted two hours of your life on this because it doesn't actually matter at all!"

All I can say about the ending is that Grindelwald had better be lying off his ass about Credence being a secret Dumbledore instead, because I literally facepalmed as the credits rolled.

Professor McGonagall was also a teacher. At Hogwarts. Eight years before she was born.

Dumbledore's refusal to fight Grindelwald being the result of a blood pact rather than his reluctance to duel his old friend-slash-crush was also eyeroll-worthy.

And Nagini being a human woman who doesn't pass the Sexy Lamp test ("Can you replace this character with a lamp and the plot stays the same?") was its own level of cringe. Yes, that Nagini. Voldemort's snake used to be a person. I just... I can't.

And all of that is before I get into my now intense, deep-seated and utter loathing for Queenie after her date-rape drugging Jacob into agreeing to marry her, and then it's treated like it's Jacob's fault for forcing her to do that to him. Yeah, sure, she joined Grindelwald (because... he promises to let wizards and Muggles live in peace. Hey, remember that part where she's a Legillimens? Because apparently Rowling doesn't. Even if Grindelwald was using Occlumency to shield his thoughts from her, there's no way she's missing what all of his followers are thinking and I just AUGH.) and is probably going to get a redemption arc so she and Jacob can be reunited and he can apologize to her for not wanting to marry her.

He even called it out for what it was: "When were you going to stop, Queenie? After we'd had five kids?" and she doesn't deny it. Jesus Christ almighty, if it had been a male character doing that to a female character, nobody in the theater would have been laughing like they were.

So yeah. After how good the first Fantastic Beasts movie was, this one wasn't just a disappointment. It only barely ranks above Cursed Child for its godawful characterization, disregard for canon, and lazy plot that goes nowhere.

I like to pan-fry things and I occasionally bake.
So far, I generally cook one thing at a time.

So I'm starting this thread so all the inevitable discussion regarding Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald can be kept under a single heading. While there are no spoilers in my post, please be aware that there will probably be spoilers, so make sure you have spoiler tags ready to go.

First thoughts: If you haven't already before seeing Crimes of Grindelwald watch the first Fantastic Beasts again, things make much more sense in both films when watched in conjunction.

It was a good movie and I highly recommend it. Though there are a few areas that I think will open up healthy debate.

I don't often, but I can. My dad is quite good at cooking, so it would be weird if he didn't teach me a thing or two. I can make a decent omlette, hot dogs, hamburgers, et al, and I'm able to actually cook from a recipe.

Although I must admit, I don’t tend to do much.

So back in college I worked part time in the kitchens of a bar/restaurant, which gave me a lot of experience cooking, and a bunch of recipes I could take with me when I left.

My issue these days is just how impractical it is to do anything particularly involved when you’re only cooking for one person: the amount of prep time, the amount of washing up it can generate, and sometimes even just trying to buy the ingredients without having a bunch of stuff go to waste – there’s a lot of stuff that I know how to cook, that just don’t feel like they’re worth doing.

Still, I try and make sure I only use microwave meals/takeaways once or twice a week. Most of what I do I don’t consider to be ‘proper’ cooking, as it largely just consists of heating different things for slightly different amounts of time (boil some carrots and peas, cheat a little and microwave a pack of rice, serve with some sausages) – no real skill of effort needed, but at the weekends I might do something a bit more involved.

-Irish

I need to do that wild garlic samphire again.

Like I mentioned in my reply to Scape below, my mom's absolutely amazing in the kitchen and she passed her knowledge on to me and my little brother. (My dad's no slouch as a chef, either, and he taught us some things too, but Mom is usually the one making dinner, so... anyway, rambling.)

When I moved into my uni dorm, I ended up sharing a flat with five other people. Out of them, only one knew how to make his own meals, and that's because he'd been living on his own for a while before.

I taught two of them how to cook and they've finally gained enough confidence in the kitchen to start trying new things; one of them has taken a shine to making ham in the slow cooker, the other tried making fresh bread the other day (and it was delicious), and we've taken to collaborating on meals. It's resulted in some strange combinations like horchata, spaghetti, and potatoes, but hey, it tasted good. :P