He's been reading it all morning. He's on chapter 4 now. It's a miracle.
JK Rowling
You. Are. A. Genius.
Now, I'm not the type of person who thinks that any reading is good. I'd rather my kids never read a word than read some of the garbage out there. I'll admit there was even a time that I wasn't sure I wanted them to read the Harry Potter books (even as I was devouring them.) But I came to discover that's the genius of JK Rowling. She created a story that is so engrossing that almost anyone would like them, but there is also so much to learn from them.
Since I'm currently feeling warm and fuzzy towards all things Harry, I thought I'd share which movies and books are my favorite. Please don't misunderstand - I like all the books and the movies - but these are my favorite.
I really enjoyed the beginning with the car and the whomping willow. Very intrigued by the diary and Tom Riddle and the mystery of who had opened the Chamber of Secrets. This book was full of whimsy and yet very creepy at the same time.
While the book is mostly a blur to me this movie is one of my favorites. It was the first one that didn't feel cheesy. Adore the beginning when the kids are singing "Something Wicked This Way Comes." Loved the turning back time aspects. Loved the creepiness of the forest when their hiding from the werewolf. Good Stuff.
I think this book is my favorite. Mostly what I love about this book is the back story. I was fascinated by the story of Tom Riddle's parents. Also loved the struggle that was going on with Draco as he desperately tries to prove himself. Loved the romance in the book. So shocked by the end scene.
This may be my favorite movie as well. So much to love about this movie. Loved the cinematography. I wish they hadn't taken out all the stuff about Tom Riddle's parents, but I understand why they did. There were some things that they changed from the book as there always is, but a few of those changes I actually thought were better. One of those changes is the scene in Hagrid's hut where Harry is trying to get information out of Horace Slughorn. Loved the part with the fish turning into a flower. So touched by the story he tells about Harry's mother. So powerful how Harry tells him to be brave. Awesome scene. Again I enjoyed the romance in this one. I could watch this movie over and over.
While I enjoyed this book a lot and I think there were some things left out of the movie that I wish were there - I still thoroughly enjoyed Part 1. Part 2 was good, but Part 1 was fantastic.
Some people were probably bored by this, but I loved the time they spent in the tent. All that time away from their family - hiding and hunting for they knew not what. Loved the scene when Fenrir Greyback smells Hermione in the woods. Love the scene where Hemione and Harry dance. Love when Ron comes back. Loved, loved the Deathly Hallows story. There were a lot of things that would be hard to understand, though if you hadn't read the book. For example I didn't remember who Fenrir Greyback was until I went back and read the book.
So what about you? Which books or movies are your favorite?
Prizoner of Azkaban was my favorite of the series until Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows. Those three are my favs for almost all of the same reasons. And you know what? I said almost the same thing about J.K.'s genius when my little brother started to read these. He'd never read "books" before. And it's stuck with him. 23 and still devouring new things. I owe her a lot!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura - We have good taste - I new we did :) Good to know about your brother - hope my son continues as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Goblet of Fire has to be my favorite of the movies (I'm a sucker for dragons). Of the books, I like Half Blood Prince, mostly for the love story :) but also because of Draco (who did an awesome job in that movie).
ReplyDeleteHi Tiana - I enjoyed The Goble of Fire book a lot. I like the movie, but sometimes it's just seems to go on forever. Maybe because we're always watching it when it comes on t.v. and there's a million commercials. I like dragons too. Draco did do an awesome job. I think they short changed him in the the last movie though.
ReplyDeleteGoblet of Fire wins for my favorite book. Deathly Hallows Part 2 wins the movie (but Order of the Phoenix is a close second).
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As a teacher, Order of the Phoenix really got to me. I literally squirmed around in my chair as I read what Umbridge was doing to Hogwarts.
ReplyDeleteAnd both Deathly Hallows movies were anticlimactic. Even with Neville flying through the air with a sword, the ending seemed rote. Of course, I thought all the movie battles between people holding sticks in their hands weren't very dramatic. :)
Hi Catherine - I enjoyed the book Goblet of Fire, but the movie sort of bugged me. I enjoyed part 2, but felt let down in some ways. I liked the book Order of the Phoenix a lot - I liked how they organized and wanted Harry to train them. I loved the Tonk's character - felt she was way short changed in the movies.
ReplyDeleteHi Brent - Yes Umbridge was so horrible. Very creepy the way she dressed in pink with kittens on her walls like she's this sweet harmless woman when in reality she's incredibly twisted. I also felt that Deathly Hallows part 2 was anticlimactic. I liked the first part a lot, but I definitely wanted more from the 2nd.
Thanks for your comments.
Azkaban is my favorite movie and book too. The last book and movies are very close, but maybe only because of the emotional effect they have on me, being the time I had to say goodbye to these wonderful characters. YAY JKR!
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