"Harry Potter"

Ayn rand Institute ^ | 11/13/02

[RJCogburn]

The movie adventures of child-wizard Harry Potter will continue on November 15. Far from being an agent of the occult, as his critics contend, Harry Potter is the kind of hero children should be encouraged to read about and emulate, said the executive director of the Ayn Rand Institute.

"It is true that Harry lives in a magical, fantastical world, but what's important is that he is a hero who wins through intelligence, effort and courage," said Dr. Yaron Brook. "Throughout the series, Harry has developed his talents through hard work and has learned to think for himself, to be honest and to be self-confident. He has friends who share his values and he earns the respect of his teachers. Aren't these the character traits all parents want their children to possess? I know they're qualities I actively try to instill in my two boys."

Dr. Brook said that the critics' focus on the supernatural aspects of the Harry Potter stories is completely non-essential. What is fundamental is the abstract meaning being conveyed during the course of Harry's magical adventures. "The books are, in short, fuel for a child's maturing mind. As vitamins and minerals are essential to a child's healthy physical development, so literature with this view of the world is essential to a child's healthy mental development."

[steve-b]

When the heart gets greasy, circulation slows down, and it is the uppermost organ of the body that starves and withers first.

[steve-b]

Harry has developed his talents through hard work and has learned to think for himself, to be honest and to be self-confident
I was wondering why the DNC was protesting the movie.

LOL! Did Lockheart remind anybody of a certain XPOTUS?

[steve-b]

I was wondering when Dr. Bronner would show up....

[steve-b]

In light of your previous post, I don't think you know I was being extremely sarcastic.

Oh, well, there were people who thought that Jonathan Swift was an advocate of cannibalism.

[steve-b]

The bottom line is, you either believe your Bible or you believe the Harry Potter books.

Most people have a clear understanding of the distinction between the concepts of "fiction" and "non-fiction".

Admittedly, there are problem cases -- I pity the poor bookstore clerk who has to figure out where to put Clinton's memoirs -- but that issue does not arise here.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

We are looking forward to our "day out" with the grandkids as we see this movie together. We saw the first one with them, and LOVED it. What a hoot (Owl pun intended :o)

When asked after the first movie what he thought about the movie.. he told someone it was about friendship and kindness. He was 6 years old at the time.

Our grandkids LOVE to read, and even at the young age of 7 they attempt to read Harry Potter books. They are a tad above thier age level,.. but they actually are way ahead of their reading level because they want to read great fantasy/books of fiction. Some of our older grandchildren read Harry Potter long before it came out as a movie. It sparked an interest in reading,..and now they are book fanatics. Which is wonderful!! Their reading comprehension is up, and they do quite well in school.

Quite honestly... we can't wait to see this movie. We will be listening to the book on tape as we take a holiday vacation. Then see the movie when we get back. I can highly recommend this series to anyone. ANYONE!! Great family fun.

:o)

Glad to see the Ayn Rand Institute commenting.

[js1138]

LOL! Did Lockheart remind anybody of a certain XPOTUS?

Are you referring to his cowardice, or his effect on brainless women, or his skill with memory charms, or his taking credit for other's accomplishments?

[eleni121]

Judging from the music the other night I thought my husband was watching Home Alone. Lo and behold Harry Potter the movie that enraptured the kiddies all over the world was being broadcast. Since I teach film courses I figured I should watch a bit. Well, I watched about 15 minutes total until I realized that not even John William's score could keep me awake.

Chris Columbus is not exactly known for his deep and obscure heavy with meaning movies but this was pure crap! And now there 's another one? Where's the Good witch of the north Glinda when we need her?

[JenB]

But Lockhart is funny!

Sheesh, this thread is still going? I'm amazed...

[discostu]

It's well enough paced that that none of the kids in the theaters I was in for either 1 or 2 got antsy during the nearly 3 hours of each movie (Chamber weighs in at 2 hr 41 min, Stone was around that). They're fun movies with a light sense of humor that builds well towards the dramatic tension, offers some good scares towards the end, and feature lots of fresh faced kids smiling right before closing credits. Are they art? No. But they're fun, and there's a reason it's called the "entertainment industry" not the "art industry".

[steve-b]

willingness to commit suicide to enable victory of friends

Nobody with three firing neurons would pay any attention to someone so thick that they draw no moral distinction between Nathan Hale and Mohammad Atta.

[steve-b]

You've GOT to be kidding. I've seen the first two movies and they do not suggest that non witches are stupid.

In fact, characters who do look down on "muggles" (e.g. Draco Malfoy) are clearly presented as bigoted butt-heads.

[Jael]

Steve b said "Nobody with three firing neurons would pay any attention to someone so thick that they draw no moral distinction between Nathan Hale and Mohammad Atta."

Hi. I never said that. And Nathan Hale did not commit suicide.

It was from a movie review regarding Harry Potter, that described and totaled the violence. I don't recall Hale being mentioned or Atta.

[steve-b]

LOL! Did Lockheart remind anybody of a certain XPOTUS?
Are you referring to his cowardice, or his effect on brainless women, or his skill with memory charms, or his taking credit for other's accomplishments?

Yes. (Also, add his glibness, fraudulence, and incompetence.)

[steve-b]

Would Jesus drive an SUV to the theater to see Harry Potter?
Sure. How else could he take all the Apostles along with him? They'd certainly not all fit into a Mini Cooper.

Actually, he would take a Honda. The Bible clearly states that the Apostles were in one Accord.

[r9etb]

I haven't read enough of this thread to know how Ayn Rand got into this....

It started back on the first page. Somebody joked about the irony of the Ayn Rand Institute writing the article in question, and I followed up with an aside asking how they'd deal with the fact of Lily Potter's altruistic sacrifice. This was followed by a recitation from Atlas Shrugged, and the race was on.

but it's obvious to most parent s that a child's life has infinitely more value than one's own. This is true both psychologically and objectively.

I agree that my own children's lives are more valuable than my own. Their mere existence makes moral claims on me that do not fit within Rand's philosophy. Further, I think that other peoples' kids have certain moral claims on me as well -- IOW, my choice in the matter is not necessarily relevant.

(At any rate, I think it's more profitable to discuss this stuff than all of the silliness about magic and sorcery that's been rattling around this thread....)

[r9etb]

The Bible clearly states that the Apostles were in one Accord.

Aaaaaarrgggghhhhh!!!!

You're going to hell. There's a special room, reserved for people like you.

Sure wish I'd been the one to make that joke....

[js1138]

(At any rate, I think it's more profitable to discuss this stuff than all of the silliness about magic and sorcery that's been rattling around this thread....)

Agreed. If you go to rottentomatoes.com. you'll find nearly 150 reviews of the HP movie -- many by parent's groups, many by religious organizations. All of them agree that HP has its morality right. Some quibble about the forgiveness of rule breaking, but all agree that the discussion of goodness and evil is both correct and effective.

[f.Christian]

Dr. Bronner would show up....

steve-b---boner!