The year was 2001. I was a junior in college, and my brother happened to be one of my best friends. We hung out a lot that year, both just trying to finish up with our degrees. This was long before Micah married Beth, before they had 2 kids. Micah and I had a friend named Julia, and one day they went to see a movie together. They came back and told me that I just had to see this new movie–Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone.
I was hesitant, reluctant to spend my less-than-moderate college income on a movie that I wasn’t sure I’d like. At the time, I was mostly only into chick flicks. (I’m happy to report that my tastes have expanded over the years: historicals, classics, comedies, action, etc.) But after a week, they had worn me down, and so I went with Micah and Julia to see the movie.
Then Julia told me that I had to read the books. Well, I figured if the books were half as good as the movie, it’d be worth my time. I was wrong! The books were three times better than the movie! JK Rowling packed so much heart and hope into what is essentially a children’s book, but there’s a reason that adults and kids alike love these books.
I sprinted through the first four books, then joined the rest of the world in waiting for the 5th book to come out. By then, I was out of college and living back at home with my parents. I didn’t know anyone else reading Harry Potter books at the time, but there was no way I was waiting a moment longer than I had to to get to read it. So there I was at Barnes and Noble at midnight on the release date. I waited in line, then I raced home and spent the entire night and the whole morning reading. My parents didn’t know what to do with a recent college grad, who really didn’t need sleep and just wanted to read. I was a bit of zombie for an entire weekend, but it was so worth it!
I think since then I’ve seen every movie and gotten every book at the midnight release. 🙂 Don’t worry. I was never one to dress up and go overboard for the parties. I just wanted to get the book. I just wanted to see the movie.
So a little over a week later, came the release of book 7, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. We were on summer hours at work, which meant that that Friday, Jess and Jess and I were done for the day at 1:30, which meant an entire afternoon of “what do we do to pass the time until midnight?” Turns out we had plenty to do. 🙂 There were t-shirts to be made (mine said, Jealous of Ginny), movies to see (again), and a midnight release party to attend. We met Kelly and Laura at the Barnes and Noble and there, I finally put my hands on the last tome in the series.
I read straight through the night and was done by … hmm … I think I was too tired to remember. 🙂 I do remember throwing my book across the room when one of my favorite characters died.
That Saturday night was my birthday party. Funny thing was, the five of us who’d read the book all through the night sequestered ourselves in the basement for the first 20 minutes just to talk Harry. 🙂 We did finally emerge to be social.
I have a lot of good memories from times with friends that involved Harry Potter. And I have an entire shelf dedicated to my Harry memoribilia–gifts from friends. Here’s a peak at my Harry corner.
Yes those are HP dolls. Gifts! All gifts!
I will say that I love the friendship between HP, Ron, and Hermione. Their loyalty and love for each other is nothing short of inspiring. Plus, Ron is a hoot and quite the funny character!
Monday Movie – Harry Potter Movies Galore!
I had a super-busy weekend, which I’ll expound on more tomorrow, so I didn’t have time to watch all four of these movies when they were on–of course, I have them on dvd, so I could really watch them anytime I wanted–but I did catch bits and pieces of the first, second, and fourth movies, really the only TV that I watched all weekend.
I confess that I love these movies. I think the 5th, Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix, is likely my favorite, even though it’s been a while since I’ve seen it.
I think I love it because in the movie Harry is missing most of the angst that makes that book my least favorite. Instead we get an action-packed story of loyalty and standing for what’s right in the midst of persecution. We see young men and women standing up for what they believe rather than succombing to what’s easy.
Now I know that there’s much discussion in the Christian community about the rights and wrongs of Harry Potter. But I don’t wish to draw out that discussion. Rather, I’ll just say that I do understand why some choose not to be entertained by the Harry Potter movies and books. While I don’t share those same convictions, as instead I find the themes of loyalty, true friendship, and the existence of real good and evil quite refreshing in comparison to much of the current media, I certainly won’t try to push my views about Harry on others. I should also point out that I believe that wicca is a serious cult and shouldn’t be trifled with. I also believe that Harry doesn’t encourage or promote witchcraft of that kind.