I haven't read the latest Harry Potter book. If I'm perfectly honest with myself, I don't even plan to. And when they make it into a movie, I don't plan to go see it.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not mad at Harry, and I've enjoyed getting to know him better as he grew older. I actually read three of the books aloud to my youngest son at bedtime. I've seen all the movies. I've done my time at Hogwarts.
My oldest son, Jonathan, has his own blog these days (Green Tea Reflections) where he has reviewed the latest book and given it a rave. Check it out for yourself. I pretty much expect him to flame me in a comment to this post.
Let's do the math. These books aren't cheap—there have been six so far—and our home has usually bought two of each (because, basically, no kid was going to wait while the other read the book). We've had three movies and every member of our family saw each one at least once, the kids two and three times, plus there's candy and popcorn. Then, of course, there was all the Harry Potter merchandising bought for holidays and birthdays—from lunch boxes to magic wands and Halloween costumes. Oh, and the DVD's and pay-per-views. I'm thinking I'm north of $500 and south of $1000. But that could be low...
I know, I know. It's not about money, it's about magic. But, for me, I'm just burned out with the freaking Dursleys and shipping off to Hogwarts and the new teachers and the lessons learned. It's familiar to me now and I'm ready to move on. I honestly don't care that this one is supposedly the "most adult" yet. I'm over it.
Harry, please don't take this personally, I felt the same about Star Wars, but, for me, the magic is gone.
News! – Views! – & Schmooze! (Dispatches, POVs and Idle Chat from Hollywood's Front Lines) is the flagship blog of Bryce Zabel—covering TV, film, culture, writing and politics.
Bryce is a working screenwriter/producer whose current credits include The Poseidon Adventure and Blackbeard. He was the chairman of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences from 2001-2003. He maintains two other blogs: Instant History and Movies-Squared.
Pub:NB Edited: PC
Article comments
1 - DrPat
Personally, I think life's too short to read books you don't enjoy.
Of course, I rarely meet a book I can't enjoy, so for me, life's just too demn short!
2 - Aaman
Suggest changing this from Review to Opinion - fair enough opinion.
3 - paul
[edited], go to the library.
4 - charlie cheen
GO TO THE LBIRARY THAT SHITS FREE
5 - with karate ill kik ur ass
DAM RIGHT CHARLIE CHEEN.....charlie cheen?
6 - Rachel
I can understand it if you just don't want to read a book, but seriously, if it costs you that much, there are simple solutions. Don't buy merchandise. Go to the library and not buy books (you have to pay taxes to the library anyway, might as well use it...)