*** Official "HARRY POTTER & THE PHILOSOPHER'S/SORCERER'S STONE" Discussion Thread (1 Viewer)

[Edwin Pereyra]

I just read Ron’s review of this film. Looks like it is going to be a very good film. I myself, have not had the time to read the Harry Potter books although I did purchase all the hardbacks last year. My procrastination will end tonight and I’ll make sure to finish at least the first one before this film comes out.
Thanks for the review, Ron.
~Edwin
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[Dan Brecher]

Must agree, outstanding to read that review. At 2hrs and 30mins I want to hug Chris Columbus for bringing it in at such a length, and you know what? The kids won't care, they'll take it all and still demand more at the end. I know I will!
I have tickets secured for an advance screening on the 10th in London (weekend of the 10th and 11th in the UK is playing host to advance screenings across the country, most showings already sold out.). Hoping to bribe the local muggles at the record store to give me the score CD tomorrow instead of Monday.
One thing I want to know from Ron is how Rik Mayall as performs in the role of Peeves the Poltergeist? And for that matter, how he, Nick and the rest of the ghosts of Hogwarts actually look on screen.
Dan (UK)

 

[Jeffrey Forner]

I, too, have never read a Harry Potter book, so I've only followed the development of the film casually. After reading Ron's absolutely glowing review, I can safely say that I'm really psyched to see this one. It sounds like a lot of fun.
This summer lacked truly great films. With Harry Potter, Monsters Inc., and The Fellowship of the Ring set to arrive within the next two months, that should more than make up for this lackluster summer.
I can't wait!!!

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-J.Fo
"Why do I always get a warped one?"

 

[Mark Pfeiffer]

Edwin, be prepared to read all of the books if you start the first one. I read all four in about a month and never intended at the beginning to do so. Thought I should read the first book before seeing the film and found out why people were raving about them. Excellent stuff. I can only hope the movie lives up to the novels.
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Read my reviews at www.dvdmon.com
Most recent reviews: Withnail and I: The Criterion Collection

 

[Tino]

Edwin, how long have I been pestering you to read these books? Trust me, once you start, you'll thank me and others here.
I have read all four books twice and I adore them all.They are the most imaginative entertaining books I have ever read and look forward to reading them all again. YES they are that good!
If this film turns out to be half as good as the book, it will be fantastic. I second Mark's comment that if you read the first one, be prepared to be hooked immediately.
Glad to hear that you loved it Ron. I'm happy that the buzz so far is extremely positive.
I too will be seeing an early screening on the 10th. This lucky muggle can't wait!
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Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus.

 

[Craig S]

Great review, Ron. Welcome to the wonderful world of Harry Potter!
I read the first three books about 2 years ago (after my 10-yr old nephew & my 64-year old Mom raved about them), and of course devoured the 4th book last summer. These books work regardless of your age simply because author J.K. Rowling is a first-class storyteller. I'm ecstatic to hear that Columbus (who did some nice work early in his career) has come through and done the book & author justice. Can't wait until 11/16!
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Too many DVDs, too little time...
AFI 100 Challenge - 36 to go!

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

I'll be finishing the fourth book tonight, which will mark me having read the entire series three times
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[JohnE]

Great news! I'm so happy to hear they did a good job with this movie. Second most anticipated movie of the year for me, behind that Ring one.
Oh and read the book Ron. Easy weekend read, and you will appreciate it all the more when the other movies come out. Lotsa fun.

 

[RobertR]

I want to emphasize the fact that no adult should feel inhibited about reading the HP books because of their ostensible status as "children's books". There's plenty in them to appeal to adults.
I read the first one a couple of months ago, and simply devoured the rest of them. I'm looking forward to the rest of the books in the series as WELL as the film. I'd love to see all SEVEN planned books made into well done films.
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[Lou Sytsma]

Ron - you lucky bugger!
I haven't read the books either but am looking forward to seeing this.
Can't wait to read your LOTR review!
Where in John Williams' body of work would you rate this score?
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Every man is my superior, in that I may learn from him.
MyHTSetup

 

[Joel C]

Sounds great! I hope it lives up to my expectations, I don't even known how many times I've read the books.
OTOH, go back and read Ron's review of The Grinch. He called it nearly flawless, and the Wizard of Oz for our time. I liked it ok, but it was kind of garish and shrill, and too clever (what with the already dated "in-jokes"). Of course, the Harry source material is much more suited to a feature length film, so I have high hopes.
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Joel
[email protected]
"I've been very lonely in my isolated tower of indecipherable speech."
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[Sam Davatchi]

Great review. It's very encouraging to hear that they were able to do a better job than Lucas! Spoiler:Making a mediocre movie and saying that it's intended for children, is such an old and lame excuse!
[Edited last by Sam Davatchi on October 26, 2001 at 02:11 AM]

 

[RobertR]

You got that right, Sam!
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[Max Knight]

I'm so glad that the movie is of a good length (I was terrified that it would fall prey to the 1.5 hour attention span concept). I loved the books, and have gotten my fiance totally obsessed with them. My mother is in the children's book industry and is getting to go to an early screening, I am so jealous!
-Max

 

[Edwin Pereyra]

quote: Edwin, be prepared to read all of the books if you start the first one. [/quote]
You guys are right. I started the first book last night and I am almost a third through it. This is truly a page turner. I didn't want to put it down but it was getting close to midnight and had to get some zzz's. I should be able to finish the first book by this weekend.
~Edwin
[Edited last by Edwin Pereyra on October 26, 2001 at 10:17 AM]

 

[paul_v]

I have not read the books but I am pretty sure that Harry Potter will smash all box office records, even Titanic. No other series of books in history have such a fan base. The New York Times had to create a separate "Childrens Book Best Sellers List" cause HP was always at the top.
This movie is going to be a monster.
And I will be there to watch it =) Since watching the first trailer I knew this was no ordinary "kids" movie. It looks well made and a lot of fun....and Ron's review sealed that opinion. One thing that surprised me is that it's 2 and a half hours. Wow! That's long for a "kids" movie =)
I really should read the books first heh..
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[Allen Hirsch]

My sons devoured the Potter books -one we had "imported" from England by friends, before it was released in the U.S., even!
(I only read bits and pieces, since we did most of the first one or two as serial bedtime reading; the latter ones they read on their own.)
I was worried the movie couldn't live up to the fantastic story-telling and imagery of the book, but it looks like this one, at least, does the series justice, which is great.
I still find it interesting that Spielberg was going to do this at one point, then backed out, IIRC, because he was concerned no movie could measure up to the book, and he didn't want to "lose" in that comparison.

 

[Jeremy_Sharp]

I couldn't put the books down! It was and is an excellent story !!
Who's Ron how do I get to his review of the movie??
thanks,
Jeremy

 

[Matt_A]

I'm very excited for this movie. What's really cool is they plan on making all of them into movies! The books are simply fantastic! People always think I'm nuts for reading them because they are "childrens books", but when said people pick them up and start, they become just as hooked as me.
This review made me really excited for the movie! Bring it on!
Matt

 

[John Torrez]

Jeremy, here: http://www.hometheaterforum.com/sneak/sneak.html
As for me, I am defenitely waiting at least two weeks before going to see the movie. I want to avoid all the other little kids as much as possible.