So...are you "one of them?"

[FredM 0]

Hey there,

 

Well, thought I'd toss out a poll on the subject of who is and isn't a Harry Potter fan. ;)

 

For awhile, I thought it was only stuff for little kids. However, heard on the radio the opening night of the third film...at the 12:01am showing...the theatre in Washington D.C. was full of adults/college students from American University.

 

So, what do you think about all this Potter mania?

[Captain Huff 0]

I wish wish wish it came out a few years before LOTR did. Unfortunately, I am so blown away by LOTR, that HP is wasted on me. I think if I saw it a few years ago, I'd have been a fan. And if I'd read/saw it as a KID... I'd have been in heaven. (As it was, the Narnia Chronicles were my favorite books... before I read LOTR, lol). Ah well, my loss. They're well done, chock full o' great fantasy, great effects, good characters... can't complain about that, eh?

[Atragon9 0]

I started reading them right away - as a read aloud book for my kids. Nice family activity and it wasn't just kid fluff (kind of the literary equivalent of the movie "Shrek," there lots of enjoyment for the adult as well). In particular, Rowling has done a good job making Harry age and deal with more adult themes, very nicely done. I agree with Huff that the LOTR films have much cooler effects and storylines, but it's good clean fun. Who hasn't wanted to make their annoying inlaws blow up like a balloon or grow a pig's tail?

 

I don't know that Harry is King, but the books are nicely written.

[Grom 0]

I'm going to shock you all...

 

Wait...scratch that. ;)

 

I am not a Harry Potter fan, nor do I support Rowling or the three movies that have been made. Having known several people who were deeply involved in witchcraft and the occult, what on the outside appears harmless could have negative effects on certain children on the inside.

[Tachyon 0]

Where's the option where I can like the books but dislike the movies?

 

I loved the books, but I soon became disenchanted with the movie franchise. They frequently cut scenes and reworked various important parts of dialogue. Overall the movies weren't bad, but they just didn't live up to the books. And the death of Richard Harris was a real blow.

 

I haven't seen the third one yet, but I won't go and see it in theatres. I'll watch it once it comes out on TV.

[Travis Kroells 0]

A9 took most of what I was going to say, which means I dont have to type ;)

 

It was actually my cousin that got me into the books. I've been a fan since about 7th grade. I wouldn't say he's the king, but HP is deffinently one of my read right away books. I've seen the claims that this one will be more "mature" dealing with more adult themes, which is nice, since most of the first readers from the books are now in their teens. (I wouldn't have picked it up now, but since I've been reading these books for a few years, I say why give it up?)

 

I cant wait untill the 4th, and 5th, since they get even more adult orentated.

 

I think it's good, considering that they have to account Harry's growth into an adult. If not, w'ed see some 16 year old kid in a kiddy movie. It'd be Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen with wands.

 

::Nearly throws up::

[Images 0]

The woman has outworn her welcome. The original concept was that as the character aged, so would the level of writing, this has not happened. Some would say that "oh look the story has got darker" but really she just doesn't want to make things more adult in fear of losing the really little kiddies. Voldemort and his bunch are supposed to be so evil right? well then how come in the final battle they are casting such spells that make your legs stick together? Legs stick together? where are the fireballs? the lightning spells? The death spells? i can understand the goodies not using those spells bt NONE of these so called evil people use em. Another fact is that for someone so evil and powerful, voldemorts a bit of a prat really. why isn't he sweeping the world now and how come if he was so powerful before did none of us know about it? i mean, the wizarding world appears to be tiny compared to us in people so who really cares about them? oh and why doesn't someone just shoot him?! obviously you seem to have to wave the wand and say words to cast a spell. I doubt they could beat a bullet in time and we know that physical injuries hurt them. Another thing is, she hasn't got the guts to kill anyone in the story we'd really care about, too afraid of shocking the widdle ones.

 

and on a side topic. the game of quidditch. how stupid is it? If someone falls from 200 feet they DIE. there is no protective mat, no nothing. so if someone falls its bye bye. rather sick if you ask me.

 

Anyway i'm sure you can tell. I hate Potter. ;)

[Tachyon 0]

Another fact is that for someone so evil and powerful, voldemorts a bit of a prat really. why isn't he sweeping the world now and how come if he was so powerful before did none of us know about it?

I must admit that the fifth book surprised me in that respect. They spent more time squabbling with each other and trying to prove to every other wizard they meant that Voldemort had returned, rather than actually preparing for Voldemort's defence. The fifth book did little to expand the saga, other than throw in the trademark fantasy: a prophecy.

 

So along those lines: I guess Voldemort was just sitting back, watching, and laughing as the other wizards scrambled about in denial. ;)

[Tovan 0]

Naaaah don't like teen wizards ... they give me the creeps.

[NDak 0]

Well, I have mixed feelings about the whole thing.

 

First, it's great that it's getting kids to read again. I just wish they were reading something of value. (And Yes I have read several of the books, and well yeah I hated them.)

 

Second, I am not a big fan of the author herself, she first changed her "pen" name so that people would think she was a man and buy her books (says something for the content, eh?) Not to mention how she has behaved since the licensing of the rights of the books. (There is a word I'd use but its not appropriate for these boards.)

 

Third, the movies aren't half-bad. (If you can overlook the story ;) )

 

 

Anyway, I don't particularly care for the books, but for those of you who do--go right ahead and read theam--just don't expect me to. :P

[Dumbass 0]

Well when I first read this topic I thought Fred was asking who is a Hewlet-Packard fan. They make good printers, but their PCs are only so-so.

 

Dells are better. They are black. Any IT professional will tell you black computers are better.

[Mary Kate and Ashley Olson 0]

If not, w'ed see some 16 year old kid in a kiddy movie. It'd be Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen with wands.

 

::Nearly throws up::

Mary Kate: Oh come on, Kroells, you know you would LOVE to be in a movie with us.

Ashley: Yeah, we're 18 now.

[Vex Xiang 0]

Having known several people who were deeply involved in witchcraft and the occult, what on the outside appears harmless could have negative effects on certain children on the inside.

 

Actually modern witchcraft, Wicca, is a fantastic religion. I think you should do a little research into witchcraft as a religion. Personally I don't believe in it, but I find all religions very fascinating. There's nothing 'negative' about witchcraft.

 

Now as for adults who believe that people can actually place curses on people and do voodoo stuff...a good community college science class is what they need ;)

 

The Harry Potter books are wonderful. They give children a chance to read! And although they may decide to pretend play that they can fly on a broom or make things levitate, it's no more harmful than them watching Power Rangers or Ninja Turtles and thinking they're ninjas or mighty morphin dudes. Don't worry, your children will survive :P

 

I also thought these books were for kids. It wasnt until my girlfriend and I moved in together that I found the first book (she had the whole collection) and after watching the first movie, I read it. I was hooked and read all 4 books within a few month's time.

 

I'm glad they haven't gotten violent. This is supposed to be a fun, magical adventure. Not Freddy vs Jason. It's marketted primarily to kids...the fact that adults can enjoy it also is just a perk. And the fact that parents can enjoy the books WITH their kids.. well...that doesn't come along every day. So enjoy it while they're still interested.

 

I was disappointed with the last movie, but plan on buying it when it comes out on DVD anyway. So when I see it a couple more times, I'll judge it then. So far I've not been disappointed at all with any of the books. Fighting over who gets to read the 5th one first when it comes out...that's another story.

[John_Anderson 0]

Well I will admit that I'm a big fan of the books. I remember that I started reading them after I saw the first film, and I was just so engrossed with the story that I read all four books (Since the fifth one had yet to come out) in a weeks time (Hey, it was Thanksgiving week and I had nothing better to do :P ) and then when the fifth book came out I read it in a day and half, and I was sooo mad cause I wanted to talk to someone about what happened in the final chapters of the book!

 

Ahem, anyways, also I can't wait until my wee neice is young enough (Heh, which won't be for several years, but the two remaining books might be out by then ;) ) so that I can start reading her the books. I just don't want her to be like me and not start reading for fun till the 11th grade.

 

Well I did read in school, if I had too, but I simply did not read for fun, and another film is also responsible for this actually. Anyone care to take a wild guess??

 

Noooo, it wasn't Harry Potter. It was Lord of the Rings. :)

 

Because of Fellowship of the Ring, I got into the books and thanks to LOTR I started to enjoy reading in my free time and then one thing lead to another and I went down the path of Harry Potter.

 

I just love that the books has encouraged such a young generation to read and to not lay around like a vegetable, watching the TV, and it gets a thumbs up from me. :P

[Images 0]

the books are trash. jeez when i was about 12 i wanted to read the silence of the lambs (the librarian said no but i waited till the dumb one got on duty) ;)

[STSF_BluRox 0]

I have to agree with Atragon. It was a great family fun book to read, and we go see the movies as a family as well. Don't take it so serious folks....it's written so that both kids and adults can enjoy it, so let it be what it's for. I for one, know my kids have found both the books and the movies to be enjoyable. Some of you older guys...may say it's too immature, but guess what....the middle school set thinks it's great, and that's what's important. Think about it... how many books to you see youngsters standing in line for hours to buy? Kids are reading again, and that's a great thing. I have to say it's impressive, when you have a kid that will sit down, and read a 800 some page book in a few days. The Potter Books, Lord of the Rings and the Chronicles of Narnia are frequently read here by the little one. For a child of that age to read that much..it only makes me very, very happy.

 

As for it being witchcraft and a bad example...Come on now folks!! It's a story. Do we do away with all the greek and roman myths regarding the ancient gods and their powers? Do we do away with all stories of King Arthur due to the presence of "Merlin"? Disney's "The Sword in the Stone", "Snow White", "Cinderella" and the list goes on for Disney. What of the "Wizard of Oz"? And lest we not forget, the Lord of the Rings if magic is to be condemned. And no..I'm not Wiccan for those wondering. Though I know someone that is, but guess what, it has NOTHING to do with what was written to be a series of children's books, that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

 

No, it's not going to harm your kids to read these books. That's why I've read them along with her, to make sure they're appropriate. It makes me wonder...have the nay-sayers, actually sat down, and READ ALL OF THE BOOKS??

As for the stories and ideas behind it being harmful, I've heard this arguement from when I was young myself, and played Melanda and Dungeons and Dragons. For that matter, several of the early modules, were written by some of my gaming friends. They're getting up there in years, and are still, relatively peaceful people. They didn't turn me into some psychotic blood thirsty killer...well, maybe in the Academy...but let games and stories be what they are....fun for those playing, without people judging them for playing.

 

What if people were to judge us, for liking Star Trek? We'd all be in trouble.

 

My $2.00....

 

Blu

[Travis Kroells 0]

Mary Kate: Oh come on, Kroells, you know you would LOVE to be in a movie with us.

Ashley: Yeah, we're 18 now.

::laughs::

 

Do I even want to know who made that up?

 

::laughs again::

 

;)

[Images 0]

First 2 movies could have been better. Chris Columbus is a hack.

[Travis Kroells 0]

I'm going to shock you all...

 

Wait...scratch that. ;)

 

I am not a Harry Potter fan, nor do I support Rowling or the three movies that have been made. Having known several people who were deeply involved in witchcraft and the occult, what on the outside appears harmless could have negative effects on certain children on the inside.

Grom, I get where your coming from, and that's kind of why I feel bad saying this.

 

Yeah, some people are going to take the books the wrong way, and walk onto the train all decked out in wizard robes. Thats just what happens, the world wouldn't be the world without it.

 

But, they're a minority.

 

This same thing happened in videogamming, with GTA, and other "Violent games" That they were teaching kids violence and such. Well, pertaining to Harry Potter, here are a few tidbits.

 

1: You can easly get such "witchcraft" from plenty of shows on TV. I can pick at least three off my head in an instant.

 

2: If the parent dont want the kids to read the books, then keep them from reading the books.

 

3: This book doesnt really even contain what you'd call heavy "Occult" material. Sure, it's got magic, and wizards, but plenty of other books have this too.

 

4: Lastly, if the child for somereason does start to belive this is all "real", the parent should be able to deal with it. And if they dont recognize it, thats a whole nother problem.

 

 

 

Grom, I try to convay my postition as politly as possibe. I offten see all of the issues with Harry Potter as stuck up parents who have "My child is on the A honor roll" bumperstickers.

 

Any one remember that Pokemon trading card game that kids were obsessed with a couple of years ago? Parents tryed to get that taken off the shelf because they claimed that having the possiblitly of geting a shiny card in their pack of cards as "Gambiling"

 

I also view Harry Potter as a fad. When the books, and movies come out, thats all they talk about for a few days, and then, after a while it dies down, and no body really cares untill something else comes out.

 

Eventually the books and the movies will end, and with them, the fad that is Harry Potter.

 

::Toesses a bunch of pennies in cause he rambled::

[Travis Kroells 0]

Mary Kate: Oh come on, Kroells, you know you would LOVE to be in a movie with us.

Ashley: Yeah, we're 18 now.

...::eyes shift::

 

...You cant prove anything. ;)

[FredM 0]

Do we do away with all the greek and roman myths regarding the ancient gods and their powers? Do we do away with all stories of King Arthur due to the presence of "Merlin"? Disney's "The Sword in the Stone", "Snow White", "Cinderella" and the list goes on for Disney. What of the "Wizard of Oz"? 

Hey there,

 

The Pastor of my church, a wonderful man in his 70s who's been a priest for over 49 years, discussed briefly the franchise when the first movie came out. He said quite simple that you can look at this in a negative light or you can keep it in context as a fairy tale, similiar to what we've seen with Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs. The key was to make sure younger children knew that it was a movie, based on a fictional story. Knowing that, it's all cool. He had read the first several books and even made a joke from the Altar about having lost his Nimbus 2000. :P Having had this man as my Pastor for 99.9% of my life up to date, I'll trust his view. Though I understand concerns about it.

 

Well, never did give my take, so here be it. :P

 

When Harry Potter first came out, I was in my mid/late teens. Really didn't have any interest in it, however I did start to see the movies on the TV. Started to spark an interest with me. I thought the first film introduced this great world and the second seemed to be kind of neat too. Last week, spent about three days in the Gainesville Florida area (yes, for those who are thinking it, I did see her) and went with a relative to see the latest movie.

 

This is a film that has a lot more adult oriented themes too it. I mean, I don't think there are many children's stories based around the concept that someone killed the lead character's parents and is looking to do the same thing to the lead character. I came away from the movie really holding a solid interest in Senior Potter. Did lead me to believe that I might be yet another form of a freak, being in my early/mid 20s and hooked on a franchise about a freakin 13/14 year old!

 

Then I, and some relatives, remembered hearing about all the college students who had seen it in D.C. on opening night. Looking online, seems it's quite popular with the "younger adult" crowd. So, at least to some extent, I'm normal! Yeah! ;)

 

Looking into actually going out and getting some of the books, as from what I've seen, from the third book on the series really appears to be geered towards older readers.

[Dumbass 0]

Grom, I try to convay my postition as politly as possibe. I offten see all of the issues with Harry Potter as stuck up parents who have "My child is on the A honor roll" bumperstickers.

OK, I have a real problem with parrents who put those bumper stickers on their cars. First of all, it seems like there are more honor roll bumper stickers than honor roll students, so I have to wonder how many of these junior Mozarts are actually honor students. Second, I see it as parents trying to claim credit for their kid's hard work. The kid deserves the credit, not the parent. ;)

[Atragon9 0]

Just a general comment here, folks, and yes, you've heard this from me before.

 

Please keep the comments on this string (and any other, for that matter) to your own opinions and not against anyone else's. We all have our own feelings and beliefs on any subject, so let's just talk about what we like and don't like and let's not run other people's ideas and beliefs down. Remember that Fred started this by asking what you thought of Harry Potter and the HP phenomenon - he didn't ask for negative comments about your fellow simmers.

 

Thanks.

[Dumbass 0]

Harry Potter to end - Click Here!

[Travis Kroells 0]

::shakes his head::

 

Vanroy, I dont even know what to say to that.