Rather than posting in one post, I'm gonna post the same way as I did last year, with a tally list and description of what I watched.
Recent viewings in bold:
Scarecrow of Romney Marsh Parts I, II, & III
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Again, not your typical horror or Halloween movie, but becuase of the subject matter, this series is perfect for this time of year - and well, they do celebrate Halloween at Hogwarts. Since the series wrapped up this year, thought It would be fitting to rewatch them for my Halloween movie marathon. When the movie series first started, I was not familiar with the books, nor did I see the first 3 movies in the theater. It wasn't until
Goblet of Fire that I saw my first HP movie on the big screen. I enjoyed GoF, but I still wasn't big into the series. I realized this was an acquired taste. I then watched the first three on DVD and started to really enjoy the series. And I admit, I got into the books late - I just finished Philospher's Stone a couple days ago, and started reading Chamber of Secrets last night. Really enjoyed reading PS, but I'm looking forward to the longer books to see what was dropped from the movies.
My thoughts on Philosopher's Stone, the movie...
What can I say, the start of a great franchise. Hard to believe it started ten years ago - released just two months after 9/11 happened. I can see why people went to see it in droves, to have a little escapism, to perhaps take a way the doom and gloom the terrorists brought on us. After reading the book now, I can say they made some great choices with the cast. They only thing that seems a little dated are some of the SFX - some of the CG could've been done a little better, other than that, a fun movie. And yes, I'm using the original title as it was released here in Canada and abroad, not the one the dumb marketers in the US came up with.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Can't compare the book to the movie as I just started the book last night. A great 2nd act. I get a good chuckle out of the Mandrake scene. A very imaginitive and immersive environment J.K. Rowling created. Kenneth Branagh's Gilderoy Lockhart cracks me up, with the girls swooning around a fraudulent prof. Touches a little more on the dark side of the HP universe with the appearance of Tom Riddle. Great movie.
I do want to watch all of them before Halloween, but I may watch something different in between each installment. Deathly Hallows Part 2 isn't coming out on Blu until Remembrance Day, so I may catch it in the theater again, maybe it will be at the 2nd run theater by the time I get to it.