So I know it won't make me popular, but I've been very disappointed with my Harry Potter experiences of late. I'm not a Potter fanatic, but I was introduced to the first book before Potter-mania hit, and have been a solid fan, reading all the books and seeing the films in the theatre.

I must say, I wasn't crazy about the last book. I'm not going to go into details in case folks haven't read it, but I was sad to see the series end and was sorry that it felt like a low note for me.

Still, I love the world and mythos and wanted to see the most recent film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. My partner (Trey) and I were excited like kids. We even splurged on evil move-theatre popcorn, so that it was even more of an "event".

Sadly, we both found the film to be pretty dull (though lovely). I had been excited about seeing Helena Bonham-Carter in the film, since I'm a big fan (Merchant-Ivory films...YAY!), but couldn't stomach her performance as Bellatrix (despite what the Times review had to say).

With kernels in our teeth and the dust of disappointment in our mouths, we suffered through and right at the end when the big-money, special effects scene started...the sound in the theatre went out. That's right - we saw Sirius die right before Harry, we SAW the duel between Voldomort and Dumbledore...but we didn't hear a thing.

The sound came back on once the juicy stuff had ended - but it was too late. We got free movie passes out of it, but I'm still bitter.