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Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: videoholic on June 20, 2003, 10:14:08 AM

Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: videoholic on June 20, 2003, 10:14:08 AM
I mean isn\'t this just a book?  Why is it always such a huge deal when it comes out?  If they hid hundred dollar bills in say a thousand or so books then I could understand the hub bub, but if I\'m not mistaken it\'s just a freakin book.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: SwifDi on June 20, 2003, 10:15:49 AM
It\'s a great series. I personally like it.

Lumos.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Coredweller on June 20, 2003, 10:19:29 AM
I\'ve read one of the books, I don\'t understand it either.  It was OK, but not great.  In any case, If people want to get thrilled over a book, I\'m all for it.  Our nation needs to read more.

And I\'m not just saying that because I\'m a librarian.  :)
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Deadly Hamster on June 20, 2003, 10:20:57 AM
I dunno, lots of people seem to like it so it must be good. Im not into that kinda thing though.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: JBean on June 20, 2003, 10:35:12 AM
I don\'t get it either.   My wife is demanding that I go stand in line at midnight tonight to get her copy, I just laughed at her.

I read part of the first one and didn\'t think it was that great, not terrible just nothing too exciting.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: GmanJoe on June 20, 2003, 10:40:17 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Coredweller

And I\'m not just saying that because I\'m a librarian.  :)


Are you serious? How much would a librarian make, if you don\'t mind me asking?
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: SwifDi on June 20, 2003, 10:56:27 AM
A librarian? Oh my gosh that is gay!
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: politiepet on June 20, 2003, 10:58:06 AM
Quote
Originally posted by SwifDi
A librarian? Oh my gosh that is gay!


saying: \'Oh my gosh\' is way gayer than that
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: The Stapler on June 20, 2003, 11:00:47 AM
I watched one of the movies and thought it was pretty interesting.

I\'d never read the book though...
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: GmanJoe on June 20, 2003, 11:01:04 AM
Quote
Originally posted by SwifDi
A librarian? Oh my gosh that is gay!


Gay as in "uncool" or gay as in "homosexual nimpho"? :p
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Coredweller on June 20, 2003, 11:09:21 AM
If you knew how many hot women librarians I\'ve met in my career, you wouldn\'t be saying it\'s gay.  

BTW I work in a corporate library, not a public or academic library like you\'re probably familiar with.    Sorry, I\'m not going to post my salary here, but lets just say I\'m very comfortable even in Los Angeles.  Corporations pay better than public universities and municipalities.  :)
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: videoholic on June 20, 2003, 11:14:51 AM
Wait a second here.

There is a huge difference between
A) It\'s a good book

and

B) Book is so freaking good I am willing to wait in line to get the first copy.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Coredweller on June 20, 2003, 11:34:16 AM
A:  It\'s not really that good, it\'s just people responding to the herd instinct.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: theomen on June 20, 2003, 11:45:49 AM
I don\'t understand it at all.  But then again I\'ve never read any of the books, partly because I\'m illiterate, and have the attention span of a...anyone miss the Family Guy?
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Ginko on June 20, 2003, 11:55:41 AM
It\'s the most enjoyable book series I\'ve ever read.  Extremely accessible by almost anyone, and meets a wide demographic...not to mention the books are hugely entertaining.  I guarantee that if you were to go see the lines of people at the book store tonight that you will meet quite a variety of people varying in age and interest.  

If you think it\'s for kids you would be wrong, the series has grown up quite a bit in the 4 books that are out and from what I understand the 5th book has matured as well...not only the characters, but the situations they encounter.  

I\'m mostly into Anne Rice and Michael Crichton, but I would stop reading anything from those two if I had another Harry Potter book to read...I actually owe it to the Harry Potter series for getting me back into reading.

The first book is okay...the series gets better as you move along as did J.K. Rowlings writing abilities.  The best is The Prisoner of Azkaban...biggest jaw dropper ever!

If you like the movies, you would love the books...even though the movies have stayed quite faithful, there\'s something special about the books.  

I will be there at midnight and I can\'t wait to get in to it...the 4th book left so many possibilities.  Very excited
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Kurt Angle on June 20, 2003, 12:09:58 PM
I watched the 2 movies but have never read, or ever intend to read the books.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Seed_Of_Evil on June 20, 2003, 12:32:24 PM
I\'m with Kurt. I\'ve seen the 2 movies but I\'ve never tried to read the books, and I\'m a big reader... but dunno... I think they\'re for children of sth like that.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Cerberus on June 20, 2003, 12:34:01 PM
Never read one of the books, never seen the flilcks, I\'m not all that bothered about doing so either...... My sister is a big HP nut
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Cyrus on June 20, 2003, 12:40:20 PM
Adults always are trying to make there kids think they are cool!  This is a GREAT book and I mean GREAT!!! If your 9-14 years old. Imagination is a powerfull thing and finally a series that makes kids use it. But as an Adult I woudlnt take the time to read it. My 7 year old and Just finished the 1st only so I could epxlpain to him what the hell a Mage was or an Orge. So whu would anybody in the mind stand in line at mindnight to by a freaking book? Can we say the world is filled with spoiled little brats!!
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Black Samurai on June 20, 2003, 09:17:15 PM
^^^Would you prefer they stood in line to buy the latest video game system or see the latest movie?

Personally I think waiting in line for days on end for anything is rather foolish; but if it involves kids waiting in line for books, I\'m all for it.

I could see if it was an expensive book or something(even then I don\'t know why you would call them spoiled). Parents just want to be supportive of their kids doing something besides watch Ed, Edd, and Eddy all summer.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: SwifDi on June 20, 2003, 09:51:56 PM
I agree with Gohan; I think its great that its sparked many kids around the globe to turn off the tube and actually educate themselves with a book.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: KillaX on June 20, 2003, 10:04:36 PM
I watched the first movie..... it isnt too bad actually, I\'m guessing either harry or Ron starts dating hermine (sp) in the next books?????? and Draco turns into the next voldimort (sp).....


:hat:ScottyJ:hat:
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Tyrant on June 20, 2003, 10:41:10 PM
it seems i\'m one of the the few who tought the book and movies were boring as hell, i got the first book from a friend  read the first 30 pages  then lost all interest in it (all i did was flip thru pages after that).
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: cloud345 on June 21, 2003, 06:21:52 AM
Quote
anyone miss the Family Guy?


Its on monday-friday at 11:30 after futurama on cartoon network
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Ginko on June 21, 2003, 09:07:59 AM
Quote
Originally posted by KillaX
I watched the first movie..... it isnt too bad actually, I\'m guessing either harry or Ron starts dating hermine (sp) in the next books?????? and Draco turns into the next voldimort (sp).....


:hat:ScottyJ:hat:


Nope...not yet anyway.  Draco doesn\'t have what it takes to be another Voldimort.

Just an update...me and about 300 other people were in line last night to get the 5th book at our local Barnes and Noble.  As I expected, there was a good varying crowd..a good mix of anyone between the ages of 5-70, it was alot of fun.

Very exciting...I\'m currently 135 pages in and will probably be to 300 by the end of the day.  

I\'m LOVIN\' IT!!
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Ginko on June 21, 2003, 09:27:49 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Cyrus
My 7 year old and Just finished the 1st only so I could epxlpain to him what the hell a Mage was or an Orge. So whu would anybody in the mind stand in line at mindnight to by a freaking book? Can we say the world is filled with spoiled little brats!! [/B]


Not mages or ogres...there are wizards, witches, and a troll though;)

Why do people stand in line for highly anticipated movies?  I\'m sure most of us here have done it for one film or another...it\'s the same high pitch fever for people who enjoy reading...and it\'s awesome there is such a series to draw in such a large amount of kids.

Before the 5th books\' release...over 192 million Harry Potter books have been sold worldwide.  8.5 million copies of the 5th book were pre-ordered in the U.S. alone...that\'s phenomenal.

If you\'ve seen the first 2 movies, do yourself a favor and read the 3rd book, Prisoner of Azkaban...I would be completely floored if you came back saying you didn\'t like it.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: videoholic on June 21, 2003, 09:42:15 AM
"Why do people stand in line for highly anticipated movies? I\'m sure most of us here have done it for one film or another"

I agree.  Why bother.  I saw star wars a couple days after the losers who waited in line for over a week did.

As far as I know, no scenes were cut between when they saw the movie and when I did.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: SwifDi on June 21, 2003, 09:55:14 AM
I\'ve killed a kitten in a theater before.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: KillaX on June 21, 2003, 09:58:43 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Ginko

Very exciting...I\'m currently 135 pages in and will probably be to 300 by the end of the day.  


at 300 you will be about 1/3 of the way through the book (I hear it is over 900 pages)
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Black Samurai on June 21, 2003, 10:08:39 AM
Quote
Originally posted by SwifDi
I\'ve killed a kitten in a theater before.
Shut the fark up.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: The Stapler on June 21, 2003, 12:41:36 PM
My brother dragged me to out local (hah, it was on the other side of town) Barnes and Noble for the book. There was atleast 500 people there. Never seen so many people at a book store before. Lance Burton came and did a magic show an hour before the book came out. I didn\'t care for the show, so I stood in line for about an hour just to get a Starbucks frappaccino. The book distributing was handled very well I thought. We were like the 300th person to get the book, but we ended up getting it at 12:15. They literally had two truck fulls of the books sitting outside in boxes.

We ended up winning four tickets to see Lance Burton, so I guess it was ok...
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Samwise on June 21, 2003, 12:47:32 PM
I\'ve read the first book to see what all the fuss was about. It was alright, but nothing special. I guess the first is the most \'childish\' book in the series though and as such it didn\'t really drive me to read the rest.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: videoholic on June 21, 2003, 01:09:18 PM
I was thinking about going to see Lance Burton last time I went to Vegas.  Went and saw \'O\' though.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Ginko on June 21, 2003, 02:36:23 PM
Quote
Originally posted by KillaX


at 300 you will be about 1/3 of the way through the book (I hear it is over 900 pages)


It\'s 870 pages...I\'m at 278 right now.  I might actually get to 350 before tonight.


Quote

I agree. Why bother. I saw star wars a couple days after the losers who waited in line for over a week did.


Why not?
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: PS2_-'_'-_PS2 on June 21, 2003, 03:46:05 PM
Ive never read the books but ive seen the movies and they are strangely quite good =]
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Ginko on June 21, 2003, 05:27:54 PM
You should really pick up on the books...start with Prisoner of Azkaban (3rd year) as the movies have stayed extremely faithful in the details so you\'d only be missing out on a few little tidbits.  

Once you read Azkaban you will be hooked...the pace of the book is amazing, and it has the best ending ever.  Everyone I know who\'s read the 3rd book has come away floored...then wanting to read on in the series:D
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Ginko on June 23, 2003, 08:52:44 PM
Just finished it...WOW!

If you\'ve been reading the series and have been reluctant to pick this book up, I urge you to get a copy.  Everything is revealed in the book...everything!

I might add it\'s rather good too:cool:

BRING ON BOOK 6!!
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: SirMystiq on June 23, 2003, 11:08:03 PM
BUY IT?!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
That\'s what libraries are for...

Anyways, Why read it when you can watch the movies?

Also, I want to read something good, I don\'t know something dark and confusing. You know suspensful.

Any Ideas. I want to read TLOTR, are they really that great?
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Samwise on June 24, 2003, 02:57:04 AM
Quote
Originally posted by SirMystiq
Any Ideas. I want to read TLOTR, are they really that great?
YES! LOTR is an awesome trilogy, much better than the movies (great as they are). Read it. Now.
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Ginko on June 24, 2003, 07:23:12 AM
Quote
Originally posted by SirMystiq
BUY IT?!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
That\'s what libraries are for...

Anyways, Why read it when you can watch the movies?


True...the movies have been extremely faithful.  I can\'t help but think that they will have to start to cut things out though...because of length, but also because the third book is so damn scary.  

Quote
Also, I want to read something good, I don\'t know something dark and confusing. You know suspensful.


Prisoner of Azkaban is both of those...the sequels to it however, aren\'t as much.  Though the fourth book does a pretty good job, the 5th isn\'t scary at all.

Quote
Any Ideas. I want to read TLOTR, are they really that great?


Dark and suspenseful?
Title: Can someone please explain to me the Harry Potter Phenom?
Post by: Jumpman on June 24, 2003, 08:21:27 AM
Quote
Anyways, Why read it when you can watch the movies?

Because the books are infinitely better?

And I would read the Harry Potter books...but I just don\'t care. Never had any desire to watch the movies or read the books. I\'m sure they\'re amazing books and have no disrespect for fans of the series waiting hours in line for them, just I have no interest in the matter.

Quote
Any Ideas. I want to read TLOTR, are they really that great?

The first one starts out ridiculously slow but keepts getting better by the page later on. The second book is ****ing amazing. Haven\'t read the 3rd one, I\'ll probably read it when I go on my retarded family vacation this summer.