> 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 actually agree with you, and i wrote the post recognizing my own hypocrisy. I wasn't necessarily trying to make sense of my point of view as much as i was simply being honest. Some stories (e.g., Harry Potter, Tim Burton) I simply choose not to like because there's plenty of other stuff in which i am already interested, so i don't feel the need to examine every single societal offering for my entertainment. In regard to the Potter series, that professor's article just happened to be what removed any tendency i might have had toward considering it.

From childhood, i've been a finicky reader, perhaps in part because i read slowly. I like to absorb phrases and run character voices through my head, sometimes aloud, until i can picture what they sound like to me. It's just a personal fascination with language.

I don't devote enough time to leisurely reading to allow for covering the New York Times bestseller list. Most of what i read is by dead British guys. I love writing styles which don't seem to be used by modern authors, folk literature like Hans Christian Anderson and the Brothers Grimm (Yes, i realize that none of those men were British).

> 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.
>

I've done the same thing, but not as much of the first, simply because i don't watch very many movies, in comparison to most of the people i know. Most pop art does not appeal to me--i have found few romantic comedies which i have enjoyed, because the script writers seem to follow too much of a form and not enough of an individual story line. This is why i cannot read Jane Austen, do not want to, you can't make me. As George H. W. Bush said regarding broccoli while serving as U. S. president, i was forced to experience it at a younger age, and i can choose not to like it now.

> I liked it. Therefore, it's a wonderful series of books. Period.
>
> It made me laugh, and kept me entertained. Ergo...good movie.
>

Cool. That is the important thing.

> Personally (and no offense here), I could care less what you or anyone thinks is a great movie or book.
>

No offense taken. For me, i really enjoy forum posts like this.

> 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.
>

NO, WE COULDN'T!! SHUT UP. YOU'RE MEAN! ;OD

> 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?

Honestly, the one interesting thing i've gotten from the entire Harry Potter series was the British title, "The Philosopher's Stone," because alchemy is an interesting subject to me. However, long children's books are not high on my "gotta read" list. I may one day read it. But even a MAGNIFICENT book to me, at some level, is just another book.

I saw the Chinese film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" this past week. The tree scene in that movie is the most visually impressive scene i recall having ever seen in a movie. But if i hadn't seen that last week, it wouldn't change a thing i do today, outside of mentioning it in this post.
>
> Kel"self-discovery...yeah...that's the ticket"ly

Thanks for replying to my post. What you had to say really help me clarify my opinion, even in my own mind. Then again, maybe i'm just really tired.

Penny*You are definitely on the list of people i like now*stamp