Watched "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" because it was on TV the other day, having finally given in to the need to be aware, at least, of the trends in popular culture. (I was finding myself too comparable to a friend of mine who watched Revenge of the Sith and went "Ooooh! So he is the one who becomes the black-black guy, izzit?!" (This statement needs to be taken in Singlish context. "Yes, dear, and the 'black-black guy' is called Darth Vader." Sigh.)

I had tried watching this movie before, but got bored at the bit when they were all staring into the mirror, and then got incredibly frightened at the part when they were in the forest and Voldemort turned up. I had turned off the TV at that point, then. This time, I watched till the end of the movie.

I must say, I found some parts rather enjoyable -- the quidditch game (which made me burn my dinner), and the series of booby traps at the end, especially the chess game. I was pleasantly surprised by the Snape twist. The cinematography and setting were absolutely beautiful.

Some parts were boring, such as the abovementioned mirror scene, and the sorting hat business, which just dragged because you already know what the outcome will be.

What I didn't expect, however, was the final confrontation between Harry and Voldemort. I mean, this is in a movie that is meant to be watched by children??? I would have had serious freaking nightmares if I'd seen it as a child. Ack!

Also, an analysis from a Christian parent's POV, which makes several good points. I, too, was rather disturbed by how Harry & Co. keep breaking rules and getting away with it, or even rewarded for it. Not your typical boarding school discipline -- I'd rather have my (hypothetical) kids reading the Chalet School books, methinks, for boarding school entertainment. Actions have consequences, and while escapism may be fun, it's teaching kids the wrong values.

Assuming that the movie is fairly true to the book, I'm beginning to understand why the HP books caused such a worldwide uprising when they first came out. This is seriously disturbing.