Harry Potter Fans

Welcome, all Harry Potter Fans!  This is my page that is totally devoted to All things Harry.  The Harry Potter Series is very important to me for many reasons.  First and foremost, I love literature.  I would have to say that books are my biggest passion.  The Harry Potter series has given the gift of reading to millions of people who otherwise would not be reading.  Ms. Rowling deserves every penny she has made for that one point alone.

Harry Potter is a wonderful journey into a magical world that is beyond anything else that I have ever read (and I have read alot of books). Admittably, I was not a fan from the beginning.  I was convinced that it was just a "kid's book".  A friend of mine convinced me to give it a chance.  I started reading the books at part 4 because I had seen the first 3 movies.  Honestly, I was not overly impressed by them.  After I had read The Goblet Of Fire I realized what all the fuss was about.  The series cannot be judged by the movies alone.  I can honestly say that I actually enjoy the movies much more now that I have read the books.

I am also the mother of a 9 year old little boy.  His love of the movies enabled him to also read the books.  His reading ability has definately improved as result of the Harry Potter books.  We now read the books together and have discussions about them.  Again, a priceless gift from Ms. Rowling.

I would love to hear what everyone else has to say about what the series has meant to them.  Please share your comments. 

The Order Of The Phoenix: A Review

     Along with millions of other fans, I anxiously awaited the release of the fifth movie in the series.  Well, I finally got the chance to go see it this past weekend.  Unfortunately I am having a difficult time finding the words to describe my experience.  The problem is that I think two seperate reviews are neccessary to honestly critique the movie, One from someone who has read the book, and one from someone who hasn't.

     As someone who has read the book (more than once), I was horrified.  The horror did not come from the story line, but the lack of a story line.  Characters were not properly introduced, backstories were omitted, at least half the story was forgotten, events were reordered, and significant (yet unneccessary) character changes were made.

     I do understand that all 870 pages could not be put into the movie.  It would be ridiculous to expect it.  However, this movie was less than two hours long.  Why?  Did they run out of money?  Perhaps they read the Cliff's Notes instead of the actual book by Ms. Rowling.  Honestly, in my opinion, that would be the best explanation for the final product.

     Another problem that I had with this movie was it's "choppy" feel.  It seemed more like a series of short clips instead of a cohesive story.  I never really felt involved in the adventure.  No bonds were formed between the characters and movie viewers as they were in the previous movies (and any good movie for that matter).  Because I had read the book, I was able to fill in many of the balnks.  I wonder, however, if those who didn't read the book fully understood what was happening and how it pertains to the underlying themes in the series.

     Sadly, instead of telling what is a wonderful story, the makers of this movie chose to show off a bunch of high-tech special effects.  I have to admit, they were excellent.  I was impressed by how realistic and wonderful they were.  However, I would have preferred that they put half as much effert into the story line and editing as they did in the effects.  The bottom line is that I found this movie to have NO HEART.  Dumbledore would not approve, nor do I.

Snape, A Hero

I have to admit, Professor snape has been my favorite character throughout the series.  I know, he's greasy, mean, sarcastic, and rude.  Still, I can't help but to be drawn to him.  I was suprised when he apparently killed Dumbledor on the tower, but I truely believe that there is much more to it.

First, Snape has been a true hero in every book.  He has protected Harry over and over again.  Actually I dont have enough room to elaborate on that as much as I could.

Second, I have to say that his treatment of Harry is deserved a lot of the time.  Harry is very rude and disrespectful much of the time.  Not just to Snape, but everyone else.  He appears at times to have a head as big as an oversized beach ball.  I wonder if Snape's critical treatment of him isn't a way to ground him a bit.  Even Dumbledor fawns on him.  Have you ever noticed what happens to kids who nobody ever corrects?  (example: Draco Malfoy).  I know this probably wont be a popular arguement, but I truely believe that Snape has had Harry's best interests at heart.  I would call it tough love.

Third, I just have a gut feeling that Snape is truely a good guy.  Remember, Dumbledor trusts him therefor, so do I.  Please feel free to share your thoughts.