Naz / June 18, 2003 2:27 PM

I liked the first movie. I caught it on cable recently. While I have an affinity for British authors especially those that write children's books (Roald Dahl anyone?), in recent years the more something is hyped, the less I want to investigate. Case in point: Amelie. Never seen it. Have the DVD but have not watched it. Everyone I know telling me that I would love it, doesn't help either. More hype = less bite.

amyc / June 18, 2003 2:47 PM

No and no.

Wendy / June 18, 2003 4:08 PM

I'll probably get around to borrowing a copy eventually but I don't feel compelled to get to it anytime soon. At work I've heard way too much just about what it took to print all these copies.

But you know, Books 5 and 6 have been selling in China for over a year now. I understand Book 5 is called "Harry Potter and Leopard Walk Up To Dragon" and #6 is set in Hong Kong and has Harry looking for a golden turtle. Now THOSE I want to read.

Andrew / June 18, 2003 4:12 PM

It would be nice to get ahold of an English translation of the Chinese bootlegs, wouldn't it?

I've read books one and two, and they were decent -- had I been 10 or 11 when they came out, I'd probably be a Potter nut. As it stands, I doubt I'll get around to reading the intervening books, let alone the 800-page behemoth coming out this week. But you never know.

Alejandra / June 18, 2003 5:20 PM

I will prolly pick it up while getting off the shelves to purchase it for the husband. He will care much more than I will.

susan / June 18, 2003 5:24 PM

I, uh, think I'm going to one of those midnight book-buying deals on Friday night. I'm such a dork.

jgs / June 18, 2003 11:21 PM

The harry potter sidewalk experience is not nearly as enticing as the apple store sidewalk that awaits just one week subsequent. now that's a line to stand on.

Shylo / June 19, 2003 8:11 AM

Harry Potter books-on-tape are really, really well done. I've listened to all the books that way. I'll probably do the same with this one.

jima / June 19, 2003 9:16 AM

No and no.

Naz / June 19, 2003 9:27 AM

What are you, a couple or something?

j3s / June 19, 2003 10:05 AM

Don't. Care. At. All. When it comes to Harry Potter, I'm drinkin Haterade.

Naz / June 19, 2003 10:06 AM

Haha! Haterade, frickin' awesome. I'm am totally stealin' that and entering that into my lexicon.

Marc / June 19, 2003 10:29 AM

You know what I hate? Those middle-aged housewives that read Harry Potter books and then go on and on about how it is great literature in a weak attempt to disguise the *real* reason they read them.

The *real* reason? The steamy love scenes.

Naz / June 19, 2003 10:43 AM

What, there's pr0n in Harry Potter books?! Ah the truth has been revealed!

miss ellen / June 19, 2003 10:56 AM

also, a big no from my camp. just haven't gotten into that scene ;) nor do i plan to....

Naz / June 19, 2003 11:03 AM

The Harry Potter scene. Damn man, I didn't know it was a scene and all. I am so unhip. In other news, two years ago I went to Halloween as Harry Potter. I was in the "scene" then let me tell ya. had a lot of girls come up and tell me "Oh that's the cutest thing ever!" I was taken at the time though. But perhaps I should break it out this year instead of the planned "Chips" costumes a friend and I were planning for this year.

kegz / June 19, 2003 11:20 AM

I read the first one and it was fun enough. I've heard from multiple sources that the on tape versions are excellent. Sounds like good fodder for my long commute everday. My wife is much more excited than I am, which is pretty odd.

Kevin / June 19, 2003 1:48 PM

I'd rather chew tinfoil than contribute to JK Rowling's castle payment.

Kris / June 19, 2003 3:22 PM

All of you Harry haters: I used to be one of you. I loudly proclaimed my disinterest and disbelief that so many people were reading these kids' books. All part of my natural aversion to anything with too much hype--bestsellers, summer blockbusters, the White Stripes, I avoid them all.

But then a couple of years ago one of my roommates was given the first book as a gift. Both of my roommates read it and loved it. I finally gave in just so I'd know what they were talking about. And how did I feel about it? LOVE. All three of us ended up reading all four books within a month. So yeah, I'm excited about the new one. Y'all can drink all the Haterade you want, I'll be over here reading my big-ass book.

Naz / June 19, 2003 3:29 PM

Haterade! How's about some Lover-ade?

Sounds like sumpin' else.

Alice / June 19, 2003 4:22 PM

I'm with Kris in that I'm a former Harry hater turned lover once I actually sat down and read the first book. I, too, loathed the folks who brandished their copies of HP on the bus or the eL, rolling my eyes with disgust. Then, like Kris, I broke down in a moment of weakness and read the first book. I really it. I recognized that it was exactly the kind of book I would have loved when I was a kid. So, I read the rest of them, and, while I'm not exactly in a great hurry to read the fifth book, I know I will read it eventually. But not on the bus.

amyc / June 19, 2003 4:24 PM

Yeah, I'm still not gonna read it.

Wendy / June 19, 2003 4:38 PM

I'm a little freaked out that my home town is "turning into Diagon Alley" tomorrow night, but I just might have to see it for myself. I hope they don't do anything to Tasty Dog, though. That place is magic already.

Benjy / June 19, 2003 5:19 PM

When's the movie come out?

Alejandra / June 19, 2003 6:49 PM

Speaking of "steamy love scenes" you know the next movie is going to be directed by Alfonso Cuaron who directed "Y Tu Mama Tambien."

I'm almost afraid to picture what I'm picturing! Hermione, no!

Alejandra / June 19, 2003 6:51 PM

Mmmmmmm.....lover-ade!

Naz "The Lover-ade" H. / June 19, 2003 6:56 PM

I hear the new HP movie is also going to start Mickey Rourke. You know there's going to be some Harley-ridin craziness going on with some "Wild Orchid" and "9 1/2 Weeks" style bonking goin' on.

Don't be playa Haterade.

Naz "The Lover-ade" H. / June 19, 2003 6:58 PM

You know Harry and Ron are totally fighting over Hermione. Shit, they should adapt it for TV, WB can do it, and call it "The Shite Up Potter's Creek". Maybe Harry is related to Joey, you know both of them being Potter's and all.

Naz "The H in my name stands for Haterade" H. / June 19, 2003 6:59 PM

Come on we gotta crank these comments!

Alejandra / June 20, 2003 8:50 AM

"Gapers' Block: Proudly sponsored by Haterade"

Mickey Rourke needs an introduction with Mr. Soap, by the way...

Kevin / June 20, 2003 10:28 AM

"Mickey Rourke needs an introduction with Mr. Soap, by the way..."

Heheh... I'd like to introduce him to some soap. Wait.... that came out wrong. I meant it in a "Full Metal Jacket" sort of way. Really. I did.

Kevin / June 20, 2003 10:32 AM

It's not that I *hate* Henry Potter per se; it's just the arrogant little indie bastard in me that says "if the general public digs it, it must be bad". It's like smoking. I just can't quit.

Maybe in a year I'll be neck deep in HP Mania/paraphanalia and this will all be a foggy memory.

Naz "Lover Lover" H. / June 20, 2003 11:12 AM

But I thought smoking was the cool thing! That everyone was doing it. Must be bad Kevin if everyone is doing it.

Alejandra / June 20, 2003 11:25 AM

I am one of the few women in the this world who actually loves the movie "Full Metal Jacket" Not that that has anything to do with Harry Potter -- who knows maybe Kubrick read Potter.

But really, the main point of all of this is that I love the direction all of these posts have taken.

Don't be fooled by the socks that he got,
he just Naz, just Naz from Gapers' Block!

Andrew / June 20, 2003 11:27 AM

Hey, careful or J.Lo will demand royalties or something.

Naz "Rourke-Wannabe" H. / June 20, 2003 11:41 AM

J. Lo ain't got nothin' on our lady from the block, Alex V.

Also, what went wrong with Mickey Rourke's career anyhow? He was great in Rumble Fish, Barfly, and there was always something cool about him, just not his later career choices. Maybe he should start boxing...again.

Alejandra / June 20, 2003 12:27 PM

I think the next "fuel" should be:

Mickey Rourke's career -- what happened?!

Andrew / June 20, 2003 1:18 PM

Wish granted.