This weekend the ABC Family Channel had a Harry Potter weekend, featuring the first 4 Harry Potter movies:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

I had a super-busy weekend, which I’ll expound on more tomorrow, so I didn’t have time to watch all four of these movies when they were on–of course, I have them on dvd, so I could really watch them anytime I wanted–but I did catch bits and pieces of the first, second, and fourth movies, really the only TV that I watched all weekend.

I confess that I love these movies. I think the 5th, Harry Potter and Order of the Phoenix, is likely my favorite, even though it’s been a while since I’ve seen it.

I think I love it because in the movie Harry is missing most of the angst that makes that book my least favorite. Instead we get an action-packed story of loyalty and standing for what’s right in the midst of persecution. We see young men and women standing up for what they believe rather than succombing to what’s easy.

Now I know that there’s much discussion in the Christian community about the rights and wrongs of Harry Potter. But I don’t wish to draw out that discussion. Rather, I’ll just say that I do understand why some choose not to be entertained by the Harry Potter movies and books. While I don’t share those same convictions, as instead I find the themes of loyalty, true friendship, and the existence of real good and evil quite refreshing in comparison to much of the current media, I certainly won’t try to push my views about Harry on others. I should also point out that I believe that wicca is a serious cult and shouldn’t be trifled with. I also believe that Harry doesn’t encourage or promote witchcraft of that kind.

Okay, disclaimer done.

I certainly did enjoy watching snippets of these flicks this weekend. It’s fun to watch Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson grow up through the series. Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley is one of my favorites. I adore him, and so enjoy him in the 4th movie where he ends up with quite the unique set of dress robes. 🙂

Now that I’ve started talking Harry, I almost don’t want to stop. So perhaps, I’ll reveal this week’s Friday Favorite–all things Harry Potter.  Until then. -LJ