As part of my lazy unemployed self required, I recently underwent a Harry Potter marathon with my better half. I reveled in the magical world of Hogwarts and the incredible, fantastical life of sorcery for more than 10 hours in one day, and know what? I’m not really that ashamed. In retrospect, I probably should have taken a shower at some point. But hindsight is always 20/20.
I read the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997 when I was 11 years old, the same age that Harry discovered that he was a wizard. I never really identified with Harry, nor his red-haired best mate Ron and the bushy haired know-it-all Hermione. At the same time though, the Harry Potter brand—the books and the films—have been a definite cornerstone of my life and probably most of my generation’s. Every year I looked forward to a new book coming out. Sometimes JK Rowling took more time in her writing process, delaying the next installment for months, and frustrating the hell out of me. Aside from Tolkien’s epic works and the occasional Sci-Fi film (think Soylent Green!), I never much enjoyed the fantastical, whimsical side of fiction.
Now at 24 years old, my usually stiff upper lip tremors at the thought that it’s all coming to a close very soon. Daniel Radcliffe had nipple hair two films ago, which was the first sign I was in trouble. The next installment of the book, named Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, has been designated to be released as two films. I’m particularly excited by the fact that they’re both being directed by David Yates (who also did The Order of the Phoenix and The Half-Blood Prince).
Part one will be in theatres this November 19, 2010. The second part won’t be until 2011.
In the meantime, watch this spine-tingling trailer.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzfEH0UPEBo&feature=channel]
I couldn’t resist but mention this: don’t ever forget Radcliffe used to dance with horses.