[big snip]

>I view the upcoming Harry Potter movie somewhat >skeptically. ... Now these same people are >going to see a movie adaptation of the book -- >and they all know who did it!
>
>I view it with more than skepticism. I view it >as a waste of time, because of an article by >some Yale English prof on how horrible the
>woman's righting style is. I realize how >ignorant it is to base one's opinion of >something on a single source, but i didn't WANT >to be interested in the icon of Harry Potter(even after i realized i look a lot
like him when >i put on round spectacles, except that i've got >blonde hair and am not a British orphaned cartoon). So i won't see that movie until forced >to, any more than i'll read one of the books >before every other book on the planet (Harlequin >romances excluded--those don't count as >literature, not being as purposeful as classics >like "The Stinky Cheese Man") is burned.

> Penny*probably should have made a separate post out of some of this rant*stamp

Why on Earth would you base your opinion of something on one person's view of it?

I can say, with almost absolute certainty, that almost every single book, movie, play, poem, etc...was at one time or another ridiculed in the media.

I've discovered that a large group of people tend to rebuke the Harry Potter series for no other reason than the fact that its mainstream and wildly popular. I can only imagine how full of self-loathing someone would have to be to fall into this category, yet they're out there...in force.

Whether it be books, or movies, or plays, or whatever, you have to judge for yourself if it's good or not. Letting others decide for you is the easy way to go, but far from the most worthwhile.

With regards to movies, I have sat through such unbelievable crap that it made me wish I was deaf and blind so I could spare myself the torture. I
have also sat through emotional whirlwinds that have struck such a deep chord within me, that I emerge from the theater awestruck and forever
changed. I cannot imagine what I would have missed had I let the views of others be my guidance.

You know what? The Harry Potter series is amazing. You know why? Because I liked it. Those books kept me entertained and in suspense for hours. Therefore, it's a wonderful series of books. Period.

Ever seen "Big Trouble In Little China"? Again...a great movie. Why? Because I liked it. It made me laugh, and kept me entertained. Ergo...good movie.

There are literally hundreds of great movies out there. There are thousands of great books. What's great in my opinion, may differ vastly from yours.
That's OK. Personally (and no offense here), I could care less what you or anyone thinks is a great movie or book.

We could argue semantics all day, writing styles, character development, plot twists, etc..., but what ultimately makes a great book/movie is your
own personal taste.

Don't write something off without giving it a chance. Take Harry Potter, I'm sure you know it's about a young boy who goes to a special school to learn magic. If that doesn't interest you, fine. But if that's a premise that peaks your interest, even slightly, then read the first book. If you hate it, fine; but what if you love it? Would you really want to miss out on finding a book that you love, just because some English professor at Yale criticized the author's writing style?

Kel"self-discovery...yeah...that's the ticket"ly