PrinceGranger

I just wanted to chime in my two cents. Now, I didn't read all of the posts so far since a lot of it was just complaining. I agree that some people that posted here have done so irresponsibly or childishly, they went into this movie with the intent to hate. I went in with the intent to enjoy and enjoy I did. Personally, I thought Tobey Maguire did a great job as spider man, and the stunt guy they captured for all his CG was good too :) Kirsten Dunst wasn't in it enough for me to call her performance great, but she definitely conveyed a dissatisfaction with her life and peter that I got. What I really want to talk about though is James Franco. I thought he actually kinda stunk. His lines were all cliche 'I'm in charge here!' 'You're a hack Octavious', and his character design was the also cliche and uninspired. I was unsatisfied with the character, with the use of the character in the story and with Franco's typical if not mediocre performance of said character. J.K. Simmons however, did an excellent job as J.J. Jameson again and had some great lines and moments. As did Bill Nunn or Joseph "Robbie" Robertson. Definitely worth seeing and the big screen is a big help.

My only advice is to be bold. Recognizing that the aspects that hold interest to Inuyasha are the unresolved issues that keep us coming back. Don't be afraid to shatter those, or to step away from the storyline of the show. We're all waiting for Inuyasha and Kagome to make with some smooches, and we're all in awe as Shippo grows into a young man and deals with the trials of being and orphan and being part of a huge and great family. And we're all waiting for Miroku and Sango's relationship to turn into the XXX butt-slapping fest that we all know Miroku dreams about (ah, my face hurts from sympathy pain just thinking about it~!) With so many angles to come at it from you can pick one story line or many. Remember that the conflict over the sacred shikon no tama is an important factor too; Naraku. Good luck!

[QUOTE=`hEvN][B][COLOR=RoyalBlue][SIZE=1]Never read one... got trauma when I was a kid... I watched Stephen King's IT back when laser discs where the thing. The scary clown face got me scared to death (...I was young and clowns were suppose to be funny...) well the movie may not be too horrific nowadays but the spider in the end made me fear spiders the most... In addition, I can still see Carrie's face when she kills in the movie, the eyes and everything gives me goosebumps...[/SIZE][/COLOR][/B][/QUOTE] I guess that's why they created a rating system. It wasn't rated G, tsk tsk, it's the big house for you girl! We can probably all think back to our experiences with R rated themes and how they scared us. Child's Play? That movie is stupid, but I fear dolls now. The clown from IT, i understand (Tim Curry check him out in Legend). For me, my biggest R rated fear will always be Judge Dred, who's power of suck is rivaled only by Arnold Schwartzenager's power of communication.

So has anyone here ever read or even heard of the three book sereis set in the Babylon 5 universe known as The Passing of the Techno-Mages? The series is by Jeanne Cavelos and of course based on J. Michael Strasinzki's wrold of Babylon 5. I mention the books because they're probably some of my all time favorite. They're meaningful, deep, and exploratory while at the same time entertaining and fun. Plus, no one has ever heard of them, and they really are a diamond in the rough. Book 1 is Casting Shadows Book 2 is Summing Light Book 3 is Invoking Darkness but, I only need mention the first, never met a person who could only read one ;) I was not a huge Babylon 5 fan, didn't hate, but was always more a fantasy guy and then dinner outranked babylon 5. Only saw a handful of episodes. Doesn't matter, don't need it for the book. Books stand alone and that's real nice. When people talk about power houses, like Goku or Superman, I think of Galen. When people talk about suffering, like religious zealots and the persecuted, I think of Blaylock and Galen. When people talk about families that aren't families and men that are fathers, I think of Elric and I think of Galen. Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has ever read these pieces. I love 'em. And if not, then I am here to recommend them.

That's a legitimate concern CrazyAce. Let me tell you all a little about myself, that way my perspective will be put in... well perspective. I'm 23 and I graduate college a few months ago. I know what a person is talking about when they mention the anxiety that one can feel in a situation like graduation. You're whole lifestyle is about to change, whether we want it to or not! There's no doubt about that people like highschool friends are going to be disappearing or seperated by a distance or changing. But that's ok cause we're gonna change and grow too :) College is a great plan if you have that option open to you, I highly recommend it. But I'm the educated type, I like to think and learn and all that business. But let's not forget, that college is great for lots of other reasons too. There are the babes, let's not tip-toe around that topic, babes galor in college and they're all getting they're learn on as well. Same thing holds true for you ladies out there, lot of smart guys in college, but a warning to all, the rich go to college just like the smart. Some of these people aren't cool, some are. Try to be fair and open minded. Plus, college opens up career doors. Hands down that's important, especially as college is becoming highschool part II, stop and take a moment to think about work. What does your dad do? Your mom? what do their friends do? family? neighbors? Specifically. What kind of training did they need to get that job? (But also keep in mind the older the person we're talking about the more times have chnaged, people with hands on computer skills were invaluable in the 80's but now official training and degrees are becoming more important.) The one thing I do know, is that it's POSSIBLE to make big bank with a college degree, but not necessarily easy. And it's damn near IMPOSSIBLE to make money (Or perhaps more importantly, get the freedom at work and respect that we desire) WITHOUT a college degree. Assembly line work, retail stores, fast food, phone answering, these are the kinds of things you can expect to do if you don't go to college. Not that there's anything wrong with this stuff! We need these functions for society ot work as it does, but I wanted to be honest and mention it since it's something that I wouldn't be comfortable with. So... heads up! As for the OB (OtakuBoard) you might find this a nice constant in your world of new change. And I'm on here more now then I was before because I spend so much time at the office :mrt: . You're right to think about it though. As I've gotten older I've grown out of a lot of stuff I used to love as a child. I still really appreciate the experiences and memories, but for some reason I just don't feel the need to tune into digimon this week. I'm sure the shows good, but I've got other stuff to do. With a lot of people things come in phases and deeply delving into anime can be that for some people. I'll never turn my back on Cowboy Bebop, and I'll forever remember the story of the 60 billion double dollar man, that humanoid typhoon they call Vash The Stampede, so I guess in my case my tastes are just different, and yeah, I have a little less time to spend on this kinda thing. I'm definitely less in the business of 'killing time' like I used to when I was young. Society, or your job or your own boredom will demand a certain ammount of activity from you in your day to day life. It won't be the same as living in your families basement eating the food they bought and cooked for you on their tv with their electricity. So my one word of advice there is to spend a little bit of time with your family and enjoy it, you'll really appreciate it and the attitude you had when you look back on these days from a time when you don't have the freedom to spend such luxury time with them. As for after college, man that's tough. For one thing it's almost impossible to know what you're gonna do after college when you're first going to college. And if you're not going to college you gotta figure out what you're doing for a job and a life and future, like RIGHT NOW!! But if you're going to college, yes you do have some time to decide, but not forever, think about now. And think about it later, what have you learned? Do you're old thoughts still hold true? Lastly, life is not a movie. Life is not a tv show. Life is not a song or a novel or anything like that. But it can be. Once you get out from under your parents wing you're gonna find out that there's no one out there looking out for you. You succeed and you can fail and the only people who are gonna know the difference are gonna be the friends you make, your family, and creditors. You want to live a life of adventure and excitement? Then you have to be adventureous and exciting. Anime situations don't fall into your lap like a girl out of the bathhouses. Adventure and excitment... I've been there. It's great and it's lonely. Adventure comes with danger. Excitement comes with sadness. And noone comes with you. You get all the good without the bad? You're luckier then me. More likely you'll want a normal job and to be a normal person. You may decide you want a family. You may decide you want a wife or a husband. Maybe not, that's fine too. But if you are going to be a normal person (WHICH YOU WILL!) then keep your head on your shoulders straight. Don't entertain these fantasies about being a professional athlete or a comic book artist or a video game designer. Hobbies are hobbies and careers are careers. Very few people have the passion, the drive, and the luck to have a career in their hobby, or a hobby they can make a career of. And far too often I hear and see people who have 'decided' on these things more to avoid a real decision later. Think about things in college that can make you employable without limiting you or over specializing you. Or do the opposite :) and become a badass in the field of your choice. 5 years ago the anesthesiologist (guy who gives patients all the drugs they need) was one of the highest paid professions in the medical field. But if you're trained as an anesthesiologist, you're probably not gonna being doing too much pediatrics are you now? Communications are good and broad, journalism, advertising, publishing. Engineers are need almost everywhere, as are software people. Just use common sense and ask people. Fire eaters clean car windshields on the corner, but well trained business administrators can work their way up the velvety corporate ladder. Lord knows we of the 'youthful' persuasion (AKA youngsters, kids, whipper-snappers, ankle bitters, rugrats, cereal conosuiers) have a tendency to think we know everything. Talk to other people. 2 big reasons for this, one they know stuff we don't and if you'd don't learn by asking you learn by making mistakes and those can cost you time and money, and the passage of time is accompanied by the shutting of the doors of opportunity. For instance, unless your 5 years old chances are that your destiny as a professional golfer is probably set in stone. Same holds true in real life, but dont let that scare you either!!! You're only two old if YOU think you are. Just cause it may take you a while to figure out what you want doesn't mean it's too late. Doctors can start med school at 30 and novelists can drop out of practicing law at 45 :) The other reason to talk to people is network. If you're anime fan like me most of your friends are too. People who can introduce you to other people and people who can give goood recommendations or letters of reference or tell you about a job oppening or tell you about a cheap apartment they know about... there's a million reasons to network and if you don't do it you're gonna pay more for everything, have less opportunities and be lonely to boot! You'll hear this a lot as you go into these formative years, 'it's not what you know, it's WHO you know'. Cliche for a reason! I recommen college, don't be afraid to meet new people or try new things. And don't be afraid to talk about what you're going through growing up, it helps and there are smart people out there that can give you advice better then mine :) Drugs and alchol, fun but dangerous, keep your stick on the ice. Living away from home, fun :) Going to classes 5 hours a day and then having the rest of the day to yourself? fun :) skipping classes :) fun! Taking finals, you'll complain, but hey, they'll still be the great years! Do that stuff you always wanted to do and some of the stuff you didn't, and don't be afraid to change your mind! I was wrong once... there was this time I thought I had been wrong about something from earlier, turns out I was right after all, but then that me wrong about thinking I had been wrong....

You know what's cooler then anime? Well, me, but that's really about it! But seriously, (seriously, I am cool) does everyone in here speak English? What about japanese speakers? Everyone here born and raised American? I doubt it. There's a million reasons to love anime and everyone has already mentioned quite a few, but I want to point out one that has been unspoken; the culture. I ain't japanese, and I've never been to the land of the rising sun. But I do know that japanese people are crazy. Oh yeah, looney like Tucan Sam after too many turqouise jell-o shots. Pachinko? Dance Dance Revolution? POPULAR Kareoke? School uniforms? One uniform hair color with only slight variations for the entire island? LIVING ON A VOLCANIC ISLAND?!?! It's gotta be nuts being japanese, lord konws their anime makes it seem such. Sometimes I'm startled by how much like my own culture these shows can be, and other times I'm just entertained by the spectacle of manners and customs. I wish my grandpa had been a grounds keeper for sacred shrine. I'd spend all day climbing the sacred tree and dropping pennies into the sacred well (So do you think the pennies would fly UP out of the well in the past? Assuming ofcourse they had a jewel shard tied to them so they could pass ;).... no I guess we no that isn't true, Kagome always jumps DOWN then lands on her feet on the bottom in the past) Another aspect is community. I really like Seinfeld, and Iron Chef, and the West Wing, and MXC but there's no good message board for that kinda thing. There's no video store where other people are looking through the Iron Chef dvds. I like anime fans, we have a lot to talk about and we're all usually half crazy or high and have our heads filled with so much craziness... I think we live in the same world as the normals :laugh: , but we see it from our own perspective. And that's not to say that one anime fan's perspectie is going to be the same as another, but there's a level of understanding. Plus we're the kind of people that have the TIME for this kind of hobby. It's taken me hours out of my days for years of my life to get this much anime under my belt (and I'm a light weight!) Anime is a form of entertainment and for me, and I think a lot of people it's a type of entertainment that is kinda particular. I like that anime is a place where not just stories but ideas are being put on display to examine. I like that entertainment is escapism. And I like seeing people who aren't afraid to act how they really feel. A lot of it comes back again to censorship, but not in the legal sense (although i do dislike the censureship) but more censureship of ideas and culture. Let's hear from teh bad guys point of view. Let's see some bad guys that aren't robots from the late 70's who we can blow up uncountedly without consequence of action, law or morals.

[QUOTE=Dagger IX1]I thought Witch Hunter Robin's ending was pretty terrible. After the show's well-executed and highly suspenseful middle arc, I expected it to end with some kind of epic clash (either physical or ideological in nature--R.O.D the TV did not feature a lengthy last battle, but its main characters had so much invested in the outcome of their central conflict that the final episodes felt incredibly exciting and dramatic even without an abundance of action). So it wasn't the lack of a brutally bloody witch versus witch showdown that upset me... it was the fact that the show's primary villain didn't seem all that cruel or villainous. Moreover, he practically went down without a fight. This, combined with WHR's failure to provide the viewer with a satisfactory amount of closure, just totally ruined my enjoyment of the series. I've been bitching about that ever since WHR completed its first run on Adult Swim. ^_^; ~Dagger~[/QUOTE]I couldn't agree more with Dagger, what a lame and slow paced ending to what was designed to be a strong series. For me, I could see the talke-tell signs of suck that permiated the show in serveral places, but it was sitting there atching that last episode roll by where I had more of a desire to talk to my roommate then actually engage this lame-o ending. I can't recall it perfectly so I won't be able to directly reference the parts I'm referring to, but I am glad to see someone else share my opinion. It wasn't so much as bad or offensive or disgusting, it was just so weak that I couldn't believe. I ranted about that shows lameness for days afterwards (because I thought some thing said in the final episode and discoveries in the storyline near the end really destroyed the 'witch' storyline) and felt bad for my ranting because my roommate was the one that liked the show, not me. But I have to stand by my opinion, it sucked. The series sucked, the ending sucked. If the ends no good, I've honestly got better things to do with my time then watch another bad series, afterall my playing card mansion is on it's 7th garage and my paint drying-watching championship is always in need of defense. We've seen what a real ending can do to a show. What would Trigun have been with out the final episode and battle between Knives and Vash T.S.? What would the series have ment with the theological and philosophical thoughts the characters had near the end? Cowboy Bebop was strong in every way, and yet it still felt the need to deliver with a strong ending in both action and meaning. Everything is clearer now. Life is just a dream you see, that's never ending...

On the one hand I want to agree with Sarengeo and say that the female characters are indeed different; cause they are. Jordan even does a good job of getting inside their heads at time and showing us what kind of women they are. I found the amount of the 6th book, Lord of Chaos, that was told from Nynaeve's perspective to be exceptionally well done. It's a subtlty of presentation combined with the real life perspective of a normal person caught up in the craziness of the Wheel. We can definitly see that Nynaeve from her more traditional and conservative farm-life upbringing is not the same kind of woman as Elayne with her sense of ceremony and human chess. Egwene is another interesting facet of that, the way in which she is or has grown up to [spoiler] Aiel and Dreamwalker, a much different path then her Two Rivers sister Nynaeve [/spoiler]. Moraine is strong too, just like Sarengo mentioned, but Moraine's character is the beginning of everything that's wrong with these books. Moraine is a strong character, and a character in a position of power. Yet... her power seems incomplete. I can sympathize with her dilema, power beyond imagination and yet at the same time limitations. But that's not the point here, the point is that she plays some kind of mother roll to many of the early women in the book and many of the early men. I shouldn't phrase it that way, because a mother roll is not acurate, but she sets the stage for the relationship between men and women on the planet. Men; cower, fear, respect and listen to me (or don't but I'm so brilliant that everything you do that is the opposite of what I say is exctly what I want because I cleverly predicted your rash and emotional decision making and told you the opposite of what I wanted KNOWING you would do the opposite of what you were told!) Women; emulate me, we are the world's leaders, we are smarter then men, and we as a gender are so great that we must keep our knowledge and customs a secret from man, never shall we give up our powers and advantages. Manipulation through lies and sexuality, dismissal of female faults or mistakes simply because they are women, the long term mindset that men are dumb and need to be 'shown what is right' and the game that these women seem to enjoy in enforcing their superioir knowledge and decision making. I am a man, but don't hold that against me. I point out injustice wherever i see it, and I find the representation of the sexes in this book to be negative for both men and women. Again, I agree with Sarengo when she points out that there would be a noticable difference between the sexes if one sex had access to the True Source and one did not. But I don't think the difference we're seeing are attributable to that. From the women's circle in the Two Rivers to Faile the Hunter for the Horn to Padan Fain to Sameel: we see all kinds of situations where the sexual barrier and advantage that Saidar (Saidin? which one is it now? Hulk confussed) could give women plays no part. The Women's Circle is just another example of female unity in the face of male incompetence. Faile is an independent women in a world where it seems that everyone is one of two exteremes; docile and subserviant to men (which we can only assume exists since the Two Rivers girls are always shocked and outraged by custom and culture; even if we never have SEEN one submissive woman (not even Min)) or on polar opposite of that; 'independent' of men or even 'dominant' to an almost abusive level as we see in the CLICHE domani women. I'd like to point out that women are never independent or dominant in these books, precisely because of the dependency they have on men. It is just that instead of working with men, as the men are willing to do (if not always unreluctantly) they choose instead to use tits power games to make men act. I'll hate the world of dreams forever if for no other reason then it has given Jordan liscense to turn every female character in the book into his own personal barbie doll. 'I think today Elayne will wear a grean dess with a sweeeeeeping neckline that shows of her ample bossum, oh but then a naughty thought of Rand in his Huckleberry Hound tighty-whities makes her heart do summersaults and the next thing she knows she looks down and sees that she is in a dominatrix attire made entirely of lether and some strange material that is used to hold it all together, not solid like metal, but not soft like fabric...and what is with these interlocking metal teeth in the mask she now wears over her mouth- and what description of a costume in the dream world would be complete without mentioning those breasts at least twice... now her ter'angrel ring, the ring of dreamwalking dangles down between her pushed up and exposed breast tops, slidding across one onto the other as she swayed from side to side.' The only people that demonstrate any real sense of sexual equality are the bad guys. The Dark One doesn't seem to have any problem recruiting men and women for his ranks. The Forsaken take themselves and each other seriously, or at least equally so. Sameel is just as big a threat to everyone as Moghedian (sp - sorry). Instead sexism and what I consider to be degrading and insulting behavior is always displayed by the 'good' guys. And don't get me wrong, they are the good guys, since they struggle to prevent the end of civilization as it is known and prevent the untimely deaths of almost all of mankind, but still--! Is this the message that Robert Joradn is attaching to 'good' in his books? That men should continue to regard women as less then equals and individuals? That we of the male persuassion just consider woman as an inferior species in need of our assistance and every turn and rather then be allowed to develop and grow as individuals, live a life of shelter where 'bad things' cannot hurt them and where tall walls keep them safe? Does Robert Jordan want to continue the generalization and insultingly inaccurate comment that men are stupid individuals? That men are placatable boobs who not only will endure and tolerate women to come in and out of their lives outside of the rolls of government, diplomacy to manipulate them? What purpose do men play in the world other then to wave around their phallic swords of power if they are only going to march off to do the deeds and bidding of women? Surely I don't argue for the reverse of any of these things, surely women as all people deserve rescue and protection when it is available. And surely a fool of a leader needs guidance, be that leader man or woman and be that guider the same or the other. Siuan Sanche? Bah, great leader, great shmeeder. A great leader let the ranks deminish? A great leader allowed herself to be so EASILY [spoiler] dispossed? [/spoiler] A great leader that has let the black and red Ajah struggle all the real power away from her? What testiment do we have to the greatness of Siuan Sanche other then the 'look on her face' when the other characters are so easily intimidated by her? Her sidekick, Leanne is a perfect example of what I'm talking about as we see her become [spoiler] an instant body whore the second her Aes Sedai powers are stripped from her. [/spoiler] Anyway, I feel like I'm rambling and that no one really cares. If you've read the books you either agree with me or you don't. They're good, but Robert Jordan's greateness will forever be soiled in my mind because of this decision for sexuality. I agree again with Sarengo who says "I think R. Jorden got a pretty good idea of how the relationships between men and women would be in his world." Like I said, I do agree, but not EVERY relationship. Not EVERY governemnt. Not EVERY palace and EVERY feast and EVERY woman at EVERY dance in EVERY city in the whole damned world. Robert Jordan isn't a women, even if he really wants to be. His books are sexist and his mind is narrow when it comes to sexuality .

So cartoon network is playing the new episodes of Yu Yu Hakusho, or at least, that's where I'm watching it. It's like my pasion for the show is down. The huge cliffhanger of an ending feels like years ago. And this return to the show has been boring, just more punching for the sake of it with weird pointless endings that hold no real bearing on events. I do imagine it will end strong, Yuskae Yurimeshi has become notorious for strong finishers. Maybe cartoon network held onto it for too long. Maybe it's just me, maybe it's my mood, or maybe it's really the show quality and luke warm episodes. Maybe it's the lineup. Whatever it is, here's to hoping Yu Yu Hakusho picks up for the big Tuguro fight. P.S. I like the new ending credits, but you gotta love that original closing song :o

(I should note I have only read the first 6 books, the sixth one being titled Lord of Chaos) There's no doubt that Robert Jordan has several sexuality issues he likes to act out in his books. If you don't think that Robert Jordan is a sexist or a pervert... then you may be a sexist or a pervert (bad jeff foxworthy joke, remember him?) I couldn't agree more with Harliquins accessment that most of the female characters are the same. It makes for both repetetive and therefore predictable reading. That's the books' strongest weakeness, but there's no doubt that the series has many admirable quilities. First of which being charcters, I've got to talk about them just a little, but I'll keep it to the [spoiler]Ta'veren ;)[/spoiler] [spoiler]Perrin Aybara[/spoiler] is an excellently interesting character, especially in the first few books. The discovery of wonders and undreamed of places combined with a self discovery make for wonderful reading. Then his development as a man. Unfortunately [spoiler]Perrin[/spoiler] really falls apart for me when [spoiler]Fale comes into the picture, anotehr typical female character that is not only uninteresting in herself, but turns Perrin into a dolt and a simpleton who seems only good at whipping his axe about and making the same 'manly' decisions about protecting women and keeping their stomachs calm at the site of blood that far too many of the male characters subscribe to.[/spoiler] [spoiler]Mattriun Catthoun (forgive my spelling)[/spoiler] you have not met a rascal until you have met [spoiler]Matt[/spoiler], nor have you probably ever seen such an interesting 'power' and set of circumstances. Plus, he brings a perspective to the book that is a great addiction and an attitude that the book really needed. And then there is [spoiler]Rand Al'Thor[/spoiler]. Ah, [spoiler]Rand Al'Thor[/spoiler], or should I say [spoiler]Lews Therin Telamon [/spoiler]. [spoiler]Rand[/spoiler] epitomizes the struggle for identity, the solitude of power and responsibility, the desperation of madness and the hopelessness of destiny. [spoiler]Rand Al'Thor IS the Dragon Reborn[/spoiler] Notice all the spoiler spots? That's because the terminology and the the identity that Robert Jordan attaches to his concepts and characters is so powerful that to see the words in print would reveal too much of their identity for those that may not yet want that. On top of all this, Jordan has created a world that really expands on the foundations of fantasy. These books take on a size large enough to explore individuals, idnetities and relationships more thoroughly then a lot of other narratives (of whatever media). I think the books loose pace as time goes on. Again I refer to Harliquin who I agree with when he says Rand runs in circles, 'tis true. But I won't critisize that too much, I only agree to a small degree and plus I think it is the structure of the story; sometimes people, and by people I mean us, ourselves, find ourselves running in circles don't we? [spoiler] plus Rand is a mad man :wigout: and the existence of the forsaken is what's really responsible for all this stalling. (Though that could be identified as a somewhat bothersome narrative device by Jordan to stretch it out, as though I need to read that Avienda glared at Rand and gave him the silent treatment again... 'oh, well Rand thought dumbly and pointed his index finger to his head with his thumb up like a handgun- "der... me no understand women" and then he drolls and trips over Perrin, who is so dumbstruck by a woman he has forgotten how to walk or even stand'[/spoiler] ok, sorry about that..... more frustrating about how the story looses pace is the sheer number of scenes of 'sexual' tension and political chest puffing. It works to a degree to make me crave the endings of each book and makes me root for the Dragon ;) because I want to see this stupid beaurocracy just shattered. (Keep in mind I'm only through book 6, perhaps it will) But we may never know, although I think this is one of the best series I've eer laid eyes to (I thought that more strongly during the first 4 books or so) I just had to put it down, I bought the 7th, A Crown of Swords, but just won't open it, I've got better things to do then read about another year of sexist domination (women over men)==> I know that info is more personal, but I thought I'd share my experience as an insight inside what the books and the series are. But let me finish with this, my complaints first surfaced with great anger and frustraion, and I know that is because I had been loving this story so much that I was passionate about it. It's powerful, it's amazing and it was worth it. Perhaps one day I'll pick it up and finish it. What say all? Anyone read further then me? Understand what I'm talking about? Will it get better?.... aw what am I talking about, I'll finish the series. Why? because it's great. It's the Wheel, it's the Dragon, you'll understand.

I just finished the book the other day:genius:! No one has posted for a while but I wanted to see if anyone wanted to talk about this great series again? I think one of the least talked about aspects in this book is the one that Queen Asuka mentioned in her post, the mirror. What breaks my heart was how [spoiler] this whole time Sirius is not only scheduled for death, but dying a slow death by loneliness. His last months could have been filled with such happiness and companionship if only Harry would have used the mirror. I cried just thinking about Sirius, sitting in his empty house staring at the empty mirror for hours, waiting for Harry to appear. 'Why wouldn't Harry come?' he must have been thinking. I can just hear him speaking the name... [/spoiler] 'Harry?' but no reply. *sniff There have been a lot of complaints from people as the characters did things they as readers didn't 'want' or think was 'right' I would never strike J.K. Rowling or even complain, I love these books. (But I might steal her dump truck full of money she must have to use to move it around ;)) I know that it's people's passion and love for the books that makes them care enough to complain, but please people, don't hurt our dear Ms. Rowling, let her write what she wants to, what will be will be. For me, a big part of these books (something I have to caution myself against to a degree) is the way they make me reminicse (sp) for a childhood, whether it be my own or the one I never had. I'm 23 so kinda still being a kid, but it woulda been great to go to a boarding school if they were like this, building a community, friends, houses and being busy. Don't get me wrong I love my parents and my own past, but I do endulge in such thoughts to a degree at least subconcious as I read. I suppose I am just mentioning it because I'm growing up myself and as the song goes, "I don't wanna grow up..." Speaking of growing up, [spoiler] I think in a big way these books are about growing up. The other scene in which my heart was jerked was when Dumbledoore shed his tear for Harry over not making him a Prefect. With all that's going on, with all the danger, and all the respoinsibility he has and with all the trouble that is falling into his lap, Dumbledoore is still taking the time to think about everything big and small and doing his best for everyone. We see here that Harry is growing up but at the same time is still a boy compared to the maturity of Dumbledoore. [/spoiler] Good comments everyone. I agree with a lot of stuff, Umbridge is a character that makes us emotional and the horses being newly seen... long story short, I love Harry Potter :)

If we're going to talk Dragons someone has to mention Dungeons and Dragons, or more precisely Dragonlance. Dragon in both titles after all. The Chronicle series (Dragons of Autumn Twilight or something, Dragons of Winter's something, and Dragons of Spring something) is the place to start when you're talking Dragonlance, and I'd recommend it personally, had a good time with the books and it opened up a whole world/series where you can spend some time if you want. Worth pointing out though that all though Dragons are a huge part of these books I wouldn't go so far as to say they are Dragon books. I heard of a really good series whose name escapes me, the covers featured mean riding dragons like horses, they fought with big swords... anyway, vague description i know but if anyone knows what i'm talking about please hollar. Forgotten Realms has some of the best Dragon/Human fights I've read. Particularlly the trilliogy by R.A. Salvatore starring the famous Drizz't D'Urden. The Crystal Shard is the first in that series.