Queen Kelley

WARNING: SPOILERS GALORE

After waiting far too long for a delayed release, I’ve seen it twice, and I’m hoping for a third viewing in a few weeks. Yes, it was that good. Here’s what I liked and what I didn’t like about the long-awaited film, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince:

What I liked:
- The three main actors. Emma, Dan, and Rupert have portrayed Hermione, Harry, and Ron for nearly ten years now. Watching them grow, both physically and as actors, is a treat. Increasingly over the span of six films, the chemistry between them radiates from the screen. In this one more than any other, each actor seems completely at home in his or her role.

- The adults. As always, an outstanding lineup of British actors portrays the roles of professors and Death Eaters, and they’re all brilliant. Three stood out in this film: Gambon as Dumbledore, simultaneously communicating confidence and uncertainty; Rickman as Snape, whose delivery of his lines is perfectly chilling and yet indicative of his inner conflict; and Broadbent as Slughorn, expertly showing us both his nervous guilt over a secret from his past and his greedy delight over various “collected” students.

- The teen angst and romance. The actors obviously had a blast portraying the ups and downs of teenage emotions. Jessie Cave was hysterical as Ron’s love interest Lavender Brown. Hermione’s jealousy was palpable, as was Ron’s smug attitude. Harry’s side glances at Ginny were amusing, as were Cormac’s revolting advances toward Hermione. The scene between Hermione and Harry after Ron kisses Lavender is touching and wholly believable.

- The Weasley Burrow. It’s always fun to walk through the Weasley’s magical home, with its impossible staircases and passages. I enjoyed seeing Arthur’s shed full of “Muggle artifacts.”

- The Felix Felicis scenes. Dan’s portrayal of Harry after he drinks “liquid luck” and follows its lead to discover Slughorn’s secret is excellent. The change in Harry is immediately evident: he’s confident, smug, and brash. His interactions with Slughorn are hilarious.

- The memories of Tom Riddle. The two actors who played Tom were spot-on—creepy, arrogant, confident, chilling. I truly believed those youngsters would grow up to be Voldemort.

- The cave scene. Both frightening and heartbreaking, the scene in the cave is well done. Dumbledore’s struggle to drink the potion and uncover the suspected horcrux was horrifying to watch, and I felt Harry’s urgency and agony as he forced his beloved headmaster to swallow until the liquid was gone.

- Draco’s inner battle. Tom Felton did a fine job of showing Draco’s conflict over doing what the Dark Lord required of him and being true to himself. For the first time, I was able to feel sorry for Draco, and that’s saying something.

- The scene at the tower and the pursuit. It wasn’t long enough, but it was superbly acted by all—Bellatrix’s madness, Draco’s struggle, Snape’s reluctant intervention, Dumbledore’s convincing pleas, and a wide-eyed Harry watching it all from below. Then came Harry’s anger as he chased Snape and charged him to fight back, effectively communicating both rage and grief over what he had witnessed.

- The tribute to Dumbledore. It wasn’t what I expected, but the raised wands that blotted out the Dark Mark in the sky, the genuine tears over the immense loss, and Harry slumped over Dumbledore were incredibly moving.

What I didn’t like:
- The attack on the Burrow. Like a few other unnecessary added scenes that took time from more important segments of the film, I thought this contrived attack was melodramatic and unbelievable. Enough said.

- The reaction to Dumbledore’s death. I noted above that the wand-raising was moving, but I still needed more closure to the loss of such a fascinating individual. Aragog the spider got a funeral. Why didn’t Dumbledore? I hope the seventh film offers a bit more reaction. It would be a fitting way to open part one of the Deathly Hallows.

- Ginny’s interactions with Harry. I’ve always enjoyed Bonnie Wright’s portrayal of Ginny, but it strikes me that she really hasn’t had much of a role thus far. In this film, when she needed to step up and prove herself a powerful force in Harry’s life, one strong enough to attract him to her, I think she fell a bit short. She’s a lovely girl, but I didn’t feel that she communicated Ginny’s fiery passion. At all.

- The omission of Tom’s family history. I thought we needed more of Tom Riddle’s background to understand the last two films. As my friend Monica said, Harry’s certainly going to need his friends’ help to find the remaining Horcruxes since he missed so many essential memories about Tom.

- The length of the climax and the absence of the battle. It’s been long enough since I read the book that I can’t fully remember the climactic events at the end of it. Even so, the confrontation on the tower and the following brief interaction between Harry and Snape, though brilliantly acted, weren’t quite enough for me. I knew something was missing, and I needed more.

Overall reaction:
Fabulous adaptation of the sixth part of Harry’s story, even with its glaring additions/omissions. Strongly acted, beautifully scored, and powerfully moving. How long until November 2010?

I like lists, both making them and reading them. When I get to the end, I feel like I’ve accomplished something. For today’s list, I thought about sharing what with you. Then I figured why is a lot more interesting. So here’s my list of why, part 1.

1. Why I prefer reading and writing children’s literature. By children’s, I mean anything from picture books to teen fiction. I’ll admit I haven’t read much adult fiction, so my opinion is definitely biased. From the few pieces I’ve read, though, I have to say that children’s literature seems to offer more imagination, hope, and freedom to dream. Whether it’s fantasy, coming-of-age, or some other kind of tale, I’m completely pulled into books about or directed toward young people. In the best of these books, the characters are palpable, the life lessons subtle, the humor abundant, and the endings nearly always hopeful, if not necessarily happy. I enjoy writing for this age group for similar reasons. I’ve found that I don’t need explicit descriptions of sexual encounters to sense passion between individuals. I don’t need long, drawn-out, brutal death scenes to appreciate depth of loss. I don’t need excessive profanity to understand the fire behind a character’s words. The bottom line is that I simply think children’s literature is more fun and fulfilling to read. With limited reading time, I go with what I love.

2. Why Harry Potter is an obsession of mine. My infatuation with all things Harry Potter ebbs and flows with the book and movie releases. Recently, I’ve rewatched movies 3 and 4 and will soon watch 5 to get ready for the release of 6 next month. Of course, the books trump the movies any day, but time constraints don’t allow me to reread them in the way I’d like. As for Harry, there’s something incredibly moving about witnessing him transform from a small, awkward, and unaware young wizard into a force that defeats the wizarding world’s greatest enemy. Perhaps most fascinating is that he doesn’t actually evolve all that much. While his perspective on life and death and good and evil greatly matures, he is still Harry at the end of the series—awkward, slightly unsure, not at all self-glorifying. There are things to complain about regarding some of Rowling’s logic and lack of editing, but overall the series is powerful, captivating, and enduring. I look forward to reading the books with my kids in a few years. (As for the religious controversy over the books, I say it all comes back to Glenda’s question in The Wizard of Oz: “Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?” Clearly, Harry is good, as hard as it is to be good in a world where evil is so tantalizing.)

3. Why I put my kids to bed at 8:00 every night. Plain and simple, they need the sleep, and the King and I need the time to ourselves. Additionally, my children wake up by 6:30 nearly every morning, regardless of when they go to bed, so why not get them down early and extend the night for everyone? Although you can never be certain of a family’s reasoning, I still cringe when I’m at a grocery store at 9:00 pm and see small children gallivanting around with their parents. Put them to bed already!

4. Why I believe in God. Science intrigues me. The more I learn about our amazing universe, the more I feel certain that there is a Higher Power behind it all. I simply can’t accept the fact that everything, from the enormity of the sun that sustains our life to the tiniest particles that make up our cells, randomly exploded into being. As for the particulars of how, when, why, and exactly what, most days I’m content to discover those things as God chooses to reveal them. I know many intelligent, logical, reasonable people disagree with this belief in a Supreme Force. But I believe. I’ve found that I can’t do otherwise.

5. Why I’m a Baptist. I’d like to say it’s because I admire Baptist principles like freedom of interpretation, separation of church and state, priesthood of the believer, autonomy of the local church, etc. Those are indeed lofty principles when applied to the way one worships God. To be honest, though, I’m a Baptist because I was born into it. Who knows how it would be otherwise. I might just as easily be a Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Catholic, some other religion, or not a believer at all. I’d like to think I’d be attracted to the Baptist faith as an outsider, but my particular denomination of Christianity has a poor reputation these days. However, being mature enough now to explore other groups, I choose to remain a Baptist mostly because of the historic principles listed above.

6. Why I give money to childhood cancer research/support organizations. Everyone needs a cause—a place to direct his or her money, time, and passion. For the King and me, it’s childhood cancer groups. Our main inspiration appears occasionally on my blog. A little girl with a big story, Catie Marie Wilkins battled medulloblastoma (aggressive brain tumor) for nearly four years. She passed on at age four in January 2007, just a week before her younger sister’s birth. I still follow the family’s journey, which Catie’s mother Jenny writes beautifully on her blog. What these children face is beyond horrifying. What their parents endure is unimaginable. The strength they all exhibit is breathtaking. The King and I are committed to caring for these kids and their families as much as we can, and hopefully we can increase our support and involvement as our own children mature.

7. Why symmetry drives me crazy. My husband is an engineer. For his work, symmetry is essential and even at times a life-and-death matter. However, he brings this into the home. The rugs must be completely straight, the pictures perfectly aligned, the colors mirror images of each other. We laugh about it because my instinct is to bump things slightly askew, to scatter the colors, to break the reflection. It makes life more interesting and unpredictable. Of course, John would say just the opposite.

8. Why I wear my seatbelt and switch off lights. It’s my dad. From the time we were small, he insisted that we buckle up while riding, and this was before seatbelt use was the law or even popular. Luckily, the habit stuck with me even through my teen years, when many of my friends considered seatbelts annoying and uncool. Now I have the law on my side, so I will accept no excuses from my own kids. As a Georgia Power engineer, my dad also nagged about us leaving lights on in unused rooms. At this point, I probably use more energy than I conserve because I flip off the lights even when I leave a room only for a few minutes. Thanks, Daddy. (:

9. Why I care about the Earth. I have a hard time understanding why anyone, especially those who believe in God, think caring for the Earth is some liberal, new age way to live. For me, it merely makes sense. When I think about the technological advances that have consumed our world in the past century, our progress blows my mind. Accompanying our advances in America is, unfortunately, a tendency to produce more waste that takes years to decompose (if it ever does), to collect material possessions in excess of anything anyone would ever need, to use our resources as if they are limitless (they’re not), and to disregard the fact that people across the sea still can’t count on clean water, much less electricity to power their lives. Why any Christian would think it’s not important to care for the Earth is totally beyond me. I can’t do it all, but I’ll do my best to recycle, reuse, and choose my food and products carefully in this little corner where I live.

10. Why I take a break from reading to read. The King simply shakes his head at me when, after a couple of hours of nightly editing, I crawl into bed to open a book and read for a few minutes. Let me assure you that there is an enormous difference in reading  someone’s writing in order to correct it and reading someone’s writing in order to enter another world. There is nothing—not movies, not vacations, sometimes not even time with friends—like sneaking away into the world created by a fiction author. I’m so thankful for books and only wish I had more time to read them.

To be continued….

Grrr. Just when I was getting excited about the latest Harry Potter movie (if you haven’t figured it out yet, I’m a shameless fan), the studio goes and changes the release date from this November to next July. That’s right; we have to wait nearly a whole year for the release of this movie. Never mind that I got to see the totally enticing short trailer on the big screen last weekend when it aired before Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (a super chick flick, by the way). Never mind that it’s been more than a year since the final book release for the series. Never mind that Monica and I were already talking about planning our next Potter party to celebrate the film. An article on The Leaky Cauldron website explained the rubbish reasoning behind the change:

The press release says the reason for the move was two-fold: First, the studio says summer releases are better for “family tentpole” events, and second, they are still feeling the aftereffects of the writers’ strike and need the time to make sure the film reaches the widest audience possible.

Translation? “We want to milk this cash cow for all she’s worth!!!” And of course, who can blame them? They’re in the business to make millions, if not billions, of dollars, and J. K. Rowling’s imagination has significantly padded their wallets. They know postponing this film will in no way decrease the number of viewers. Admittedly, it might even increase that number.

Even so, grrr. It’s frustrating to have my anticipation stymied like this. All who are sympathetic to my grumbling, please comment and make me feel better.

Monica and Robin let me know of two goodies from one of my favorite authors. The first is a handwritten card created for Waterstone’s, leading bookseller in the U.K. The company is holding a contest in which writers 18 and over can submit their own brief story. Those who win will be published alongside authors like Rowling, Doris Lessing, and Neil Gaiman in a “postcard” book scheduled for an August release. (No, I didn’t enter the contest. I like to think I’m creative, but I’m not THAT creative, and the deadline is June 19. However, any of my writing friends who read this and decide to go for it, good luck!) To read Rowling’s amusing story about Sirius and James, go to this link, click on “read our author’s stories,” then click on JK Rowling.

The other treat is an outstanding commencement speech Rowling recently delivered for Harvard graduates. She is funny (even throwing in Harry Potter tidbits now and then) eloquent, and, above all, thoughtful and bright. I encourage anyone to go to the link and listen to it or at least read the transcript, as it’s an important reminder to all of us about what we can learn from failure and the power of the human imagination. The most meaningful line to me is, “Unlike any other creature on this planet, humans can learn and understand, without having experienced. They can think themselves into other people’s minds, imagine themselves into other people’s places.” The significance of this ability cannot be overstated. When it comes to reaching out to others, serving others’ needs, and caring for others, the human ability to empathize is essential.

Monica sent me a link to my favorite website for Potter news, The Leaky Cauldron. Obviously, I don’t check this site much anymore, or I would have known the news before she emailed it. Thanks, Monica! What do my fellow Potter fans think about this news? Given the incredible depth of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and the gravity of the subjects it addressed, I think a film in two parts will do it justice. Apparently, it will be a Lord of the Rings style filming–all at once, then released several months apart. Filming the two parts at once will give it continuity, which is essential especially when young, rapidly growing actors are involved. It will also bring greater flow to the whole.

On another note, I had forgotten that Half Blood Prince releases this fall! Yet another Potter debut to look forward to. My blog may have been quiet on the Potter front since the excitement from book 7 and movie 5 faded, but never fear. The multiple Potter posts shall return!

If you’ve been reading my blog since the beginning, you won’t be surprised that I’ve read Philip Pullman’s controversial Dark Materials trilogy and–gasp!–enjoyed it. Fantasy is one of my favorite reading genres. Something in me loves the magic, the mystery, the fanciful creations, the vast expanse of numerous worlds other than the one we know. As a child, I snuggled next to my sister (my brother played busily with this toys on the floor), while Mama read to us from Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. I identified with Jess and Leslie as they imagined a mythical world in Paterson’s Bridge to Terebithia. Later, in college, I tackled Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and his The Hobbit. I also discovered Cooper’s Dark Is Rising series and embarked on the powerful journey that is Rowling’s Harry Potter. Since then, I’ve thrilled to Funke’s Inkheart and Inkdeath, Bray’s historical fiction/fantasy trilogy that begins with A Great and Terrible Beauty, and, yes, Pullman’s His Dark Materials.

What’s all the fuss about fantasy? Why is it such a current fascination with readers? And why does it make some people feel so threatened?

I’ve at least figured out why I like it. In 2003, I read an article written by Natalie Burg, then a senior English major at Michigan State University, for the school’s publication The State News. She wrote, 

People are drawn to “the chosen one” much more so than they are the ordinary hero. A plot with a prophecy is always more exciting. Miraculous powers seem to be a hit as well. Wait a minute…chosen one, prophecy, miracles, conquering evil…there seems to be another book based around these things. …My devotion to Harry Potter is a result of my devotion to my faith. J. K. Rowling has made a little messiah. And I’m buying it.

As I read Natalie’s words, I realized that something in me is indeed drawn to this type of mythical hero. I also thought of something I once read about C. S. Lewis and his pal J. R. R. Tolkien. Late into the night more than half a century ago, Tolkien, Lewis, and others talked about faith. By the time the sun came up the next morning, Lewis was convinced that Tolkien was right: as Lewis had always thought, Christianity was a great myth–complete with war, betrayal, curses and blessings, and of course a tragic hero (who just happened to be not so tragic in the end). What Tolkien had conveyed to Lewis, however, was that this myth was different from fantastic stories invented by human minds. This myth was true. Lewis became a Christian and the rest is history.

I don’t know how accurate that story is, but it’s been told in biographies and writings about both men. I cling to it because it validates what is truly my obsession with stories like Frodo’s, Harry’s, Lyra’s, and even Luke Skywalker’s. It’s okay for me to get caught up in their adventures and perils because, ultimately for me, they point to the greatest adventure of all–that of being a follower of Jesus Christ. (Plus, they’re simply fantastic reads!)

As to why some people feel threatened by fantasy books and films, I imagine it’s because they’ve been told fantasy is dangerous and counter to the teachings of God; that any mention of witches or wizards, magic, sorcery, spirits, etc. constitutes evil. Of course, I tend to disagree. For me, fantasy, which highlights the classic battle between good and evil and frequently employs imagery like that found in the biblical book of Revelation, often parallels or at least complements my faith. I certainly can’t make up another’s mind, though, and I must leave it to each person to decide.

I see nothing wrong with reading fantasy books or viewing fantasy films. Every individual is entitled to his or her opinion, but I do hope such opinions are at least researched and grounded on facts, rather than hearsay. It is ridiculous to me that people take up arms against something they personally know little or nothing about.

In closing, I recommend this blog article by Jeannie Babb Taylor. Her first two paragraphs say it all to me. Enjoy!

A few years ago, I found Harry Potter fan art by Marta. It’s simple, realistic artwork done mostly in pencil. I enjoy seeing someone’s ideas of the story’s characters and events. I don’t think Marta pictures the characters as young as they should look in earlier books, but I like her illustrations. This one from Deathly Hallows is a favorite, as Dobby’s death was one of the most moving scenes for me in that book, particularly the way Harry slowly, methodically, and without magic dug the elf’s grave.

As much as I long to write, I have always been fascinated by art and have dabbled in sketches for years. Maybe one day I’ll be able to take a few classes to learn proper facial structure and how to create perspective. Just a hobby I think would be relaxing.

This article is definitely controversial. As evident from my earlier posts about Harry Potter, I tend to agree with those who find Christian themes in the books. But I know that many disagree wholeheartedly. What do you think?

SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS!

So. Wow. After way too much stopping and starting for my liking, I finally secured a kid-free allotment of time in which to devour the remaining few hundred pages of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I made it to bed at 11:00 and was unable to sleep unfitfully for hours afterward. There is much to process, but I wanted to record my initial reactions before I move to deeper posts later.

(1) I’ve talked with others about how Jo Rowling may not be the most poetic writer. Her adeptness lies not in meticulous word selection but in masterful plot construction and character development. As the incredible expanse of her world and her intricate story unfolded in Book 7–I experienced many “a-ha” and “oh!” moments–I was totally awed by her talent. The dozens of connections she wove through all 7 books, which came to light so beautifully in this final volume, make me nothing but respectful of a mind that is able to see such a big picture and yet reveal it so slowly, piece by piece, without ruining the satisfaction of viewing the whole.

(2) I have loved these characters–Harry, Hermione, Ron, Hagrid, Dumbledore, the Weasleys, Lupin, Sirius, Luna, Neville, even Snape. Rowling made them so real, so dynamic, and so human. I felt their pain, embarrassment, amusement, love, hope, struggles. It is a credit to Jo that she hasn’t seemed to let all the Potter hype (movies, toys, clothes, web sites, etc.) deviate from her goal to stay true to the characters born from her mind.

(3) Nonstop action! This is why constant interruptions were so annoying as I read this book. The action began with a bang and hardly let up until the last page. Battles, arguments, deaths, revelations, new puzzles came one after the other. I can’t even begin to conceive of this in film format.

(4) Snape and Dumbledore. After reading the chapter in which Voldemort kills Snape, I felt disappointed that the despicable professor wasn’t, after all, fighting for the good side. What a beautiful death scene, though (”Look…at…me.”). Then the next chapter, in which Harry dives into Snape’s memories, vindicated Severus Snape at long last, and I have never been so grateful to an author. Snape was probably her most clever creation because he kept us wondering for so long. I also thought knocking Dumbledore off his pedestal was clever and REAL. In all previous books, we’d seen few weaknesses in the wizard, but this book showed that he, too, lived through serious character faults and mistakes. I think this was probably the greatest lesson for Harry. After all, Dumbledore has told him all along that the choices make the person.

(5) Death. I think Rowling treated death in a beautifully spiritual way. The chapter where Harry knowingly walks to his death in the forest is poignant, heartbreaking, and revealing. I marveled at the way she described his sudden realization of what it means to live in a body–to see, to breathe, to be. I also love the way she showed her belief that we keep going after that body is gone. Just beautiful.

These are my initial reactions. I will write more and use specific quotes later. Well done, Jo! I couldn’t have asked for better.

I will of course comment on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows when I finish it, but for right now, let me say that it’s completely engrossing from the first page. Now that the princesses are in bed, I will hide away in my quarters and read until I fall asleep…if I can fall asleep. As an amusing side note, the King, who is not a reader, just returned from Wal-Mart where he purchased his own copy so we won’t argue over who gets to read when. Happy reading, Potter fans!

I apologize to readers who aren’t Potter fans, but this is a Potter week, after all. In less than 10 hours, the last book of the series will be available, though I imagine I’ll wait and get it in the morning (first thing, of course).

I was as excited as any young teen on my way to the movie Saturday. Whether that was due mostly to my love of the story or to the fact that my inlaws and the King offered to stay home with the princesses is up for debate. Regardless, the film met and even sometimes exeeded my expectations. I’m not a purist. Films need not duplicate books exactly to satisfy me. I enjoy books on one level and movies on another, though I feel the movies should stay faithful to the heart of the story. In my opinion, the Potter films have done that.

SPOILERS BELOW

Here’s what thrilled me about this film:
-Harry’s building anger and sense of isolation
-Dumbledore’s struggle between helping Harry and avoiding him in order to avoid Voldemort
-Luna Lovegood! Evanna Lynch was spot-on for me. She’s exactly the way I viewed the character–breathy, eyebrows raised, constant look of either being pensive or dopey.
-Pacing, for the most part. It can be no small task to condense a 900-page book into a movie slightly longer than 2 hours. My kudos to the screenwriter, Michael Goldenberg. He kept the essential moments and added fun touches.
-Dolores Umbridge (played terrifically by Imelda Staunton), who was horribly wicked and sickeningly sweet. I laughed with delight the first time she cleared her throat in the Great Hall (hem-hem).
-The obvious chemistry between Ron and Hermione. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson played this well. Though Ron will get a girlfriend in the next film, he and Hermione are destined for each other, and their interaction in this film sets the stage for that.
-On the same track, I liked the shots of Ginny. Though not frequent enough, it is clear that she and Harry have some chemistry too.
-Fred and George’s fireworks display as they leave Hogwarts. Great fun!
-Alan Rickman, Alan Rickman, Alan Rickman. He is the absolute perfect Snape. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for this dynamic character.
-The soundtrack. Mostly dark and brooding, it also catered to the lighter moments of the film, such as Fred and George’s exit.
-Gary Oldman as Sirius Black. His subtle expressions communicated so much and were a riot.
-The patronus scene in the Room of Requirement, where Harry is teaching the students how to perform their own. Delightful!

Here are the few things that disappointed me:
-The length. Yes, the condensed version is impressive, but with such a long and intricate book, I felt that perhaps some parts were deleted unnecessarily.
-The scenes at the Ministry of Magic. The sets were all spectacular, but I missed some of the fabulous rooms at the ministry as described by Jo. The scene with Sirius’s death in particular seemed somewhat rushed.
-(added July 21)In light of the early pages of book 7, I must mention something I forgot when writing this earlier. Sirius did not give Harry the two-way mirror in the movie. I missed it when I watched, and now it seems that it may be important in the end. And that’s all I’ll say about that.

If you like the Potter world, I think you’ll enjoy the film, even though you may have a few beefs about what was changed/deleted. All in all, I think it was skillfully made and entertaining.

Those who know me well know what I was doing last Saturday–watching the fifth Harry Potter film on IMAX, my 3-D glasses hanging around my neck in anticipation of the wand battle within the Ministry of Magic. Those who know me also know to give me a wide berth this Saturday because, even if I must wait for the princesses to go to sleep, I will at least get started on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It is, after all, the final entry in a world-renowned series 17 years in the making. There are plenty who think someone like me should make a statement by avoiding anything related to the boy wizard, but I’ve been a fan(atic) since book 3 debuted. The books certainly have faults, but I disagree that the story is a dud or inherently evil. Something good has kept me reading (and watching) these several years.

I see these works as some of the latest contributions to stories about the perpetual battle between good and evil. Greek mythology, The Pilgrim’s Progress, Dante’s Inferno, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia, the Star Wars films. Some are much more intentional and allegorical, but at it’s simplest, it’s as basic as that…at least to me. I respect that many people would disagree on several levels, and they should feel free to comment.

As for God and Harry Potter, a friend forwarded an article whose author (whom I just happen to know) identifies three foundational lessons reinforced by the Potter books. Find it here.

With so many different opinions of this particular series of books, in the end I believe some of us must agree to disagree. I’ll keep enjoying the books and films for what they are to me–parts of a fantastic story about characters I’ve grown to love. (Please don’t kill Harry, Jo, even though I know it would make the most literary sense.)