High Point Academy - Eagle News

	Summer 2004 - Issue 16

Harry Potter, Who's He?
Isn't (S)he Already Famous?

Movie Reviews
13 Going On Thirty
Center Stage
Say Anything

Amusement Staff

Publisher
Kevin L.

Assistant Publisher
Andria M.

Editor
Margaret L.

Reporters
Jamie C.
Alicia H.
Megan L.
Andria M.
Katja N.

In 1998, the United States fell under the spell of the wizard Harry Potter when book one in the series of seven was first released. Many students at High Point are still keeping up with the goings-on of Harry. With others, Harry's charm seems to be waning.
Still Going Strong...

   Many people at High Point Academy still enjoy the Harry Potter series of both movies and books. Some fans reread the books and constantly watch TV, hoping for a Harry Potter trailer; some watch the trailer online. Others constantly watch the countdown on any of the Harry Potter websites, impatiently waiting the minutes until the release of the movie Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
   "The movies are... interesting and the fifth book was kind of disappointing, but who cares?" said Kevin L.
   Margaret L.'s favorite part about Harry Potter is that it "opens up possibilities to a different world."
   Eric B. wants to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because he is "curious to see if the movie sticks to the book."
   Margaret L. is mainly going to see the third movie for one reason. "I want to see how having a new director will affect the movies. I want to see what the actors will be like when they grow up." Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban director Alfonso Cuarón has added small bits of the Mexican culture in the movie. "I had no idea that he [Cuarón] was going to add Mexican culture, but it's a nice touch," said Margaret.

   Seventh grader Nathan T. and eighth grader Margaret L. both agree that the movies didn't quite do the books justice, although Nathan never really enjoyed the movies in the first place.
   Katja N. believes that the movies weren't very good, but "the guys are hot." Margaret L. agrees with Katja's statement.
   Kevin L. said jokingly that he was not going to see Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, but then said, "Just kidding. Of course I'm going to see it!"

   "The books are much better than the movies because there's more character development and the plots are easier to follow," says Margaret L. "The second movie was better because the actors developed more, even though they're still not very good."
   "The Harry Potter books are very well-written, but the movies failed to reach my expectations. They're [the movies] OK," said Katja N.
   Kevin L. said that he would definitely read the sixth book in the series, "even though that will be, like, six years from now." Although the wait will not be six years, to Harry Potter maniacs, it may seem like it. J.K. Rowling, author of the world-famous books, has taken her time writing book six, which remains untitled to the public.
It's Getting Old...
   With some people, Harry Potter and his magical world are still a great part of life. Others, however, are tired of hearing about the world of witchcraft and wizardry. For others, the movies are the worst part of the Potterverse (Potter-Universe). They differed from the books, which are also disliked by High Point students.
   "I didn't think they [the Harry Potter movies] were very good. They're... mediocre. They didn't work with the book," stated Nathan T. "I used to like the books, but not anymore."
   Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, both directed by Chris Columbus, weren't that appealing to Eric, who said, "They didn't quite reach my expectations. I like the books better than the movies."
   "After the first three books, I got tired of Harry Potter," states Charles G.
   "I didn't read the first book because the first chapter was... boring, but I've heard the others are
better," Blair said.
   "They're [the Harry Potter books] too long. They're boring, and I don't like them," explained Derek A.
   Christine M., of the seventh grade, will most likely not read the sixth book in the Harry Potter installments.
   Mitchell S. hasn't read any of the Harry Potter books. He said, "The books are long. The books are way too long." Although he has yet to read the books, he did say, "Well... I've read the back of them..."
   Despite all of the comments about Harry Potter ("Harry Potter is the best!" and "Harry Potter? Who's he?"), people continue to keep up with the wizard in their own way. While some people cannot agree with other's words on Harry Potter, you know what they say, to each his own. -- Megan L.